Muscular system

abduction

the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

adduction

the movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.

adhesion

a band of fibrous tissue that holds structures together abnormally.

ataxia

the lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movement.

atonic

lacking normal muscle tone or strength.

atrophy

weakness or wearing away of body tissues and structures.

bradykinesia

extreme slowness in movement.

carpal tunnel syndrome

symptoms occur when the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel into the hand are chronically overused and become inflamed and swollen.

chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

is a disorder of unknown cause that affects many body systems; a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not imploved by bed rest and may be made worse by physical or mental activity.

circumduction

the circular movement at the far end of a limb.

compartment syndrome

involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels due to swelling within the compartment, an enclosed space created by the fascia that sepertaed groups of muscles in the arm or leg; this syndrome can be caused by trauma, tight bandages or casts, or repetitive activities such as running.

contracture

the permanent tightening of fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin that occurs when normally elastic connective tissues are replaced with nonelastic fibrous tissues.

dorsiflexion

the movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle.

dyskinesia

distortion or impairment of voluntary movement resulting in fragmented or jerky motions.

dystonia

a movement disorder characterized by the involuntary and sometimes repetitive contraction of certain muscles.

electromyography (EMG)

is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity within muscle fibers in response to nerve stimulation.

epicondylitis

inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow.

exercise physiologist

a specialist who works under the supervision of a physician to develop, implement, and coordinate exercise programs and administer medical tests to promote physical fitness.

fascilitis

inflammation of a fascia.

fibromyalgia

a debilitating chronic condition characterized by fatigue; diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain; and a wide range of other symptoms.

ganglion cyst

a benign, fluid-filled lump that usually occurs on the outer surface of the wrist or hand, sometimes as a result of a past injury.

heel spur

a calcium deposit in the plantar fascia near its attachment to the calcaneus bone, causing pain that is often mistaken for plantar fasciitis.

hemiparesis

a weakness or slight muscle paralysis affecting one side of the body.

hemiplegia

total paralysis affecting only one side of the body.

hernia

occurs when tissue, such as part of an internal organ, protrudes through a weak area in the muscle normally containing it.

hyperkinesia

also known as hyperactivity, is abnormally increased muscle function or activity.

hypotonia

a condition in which there is diminished tone of the skeletal muscles.

impingement syndrome

also known as rotator cuff tendinitis, occurs when inflamed and swollen tendons are caught in the narrow space between the bones within the shoulder joint.

innervation

the stimulation of a muscle by an impulse transmitted by a motor nerve.

insertion

where the muscle ends by attaching to a bone or tendon; is the more movable attachment, and it is the farthest point from the midline of the body.

intermittent claudication (IC)

pain in the leg muscles that occurs during exercise and is relieved by rest.

muscular dystrophy (MD)

this general term describes a group of more than 30 genetic diseases that are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement, without affecting the nervous system.

myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neauromuscular junction (where the neuron activates the muscle to contract) and produces weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles, especially in the eye, face, and throat.

myoclonus

the quick, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles.

myofascial release

a specialized soft-tissue manipulation technique used to ease the pain of conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

myoparesis

weakness or slight muscular paralysis.

myorrhaphy

surgical suturing of a muscle.

neuromuscular

pertaining to the relationship between a nerve and muscle.

oblique

slanted or at an angle.

paralysis

the loss of sensation and voluntary muscle movements in muscle through disease or injury to its nerve supply.

paraplegia

also known as partial paralysis, is the paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body.

physiatrist

a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation with the focus on restoring function.

plantar fasciliitis

also known as plantar fasciopathy, is an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot; this condition causes foot or heel pain when walking or running.

polymyositis (PM)

is a muscle disease characterized by the simultaneous inflammation and weakening of voluntary muscles in many parts of the body.

pronation

the act of rotating the arm or leg so that the palm of the hand or sole of the foot is turned downward or backward.

quadriplegia

also known as tetraplegia, is paralysis of all four extremities.

sarcopenia

the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function that comes with aging.

shin splint

a painful condition caused by the tibialis anterior muscle tearing away from the tibia.

singultus

also known as hiccups, is myoclonus of the diaphragm that causes the characteristic hiccup sound with each spasm.

sphincter

a ring-like muscle that tightly constricts the opening of a passageway.

sprain

an injury to a joint, such as an ankle, knee, or wrist, which usually occurs when a ligament is wrenched or torn.

tendinopathy

the general term for irritation or degeneration of a tendon in any joint, for example in the rotator cuff.

tenolysis

the release of a tendon from adhesions.

tenosynovitis

inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon.

tenotomy

surgical cutting of a tendon to provide release or allow lengthening, including correcting contraction deformities like clubfoot or strabismus.

torticollis

also known as wryneck, is a stiff neck due to spasmodic contraction of the neck muscles that pull the head toward the affected side.

transverse

in a crosswire direction.

muscle fibers

long, slender cells that make up muscles; bound together by connective tissue.

fascia

a band of connective tissue that envelops, seperates, or binds together muscles or groups of muscles; is flexible to allow muscle movements.

myofascial

means pertaining to muscle tissue and fascia.

tendon

is a narrow band of nonelastic, dense, fibrous connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

ligament

is a band of fibrous tissue that form joints by connecting one bone to another bone.

patellar tendon

attaches muscles to the bottom of the patella.

Achilles tendon

attaches the gastrocnemius muscle to the heel bone.

aponeurosis

a sheet-like fibrous connective tissue resembling a flattened tendon that connects muscles together or to a bone.

skeletal muscles

are attached to the bones of the skeleton and make body motions possible.

smooth muscles

are located in the walls of internal organs such as the digestive tract, blood vessels, and ducts leading from glands; function is to move and control the flow of fluids through these structures.

involuntary muscles

smooth muscles

unstriated muscles

smooth muscles

visceral muscles

smooth muscles

voluntary muscles

skeletal muscles

striated muscles

skeletal muscles

myocardial muscles

form the muscular walls of the heart.

antagonistic

refers to working in opposition to each other.

contraction

the tightening of a muscle; becomes shorter and thicker, causing the belly of the muscle to enlarge.

relaxation

occurs when a muscle returns to its original form; becomes longer and thinner, and the belly is no longer enlarged.

belly

center

abduction

movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

adduction

the movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.

extension

means increasing the angle between two bones or the straightening out of a limb.

flexion

means decreasing the angle between two bones by bending a limb at a joint.

rotation

a circular movement around an axis such as the shoulder joint.

circumduction

the circular movement at the far end of a limb.

pronation

the act of rotating the arm or the leg so that the palm of the hand or sole of the foot is turned downward or backward.

supination

the act of rotating the arm of the leg so that the palm of the hand or sole of the foot is turned forward or upward.

dorsiflexion

the movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle; pointing the toes and foor upward decreases the angle between the top of the foor ad the front of the leg.

plantar flexion

the movement that bends the foot downward at the ankle; pointing the toes and foot downward increases the angle between the top of the foot and the front of the leg.

abductor

a muscle that moves a body part away from the midline.

adductor

a muscle that moves a body part toward the midline.

flexor muscle

bends a limb at a joint.

extensor muscle

straightens a limb at a joint.

hypertextension

the extreme extension or overextension of a limb or body part beyond its normal limit.

elevation

the act of raising or lifting a body part.

levator anguli oris muscles

raise the corners of the mouth into a smile.

levetor

a muscle that raises a body part.

depression

the act of lowering a body part.

depressor anguli oris muscles

lowers the corner of the mouth into a frown.

depressor

a muscle that lowers a body part.

rotator muscle

turns a body part on its axis.

rotator cuff

the group of muscles and their tendons that hold the head of the humerus securely in place as it rotates within the shoulder joint.