Fundamentals of Structural Kinesiology and Neuromuscular Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering structural kinesiology terminology, body movements, planes, bone anatomy, joint types, muscle tissue properties, muscle roles, contraction types, and neural control.

Structural Kinesiology

The study of muscles, bones, and joints as they are involved in the science of movement.

Anatomical Position

The most widely used reference position that is accurate for ALL aspects of the body.

Fundamental Position

A reference position where the palms face the body.

Flexion

A movement that bends a joint and brings the bones closer together.

Extension

A movement that straightens or opens a joint.

Hyperextension

Extension of a joint beyond its normal Range of Motion.

Abduction

Movement that moves a limb laterally away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement that brings a limb medially toward the midline.

Medial Rotation (IR)

Turning a limb in towards the midline in a ball-and-socket joint.

Lateral Rotation (ER)

Swinging a limb away from the midline in a ball-and-socket joint.

Circumduction

A combination movement involving flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Lateral Flexion

Bending to the side in the axial skeleton, described as a head-to-ear motion.

Elevation

Superior movement of the scapula or jaw.

Depression

Inferior movement of the scapula or jaw.

Protraction

Anterior movement of the scapula or jaw.

Retraction

Posterior movement of the scapula or jaw.

Pronation

Forearm movement where the radius crosses over the ulna, turning the palm down.

Supination

Forearm movement where the radius and ulna are parallel.

Prone

Body position of lying face down.

Supine

Body position of lying face up.

Inversion

Ankle movement that turns the plantar surface medially.

Eversion

Ankle movement that turns the plantar surface laterally.

Dorsiflexion

Ankle movement where the dorsal surface of the foot comes closer to the shin.

Plantar Flexion

Ankle movement where the dorsal surface of the foot moves further from the shin.

Active ROM

Range of motion where the patient performs the action.

Passive ROM

Range of motion where the patient is relaxed while the clinician moves the patient.

Hard End-Feel

An abrupt, unyielding end-feel in bone, such as extending the elbow.

Firm End-Feel

A springy or stretchy end-feel occurring in ligaments.

Soft End-Feel

A mushy end-feel occurring in muscle.

Sagittal Plane

Plane passing through the middle of the body, splitting it into right and left sides.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.

Frontal Plane

Also known as the coronal plane, divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts.

Axial Skeleton

Skeletal division consisting of $80$ bones, including the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.

Appendicular Skeleton

Skeletal division consisting of $126$ bones, including everything attached to the trunk (extremities, shoulder, and pelvic girdles).

Epiphysis

Expanded portion at each end of a long bone that forms a joint with another bone.

Diaphysis

The bone shaft with walls formed by cortex; the longest part of a long bone.

Metaphysis

The widening part of a long bone located between the diaphysis and epiphysis.

Periosteum

A tough, vascular covering of dense connective tissue that encloses the outer structure of the bone.

Endosteum

A thin membrane containing bone-forming cells that lines spaces in spongy bone and cavities inside the bone.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone, absorb old bone, remove it, and release calcium during resorption.

Osteoblasts

Cells that deposit bone matrix and store calcium to build new bone during deposition.

Joints (Articulations)

Functional connections between bones that bind parts of the skeletal system together, numbering $230$ in an average adult.

Synarthrotic Joint

Functional joint classification for an immovable joint.

Amphiarthrotic Joint

Functional joint classification for a slightly moveable joint.

Diarthrotic Joint

Functional joint classification for a freely moveable joint.

Suture

A fibrous joint where a thin layer of connective tissue (sutural ligament) connects flat bones of the skull.

Gomphosis

A fibrous joint formed by the union of a cone-shaped bony process in a socket, such as a tooth root in the maxilla or mandible.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint where bones are bound together by an interosseous membrane or interosseous ligament.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint where bones are united by hyaline cartilage.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where bones are separated by a fibrocartilage pad, such as the pubic symphysis.

Irritability (Excitability)

Muscle tissue property of being sensitive or responsive to chemical, electrical, or mechanical stimuli.

Contractibility

Ability of muscle to contract and develop tension or internal force against resistance.

Extensibility

Ability of a muscle to be stretched beyond its resting length.

Elasticity

Ability of a muscle to return to its resting length after being stretched.

Origin

Proximal attachment of a muscle, which is the least moveable part.

Insertion

Distal attachment of a muscle, which is the most moveable part.

Agonist

Muscles that cause joint motion when contracting concentrically; also referred to as prime movers.

Antagonist

Muscles on the opposite side of the agonist that have an opposite concentric action and must relax.

Synergist

Guiding muscles that assist in the action of the agonist to work together for the same goal.

Neutralizers

Muscles that counteract or neutralize the action of other muscles to prevent undesirable movements and stabilize joints.

Stabilizers (Fixators)

Muscles that fixate or stabilize a joint to allow the action of another limb.

Isometric Contraction

Static muscle contraction where tension increases but length stays the same without joint movement.

Isotonic Contraction

Dynamic muscle contraction where muscle length changes while tension stays the same.

Concentric Contraction

Contraction where the muscle develops tension as it shortens.

Eccentric Contraction

Contraction where the muscle lengthens under tension to control the descent of resistance.

Isokinetics

An exercise technique where muscle changes length and creates movement at a constant speed or velocity.

Sensory Division (Afferent Nerves)

Peripheral nervous system division that brings impulses from receptors of skin, joints, muscles, and peripheral aspects to the CNS.

Motor Division (Efferent Nerves)

Peripheral nervous system division that carries nerve signals from the brain to outlying regions of the body.

Dermatome

A defined area of skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve.

Myotome

A muscle or group of muscles supplied by a specific spinal nerve.

Kinesthesis

The conscious awareness of the position and movement of the body in space.

Proprioception

Position sense; the awareness of where body parts are located in space.