| abduction |
of a muscle, the act or process of drawing away from the main axis of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| actin |
any of a group of contractile proteins, including proteins involved in muscle contraction, cell motility, and maintenance of cellular shape. |
| adduct |
to move or pull (a body part such as a muscle) toward the main axis. (Cf. abduct.) |
| adduction |
the action of a muscle that adducts. [1/3 definitions] |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
a disease that causes loss of control in muscle movement because of the degeneration of nerve cells; Lou Gehrig's disease. |
| anabolic steroid |
a synthetic hormone sometimes used by athletes to increase muscle size or strength, but widely prohibited by athletic leagues, associations, and the like. |
| angina pectoris |
severe recurrent pain in the chest caused by a sudden decrease in the amount of blood flowing to the heart muscle. |
| antagonist |
one muscle that causes movement in the opposite direction from that caused by another. [1/3 definitions] |
| arytenoid |
an arytenoid cartilage, muscle, or gland. [1/3 definitions] |
| ataxia |
loss or lack of ability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. |
| benzodiazepine |
any of a class of drugs containing a benzene ring that acts as a sedative and muscle relaxant. |
| biceps |
a muscle divided in two parts at its origin, esp. the large muscle at the front of the upper arm that bends the elbow. |
| bundle |
in biology, a cluster of muscle or nerve fibers. [1/6 definitions] |
| cardiomyopathy |
chronic disease of the heart muscle. |
| carnitine |
a compound, particularly concentrated in muscle, required for transporting fatty acids into mitochondria. |
| cerebellum |
the region of the brain controlling voluntary muscle coordination and balance. |
| charley horse |
a painful cramp in a muscle caused by overexertion or by a blow. |
| clonus |
a rapid succession of muscle spasms. |
| constrictor |
a muscle that constricts a cavity of the body or compresses an organ. [1/3 definitions] |
| contractor |
something, esp. a muscle, that shortens or contracts. [1/2 definitions] |
| convulse |
to cause to have involuntary spasms or muscle contractions. [1/3 definitions] |