MBLEX defs:U7: Integumentary, Musculoskeletal

Tension headache

A type of headache that causes mild to moderate pain often described as a diffuse, tight band around the head, where massage that reduces stress and tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and face proves beneficial.

Thoracic outlet syndrome

A condition where nerves of the brachial plexus, the subclavian vein, and subclavian artery are compressed anywhere between the base of the neck and the axilla, causing symptoms including paresthesia, weakness, and pain.

Anterior scalene syndrome

A specific occurrence of thoracic outlet syndrome where compression sites are found between the anterior and middle scalene muscles.

Costoclavicular syndrome

A specific occurrence of thoracic outlet syndrome where compression sites are found between the clavicle anteriorly and the first rib posteriorly.

Torticollis

A dystonic condition of the neck characterized by an abnormal, asymmetrical head or neck position related to excessive or inadequate muscle tone in the neck muscles; also called spasmodic torticollis and wryneck.

Trigger points

Hyperirritable spots in muscle or fascia not caused by discernable trauma, inflammation, degeneration, or infection, associated with palpable nodules in tight bands of muscles whose palpation produces pain that radiates in a predictable pattern.

Whiplash

A hyperextension and flexion injury to the neck, often from rear-end car accidents, caused by a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that stretches and tears muscles and ligaments in and around the spine.

Spasm

An involuntary, low-grade, long-lasting contraction of skeletal muscle. The term is often used interchangeably with cramp.

Spasticity

A condition where increased muscle tone and increased tendon reflexes cause a sensation of tightness, rigidity, weakness, diminished coordination, abnormal movement patterns, and movements that require great effort.

Strain

A tear in the fibers of a muscle's belly, where the muscle and tendon interweave, in the fascia that wraps the muscle, or where the tendon attaches to bone.

Tender points

Areas of soreness occurring in muscles, muscle-tendon junctions, and bursae. The widespread distribution of tender points is characteristic of fibromyalgia.

Tendon disorders

Conditions that result in a tendon not functioning normally (often called tendinopathy), including tendinitis, tendinosis, and tenosynovitis due to injury or overuse.

Tendinitis

Inflammation of a tendon.

Tendinosis

A noninflammatory condition involving a previously injured tendon that heals with weak collagenous fibers.

Tenosynovitis

Inflammation of a tendon sheath.

Poliomyelitis

An acute infectious disease (also called infantile paralysis and polio) caused by the poliovirus and characterized by fever, motor paralysis, and atrophy of skeletal muscles often with permanent disability and deformity. It is marked by inflammation of nerve cells in the anterior gray matter of the spinal cord.

RICE

An acronym for first aid measures following a soft-tissue injury believed to reduce pain, and limit swelling and tissue damage. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Referred pain

An unpleasant sensation at a site other than the actual location of trauma.

Rotator cuff injuries

Damage to the tendons or muscles that make up the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) including tears, strains, tendinitis, and bursitis.

Shin splints

A general term used by laypeople to describe symptoms felt in the leg, possibly related to mild compartment syndromes, periostitis, hairline tibial fractures, muscle tears, and medial tibial stress syndrome.

Plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by calcaneal spurs, physical overload and overuse, abnormal foot mechanics, or underlying diseases such as arthritis; characterized by pain and stiffness of the sole of the foot, especially the heel, and pain with the first few steps when waking or after prolonged sitting. Pain decreases with warm up but increases with prolonged activity.

Piriformis syndrome

A condition where a hypertonic piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, resulting in numbness, a burning sensation, a sharp and shooting pain, tingling, and loss of function that mimics true sciatica.

Paresthesia

A sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of a person's skin often called "pins and needles." It is a symptom of many conditions involving peripheral nerves.

Osgood-Schlatter disease

A condition involving pain and inflammation at the site of the quadriceps insertion on the tibial tuberosity. It may be caused by repetitive stress related to physical activity, or growth spurts (especially in adolescent boys).

Myositis ossificans

A rare disease in which muscle tissue is replaced by bone, usually at the site of a hematoma caused by blunt trauma or in tissue atrophied due to central nervous system injury.

Muscular atrophy

A decrease in the mass of a muscle or a complete wasting away of muscle that results from disuse while debilitated during hospitalization; in relationship to diseases such as cancer, AIDS, congestive heart failure, and others; or from damage to the nerve that stimulates the muscle.

Muscular dystrophy

A group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle and muscle wasting. The muscles of the heart, some involuntary muscles, and other organs are affected in some forms of muscular dystrophy.

Myofascial pain syndrome

A muscular pain disorder characterized by a chronic cycle of pain, spasm, and ischemia, with the presence of localized trigger points caused by trauma to the area.

Myoma

A tumor of muscle. The term can be used specifically to refer to a benign tumor of uterine muscle, also called a leiomyoma or a fibroid.

Myopathies

Diseases of the skeletal muscles (not caused by nerve disorders) where muscles become weak and wasted. Causes may be genetic (e.g., muscular dystrophy, myotonia congenita, etc.), inflammatory (e.g., polymyositis, myositis ossificans, etc.), endocrine-based (e.g., hyperthyroid myopathy, hypothyroid myopathy, etc.), a side effect of some medications, chemical poisoning, or a chronic disorder of the immune system.

Iliotibial band syndrome

A syndrome affecting the hip, thigh, and knee, which may result from inflammation due to mechanical friction as the iliotibial band glides over the greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, Gerdy's tubercle, or the lateral femoral condyle. Common symptoms include lateral knee pain or tightness in the lateral hip.

Fibromyalgia

A chronic disorder characterized by widespread deep muscle pain, stiffness, predictable tender-point patterns in soft tissue, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. It is also associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, low serotonin levels, headaches, and emotional trauma.

Femoral hernia

A bulge located just below the inguinal ligament in the groin that occurs when a small part of the intestine pushes through the wall of the femoral canal (the area that houses the femoral artery, among other veins and nerves).

Fasciitis

Inflammation of fascia, as in plantar fasciitis and iliotibial band syndrome.

Entrapment neuropathy

Injury or inflammation of single nerves caused by pressure from surrounding tissue, such as ligaments and fascia. Symptoms include paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis.

Anterior compartment syndrome

A condition where excessive pressure builds up inside the anterior compartment composed of the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius causing pain, paresthesia, and swelling to the tissue and possibly severe tissue damage, loss of body function, or death.

Compartment syndrome

A condition where excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed space in the body, usually in the arms or legs, preventing adequate blood flow to tissue. It can be caused by bone fracture, overly tight bandaging or casting, crush injuries, prolonged compression during unconsciousness, blood clots, or vigorous exercise, with symptoms including hot, stretched, glossy skin, pain, paresthesia, and muscle tenderness.

Compression neuropathy

Any of a number of disorders that occur when sustained pressure is applied to a portion of the nerve, either from an external or internal source. It is characterized by paresthesia, weakness, or paralysis, most commonly involving the carpal, peroneal, radial, and ulnar nerves.

Cramp

An involuntary, short-lived, acute and painful contraction of skeletal muscle. The term is often used interchangeably with spasm.

Double crush syndrome

A peripheral nerve compression syndrome where a central compression impacts a nerve bundle (e.g., at the thoracic or pelvic outlet) and a second more peripheral compression (e.g., at the carpal or tarsal tunnel).

Whiteheads

A common name for a closed comedone consisting of a widened hair follicle filled with skin debris, bacteria, and sebum, and with an obstructed opening to the skin that may rupture to cause a low-grade skin inflammatory reaction. Not to be confused with a blackhead or open comedone.

Warts (Verruca vulgaris)

A small, hard lump on the skin caused by a viral infection in the epidermis from the human papillomavirus, or HPV family of viruses. When the virus invades the outer layer of the skin, usually through a tiny break, it causes rapid growth of cells on the outer layer of the skin. The virus is slow-acting and usually passed by skin-to-skin contact with another person.

Vitiligo

A condition in which the skin turns white due to the loss of pigment from destroyed melanocytes. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo may also turn white. The skin is otherwise undamaged, but people must protect the areas from exposure to the sun. Also called piebald skin and acquired leukoderma.

Vesicles

A small, circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing fluid; commonly called a blister. Not to be confused with a papule (a rounded bump rising from the skin surface) or a macule (which is flat and even with the surrounding skin).

Ulcers (skin)

Localized open lesion in the skin or mucous membrane.

Tinea capitis

A contagious fungal infection of the scalp characterized by flaking of the scalp (like dandruff), and itchiness that leads to scratching and the potential for secondary infection.

Tinea corporis (body ringworm)

A very contagious fungal infection of the skin characterized by round, red, scaly, and itchy patches of skin on the trunk.

Tinea cruris (jock itch)

A mildly contagious fungal infection of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, and characterized by flaky, scaly, burning, and itchy patches of skin.

Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)

A contagious fungal infection of the feet characterized by cracked, peeling skin, especially between the toes, that burns and itches.

Touch deprivation

Pathological conditions that can arise from lack of physical contact; common in infants and the elderly, with symptoms ranging from depression and anxiety to organ failure and death.

Scar tissue

The growth of new tissue after injury. In the skin, it is characterized by a lack of pigmentation and hair follicles.

Seborrheic eczema

A type of eczema characterized by yellow or red, oily patches of skin usually found in the skin folds around the nose and on the scalp.

Seborrheic keratosis

A noncancerous benign skin growth that originates in keratinocytes and is usually seen as people age (sometimes referred to as barnacles). Skin lesions are light tan to black, round or oval, flat or slightly elevated, and range in size from very small to 1 inch.

Skin cancer

A general term for three types of cancer affecting cells of the skin including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

Skin lesion

A general term for a superficial growth or patch of skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it, categorized into primary and secondary lesions.

Primary skin lesions

Skin lesions that have variations in color or texture that may be present at birth (e.g., mole or birthmark), or acquired (e.g., warts, acne, hives, dermatitis, sunburn, etc.).

Secondary skin lesions

Changes in the skin that result from primary skin lesions, either as a natural progression or as a result of manipulating the skin through scratching or picking at a primary lesion.

Puncture

A form of skin damage characterized by the formation of a hole in the tissue.

Pus

A thick, opaque, usually yellowish-white fluid produced with infection formed by exudates containing white blood cells, tissue debris, and microorganisms.

Pustule

A small collection of pus occurring in the epidermis or dermis, often forming in the sweat glands or hair follicles.

Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei)

A contagious condition of the skin (also called a mite infestation) caused by tiny insects that drink blood, defecate, urinate, and live and lay eggs live in warm, moist skin areas; their presence leads to an itchy, allergic reaction in most hosts that causes scratching and the potential for secondary infections. The presence of scabies contraindicates massage; contamination of a treatment space with scabies requires extensive sanitation procedures to eradicate the infestation before a return to business procedures.

Scale

Excess dead skin cells that are produced because of abnormal skin conditions such as psoriasis. They are usually fine and thin, but can be thick and coarse.

Pediculus

A group of tiny insects commonly referred to as lice (singular louse) that infest the scalp (Pediculus humanus capitis), the clothing (Pediculus humanus), or the pubic hair, armpit hair, and coarse body hair (Pediculus pubis) of a host and suck blood causing itching. Lice infestations contraindicate massage; contamination of the treatment space with lice requires extensive sanitation procedures to eradicate the infestation before a return to business procedures.

Pediculus humanus capitis

A type of lice (Pediculus) that infests the scalp of a host.

Pediculus humanus

A type of lice (Pediculus) that infests the clothing of a host.

Plantar wart

A wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that occurs on the sole or the toes of the foot. Also known as verruca, myrmecia, and verruca plantaris.

Port-wine stain

A red to purple mark on the skin, often referred to as a birthmark, caused by capillary malformation in the skin.

Psoriasis

A noncontagious chronic skin condition caused by excessive production of new skin cells that form raised, isolated lesions (characterized by pink or reddish patches with silver colored scales) and found most often on the elbows and knees.

Pubic lice (Pediculus pubis)

A contagious condition where tiny insects that resemble crabs (Pediculus pubis) live in pubic hair, armpit hair, and coarse body hair, and suck blood from the host, causing itchiness. The presence of pubic lice contraindicates massage; contamination of the treatment space with lice requires extensive sanitation procedures to eradicate the infestation before a return to business procedures.

Papules

Small, solid, rounded bumps rising from the skin (from the Latin "papula," a pimple) that are usually less than 1 centimeter in diameter. Not to be confused with a vesicle (that contains fluid) or a macule (that is flat and even with the surrounding skin).

Open comedone

The medical name for a blackhead consisting of a widened hair follicle filled with skin debris, bacteria, and sebum. Not to be confused with a whitehead or closed comedone, which has an obstructed opening and may rupture to cause a low-grade skin inflammatory reaction.

Noncontagious inflammatory skin disorder

Skin conditions such as acne or eczema that are inflammatory in nature and noncontagious.

Neoplastic skin disorders

Various types of abnormal masses in skin tissue, including cancerous and noncancerous growths.

Mycoses

A disease caused by fungi or a fungal infection in, or on, a part of the body (commonly referred to as fungal infections).

Lipoma

A benign tumor composed of adipose tissue that is soft to the touch, usually moveable, and generally painless, ranging in size from under 1-6 centimeters.

Macule

A flat, distinct, discolored area of skin that does not involve any change in the thickness or texture of the skin (e.g., freckle), often a symptom of medical conditions such as vitiligo and rosacea.

Malignant melanoma

A form of skin cancer arising from the melanocyte cells of the skin that begin to replicate uncontrollably and invade nearby structures or spread to other organs in the body.

Mites (Sarcoptes scabiei)

A contagious skin condition (also called scabies) caused by tiny insects that live in warm, moist skin areas, drink blood, defecate, urinate, and lay eggs leading to an itchy allergic reaction. Its presence contraindicates massage.

Moles

A neoplastic skin condition characterized by small circular or oval brown to black marks on the skin where epidermal pigment cells have produced excess melanin. They are symmetrical in shape and color, and massage is safe.

Papule

A rounded bump rising from the skin surface.

Vesicle

A small elevation of the epidermis containing fluid.

Impetigo

A very contagious bacterial skin infection caused by staphylococcus aureus, or more rarely streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. Most often occurring in children and characterized by crusty lesions and blisters that seep fluid usually around the nose, mouth, inside the nostrils, or ear canals.

Incision

A form of skin damage whereby the tissue has been cut.

Keloid scar

A sharply elevated, red, and irregularly shaped scar caused by excessive collagen formation in the dermis following trauma or incision.

Laceration

A form of skin damage characterized by rips and tears in the tissue.

Lentigo

A type of skin patch, similar to a freckle but larger, that usually appears on older people. They are not associated with liver function but are commonly called "liver spots."

Freckles

A type of skin patch caused by concentrations of melanin in the skin and often appearing on fair-skinned people.

Fungal infections (of the skin)

Fungal infections of the skin (also called mycoses) that involve several different types of fungi (also called dermatophytes). Common infections include tinea corporis (body ringworm), tinea capitis (head ringworm), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea manus (hand ringworm), tinea barbae (ringworm on the bearded area of the face), and others.

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)

A contagious condition of the scalp where tiny insects (Pediculus humanus capitis) live in the hair and suck blood from the host causing itchiness, the sensation of movement on the scalp, and the presence of nits (eggs) that resemble tiny grains of rice clinging to hair shafts. The presence of head lice contraindicates massage; contamination of the treatment space with lice requires extensive sanitation procedures to eradicate the infestation before a return to business procedures.

Herpes simplex

A contagious viral infection characterized by cold sores or fever blisters on the face or around the mouth (oral herpes); blisters around the genitals, thighs, or buttocks (genital herpes); or blisters around the nail beds of the hands (herpes whitlow).

Hives

A noncontagious inflammatory skin reaction to an allergen or emotional stress characterized by areas of intense heat, swelling, raised reddened weals, red irregular patches, and itchiness.

Fissures

A form of skin damage where the skin dries and cracks.

Excoriations

A form of skin damage characterized by scratches to the skin's surface that cause raw, irritated lesions.

Eczema

A group of disorders characterized by hypersensitivity reactions expressed in the skin. When new, the condition appears red and elevated with small vesicles containing a clear fluid. When the blisters break, the affected skin will weep and ooze. In chronic eczema, vesicles are less prominent and the skin is thickened, elevated, itchy, and scaling.

Dyshidrosis

A type of eczema characterized by vesicles on the hands and feet.

Diagnostic features of malignant melanoma

Key features related to melanoma that healthcare providers, including massage practitioners, should monitor: A: Asymmetrical (mole that has an irregular shape); B: Border (borders of moles that are irregular and fade into the skin at the edges); C: Color (moles that lack consistent color, as melanomas are typically multicolored combinations of black, brown, and purple); D: Diameter (melanomas are usually bigger than moles, which do not grow beyond $6\,mm$ across); E: Elevated (melanomas are usually elevated from the skin and may snag on things and bleed).

Cysts

A closed capsule or sac-like structure filled with liquid, semi-solid, or gaseous material that can occur within tissue and affect any area of the body. Cysts vary in size from microscopic to large enough to displace internal organs.

Decubitus ulcers

A type of ulcer caused by impaired circulation to the skin; appears as an open wound and is vulnerable to infection. Commonly called bedsores.

Dermatitis

A general term meaning "skin inflammation" and used to describe non-infectious conditions including various forms of eczema and contact dermatitis.

Dermatophytes

Fungi that require keratin for growth and cause superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails.