Question | Answer |
Abduction | away from the midline of the body |
Adduction | movement of a limb toward the midline of the body |
Adhension | a band of fibrous tissue that holds structures together abnormally |
Ataxia | a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movement |
Atonic Atrophy | lacking normal muscle tone or strength |
Atrophy | weakness or wearing away of body tissues and structures caused by pathology or by disuse over a long period of time. |
Bradykinesia | extreme slowness in movement |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | swelling that creates pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel |
chronic fatigue syndrome | a disorder of unknown cause that affects many body systems, with symptoms similar to those fibromyalgia syndrome. |
circumduction | circular movement of a limb |
contracture | the permanent tightening of fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin that occurs when normally elastic connective tissues are replaced with nonelastic fibrous tissues. |
dorsiflexion | bends the foot upward at the ankle |
dyskinesia | the distortion or impairment of voluntary movement such as in a tic or spasm |
dystonia | a condition of abnormal muscle tone that causes the impairment of voluntary muscle movement |
electromyography | a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity within muscle fibers in response to nerve stimulation |
epicondylitis | inflammation of the tissues around the elbow; golfer or tennis elbow |
ergonomics | the study of the human factors that affect the design and operation of tools and the work environment |
exercise physiologist | a specialist who works under the supervision of a physician to develop, implement, and coordinate exercise programs, and administer medical tests to promote physical fitness |
fasciitis | inflammation of the fascia |
fibromyalgia syndrome | a debilitating chronic condition characterized by fatigue, diffuse and or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, and a wide range of other symptoms |
ganglion cyst | a harmless fluid-filled swelling that occurs most commonly on the outer surface of the wrist |
heel spur | a calcium deposit in the plantar fascia nears its attachment to the calcaneus bone that can be one of the causes of plantar fasciitis |
hemiparesis | slight paralysis or weakness affecting one side of the body |
hemiplegia | total paralysis affecting only one side of the body |
hernia | organ or tissue protruding through the wall or cavity that usually contains it |
hyperkinesia | abnormally increased muscle function or activity |
hypotonia | a condition in which there is diminished tone of the skeletal muscles |
impingement syndrome | occurs when inflamed and swollen tendons are caught in the narrow space between the bones within the shoulder joint |
insertion | the point of attachment of a muscle to the part that it moves |
intermittent claudication | pain in the leg muscles that occurs during exercise and is relieved by rest |
muscular dystrophy | the term used to describe a group of genetic diseases that are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement |
myasthenia gravis | 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 |
myoclonus | sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles |
myofascial release | a specialized soft tissue manipulation technique used to ease the pain of conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), and carpal tunnel syndrome |
myolysis | the degeneration of muscle tissue |
myorrhaphy | the surgical suturing of a muscle wound |
neuromuscular | pertaining to the relationship between nerve and muscle |
nocturnal myoclonus | jerking of the limbs that can occur normally as a person is falling asleep |
oblique | slanted or at an angle |
paralysis | the loss of sensation and voluntary muscle movements in a muscle through disease or injury to its nerve supply |
paraplegia | paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body |
physiatrist | a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation with the focus on restoring function |
plantar fasciitis | an inflammation of the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot |
polymyositis | a muscle disease characterized by the simultaneous inflammation and weakening of voluntary muscles in many parts of the body |
pronation | to turn downward or backward as with the hand or foot |
quadriplegia | paralysis of all four extremities |
range of motion testing | diagnostic procedure to evaluate joint mobility and muscle strength |
sarcopenia | the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function that comes with aging |
shin splint | a painful condition caused by the muscle tearing away from the tibia |
singultus | myoclonus of the diaphragm that causes the characteristic hiccup sound with each spasm (hiccups) |
spasmodic torticollis | a stiff neck due to spasmodic contraction of the neck muscles that pull the head toward the affected side |
sphincter | circular ring of muscle that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening |
sprain | an injury in which the ligaments holding bones together are stretched too far and tear. |
tenodesis | surgical suturing of the end of a tendon to a bone |
tenosynovitis | inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon |
tenolysis | the release of a tendon from adhesions |
tenorrhaphy | surgical suturing together of the divided ends of a tendon |