medical terminology chapter 4 - The Muscular System

word parts/definitions

bi-

twice, double, two

clon/o

violent action

dys-

bad, difficult, or painful

fasci/o

fascia, fibrous band

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

my/o

muscle

-plegia

paralysis, stroke

tax/o

coordination, order

ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o

tendon, stretch out, extend, strain

ton/o

tone, stretching, tension

tri-

three

abduction

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

adduction

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

adhesion

band of fibrous tissue that holds structures together abnormally

ataxia

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

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

circumduction

circular movement at the far end of a limb

compartment syndrome

involves the compression of nerves & 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

movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle

dyskinesia

distortion or impairment of voluntary movement

dystonia

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

electromyography

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

epicondylitis

inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow

ergonomics

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

exercise physiologist

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

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

ganglion cyst

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

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

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

innervation

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

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

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

chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles

myoclonus

quick, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles

myofascial release

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

neuromuscular

pertaining to the relationship between a nerve and muscle

oblique

slanted or at an angle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

transverse

in a crosswise direction