|
Ambulate |
walk |
|
Athetosis |
involuntary writhing of hands and sometimes feet |
|
Ataxia |
inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements |
|
Basal ganglia |
four masses of “gray matter” nerve tissue in the brain |
|
Cerebral |
refers to the cerebrum, the large hemispheres of the brain that control movement, sensation, and higher mental functions |
|
Contracture |
shortening of muscle or tendon |
|
Clonus |
rapid alternation of contraction and partial relaxation of muscle |
|
Diplegia |
motor weakness in lower extremities on both sides of the body |
|
Dorsal |
relating to the back |
|
Dura mater |
fibrous membrane around the brain and spinal cord |
|
Dystonia |
abnormal tone (tension or stiffness) in muscles |
|
Electromyography |
measurement of electrical activity in muscle, used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders |
|
Fascia |
a sheet of connective tissue covering or binding body structures |
|
Fentanyl |
a narcotic analgesic used to relieve pain |
|
Flexion |
bending of joint |
|
Flexor |
muscle that bends (flexes) a body part |
|
Hemiplegia |
motor weakness on one side of the body |
|
Hyperextension |
extension (increasing the angle between bones of a joint) to a greater degree than normal |
|
Lamina |
flattened portion at back of vertebral arch |
|
Laminectomy |
surgical removal of lamina |
|
Lumbar |
referring to the area of the spine or back between the ribs and pelvis |
|
MRI |
magnetic resonance imaging; like computerized axial tomography (CAT scan) except that instead of radiation, it uses natural magnetism in the body to produce a clear image of the structure being scanned |
|
Muscle release |
a surgical technique that involves cutting tendons or muscle to increase muscle length |
|
Palsy |
partial or complete paralysis of muscles |
|
Paralysis |
motor weakness in a muscle |
|
Quadriplegia |
motor weakness in both arms and both legs |
|
Reciprocal movement |
movement in the opposite direction most often in opposite limbs |
|
Rhizotomy |
severing of spinal nerve roots to relieve spasticity |
|
Scoliosis |
lateral curvature of the spine |
|
Spastic |
affected by spasms, or involuntary abnormal contraction of muscle |
|
Spinous process |
part of vertebra that protrudes under the skin of the back |
|
Subcutaneous |
beneath the skin |
|
Subluxation |
partial dislocation, as in bones of a joint |
|
Tendon release |
sectioning of tendon to treat contracture by lengthening the muscle-tendon unit |
|
Tonic reflex |
a kind of abnormal reflex |
|
Ultrasound |
diagnostic technique for imaging internal body structures |
|
Ventral |
located on or near the lower front of the body, the abdominal area |