What term describes movement away from the midline or axis of the body?

The term that describes movement away from the midline or axis of the body is abduction. This movement typically involves limbs or body parts moving laterally, which means they are increasing the distance from the center of the body. For example, when you raise your arms out to the sides, they are moving away from your body's midline, which is the definition of abduction.

In contrast, adduction refers to the movement of a body part toward the midline, extending increases the angle between body parts, and flexion decreases the angle between them. Understanding these terms is essential in describing movements in anatomy, particularly in fields related to health and fitness.