VMM Glossary Flashcards
Absolute refractory period
Period just after the neuron fires and it is beginning to re-polarize. It cannot fire again, regardless of the stimulus during this time
Action potential
Large depolarizing signal that is actively propagated along an axon by the repeated generation of a signal. It will travel the length of the axon without losing strength
Active insufficiency
Muscles generate the most force when they are near their resting length. Lengthening or shortening the muscle decreases the force it can produce. The muscles have more strength near the resting length because that is where there is the most cross-bridging between the actin and myosin filaments
Alpha motor neuron
Large myelinated nerve fibers that go to extrafusal muscle fibers to stimulate contraction. Largest motor neuron
Anterior
Synonym for ventral
ASIS
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (term from human medicine for the tuber coxae)
Autogenic inhibition
Contraction of a muscle stimulates the golgi tendon organs which cause relaxation of the muscle
Calcanea contact
Uses the “heel” of the hand as the Dr. contact point. It is important to support the wrist of the contact hand to prevent hyperextension during the HVLA
Central Pattern Generators (CPG)
Neural networks that are capable of generating rhythmic motor activity in the absence of sensory feedback. They signal the basic rhythm of gait. It is then modulated to adapt to terrain and avoid obstacles
Co-contraction
Contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles simultaneously, often used to stabilize joints
Complex joint
Joint with 2 or more articulating surfaces and an articular disc
Costotransverse joint
Articulation between the tubercle of the rib and the costotransverse surface on the transverse process of the caudal thoracic vertebra
Costovertebral joint
Articulation between the demi-facet and the rib head. Each rib head forms a costovertebral joint with 2 vertebrae
Coupled motion
Motion around 1 axis that is consistently and automatically associated with movement around a second axis. For example: lateral bend coupled with rotation
CPG
Central pattern generator
Demi-facet
Joint surface on the thoracic vertebrae for articulation with the rib head. It is between the pedicle and the vertebral body
Directed thrust
Thrust in the plane of the joint surfaces
Dorsal longitudinal ligament
Located within the spinal canal on the dorsal aspect of the vertebral bodies. This ligament resists over-flexion of the spine
Dorsal plate
Dorsal half of the spinal cord; carries mostly sensory information
Double pisiform
Uses the pisiform process (just proximal to the 5th metacarpal) as the Dr. contact point, the pisiform process of the other hand is placed in the “snuff ox” of the first. The fingers of the second hand support the wrist of the first
Dural torque
The dura extends the length of the spine and follows the nerve roots through the intervertebral foramen. It is relatively inelastic. It is thought that any restriction may create tension on the dura causing pain and decreased ROM even at sites distant to the restriction. One description likens it to pulling one corner of a tablecloth to create folds and tension throughout
Dysfacilitation
Relates to the utilization of altered motor control strategies. Compare to inhibition
Feed-back
The actual movement is compared to the intended movement and changes are made if necessary
Feed-forward
Muscle actions needed for a movement are planned in advance of the action. Mechanisms are fast and depend on prior experience
Force-time principle
The time over which a force is applied is as important as the size of the force in altering movement. Increasing the time will increase the force
Gamma motor neuron
Goes to the muscle spindle cell (MSC) so that the MSC is effective at all muscle lengths. The gamma motor neuron regulates the sensitivity of the MSC
Golgi tendon organ
Sensory receptors found at the musculotendonious junction that monitor muscle contraction
Ground reaction force
As the horse pushes off the ground the ground must push back with equal force and in the opposite direction. Higher ground reaction force can mean greater speed, greater height of jump or greater suspension
Group lesion
Several adjacent vertebrae that have the same restriction. For example: T5 through T8 all restricted spinous right
GTO
Golgi tendon organ
HVLA
Stands for high velocity low amplitude; the type of thrust used in manipulation. Speed is a vital component
Hyoid apparatus
Consists of the stylohyoid, ceratohyoid, basihyoid, thyrohyoid and epihyoid. The tympanohyoid is a cartilage cap that attaches the stylohyoid to the styloid process of the temporal bone. The basihyoid has a rostral projection called the lingual process. The omohyoidius, sternohyoid and the stylohyoid mm attach to the lingual process
Inferior
Synonym for caudal
Inhibition
Relates to a process of neural discharge being actively suppressed by another neural influence. Compare to dysfacilitation
IVF
Intervertebral foramen
Lamina
Part of the vertebra from the facets to the dorsal spinous process. It is the “roof” of the vertebra
Lever, Long
The patient contact point and the joint being adjusted are farther apart e.g. contact on the pastern to adjust the shoulder joint. The long lever multiplies the force so there is no HVLA with long lever manipulation
Lever, short
The patient contact point and the joint being adjusted are close together e.g. lamina-pedicle contact to adjust a cervical facet. Short lever adjustments are safer than long lever adjustments
Ligamentum flavumn
Ventromedial aspect of the facet joint is covered by the ligamentum flavum Runs between the lamina of adjacent vertebrae and has a minimal blood supply. Hypertrophy can compress the contents of the intervertebral foramen (IVF)
Listing
Descriptive name for a restriction and should include the bone involved, the reference point and the direction. For example: T5 spinous right
Local potential
Stimuilation of a dendrite creates a local potential that spreads by diffusion and is gone after traveling only 1-2mm. It takes multiple local potentials to add up to an action potential which causes the neuron to fire.
Logan basic
Gentle technique to relieve sacral restrictions and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system
Mammillary process
A rounded eminence on the caudal aspect of the cranial facets in the thoracolumbar spine. It is a site for muscle attachment and a contact point
Manipulable lesion
An “altered alignment, movement integrity, and/or physiologic function of a motion unit although contact between the joint surfaces remains intact”
Manipulation
A “manual procedure that involves a directed thrust to move a joint past the physiologic ROM without exceeding the anatomic limit”
Motion segment or Motion unit
A functional unit made up of 2 adjacent articulating surfaces and the connecting tissue surrounding them
Muscle spindle cell (MSC)
Sensory receptors that monitor changes in length of the muscle i.e. stretch. They are found in the middle of skeletal muscle fibers (the muscle belly)
Nerve conduction
Neurotransmitter(s) stimulates the post-synaptic cell and causes a local potential. The local potential is graded and spreads by passive diffusion. When the summation of many local potentials is great enough an action potential is generated. An action potential is not graded and spreads by active propagation
Parallel muscle fiber
Muscle fibers arranged parallel to the pull of the muscle. This arrangement is best for a large ROM
Paraphysiologic range of motion
Small ROM beyond the active and passive ROM. It is just before anatomic barriers are breached
Patient contact point
The bony prominence that receives the manipulation. It can be a small area like the mammillary process in the lumbars or relatively large like the tuber sacrale
Pedicles
Part of the vertebra from the facets to the vertebral bodies, the “sides” of the vertebra
Pennate muscle fiber
Muscle fibers arranged at an angle to a tendon or aponeurosis. This arrangement is best for strong isometric action
Phase dependent reflex reversal
The same stimulus excites different muscle groups depending on the phase of stride. For example: when the leg is weight bearing the GTOs stimulate the extensor motor neurons, the opposite of what they do in non-weight bearing. This ensures that the swing phase won’t start until the limb is unloaded
Physiologic cross sectional area (PCSA)
Determinant of the maximal isometric force that can be generated by a muscle. Calculated from muscle volume divided by fiber length and is greater with short pinnated fibers.
Posterior
Synonym for dorsal
PSIS
Posterior superior iliac spine is a term from human medicine for the tuber sacrale
Reciprocal inhibition
Contraction of extensors inhibits contraction of flexors and vice versa. This allows for smooth movement
ROM
Range of motion
Set-up
How you position yourself and your patient for a proper manipulation. It includes Dr. position, patient position, Dr. contact point, patient contact point, and line of drive needed to make an effective manipulation
Spasticity
Form of hypertonus that has hyperactive tendon jerks and an increased resistance to rapid stretch. In a spastic patient a slow stretch doesn’t stimulate much resistance but the faster the stretch the greater the resistance
Superior
Synonym for cranial
Translation
Gliding of joint surfaces over one another
Transverse process
Part of the vertebra between the pedicle and the body used for muscle attachment and/or stability. It may be used as a contact point on the lumbar vertebra but not on the cervical vertebra
V-trough
A V is formed with your thumb and the side of your flexed index finger. The thumb is firmly supported by the index finger. Be sure the contact is the center of the V, not the thumb
Ventral longitudinal ligament
Lies on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies and resists overextension of the spine
Ventral plate
Ventral half of the spinal cord and it carries mostly motor information
