What is the term for the position where the palms are facing down?

The term for the position where the palms are facing down is known as pronation. In this anatomical position, the radius and ulna bones of the forearm are crossed, with the palm turned downward or backward. This is a crucial understanding in anatomy and exercise science, as it helps describe movements related to many daily activities and physical exercises, particularly those involving the upper body.

In contrast, supination refers to the opposite position where the palms face up. Inversion and adduction refer to movements related to the feet and limbs respectively—where inversion describes the movement of the sole of the foot inward and adduction refers to the movement of a body part toward the midline of the body. Understanding these terms is essential for discussing functional movement and anatomy accurately.