Musculoskeletal Terms/Study Guide

abduction

movement of a limb AWAY from the midline of the body

adduction

movement of a limb TOWARD the midline of the body

alignment

the relationship of body parts to one another; the proper positioning of bones, joints, and body segments in relation to the midline of the body

allis sign

an assessment technique for detecting hip dislocation (hip dysplasia) in infants

atrophy

decrease in muscle mass or muscle wasting

barlow's manuever

an assessment technique used to detect hip instability or hip dislocation in newborns and infants

biceps

muscle located in the upper arm that performs flexion and supination movements

bilateral

both sides of the body

bouchard nodes

joint deformities that develop in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the fingers; associated with osteoarthritis

carpel tunnel

condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist

cervical spine

upper portion of the spinal column consisting of seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) located in the neck region

concave

curving inward TOWARD the body

contracture

condition where muscle fibers shorten, resulting in permanent flexion and limited joint movement

convex

curving OUTWARD away from the body

crepitus

grating or crunching sensation or sound felt or heard during joint or bone movement

deltoid

triangular-shaped muscle that covers the shoulder joint

dorsiflexion

flexion of the ankle joint that moves the foot upward toward the shin

dysplasia

abnormal development or formation of tissue, bone, or joint structures

edema

swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in body tissues

extension

movement that increases the angle between two bones at a joint, typically straightening the joint

external rotation

rotational movement where a limb or body part turns outward away from the midline of the body 1

extremities

The arms and legs (upper and lower limbs) of the body

eversion

movement that turns the sole of the foot outward away from the midline of the body

flexion

movement that decreases the angle between two bones at a joint, typically bending the joint

fracture

partial or complete break in the continuity of a bone

gait

manner or pattern of walking, including balance, smoothness, and coordination of movement

heberden nodes

joint deformities of the fingers that develop in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints associated with osteoarthritis

hyperextension

movement that extends a joint beyond its normal straight (anatomical) position, increasing the angle beyond 180 degrees

inflammation

localized protective response of body tissues to injury, infection, or irritation, characterized by specific clinical signs:

pain

edema (swelling)

warmth

erythema (redness)

internal rotation

otational movement of a joint toward the midline of the body, turning the anterior surface medially

inversion

movement of the foot that turns the sole medially (inward) toward the midline of the body

kyphosis

abnormal outward (convex) curvature of the thoracic spine, creating a rounded or hunched back appearance

lordosis

abnormal concave curvature of the lumbar spine, creating an exaggerated inward curve of the lower back

misalignment

abnormal positioning or arrangement of bones or joints that deviates from proper anatomical alignment

mobility/immobility

mobility: mechanisms that facilitate body movement

immobility: impaired ability to move or limitation of body movement

nodules

rounded, firm masses that can develop in various body tissues, including joints

ortolani maneuver

clinical assessment technique used to detect hip instability or dislocation (hip dysplasia) in newborns and infants

active vs. passive ROM?

active ROM: Movement performed by the patient using their own muscle effort, without assistance

passive ROM: Movement performed by the examiner while the patient remains relaxed, with no active muscle contraction by the patient

phalens test

clinical assessment technique used to detect carpal tunnel syndrome by reproducing symptoms of median nerve compression

plantar flexion

extension of the ankle in one plane, pointing the foot downward

pronation

rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward or backward

range of motion (ROM)

the extent of movement possible at a joint, measured in degrees of a circle

rotation

movement of a bone around its central axis, either toward the midline (internal/medial rotation) or away from the midline (external/lateral rotation)

scoliosis

s-shaped deformity of the vertebrae that creates deformity in three planes, usually involving lateral curvature, spinal rotation causing rib asymmetry, and thoracic kyphosis

spasm

involuntary muscle contraction that can occur suddenly and cause pain or restricted movement

spinous process

bony projection extending posteriorly from the vertebral arch, palpable along the midline of the back

spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

one of the 12 cranial nerves that originates in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem; primary function is motor innervation

supination

turning movement of the forearm to position the palm upward (anteriorly)

sternocleidomastoid muscle

major neck muscle that extends from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid process of the temporal bone

swan-neck deformity

finger deformity characterized by hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint

symmetry

equality or correspondence in size, shape, and position of body parts on opposite sides of the body

trapezius muscle

major neck and shoulder muscle that forms part of the anatomic landmarks in the neck

triceps

major muscle of the upper arm located on the posterior (back) surface

ulnar deviation

finger deformity where the fingers drift toward the ulnar (little finger) side of the hand

unilateral

occurring on or affecting only one side of the body

weakness

reduced strength or ability of muscles to contract and produce force

osteoporosis

loss of bone density (osteopenia) and decreased bone formation resulting in weakened, brittle bones

open vs. closed fracture

closed Fracture: the skin remains intact, bone is broken but does not pierce through skin

Lower risk of infection, also called a "simple fracture"

open fracture: skin is broken, bone may protrude through skin or wound communicates with fracture site, higher risk of infection and complications; also called a "compound fracture"

rheumatoid arthritis

chronic, systemic autoimmune disease involving inflammation and degeneration of joints

osteoarthritis

degenerative joint disease resulting in progressive breakdown and loss of cartilage in one or more joints

bursitis

inflammation of the bursa caused by constant repetitive motions or positions that put pressure on the joints they surround

gout

form of arthritis that develops from increased serum uric acid; great toe is the most common initial joint affected