What do we call the movement of a body part around its central axis?

The movement of a body part around its central axis is referred to as rotation. This occurs when a body segment pivots around a fixed point or axis, allowing for a circular movement of that segment. For example, the head turning side to side involves the rotation of the cervical spine. Similarly, when the arms rotate at the shoulder joint or the legs rotate at the hip joint, they are executing a rotational movement.

Rotation is essential in various functional movements, such as in sports, where athletes often need to twist or turn their bodies to execute certain skills. Understanding rotation is critical in both biomechanics and anatomy, as it contributes to the overall dynamics of human movement.