Question

The difference between rotation and circumduction is __________

(a) rotation is any circular movement while circumduction is circular movement around something

(b) rotation is the circular movement along the sagittal axis of the body while circumduction is the conical movement of the body around the sagittal axis of the body

(c) circumduction is any circular movement while rotation is circular movement around something

(d) circumduction is the circular movement along the sagittal axis of the body while rotation is the conical movement of the body around the sagittal axis of the body

I had been asked this question in exam.

Question is from Orthopaedics topic in chapter Orthopaedics of Clinical Science

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) rotation is the circular movement along the sagittal axis of the body while circumduction is the conical movement of the body around the sagittal axis of the body

The best I can explain: As the answer says, a rotation is the circular movement along the sagittal axis of the body while circumduction is the conical movement of the body around the sagittal axis of the body. Thus, if there is pronation and supination of the palm, it will come under rotation but if shoulder rotation is done when the arm is fully extended, then its circumduction.