An abnormal increase in muscle tone and a reduced capacity of a muscle to stretch. It is caused by injury to motor pathways in the central nervous system or as a protective response to local tissue injury.
Trigger Point
A hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. These spots are painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, referred tenderness, and motor dysfunction.
Pectoralis Minor
A thin, triangular muscle, situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major. It stabilizes the scapula by pulling it anteriorly and inferiorly against the thoracic wall.
Serratus Anterior
A muscle that originates on the surface of the 1st to 8th ribs at the side of the chest and inserts along the entire anterior length of the medial border of the scapula. It protracts the scapula.
Rhomboid Minor
A small skeletal muscle on the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae. It is located superior to the rhomboid major and performs similar functions of scapular retraction.
Rhomboid Major
A skeletal muscle on the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae of the spinal column. It acts to retract the scapula and rotate it downwards.
Splenius Cervicis
Located just inferior to the splenius capitis, this muscle acts to extend and rotate the cervical spine.
Splenius Capitis
A broad, strap-like muscle in the back of the neck. It originates from the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae and inserts into the mastoid process and occipital bone.