Adduction

For the legal concept, see adduction (law).

Adduction is a form of movement in animal biology which brings a part of the anatomy closer to the sagittal plane of the body. The opposite of adduction is abduction.

Anatomical planes in a human

Muscles of adduction

Upper limb

• of arm at shoulder (lowering arm)
  • Subscapularis
  • Teres major
  • Pectoralis major
  • Infraspinatus
  • Triceps brachii (caput longum)
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Coracobrachialis

• of hand at wrist
  • Flexor carpi ulnaris
  • Extensor carpi ulnaris

• of fingers
  • Palmar interossei

• of thumb
  • Adductor pollicis

Lower limb

• of thigh at hip
  • medial compartment of thigh/adductor muscles of the hip
    • Adductor longus
    • Adductor brevis
    • Adductor magnus
    • Pectineus
    • Gracilis

• of toes (S2-S3)
  • Adductor hallucis
  • Plantar interossei

Other

• vocal folds
  • Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

• eyeball
  • Superior rectus muscle
  • Inferior rectus muscle
  • Medial rectus muscle

Adduction in Scallops

Scallops have a central adductor muscle. It lets them open and close their shells. It is quite large and developed compared to other bivalves because they swim a lot.