Glossary of Specialized Terms
Adhesions Bands of fibrous scar tissue.
Aerobic exercise See Cardiovascular exercise.
Anterior Toward the front, or in front.
Arthritis Degenerative joint disease characterized by inflammation, pain, damage and or erosion of joint cartilage.
Articular Relating to the junction between two bones.
Basal metabolism The amount of energy that used while the body is at rest.
Blood volume The amount of blood in the body.
Bursitis Inflammation of the bursa; the fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between body parts.
Cardiac output The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
Cardiovascular exercise Conditioning exercise that increases the amount of work done by the heart and lungs over a sustained period of time. Also called aerobic exercise.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A condition characterized by pain, tingling, and numbness in the wrist and/or hand.
Cartilage Tough, shiny, elastic tissue found in the ear, nose, etc.; also covers the articular surfaces of bone.
Cerclage A suture placed around the cervix.
Cervix The outer end (neck) of the uterus.
Coccyx The bottom bone of the spine; the tailbone.
Concentric contraction Muscular action where muscle fibers shorten during exertion. Opposite of eccentric contraction.
Contraction See concentric contraction.
Contraindicated Proscribed.
Core conditioning Exercise modality that increases strength and stability in the torso and spine.
Core muscles Deep muscles of the torso.
Diastasis Recti Abdominal Separation.
Dynamic instability Characterized by the inability to maintain proper positioning during movement.
Dynamic stability Characterized by the ability to maintain proper positioning during movement.
Ecentric contraction Muscular action where muscle fibers lengthen during exertion. Opposite of concentric contraction.
Edema Swelling caused by abnormal fluid buildup.
Episiotomy Incision of the perineum during labor.
Erector Spinae Muscles that extend the back.
Ergonomic Designed to reduce fatigue or discomfort.
Extension The act of straightening a limb or joint.
External Oblique Abdominal muscle primarily responsible for lateral flexion of the spine.
Fetus The unborn human after the eighth week of pregnancy.
Flexibility Range of motion at a joint or in the body.
Flexion The act of bending a limb or joint.
Gluteals Muscles that extend the hips; the buttocks.
Hamstrings Muscles on the back of the thighs.
Hydration The act of supplying water (to the body).
Hypertension High blood pressure.
Hypertonic Extreme muscular tension or tightness.
Hypotension Low blood pressure.
Hypotonic Extreme muscular weakness or atrophy.
Iliac crests The frontal protuberance of the ilea, or hipbones.
Iliopsoas Deep muscles of the lower back and hips that flex the hip.
Intercostal muscles Small muscles between the ribs.
Internal Oblique Abdominal muscle primarily responsible for lateral flexion of the spine.
Interval Training Intense athletic training designed to build speed and power.
Ischium The bottom bones of the pelvis.
Kyphotic Referring to the curve of the thoracic spine.
Lateral Relating to the side.
Laxity Condition marked by lack of tone or firmness.
Levator Scapulae Upper back muscles that elevate the shoulders.
Ligament Elastic, fibrous tissue that connect bones and stabilizes joints.
Linea Alba Connective tissue at the body’s midline.
Lochia Normal postpartum bleeding.
Longitudinal arch The arch of the foot that spans the heel to the toes. The instep.
Lordotic Relating to the lumbar curve of the lower back.
Metabolism Energy usage and/or processes within a cell to maintain life.
Metatarsal arch The arch of the foot that spans the base of the toes.
Multifitus Deepest spinal muscles.
Musculoskeletal Relating to muscles and the skeleton.
Neck flexors Muscles that shorten the distance between the chin and the chest.
Neutral spine Position where the spine is not flexed, extended, twisted or tilted. When standing, the body is symmetrically balanced around the central axis of gravity.
Oblique Diagonal.
Patella Kneecap.
Pectoral Relating to the muscles of the chest.
Pelvic floor Referring to muscles that cover the pelvic outlet; the pubococcygeals.
Pelvic instability A condition where the joints of the pelvis display hypermobility.
Pelvic outlet The opening at the bottom of the pelvis.
Perineum Strong fibrous connective tissue of the vulva.
Placenta Circulatory organ that develops during pregnancy to which the umbilical cord of the fetus is attached.
Placenta previa A condition where the placenta is adjacent to or blocks the cervix.
Posterior Toward the rear.
Pre-eclampsia A condition marked by hypertension during pregnancy.
Prolapse To fall or slide out of place.
Pubic Symphysis Joint where the right and left pubic bones connect.
Pubococcygeals Relating to pelvic floor muscles.
Prone Lying on the front of the body, or face down. Opposite of supine.
Quadriceps Four-part muscle group on the front of the thigh that flexes the hip and straightens the knee.
Quadratus Lumborum Deep muscle of the lower back responsible for lateral flexion of the spine. Also called the “hip hiker” muscle.
Rectus Abdominis Abdominal wall muscle primarily responsible for forward flexion.
Rectus Femoris Large muscle on the front of the thigh that flexes the hip and extends the knee.
Rhomboids Upper back muscles that elevate and pull the scapulae closer to the spine.
Rotation The act of turning around an axis.
Sacroiliac Joint where the pelvis and lower spine meet.
Scapulae The shoulder blades.
Sciatica A condition that causes pain to radiate along the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the legs.
Serratus Anterior Muscle responsible for scapular depression.
Strength training Exercise with progressive resistance to increase the endurance and power of muscles.
Stroke volume The amount of blood pumped by the heart per beat.
Sub maximal heart rate Heart rate intensity below maximal exertion or below 85% of maximal oxygen uptake.
Supine Lying on the back, face up. Opposite of prone.
Tendon Connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome A condition that causes pain, tingling and numbness in the arms.
Thorax Region of the body between the neck and the diaphragm, or the upper back.
Tidal volume Amount of air taken in by the lungs per breath.
Tone Firmness of muscle tissue.
Transverse Abdominis Deepest layer of the abdominal wall. Responsible for abdominal compression.
Trapezius Muscle that runs from the neck to the middle of the upper back. Responsible for raising the shoulders and head.
Urinary Stress Incontinence Leakage of urine due to strain.
Uterus Female reproductive organ.
Vasculature Blood vessels.
Vena cava Large vein of the torso that returns blood to the heart.
Vertebrae The bones of the spine.
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