Anatomy And Physiology Flashcards
What is a joint
an area Of the body where two or more bones articulate to create movement
What is a ligament
A tough band of elastic connective tissue that attaches bone to bone
What is articular cartliage
Smooth tissue which covers surface of articulating bones to allow fiction free movement
Synovial fluid
Lubricating liquid within the joint cavity which reduces friction
Joint capsule
A fibrous sac that encloses and strengthens the joint secreting synovial fluid
Bursa
A closed fluid filled sac that reduces friction between tendons and bones
Plane of movement
The description of three dimensional movements at a joint
What are the three planes of movement
1) Sagittal plane- divides the body in half into right and left parts
2) transverse plane- divides the body in half into top and bottom parts
3) frontal plane- divides the body in half into front and back parts
Movement patterns
A description of the actions taking place at a joint i.e flexion and extension
Types of movement in the sagittal plane
Flexion - decrease angle at the joint
Extension- increase angle at the joint
Dorsi flexion- pointing of toes in the upwards direction
Plantar flexion- pointing of toes towards the ground
Types of movement in the frontal plane
Abduction- movement of the limbs away from the midline of the body
Adduction- movement of the limbs towards the midline of the body
Types of movement in the transverse plane
Horizontal flexion- movement of the limbs towards the midline of the body parallel to the ground
Horizontal extension- the movement of the limbs away from the midline of the body parallel to the ground
Rotation- movement whereby articulating bones turn about their longitudinal axis in a screwdriver motion
What is a tendon
A fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone
Agonist
The prime mover, the muscle responsible for creating movement at a joint
Antagonist
A muscle that opposes the agonist to provide resistance for coordinated movement
Fixator
A muscle that stabilises one part of the body while the other creates movement
Types of muscle contractions
Isotonic- changes the length of the muscle during contraction
Isotonic concentric- muscle shortens
Isotonic eccentric- muscle lengthens
Isometric contraction- when the muscle length stays the same during contraction
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Pain and stiffness caused in the muscles which peaks 24-72 hours after exercise
Movement analysis
Analysis of the type of and cause of bodily movement
Which includes the following:
- joint type
- articulating bones
- movement pattern
- agonist and antagonist muscles
- type of contraction
What is a motor neuron
A nerve cell which conducts a nerve impulse to a group of muscle fibres
Motor unit
A motor neuron and the muscle fibres stimulated by its axon
Action potential
Positive electric charge inside the nerve and muscle cells which conducts the nerve impulse down the neuron and into the muscle fibre
What is a neurotransmitter
A chemical produced and secreted by a neurone which transmits a nerve impulse across the synaptic cleft to the muscle fibre
All or none law
Depending on wether the stimulus is above a threshold, all muscle fibres will give a complete contraction or no contraction at all
