Lateral rotation refers to the movement of a body part around its longitudinal axis away from the midline of the body. Synonyms for lateral rotation include outward rotation, external rotation, and lateral abduction. These terms all refer to the same movement but are used in different fields such as anatomy, sports medicine, and physical therapy. Other related terms include adduction and abduction, which refer to movements toward and away from the midline of the body, respectively. Lateral rotation is commonly used to describe movements of the shoulder joint, hip joint, and spine, and is important for maintaining proper posture and range of motion.