Soft Tissue Properties

Flashcards for review of Soft Tissue Properties lecture

Stretch

The ability to lengthen without being damaged or injured

Elasticity

A muscle’s ability to return to its original length and shape after it is shortened or lengthened

Plasticity

The capacity to be altered and retain that new configuration

Creep

A gradual change in shape that occurs when tissues are subjected to a slow, continuous force from either compression, tension, or twisting

Hooke’s Law

When a material is loaded in the elastic zone, the stress is proportional to the strain

Thixotropic

A quality that responds to changes in temperature (or other disturbances such as pressure) by transforming from a gel to a liquid and vice versa

Tensile strength

The ability to be pulled in two different directions without damage

Piezoelectric effect

The production of electricity or electric polarity by applying a mechanical stress to certain crystals

Colloidal

Property whereby a material is composed of solid particles suspended in fluid

Wolff’s Law

Bone tissue, when put under stress, will thicken and form a stronger, osseous matrix

Stress

Measure of the force intensity that results from pressure

Deformation

When applied forces or loads lead to changes in the size and shape of the object or materials

Tension

Linear force that elongates tissues with maximum stress perpendicular to plane of applied load

Compression

Linear force that pushes parts together with the direction of force at a right angle to the surface

Shear

Deformation internally at angular direction, when the forces are parallel to the surfaces in contact

Torsion

Twisting force that creates a shear stress over an entire bone

Compression Tissues

Bone, Cartilage

Tension Tissues

Proper Fascia, Tendons: parallel fiber configuration unidirectional pull, Ligaments: cross-hatched fiber configuration multidirectional forces