Physical Therapy Aide Module 3

Acromegaly

is a disease of adults that results from hyperactivity of the anterior pituitary.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix.

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint.

Cerebrovascular accident

Often referred to as a stroke, in which there is a destruction of brain tissue as a result of hemorrhage from blood vessels of the brain.

Constipation

The delayed or difficult passage of hard, dry feces.

Diabetes mellitus

A disease associated with the endocrine system that results from a lack of insulin being produced in the islet of Langerhans.

Diarrhea

The frequent passage of soft, liquid feces.

Dislocation

A derangement of the parts of a joint.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

Fertilization

The union of the female's ovum with the male's sperm.

Fracture

A break, usually referring to a break in a bone.

Leukocytes

White blood cells.

Ligament

A band of fibrous tissue connecting bones.

Nephritis

Also known as Bright's disease. A severe inflammation of the kidneys.

Orchitis

An inflammatory condition of the male's testes.

Paralysis

A temporary or permanent loss of function, often accompanied by loss of sensation or voluntary motion.

Urinary calculi

Stone found in the urinary bladder.

Articular cartilage

Covers the epiphyses in areas in which the ends of separate bones meet in order to form a joint.

Articulations

The place of a union, as in the union of a joint.

Bursa

fluid-filled sacs in and around joints and tissues where friction would occur.

Cancellous bone tissue

A type of bone tissue that has many open spaces, thus giving a spongy appearance.

Compact bone tissue

A type of bone tissue that is more dense then cancellous bone tissue, and on microscopic examination, appears to have many circles.

Contracture

A tightening or shortening of a muscle.

Diaphysis

The long, main portion or shaft of a bone.

Endomysium

Membrane that covers individual muscle cells.

Gout

A form of arthritis that generally affects only one joint, usually the big toe, and is characterized by crystal deposits in and around the affected point.

Medullary cavity

the hollow shaft of a long bone.

Osteoarthritis

A form of arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, thought to be caused by gonococcus.

Osteoblasts

Cells involved in the production of bone.

Perimysium

Once the epimysium surrounds each individual muscle bundle, it becomes the perimysium.

rheumatoid arthritis

A type of arthritis that affects the bones and joints plus other body systems such as the lungs, muscles, skin, blood vessels, and the heart.

Scoliosis

A side to side curvature of the spine.

Volkmann's canals

Microscopic channels extending from the periosteum to the Haversian canals and to the inner or medullary cavity of bones.