Protracted movement, also known as protraction, refers to the forward movement or extension of a body part. It's essentially sticking something out.
More specifically:
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Definition: Protraction involves moving a body part away from the midline of the body in a horizontal plane. Think of it as pushing something outwards or forwards.
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Examples:
- Scapular Protraction: This occurs when your shoulder blades move forward and away from each other. This often happens when rounding your shoulders. A prime example is when throwing a punch; the serratus anterior muscle contracts, pulling the scapula forward.
- Mandibular Protraction: This involves moving your jaw forward, resulting in an underbite.
- Tongue Protraction: This is simply sticking your tongue out.
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Antagonistic Movement: The opposite of protraction is retraction, which is pulling a body part back towards the midline.
| Movement | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Protraction | Moving a body part forward in a horizontal plane. | Extending the jaw forward (underbite). |
| Retraction | Moving a body part backward in a horizontal plane. | Pulling the shoulders back (squeezing scapula). |
Therefore, protracted movement describes the act of protruding or extending a part of the body forward or outward.
