Med terms

Atrophy

Decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue

Smooth muscle

Muscle that lacks striations

Skeletal muscle

Striated muscle usually attached to the skeleton and under voluntary control

Sarcomere

Repeating structural unit of striated muscle fibers

Isometric

Muscle contraction without shortening

Isotonic

Muscle contraction resulting in muscle shortening

Abdominal hernia

Opening, tear, or weakness in the abdominal wall with anatomical parts protruding

Inguinal hernia

Hernia where part of the intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal

Hiatal hernia

Hernia where anatomical part protrudes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm

Myalgia

Pain in one or more muscles

Elasticity

Quality of being elastic and flexible

Excitability

Capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli

Contractibility

Ability to cause muscles to shorten and thicken

Insertion

Part of muscle attached to the point to be moved

Origin

More fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle

Muscle dystrophy

Hereditary disease characterized by progressive muscle wasting

Tetanus

Acute infectious disease characterized by muscle spasms, especially in the jaw

Torticollis

Twisting of the neck causing abnormal head carriage due to muscle spasm