Glossary

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