MedTerm.Ch.4-Muscular System

Abduction

movement of a limb away from the midline of the body

Adduction

movement of a limb toward the midline of the body

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

Inflammation and swelling of the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel, which then create pressure on the median nerve

Chronic fatigue syndrome

a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and may be made worse by physical or mental activity

Circumduction

the circular movement at the far end of limb

Contracture

the permanent tightening of fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin that occurs when normally elastic connective tissues are replaced with non-elastic fibrous tissues

Compartment Syndrome

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)

Dorsiflexion

movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle

Dyskinesia

distortion or impairment of voluntary movement resulting in fragmented or jerky motions

Dystonia

a condition of abnormal muscle tone that causes the impairment of voluntary muscle movement

Electromyography

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

Epicondylitis

inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow

Ergonomics

the study of 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 the fascia

Fibromyalgia

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

Flexion

act of bending a joint; especially a joint between the bones of a limb so that the angle between them is decreased

Ganglion cyst

a harmless fluid-filled swelling that occurs most commonly on the outer surface of the wrist

Heel spur

a calcium deposit in the plantar fascia nears its attachment to the heel bone

Hemiparesis

slight paralysis or weakness affecting one side of the body

Hemiplegia

total paralysis affecting only one side of the body

Hernia

the protrusion of a part of a structure through the tissues 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

inflammed and swollen tendons are caught in the narrow space between the bones within the shoulder joint

Innervation

basic cells of the nervous system that allow different parts of the body to communicate with each other.

Insertion

the point where the muscle ends by attaching to a bone or tendon

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 nervous system

Myasthenia gravis

a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of voluntary muscles

Myocele

the herniation protrusion of muscle substance through a tear in the fascia surrounding it

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

Myolysis

the degeneration of muscle tissue

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

the point where the muscle begins, located nearest the midline of the body or on a less movable part of the skeleton

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 on the sole of the foot, causing foot or heel pain when walking or running

Polymyositis

a 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 or backward

Quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities

Sarcopenia

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

Shin splint

painful condition caused by the tibialis anterior muscle tearing away from the tibia

Singultus

myclonus of the diaphragm that causes characteristic hiccup sound with each spasm; also as hiccups

Sphincter

a ring-like muscle that tightly constricts the opening of a passageway

Sprain

an injury of a joint, such as ankle, knee, or wrist that usually occurs when ligament wrenched or torn

Tendinopathy

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

Tenodesis

the suturing of the end of a tendon to a bone

Tenolysis

the release of a tendon from adhesions

Tenorrhaphy

the surgical suturing together of the divided ends of a tendon

Tenosynovitis

an inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon

Tenotomy

a surgical incision into a tendon

Torticolis

a stiff neck due to spasmodic contraction of the neck muscles that pull the head towards the affected side; also known as wryneck

Transverse

in a crosswise direction