Muscular System

abdominal muscles

The muscles between the ribs and the pubic bone that fl ex and rotate the trunk.

abduction

Movement of a body part away from the midline of the body.

adduction

Movement of a body part toward the midline of the body.

adhesion

Normally, the formation of a fibrous band of tissue holds two parts or surfaces together, as in the healing of a wound. In a disease condition, the formation of a fibrous band of tissue that holds two surfaces together due to inflammation or trauma.

agonist

The muscle that causes the primary movement in a muscle pair.

analgesic

A drug that relieves pain; includes non prescription pain relievers, such as aspirin, and prescription pain relievers, such as hydrocodone.

antagonist

The muscle that works against the movement of the agonist in a muscle pair.

anti-inflammatory

A drug that reduces inflammation.

antispasmodic

A drug prescribed to suppress smooth-muscle contractions of the bladder, stomach, or intestine.

ataxia

Inability to coordinate voluntary muscle activity; characterized by shaky, unsteady movements.

atrophy

Wasting away or shrinkage of muscle size.

automaticity

The ability of skeletal muscle fibers to resume their resting length when a stretching force is removed.

biceps brachii

The muscle of the anterior upper arm that flexes the arm and forearm and supinates (rotates) the hand.

biceps femoris

The muscle of the posterior thigh that extends the thigh and flexes and rotates the leg; also called the hamstring.

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine the presence of disease.

cardiac muscle

A type of involuntary muscle found only in the heart; pumps blood from the heart into blood vessels; also called myocardial muscle

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

A disorder marked by pain, burning, and itching or tingling due to an inflamed median nerve and tendons in 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

Rotation of an arm or leg (as if "drawing a circle" with the limb). This type of motion occurs in multiple body planes.

computerized tomography (CT)

A process in which radiographic images of a specific section of the body are taken from multiple angles and then analyzed by a computer to identify injury or disease; also known as computerized tomography.

contractility

The ability of a skeletal muscle to contract (shorten).

contracture

Permanent tightening of skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

deep tendon reflexes (DTR)

Involuntary muscle contractions that occur when the tendons associated with certain areas of the limbs (for example, the patella, or knee) are percussed with a reflex hammer; tested during a standard neurological exam.

deltoid

The muscle of the external shoulder that abducts, fl exes, extends, and rotates the arm.

depression

(1) A mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and lack of inter- est in daily activities; (2) The lowering of a body part.

dorsiflexion

Movement of the sole of the foot upward (flexed toward the lower leg).

Duchenne muscular dystrophy
(DMD)

A progressive disease that weakens the muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdle.

dystaxia

mild form of ataxia (lack of muscular coordination that produces shaky, unsteady movements).

elasticity

The ability of skeletal muscle fibers to resume their resting length when a stretching force is removed.

electromyogram (EMG)

A graphic recording of the contraction of a muscle as a result of electrical stimulation.

elevation

Raising of a body part.

endomysium

A fine sheath of areolar connective tissue around each muscle fiber; the innermost layer of connective tissue around a muscle.

eversion

A dense, fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the entire muscle; the outermost layer of connective tissue around a muscle.

excitability

The ability of a skeletal muscle to receive and respond to a nerve impulse by contracting; also called irritability.

exercise physiologist

A healthcare professional who performs exercise stress tests and evaluates a person's physical condition, focusing on cardiovascular health and metabolism.

extensibility

The ability of the skeletal muscles to be stretched.

extension

The straightening of a limb after it has been flexed.

fascia

A band or sheet of fibrous tissue that encloses a muscle or group of muscles.

fasciitis

Inflammation of a fascia.

flaccidity

Condition or state in which muscles are flabby, relaxed, or have defective or absent tone.

flexion

The movement of two body surfaces toward each other, as in the act of bending.

frontalis

The muscle of the forehead that raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead.

gastrocnemius

The prominent muscle of the posterior calf that fl exes the foot and leg.

gluteus maximus

The outer muscle of the buttocks that extends and rotates the thigh.

gluteus medius

The medial muscle of the buttocks that adducts and rotates the thigh.

goniometry

The measurement of range of motion in a joint.

hemiparesis

Weakness or slight paralysis on one side of the body.

hemiplegia

Total paralysis on one side of the body.

hyperextension

The act of bending a joint or limb beyond normal extension or range of motion.

hypertrophy

Excessive growth or abnormal enlargement of a muscle.

hypotonia

Loss of muscle tone.

impingement syndrome

Condition that occurs when tendons of the shoulder become impinged, or compressed, by the bones of the shoulder.

insertion

The attachment site of a muscle that moves during muscular contraction.

inversion

The turning inward of the sole of the foot.

involuntary muscles

Muscles that are not stimulated through conscious control.The muscle of the mid back and lower spine that extends, adducts, and rotates the arm.

latissimus dorsi

The muscle of the mid back and lower spine that extends, adducts, and rotates the arm.

leiomyoma

Benign tumor of smooth muscle, such as that found in the heart, bladder, or uterus.

leiomyosarcoma

Malignant tumor of smooth muscle.

ligament

A fibrous cord of tissue that attaches bone to bone.

magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI)

A noninvasive scanning test that involves use of an electromagnetic field and radio waves to visualize soft-tissue structures.

muscle

A type of body tissue made up of bundles of fibers (long, slender cells) that are held together by connective tissue; contracts, causing body movement, when stimulated.

muscle fibers

Long, slender cells grouped and held together with connective tissue and covered with fascia; make up skeletal muscles.

muscular dystrophy (MD)

Genetic disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and skeletal muscle deterioration.

muscular system

The body system that allows voluntary and involuntary body movement and produces body heat through energy generated by muscles.

myalgia

Muscle pain.

myasthenia gravis

A chronic autoimmune disease of the skeletal muscles caused by disruption in neural communication between the muscles and the nerves; characterized by severe weakness and fatigue.

myocele

Herniation or protrusion of muscle through a tear in the fascia.

myolysis

Degeneration or deterioration of muscle tissue.

myoma

Tumor of the muscle.

myomalacia

Abnormal softening of muscle tissue.

myoparesis

Weakness or mild muscular paralysis.

myoplasty

Surgical repair of a muscle through plastic surgery.

myorrhexis

Rupture or tearing of a muscle.

myositis

Inflammation of a muscle.

narcotic

A drug that, in moderate doses, depresses the central nervous system, relieves pain, and induces sleep.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs)

A drug that relieves pain, counteracts inflammation, and reduces fever; commonly used to treat arthritis.

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

The attachment site of a muscle that does not move when the muscle contracts.

paraplegia

A loss of voluntary movement (motor function) in the lower half of the body, including both legs; often as a result of spinal cord injury (SCI) or disease.

paresthesia

The sensation of numbness, prickling, or tingling, usually in the upper or lower extremities; caused by irritation of, or injury to, sensory nerves or nerve roots.

pectoralis major

The muscle of the chest that flexes, adducts, and rotates the arm.

perimysium

A sheath of connective tissue that surrounds bundles of muscle fibers called fascicles.

physical therapy

Rehabilitation that focuses on restoring physical function and preventing disability.

plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue in the sole of the foot between the heel bone and the toes), resulting in heel pain.

plantar flexion

Motion of the plantar surface (sole of the foot) away from the mid- line of the body.

pronation

Rotational motion of the forearm in which the palm moves to face downward.

quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities.

radiography

Diagnostic imaging technique that uses electromagnetic waves to create images of the inside of the body.

range-of-motion (ROM) testing

Diagnostic procedure performed to evaluate the extent to which joints can be moved in a variety of directions.

range-of-motion (ROM) therapy

Exercises performed to improve or maintain joint mobility and flexibility.

rectus femoris

The muscle of the anterior thigh that flexes the thigh and extends the leg; also called the quadricep.

Rest Ice Compression Elevation
(RICE)

most common first aid treatment of muscular injuries

rhabdomyoma

A benign tumor consisting of striated muscle that occurs on or in the smooth muscle of the heart.

rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

A malignant tumor of skeletal muscle.

rigor

Stiffness that occurs in dead bodies due to chemical changes in the muscles.

rotation

Movement of a body part around its longitudinal axis—that is, lengthwise.

sarcopenia

Loss of muscle mass, strength, and function as a result of aging.

sartorius

The muscle of the anterior thigh that flexes and rotates the thigh and flexes the leg.

shin splint

Painful condition caused by muscle tearing away from the tibia.

skeletal muscle

Muscle tissue that is attached to bone and works with the skeletal system to generate movement at will; also called voluntary muscle or striated muscle.