Somatic Dysfunction, TART, and Screening (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Somatic Dysfunction, TART, symmetry, and screening lecture notes.

Somatic Dysfunction

Impaired or altered function of the body's framework (bones, joints, muscles, fascia, nerves, vessels) not a disease itself but a musculoskeletal impairment that can cause pain and reduced movement.

TART

Diagnostic acronym used in osteopathy to assess somatic dysfunction: Tissue Texture Abnormality, Asymmetry, Restriction of Motion, Tenderness.

Tissue Texture Abnormality

Changes in soft tissue texture (tension, ropy, boggy, edema, temperature/moisture changes) observed on palpation.

Asymmetry

Differences in position or movement between corresponding body parts (e.g., shoulders or pelvis not level).

Restriction of Motion

Limited range of motion in a joint or group of joints, from complete block to subtle decrease in quality.

Tenderness

Subjective pain experienced on palpation in the area of abnormality.

Fryette’s First Law

In a neutral spine, sidebending and rotation occur in opposite directions.

Fryette’s Second Law

In a non-neutral (flexed or extended) spine, sidebending and rotation occur in the same direction.

Fryette’s Third Law

Initiating motion in one plane limits movement in the other two planes for that spinal segment.

Neutral Position

Spine not flexed or extended; sidebending and rotation occur in opposite directions.

Non-Neutral Position

Spine in flexed or extended state; motion coupling is in the same direction for sidebending and rotation.

Planes of Motion: Coronal/Frontal Plane

Movements occur about an anterior-posterior axis; spinal motion mainly sidebending.

Planes of Motion: Transverse/Horizontal Plane

Movements occur about a vertical axis; spinal motion mainly rotation.

Planes of Motion: Sagittal/Median Plane

Movements occur about a transverse axis; spinal motion mainly flexion and extension.

Spinal Concavity

Inward curve of the spine; cervical and lumbar regions are typically concave (lordotic in posture terms, curve concave posteriorly).

Spinal Convexity

Outward curve of the spine; thoracic and sacral regions are typically convex (kyphotic in the sagittal view).

Lordosis

Inward (concave) curvature of the cervical and lumbar spine; the anterior aspect is convex.

Kyphosis

Outward (convex) curvature of the thoracic and sacral spine; the spine bows outward in these regions.

Center of Gravity

The point where the body's mass is considered to be balanced; used with the plumb line to assess posture.

Plumb Line

A vertical reference line used to assess sagittal-plane posture and alignment.

Scoliosis

Sideways curvature of the spine, often with rotation; commonly labeled as levoscoliosis (left) or dextroscoliosis (right), may show rib hump (roto-scoliosis).

Adam’s Forward Bend Test

Screening test for scoliosis where forward bending reveals rib hump or paraspinal fullness on the convex side; differentiates functional from structural curves.

Standing Flexion Test

Screening test for pelvic dysfunction; positive when the PSIS on the dysfunctional side moves superiorly first or the farthest during forward flexion.

Seated Flexion Test

Screening test for sacral dysfunction; positive when the PSIS on one side moves superiorly during forward flexion while seated.

10-Step Osteopathic Screening Test

Comprehensive osteopathic exam to identify somatic dysfunctions across the body, guiding targeted OMT.

Postural Analysis

Part of the 10-step exam; assessment of head, shoulders, hips, spine alignment from front, back, and side views.

Gait Analysis

Evaluation of walking pattern to identify symmetry, stance/swing phases, and potential abnormalities or pain-avoiding patterns.

Lower Extremity Mobility

Part of the screen assessing dynamic stability and neuromuscular control through movements like squats.

Trunk Mobility

Assessment of flexion, extension, sidebending, and rotation to detect restricted ROM and coupled motions.

Upper Extremity Mobility

Screening of shoulder girdle and arm mobility including sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, glenohumeral, scapulothoracic joints.

Head & Neck Mobility

Assessment of active and passive range of motion in the cervical region (flexion, extension, rotation, sidebending).

Costal Mobility and Breathing Assessment

Evaluation of rib cage motion and breathing patterns; notes use of accessory respiratory muscles.

TART Screen

Part of the 10-step exam detailing Tissue Texture, Asymmetry, Restriction of Motion, and Tenderness across regions.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

Hands-on techniques used to restore normal function and reduce somatic dysfunction.

Functional vs Structural Problems

Functional problems are about how tissues work (reversible), while structural problems involve tissue damage or anatomy change (often visible on imaging).

Viscerosomatic Reflexes

Reflex connections where visceral organ irritation manifests as musculoskeletal dysfunction (e.g., gallbladder pain causing right shoulder tension).

Somatosomatic Reflexes

Reflex interactions within the musculoskeletal system where injury in one part causes reflex changes elsewhere.

Neurological Sensitization

Heightened nervous system sensitivity after injury or stress, contributing to ongoing dysfunction.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors that provide information about body position and movement.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that convey information about potential tissue damage.

Muscle Spindle Activity

Sensory receptors within muscle that detect changes in length and influence muscle tone; heightened gain may increase tension.

Adam’s Forward Bend Test

See Adam’s Forward Bend Test (scoliosis screening) — rib hump indicates convexity.