Physiotherapy

Myopathy is a medical term for diseases that weaken or damage the muscles. It denotes a primary muscular disorder rather than nerve or nerve-to-muscle transmission problems. The word is used in clinical contexts and research to describe inherited or acquired muscle pathology and impaired muscle function.

Navicular is a noun referring to a small boat-shaped bone in the wrist (navicular bone) or, in anatomy, a well-defined bone in the foot. The term is used mainly in medical and anatomical contexts and can also describe anything boat-shaped. It is a technical word often encountered in clinical descriptions and anatomical discussions.

Neuropathy is a medical term referring to nerve damage or dysfunction, especially affecting sensation or movement. It is commonly used in neurology and medicine to describe conditions where peripheral nerves are impaired, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness. The word combines Greek roots for nerve and disease and is used in professional and clinical contexts.

Olecranon is the bony prominence of the elbow formed by the proximal end of the ulna. In anatomy, it serves as the insertion point for the triceps brachii and is easily felt at the point of the elbow. The term is used mainly in medical and anatomical contexts. It is pronounced with three syllables: o-le-CRA-non.

Orthopedic is an adjective referring to the branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities or functional impairments of the skeletal system, joints, and related structures. In clinical use, it describes procedures, devices, or specialties focused on bones and musculoskeletal health. The term is often used in contexts like orthopedic surgery or orthopedics, and appears in medical literature, clinics, and training settings.

Osseous is an adjective meaning relating to or consisting of bone. It is used in scientific and medical contexts to describe bone tissue, structures, or properties. The term often appears in anatomy, pathology, and comparative biology, indicating bone-like characteristics or a bony composition.

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and joint inflammation, leading to pain and reduced mobility. It typically affects knees, hips, hands, and spine, especially with aging. The term combines medical roots for bone and joint wear, and is used across clinical and everyday contexts by patients and professionals alike.

Osteophytes are bony projections that form along joint margins, typically as a response to degeneration or arthritis. They can impinge on nerves or soft tissues and are most common in the spine and larger joints. In medical contexts, the term refers to these small outgrowths visible on imaging and may require evaluation if symptomatic.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by reduced bone density and strength, increasing fracture risk, especially in older adults. It results from an imbalance between bone resorption and formation, often progressing silently until a fracture occurs. The term combines Greek roots for bone and porous, conveying the idea of porous bones.

Patella is a medical term for the kneecap, a small flat bone that sits over the knee joint. It protects the joint and improves leverage for thigh muscles. In anatomy, it is often discussed in relation to ligaments, tendons, and knee mechanics.

Patellofemoral is an anatomical adjective describing the joint relationship between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thigh bone). It is used especially in medical contexts to discuss patellofemoral pain, tracking, or articulation. The term is used in radiology, orthopedics, and physical therapy to indicate joint dynamics rather than a separate bone.

Pathology is the medical field focused on the causes, nature, and effects of diseases, typically studied through laboratory analysis of bodily tissues and fluids. It also refers to the science of diagnosing disease by examining specimens, including tissue, blood, and other bodily samples. In broader terms, pathology links the biology of disease to clinical practice through diagnostic insights and research.

Pectoralis is a plural noun referring to any of the chest muscles, most often the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. In anatomy contexts it designates the muscle group located on the upper chest, involved in arm movement and shoulder stabilization. In clinical or sports settings, it’s used when describing muscle anatomy, injury, or function.

Peroneus is a technical anatomical noun referring to muscles located on the lateral compartment of the leg, especially the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis. In medical contexts, it designates these muscles or their tendinous structures. The term is used in anatomy, physiology, and clinical discussion to describe location, function, and innervation. It is frequently encountered in education, physical therapy, and sports medicine.

Phalanges are the bones that form the fingers and toes, counted individually as distal phalanges (tips) and proximal/middle phalanges along the bones of each digit. The term, used mainly in anatomy, refers to these skeletal segments that enable bending and grasping. In biology, the plural form emphasizes all phalangeal bones across the limbs. (2–4 sentences, ~60 words)

Phalanx is a dense, tightly organized body of troops or cells, often fighting as a cohesive unit. In modern use, it also describes a closely aligned group or any compact, protective formation. The term conveys precision, unity, and formidable collective strength, whether in military history or metaphorical contexts.

Proprioception is the sense that tells you where your body parts are in space without looking. It arises from receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints that feed information to the brain about position, movement, and force. This internal body awareness enables coordinated action, balance, and motor learning. It’s essential for skills from everyday tasks to complex athletic performance.

Pubis is one of the paired pubic bones forming the anterior part of the pelvis. In anatomy contexts it refers specifically to the horizontal front portion of the hip bones (pubic body) and the nearby structures. The term is used in medical descriptions and discussions of pelvic structure and alignment.

Radiculopathy is a medical condition caused by compression or irritation of a spinal nerve root, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve. It typically affects the arms or legs and can result from herniated discs, degenerative changes, or spinal stenosis. The term emphasizes a nerve-root origin rather than a peripheral nerve disorder.

Radius is a noun meaning a line segment from the center of a circle or sphere to any point on its circumference, or the corresponding distance. It also appears in anatomy as a forearm bone. The term encompasses geometric, mathematical, and anatomical senses, and is used in contexts ranging from geometry proofs to medical descriptions.

Rehabilitation is the process of restoring someone to health or normal life through medical treatment, therapy, or training after illness, injury, or addiction. It emphasizes recuperation, adaptation, and functional recovery, often involving physical, occupational, or psychological interventions to regain independence and quality of life.

Rhomboid is an adjective describing a shape with four sides of equal length where opposite sides are parallel, forming a slanted, diamond-like figure; in anatomy it refers to a muscle shaped similarly. The term conveys geometric or anatomical references and is used in precise, technical descriptions. It emphasizes a four-sided, skewed parallelogram form, often in discussions of shape, muscles, and geometry.

Sacroiliac refers to the joint between the sacrum and ilium in the pelvis, or to the region containing that joint. It is typically described as an anatomical term used in medical contexts. The word denotes relating to the sacroiliac area and muscles or ligaments associated with it, and appears in clinical discussions of pelvic stability and lower back pain.

Sacrum is a triangular bone at the base of the spine formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae. It articulates with the ilium at the sacroiliac joints and supports the pelvic girdle. In anatomy discussions, sacrum is a precise, technical term used to reference this specific bone in the vertebral column.