What is the term for the rotation of the anterior surface of a bone toward the midline of the body?

Medial rotation refers to the movement of a bone or limb such that the anterior (front) surface is turned toward the midline of the body. This action typically occurs in the shoulder or hip joints, where rotation around an axis allows the limb to pivot inwards. For example, when you raise your arm and then rotate it so that your thumb points toward your body, that movement is considered medial rotation. This term highlights the direction of the movement relative to the body's anatomical position, which is critical for understanding human movement and assessing functional mobility.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe this specific action. Lateral rotation involves turning the anterior surface away from the midline. Transverse rotation is a more general term that can encompass different types of rotational movements in the transverse plane, while distal rotation is not a recognized anatomical term for describing movements in this context.