Muscles and Motion Key Terms

Muscle

A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human that has the ability to contract, producing, movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body

Tendons

A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.

Ligament

A flexible, tough fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages together at a joint.

Contraction

The process in which a muscle becomes or is made shorter and tighter

ATP

A compound composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups, which supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes.

Sarcomere

Any of the repeating structural units of strained muscle fibrils.

Actin

A protein that forms (together with myosin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells.

Myosin

A protein that forms (together with actin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells.

Sliding Filament Theory

Theory that explains the mechanism of muscle contraction based on muscle proteins that slide past each other to generate movement.

Troponin

A protein (together with tropomyosin) involved in muscle contraction.

Tropomyosin

A protein (together with troponin) involved in muscle contraction.

Endomysium

A layer of connective tissue that surrounds each individual muscle fiber.

Epimysium

A layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle

Perimysium

A layer of connective tissue that surrounds a bundle of muscle fibers.

Fascicle

A bundle of muscle fibers.

Myofibril

Long contractile fibers that perform muscle contraction (actin and myosin)

Origin

Muscle attachment on bone that remains immobile during action

Occupational Therapy

Medical treatment that improves a patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living such as school, work, and home.

Muscle fatigue

A decrease in the force or power output of muscle.

Fibrous joint

A fixed, or immobile, joint that connects bones. It is made primarily of collagen.

Cartilaginous Joint

A joint that has some motion to it with hyaline cartilage present, in the space between articulating bones.

Synovial Joint

A movable joint that contains synovial fluid in the space around it to reduce friction; the most common type of joint in the body.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue that provides shape and support to various body parts and cushions bones, allowing for movement and flexibility.

Articular Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage attached to articular bone structures.

Elastic cartilage

A spongy, yellow, elastic network of fibers that provide support to body structure.

Fibrocartilage

The strongest type of cartilage that provides support, rigidity, and cushioning to parts of the body.

Kinesiology Tape

A stretchy, movable tape that is used by therapists to change muscle tone, move lymphatic fluids, correct movement patterns, and improve posture.

Proprioception

The body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location. Examples of proprioception are being able to walk or kick without looking at your feet.

Range of Motion

The range through which a joint can be moved.

Goniometer

An instrument for measuring the angles of a joint

Active ROM exercise

Exercises that are completed by the patient moving the limb or body parts around the stiff joint without the help of their physical therapist

Empathy

Understanding and experiencing the feelings of another person

HIPPA

A set of U.S national standards that protect an individual’s privacy rights related to their personal medical information

Physical Therapist

Medical professional who helps injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain

Physiatrist

A medical doctor trained in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Orthropedic Surgeon

A medical doctor who examines, diagnoses, and treats (including, surgical treatment) diseases and injuries to the musculoskeletal system.

Certified Athletic Trainer

A medical professional that provides athletic training services to athletes to prevent, assess, and treat athletic injuries,

Insertion

Muscle attachment on bone that moves during the action