Sports Medicine Glossary
July 31, 2006 | General
A
Anaerobic - Exercise without the use of oxygen as an energy source; short burst of vigorous exercise.
Anaphylactic shock - Shock that is caused by allergic reaction.
Anterior Compartment Syndrome - Condition in which swelling in the anterior compartment of the lower leg jeopardizes the viability of muscles, nerves and arteries that serve the foot. In severe cases, emergency surgery is necessary to relieve the s welling and pressure.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) - A primary stabilizing ligament within the center of the knee joint that prevents hyperextension and excessive rotation of the joint. A complete tear of the ACL necessitating reconstruction could require up to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Anterior Talofibular Ligament - A ligament of the ankle that connects the fibula (lateral ankle bone) to the talus. This ligament is oftentimes subject to sprain.
Anti-inflammatory - Any agent which prevents inflammation, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Arteriogram - A film demonstrating arteries after injection of a dye.
Arthrogram - X-ray technique for joints using air and/or dye injected into the affected are; useful in diagnosing meniscus tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.
Arthroscope - An instrument used to visualize the interior of a joint cavity.
Arthroscopy - A surgical examination of the internal structure of a joint by means for viewing through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the ext ent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
Aspiration - The withdrawal of fluid from a body cavity by means of a suction or siphonage apparatus, such as a syringe.
Asymptomatic - Without symptoms.
Atrophy - To shrivel or shrink from disuse, as in muscular atrophy.
Avascular Necrosis - Death of a part due to lack of circulation.
Avascularity - When controlling bleeding.
Avulsion - The tearing away, forcibly, of a part or structure.
Axilla - The armpit.
B
Baker's Cyst - Localized swelling of a bursa sac in the posterior knee as a result of fluid that has escaped from the knee capsule. A Baker's cyst indicates that there is a trauma inside the knee joint that leads to excessive fluid production.
Bennet's Fracture - A fracture and dislocation of the base of the first metacarpal, the thumb.
Blowout Fracture - A fracture of the cavity containing the eyeball and its associated muscles that can be a result of a direct blow to the eye or cheek.
Bone Scan - An imaging procedure in which a radioactive-labeled substance is injected into the body to determine the status of a bone injury. If the radioactive substance is taken up by the bone at the injury site, the injury will show as a "hot sp ot" on the scan image. The bone scan is particularly useful in the diagnosis of stress fractures.
Brachial Plexus - Network of nerves originating from the cervical vertebrae and running down to the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers.
Bruise - A discoloration of the skin due to an extravasation of blood into the underlying tissues.
Bursa - A fluid-filled sac that is located in areas where friction is likely to occur, then minimized the friction; for example between a tendon and bone.
C
C.P.R. - Cardiopulmanary Resuscitation - Artificial establishment of circulation of blood and movement of air into the lungs in a pulseless, non-breathing person.
Calcaneofibular Ligament - The ligament that connects the fibula to the calceneous.
Calf - Large muscle located at the back of the shin that includes the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles and is connected to the heel by the Achilles tendon.
Capsule - An enclosing structure which surrounds the joint and contains ligaments which stabilize the joint.
Cartilage - Smooth, slippery substance preventing two ends of bones from rubbing together and grating.
CAT Scan - Use of computer to produce a cross sectional view of the anatomical part being investigated from X-ray data.
Cellulitis - Inflammation of cellular or connective tissue.
Cervical vertebrae - Group of seven vertebrae located in the neck.
Charley Horse - A contusion or bruise to any muscle resulting in intramuscular bleeding. No other injury should be called a Charley Horse.
Chondral Fracture - Fracture to the chondral (cartilaginous) surfaces of bone.
Chondromalacia - Roughening of the articular cartilage. Best known for the roughening of the underside of the patella, which can occur in any patellofemoral injury.
Clavicle - the collar bone.
Coccyx - The "tail bone"; a group of four vertebrae that are fused together, located at the terminal end of the spine.
Collagen substitute - Existing in commonly injured tissues of the body, including skin, cartilage, ligaments and bone.
Coile's fracture - A fracture of the distal end of the radium with the lower end being displaced backward.
Computer tomography - (CT) - Method of visualizing the body's soft tissues. Using x-rays with the beam passing repeatedly through the body part, the CT scans while a computer calculates tissue absorption at each point scanned.
Concussion - Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfunction. It can be graded as mild, moderate or severe, depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.
Congenital - Existing before birth; to be born with.
Conjunctivitis - Inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball.
Connective tissue theory - Microscopic tissue trauma, thought to be brought on by explosive or ballistic movements.
Contractures - Abnormal, usually permanent contraction of a muscle due to atrophy of muscle fibers, extensive scar tissue over a joint, or other factors.
Contusion - An injury to a muscle and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object.
Cortical Steroids - Used to supress joint inflammation.
Costochondral - Cartilage that separates the bones within the ribcage.
CPM - Constant passive motion devices used in the early stage of knee rehabilitation.
Cranium - framework of the head consisting of eight cranial bones, 14 bones of the face, and the teeth.
Cryokinetics - treatment with cold and movement.
Cryotherapy - A treatment with the use of cold.
Cyst - Abnormal sac containing liquid or semi-solid matter.
D
Debridement - removal of non-healthy tissues and foreign material from a wound or burn to prevent infection and permit healing.
Degenerative Joint Disease - Changes in the joint surfaces as a result of repetitive trauma.
Deltoid ligament - Ligament that connects the tibia to bones of the medial aspect of the foot and is primarily responsible for stability of the ankle on the medial side. Is sprained less frequently than other ankle ligaments.
Deltoid muscle - Muscle at the top of the arm, just below the shoulder, responsible for shoulder motions to the front, side and back.
Disc, Intervertebral - A flat, rounded plate between each vertebrae of the spine. The disc consists of a thick fiber ring which surrounds a soft gel-like interior. It functions as a cushion and shock absorber for the spinal column.
Dislocation - Complete displacement of joint surfaces.
Distal - Term referencing one anatomical term away from another; for example, the hand is distal to the elbow.
Dorsiflexion - Ankle motion such that the foot and toes are moved away from the ground in an upward fashion.
Dorsum - The back surface of any part.
Dysfunction - Unable to function normally as a body organ or system.
E
Eccentric Muscle Contracture - An overall lengthening of the muscle as it develops tension and contracts to control motion performed by an outside force: often times referred to as a "negative" contraction in weight training.
Eccymosis - Bleeding into the surface tissue below the skin, resulting in a "black and blue" effect.
Edema - Accumulation of fluid in organs and tissues of the body.
Efferent - Away from, pushing through the center.
Effusion - Accumulation of fluid in various spaces in the body. Commonly, the knee has effusion after an injury.
Electrical Galvanic Stimulation - (EGS) - An electrical therapeutic modality that sends a current to the body at select voltages and frequencies in order to stimulate pain receptors, disperse edema, or neutralize muscle spasms, among other function al applications.
Electrolyte - Ionized salts in blood, tissue fluids and cells, including salts of sodium, potassium and chlorine.
Electromyogram - (EMG) - Test to determine nerve function.
Epicondylitis - Inflammation of the elbow due to overuse.
Ethyl Chloride - (Cold spray) - a chemical coolant sprayed onto an injury site to produce a local, mild anesthesia.
Etiology - study of the cause of injury and disease.
Eversion - Action of the ankle turning outward.
Extension - Action of straightening a joint as achieved by an extensor muscle.
External rotation - Lateral movement of a joint or extremity to the outside.
Extrinsic - From without.
F
Fascia - A connective tissue sheath consisting of fibrous tissue and fat which unites the skin to the underlying tissue.
Fat Percentage - the amount of body weight that is adipose, fat tissue.
Femur - Thigh bone; longest bone in the body.
Fibula - Smaller of the two bones in the lower leg; runs from the knee to the ankle along the outside of the lower leg.
Flexion - Motion of bending a joint as achieved by a flexor muscle.
Fracture - Breach in continuity of a bone. Types of fractures include simple, compound comminuted, greenstick, incomplete, impacted, longitudinal, oblique, stress or transverse.
G
Gamekeeper's Thumb - Tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.
Glenohumeral - The shoulder girdle; consists of the glenoid capsule, head of the humerus and labrum.
Glenoid - Cavity of the scapula into which the head of the humerus fits to the form of the shoulder girdle.
Glenoid Labrum - A rim of fibrocartilaginous tissue attached around the margin of the glenoid fossa.
Glycogen - Form in which foods are stored in the body as energy.
Grade One Injury - A mild injury in which ligament, tendon or other musculoskeletal tissue may have been stretched or contused, but not torn or otherwise disrupted.
Grade Two Injury - A moderate injury when musculoskeletal has been partially, but not totally torn which causes appreciable limitation in function of the injured tissue.
Grade Three Injury - A sever injury in which tissue has been significantly, and in some cases totally torn or otherwise disrupted causing a virtual loss of function.
Groin - Junction of the thigh and abdomen; location of muscles that rotate, flex and adduct the hip.
H
Hammer Toe - Condition when the first digit of a toe is at a different angle than the remaining digits of the same toe.
Hamstring - Category of muscle that runs from the buttocks to the knee along the back of the thigh. It functions to flex the knee and is often times injured as a result of improper conditioning or lack of muscle flexibility.
Heat Cramps - Painful muscle spasms of the arms or legs caused by excessive body heat and depletion of fluids and electrolytes.
Heat Exhaustion - Mild form of shock due to dehydration because of excessive sweating when exposed to heat and humidity.
Heat Stroke - Condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that overwhelms the bodies mechanisms for release of heat and could result in death if not treated appropriately.
Heel Cup - Orthotic device that is inserted into the shoe and worn under the heel to give support to the Achilles tendon and help absorb impacts at the heel.
Hemarthrosis - Accumulation of blood within a joint as a result of an acute injury.
Hematoma - Tumor-like mass produced by an accumulation of coagulated blood in a cavity.
Hip Pointer - Contusion to the iliac crest.
Humerus - Bone of the upper arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.
Hydrotherapy - Treatment using water.
Hyperextension - Extreme extension of a limb or body part.
I
Iliac Crest - Lateral edge of the hip; generally the site of a hip pointer.
Illiotibial Band - A thick, wide fascial layer that runs from the iliac crest to the knee joint and is occasionally inflamed as a result of excessive running.
Induced Erythrocythemia - "Blood doping"
Innervation - The distribution or supply of nerve fibers or nerve impulses to a part of the body.
Intermittent Compression Pump - Therapeutic modality that uses an air pump to send air into a sleeve worn over an injury, on an intermittent basis, in order to disperse edema and break up swelling at the injury.
Internal Rotation - Rotation of a joint or extremity medially, to the inside.
Interosseus Membrane - Uniting membrane between the tibia and fibula that forms a collagenous fibrous tissue. It has two functions; to serve as an origin for many of the muscles of the lower leg, and to transmit stress from the tibia to the fibula.
Iontophoresis - The use of constant direct current to drive heavy metal ions into and through the skin.
Itis - suffix connoting inflammation.
J
Joint Mobilization - Passive traction and/or gliding movements applied to joint surfaces that maintain or restore the joint play normally allowed by the capsule, so that the normal roll-slide joint mechanisms can occur as the player moves.
K
No Entries
L
Labrum (Labrum Glenoidule) - The cartilage of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder. A lip-edged or lip-like structure.
Lateral - to the outside of the body.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) - Ligament of the knee along the lateral aspect that connects the femur to the fibula. It provides lateral stability to the joint.
Lesion - Wound, injury or tumor.
Ligament - Band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone or bone to cartilage and supports and strengthens joints.
Lumbar Vertebrae - Five vertebrae of the lower back that articulate with the sacrum to form lumbosacral joint.
Lumbosacral - Region of lower back comprised of lumbar and sacral spine.
M
Malleolus - Rounded projection on either side of the ankle joint; the lateral malleolus is the fibula and the medial malleolus is the tibia.
Medial - to the inside of the body.
Medial Collateral Ligament - Ligament of knee along the medial aspect that connects the femur to the joint.
Meniscectomy - An intra-articular surgical procedure for the knee by which all or part of the damaged meniscus is removed.
Meniscus - Crescent shaped cartilage, usually pertaining to the knee joint; also known as "cartilage." There are two menisci in the knee, medial and lateral. These work to absorb weight within the knee and provide stability.
Metacarpals - Five long bones of the hand, running from the wrist to the fingers.
Metatarsals - Five long bones of the foot, running from the ankle to the toes.
Morton's Neuroma - Involves the nerves and is usually the result of a trauma to the foot, causing inflammation and sharp pain, usually between the third and fourth toes.
Morton's Toe - A hereditary condition in which the second toe is larger than the first toe. this can cause mechanical imbalances which produce pain with weight bearing.
Myositis - Inflammation of a muscle.
N
Necrotic - relating to the death of a portion of tissue.
Neuritis - Inflammation of a nerve.
O
Olecranon Process - Bony projection of the ulna at the tip of the elbow.
Orthotic - Any device applied to or around the body in the care of physical impairment or disability, commonly used to control foot mechanics.
Osteochondritis Dessicans - A piece of bone and/or cartilage loosened from its attachment after trauma and a cause of a lesion.
Osteomyelitis - An inflammatory disease of bone caused usually by infection with streptococcus or staphylococcus.
P
Parasthesia - Sensation of numbness or tingling, indication of nerve irritation.
Patella - The kneecap. The patella functions to protect the distal end of the femur as well as increase the mechanical advantage and force generating capacities of the quadriceps muscle group.
Patella Tendinitis - Inflammation of the patellar ligament; also known as jumper knee.
Patellofemoral Joint - Articulation of the kneecap and femur.
Peroneal Muscles - Group of muscles of the lateral lower leg that are responsible for everting the ankle. Tendons of these three muscles are vital to the stability of the ankle and foot.
Phalanx - Any bone of the fingers or toes; plural is phalanges.
Phlebitis - Inflammation of a vein.
Phonophoresis - the technique of driving whole molecules of medication with ultrasound.
Plantar - Pertaining to the sole of the foot.
Plantar Fascia - The tight band of muscle beneath the arch of the foot.
Plantar Fasciaitis - Inflammation of the plantar fascia; associated with overuse of acute foot injury.
Plantarflexion - Ankle motion such that the toes are pointed toward the ground.
Plica - Fold of tissue in the joint capsule and a common result of knee injury.
Pneumothorax - A collection of air or gas in the pleural space causing the lungs to collapse.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) - A primary stabilizing ligament of the knee that provides significant stability and prevents displacement of the tibia backward within the knee joint. A complete tear of this ligament necessitating reconstruction could require up to twelve months of rehabilitation.
Q
Q-Angle - Normal angle of quadriceps relative to the patella. The normal angle for males is ten degrees.
Quadricep Muscles - A group of four muscles of the front thigh that run from the hip and from a common tendon at the patella; responsible for knee extension.
R
Radius - forearm bone on the thumb side.
Referred Pain - Pain felt in an undamaged area of the body away from the actual injury.
Rotator Cuff - Comprised of four muscles in the shoulder area that can be irritated by overuse.
S
SC Joint - Sternoclavicular joint; articulation of the collarbone with the sternum
Sacroiliac - junction of the sacrum with the hip bone.
Sacrum - Group of five fused vertebrae located just below the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back.
Scapula - Shoulder blade.
Sciatica - Irritation of the sciatic nerve resulting in pain or tingling running down the inside of the leg.
Sciatic Nerve - Major nerve that carries impulses for muscular action and sensations between the low back and thigh and the lower leg. It is the longest nerve in the body.
Shin Splint - A catch-all syndrome describing pain in the shin that is not a fracture or tumor and cannot be defined otherwise.
Spleen - Large, solid organ that is responsible for the normal production and destruction of blood cells.
Spondylitis - Inflammation of one or more vertebrae.
Spondylolisthes - Forward displacement of one vertebra over another below it due to a developmental defect in the vertebrae.
Spondylosis - Abnormal vertebral fixation or immobility.
Sprain - Injury resulting from the stretch or twist of the joint which causes various degrees of stretch or tear of a ligament or other soft tissue at the joint.
Sternum - the breast bone.
Steroids - Any one of a large number of hormone-like substances.
Strain - Injury resulting from a pull or torsion to the muscle or tendon that causes various degrees of stretch or tear to the muscle or tendon tissue.
Stress Fracture - A hair-line type of break in a bone caused by overuse.
Subluxation - Partial dislocation of a joint. The term usually implies that the joint can return to its normal position without formal reduction.
Synovial Fluid - Lubricating fluid for joints and tendons, produced in synovium, or the inner lining of a joint.
Synovitis - Inflammation of the synovial lining of a joint.
T
Talus - The ankle bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint.
Target Heart Rate - A pre-determined pulse to be obtained during exercise when circulation is working at full efficient capacities.
Tarsals - Group of six bones of the foot consisting of the calnavicular, talus, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) - The articulation of the jaw and skull; considered by some to be vital in resolution of injuries throughout the body.
Tendinitis - Inflammation of the tendon and/or the tendon sheath, caused by chronic overuse or sudden injury.
Tendon - Tissue that connects muscle to the bone.
Tenosynovitis - Swelling of a tendon sheath caused by calcium deposits, repeated strain or trauma.
Thoracic - Group of twelve vertebrae located in the thorax and articulated with the twelve ribs.
Thoracic Outlet Compression Syndrome - A neuro-vascular disorder of the upper extremity common in throwing.
Tibia - Larger of the two bones of the lower leg and the weight bearing bone of the shin.
Transverse Process - Small lateral projection off the right and left side of each vertebra that functions as an attachment site for muscles and ligaments of the spine.
Trapezius - Flat, triangular muscle covering the posterior surface of the neck and shoulder.
U
Ulna - Forearm bone that runs from the tip of the elbow to the little finger side of the wrist.
Ulnar Nerve - Nerve in the elbow commonly irritated from excessive throwing.
V
Valgus - Angulation outward and away from the midline of the body.
Varus - Angulation inward and toward the midline of the body.
Vasoconstriction - decrease of local blood flow.
Vasodilation - Increase of local blood flow.
W
"Wind Knocked Out" - Syndrome describing a contraction of the abdominal nerve trunk, the solar plexus, as a result of an abdominal contusion.
X
No Entries
Y
No Entries
Z
Zygoma - The cheekbone
