Key Terms Flashcards
What is the meaning of Ischemic?
The restriction of blood supply which causes a shortage of oxygen.
What are the key differences between chronic and acute pain?
Acute is shorter term (weeks to months) whilst chronic is longer term (more than 6months)
What is atrophy?
The wastage of muscle through disuse, disease, injury or malnutrition.
What is a contraction?
The activation of tension-generating sites within the muscle fibres.
What is hypertrophy?
An increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to the increase in size of the cells
What is scar tissue?
An area of fibrous tissue replacing normal skin following an injury.
What is hypoxia?
The deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues.
What is myopathy?
Disease of the muscle tissue.
What is the definition of homeostasis?
Dynamic equilibrium of internal environment, function and chemical compositions through the process of feedback and regulation.
What is abduction?
The movement of a limb AWAY from the medial plane.
What is fatigue?
A decline in the ability of the muscle to generate force, as a result of vigorous exercise.
What is nerve impingement?
When pressure is placed on a nerve by fascia, muscle or joints.
What is an adhesion?
The binding together of normally separate tissues resulting in the restriction of mobility.
What is effusion?
The accumulation of fluid as a result of irritation to synovial membrane.
What is extension?
An increase in the angle between bone and bone at a joint (straightening).
What is fasciculation?
A brief spontaneous contraction of a small number of muscle fibres causing a flicker of movement under the skin.
What is flexion?
The reduction in angle between bone and bone at a joint (bending).
What is the definition of tension?
Refers to condition where muscle remain semi-contracted for an extended period of time.
What is rotation?
The movement of a limb around its long axis (medially or laterally).
What is hypertonicity?
A state of abnormally high muscle tone.
What is a spasm?
The involuntary contraction of a muscle
What is adduction?
Movement of a limb towards the medial plane.
What is protraction?
Taking the limb forward.
What is hypotonicity?
The condition where there is an abnormally low muscle tone.
What is retraction?
Taking the limb backwards?
What is vasodilation?
The widening of the blood vessels resulting in the increase in blood flow.
What is vasoconstriction?
The narrowing of blood vessels resulting in the reduction of blood flow.
What are muscle spindles?
Located in the belly of the muscle responding to both sudden and prolonged stretches.
What is muscle guarding?
A protective response in the muscles from pain or fear of movement. Treated by relaxing the muscles.
What is meant by compensation?
Process of counterbalancing a defect in the body structure or function.
What is cramp?
A sudden and involuntary painful contraction of the muscle(s)
What is asymmetry?
The lack of equality or equilibrium between body parts.
What is ATP
Adenosine Tri Phosphate. High energy molecule found in every cell to store and supply the cell with energy.
What is oedema?
Swelling as a result of abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissue.
What is meant by circulatory?
Systems that depend on the pumping action of skeletal muscles
What is the Golgi Tendon?
Receptors in the tendon that sense tension
What is hypertonia?
Term used alongside the spasticity and rigidity in regards to damage to the CNS associated with increased tightness of muscle tone and reduced capacity to stretch
What is an inflammatory response?
A normal mechanism characterised by pain, heat, redness and swelling that usually speeds up recovery from infection or injury
What is meant by Motorpoint?
Where a motor nerve enters the muscle it innervates and caused muscle to switch if stimulated
What is a musculotendinous junction?
The point where muscle fibres end and connective tissue continues to form the tendon
What is meant by myofibril?
A very small longitudinal fibre found in skeletal or cardiac muscle
What is meant by neuromuscular?
Interaction between nervous system control of the muscles and response of the muscles to nerve signals
What is a trigger point?
Hyper-irritable spot associated with a taut band of skeletal muscle which is painful on compression or contraction. Often accompanied by palpable nodules. Can be latent or active.
What is meant by caudal?
Towards the hindquarters
What is meant by cranial?
Towards the head
What is meant by rostral?
Towards the nose
What is meant by dorsal?
Back surface or top line
What is meant by ventral?
Underneath/ belly side
What is meant by proximal?
Closer to the body
What is meant by distal?
Further from main part of body
What is meant by palmer?
Some of front paw continuing to back of knee
What is meant by plantar?
Sole of hind paw continuing to back of hock
What is meant by lateral?
Away from the midline
What is meant by medial?
Towards the mid line
