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.
Eccentric 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.