Trulife Orthotics Fitters Course-Manual Glossary *
Choose a letter: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X
Abdomen
The large cavity of the body, situated between the thorax and the pelvis, which contains the viscera or organs
Abduction (AB-Duction)
The lateral movement of the limbs away from the midline of the body.
Abductor
A muscle which, upon contraction, draws a part away from the median plane of the body or axial line
AC joint
Bony articulation between the acromium and the clavicle
Acetabulum
The cup-shaped cavity, or the external surface, of the hip bone which receives the head of the femur
Acquired
Not present at birth; developed as a result of environ-ment, use or misuse, as distinguished from inherited
Acromial Process
The lateral extension of the spine of the scapula, form-ing the highest point of the shoulder
Acromioplasty
Surgical removal of the anterior lip of the ac-romion and coracoacromial ligaments of the shoulder
Acute
1) Sharp, severe
2) Having a rapid onset, a short course, and pro-nounced symptoms; not chronic
Adduction (AD-Duction)
Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.
Adipose
Fatty; fat like; fat
Ambulatory
Walking or able to walk. Describing a patient who is not confined to bed
Amputation
The removal, generally by surgical means, of a limb, wholly or in part, or an organ of the body
Ankylosis
Abnormal immobility and consolidation of a joint (joint fuses by itself). Stiffness or fixation of a joint
Annulus Fibrosis
The fibrous tissue forming the circumference of the intervertebral disc
Anomaly
Marked by deviation from the usual, especially as a result of congenital or hereditary defects
Antebrachium
The lower arm
Antecubital
The anterior surface of the elbow
Ante Partum
Before delivery (birth)
Anterior
Situated in front of, (ventral) or in the forward part of
Anterior Dislocation of the Humerous
Common type of shoulder dislocation. Occurs when excessive force on the abducted and externally rotated arm results in anterior displacement of the humeral head and a disruption of the shoulder capsule
Anteroposterior
From front to back (i.e. anteroposterior flexion, which means bending forward and backward, but not to ei-ther side)
Anteversion
The tipping, tilting, or displacement forward, of an entire organ, especially the uterus
Anus
The opening of the rectum on the body surface
Aperture
An opening or orifice
Aplasia
Incomplete or defective development of tissue
Aponeurosis
An expanding tendon serving to connect a muscle with the parts it moves
Appendectomy
The excision of the appendix
Artery
Blood vessels which carry oxygen rich blood away from the heart
Arteriosclerosis
Hardening and thickening of the walls of the arties
Arthritis
Joint inflammation which may be degenerative
Arthrodesis
Surgical fixation of a joint by fusion of the joint sur-faces
Arthroplasty
Plastic surgery of a joint or of joints; formation of a moveable joint
Arthroscopy
A medical procedure utilizing an arthroscope in-serted through a small incision into the fluid-filled knee. Guided by the arthroscope, instruments can be inserted through a second incision for exploration and/or removal of damaged tissue
Articulation
A joint, the junction between two or more bones
Ataxia
Failure of muscular coordination
Athetosis
A derangement marked by a constant recurring series of slow writhing movements of hands and feet
Atlas
The first cervical vertebra
Atony
Lack of normal tone or strength
Atrophy
A reduction in the size of an organ, tissue, or cell, that had previously reached mature size. Wasting away
Avascular Necrosis
Death of individual cells or groups of cells from inter-rupted or stopped blood flow
Avulsion
The tearing away of a part or structure
Axilla (Axillary)
The small hollow beneath the arm where it joins the body at the shoulder; the armpit
Axis
The second cervical vertebra
Ball and socket joints
Joints formed by a spherical head of a bone fitting into a cup shaped cavity in another bone
Bells Palsy
Unilateral paralysis of facial muscles caused by dys-function of cranial nerve VI
Belly
As applied to muscles, refers to the middle portion of the muscle that is often of greater diameter than to-wards either end
Benign
Not malignant
Biceps
The muscles of the upper arm, which function to flex the forearm
Bilateral
Relating to two sides; pertaining to, or affecting, both sides of the body
Biopsy
The removal and examination, usually microscopic, of tissue from the living body, performed to establish a precise diagnosis
Bone
Osseous tissue, the hardest connective tissue that from the framework of the body
Bone spurs
A build up of bone at the site of stress frequently re-sulting from repetitive microtrauma
Boutonniere Deformity
Avulsion of the proximal interphalangeal joint
Brachial Plexus
A network of cervical nerves branching to the shoul-der, chest, and arms
Brachium
The upper arm
Breast
Mammary gland
Breast Prosthesis
A synthetic breast worn externally to restore appear-ance after mastectomy
Bridging (steel stays)
The method of leaving a space between the lumbar curve and the steel stay. Opposite of contouring
Bunion
Prominence of the medial eminence of the first meta-tarsal head. Often associated with a lateral deviation of the great toe (hallux valgus) and a widening of the angle between the first and second metatarsals. Of-ten associated with improper fitting footwear
Bursa
A fibrous sac lined with a synovial membrane and filled with synovial fluid containing fluid, positioned between bones and tendons, or other structures to de-crease friction during movement
Bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa
Calcaneous
The heel bone, the largest of the tarsals
Carcinoma
A malignant growth made of epithelial cells
Carpal
Refers to the wrist
Carpals
The eight bones of the wrist
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numbness and tingling in the hand, resulting from compression of the median nerve as it passes through the bony and ligamentous carpal tunnel. Mild cases can be treated with wrist splints. More severe cases may require division of the transverse carpal tunnel ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve
Cartilage
Semi-opaque non-vascular connective tissue between bones
Cauda Equina
The collection of spinal roots descending from the lower spinal cord and occupying the vertebral canal below the cord
Cavus
Congenital condition caused by exaggeration of the plantar arch of the foot; due to contraction of the plan-tar fascia or bony deformity of the arch
Cerebral
Pertaining to the cerebrum of the brain, which is con-cerned with coordination of movements
Cervical
The first seven vertebrae of the spinal column
Chairback Brace
A spinal orthosis with anterior, posterior and lateral motion control. Knight-type
Chemotherapy
The treatment of disease with chemical agents
Chronic
Long, continued; not acute
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Blood pooling in the distal lower extremities due to incompetent valves
Circumduction
Circular movement of a limb
Claudication
Inadequate blood supply that produces severe pain in calf muscles during exercise that subsides with rest
Clavicle
The collar bone, which articulates the sternum and scapula, and lies horizontally at the root of the neck
Closed Fracture
Loss of continuity of a bone (does not break the skin)
Closed Kinetic Chain
A series of connected joints in which the distal seg-ment is in a fixed position (i.e. weight bearing)
Clubfeet
A congenital defect in which the soles of the feet face medially and the toes point inferiorly
Coccyx
The last bone in the spinal column, formed by the union of four or five rudimentary vertebrae
Coccygeal
Refers to the most inferior region of the vertebral column
Colectomy
Excision of part, or all of, the colon
Collateral Ligament
Any ligament running along the sides (lateral or me-dial) of a joint; named for a specific joint or bone
Colon
That part of the large intestine beginning at the cecum and terminating at the rectum. In the various parts of its course it is known as the ascending, transverse, and descending colon
Coloptosis
Prolapsed or downward displacement of the colon
Colostomy
Incision of the colon for the purpose of making a more or less permanent fistula between the bowel and the abdominal wall; formation of an artificial anus in the anterior abdominal wall
Concave
Possessing a rounded, depressed surface. Opposite of convex
Condyle
A rounded projection on a bone, usually for articula-tion with another bone
Congenital
Existing from birth
Connective Tissue
Fibrous tissue which supports and connects internal organs, forms bones and walls of blood vessels, at-tached to bones and forms scars
Constriction
A narrowing or compression of a part of the body
Contour (steel stays)
The method of shaping to the outline of the lumbar curve. The opposite of bridging
Contraindication
Any condition that renders a mode of treatment im-proper or undesirable
Contusion
A bruise or injury without a break in the skin
Convex
Rounded or somewhat elevated surface. Opposite of concave
Coracoid Process
A projection from the upper part of the neck of the scapula, overhanging the shoulder joint
Coronal
Any vertical plane which divides the body into ante-rior and posterior parts
Costa
A rib
Costal Flare
The distal portion of the rib cage superior to the abdo-men
Coxa
A hip bone
Crest
A ridge on a bone
Crepitus
Joint grating sensation caused by rubbing together of dry synovial joint surfaces
Crest
A narrow ridge on a bone
Cruciate
Anterior and posterior ligaments, the two deep liga-ments within the knee, that are crossed
Cubital
Refers to the elbow
Cystocele
Herniation of the urinary bladder through the vaginal wall
Cystostomy
An incision of the bladder
Deformity
A general disfigurement to the body. Malformation
Degeneration
Deterioration or change from a high to a less function-ing form
Deltoid
A triangular muscle which flexes, abducts, extends and rotates the upper arm
Denis Browne Splint
A splint to hold the feet in internal or external rotation for the correction of clubfoot or tibial torsion
Dens (ondontoid process)
The projecting part of the second cervical vertebra about which the first cervical vertebra rotates, allow-ing head movement
Depression
Movement of a bone vertically downward; a concavity in a bone surface
Diagnosis
Determining the nature or a cause of a disease based on the patient’s symptoms and lab findings
Diaphragm
The partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Diaphysis
The shaft of a long bone
Dilation
Enlargement of a cavity, canal, blood vessel, or open-ing beyond its normal dimensions
Diplegia
Paralysis affecting like parts on both sides of body
Disc (disk)
A circular or rounded plate
Dislocation
Displacement of a bone from a joint
Distal
Farthest from the center, from the median, or from the trunk (usually pertaining to extremities)
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back or posterior. The top of the foot as opposed to the plantar or bottom of the foot. The top of the hand as opposed to the palm side of the hand
Dorsal Vertebrae
Thoracic vertebrae
Dorsiflexion
Upward movement of the foot and toes at the ankle resulting in the foot moving toward the leg
Drawer
Describes that part of the physical exam relating to joints, that which can be drawn out and then pushed back into place
Duodenum
The first portion of the small intestine
Dupoytren’s Contracture
Flexion deformity of the fingers or toes due to short-ening, thickening, and fibrosis of the palmer or plantar fascia
Dynamic
Relating to energy or physical force in motion
Dysplasia
Abnormal growth or development
Dystrophy
Defective or faulty nutrition
Dyspnea
Labored or difficult breathing
Edema
Excessive accumulation of fluid in connective tissue
Effluent
Something that flows out, liquid discharged as waste
Elasticity
The quality of returning to original size and shape after compression or stretching
Elephantiasis
Enlargement and thickening of tissues. Hypertrophy and fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, espe-cially of the lower extremities and genetalia, due to long-standing obstructed lymphatic vessels, caused chiefly by the presence of filarial worms
Elevation
Movement of a bone upward vertically
Emaciation
A wasting away of the body
Embryo
A vertebrate in the earliest stages of development
Emphysema
A chronic pulmonary disorder
Endocrine
Glands which secrete internally by way of the blood-stream
Enteroptosis
Prolapse or falling of the intestines
Enterostomy
Surgical formation of a permanent opening into the intestine through the abdominal wall
Epicondyle
Roughened process above a condyle for the attach-ment of tendons and ligaments
Epidermis
Outer layer of the skin
Epigastrium
The end of a long bone, wider than the shaft, usually cartilage, responsible for growth of the bone
Epiphysis
Cartilaginous center that growth in length of bone occurs
Erysipelas
A specific, acute, cutaneous inflammatory disease caused by a hemolytic streptococcus and characterized by hot, red, edematous, brawny and sharply defined eruptions
Escar
Black/brown coloring around ulcers
Eversion
Turning or rotating outward
Evert
To turn outward (eversion = movement of the sole of the foot outward or away from midline)
Evisceration
Extrusion of the viscera or internal organs
Excision
Surgical removal or resection
Exocrine
A gland which secretes outside its source
Extension
The straightening out of a limb at the joint (increases the angle between bones in a joint)
Extensor
Any muscle that extends a joint or other body part
Exudate
Discharge from wound bed
Facet
A smooth, flattened articular surface
Fascia
A sheet or band of fibrous tissue under the skin for sheathing muscles, nerves and blood vessels
Femorocele
Femoral hernia
Femur
The long bone of the thigh
Fetus
The unborn child from conception to birth
Fibrosis
Formation of fibrous tissue as a reparative or reactive process, as opposed to formation of fibrous tissue as a normal constituent of an organ or tissue
Fistula
An abnormal, tube-like passage within tissue or be-tween organs that permits passage of fluids or secre-tions
Fixation
Held in a fixed position
Flaccid
Relaxed, soft, without tone
Flexion
The act of bending or the condition of being bent (decreases the angle between bones)
Flexor
A muscle that bends a joint. Opposite of extension
Foramen
A perforation or opening, especially in a bone
Fossa
An anatomical pit, groove, or depression
Fracture
The breaking of a bone or cartilage
Fractures:
Simple or Hairline—Condition in which the
bone breaks but does not protrude to the
surface or damage the surrounding tissue
Compound—Condition in which sharp pieces
of bone damage the surrounding tissue, in
come cases protruding from the skin
Comminuted—Condition in which one bone is
crushed
Compression—Condition in which one bone
is crushed into another
Dislocation—Condition in which the broken
bone is dislocated from its socket
Frejka-Type Pillow
Hip abduction splint for infants and small children
Frontal Plane
Divides body into front and back portions
Functional
The normal or characteristic action of an organ or body part
Fusion
The coherence of adjacent parts. The operative for-mation of an ankylosis
Gastro
A combining form of the Latin word “gaster”, mean-ing belly
Gastrocnemius
The most posterior muscle of the calf, leading to the Achilles tendon, that flexes both the ankle and the knee
Gastroptosis
A falling or displacement downward of the stomach into the lower abdomen
Genu
The knee
Genu Recurvatum
Knee joint hyperextension
Geriatrics
The study of medicine related to the aged
Gibbus
Hump or kyphosis
Gland
A secretory organ or structure that selectively re-moves materials from the blood
Glenoid Cavity
Depression in the lateral angle of the scapula for ar-ticulation with the humerus
Gluteal
Of or pertaining to the region of the buttocks
Gluteal Fold
The crease between the thigh and the buttocks
Gluteus Maximus
The large muscle of the buttocks which is attached to the ilium and the femur
Gradient
Rate of change of temperature, pressure, or other vari-able as a function of distance, time, etc.
Groin
The linear depression between the abdomen and the thigh; the inguinal region
Hallux
Refers to the big toe
Hammertoe
Common flexion deformity of the lesser toes
Head
A rounded projection beyond a constricted part or “neck” of a bone
Hamstrings
The muscles of the posterior thigh, which flex and rotate the leg laterally and extend the hip
Hemi
Combining form referring to half
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one side of the body resulting from an injury to the brain
Hemorrhage
An escape of blood from the blood vessels
Hepatoptosis
Downward displacement of the liver
Hereditary
Derived from ancestry or obtained by inheritance
Hernia
The protrusion of a loop or knuckle of an organ through an abnormal tear. Some common types are: Femoral, Umbilical, Scrotal, or Inguinal
Herniaplasty
Surgical repair of a hernia
Horizontal
Parallel to the plane of the horizon
Hydrocele
A circumscribed collection of fluid in the sac of the tunica vaginalis of the testicle or along the spermatic cord
Hyperemia
Excess of blood (circulation) in any part of the body
Hyperextension
An extreme or abnormal extension, beyond the neutral plane
Hyperplasia
Numerical or quantitative hypertrophy, an increase in number of cells in a tissue or organ, excluding tumor formation, whereby the bulk of the part or organ may be increased
Hypertrophy
General increase in bulk of a part or organ, not due to tumor formation. Use of the term my be restricted to denote greater bulk through increase in size, but not in number, of the individual tissue elements
Hysterectomy
Removal of part or all of the uterus
I
Ileostomy
The surgical formation of a stoma connecting the il-eum to the abdominal wall
Ileum
The lower part of the small intestine
Iliac Crest
The outer, uppermost border of the ilium
Ilium
The wide upper portion of the innominate bone
Immobilize
To render motionless
Impediment
Anything that hinders the progress of a function
Impinge
To put pressure on or against another structure. To encroach
Impingement Syndrome
Common shoulder problem in which the arm is ab-ducted past 90 degrees. The greater tuberosity of the humerus compresses the rotator cuff against the ac-romion, causing pain and decreased motion in the shoulder
Implant
Any material inserted or grafted into the body
Incision
A cut or wound of body tissue
Incompetent valve
A venous valve that does not close completely
Incontinence
The inability to control defecation or urination
Inferior
Situated below; pertaining to trunk (away from the head)
Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin
Inguinal Canal
In the male, passage of the spermatic cord from the internal to the external inguinal rings. In the female, a passage accommodating the round ligament
Innervation
The supply of nerves to a body part or area
Innominate
The hip bone, formed by the ilium, ischium, and pubis
Insertion
The site of attachment, as a tendon to the movable bone, in contrast to the origin
Inter
Combining form; between
Intercostal
Situated or extending between the ribs
Interosseus
Between bones
Interphalangeal
Between the fingers
Intervertebral
Between the vertebrae
Intra
Combining form; within
Inversion
Movement of the sole of the foot inward or toward the midline
Irreducible
Not capable of being placed in a normal position
Ischemia
Local deficiency of blood, due to obstruction of blood vessel to a part
Ischium
The lower portion of the innominate bone
Jewett-Type Brace
A spinal hyperextension brace with anterior, posterior and lateral control
Joint
The point, or articulation, where two bones come together. Types of joints include: Gliding, ball and socket, hinge, condyloid, saddle, and pivot-trochoid
Klenzac
A short leg orthosis with dorsiflexion assist
Knee
The joint in the middle part of the leg between the femur proximally and the tibia and fibula distally with the patella located centrally
Knight-Type Brace
A lumbosacral orthosis with anterior, posterior and lateral motion control
Kyphosis
Exaggeration of normal thoracic spine producing a humpback or “Dowager’s Hump”
Laceration
A wound or irregular tear of the flesh
Lamina
A thin, flat plate of bone, e.g. between the transverse process and spine of a vertebra
Laminectomy
Surgical excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra
Lateral
Towards the side (pertaining to direction away from the midline of the body)
Lesion
A wound, sore, ulcer, tumor, cataract, or other tissue damage
Ligament
Dense, strap-shaped connective tissue connecting bone to bone
Linea Alba
A tendinous band in the center of the abdominal wall
Lipoma
A tumor of fatty tissue
Lordosis
Exaggeration of the normal lumbar spine, curving anteriorward (swayback)
Lumbar
The last five vertebrae of the spinal column
Lumpectomy
Removal of a lump and its associated tissue
Lymph
Fluid inside the lymphatic vessels
Lymphadenopathy
Any disease process affecting a lymph node or lymph nodes
Lymphadenitis
Inflammation of a lymph node or lymph nodes
Lymphadenography
X-ray visualization of lymph nodes after injection of a contrast medium
Lymphangitis
Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels
Lymphedema
Swelling (especially in subcutaneous tissues) as a re-sult of obstruction of lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes and the accumulation of large amounts of lymph in the affected region.
Hereditary lymphedema—Permanent pitting edema usually confined to the lower extremities; the two types are congenital (Milroy’s Disease), or with onset at about the age of puberty, (Meige’s Disease), autosomal dominant inheritance
Primary lymphedema—Precox, a form of lymphedema, observed in young women and girls, characterized by diffuse swelling of the lower extremities
Secondary lymphedema—secondary to lymph infection or traumatic or surgical disruption of lymph nodes
Malignant
Tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and threaten life
Malleolus
A rounded process at each side of the ankle joint
Mallet Finger
Involuntary flexion of the distal phalanx of a finger caused by avulsion of the distal interphalangeal joint
Malunion
Fracture that does not heal properly
Mammary
Breast
Mammography
X-ray examination of the breasts
Mandible
The bone of the lower jaw
Manus
The hand
Maxilla
Bone of the upper jaw
Mastectomy
Excision of the breast
Radical—Excision of breast tissue, axillary lymph nodes, and the pectoralis major and minor muscles
Modified Radical—Removal of the breast tissue and axillary lymph nodes
Simple—Removal of the breast. No muscle or lymph structures are removed
Subcutaneous—Excision of breast tissue be low the surface of the skin. The skin and nipple are retained
Medial
Movement toward the midline of the trunk
Membrane
A thin layer of tissue surrounding a part, separating adjacent parts or cavities, lining a cavity, or connect-ing adjacent structures
Menisci
Medial and lateral fibrocartilaginous pads on the proximal surfaces of the tibia that act as shock absorb-ers in the knee joint
Meniscus Tears
Overstretching or tearing of the menisci through flex-ing and twisting the knee under weight-bearing stress
Mesentery
The fold of peritoneum which attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall
Metabolism
The sum of all physical and chemical changes that take place within an organism
Metacarpal
Part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers
Metastasis
Transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly connected to it. The capacity to metasta-size is a characteristic of all malignant tumors
Milwaukee-Type Brace
An orthosis used for the treatment of scoliosis
Modality
Method of treatment
Monoplegia
Paralysis of a single limb, muscle, or muscle group
Muscle
A body of connective tissue consisting of long cells the contract to produce movement
Muscle Tone
The resistance of muscles to passive elongation or stretch
Natal
Pertaining to birth
Necrotic tissue
Non-viable tissue, usually black or brown in color, from lack of oxygenated blood
Nephro
Pertaining to the kidney
Nephroptosis
A falling, or displacement downward, of the kidney
Neural
Pertaining to the nervous system
Neuralgia
Acute pain in the nerve
Neuromuscular
Pertaining to the combined function of the muscles and nerves
Node
A small mass of tissue in the form of a swelling, knot, or protuberance. May be normal or pathological
Non-union
Failure of the ends of fractured bone to unite
Notch
Recess or depression in a bone
Nucleus Pulposus
“Jelly like”; the center of the intervertebral disc
Obesity
A condition characterized by excessive body fat
Oblique
Slanting, inclined; between a horizontal and a vertical position. Any of several oblique muscles
Occiput
The back of the skull
Occlude
To close or obstruct
Odontoid Process
See Dens
Omentum
The apron-like fold of the peritoneum connection the abdominal viscera with the stomach
Open Kinetic Chain
A series of connected joints in which the distal seg-ment is free to move (i.e. non-weight bearing)
Opposition
Movement of the thumb to touch one or more of the fingertips
Origin
The attachment end of a muscle that stays relatively fixed during muscle contraction, as opposed to inser-tion
Orthopedic
Relating to the skeletal system, including bone, liga-ment, muscle/tendon, cartilage and proprioceptive sub-systems
Orthosis
An orthopedic appliance or apparatus used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of moveable parts of the body
Orthotics
Pertaining to the use of an orthosis
Orthotist
A person skilled in orthotics
Osseus
Relating to, or composed of, bone
Osteo
Combining form, pertaining to bone
Osteotomy
Excision of a bone, or portion of bone
Osteoarthritis
A degenerative joint disease, causing increasing porosity of bones with resulting weakening
Osteochondritis
Inflammation of bone and cartilage
Osteogenesis
The formation and development of bone
Osteoporosis
Abnormal degeneration of bone, resulting in thinning, translucence, loss of bone density, and fragility
Osteoma
Tumor composed of bone tissue, usually developing on a bone
Ostomy
Formation of an artificial opening for bodily elimination
Palliative
Relieving suffering
Palmar
Relating to or involving the palm of the hand
Palpation
The act of feeling with the hand to determine the loca-tion or condition of body parts
Palsy
A condition characterized by uncontrollable tremor or quivering of the body
Paraplegic
Paralysis involving both lower extremities
Paraspinal
Adjacent to the spinal column
Patella
The knee cap
Pavlik Harness
Orthosis used for hip abduction in congenital hip dysplasia
Pelvis
The lower portion of the trunk of the body forming a basin bounded by the innominate bones and the sacrum
Pendulous
Hanging down loosely, dependent
Perineal
Refers to the muscles in the floor of the abdominal region
Periosteum
The membrane of connective tissue covering the surface of bones
Peristalsis
A progressive, wave-like movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes of the body, forcing its contents onward
Peritoneum
A series of membrane lining the interior of the abdominal cavity and containing viscera
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Phalanges
The long bones of the fingers and toes
Pharynx
The passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and for food from the mouth to the esophagus. Also acts as a resonating cavity
Philadelphia Style Collar
An orthosis with occipital and mandible rests and a circumference adjustable collar
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
Pistoning
Describes the motion of an orthosis during movement of an extremity in an up and down motion
Placenta
A vascular organ which joins the fetus and mother
Plantar
Pertaining to the sole of the foot
Plantar Flexion
With the foot or toes pointing downward
Pleura
The membrane covering the lungs
Plexus
A network of blood vessels and nerves
Pollex
The thumb
Polydactylism
Occurrence of more than usual number of fingers or toes
Posterior
Situated behind or to the rear
Postnatal
Occurring after birth
Postoperative
Occurring after surgery
Postpartum
Occurring after birth
Prenatal
The period before birth
Preoperative
Preceding an operation
Process
A prominence or outgrowth
Prolapse
The falling or sinking downward of a body part from its usual position
Prone
Facing downward
Pronate
Pertaining to the locomotor system, tri-planar movements that occur as the body absorbs the shock of initial contact during gait; pertaining to the hand with the palm in a downward position
Prophylaxis
The prevention of disease; preventative treatment
Proprioception
The body’s position sense in space and its ability to respond to stimulus
Prosthesis
Artificial replacement of a body part
Protuberance
An outgrowth, swelling, or knob
Proximal
Nearest to the body or the central part of the body, or some other point of a system; opposite of distal
Ptosis
Prolapse or sagging of an organ or body part
Pubis
The anterior portion of the hip bone. Pubic bone
Pulmonary
Pertaining to the lungs or the pulmonary artery
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs
Quadriceps
Muscles of the anterior thigh, functioning to extend the leg
Radius
Bone located on the lateral or outer side of forearm
Rectocele
Hernial protrusion of part of the rectum into the vagina
Rectus
Describes something that is straight
Recurvatum
Abnormal backward bending of a joint
Reduction
To restore a body part to its original position
Reflex
An automatic response to a stimulus
Rehabilitation
The process of restoring a person’s ability to live and work as normally as possible after a disabling injury or illness
Retro
Combining form; backward
Rotation
The process of turning around on an axis
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder muscles which help move and maintain the center of rotation of the joint
Rotator Cuff Tear
Tearing of tendons which are primarily responsible for shoulder joint motion, resulting from trauma or chronic impingement. Surgical repair may be neces-sary to restore function
Rupture
A forcible tearing of a tissue
Sac
A pouch; a bag-like covering of a hernia, cyst, or tumor
Sacral
Relating to, or lying near the sacrum
Sacrum
A curved, roughly triangular bone situated between the last lumbar vertebra above and the coccyx below, and the innominate bones on each side, forming the posterior body of the pelvis
Sagittal Plane
The section parallel to the median plane of the body (any plane that divides body into right and left portions)
Scapula
The shoulder blade
Sciatica
Pain radiating down the sciatic nerve into the posterior thigh and leg. Caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve in the back or hip region
Sclerosis
A pathological condition in which a tissue has become hard
Sclerotherapy
Injection of sclerosing agents in the treatment of varicose veins
Scoliosis
A lateral curvature in one or more regions of the spine
Scrotum
The external pouch containing the testes
Skeleton
The bony framework of the body
Slipped Disc
Lay term for a protrusion of a vertebral disc
Spastic
Of the nature or characterized by spasms or spasticity
Sphincter
A ring-like band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural orifice
Spina Bifida
Congenital absence of a large portion of the posterior spine, usually in the lumbosacral region, with hernial protrusion of the meninges
Spinal Column
The vertebral column
Splinting
The act of applying an appliance to support and limit movement of a joint
Spondylitis
Inflammation of the vertebra
Spondylolisthesis
Forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower segment
Spondylosis
The breaking down of a vertebra - e.g. non-displaced fracture of the lamina
Spondylosis
Stiffness or fixation of a vertebral joint
Sprain
Wrenching or twisting of a joint, producing partial disruption of ligaments
Sternal Notch
Notch created by the bilateral sterno-clavicular joints at the superior edge of the manubrium
Sternum
Breastbone
Stoma
A surgically created opening in the abdominal wall
Strain
Excessive stretching or overuse of a part causing injury
Styloid
An elongated and tapered bony process for muscle attachment
Subluxation
An incomplete or partial dislocation
Superficial veins
Near the surface or shallow, as opposed to deep
Superior
Situated above, pertaining to the trunk (toward the head)
Supination
Lateral rotation of the forearm causing the palm of the hand to face anteriorly—opposite of pronation
Supine
Lying face upward
Suture
An immovable fibrous joint - all bones of the skull are united by sutures
Supinate (motion) Supination (position)
Pertaining to closed chain position of the foot and ankle, a combination of motions in all three planes involving abduction, dorsiflexion and eversion. Pertaining to the hand and wrist, the position with the palm facing upward
Supraspinatus
Muscle which originates at the scapula and inserts at the humeral head, functioning to abduct the arm
Symphysis Pubis
The anterior joint between the innominate bones
Synovial joint
A freely movable joint with a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by a joint capsule
Synovium
Membrane lining a joint capsule
Tailor’s Bunion or Bunionette
Prominence of the lateral aspect of the fifth metatarso-phalangeal joint which may result from a widened fifth metatarsal head
Talipes
Clubfoot
Talus
Ankle bone
Tarsus
Refers to the ankle—the seven proximal bones of the foot
Taylor-Type Brace
A thoracolumbar orthosis with anterior and posterior motion control
Tendon
A band of fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone
Tendon Avulsion Injuries
Avulsion of a tendon at its insertion point tearing bone from its foundation
Tennis Elbow (Epicondylitis)
Microscopic disruption of the extensor muscle origin, which may result in chronic pain on the lateral aspect of the elbow
Therapeutic
Having medicinal or healing properties; pertaining to results obtained from treatment; a healing agent
Thoracic
Pertaining to the thorax
Thorax
The chest
Thrombophlebitis
The development of a thrombus in the presence of inflammatory conditions of the vessel wall
Thrombosis
Formation or presence of blood clots within a blood vessel
Tonus
Slight, continuous contraction of a muscle which, in skeletal muscles, aids in the maintenance of posture and blood flow
Torticollis
A contracted state of the cervical muscles, producing twisting of the neck and an unnatural position of the head
Traction
Exertion of a pulling force
Transverse
Extending from side to side
Transverse Plane
Divides body into superior and inferior portions
Trauma
And injury or wound
Trendelenburg Position
A supine position on a surface inclined with the head at the lowest point
Triceps
Muscles that extend the elbow
Trochanter
A large process on the upper end of the femur for the attachment of muscles
Truss
A device worn to reduce a hernia by pressure
Tubercle
A nodule or small eminence, especially on a bone for attachment of a ligament
Tuberosity
An elevation or protrusion of a bone serving to attach tendons or ligaments
Tumor
An abnormal mass of tissue that is not inflammatory
Ulcer
A break in skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue
Ulna
The inner, larger bone portion of the forearm, on the side opposite the thumb
Unilateral
Affecting one side of the body or one of its parts
Ureterostomy
Surgical creation of a new outlet for a ureter
Uterus
The womb
Valgus
Toward midline - knock-knee position
Varus
Towards the midline of the body, distal to joint described
Varicocele
Enlargement of the veins in the scrotum producing a tumor mass
Varicose Vein
Enlarged gnarled veins close to the skin surface
Vein
Blood vessels which carry blood back to the heart
Venous
Pertaining to the veins
Ventral
Pertaining to the abdomen or abdominal surface; opposite of dorsal
Vertebra
Any of the bony segments that make up the spinal column
Vertical
Perpendicular to the horizontal
Viscera
Internal organs
Visceroptosis
Downward displacement of abdominal organs
Volar
The flexor surface of the forearm, wrist, or hand; pertaining to the sole of the foot
Whiplash
Non-medical term that describes a sudden hyperex-tension of the neck, followed by flexion, or vice versa. Classic symptoms are due to injuries of the vertebrae and soft tissues of the head and neck
Xyphoid
A process connected to the end of the sternum
