abduct vs. adduct
abduct vs. adduct: What's the difference?
In the context of physiology, the verbs abduct and adduct are used to indicate which direction a muscle moves a body part in relation to other body parts. Abduct means to draw a body part away from the midline of the body or away from an adjacent part or limb. Adduct means to draw a body part inward toward the median axis of the body or toward an adjacent part or limb. The prefix ab- means “away from,” while ad- means “toward.”
[ab-duhkt]
/ æbˈdʌkt /
verb (used with object)
-
to carry off or lead away (a person) illegally and in secret or by force, especially to kidnap.
-
Physiology. to move or draw away from the axis of the body or limb (adduct ).
[uh-duhkt, ad-uhkt]
/ əˈdʌkt, ˈæd ʌkt /
