Applied Kinesiology and Essential Nervous System Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational principles of applied kinesiology, anatomical planes/axes, biomechanics, essential nervous system structures, motor control concepts, and spine anatomy for Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Kinesiology

The study of anatomy and mechanics in relation to human movement.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left sides, where flexion and extension movements occur.

Frontal Plane

Also known as the coronal plane, it divides the body into anterior and posterior portions, where abduction and adduction movements occur.

Transverse Plane

A plane that divides the body into inferior and superior portions, where rotatory (rotary) movements occur.

Axes of Motion

The center of rotation around which joints rotate, including the frontal axis (medial to lateral), sagittal axis (anterior to posterior), and vertical axis (inferior to superior).

Open Chain Movement

Movement characterized by free motion of the distal segment in space, allowing joints to move together or independently.

Closed Chain Movement

Movement where proximal joints move in relation to a fixed or stationary distal segment, requiring a stable joint.

First-Class Lever

A lever system where the exerted force and resistive force are located on opposite sides of the axis, such as in the cervical spine.

Elastic Deformation

The ability of a material or tissue to return to its normal shape after strain.

Plastic Deformation

Permanent deformation of tissue that retains continuity without complete structural failure, such as a sprain.

Cortical Bone

Dense bone tissue with greater mineral content than collagen, forming the shaft of long bones and providing rigid support.

Cancellous Bone

Also known as spongy bone, it features higher collagen content and is located in the marrow cavity and ends of long bones.

Articular Cartilage

Dense hyaline cartilage covering the ends of long bones consisting of multiple layers to absorb force between bones.

Aponeurosis

A fibrous insertion that connects adjacent muscles, such as the abdominal aponeurosis forming the rectus sheath.

Muscle Spindles

Elongated, encapsulated structures located within muscle fibers that signal changes in muscle length and protect muscles.

Golgi Tendon Organs

Sensory receptors located in tendons at the muscle-tendon junction that monitor tension and are more sensitive than muscle spindles.

Agonist Muscle

The prime mover muscle primarily responsible for producing a specific joint motion.

Antagonist Muscle

The muscle that directly opposes or contrasts the action of the prime mover.

Isometric Contraction

A muscle contraction where internal tension is generated without any change in muscle length or joint angle.

Passive Insufficiency

The inability of a multi-joint muscle to elongate sufficiently to allow full range of motion at all crossed joints simultaneously.

Active Insufficiency

The state reached when a multi-joint muscle becomes maximally shortened and cannot generate effective force to shorten further.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A highly mobile triaxial joint where a spherical bone head fits into a concave basin, allowing movement around three axes.

Hinge Joint

A uniaxial joint permitting motion around a single axis only (flexion and extension), limited laterally by collateral ligaments.

Pivot Joint

A uniaxial joint designed for rotation around a single central axis, such as the atlantoaxial joint.

Convex-Concave Rule

An arthrokinematic rule stating that a convex joint surface glides in the opposite direction of bone motion, whereas a concave surface glides in the same direction.

Endoneurium

The delicate connective tissue sheath that wraps around each individual nerve axon.

Perineurium

The connective tissue sheath that envelops each fascicle (bundle of axons).

Epineurium

The thick outermost connective tissue sheath that wraps around groups of fascicles to form a named peripheral nerve.

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that transmit sensory impulses from peripheral receptors toward the central nervous system.

Efferent Neurons

Motor neurons that convey motor impulses away from the central nervous system to effector muscles and glands.

Dermatome

An area of skin supplied by sensory nerve fibers originating from a single spinal nerve root.

Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Classified into neurapraxia (mild pressure/pinching with temporary symptoms), axonotmesis (internal axon interruption), and neurotmesis (complete nerve severance).

Sympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that controls 'fight or flight' responses by expending energy and increasing cardiovascular/respiratory activity.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the autonomic nervous system regulating 'rest and digest' activities by conserving energy and increasing digestive peristalsis.

Stereognosis

The cognitive-sensory ability to identify a common object solely through tactile feedback without visual input.

Motor Control

The capacity of the central nervous system to direct and regulate the musculoskeletal system to execute purposeful activity.

Neuroplasticity

The central nervous system's ability to undergo structural and electrophysiological changes to adapt and reorganize after injury.

Upper Motor Neuron System

Comprises motor nerve cell bodies and fibers in the brain and spinal cord, excluding anterior horn cells.

Lower Motor Neuron System

Comprises the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, cranial nerve nuclei/axons, spinal nerves, and peripheral nerves.

Spasticity

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone caused by upper motor neuron damage, often presenting with hypertonia and clasp-knife rigidity.

Co-Contraction

Simultaneous activation of agonist and antagonist muscles around a joint to provide static and dynamic stability.

Lordosis

An anterior curvature of the vertebral column normally found in the cervical and lumbar regions.

Kyphosis

A posterior curvature of the vertebral column normally found in the thoracic and sacral regions.

Scoliosis

A lateral 'S'-shaped curvature deformity of the spine, classified as either structural (irreversible) or nonstructural (reversible).

Atlas and Axis

The first two cervical vertebrae; Atlas ($C-1$) supports the skull, and Axis ($C-2$) features the odontoid process (dens) to enable head rotation.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

A thick, supportive membrane overlying the posterior lumbar spine that helps limit shear forces during movement.

Erector Spinae Group

The primary superficial posterior trunk extensors consisting of the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles.

Quadratus Lumborum

A posterior deep abdominal/lumbar muscle that stabilizes the lower back, flexes the trunk laterally, and elevates the pelvis.

Sternocleidomastoid

An anterior neck muscle with sternal and clavicular heads that produces contralateral rotation and lateral flexion of the neck.

Intra-Abdominal Pressure

Increased internal abdominal cavity pressure created by coordinated contraction of the diaphragm, abdominals, and pelvic floor to support the lumbar spine.