Student Handbook - New Trier Township High School

Glossary of Medical TermsAbduction: movement of a body part away from the midline of the bodyAbrasion: a type of open wound from scraping or rubbingAdduction: movement of a body part toward the midline of the bodyAccident: occurring by chance or without intentionAmbulation: move or walk from place to placeAmnesia: loss of memoryAcute: sudden onset and short durationAnorexia: lack or loss of appetite; aversion to eatingAnorexia Nervosa: eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and aversion to eatingAnterior: before or in front ofAnteroposterior: refers to position or movement of front to backAnxiety: a feeling of uncertainty or apprehensionApophysis: attachment site of muscle to bone, usually a slightly raised outgrowth of boneApophysitis: inflammation at an apophysis caused by repetitive stressArthroscopic: describes viewing the interior of a joint utilizing a small camera lens and a non-invasivesurgical techniqueArticulation: a joint, site where two or more bones move on one anotherAssumption of risk: an individual, through expressed or implied agreement, assumes that some risk ordanger will be involved in a particular undertakingAsymmetry: lack of symmetry, noted difference on one side of the bodyAtrophic Necrosis: death or wasting away of an area of the body due to nerve damageAtrophy: diminution of size; wasting away due to lack of nutrition or nervous stimulationAvascular Necrosis: death of a tissue or bone due to lack of blood supplyAvulsion: tearing away, usually muscle from boneBandage: a strip of cloth or other material used to hold a dressing in placeBilateral: pertaining to both sides of a bodyBiomechanics: branch of study that applies the laws of mechanics and motion to living organism andbiological tissuesBulimia: eating disorder characterized by distorted body image and binge-purge eating habitBursa: a fibrous sac acting as a protective cushion between certain tendons and bone, allowing smoothmovement during muscle patternBursitis: inflammation of a bursa, can be acute or chronicCatastrophic injury: any injury or condition with a potential permanent loss or damage; usually refers tocardiac or spinal injuryChondromalacia: a degeneration of a joint’s articular surface, leading to softeningChronic: long onset and long durationCircumduct: act of moving a limb such as the arm or hip in a circular motionClosed fracture: any fracture that does not penetrate the superficial tissueCommunicable disease: a disease that is transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual toanotherConcentric muscle contraction: contraction of a muscle by shorteningConcussion: a injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow or fallConduction: transfer of temperature thermal energy by direct contact with a mediumContact sport: any sport involving regular physical contact