MUSCLE DISORDERS Flashcards
involuntary, painful, sustained tetanic contractions of a muscle.
- The precise cause is unknown, may result from chemical changes in the muscle, such as lactic acid accumulation or calcium deficiencies. Sometimes a severe blow to a muscle can produce a cramp
Cramps
is the inflammation of theconnective tissue, especially muscle sheaths and
fascia associated with muscles
Fibrositis
Fibrositis produces soreness and stiffness that is commonly called
muscular rheumatism.
is a general term for several inherited muscular disorders that
are characterized by the progressive degeneration of muscles. The affected muscles gradually
weaken and shrink, producing a progressive crippling of the patient. There is no specific drug cure, but patients are encouraged to keep active and are given
muscle strengthening exercises.
Muscular dystrophy
is the inflammation of muscle tissue. It produces soreness and stiffness similar
to fibrositis of the muscles.
Myositis
“pulled muscles,” result when a muscle is stretched excessively. This usually
occurs when an antagonist has not relaxed quickly enough as an agonist contracts.
Strains
only a few muscle fibers are
damaged.
mild strains
both connective and muscle tissues are torn, and muscle function
may be severely impaired.
severe strains
poisoning is caused by a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium
botulinum. The toxin prevents release of acetylcholine from the tips of motor axons
-death may result from paralysis of the muscles used in breathing. Poisoning results from eating improperly canned vegetables or meats
Botulism
s is characterized by extreme muscular weakness caused by improper
functioning of the neuromuscular junctions. It is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are
produced that attach to the acetylcholine receptors on the sarcolemma and reduce or block the stimulatory effect of acetylcholine
- most frequently in women between
20 and 40 years of age
Myasthenia gravis
is a viral disease of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Destruction
of the motor neurons leads to paralysis of skeletal muscles. It is now rare in industrialized
countries due to the availability of a polio vaccine. Virtually all children in the United States receive
this vaccine, which protects them from polio.
Poliomyelitis
are sudden, involuntary contractions of a muscle or a group of muscles. They
may vary from simple twitches to severe convulsions and may be accompanied by pain
- may be caused by irritation of the motor neurons supplying the muscle, emotional stress, or
neurological disorders
- smooth muscle in the walls of the digestive tract, respiratory
passages, or certain blood vessels can be hazardous. Hiccupping is one type of spasm.
Spasms
is a disease caused by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is
common in soil. Infection usually results from puncture wounds. C. tetani produces a neurotoxin
that affects motor neurons in the spinal cord, resulting in continuous stimulation and tetanic
contractions of certain muscles. Because the first muscles affected are those that move the
mandible, this disease is often called “lockjaw.”
Tetanus
