Glossary Page | Corrective Strength

A

Adhesion

Fibrous bands of scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues, often causing them to stick together and restrict mobility.

Atrophy

The wasting away or reduction in size of muscle tissue due to lack of use, injury, or underlying neurological conditions.

B

Biomechanics

The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms, critical for analyzing movement patterns.

Bursitis

Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the joints, leadings to pain and restricted range of motion.

C

Corrective Exercise

A technique used to identify and fix movement compensations and imbalances to improve movement quality during workouts and daily life.

GLOSSARY

A

Abdomen:

the region between the diaphragm and the pelvis

Abduction:

The lateral movement away form the midline of the trunk

Acetabulum:

the round cavity on the external surface of the coxal bone; the head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum to form the coxal joint

Achilles tendon:

Tendon that connects to the calf muscles of the leg to the heel

Achilles tendonitis:

Inflammation of the Achilles tendon

Actin and myosin:

The most fundamental unit of muscle; cells that are the two primary parts of a muscle fiber and that generate contraction, force, and movement

Adduction:

The medial movement toward the midline of the trunk.

Adhesion:

abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures during immobilization, following trauma or as a complication of surgery, which restricts normal elasticity of the structures involved

Alpha system:

The system of nerves that control the extrafusal muscle fibers

Ambulation:

The act of or action of moving about (walking)

Anatomical position:

erect posture with face forward, arms at sides, forearms supinated (so that palms of the hands face forward) and fingers and thumbs in extension

Antagonist:

A muscle that acts in physiologic opposition by contracting

Antalgic gait:

An awkward manner of walking due to pain.

Antecubital:

the anterior side of the elbow

Anterior tilt of pelvis:

tilt in which the vertical plane through the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is anterior to the vertical plane through the symphysis pubis

Appendage:

a structure attached to the body, such as the upper and lower extremities

Arm:

the portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and elbow joint

Arndt-Schultz principle:

Guideline as to how much stimulus causes desired physiologic effects and responses

Arthrology:

the study of joints

Articular facet:

a small articular surface of a bone, especially a vertebra

Articular facet:

a small articular surface of a bone, especially a vertebra

Ascending sensory nerve pathways:

Nerves that deliver sensory information to the CNS and the brain

Atlas:

first cervical vertebra, articulating with the occipital bone and rotating around the odontoid process of the axis

Axis:

the second cervical vertebra

-B-

Bone spur:

A bony outgrowth.

Bilateral:

pertaining to two sides.

Bulging disk:

A protrusion of disk material.

Bursa:

A small, fluid-filled sack that reduces friction between two structures.

-C-

Calcaneus bone:

The heel bone of the foot.

Cartilaginous joint:

a joint in which two bony surfaces are united by cartilage; the two types of cartilaginous joints are synchondroses and symphyses.

Caudal:

Downward, away from the head (toward the tail)

Central nervous system (CNS):

Nerves and organs in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary and involuntary acts. This includes parts of the brain controlling consciousness and mental activities.

Cephalic:

Toward the head

Circular friction:

Friction that moves in little circles.

Circumduction:

The circular movements of a limb delineating an arc or describing a cone; a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Also known as circumflexion.

Client:

Collagen:

the protein of connective tissue fibers.

Concentric contraction:

a shortening of the muscle during a contraction; a type of isotonic exercise.

Condyle:

a rounded articular surface at the extremity of a bone.

Contour:

Contouring:

Contractile:

Contraction:

Connective tissue:

the supportive tissues of the body, made of ground substance and fibrous tissues, taking a wide variety of forms.

Contraction:

an increase in muscle tension, with or without change in overall length.

Coronal:

a vertical plane perpendicular to the sagital plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions, also called the frontal plane.

Coronal axis:

a horizontal line extending from side to side, around which the movements of flexion and extension take palce.

Coronal plane:

Cranial:

Cranial nerve:

Cross-fiber friction:

Cross linking:

Crural:

Arthrology:

the study of joints

Articular facet:

a small articular surface of a bone, especially a vertebra

Articular facet:

a small articular surface of a bone, especially a vertebra

Ascending sensory nerve pathways:

Nerves that deliver sensory information to the CNS and the brain

Atlas:

first cervical vertebra, articulating with the occipital bone and rotating around the odontoid process of the axis

Axis:

the second cervical vertebra