Unit 3: Key Terms The Muscular System

fascia

A sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures (such as muscles)

ligament

bind bone to bone and create stability of joints

muscle

A bundle of long slender cells (muscle fibers) that have the power to contract and hence to produce movement. are responsible for locomotion and play an important part in performing vital body functions. They also protect the contents of the abdomen against injury and help support the body.

tendon

"connect muscles to bones. Made of fibrous tissue and collagen, are tough but not very stretchy. "

agonist

A muscle whose contraction moves a part of the body directly.

antagonistic

muscle is a muscle that produces the opposite action of an agonist, provides stability.

cardiac muscle

These muscles line the heart walls. They help your heart pump blood that travels through your cardiovascular system. You don't control cardiac muscles. Your heart tells them when to contract.

skeletal muscle

Also known as striated muscles. are responsible for voluntary muscle movement.

smooth muscle

Also known as visceral muscles. is mainly associated with the walls of internal organs. are responsible for involuntary muscle movement.

atrophy

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

contracture

A condition in which a muscle or group of muscles remains in a state of permanent contraction. Read more

hypertrophy

Excessive Growth. is a muscle is the enlargement of muscles.

strain

An overstretching or overexertion of a muscle or tendon.

myalgia

Muscle pain

polymyalgia

Muscle pain that affects several muscle groups

myopathy

"Diseases that attack muscle fibers, making your muscles weak."

myositis

Inflammation or infection of a muscle

polymyositis

Inflammation or infection of multiple muscle groups

avulsion

fracture is where a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone. Read more

fibromyalgia

causes bodywide pain in the fibrous tissues of the muscles and extreme tiredness. It can be confused with arthritis because it may cause pain in joints, muscles and soft tissues Read more"

myasthenia gravis

"Grave or serious muscle weakness. A rare neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder. Causes extreme fatigue and profound muscle weakness. Impulses from the brain travel down nerves but are blocked by antibodies before impulses reach muscle. The body is essentially attacking itself and stopping muscle function. Can impact a person's ability to see, swallow, smile, walk, breathe, or engage in normal, everyday activity. "

muscular dystrophy

are a group of diseases that cause weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles. Read more

rhabdomyolysis

is a rare muscle injury where your muscles break down. This is a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest. Read more

rhabdomyoma

a benign tumor of striated muscle.

rhabdomyosarcoma

is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue - specifically skeletal muscle tissue or sometimes hollow organs such as the bladder or uterus. RMS can occur at any age, but it most often affects children Read more"

sarcopenia

The age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength.

torticollis

occurs when there is a contracture on one side of the neck that causes the head to turn and rotate to one side. Common in infants. Read more

ataxia

is a nervous system disorder that leads to poor muscle coordination during movement. mimics those of being drunk, such as slurred speech, stumbling, falling, and incoordination. Read more"

bradykinesia

Condition of slow movement.

dyskinesia

Condition of difficult movement.

hyperkinesis

Condition of excessive movement

myoclonus

refers to sudden, brief involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. The twitching cannot be stopped or controlled by the person experiencing it. is not a disease itself, rather it describes a clinical sign. Read more"

fasciitis

"Inflammation of the fascia. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, known as the plantar fascia."

tendinitis

is when a tendon is inflamed. It can happen to any tendon in the body. When a tendon is inflamed, it can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. Read more"

tenosynovitis

Inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath around a tendon.

electromyogram

A record or display produced by electromyography.

electromyography (EMG)

The electromyogram is the record that is produced during electromyography

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Test that uses radio frequency waves and a magnetic field to produce clear images that aid in the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions

fasciectomy

A surgical procedure to remove fascia

fasciotomy

A procedure in which the fascia is cut to relieve pressure in the muscle compartment

myorrhaphy

Suture of a muscle

tenomyoplasty

Surgical procedure involving the repair of both muscle and tendon

tenorrhaphy

Suture of a tendon

neuromuscular blocker drugs

Drugs that interrupt transmission of nerve impulses at the skeletal neuromuscular junction. Used in surgery to inhibit breathing which is then temporarily provided through mechanical ventilation.

relaxant

Drugs that relieve muscle spasm and stiffness

kinesiologists

study the acquisition of motor skills, the mechanical aspects of movement, and the body's responses to physical activity. "

physiatrist

"The medical specialty that emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people disabled by disease, disorder or injury."

physical therapist or physical therapy assistant (PT/PTA)

"Optimize quality of life by maintaining, restoring, and improving patient's ability to move, function, and live more active lifestyles. "