Vocab Pre-quiz

Medial

Toward the midline of the body. For example, the nose is medial to the eyes.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin or point of attachment.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Hinge Joint

A uniaxial joint allowing flexion and extension, like a door hinge.

Amphiarthrotic

A type of joint with limited movement.

Three structural classifications of joints

Fibrous, Cartilaginous, Synovial.

Three functional classifications of joints

Synarthrotic (immovable), Amphiarthrotic (slightly movable), Diarthrotic (freely movable).

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right halves.

Mediolateral axis

The axis for movement in the sagittal plane.

Abduction and adduction

Motion occurring in the frontal plane through a sagittal axis.

Transverse Plane movement

Rotation around a vertical axis.

Fossa

A shallow depression or hollow area on a bone.

Tuberosity

A large rounded projection; site for muscle/ligament attachment.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber.

Periosteum

A dense layer of connective tissue surrounding bones, containing nerves and blood vessels.

Isometric Contraction

Muscle contracts without changing length; stabilizes a joint.

Concentric Contraction

The muscle shortens while producing force.

Eccentric Contraction

The muscle lengthens under tension.

Sliding Filament Theory

Describes how muscles contract through actin and myosin sliding past each other.

Hyperextension

Extension beyond the normal range of motion.

Circumduction

A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Accessory Movement

Small joint movements not under voluntary control (like joint glides).

Glide

A linear movement where one joint surface slides over another.

Closed Chain Exercise

The distal end (hand/foot) is fixed; movement occurs in multiple joints.

Open Chain Exercise

The distal limb segment moves freely.

Deltoid Tuberosity

A roughened area on the humerus where the deltoid inserts.