What kind of joint movement is described by circumduction?

Circumduction refers to a specific type of joint movement that combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction in a circular or conical motion. This type of movement typically occurs at joints such as the shoulder and hip, where the limb is moved in a way that traces a circular path, without the limb actually rotating around its axis. The joint effectively describes a cone shape in space as the distal end of the limb moves in a circular pattern while the proximal end remains relatively stationary.

This definition aligns perfectly with the notion of circular movement at a joint, distinguishing circumduction from other types of movements like linear, rotational, or gliding motions. Linear movement refers to movement in a straight line, rotational movement implies turning around a central point, and gliding movement involves surfaces sliding past one another, none of which characterize the combined circular motion seen in circumduction.