Muscle Disorders And Clinical Terms

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Myopathy – disease of muscles in which fibers do not function resulting in muscular weakness. Myalgia – muscular pain Myositis – Inflammation of muscular tissue Fibrositis – inflammation of connective tissue within a muscle Fibromyositis – inflammation of muscles and connective tissue

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Contracture – permanent shortening of a muscle or joint Cramps – temporary, involuntary strong muscle contraction or overstretching which may cause severe pain. Muscular dystrophy – group of inherited disorders involving muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue which gets worse over time. Myasthenia gravis – autoimmune disease in which skeletal muscle easily fatigues.

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Tenosynovitis – inflammation of tendons, sheaths and synovial membrane of joints Gangrene – death of soft tissue, that results from interruption of its blood supply Ischemia – restriction of blood supply to tissues causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for metabolism.

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Convulsions – strong involuntary contractions of entire muscle groups Spasm – an involuntary twitch, brief period of complete tetanus; chemical imbalance Pulled groin – strain affecting adductor muscles Muscle cramp – sudden, involuntary and painful muscle contractions

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Strain – stretch or tear in muscles or tendons as a result of overstretching Sprain – stretch or tear in ligaments caused by overstretching Trichinosis – parasitic disease caused by eating undercooked pork, muscles are invaded by parasitic worms. Tetanus – prolonged, involuntary contractions of skeletal muscle caused by toxins released by bacteria

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Hyperkalemia – high extracellular K+ concentration reducing the difference between the K+ concentrations outside and inside the cell; causing paralysis of muscles Fibrosis – increasing amounts of fibrous tissue Botulism – toxin from Clostridium botulinum – prevents release of acetylcholine causing paralysis. Shin splints – inflammation of the dorsiflexor muscles over the anterior of the lower leg

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Charley horse – muscle spasm in which muscles contract without conscious control and does not relax; often in the leg Tennis elbow – inflammation at the origin of the extensor carpi muscles (outer part of elbow) Atrophy – degeneration of muscle Hypertrophy – increase in size of muscle Paralysis – cessation of muscle contraction

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Curare – arrowhead poison; binds to acetylcholine receptors and block attachment causing weakness of skeletal muscle Calcium channel blockers – drugs that block transfer of Ca2+; inhibits muscle contraction; used to enhance blood flow through the heart by relaxing the wall of cardiac vessels (dilation) Volkmann’s contracture – permanent shortening of muscles of the forearm causing permanent contraction of the hand at the wrist

Muscle Disorders and Clinical Terms Tic – spasmodic twitching made involuntarily by muscles that are voluntary Tremor – rhythmic, involuntary, purposeless contraction that produces shaking Fasciculation – involuntary, brief twitch of an entire motor unit that is visible under the skin Hypertonia – increased muscle tone, either rigidity or spasticity Hypotonia – decreased or lost muscle tone due to damage to motor neurons Myomalacia – softening of a muscle