Which term describes turning the palm so the hand faces downward?

Which term describes turning the palm so the hand faces downward?

• A. Supination
• B. Circumduction
• C. Pronation
• D. Adduction

Answer: (C)

Turning the palm so the hand faces downward is pronation. This is the rotational movement of the forearm where the radius crosses over the ulna, flipping the palm from facing up to facing down. The opposite action is supination, where the palm faces upward, like holding a bowl of soup with the palm up or returning to the anatomical position with the palm facing forward. Circumduction describes a circular combination of movements, and adduction is moving a limb toward the midline, so neither of those fit this specific palm orientation.

Turning the palm so the hand faces downward is pronation. This is the rotational movement of the forearm where the radius crosses over the ulna, flipping the palm from facing up to facing down. The opposite action is supination, where the palm faces upward, like holding a bowl of soup with the palm up or returning to the anatomical position with the palm facing forward. Circumduction describes a circular combination of movements, and adduction is moving a limb toward the midline, so neither of those fit this specific palm orientation.