In which plane of motion does abduction/adduction occur?

Abduction and adduction are movements that occur in the frontal plane, also known as the coronal plane. This plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. Abduction refers to the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body, while adduction is the movement of a limb toward the midline.

Understanding that these movements require a lateral movement that shifts an extremity from the center line of the body helps to clarify why the coronal plane is where they occur. Movements in the sagittal plane typically involve flexion and extension, which occur along a front-to-back axis. In contrast, the transverse plane relates to rotational movements around the body, such as twisting.

In summary, abduction and adduction take place in the coronal plane due to the lateral and medial movements involved, distinctly separating them from the other planes of motion.