Shoulder abduction occurs in which plane of motion?

Shoulder abduction occurs in which plane of motion?

• A. Sagittal
• B. Transverse
• C. Frontal
• D. Oblique

Answer: (C)

Shoulder abduction is the movement of lifting the arm away from the midline of the body, which happens in the frontal plane (also called the coronal plane). In this plane, the limb moves laterally, and abduction is paired with adduction as opposite motions. Movements in other planes help you categorize shoulder motion: flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane (front-to-back movements), while rotation (internal/external) and horizontal movements occur in the transverse plane. The oblique plane isn’t used for standard, primary planar descriptions of these common shoulder actions. So, shoulder abduction occurs in the frontal plane.

Shoulder abduction is the movement of lifting the arm away from the midline of the body, which happens in the frontal plane (also called the coronal plane). In this plane, the limb moves laterally, and abduction is paired with adduction as opposite motions.

Movements in other planes help you categorize shoulder motion: flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane (front-to-back movements), while rotation (internal/external) and horizontal movements occur in the transverse plane. The oblique plane isn’t used for standard, primary planar descriptions of these common shoulder actions.

So, shoulder abduction occurs in the frontal plane.