Athletic Training Definitions and Terminology

Abduction

lateral movement away from the median plane with the angle between the displaced parts becoming greater

Acute

injury that has a sudden onset and short duration

Adduction

movement toward the median plane; angle between the displaced part is decreased

Anatomical Position

neutral stance of the individual; standing facing forward with arms at the sides, palms facing forward

Anterior

the front of the body or body part

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint

Atrophy

the wasting away of a normally developed organ or tissue due to degeneration

Bursitis

inflammation of a bursa

Chronic

injury with gradual onset and long duration

Contra lateral

opposite side

Contusion

injury usually caused by a direct blow, which does not break the skin

Deep

away from the surface

Dislocation

displacement of one or more bones or a joint form the original position

Distal

farthest from a point of reference

Dorsal

upper surface/back

Eversion

turning the sole of the foot outward

Extension

the act of straightening a joint, increasing its angle

Flexion

the act of bending a joint, decreasing its angle

Hyper-

prefix, meaning too much

Hypo-

prefix, meaning too little

Inferior

toward the bottom of the body or body part

Insertion

muscle attachment to a bone that moves

Inversion

turning the sole of the foot inward

Ipsilateral

same side

-itis

suffix, meaning inflammation

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Orgin

the fixed end or attachment of muscle

Posterior

the back of the body or body part

Pronation

medial rotation of the forearm or foot

Prone

to lie face down

Proximal

nearest to the point of attachment, origin, or other point of reference

Sprain

motion of a joint which causes stretching or tearing of the ligaments

Strain

excessive stretching of a muscle or tendon

Subluxation

a partial or incomplete dislocation

Superficial

near the surface

Superior

toward the top of the body or body part

Supination

lateral rotation of the forearm or foot

Supine

to lie face up

Tendinitis

inflammation of the tendon

Ventral

bottom surface/front