Which term would best describe motion that takes a limb away from the body?

The term that best describes motion that takes a limb away from the body is "abduction." This anatomical term specifically refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. For instance, when you raise your arms sideways away from your torso, you are performing abduction.

In contrast, other terms like adduction refer to the movement toward the midline of the body, proximal refers to a point that is closer to the center of the body or point of attachment, and extension typically describes the straightening of a joint, increasing the angle between body parts. Understanding these terms assists in accurately describing body movements in a biological or medical context.