Shoulder flexion is the forward movement of the arm at the shoulder joint, raising it in the sagittal plane. It's essentially lifting your arm up in front of you.
Understanding Shoulder Flexion
Shoulder flexion occurs primarily at the glenohumeral joint (where the head of the humerus meets the glenoid fossa of the scapula). This movement allows you to bring your arm forward and upwards from your side.
Range of Motion (ROM)
The normal range of motion for shoulder flexion is typically between 0 and 180 degrees. This means you should be able to raise your arm straight overhead.
Key Aspects of Shoulder Flexion:
- Plane of Movement: Sagittal plane (dividing the body into left and right halves).
- Joint Involved: Glenohumeral joint.
- Action: Raising the arm forward and upward.
- Normal ROM: 0-180 degrees.
Example: Think about raising your hand to ask a question. That's shoulder flexion in action.
