Upper Extremity
This rotator cuff muscle initiates abduction of the arm from 0 to about 15 degrees before the deltoid takes over.
What is the supraspinatus?
This broad, flat ligament on the medial side of the knee connects the femur to the tibia and resists valgus stress.
What is the medial collateral ligament?
This is the number of vertebrae that make up the cervical spine
What is seven?
This phase of the gait cycle, during which the foot is in contact with the ground, makes up roughly 60% of a single gait cycle.
What is stance phase?
Located within the inner ear, this sensory system detects head position and movement to help maintain balance.
What is the vestibular system?
This nerve, when compressed within the carpal tunnel, causes numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.
What is the median nerve?
This muscle group on the posterior thigh — made up of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus — is called what and performs these actions.
What are the hamstrings and flex and extend the hip?
Present in the cervical and lumbar regions, this natural spinal curve is concave posteriorly (curves inward).
What is lordosis?
This term refers to the distance between two successive heel strikes of the same foot.
What is stride length?
This term describes the body's ability to sense the position and movement of its joints and limbs without looking at them.
What is proprioception?
Nicknamed the 'Popeye muscle,' this two-headed muscle flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm.
What is the biceps brachii?
Running down the posterior thigh, this is the largest and longest nerve in the human body.
What is the sciatic nerve?
This fibrocartilage structure sits between adjacent vertebral bodies and acts as a shock absorber for the spine.
What is the intervertebral disc?
Weakness in this hip abductor muscle causes the pelvis to drop on the unsupported side during single-leg stance, producing a characteristic gait pattern.
What is the gluteus medius (producing a Trendelenburg gait)?
In this clinical test, the patient stands with feet together and eyes closed to assess the contribution of proprioception to balance.
What is the Romberg test?
This scapular motion, produced by the upper/lower trapezius and serratus anterior working together, allows the arm to be raised fully overhead.
What is upward rotation (of the scapula)?
Commonly torn during pivoting or cutting sports movements, this ligament prevents anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.
What is the ACL?
This condition involves an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine, often described using a Cobb angle.
What is scoliosis?
This phase of the gait cycle occurs when the foot is off the ground and the limb is advancing forward.
What is swing phase?
Along with the vestibular and somatosensory systems, this sensory system helps the brain judge body position relative to the surrounding environment.
What is the visual system?
This condition results from compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels between the clavicle and first rib, causing arm numbness, tingling, and weakness.
What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
This condition is inflammation of the thick band of tissue on the sole of the foot, producing sharp heel pain that is worst with the first steps in the morning.
What is plantar fasciitis?
When the soft inner portion of an intervertebral disc pushes through its outer ring and compresses a nearby nerve root, this condition results, often causing radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.
What is a herniated disc (with radiculopathy)?
Often caused by foot drop, this gait deviation features exaggerated hip and knee flexion to help the toes clear the ground during swing phase.
What is steppage gait (high-steppage gait)?
This standardized 14-item outcome measure is widely used to assess fall risk and balance ability in older adults.
What is the Berg Balance Scale?