What is meant by external rotation in limb movement?

External rotation refers to the movement of a limb in such a way that it turns away from the body's midline. This motion increases the angle between the limb and the torso, effectively moving the limb outward. For example, when a person raises their arm and rotates it so that the hand moves away from the center of the body, that's an example of external rotation.

This term is commonly used in various contexts, including physical therapy and sports medicine, as it helps describe the positions and movements of limbs in relation to the body. It is essential in understanding joint mechanics and in developing exercise programs aimed at strengthening specific muscle groups.

The other movements described, such as moving a limb toward the midline (which would be internal rotation) or shifting a limb from side to side, do not accurately represent external rotation, which is specifically defined by the rotation away from the midline.