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CCAC PTA 102: Soft Tissue Definitions

Terms in this set (75)

Adhesions
abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures during immobilization, following trauma, or surgery which resists normal elasticity of structure involved
Ankylosis
abnormal immobility of stiffness of the joint caused by fibrous or bony tissue bridging the joint space
Aponeurosis
a sheet like layer of dense, regularly arranged connective tissue joining one muscle with another or with a bone
Arthralgia
pain in a joint
Arthrogram
injection of radio-opaque dye or air (or a combination) into synovial cavity to detect injuries or other abnormalities of articular cartilage, fibrocartilaginous menisci, capsule and ligaments
Arthrogryposis
fixation of a joint in a flexed or contracted position; may be due to adhesions in or around the joint
Arthroplasty
a reconstructive operation performed on a joint previously damaged by trauma or disease, designed to improve, as far as possible, the integrity and functional power of the joint
Arthroscope
a fiber optic device which when passed through a small incision allows direct visualization of the interior of a joint
Arthrotomy
the operation of cutting into a joint
Aspiration
the act of withdrawing fluid from a joint through a needle
Avulsion
a forced tearing away of a part or structure
Bakers Cyst
synovial cyst arising from the synovial lining of the knee, occurring in the popliteal fossa
Bursectomy
removal of a bursa
Bursitis
an inflammatory reaction within a bursa
Capsulotomy
surgical cutting of a joint capsule
Causalgia
painful, burning sensations, usually along the distribution of a nerve
Chondritis
inflammation of cartilage
Cicatrization
healing by scar formation
Contracture
A persistent shortening of a muscle after it has remained in a shortened position for a prolonged period of time, thus limiting range of motion. It may further develop into a fibrous contracture.
Contusion
a bruise; an injury where the skin is not broken
Curettage
the surgical scraping of a bone with a sharp cut-shaped instrument called a curette
Disarticulation
meaning "joint part," the act of surgically disjointing, or separation at the joint
Dislocation
displacement of the opposing contiguous surface of a joint, usually due to trauma
Dysfunction
adaptive shortening of soft tissue with resulting loss of mobility
Ecchymosis
irregularly formed hemorrhagic area of skin
Edema
swelling; the body tissue contains an excessive amount of tissue fluid
Effusion
joint effusion an excessive amount of fluid in the joint
Endoscopy
"Observation within" The act of examining visually the inside hollow organ of the body
Excision
The act of cutting away or cutting out
Fascia
a sheet or a broad band of fibrous connective tissue beneath the skin or around muscles and other organs of the body
Fascial hernia
protrusion of muscular tissue through its fascial covering
Fibromyositis
A group of common non-specific illness characterized by pain, tenderness and stiffness of joint capsules, and adjacent structures. Systemic symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and depression may be present.
Synovial Ganglion
A thin walled cystic lesion containing thick, clear, mucinous fluid in periarticular tissues, joint capsule and tendon sheaths.
Neutral Ganglion
A mass of nervous tissue lying outside the brain and spinal cord
Gangrene
Necrosis, death of tissue usually due to deficient or absent blood supply.
Graft
transplantation of a piece of skin, bone, or other living tissue from one body, or place on a body to another place
Granulation Tissue
forms across a wound or surgical incision to provide framework
Hemarthrosis
bleeding into a joint usually from a severe trauma
Hematoma
A swelling or mass of (usually clotted) blood confined to an organ or space caused by a break in a blood vessel.
Herniated Disc
Rupture or herniation of the nucleus pulposus usually between the lumbar vertebra causing pain on the affected side
Internal Derangement
disruption of the structures inside a joint
Keloid
An excessive amount of scar formation in the skin following trauma or surgical incision. The result is a firm raised thickened red scar that may grow for a prolonged period of time. The increase is due to abnormally high amounts of collagen in the tissue.
Lacerations
a rough, jagged tear in the skin caused by foreign object
Lateral Epicondylitis
tennis elbow; inflammation of the tissues surrounding the lateral epicondyle of the humerus
Meniscectomy
surgical removal of the meniscus cartilage of the knee
Muscle Imbalance
Lack of symmetry in muscle groups when considering muscle length and muscle strength. This asymmetry may be seen in one side compared to the contralateral side or in one muscle group compared to another.
Muscle Spasm
An abnormal, sustained low-grade muscle contracture usually the result of pain.
Myography
instrument used for tracing movements caused by muscular contractions
Myositis Ossificans
inflammation of or bleeding into a muscle followed by ossification
Necrosis
death of an area of tissue or bone surrounded by healthy parts. Called "slough" in soft tissue.
Osteochondritis Dessicans
joint injury involving detachment of cartilage and bone from articulating surfaces
Pathological Fracture
Fracture of a diseased or weakened bone. The underlying causes may be from primary cancer, cancer of the bone or osteoporosis.
Plica
one of several anatomical structures in which there is a folding over of the parts
Proprioceptors
sensory receptors responsible for deep sensations found in muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and fascia
Quadriceps Contusion
Charley Horse; Pain and tenderness in the fibromuscular tissue of the thighs usually due to muscle strain or tear. Characterized by sudden onset and aggravation upon movement
Release
surgical cutting of fascia to lengthen it
Sarcoma
cancer arising from connective tissue such as bone or muscle
Scleroderma
chronic disease-causing sclerosis of the skin and certain organs. The skin is taut and firm. Feels tough and leathery, may itch and later become hyperpigmented. Occurs 4 times more in women.
Shin Splints
Pain in the anterior compartment of the tibia, usually following strenuous exercise. The cause is ischemia of the muscles in the compartment and minute tears in the tissues.
Spondylosis
a defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebrae
Subdeltoid Bursa
the bursa located between the deltoid muscle and the capsule of the shoulder joint.
Subluxation
partial displacement of the bones forming a joint
Suture
syndesmosis- a joint which allows no active motion, where broad osseous surfaces are separated by a zone of connective tissue (i.e. the skull)
Symphysis
adjacent bony surface connected by a cartilaginous disc, limited ROM, much stability (i.e. sternomanubrial joint)
Synovial Joint
specialized type of joint, where the two opposing surfaces are covered by hyaline cartilage and which generally allow unrestricted movement
Synovitis
inflammation of a synovial membrane of a joint
Synovium
lubricating fluid of the joints
Synovectomy
surgical excision of the synovial membrane of the joint
Tendinitis
an inflammatory reaction of a tendon
Tendon Lengthening
surgical lengthening of a tightened or contracted tendon
Tendon Transplantation
surgical relocation of the tendon of a normal muscle to another site to take over the function of a muscle permanently inactivated by trauma or disease
Tenotomy
surgical cutting of a tendon
Tenosynovitis
inflammation of a tendon sheath
Whiplash
injury to the cervical spine, due to the head exceeding the normal ROM. Angle that the restraining soft tissue yield
Sprain
injury to a ligament
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