Muscular system terms and definitions.

abdominal muscles

a set of strong bands of muscles lining the walls of your abdomen.

abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Addcution

when you move a limb/body part towards the center of the body.

adhesion

An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that joins two internal body surfaces that are not usually connected.

agonist

An agonist is a substance that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter or hormone to produce a response when it binds to a specific receptor in the brain

analgesic

Analgesics, also called painkillers, are medications that relieve different types of pain — from headaches to injuries to arthritis. Anti-inflammatory analgesics reduce inflammation, and opioid analgesics change the way the brain perceives pain

Antagonist

A chemical substance that binds to and blocks the activation of certain receptors on cells, preventing a biological response.

anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory or antiphlogistic is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling.

antispasmodic

administered to suppress smooth muscle contractions of the stomach, intestine, or bladder

ataxia

Ataxia means without coordination. People with ataxia lose muscle control in their arms and legs. This may lead to a lack of balance, coordination, and trouble walking. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and even eye movements.

atrophy

A decrease in size of an organ or tissue; wasting.

automaticity

Automaticity is the property of cardiac cells to generate spontaneous action potentials.

biceps brachii

The biceps or biceps brachii (Latin: musculus biceps brachii, "two-headed muscle of the arm") is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow.

biceps femoris

Biceps femoris is a muscle of the posterior compartment of the thigh, and lies in the posterolateral aspect. It arises proximally by two 'heads', termed the 'long head' (superficial) and the 'short head' (deep). It is part of the hamstrings.

biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be tested in a laboratory.

cardiac muscle

Introduction. Cardiac muscle (or myocardium) makes up the thick middle layer of the heart. It is one of three types of muscle in the body, along with skeletal and smooth muscle.

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist

certified fitness trainer (CFT)

A professional who serves as a leader and instructor in exercise programs and helps people achieve and maintain a healthful lifestyle.

Circumduction

Circumduction is the orderly combination of shoulder movements so that the hand traces a circle and the arm traces a cone. In order it is produced by shoulder flexion, abduction, extension and abduction (or the reverse)

Computerized Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography is commonly referred to as a CT scan. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. It shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels.

Contractility

Contractility describes the relative ability of the heart to eject a stroke volume (SV) at a given prevailing afterload (arterial pressure) and preload (end-diastolic volume; EDV).

contracture

A contracture is a fixed tightening of muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin. It prevents normal movement of the associated body part. An injury such as a severe burn can cause contracture of the skin.

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

involuntary muscle contraction in response to striking muscle tendon with reflex hammer; test used to determine whether muscles respond properly

Deltoid

a large triangular muscle that covers the shoulder joint and serves to raise the arm laterally

Depression

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Dorsiflexion

Dorsiflexion is the action of raising the foot upwards towards the shin. It means the flexion of the foot in the dorsal, or upward, direction.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

most common form of muscular dystrophy; affects primarily boys with onset between the ages of 3 and 5 years; the disorder progresses rapidly so that most of these boys are unable to walk by age 12 and later need a respirator to breathe

dystaxia

lack of muscular coordination resulting in shaky limb movements and unsteady gait.

Elasticity

the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation

electromyogram

Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.

elevation

The rise of a physiological variable above normal, e.g., in ophthalmology, the rise in intraocular pressure above what is healthy or normal; in serology, an increase in the level of an electrolyte or other blood test result.

Endomysium

The endomysium, meaning within the muscle, is a wispy layer of areolar connective tissue that ensheaths each individual muscle fiber. It also contains capillaries, nerves, and lymphatics. It overlies the muscle fiber's cell membrane: the Sarcolemma.

Epimysium

The epimysium is the dense connective tissue that surrounds the entire muscle tissue. The epimysium usually contains many bundles (fascicles) of muscle fibers. 2. The perimysium is the connective tissue that surrounds each bundle of muscle fibers.

Eversion

Eversion is a type of movement at the ankle joint that involves turning outward the sole of the foot away from the body's midline. It is a combination of abduction and pronation, in which abduction occurs at one part of the ankle joint while pronation occurs at another.

excitability

Excitability is a property of a cell, allowing it to respond to stimulation by rapid changes in membrane potential produced by ion fluxes across the plasma membrane.

excersise physiologist

Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to help clients improve their respiratory, circulatory, and other systems. Some physiologists work closely with primary care physicians, who may prescribe exercise regimens for their patients and refer them to exercise physiologists.

Extensibility

Extensibility is the ability of a muscle to be stretched or extended.

extension

Extension refers to a movement that increases the angle between two body parts. Extension at the elbow is increasing the angle between the ulna and the humerus. Extension of the knee straightens the lower limb

fascia

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up.

fasciitis

Fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, which is the connective tissue surrounding muscles, blood vessels and nerves.

Flaccidity

A type of paralysis in which a muscle becomes soft and yields to passive stretching,

Flexion

Flexion is the medical term for bending an arm or leg.

Frontalis

the muscle of the forehead that forms part of the occipitofrontalis. called also frontalis muscle.

Gastrocnemius

Gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius muscle is a complex muscle that is fundamental for walking and posture. Gastrocnemius forms the major bulk at the back of lower leg and is a very powerful muscle. It is a two joint or biarticular muscle and has two heads and runs from back of knee to the heel.

gluetus maximus

The gluteus maximus is the most superficial and largest of the three muscles and makes up the bulk of the shape and form of the buttock and hip area. The gluteus maximus is a thick fleshy muscle with a quadrangular shape, sloping across the buttock at approximately 45 degrees to its distal insertion.

gluteus medius

The gluteus medius is a primary hip abductor, assisted by the gluteus minimus and the tensor fascia lata. Both gluteus medius and minimus act from the pelvis to abduct the thigh and rotate it internally.

Goniometry

The art and science of measuring the joint ranges in each plane of the joint are called goniometry. The term 'goniometry' has its origin from two Greek words, gonia, which means angle, and metron, which means to measure.

hemiparesis

Hemiparesis is weakness or the inability to move on one side of the body, making it hard to perform everyday activities like eating or dressing. One-sided weakness in your arms, hands, face, chest, legs or feet can cause: Loss of balance

hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is paralysis that affects only one side of your body. This symptom is often a key indicator of severe or life-threatening conditions like a stroke, but can also happen with conditions and circumstances that aren't as dangerous

Hyperextension

Hyperextension means that there's been excessive movement of a joint in one direction (straightening). In other words, the joint has been forced to move beyond its normal range of motion. When this happens, the tissues around the joint can become damaged

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of an organ, structure, or the body due to growth rather than tumor formation.

hypotonia

Hypotonia is a term that describes decreased muscle tone. Typically, muscles have a very small amount of contraction that gives them a springy feel even when relaxed. This also provides some resistance to passive movement. It is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can happen at the same time

impingement syndrome

a condition in which the tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder are pinched as they pass between the top of the upper arm (humerus) and the tip of the shoulder (acromion).

insertion

The movable attachment of the distal end of a muscle, which produces changes in shape or skeletal movement when the muscle contracts.

inversion

In general, the term inversion refers to the reversal of state, form, position, direction, order, or course. In biology, particularly in anatomy, the term inversion is used to refer to the movement of sole towards the median plane. In genetics, inversion is a type of large-scale mutation.

involuntary muscles

Involuntary muscles are the muscles that contract or move without conscious control. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary muscle movement. These muscles are generally associated with the viscera or internal organs that exhibit regular, slow contractions and involuntary actions.

latissimus dorsi

The latissimus dorsi is a broad, flat muscle occupying most of the lower posterior thorax. The muscle's primary function is to move the upper extremity, but it is also considered an accessory muscle of respiration.

leiomyoma

Leiomyomas, also known as fibroids, are a group of benign smooth muscle tumors commonly present in premenopausal women. These tumors are of monoclonal origin which arises from the smooth muscle of the uterus.

leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcoma, or LMS, is a type of rare cancer that grows in the smooth muscles. The smooth muscles are in the hollow organs of the body, including the intestines, stomach, bladder, and blood vessels.

ligament

A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.

magnetic resonance imaging

(MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels. MRI scanners create images of the body using a large magnet and radio waves.

muscle

a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion.

muscle fibers

Muscle tissue contains something called muscle fibers. Muscle fibers consist of a single muscle cell. They help to control the physical forces within the body. When grouped together, they can facilitate organized movement of your limbs and tissues

muscular dystrophy (MD)

What is muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles. These disorders (of which there are more than 30) vary in age of onset, severity, and the pattern of the affected muscles.

muscular system

Consists of skeletal muscles, tendons that connect muscles to bones, and ligaments that attach bones together to form joint

myalgia

muscle pain

myasthenia gravis

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

myocele

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

myolysis

degeneration of muscle tissue

myoma

muscle tumor

myomalacia

softening of a muscle

myoparesis

weakness or slight muscular paralysis

myoplasty

surgical repair of a muscle

myorrhexis

rupture of a muscle

myositis

inflammation of muscle

narcotic

drug that relieves pain and induces sleep

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature. They're often used to relieve symptoms of: headaches.

nuclear medicine imaging (NMI)

Diagnostic imaging technique in which a radioactive substance and a special camera are used to visualize structures and functions in the body.

origin

attachment of a muscle that remains relatively fixed during muscular contraction

paraplegia

paralysis from the waist down

paresthesia

abnormal sensation of numbness and tingling without objective cause

pectoralis major

chest muscle

Perimysium

Connective tissue surrounding a fascicle

physical therapy

treatment to prevent disability or to restore functioning through the use of exercise

plantar fasciitis

an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot

plantar flexion

bending of the sole of the foot by curling the toes toward the ground

Pronation

turning the palm downward

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four limbs

radiography

process of recording x-rays

range of motion (ROM) testing

measurement of the amount of movement allowed in a joint

range of motion (ROM) therapy

exercises performed to improve or maintain joint mobility and flexibility

rectus femoris

extends knee and flexes thigh at hip

rest ice compression elevation (RICE)

most common first aid treatment of muscular injuries

rhabdomyoma

benign tumor of striated muscle

rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

malignant tumor of skeletal muscle

rigor

Severe chills with violent shivering.

rotation

CIRCULAR MOVEMENT AROUND AN AXIS

sarcopenia

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