Trigger points, tendons, ligaments, joints Flashcards
What are trigger points? Where are they formed?
Trigger points are hard nodules that develop in the muscle belly.
What causes trigger points?
A portion of muscle fibres are contracted constantly, e.g. injury, overwork, repetitive motion, stress or poor circulation.
How does a muscle that function normally react?
A muscle that functions normally have muscle fibres that constantly contract and relax so that the muscle can generate force and motion.
How are trigger points developed?
When a portion of muscle fiber is constantly contracted, the nerve endings of the muscle fibers send a pain response to the brain. As the muscle cannot contract fully, more muscle fibers are overloading to compensate for the others and the trigger point may get larger.
What are tendons and their functions?
Tendons are made up of connective tissues that attaches muscle to bone. Their role is to transmit the force produced by the muscle to the bone to create movement.
Where are tendons situated?
Tendons are situated on both sides of the muscle belly.
What are the origin and insertion of tendons?
Origin: the strongest tendon attachement is attached to the most stable part of the bone
Insertion: the weaker tendon attachment is attached to the most movable part of the bone
Which is more elastic/flexible? Arrange them in order.
Tendons
Muscle
Ligaments
Muscle > Tendons > Ligaments
What are ligaments and their functions? Where are they situated?
Ligaments are made up of denser connective tissues that connect bone to bone. They attach across a joint to stabilize it. Their role is to add more strength to a joint and allow the joint to withstand the pressure exerted on it.
What is a joint?
A joint is the place where two or more bones meet to allow movement.
What helps the ends of bones to move smoothly against one another?
A smooth cartilage coated in the ends of the bones.
What are the two functions of cartilage?
- allow the components of joints to move smoothly against one another
- absorb concussion when there is pressure to the joint
What are the three types of joints?
fibrous, cartilagenous and synovial joints
What are fibrous joints? Give an example.
Fibrous joints are connected by connective tissue and muscle, e.g. suture of the skull.
What are cartilaginous joints? Give an example.
Cartilaginous joints are partly movable joints, permitting compression and stretching, connected completely by cartilage, e.g. intervertebral discs.
