C Glossary of Terms for
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

C

C.P.R.:

Cardiopulmonary Rususcitation; artificial establishment of circulation of blood and movement of air into the lungs in a pulseless, non-breathing person.

Calcaneofibular Ligament:

The ligament that connects the fibula to the calcaneous.

Calcium Deposit:

Usually the result of repeated injury, a calcium deposit is an abnormal hardening of soft tissue.

Calf:

Large muscle located at the back of the shin that includes the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles and is connected to the heel by the Achilles tendon. This is responsible for foot plantarflexion and is instrumental in jumping.

Capillaries:

Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body, form a network that allows blood and cells to exchange substances (such as oxygen).

Capsule (Joint):

The fibrous tissues enclosing a joint.

Carbohydrates, Simple:

Simple carbohydrates are essentially the sugars found in foods. They are most common in highly refined and processed food (such as sweets and salty snacks). Although they provide a quick boost, by raising blood sugar, a sharp drop follows this.

Cardiorespiratory System:

The lungs, and heart and blood vessels in the body.

Cardiovascular System:

The heart and blood vessels in the body.

Carpal tunnel:

The bony, narrow passage at the intersection of the hand and wrist on the same side of the palm of the hand. The median nerve and tendons pass through this tunnel to the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome:

A compression of the median nerve caused by swelling tendons in the carpal tunnel. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and tingling in the thumb and middle fingers, weak grip and diminished strength in the hand.

Cartilage:

A specialized type of dense connective tissue consisting of cells embedded in a ground substance or matrix. The matrix is firm and compact, rendering it capable of withstanding considerable pressure or tension.

Cartilage (Articular)

Hyaline cartilage covering the articular surfaces of bones

Cast:

A casing that immobilizes parts of the body that have been damaged, allowing them to heal undisturbed. It's usually made of a hardening material, such as plaster of Paris or fiberglass.

CAT Scan:

Also called computerizes axial tomography (CAT) or CT scan. This is an imaging technique that uses multiple x-ray views and constructs cross-sectional images of areas of the body.

Cellulitis:

Inflammation of cellular or connective tissue. An infection in or close to the skin is usually localized by the body defense mechanisms. However, if it spreads through the tissue, the process is called cellulites.

Cervical Vertabrae:

The 7 vertebrae that make up your neck. They include the axis and atlas (first 2).

Chondral Fracture:

Fracture to the chondral (cartillaginous) surfaces of bone.

Chondromalacia:

Roughening of the articular cartiladge on the underside of the patella (knee cap) which occurs with patellofemoral injuries.

Chronic:

Of long duration, often years; recurring; opposite of Acute.

Clavicle:

The collar bone.

Coccyx:

The "tail bone;" a group of four vertabrae that are fused together, located at the terminal end of the spine.

Cold Pack:

A pack of natural or synthetic ice that is applied to any injury in order to minimize blood flow in the area to control the injury.

Collagen Substance:

Existing in commonly injured tissues of the body, including skin, cartilage, ligaments and bone.

Collateral Ligament:

On either side of, and acting as a radius of movement of, a hinge joint, as of the elbow, knee and wrist.

Colles Fracture:

A fracture of the distal end of the radius with the lower end being displaced backward.

Compartment Syndorome:

A build up of pressure in the fascial compartments which house groups of muscles.

Complex Carbohydrate:

A substance that contains several sugar units linked together, such as starch.

Compression:

The state of being pressed together or sqeezed.

Computed Tomography (CT):

Method of visualizing the body's soft tissues. Using x-rays with the beam passing repeatedly thorugh the body part, the CT scans while a compurter calculates tissue absorption at each point scanned.

Concentric Muscle Contraction:

A shortening of the muscle as it develops tension and contracts to move a resistance.

Concussion:

Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfuntion. It can be graded as mild, moderate or severe depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.

Congenital:

Existing before birth; to be born with.

Conjunctivitis:

Inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eyeball, commonly known as pink eye.

Connective Tissue:

A material consisting of fibers that form a framework that provides support structure for body tissues.

Contract:

To shorten a muscle body.

Contracture:

The muscle has shortened and a joint has a diminished range of motion.

Contractures:

Abnormal, usually permanent contraction of a muscle due to atrophy of muscle fibers, extensive scar tissue over a joint, or other factors.

Contusion:

An injury to a muscle and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object, typically resulting in a bruise.

Coronary Artery Disease:

Narrowing or blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries resulting in decreased blood supply to the heart (ischemia). Also called Ischemic Heart Disease.

Coronary Disease:

Damage to the heart when insufficient blood flows through the vessels because they are blocked with fat or have become thick and hard; this harms the muscles of the heart.

Cortical Steriods:

Used to suppress joint inflammation.

Cortisol:

The major natural glucocorticoid (GC) in humans. It is the primary stress hormone

Cortisone:

A steroid hormone that is used to treat many autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Costochondral:

Cartilage that separates the bones within the rib cage.

CPM:

Constant passive motion devices used in the early stage of knee rehabilitation.

CPR:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Combined artifical ventilation and cardiac massage technique for reviving a person whose heart and breathing have stopped and who is unconscious.

Cramps:

A painful, involuntary spasmodic contraction.

Cranium:

Bony framework of the head consisting of eight cranial bones, 14 bones of the face and the teeth.

Crepitus:

Crackling or grating noise or sensation sometimes made by a joint.

Cruciate:

A cross or "X" shape. There are two cruciate ligaments in the human knee.

Cryokinetics:

Treatment with cold and movement.

Cryotherapy:

A treatment with use of cold.

Cyst:

Abnormal sac containing liquid or semi-solid matter.

Phone: (410) 229-0055 | Email: info@herefordpt.com
© 2008 Hereford Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc.
Website maintained by Armistead Technologies, Llc.^tm