A
Abduction
Movement of an extremity away from the body.
Abscess
A pus-filled area that affects skin or organs.
Acetabulum
The receptacle for the head of the femur; formed by the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
Achilles tendonitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon often caused by increased activity, improper footwear, or tight hamstrings.
Acromion process
A lateral condensation of bone that is the attachment site for the lateral and posterior two thirds of the deltoid muscle.
Acute
Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease.
Adduction
Movement of an extremity toward the body.
Adhesive capsulitis
Self-limiting condition resulting from any inflammatory process about the shoulder in which capsular scar tissue is produced, resulting in pain and limited range of motion; also called frozen shoulder.
Aerobic exercise
Exercise that uses oxidative metabolic pathways to provide energy
Allograft
Biologic tissue from a cadaver that is used to surgically replace damaged tissue
Anabolic steroids
Synthetic derivatives of testosterone sometimes used to enhance muscle-building effects in athletes.
Anaerobic exercise
Exercise of short duration, not requiring the body’s utilization of oxygen to make fuel available
Anaerobic metabolism
Oxygen debt; when the cardiovascular system is unable to meet the needs of the working muscles, the anaerobic metabolism is activated.
Analgesia
The relief of pain
Analgesic
A pain-relieving effect with no loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis
A violent hypersensitivity reaction, resulting in shock
Ankylosing spondylitis
An inflammatory disorder that affects the low back and pelvis and produces stiffness and pain
Ankylosis
Marked stiffness of a joint typically observed with end-stage arthritis, following a complex intra-articular fracture, delayed treatment of septic arthritis, or severe rheumatoid arthritis
Annulus Fibrosus
A region of the intervertebral disk that provides support for the nucleus
Antagonists
Muscles that produce body movement in opposing directions.
Anterior compartment syndrome
Increased soft-tissue pressure in the anterior compartment of the lower leg, resulting in pain, decreased sensation, and muscle paralysis
Anterior cruciate ligament tears
An acute knee injury that occurs when the foot is planted, the knee is flexed,and a valgus force is applied to the knee with the lower leg in external rotation; commonly occurs in sports that require twisting, jumping, and pivoting.
Anterior superior iliac spine
Blunt bony projection on the anterior border of the ilium, forming the anterior end of the iliac crest. Serves as the origin of the sartorius muscle.
Anterior surface
Surface at the front of the body, facing the examiner
Anteromedial rotatory instability
When the medial plateau of the tibia rotates anteriorly and medial joint opening occurs, indicating disruption of the superficial tibia collateral ligament, medial and posteromedial capsular structures, and anterior cruciate ligament
Anteroposterior (AP) view
Anterior-posterior view in which the x-ray tube is in front and the film cassette is in back. The x-ray beam passes from front to back
Annular Tear
A cracking of the rings inside the intervertebral disc. As the tear approaches the surface of the outer layers, nerve endings are negatively stimulated, leading to inflammation and pain.
Anulus fibrosus
The outer ring of fibrous material surrounding the nucleus of the intervertebral disks
Aponeurosis
A broad, fibrous sheet that attaches one muscle to another
Apophysis
A cartilaginous structure at the insertion of major muscle groups into bone that may be susceptible to overuse syndromes and acute fractures in pediatric athletes
Arthrocentesis
Aspiration of a joint
Arthrodesis
The surgical fusion of a joint. The procedure removes any remaining articular cartilage and positions the adjacent bones to promote bone growth across a joint. A successful fusion eliminates the joint and stops motion. The usual purpose is pain relief or stabilization of an undependable joint.
Arthrography (Arthrogram)
A procedure in which a contrast medium is injected into a joint to outline soft tissues such as the meniscus in the knee or a torn structure such as the rotator cuff in the shoulder. MR arthrography is a technique in which a diluted contrast medium such as gadolinium is injected into a joint to improve the delineation of soft tissues. Standard MRI is obtained following the injection.
Arthrokinematic motion
Vertebral motion that occurs within the joint capsule at the articulations.
Arthroplasty
A procedure to replace or mobilize a joint, typically performed by removing the arthritic surfaces and replacing them with an implant. Total joint arthroplasty is replacement of both sides of the joint. Hemiarthroplasty replaces only one side of a joint.
Arthroscopy
A form of minimally invasive surgery in which a fiberoptic camera, the arthroscope, is introduced into an area of the body through a small incision
Articular cartilage
A smooth, glistening surface that covers the ends of bones that articulate with each other to form a joint
Artificial disc
An artificial disc, used in surgical replacement, is constructed from a polyethylene core sandwiched between two endplates made of a cobalt-chrome alloy
Artificial disc replacement (ADR)
The replacement of one or more damaged, diseased, or degenerated discs with artificial discs.
Aspiration
Removal of fluids from a body cavity; often done to obtain specimens for analysis
Athlete’s foot
An infection of the toe web space
Athletic trainer
A qualified allied healthcare provider who is educated in the management of healthcare problems of athletes
Atlas
The first cervical vertebra (C1)
Autograft
Biologic tissue from the patient’s own body that is used to surgically replace damaged tissue
Avasular necrosis
A condition in which cells die as a result of inadequate blood supply; see also osteonecrosis
Avulsion fracture
A fracture that occurs when a ligament or tendon pulls off a sliver of the bone
Avulsion Fractures
Fractures caused by a violent muscle contraction or sudden passive stretch. Also, pulling off of the osseous insertion or origin in a child.
Axial compression
A force directed along the vertical axis of the cervical spine that is part of almost every serious injury
Axial loading
A load directed vertically along the axis of the cervical spine during a compression force such as spearing or a head-on collision.
Axis
The second cervical vertebra (C2)