Essential Anatomical and Physical Therapy Terms
Classified in Physical Education
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- End range: The limit of movement of a joint.
- Shin: The front of the leg below the knee.
- Subarachnoid: Below one of the membranes that covers the brain.
- Supination: To rotate the hand so the palm faces forward.
- Temporal: Near the temples of the skull.
- Cartilage: Connective tissue that covers the ends of bones and acts as a cushion to absorb shock and a smooth surface to decrease friction between two or more bones.
- Contracture: Occurs when a joint loses motion due to structural changes in the muscle.
- Cervical: Pertaining to the neck.
- Core: Pertaining to the trunk.
- Deformity: A major difference in the shape of a body part compared to what is normal for that body part.
- Extension: A straightening or backward movement of the spine or limbs.
- Fine motor: The action involving the small muscles of the hands.
- Flexion: A bending or forward movement of the spine or limbs.
- Gross motor: Involves movement of large muscle groups of the body.
- Hypermobility: Movement beyond normal range of motion.
- Hypertonic: Muscle tone higher than normal.
- Hypotonic: Less than normal tone.
- Internal rotation: An inward turning of the limb toward the body.
- Instability: Lack of firmness in weight-bearing.
- Kinesthesia: Conscious awareness of body movement, detected by joints.
- Ligaments: The soft tissues that hold two or more bones together.
- Lumbar: Pertaining to the lower back.
- Midline: The theoretical lines that divide the body into two equal halves vertically or horizontally.
- Motor control: The ability of the central nervous system to regulate or direct the musculoskeletal system in a purposeful act.
- Quadriceps: A large muscle group on the anterior (front) surface of the thigh responsible for knee extension.
- Reflex: An involuntary response to a stimulus.
- Spasticity: Hypertension of muscles causing stiff and awkward movements.
- Static: In equilibrium, not in motion.
- Supine: Lying on the back.
- Tactile defensiveness: A negative response or increased sensitivity to touch.
- Thoracic: Pertaining to or affecting the chest or upper back.
- Tendon: The non-contractile unit that transmits the force of the muscle to the bone.
- Tone: The degree of tension normally present in the resting state of a muscle.
- Unilateral: Affecting or occurring on only one side of the body.