Musculoskeletal System Definitions

Flexion

Bending a limb, ex. Elbow and knee

Extension

Straightening a flexed limb, ex. Elbow and knee

Circumduction

Moving a body part in a circular motion, ex. Shoulder and hip

Abduction

Moving away from the middle, ex. Shoulder and hip

Adduction

Moving toward the middle, ex. Shoulder and hip

Protraction

Moving forward, ex. Jaw

Retraction

Moving backward, ex. Jaw

Rotation

Moving around a central axis, ex. C1 Vertebrae

Dorsiflexion

Bending backward, ex. Wrist and ankle

Pronation

Turning palm down, ex. Wrist

Supination

Turning palm up, ex. Wrist

Eversion

Turning sole out, ex. Ankle

Inversion

Turning sole inward, ex. Ankle

Agonist

The muscle that is the primary mover of a given movement.

Amputation

Surgical or traumatic removal of a limb, part, or other appendage.

Antagonist

Muscle that counteracts the action of another muscle.

Arthralgia

Joint pain.

Ataxia

Lack of muscular coordination.

Atonic

Lack of normal muscle tone.

Atrophy

Loss of muscular tissue that may be caused by lack of use or lack of nerve stimulation of the muscle.

Brachyalgia

Pain in the arm

Bradykinesia

Slowness of motion or movement

Bursa

Pad-like sac between muscles, tendons, and bones that is lined with synovial fluid and contains a fluid

Calcaneal

Pertaining to the heel bone

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist bones

Cast

Medical equipment that is hard and used to immobilize a fractured bone, dislocated joint, or sprain

Chondral

Pertaining to cartilage

Clavicular

Pertaining to the clavicle or collar bone

Coccygeal

Pertaining to the coccyx or tailbone

Contracture

Shortening of the muscle that is then resistant to stretching

Dactylogram

A fingerprint

Dislocation

Separation of the bone from the joint

Dystonia

Impaired muscle tone

Fixation

Process of holding or securing in a fixed position

Flaccid

Lacking muscle tone

Hallux

The great toe

Humeral

Pertaining to the humerus

Iliac

Pertaining to the ilium.

Iliosacral

Pertaining to the ilium and the sacrum.

Intercostal

Pertaining to the space between two ribs.

Ischial

Pertaining to the ischium.

Lumbar

Pertaining to the lower back.

Mandibular

Pertaining to the lower jaw.

Maxillary

Pertaining to the upper jawbone.

Meniscus

Crescent-shaped cartilage that is located in certain joints, such as the knee.

Myalgia

Pain in the muscle.

Orthopedics

Area of medicine focusing on the musculoskeletal system, its structure, function, and pathology.

Osteogenesis

Formation of bone

Pedal

Pertaining to the foot

Radial

Pertaining to the radius

Spinal

Pertaining to the spine.

Symphysis

A firm joint, made of cartilage.

Synergist

The muscle that acts alongside another muscle to produce movement.

Tibial

Pertaining to the tibia

Ulnar

Pertaining to the ulna

Xiphoid Process

Cartilage shaped like a sword located at the base of the sternum

Long Bones Location and Example

Located in the arms and legs, ex. Femur

Flat Bones Location and Example

Located in the shoulder, skull, ribs, and parts of the pelvis, ex. Sternum and skull

Short Bones Location and Example

Located in the fingers and toes, ex. Carpal bones

Irregular Bones Location and Example

Located in the spine and ear, ex. Vertebrae

Sesamoid Bones Location and Example

Shaped like a sesame seed, ex. Patella

Cartilage

Fibrous connective tissue found at the ends of bones, in joints, and the tube structures of the body,e x, larynx, air passages, ears

Tendons

Fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones

Ligaments

Fibrous tissues in bands or sheets that connect two or more bones, cartilages, or other structures, helping to support fascia and muscles

Joints

Where two or more bones connect

Skeletal Muscles

Attach to bones around joints and contract to produce movement

Parts of Skeletal Muscle

Origin, Insertion, and Body

Muscle Origin

Where the muscle starts and is attached to a fixed bone

Muscle Insertion

Where the muscle attaches to the bone that it moves

Muscle Body

Between the origin and insertion, where contraction occurs

Fibrous Joints

Joints that do not provide any movement, ex. Joints in the skull

Cartilaginous Joint

Provides slight movement, ex. Between vertebrae

Synovial Joint

Allows free movement in a variety of directions, ex. Hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles

Synovial Fluid

Lubricating fluid found in synovial joints that allow for free movement in multiple directions