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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