Dorsiflexion involves which movement?

• A. Forward bending of the hand or foot
• B. Rotation of the wrist
• C. Backward flexion of the hand or foot
• D. Lateral bending of the knee

Answer: (C)

Dorsiflexion is the upward movement of the foot at the ankle, bringing the toes toward the shin. This is why describing it as backward flexion of the hand or foot best fits the concept. Think of lifting your toes when you stand on your heels—the front of the foot moves closer to the leg. It’s the opposite of plantarflexion, which points the toes downward. The other options describe different actions—rotating the wrist, bending the knee sideways, or moving in a direction that wouldn’t specifically capture the upward ankle movement.