unit 3 (muscular system) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
abdominal muscles
the muscles between the ribs and the pubic bone that flex and rotate the trunk
abduction
movement of a body part away from the midline of the body
adduction
movement of a body part toward the midline of the body
adhesion
normally, the formation of a fibrous band of tissue that holds two parts or surfaces together, as in the healing of a wound
disease -> formation of fibrous tissue that holds two surfaces together due to inflammation or trauma
agonist
the muscle that causes the primary movement in a muscle pair
analgesic
a drug that relieves pain - nonprescription (aspirin) and prescription (hydrocodone)
antagonist
the muscle that works against the movement of the agonist in a muscle pair
anti-inflammatory
a drug that reduces inflammation
anticholinergic
a drug prescribed to suppress smooth-muscle contractions of the bladder, stomach, or intestine
antispasmodic
a drug prescribed to suppress smooth-muscle contractions of the bladder, stomach, or intestine
ataxia
inability to coordinate voluntary muscle activity; characterized by shaky, unsteady movements
atrophy
wasting away or shrinking of muscle size
automaticity
the ability of skeletal muscle fibers to resume their resting length when a stretching force is removed
biceps brachii
the muscle of the anterior upper arm that flexes the arm and forearm and supinates (rotates) the hand
biceps femoris
hamstring; the muscle of the posterior thigh that extends the thigh and flexes and rotates the leg
biopsy
the removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination
cardiac muscle
myocardial muscle; a type of voluntary muscle found only in the heart; pumps blood from the heart into blood vessels
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
disorder marked by pain, burning, and itching or tingling due to an inflamed median nerve and tendons in the wrist
certified fitness trainer (CFT)
a professional who serves as a leader and instructor in exercise programs and helps people achieve and maintain a healthful lifestyle
circumduction
rotation of an arm or leg (drawing a circle with limb) - occurs in multiple body planes
computed tomography (CT)
a process in which radiographic images of a specific section of the body are taken from multiple angles and then analyzed by a computer to identify injury or disease
computerized axial tomography (CAT)
process in which radiographic images of a specific section of the body are taken from multiple angles
contractility
the ability of a skeletal muscle to contract (shorten)
contracture
permanent tightening of skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia
deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
evaluation of involuntary muscular responses with a reflex hammer
deltoid
the muscle of the external shoulder that abducts, flexes, extends, and rotates the arm
depression
lowering of a body part
dorsiflexion
movement of the sole of the foot upward (flexed toward the lower leg)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
progressive disease that weakens the muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdle
dystaxia
a mild form of ataxia (lack of muscular coordination that produces shaky, unsteady movements)
elasticity
the ability of skeletal muscle fibers to resume their resting length when a stretching force is removed
electromyogram (EMG)
a graphic recording of the contraction of a muscle as a result of electrical stimulation
elevation
raising of a body part
endomysium
a fine sheath of areolar connective tissue around each muscle fiber; the innermost layer of connective tissue around a muscle
epimysium
a dense, fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the entire muscle; the outermost layer of connective tissue around a muscle
eversion
the turning outward of the sole of the foot
excitability
irritability; the ability of a skeletal muscle to receive and respond to a nerve impulse by contracting
exercise physiologist
a healthcare professional who performs exercise stress tests and evaluates a person’s physical condition, focusing on cardiovascular health and metabolism
extensibility
the ability of the skeletal muscles to be stretched
extension
the straightening of a limb after it has been flexed
fascia
fibrous connective tissue that binds muscles into functional groups and envelops other structures in the body
fasciitis
inflammation of the fascia
flaccidity
condition or state in which muscles are flabby, relaxed, or defective or absent tone
flexion
the movement of two body surfaces toward each other, as in the act of bending
frontalis
the muscle of the forehead that raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead
gastrocnemius
the prominent muscle of the posterior calf that flexes the foot and leg
gluteus maximus
the outer muscle of the buttocks that extends and rotates the thigh
gluteus medius
the medial muscles of the buttocks that adducts and rotates the thigh
goniometry
the measurement of range of motion in a joint
hemiparesis
weakness or slight paralysis on one side of the body
hemiplegia
total paralysis on one side of the body
hyperextension
the act of bending a joint or limb beyond normal extension or range of motion
hypertrophy
excessive growth or abnormal enlargement of a muscle
hypotonia
loss of muscle tone
impingement syndrome
condition that occurs when tendons of the shoulder being impinged, or compressed, by the bones of the shoulder
insertion
the attachment side of a muscle that moves during muscular contraction
inversion
the turning inward of the sole of the foot
involuntary muscles
muscles that are not stimulated to move through conscious control
lateral (external) rotation
rotational movement laterally, or away from the midline
latissimus dorsi
the muscle of the midback and lower spine that extends, adducts, and rotates the arm
leiomyoma
benign tumor of smooth muscle, such as that found in the heart, bladder, or uterus
leiomyosarcoma
malignant tumor of smooth muscle
ligament
a fibrous cord of tissue that attaches bone to bone
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a noninvasive scanning test that involves use of an electromagnetic field and radio waves to visualize soft-tissue structures
medial (internal) rotation
rotational movement medially, or toward the midline of the body
muscle
a type of body tissue made up of bundles of fibers (long, slender cells) that are held together by connective tissue; contracts, causing body movements, when stimulated
muscle fibers
long, slender cells grouped and held together with connective tissue and covered with fascia; make up skeletal muscles
muscular dystrophy (MD)
genetic disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and skeletal muscle deterioration
myalgia
muscle pain
myasthenia gravis
chronic autoimmune disease characterized by voluntary muscle weakness that worsens after activity and improves after rest
myocele
herniation or protrusion of muscle through a tear in the fascia
myodynia
muscle pain
myolysis
degeneration or deterioration of muscle tissue
myoma
tumor of the muscle
myomalacia
abnormal softening of the muscle tissue
myoparesis
weakness or mild muscular paralysis
myoplasty
surgical repair of a muscle through plastic surgery
myorrhexis
rupture or tearing of a muscle
myositis
inflammation of a muscle
narcotic
a drug that, in moderate doses, depresses the central nervous system, relieves pain, and induces sleep
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
a group of drugs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties; do not contain steroids
nuclear medicine imaging (NMI)
diagnostic imaging technique in which a radioactive substance and a special camera are used to visualize structures and functions in the body
origin
the attachment site of a muscle that does not move when the muscle contracts
paraplegia
paralysis of both legs and, often, the lower trunk
paresthesia
abnormal sensation that typically is not painful, such as tingling, numbness, itching, prickling, or burning
pectoralis major
the muscle of the chest that flexes, adducts, and rotates the arm
perimysium
a sheath of connective tissue that surrounds bundles of muscle fibers called fascicles
physical therapy
treatment to rehabilitate a patient by illness or injury
plantar fasciitis
inflammation of the plantar fascia (the thick band of tissue in the sole of the foot between the heel bone and the toes) resulting in heel pain
plantar flexion
motion of the plantar surface (sole of the foot) away from the midline of the body
pronation
rotational movement of the forearm in which the palm moves to face downward
quadriplegia
paralysis of all four extremities
radiography
diagnostic imaging technique that uses electromagnetic waves to create images inside of the body
range-of-motion (ROM) testing
diagnostic procedure performed to evaluate the extent to which joints can be moved in a variety of directions
range-of-motion (ROM) therapy
exercises performed to improve or maintain joint mobility and flexibility
rectus femoris
quadricep; the muscle of the anterior thigh that flexes the thigh and extends the leg
rhabdomyoma
benign tumor consisting of striated muscle that occurs on or in the smooth muscle of the heart
rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)
malignant tumor of skeletal muscle
RICE
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation; most common first-aid treatment for muscular injuries
rigidity
stiffness that occurs in dead bodies due to chemical changes in the muscles
rigor
stiffness that occurs in dead bodies due to chemical changes in the muscles
rotation
movement of a body part around its longitudinal axis (lengthwise)
sarcopenia
loss of muscle mass, strength, and function as a result of aging
sartorius
the muscle of the anterior thigh that flexes and rotates the thigh and flexes the leg
shin splint
painful condition caused by muscle tearing away from the tibia
skeletal muscle
striated muscle; voluntary muscle that is attached to bone and can be contracted or relaxed through conscious control
smooth muscle
visceral muscle; a type of involuntary muscle that surrounds internal organs and contracts and relaxes to move contents through body system passageways
sonography
diagnostic imaging method involving the use of high-frequency sound waves to generate images of structures in the body
spasm
involuntary sudden movement or convulsive muscular contraction
sports medicine physician
a healthcare worker who treats and prevents sports-related injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles
sprain
the stretching or tearing of a ligament, which connects bone to bone
strain
the stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon, the latter of which connects muscle to bone; also called a pulled muscle or pulled tendon
supination
rotational movement of the forearm in which the palm moves to face upward
tenalgia
pain in the tendon
tendinitis
inflammation of a tendon
tendon
a band of fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone
tendonitis
inflammation of a tendon
tenodynia
pain in the tendon
tenotomy
incision to the tendon, usually to repair a deformity caused by a shortened muscle
tetany
a state of sustained muscular contraction
tibialis anterior
the muscle of the anterior lower leg that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot
trapezius
the muscle of the upper back and neck that extends the neck and elevates, adducts, and rotates the scapula
tremor
an involuntary, repetitive shaking or quivering of a part or parts of the body
triceps brachii
the muscle of the posterior upper arm that extends the forearm
voluntary muscles
muscles that are stimulated to move through conscious control
