Understanding Key Medical Terms Related to Diseases

Ankylosis refers to the fixation or immobilization of a joint, usually due to injury or disease. It restricts the movement of the affected joint and can lead to stiffness and pain.

Atrophy refers to the decrease in the size of a body structure, often due to disuse or disease. This is the opposite of hypertrophy, which is an increase in size.

Cartilage is a nonvascular connective tissue that provides support and flexibility in various parts of the body.

The correct meaning of 'dangling' refers to the position in which a person sits on the edge of the bed with legs and feet hanging over the side. This term is often used to describe a posture or position where the body is partially supported while the legs freely hang or swing.

Exercise is defined as the active exertion of muscles involving the contraction and relaxation of muscle groups. It is not related to resting, watching TV, or eating a healthy meal.

Flaccidity refers to decreased muscle tone and is synonymous with hypotonicity, which is the opposite of hypertonicity. Stiffness of the joints and excessive sweating causing dehydration are unrelated to flaccidity.

Isokinetic exercise specifically refers to a type of exercise where the resistance varies but the speed of contraction remains constant. It is different from exercises with no resistance, static stretching, or those focused on cardiovascular endurance.

Isometric exercises involve static muscle contractions, where the muscle length does not change during the exercise.

Isotonic exercise involves muscle shortening and active movement, not muscle lengthening and passive movement (which is isometric exercise), cardiovascular endurance training, or activities like yoga and meditation.

Ligaments are actually tough fibrous bands that bind joints together and connect bones and cartilage, providing stability and support to the body.

Neurons are specialized cells in the body that transmit electrical impulses, helping in the communication between different parts of the body.

Orthopedics specifically deals with the correction or prevention of disorders related to body structures involved in movement, such as bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Osteoporosis is a condition where there is a loss of calcium from the bone tissue, leading to weakened bones and increased risk of fractures.

Paralysis is the loss of strength or movement in part of the body due to an impairment in the nervous system.

Passive exercise refers to movements of the joints that are carried out by external forces, such as another person or a machine, without the individual using their own muscles to perform the movement.

Range of motion refers to the complete extent of movement that a joint can go through. It is essential for assessing flexibility and joint health.

Tonus refers to the normal, partially steady state of muscle contraction in the body.

Negative nitrogen balance refers to a catabolic state where the excretion of nitrogen exceeds the intake, resulting in muscle loss and reduced physical energy. This condition is often observed in individuals with diseases like anorexia nervosa and certain cancers.

A ball-and-socket joint allows for a wide range of motion due to its structure, where one bone has a rounded head that fits into a cuplike cavity in the other bone. This type of joint enables flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and rotation, commonly found in the shoulder and hip joints.

A condyloid joint allows for a variety of movements including flexion-extension and abduction-adduction due to the oval head of one bone fitting into a shallow cavity of another bone.

Hinge joints are specific types of synovial joints that are designed to move in one plane only, enabling flexion and extension movements.

Active exercise refers to physical activity where the individual themselves generates the movement, as opposed to passive exercise which is done by an outside force such as a therapist.

Contractures refer to a permanently contracted state of a muscle, usually caused by prolonged immobility or lack of use. It is a condition characterized by a loss of motion in a joint due to a shortening of the muscle tissue.

Footdrop is a condition where the foot is unable to dorsiflex due to muscle weakness or paralysis, often resulting from extended plantar flexion. It is not caused by wearing the wrong size shoes, excessive dorsiflexion, or sitting for too long. The correct treatment for footdrop typically involves physical therapy and possible assistance devices.

Paresis refers to a condition that involves impaired muscle strength or weakness, typically due to nerve damage or disease.

Spasticity refers to increased muscle tone, causing stiffness and involuntary muscle contractions. It is commonly seen in conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

Tendons are strong and flexible fibrous bands that connect muscle to bone, providing stability and facilitating movement. They are inelastic, allowing for efficient transfer of forces from muscle to bone.

Gliding joints involve flat articular surfaces that allow for limited movements in multiple directions. Unlike ball and socket joints, hinge joints, and pivot joints, gliding joints are characterized by their specific movement capabilities.

A pivot joint specifically refers to a ring like structure that turns on a pivot, enabling rotational movement. It is different from other types of joints that allow different types of movements.