Chapter 4 - The Muscular System

Muscle fibers

long, slender cells that make up muscles

Fascia

band of connective tissue that envelops, separates, or binds together muscles or groups of muscles

myofascial

pertaining to muscle tissue and fascia

my/o

muscle

fasci/o

fascia, fibrous band

-al

pertaining to

tendon

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

ligaments

bands 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 (the major muscle of the calf of the leg) to the heel bone

aponeurosis

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

striated

striped

visceral

relating to the internal organs

Myocardial muscles

form the muscular walls of the heart

innervation

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

antagonistic

working in opposition to each other

Contraction

tightening of a muscle

Adduction

the movement of a limb (arm or leg) toward the midline of the body.

Abduction

the movement of a limb (arm or leg) away from the midline of the body.

clon/o

violent action

dys-

bad, difficult, or painful

fibr/o

fibrous tissue, fiber

-ia

abnormal condition, disease, plural of -ium

-ic

pertaining to

kines/o, kinesi/o

movement

-lysis

to set free, break down

-plegia

paralysis, stroke

tax/o

coordination, order

ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o

tendon, stretch out, extend, strain

ton/o

tone, stretching, tension

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

swelling that creates pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.

chronic fatigue syndrome

a disease of unknown cause that affects many body systems, with symptoms similar to those of fibromyalgia.

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 separates 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.

dorsiflexion

the movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle.

dyskinesia

distortion or impairment of voluntary movement.

dystonia

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

electromyography

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

epicondylitis

the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow.

ergonomics

the study of the human factors that affect the design and operation of tools and the work environment.

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.

fasciitis

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 heel.

hemiparesis

slight paralysis or weakness 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

abnormally increased muscle function or activity.

hypotonia

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

impingement syndrome

inflammation of tendons that get caught in the narrow space between the bones within the shoulder joint.

insertion

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

intermittent claudication

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

muscular dystrophy

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 neuromuscular junction and produces weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles.

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 disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

myoparesis

weakness or slight muscular paralysis.

myorrhaphy

surgical suturing of a muscle.

origin

where the muscle begins; located nearest the midline of the body or on a less movable part of the skeleton. The origin is the less movable attachment.

paralysis

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

paraplegia

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 fasciitis

inflammation of the plantar fascia causing foot or heel pain when walking or running.

polymyositis

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 and backward.

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities.

sarcopenia

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

shin splint

pain caused by the muscle tearing away from the tibia.

singultus

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

injury to a joint, such as ankle, knee, or wrist, that usually involves a wrenched or torn ligament.

tendinopathy

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

tenodesis

surgical suturing of the end of a tendon to bone.

tenolysis

the release of a tendon from adhesions.

tenosynovitis

inflammation of the sheath around a tendon.

tenotomy

surgical cutting of a tendon to provide release or allow lengthening.

torticollis

a stiff neck due to spasmodic contraction of the neck muscles that pull the head toward the affected side.

transverse

in a crosswise direction.

Rectus

straight alignment with the vertical axis of the body

frontalis muscle

muscle is in the forehead

temporalis muscle

moves lower jaw back up to close mouth

masseter muscle

moves the lower jaw up to close mouth when chewing