Click on a term
to display its glossary definition here.
Click on a term
to display its glossary definition here.
glossary
term:
the small green square ( ) indicates a medical term with a glossary entry
abduction: to draw away from
the middle of the body or limb
adduction: to draw toward the
middle of the body or limb
antigravity: refers to strength
required to lift part of one's body against gravity
arthrodesis: surgical immobilization
of a joint so bones grow together
avulsion: separation or detachment
axon: nerve cell that conducts
impulses
axonotmesis: interruption of the
axons of a nerve without destruction of the nerve's supporting structure
biceps: large muscle on front
of upper arm
brachial
plexus:
nerve network controlling movement and sensation in the arm
brachial
plexus palsy:
weakened or paralyzed muscles in the arm, shoulder, and hand caused by birth injury
to the brachial plexus
brachioradialis: muscle that flexes
forearm
connective
tissue:
tissue such as tendons and ligaments that support or bind other tissues
contractures: shortening of a muscle
that produces deformity
coracobrachialis: upper arm muscle
that bends the elbow
CT
myelography:
imaging of the spinal cord using computerized analysis of cross-sectional scans (tomograms)
after injection of a contrast agent into the spinal fluid
deltoid: muscle that covers
shoulder joint and lifts arm to the side
diaphragm: the partition of
muscle and connective tissue between the chest and abdomen
dystocia: difficult childbirth
electromyography: measurement of electrical
activity in muscle
extension: movement at joint
that increases angle between bones on either side
flex;
flexion:
movement at joint that decreases angle between bones on either side
graft: surgical implant
of living tissue
humeral
head:
top of the long bone of the upper arm where it joins shoulder
humerus: long bone of the
upper arm
innervation: supply of nerve fibers
latissimus
dorsi:
broad muscle of the back
microsurgical
nerve grafting:
surgical implantation of nerve tissue using operating microscope to work on very
small structures
microsurgery: surgery performed
on small structures magnified by a microscope
MRI: magnetic resonance
imaging; a noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces electronic images of atomic
and molecular structures in internal tissues
multidisciplinary: involving several
areas of medical science and practice
musculocutaneous: relating to both
muscle and skin
nerve
action potential:
change in electric potential of a nerve when it is stimulated
nerve
grafting:
surgical implantation of nerve tissue
nerve
receptor:
specialized cell or nerve endings that respond to sensory stimuli
neurology: the scientific study
of the nervous system
neurolysis: destruction of nerve
tissue, or freeing of nerve from inflammatory adhesions
neuroma: excessive scar tissue
in a damaged nerve
neurophysiology: the scientific study
of the functioning of the nervous system
neuropraxia: condition in which
conduction is blocked at a point in the nerve but is
present above and below that point
neurosurgery: surgery involves
nerves, spinal cord, and brain
neurotization: surgical connection
of two nerves
neurotmesis: complete division
of a nerve
nonneural: not relating to nerve
tissue
occupational
therapy:
activities prescribed to promote recovery and rehabilitation
orthopaedics: branch of medicine
concerned with correction of skeletal deformities
palsy: muscular weakness
or paralysis
pathogenesis: the origin of a disease
pectoralis
major:
major muscle of the chest
peripheral
nerves:
cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and autonomic nervous system (i.e., nerves outside
the central nervous system)
phrenic: relating to the diaphragm
physical
therapy:
treatment by physical and mechanical means, e. g., exercises
plication: fold, process of
folding, or state of being folded
pneumothorax: air in the chest
cavity from injury to the lung
prevalence: percentage of a population
with a certain disease at a given time
proprioceptive: relating to perception
of movement and other sensations within one's own body
radial: relating to the radius,
or forearm bone on the side of the thumb
radius: forearm bone on the
side of the thumb
rupture: break or tear in
tissue
subclavian: below the clavicle
subscapularis: muscle in the shoulder
area that rotates arm
supination: rotation of forearm
and hand so that palm faces forward or upward, and corresponding rotation of lower
leg and foot
sural: relating to calf
of leg
trapezius: muscle of upper back
triceps: muscle along back
of upper arm
ulnar: relating to the ulna,
or forearm bone on the side of the little finger