Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Definitions

This is the place where you can find definitions for any biomechanical terms used throughout the blog:
1. Anterior- Toward the front of the body
2. Dorsiflexion- The movement which decreases the angle between the dorsum (superior surface) of the foot and the leg, so that the toes are brought closer to the shin.
3. Extension- Movement of a joint whereby one part of the body is moved away from one another, this is made possible by increasing the joint angle
4. External Rotation- Also known as lateral rotation and is rotation away from the center of the body
5. Flexion- Movement of a joint whereby one part of the body is moved closer to one another,this is made possible by decreasing the joint angle
6. Inferior- Farther away from the head
7. Internal Rotation-Also known as medial rotation and is rotation towards the center of the body
8. Longitudinal Axis- Imaginary line around which transverse plane rotations occur
9. Plantar Flexion- The movement which increases the approximate 90 degree angle between the dorsum (superior surface) of the foot and the shin, like pressing the gas pedal on a car.
10. Posterior- Toward the back of the body
11. Prone- Laying on your stomach face down
12. Superior- Closer to the head
13. Supine- Laying on your back facing up
14. Tibiofemoral Joint- Knee joint made up of the articulation between the femur and the tibia
15. Velocity- The measurement of the rate and direction of change in the position of an object
16. Glenohumeral Joint- Shoulder joint comprised of the glenoid fossa and humerus
17. Ulnohumeral Joint- Elbow joint comprised of the ulna and humerus
18. Radioulnar Joint- Elbow joint comprised of the radius and ulna
19. Adduction- Moving body part closer to the body
20. Abduction- Moving body part away from the body
21. Parallel- Side by side
22. Hyperextend- Increasing angle between bones comprising the joint more then normal
23. Subtalar Joint- Joint comprised of the calcaneus and talus
24. Talocrural Joint- Joint comprised of the talus, tibia and fibula
25. Iliofemoral Joint- Joint comprised of the illium and femur
26.Pronate- Internal rotation motion of the forearm
27. Volar- Relating to the palm of the hand
28. Phalanges- Fingers of the hand or feet
29. Midline- Imaginary line dividing the body in half from top to bottom
30. Pectoralis Major- Chest muscle that flexes and adducts the shoulder
31. Brachialis- Muscle of the upper arm responsible for elbow flexion
32. Deltoid- Shoulder muscle that functions as the primary shoulder abductor (anterior deltoid)
33. Rotator Cuff Muscles- Shoulder muscles responsible for stabilization of glenohumeral joint. It is comprised of four muscles called supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor.
34. Abdominals- Muscles of the abdomen that affect posture
35. Tensor Fascia Lata- Lateral thigh muscle responsible for abduction of the hip
36. Hamstrings- Posterior thigh muscles responsible for knee flexion
37. Quadriceps- Anterior thigh muscles responsible for knee extension
38. Tibialis Anterior- Muscle located in the anterior portion of the lower leg responsible for dorsiflexion of the ankle.
39. Gastrocnemius and Soleus- Calf muscles responsible for plantar flexion of the ankle