Fundamental Physical Therapy Terms
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Fundamental Physical Therapy Terms

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@VirtuousConflict

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'abduction' refer to?

  • Muscular incoordination
  • A type of posture
  • Movement of a limb toward midline
  • Movement of a limb away from midline (correct)
  • What does the term 'adduction' mean?

  • Positioning of flat feet
  • Movement of a limb toward midline (correct)
  • Movement of a limb away from midline
  • Lying on the belly
  • What is 'ataxia'?

    Muscular incoordination when voluntary movements are attempted

    Define 'base of support'.

    <p>The weight-bearing surface of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'bilateral' refer to?

    <p>Pertaining to two sides of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain 'calcaneal valgum'.

    <p>Angling of the heel of the foot outward, flattening the arch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe 'calcaneal varum'.

    <p>Angling of the heel inward, increasing the arch of the foot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'cervical' refer to?

    <p>Pertaining to the neck</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'core'?

    <p>Pertaining to the trunk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'dissociation' in physical therapy.

    <p>Separation of movement in one extremity while the other does not move similarly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'distal' mean?

    <p>Farthest from the center or midline of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the term 'dynamic'.

    <p>Pertaining to the body in motion; opposite of stationary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'extension'?

    <p>A straightening or backward movement of the spine or limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'external rotation'.

    <p>An outward turning of the limb away from the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'flexion' mean?

    <p>A bending or forward movement of the spine or limbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'genu valgum'?

    <p>Angling of the knees inward, also known as 'knock-kneed'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe 'genu varum'.

    <p>Angling of the knees outward, also known as 'bow-legged'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'gross motor' refer to?

    <p>Movement of large muscle groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'hamstrings'?

    <p>A muscle group on the back of the thigh that can bend the knee and extend the hip</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'hyperextension'.

    <p>Excessive movement in the direction of extension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain 'hypermobility'.

    <p>Movement beyond the normal range of motion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'hypertonic' mean?

    <p>Muscle tone higher than normal; resistance to passive movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'hypotonic' refer to?

    <p>Less than normal muscle tone; floppy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'internal rotation'.

    <p>An inward turning of the limb toward the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'instability' in physical therapy?

    <p>Lack of firmness in weight-bearing; difficulty maintaining weight bearing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'kinesthesia' refer to?

    <p>Conscious awareness of body movement (direction and speed), detected by joints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'kyphosis'?

    <p>An increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine (hunchback)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'long-sitting'.

    <p>Sitting with legs straight out in front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'lordosis' mean?

    <p>An anterior/forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'lumbar' refer to?

    <p>Pertaining to the low back</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'mid-line'?

    <p>The theoretical lines that divide the body into two equal halves vertically or horizontally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'motor control'?

    <p>The ability of the CNS to regulate or direct the musculoskeletal system in a purposeful act</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'motor planning'.

    <p>The ability to organize and perform movement in a meaningful manner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'obliquity' mean?

    <p>A slanting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain 'pes planus'.

    <p>Flat feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'prone' mean?

    <p>Lying on the belly, face down</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'proprioception'.

    <p>The awareness of posture, movement, changes in equilibrium, and knowledge of position, weight, and resistance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'proximal' refer to?

    <p>Nearest to the point of attachment or center of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'quadriceps'?

    <p>A large muscle group on the anterior/front surface of the thigh responsible for knee extension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'range of motion'.

    <p>A measure of the amount of movement available at any given joint of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'recurvatum' mean?

    <p>A backward bending, frequently referring to the knees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'reflex'.

    <p>An involuntary/automatic response to a stimulus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'ring sitting'?

    <p>Sitting on the buttocks with legs forming a ring in front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'sacral'.

    <p>The triangular-shaped bone below the lumbar spine formed by the fusion of 5 vertebrae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Fundamental Physical Therapy Terms

    • Abduction: Movement of a limb away from the body's midline, essential for various physical activities.

    • Adduction: Movement of a limb toward the body's midline, crucial for activities requiring limb closeness.

    • Ataxia: Muscular incoordination, often noticeable when attempting voluntary movements, indicating potential neurological issues.

    • Base of Support: The weight-bearing surface that supports body stability during standing or movement.

    • Bilateral: Involvement of both sides of the body, such as both arms or legs, important for symmetrical function.

    • Calcaneal Valgum: Condition where the heel angles outward, leading to a flattened foot arch, often affecting gait.

    • Calcaneal Varum: Condition characterized by inward heel angling, increasing the height of the foot's arch.

    • Cervical: Relating to the neck, an area critical for supporting the head and facilitating movement.

    • Core: Refers to the trunk area, vital for overall stability, balance, and movement efficiency.

    • Dissociation: Movement where one extremity acts independently from the other, crucial for coordinated actions.

    • Distal: Describes a position further from the center of the body or trunk, relevant in anatomical positioning.

    • Dynamic: Relating to movement; indicates body in activity as opposed to being stationary.

    • Extension: A motion that straightens or moves limbs backward, pivotal in functional movements.

    • External Rotation: Outward turning of a limb, important for certain movements and joint function.

    • Flexion: Bending or forward movement of limbs or spine, fundamental in many daily actions.

    • Genu Valgum: A condition where knees angle inward, commonly referred to as "knock-knees," affecting stability.

    • Genu Varum: A condition where knees angle outward, known as "bow legs," impacting alignment and movement.

    • Gross Motor: Refers to movements involving large muscle groups, important in developing overall physical abilities.

    • Hamstrings: Muscle group located at the back of the thigh, involved in knee flexion and hip extension.

    • Hyperextension: Excessive extension movement, which can lead to injuries or structural misalignment.

    • Hypermobility: The ability to move joints beyond the normal range of motion, which may lead to instability.

    • Hypertonic: Condition of increased muscle tone; may result in spasticity in extreme cases, affecting movement.

    • Hypotonic: Describes lower than normal muscle tone, often leading to floppiness and reduced strength.

    • Internal Rotation: Inward turning of a limb toward the body, crucial in many athletic and functional movements.

    • Instability: A lack of firmness in weight-bearing, which can impede balance and functional mobility.

    • Kinesthesia: Awareness of body movement, including direction and speed, sensed through joints, essential for coordination.

    • Kyphosis: Increased convex curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly referred to as hunchback.

    • Long-sitting: A position where the individual sits with legs extended forward, often used in rehabilitation.

    • Lordosis: Forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae, often described as a "sway-back" posture.

    • Lumbar: Referring to the lower back area, significant in supporting the upper body and facilitating movement.

    • Mid-line: Imaginary lines dividing the body into equal halves, useful for assessing body alignment.

    • Motor Control: Central nervous system's ability to direct the musculoskeletal system for purposeful movements.

    • Motor Planning: The process of organizing and executing movement in a meaningful or functional manner.

    • Obliquity: Refers to a slanting position, often considered in posture and alignment assessments.

    • Pes Planus: The condition of flat feet, which may affect gait and cause discomfort.

    • Prone: A position lying on the belly, often used in exercises and assessments.

    • Proprioception: Awareness of body position and posture, integral for balance and movement coordination.

    • Proximal: Describes a position closer to the point of attachment or center of the body, significant in anatomical analysis.

    • Quadriceps: A large muscle group at the front of the thigh, critical for knee extension and joint stability.

    • Range of Motion: The extent of movement available at a joint, crucial for evaluating functional abilities.

    • Recurvatum: Refers to a backward bending, commonly associated with knees in certain conditions.

    • Reflex: An involuntary response to a stimulus, indicating neural function and responsiveness.

    • Ring Sitting: Sitting on the buttocks with legs forming a circle in front, useful for balance and stability exercises.

    • Sacral: Referring to the triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine, essential for pelvic support and stability.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on essential terms commonly used in physical therapy. This quiz covers important concepts such as abduction, adduction, and various conditions affecting movement. Perfect for students or professionals in the field of health and rehabilitation.

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