A group of muscles that a single spinal nerve root innervates. Myotome testing is used to evaluate the integrity of the spinal cord and its nerve roots.
Dermatome
An area of skin that is mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve. There are 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, and 5 sacral spinal nerves that relay sensation from a particular dermatome to the brain.
Golgi Tendon Organ
A proprioceptive sensory receptor organ that senses changes in muscle tension. It is located at the insertion of skeletal muscle fibers into the tendons of skeletal muscle.
Muscle Spindle
Stretch receptors within the body of a skeletal muscle that primarily detect changes in the length of the muscle. They convey length information to the central nervous system via afferent nerve fibers.
Proprioception
The body’s ability to perceive its own position and movement in space. This is mediated by proprioceptors, mechanosensory neurons located within muscles, tendons, and joints.
Range of Motion
The full movement potential of a joint, usually described by the number of degrees a joint can move from its full extension to full flexion. It is often abbreviated as ROM.
Ischemia
A restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism. In massage, “ischemic compression” is often used to briefly restrict then flood an area with fresh blood.
Fascial Adhesion
A condition where layers of fascia (connective tissue) become stuck together or to underlying muscle tissue. This restricts movement, decreases circulation, and can cause chronic pain.