Movement of a limb away from the central line of the body, or of a digit away from the axis of a limb. Muscles that carry out this movement are called abductors. (See also adduction.)
an abnormality of the eye muscles leading most commonly to restricted abduction (outward movement of the eye away from the midline) of one eye. On attempted adduction (inward movement of the eye towards the midline) of that same eye there is retraction of the eye into the orbit and narrowing of the opening between the eyelids. [A. Duane (1858–1926), US ophthalmologist]... duane’s syndrome
pl. n. movements of one eye, i.e. adduction (rotation towards the nose), abduction (rotation towards the temple), elevation, depression, intorsion, and extorsion.... ductions
(gamekeeper’s thumb) an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb, caused by forced abduction across the metacarpophalangeal joint, at the base of the thumb. Treatment is by splintage or, in the case of severe injuries, by surgical repair of the torn ligament ends.... skier’s thumb
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