OMM IV Final Terms

Gravitational Line

Viewing the patient from the side, an imaginary line in a coronal plane which, in the theoretical ideal posture, starts slightly anterior to the lateral malleolus, passes across the lateral condyle of the knee, the greater trochanter, through the lateral head of the humerus at the tip of the shoulder to the external auditory meatus; if this were a plane through the body, it would intersect the middle of the third lumbar vertebra and the anterior one-third of the sacrum. It is used to evaluate the A-P (anterior-posterior) curves of the spine.

Ligamentous articular strain technique (LAS)

The method involves disengagement, exaggeration, and taking the dysfunctional opposing ligaments to a point of balance.

Lumbosacral angle

Represents the angle of the lumbosacral junction as measured by the inclination of the superior surface of the first sacral vertebra to the horizontal; usually measured from standing lateral x-ray films.

Myotome

(1) All muscles derived from one somite and innervated by one segmental spinal nerve.

(2) That part of the somite that develops into skeletal muscle.

Normalization

The therapeutic use of anatomic and physiologic mechanisms to facilitate the body’s response toward homeostasis and improved health.

Oculogyric reflex

Automatic movement of the head that leads or accompanies movement of the eyes.

Osteopathic postural examination

The part of the osteopathic structural examination that focuses on the static and dynamic responses of the body to gravity while in the erect position.

Osteopathic structural examination

The examination of a patient by an osteopathic practitioner with emphasis on the neuromusculoskeletal system as it reflects and interacts with other body systems in the context of total patient care. This is accomplished primarily via inspection, motion testing, and palpation with the goal of determining the cause of the patient’s complaint and any somatic dysfunction that may be associated with it. Using the concepts of body unity, self-regulation and structure-function interrelationships.

Pelvic declination (pelvic unleveling)

Pelvic rotation about an anterior-posterior (A-P) axis.

Pelvic index (PI)

Represents a ratio of the measurements determined from postural radiograph. One (y) beginning from a vertical line originating at the sacral promontory to the intersection with the horizontal line from the anterior-superior position of the pubic bone. The second measurement (x) is along this same horizontal line. Normal values are age-related and increase in subjects with sagittal plane postural decompensation. It equals x/y.

Postural decompensation

Distribution of body mass away from ideal when postural homeostatic mechanisms are overwhelmed. It occurs in all cardinal planes, but is classified by the major plane(s) affected.

Psoas syndrome

A painful low back condition characterized by hypertonicity of psoas musculature. The syndrome consists of a constellation of typically related signs and symptoms.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the head

A somatic dysfunction of the head and the occpito-atlantal region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the cervical spine

A somatic dysfunction of the cervical and cervicothoracic region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the thoracic spine

A somatic dysfunction of the thoracic region and thoracolumbar region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the lumbar spine

A somatic dysfunction of the lumbar region and lumbosacral region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the sacrum

A somatic dysfunction of the sacral region, sacroiliac joint and sacrococcygeal region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the pelvis

A somatic dysfunction of pelvic (iliosacral) region, pubic region and hip region, glenohumeral, sternoclavicular and scapulothoracic region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the lower extremity

A somatic dysfunction of lower extremity region.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the upper extremity

A somatic dysfunction of upper extremity region, acromioclavicula.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the rib cage

A somatic dysfunction of rib cage, costochondral, costovertebral, sternal and sternochondral regions.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) of the abdomen

A somatic dysfunction of abdomen and other regions.

Sacral base declination (unleveling)

With the patient in a standing or seated position, any deviation of the sacral base from the horizontal in a coronal plane. Generally, the rotation of the sacrum about an anterior-posterior (A-P) axis.

Sclerotherapy

(1) Treatment involving injection of a proliferant solution at the osseous-ligamentous junction.

(2) Treatment involving injection of irritating substances into weakened connective tissue areas such as fascia, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, esophageal varices, or weakened ligaments. The intended body’s response to the irritant is fibrous proliferation with shortening/ strengthening of the tissues injected

Sclerotome

(1) The pattern of innervation of structures derived from embryonal mesenchyme (joint capsule, ligament and bone).

(2) The area of bone innervated by a single spinal segment.

(3) The group of mesenchymal cells emerging from the ventromedial part of a mesodermal somite and migrating toward the notochord. Sclerotomal cells from adjacent somites become merged in intersomatically located masses that are the primordia of the centra of the vertebrae. 

Sclerotomal pain

Deep, dull achy pain associated with tissues derived from a common sclerotome.

Scoliosis

(1) Pathological or functional lateral curvature of the spine.

(2) An appreciable lateral deviation in the normally straight vertical line of the spine.

Sherrington Law

(1) Every posterior spinal nerve root supplies a specific region of the skin, although fibers from adjacent spinal segments may invade such a region.

(2) When a muscle receives a nerve impulse to contract, its antagonist receives, simultaneously, an impulse to relax. 

Subluxation

(1) A partial or incomplete dislocation.

(2) A term describing an abnormal anatomical position of a joint which exceeds the normal physiologic limit, but does not exceed the joint’s anatomical limit.

Tropism, facet

Unequal size and/or facing of the zygapophyseal joints of a vertebra.

Weight-bearing line of L3

Viewing the patient from the side, an imaginary line in a coronal plane which, in the theoretical ideal posture, starts slightly anterior to the lateral malleolus, passes across the lateral condyle of the knee, the greater trochanter, through the lateral head of the humerus at the tip of the shoulder to the external auditory meatus; if this were a plane through the body, it would intersect the middle of the third lumbar vertebra and the anterior one third of the sacrum. It is used to evaluate the A-P (anterior-posterior) curves of the spine.