Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Massage Therapy Techniques

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing origins, insertions, actions, muscle roles, anatomical landmarks, and massage therapy techniques from lecture notes.

Gluteus Maximus

A hip muscle with origin at the lateral sacrum and iliac crest, insertion at the iliotibial band and gluteal tuberosity, and actions of forceful extension and lateral rotation of the hip.

Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL)

A hip muscle originating just behind the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) and inserting into the tibia condyle via the iliotibial band (ITB); its actions include abduction of the hip, hip flexion, medial rotation of the hip, and stabilizing the knee.

Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus

Hip muscles originating on the posterior ilium and inserting on the greater trochanter; their actions include abduction of the hip, extension of the hip, and medial rotation of the hip.

Piriformis

A hip rotator originating on the anterior sacrum and inserting on the greater trochanter of the femur, acting to produce lateral rotation of the hip.

6 Deep Lateral Rotators of the Hip

A group of deep hip muscles remembered by the mnemonic 'Piece Goods Often Go On Quilts': 1. Piriformis, 2. Gemellus Superior, 3. Obturator Internus, 4. Gemellus Inferior, 5. Obturator Externus, and 6. Quadratus Femoris.

Prime Mover (Agonist)

The primary muscle directly responsible for producing a specific joint movement.

Synergist

A muscle that assists and works alongside the prime mover (agonist) to execute a particular movement.

Antagonist

A muscle that acts in direct opposition to the movement generated by the prime mover (agonist).

Fossa

An anatomical bone landmark characterized as a shallow depression.

Tubercle

An anatomical bone landmark defined as a bump on the bone.

Supraspinatus

A rotator cuff muscle originating in the supraspinous fossa and inserting on the greater tubercle of the humerus; its actions are abduction of the humerus (first $15^\natural$) and stabilizing the head of the humerus.

Infraspinatus

A rotator cuff muscle originating in the infraspinous fossa and inserting on the greater tubercle of the humerus; its actions are lateral rotation of the humerus, extension of the humerus, and stabilizing the head of the humerus.

Teres Minor

A rotator cuff muscle originating on the lateral border of the scapula and inserting on the greater tubercle of the humerus; its actions include lateral rotation of the humerus, extension of the humerus, and stabilizing the head of the humerus.

Subscapularis

A rotator cuff muscle originating in the subscapular fossa and inserting on the lesser tubercle of the humerus; its actions include medial rotation of the humerus and stabilizing the head of the humerus.

Latissimus Dorsi

A large back muscle originating at the ThoracoLumbar Aponeurosis (TLA) and inserting into the medial lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus; its actions are adduction of the shoulder, extension of the shoulder, and medial rotation of the humerus.

Teres Major

A shoulder muscle originating on the lateral border of the scapula and inserting into the medial lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus; its actions are adduction of the shoulder, extension of the shoulder, and medial rotation of the humerus.

Serratus Anterior

A muscle originating from the 1st 8 ribs and inserting along the medial border of the scapula, whose primary action is protraction of the scapula.

Taut Band

A tight, hypertonic band of muscle fibers targeted during therapeutic bodywork.

Friction (Massage)

A therapeutic massage technique applied to soft tissue in specific variations: Circular, Cross Fiber ('transverse'), Longitudinal, and Static.

Rhomboids

Muscles originating from C-7 to T5 and inserting along the medial border of the scapula; their actions include retraction of the scapula, downward rotation of the scapula, and elevation of the scapula.

Levator Scapula

A muscle originating from the transverse processes of C1 to C4 and inserting at the superior angle of the scapula; its actions are elevation of the scapula and downward rotation of the scapula.

Erector Spinae (Paraspinals)

Spinal muscles originating at the occiput and inserting at the sacrum via the ThoracoLumbar Aponeurosis; actions are bilateral extension of the spine and unilateral lateral flexion of the spine.

General-to-Specific Tool Progression

A treatment sequence in massage therapy beginning broadly with 2 hands, transitioning deeper with 1 hand, knuckles, fingers, and thumbs, and finishing with a return 'Back to general'.

Upper Trapezius

The superior segment of the trapezius originating at Occiput-C7 and inserting on the lateral $\frac{1}{3}$ of the clavicle, acromion process of the scapula, and spine of the scapula; its actions are elevation and upward rotation of the scapula.

Middle Trapezius

The intermediate segment of the trapezius originating at T1-T5 and inserting onto the spine of the scapula; its primary action is retraction of the scapula.

Lower Trapezius

The inferior segment of the trapezius originating at T6-T12 and inserting at the root of the spine of the scapula; its actions are depression and upward rotation of the scapula.