Med Term Chapter 7 (muscular system)

myasthenia gravis (MG)

"Grave muscle weakness"; chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The primary symptom is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity & improves after periods of rest.

atrophy

"Lack of nourishment"; wasting of muscular tissue that may be caused by lack of use or lack of nerve stimulation of the muscle. Lipoatrophy is atrophy of fat tissue. This condition can occur at the site of an insulin and/or corticosteroid injection. It is also known as lipodystrophy. (http://www.alsforums.com)

isometric

"Pertaining to having equal measure"; increasing tension of muscle while maintaining equal length. (http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/oxford/Oxford_Food_Fitness/0198631472.muscle-contraction.1.jpg)

sprain

A stretch and/or tear of a ligament.

aponeurosis

A strong, flat sheet of fibrous connective tissue that serves as a tendon to attach muscles to bone or as fascia to bind muscles together or to other tissues at their origin or insertion. (https://home.comcast.net/~wnor/soleoffoot1.jpg)

myosclerosis

Abnormal condition of hardening of muscle

strain

An injury of a muscle and/or tendon.

dystrophy

Any condition of abnormal development caused by defective nourishment, often noted by the degeneration of muscles.

prosthesis

Artificial device used to replace an organ or body part, such as a hand, arm, leg, or hip.

tendon

Band of fibrous connective tissue serving for the attachment of muscles to bones; a giant cell tumor of a tendon sheath is a benign, small, yellow, tumorlike nodule.

position

Bodily posture or attitude; the manner in which a patient's body may be arranged for examination.

anatomic position

Body erect, head facing forward, arms by the sides with palms to the front; used as a standard anatomical position of reference. (http://www.emsjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07)

Trendelenburg position

Body supine on a bed or examining table that is tilted at about a 45⁰ angle with the head lower than the feet; used to displace abdominal organs during surgery and in treating cardiovascular shock; also called the shock position. (http://files.fbstatic.com/PostImages/1766077/0/2c1d7f68-54f3-4d6b-a921-0c1c5fc9a9dd.jpg)

dermatomyositis

Chronic, immunological disease with systemic pathology; inflammation of the muscles and the skin; a connective tissue disease characterized by edema, dermatitis, & inflammation of the muscles. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc)

tetany

Condition characterized by cramps, convulsions, twitching of the muscles, and sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints; generally caused by an abnormality in calcium (Ca) metabolism.

contracture

Condition in which a muscle shortens and renders the muscle resistant to the normal stretching process. For example, Dupuytren's contracture is a thickening & tightening of subcutaneous tissue of the palm, causing the 4th and 5th digits (phalanges) to bend into the palm so that they cannot be extended. (http://www.yogatuneup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07)

dystonia

Condition of impaired muscle tone.

spasticity

Condition of increased muscular tone causing stiff and awkward movements

First Aid Treatment-RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Cryotherapy (use of cold) is the treatment of choice for soft-tissue & muscle injuries. It causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels & is effective in diminishing bleeding & edema. Ice should not be placed directly on the skin. Compression by an elastic bandage is generally determined by the type of injury & physician preference. Some experts disagree on the use of elastic bandages. When used, the bandage should be 3-4 inches wide & applied firmly. Toes or fingers should be periodically checked for blue or white discoloration, indicating that the bandage is too tight. Elevation is used to reduce swelling. The injured part should be elevated on 2 or 3 pillows. (http://wellnesssrilanka.com/mobile/images/)

fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)

Disorder with chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain & fatigue. Other symptoms include sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and chronic Has. Although the exact cause is still unknown, fibromyalgia is often traced to an injury or physical or emotional trauma. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classifies a patient with fibromyalgia if at least 11 of 18 specific areas of the body (called trigger points) are painful under pressure. The location of some of these trigger points includes the inside of the elbow joint, the front of the collarbone, and the base of the skull. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/)

myoblast

Embryonic cell that develops into a cell of muscle fiber.

rheumatism

General term used to describe conditions characterized by inflammation, soreness, and stiffness of muscles and pain in joints.

rotator cuff

Group of muscles & their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The 4 muscles of the rotator cuff (subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor), along with the teres major & the deltoid, make up the 6 scapulohumeral (those that connect to the humerus & scapula and act on the glenohumeral joint) muscles.

Fowler's position

Head of the bed or examining table is raised ~ 18 inches or 46 cm; patient sitting up with knees also elevated. (http://nursing411.org/Courses/MD0556_Basic_Patient_Care_Procedures/MD0556/images/MD0556_img_22.jpg)

fascitis

Inflammation of a fascia.

synovitis

Inflammation of a synovial membrane

fibromyitis

Inflammation of muscle & fibrous tissue.

myositis

Inflammation of muscle tissue, especially skeletal muscles; may be caused by infection, trauma, or parasitic infection

myograph

Instrument used to record muscular contractions. (http://www.unm.edu/~toolson)

massage

Kneading that applies pressure & friction to external body tissues

ataxia

Lack of muscular coordination; an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some nervous disorders. (http://mariaguslatta.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/marcha-ninos.jpg)

flaccid

Lacking muscle tone; weak, soft, and flabby

prone position

Lying face downward; used in examination of the back, injections, and massage (http://img2.tfd.com/mk/P/X2604-P-36.png)

supine position

Lying flat on back with face upward and arms at the sides; used in examining the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities & in assessing vital signs. (http://img2.tfd.com/mk/P/X2604-P-36.png)

Sims' position

Lying on left side, right knee and thigh flexed well up above left leg that is slightly flexed, left arm behind the body, & right arm forward, flexed at elbow; used in examination of rectum, sigmoidoscopy, enema, and intrauterine irrigation after labor. (http://img2.tfd.com/mk/P/X2604-P-36.png)

myosarcoma

Malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue

dactylospasm

Medical term for cramp of a finger or toe.

sternocleidomastoid (SCM)

Muscle arising from the sternum and clavicle with its insertion in the mastoid process.

myopathy

Muscle disease

triceps

Muscle having 3 heads with a single insertion

antagonist

Muscle that counteracts the action of another muscle; when one contracts the other relaxes. (http://www.mananatomy.com)

adductor

Muscle that draws a part toward the middle. (http://www.daviddarling.info/images)

quadriceps

Muscle that has 4 heads or points of origin.

abductor

Muscle that on contraction draws away from the middle. (http://www.daviddarling.info/images)

levator

Muscle that raises or elevates a part.

biceps

Muscle with 2 heads or points of origin.

myokinesis

Muscular motion or activity

lithotomy position

On back with lower extremities flexed and feet placed in stirrups; used in vaginal examination, Pap smear, vaginal operations, and diagnosis & treatment of diseases of the urethra & bladder. (http://img2.tfd.com/mk/P/X2604-P-36.png)

dorsal recumbent position

On back with lower extremities flexed and rotated outward; used in application of obstetric forceps, vaginal and rectal examination, and bimanual palpation (http://img2.tfd.com/mk/P/X2604-P-36.png)

knee-chest position

On knees, thighs upright, head and upper part of chest resting on bed or examining table, arms crossed and above head; used in sigmoidoscopy, displacement of prolapsed uterus, rectal exams, and flushing of intestinal canal.

tenodynia

Pain in a tendon

brachialgia

Pain in the arm.

myalgia

Pain in the muscle

polyplegia

Paralysis affecting many muscles

diaphragm

Partition of muscles & membranes that separates the chest cavity & the abdominal cavity. It is the major muscle of breathing. At about 7 weeks of intrauterine life, the diaphragm is completely developed.

exercise

Performed activity of the muscles for improvement of health or correction of deformity. Types: active (muscular contraction & relaxation by patient), assistive (muscular contraction & relaxation with the assistance of a therapist or doctor), isometric (active muscular contractin performed against stable resistance, thereby not shortening muscle length), passive (exercise performed by another individual without patient assistance), range of motion (ROM) (movement of each joint through its full range of motion; used to prevent loss of mobility or to regain usage after an injury or fracture), relief of tension (technique used to promote relaxation of the muscles & provide relief from tension)

neuromyopathic

Pertaining to a disease condition involving both nerves & muscles

atonic

Pertaining to a lack of normal tone or tension; the lack of normal muscle tone. (https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/3363299584/hECB8B5CD/)

clonic

Pertaining to alternate contraction and relaxation of muscles. (http://alexandamymoore.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/)

neuromuscular

Pertaining to both nerves and muscles

synergetic

Pertaining to certain muscles that work together

isotonic

Pertaining to having the same tone or tension. (http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/oxford/Oxford_Food_Fitness/0198631472.muscle-contraction.1.jpg)

tonic

Pertaining to tone, especially muscular tension

intramuscular (IM)

Pertaining to within a muscle, such as an IM injection

sarcolemma

Plasma membrane surrounding each striated muscle fiber.

insertion

Point of attachment of a muscle to the part that it moves.

relaxation

Process in which a muscle loosens & returns to a resting stage.

torsion

Process of being twisted

contraction

Process of drawing up and thickening of a muscle fiber.

rotation

Process of moving a body part around a central axis.

dystrophin

Protein found in muscle cells. When the gene that is responsible for this protein is defective & sufficient dystrophin is not produced, muscle wasting occurs. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this protein is absent.

muscular dystrophy (MD)

Refers to a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness & degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles that control movement. The muscles of the heart & some other involuntary muscles are also affected in some forms of MD, and a few forms involve other organs as well. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of MD affecting children & myotonic MD is the most common form affecting adults.

orthopneic position

Sitting upright or erect; used for patients with dyspnea, shortness of breath (SOB) (http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/716/flashcards/2590716/png)

bradykinesia

Slowness of motion or movement.

myomalacia

Softening of muscle tissue

myospasm

Spasmodic contraction of a muscle

fatigue

State of tiredness occurring in a muscle as a result of repeated contractions.

torticollis

Stiff neck caused by spasmodic contraction of the muscles of the neck; wryneck (http://www.torticollis.org/spasmodic-torticollis-symptoms.html)

rigor mortis

Stiffness of skeletal muscles seen in death; develops between the 4th and 24th hour after death, then ceases.

myology

Study of muscles

tenodesis

Surgical binding of a tendon

myotomy

Surgical incision into a muscle

myotome

Surgical instrument used to cut muscle (http://cdn.dotmed.com/images/listingpics/1343805.jpg)

amputation

Surgical or traumatic removal of a limb, part, or other appendage.

myoplasty

Surgical repair of a muscle

myorrhaphy

Surgical suture of a muscle wound

heat

Thermotherapy; treatment using scientific application of heat can be used 48-72 hours after the injury. Types: heating pad, hot water bottle, hot packs, infrared light, & immersion of body part in warm water. Extreme care should be taken when using or applying heat.

fascia

Thin layer of connective tissue covering, supporting, or connecting the muscles or inner organs of the body. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons)

diathermy

Treatment using high-frequency current to produce heat within a part of the body; used to increase blood flow, but should not be used in acute stage of recovery from trauma. Types: microwave (electromagnetic radiation directed to specified tissues), short wave (high frequency electric current - wavelength 3-30 m - directed to specified tissue), ultrasound (high frequency sound waves - 20,000-10 billion cycles/sec - directed to specified tissues) (http://www.martinchiro.org/Images/Sites/1/)

hydrotherapy

Treatment using scientific application of water; types: hot tub, cold bath, whirlpool, & vapor bath.

myoma

Tumor containing muscle tissue (http://oohlalatropical.files.wordpress.com/2013/01)

rhabdomyoma

Tumor of striated muscle tissue

myofibroma

Tumor that contains muscle and fiber.

voluntary

Under the control of one's will

myoparesis

Weakness or slight paralysis of a muscle