OMM Final Exam Terms

Articular pillar

1. Refers to the columnar arrangement of the articular portions of the cervical vertebrae.
2. Those parts of the lateral arches of the cervical vertebrae that contain a superior and inferior articular facet.

Biomechanics

Mechanical principles applied to the study of biological functions; the application of mechanical laws to living structures; the study and knowledge of biological function from an application of mechanical principles.

Circumduction

1. The circular movement of a limb.
2. The rotary movement by which a structure is made to describe a cone, the apex of the cone being a fixed point (e.g., the circular movement of the shoulder).

Contraction

Shortening and/or development of tension in muscle.

Eccentric contraction

lengthening of muscle during contraction due to an external force.

Concentric contraction

contraction of muscle resulting in approximation of attachments.

Isolytic contraction

1. A form of eccentric contraction designed to break adhesions using an operator-induced force to lengthen the muscle.
2. The counterforce is greater than the patient force.

Isometric contraction

1. Change in the tension of a muscle without approximation of muscle origin and insertion.
2. Operator force equal to patient force.

Elevated rib

a somatic dysfunction characterized by a rib being held in a position of inhalation such that motion toward inhalation is more free and motion toward exhalation is restricted. Synonyms: caught in inhalation, inhalation rib dysfunction, exhalation rib restriction, elevated rib.

ERS

A descriptor of spinal somatic dysfunction used to denote a combination extended (E), rotated (R), and sidebent (S) vertebral position.

Extension

1. Accepted universal term for backward motion of the spine in the sagittal plane about a transverse axis; in a vertebral unit when the superior part moves backward.
2. In extremities, it is the straightening of a curve or angle.
3. Archaic – Separation of the ends of a curve in a spinal region.

FRS

A descriptor of spinal somatic dysfunction used to denote a combination flexed (F), rotated (R), and sidebent (S) vertebral position.

Forward bending

Reciprocal of backward bending. (flexion)

Hypertonicity

A condition of excessive resting tone of skeletal muscle characterized by increased resistance of the muscle to passive stretching.

Intersegmental motion

Designates relative motion taking place between two adjacent vertebral segments or within a vertebral unit that is described as the upper vertebral segment moving on the lower.

Lateral masses

The most bulky and solid parts of the atlas that support the weight of the head.

Localization

1. In manipulative technique, the precise positioning of the patient and vector application of forces required to produce a desired result.
2. The reference of a sensation to a particular locality in the body.

Lumbarization

a transitional segment in which the first sacral segment becomes like an additional lumbar vertebra articulating with the second sacral segment.

Lymphatic pump

1. A term used to describe the impact of intrathoracic pressure changes on lymphatic flow. This was the name originally given to the thoracic pump technique before the more extensive physiologic effects of the technique were recognized.
2. A term coined by C. Earl Miller, DO.

Lymphatic treatment

Techniques used to optimize function of the lymphatic system.

Massage

Therapeutic friction, stroking, and kneading of the body.

Neutral

1. The range of sagittal plane spinal positioning in which the first principle of physiologic motion of the spine applies.
2. The point of balance of an articular surface from which all the motions physiologic to that articulation may take place.

Non-neutral

The range of sagittal plane spinal positioning in which the second principle of physiologic motion of the spine applies.

NSR

A descriptor of spinal somatic dysfunction used to denote a combination neutral (N), sidebent (S), and rotated (R) vertebral position; similar descriptors may involve flexed (F) and extended (E) position.

Mandibular drainage technique

soft tissue manipulative technique using passively induced jaw motion to effect increased drainage of middle ear structures via the eustachian tube and lymphatics.

Muscle energy

a form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment
in which the patient’s muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed physician counterforce.
First described in 1948 by Fred Mitchell, Sr, DO.

Pedal pump

a venous and lymphatic drainage technique applied through the lower extremities; also called the Dalrymple treatment.

Pronation

In relation to the anatomical position, as applied to the hand,
rotation of the forearm in such a way that the palmar surface turns backward (internal rotation) in relationship to the anatomical position.
Applied to the foot: a combination of eversion and abduction movements taking place in the tarsal and metatarsal joints, resulting in lowering of the medial margin of the foot.

Prone

Lying face downward.

Spencer technique

a series of direct manipulative procedures to prevent or decrease soft tissue restrictions about the shoulder.

Thoracic pump

1. A technique that consists of intermittent compression of the thoracic cage.
2. Developed by C. Earl Miller, DO.

Post-isometric relaxation

Immediately following an isometric contraction, the neuromuscular apparatus is in a refractory state during which enhanced passive stretching may be performed. The osteopathic practitioner may take up the myofascial slack during the relaxed refractory period.

Reciprocal inhibition

The inhibition of antagonist muscles when the agonist is stimulated.

Rib motion - Bucket handle motion

movement of the ribs during respiration such that with inhalation, the lateral aspect of the rib moves cephalad resulting in an increase of transverse diameter of the thorax. This type of rib motion is predominantly found in lower ribs, increasing in motion from the upper to the lower ribs.

Rib motion - Exhalation rib restriction

involves a rib or group of ribs that first stops moving during exhalation. The key rib is the bottom rib in the group.

Rib motion - Inhalation rib restriction

involves a rib or group of ribs that first stops moving during inhalation. The key rib is the top rib in the group.

Rib motion - Pump handle motion

movement of the ribs during respiration such that with inhalation the anterior aspect of the rib moves cephalad and causes an increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax. This type of rib motion is found predominantly in the upper ribs, decreasing in motion from the upper to the lower ribs.

Rib somatic dysfunction

A somatic dysfunction in which movement or position of one or several ribs is altered or disrupted. For example, an elevated rib is one held in a position of inhalation such that motion toward inhalation is freer, and motion toward exhalation is restricted. A depressed rib is one held in a position of exhalation such that motion toward exhalation is freer and there is
a restriction in inhalation.

Exhalation rib dysfunction

1. Somatic dysfunction characterized by a rib being held in a position of exhalation such that motion toward exhalation is more free and motion toward inhalation is restricted. Synonyms: caught in exhalation, exhalation rib dysfunction, inhalation rib restriction, depressed rib.
2. An anterior rib tender point in counterstrain.

Inhalation rib dysfunction

a somatic dysfunction characterized by a rib being held in a position of inhalation such that motion toward inhalation is more free and motion toward exhalation
is restricted. Synonyms: caught in inhalation, inhalation rib dysfunction, exhalation rib restriction, elevated rib.

Segmental dysfunction

Dysfunction in a mobile system located at explicit segmental mobile units. Palpable characteristics of a dysfunctional segment are those associated with somatic dysfunction. Responses to regional motor inputs at the dysfunctional segment support the concepts of complete motor asymmetry and mirror- image motion asymmetries.

Segmental diagnosis

The final stage of the spinal somatic examination in which the nature of the somatic dysfunction is detailed at a segmental level.