Muscle
Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called “skeletal muscle.” Heart muscle is called “cardiac muscle.” Muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called “smooth muscle.”
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- Muscle biopsy
A minor surgical procedure done under local anesthetic using a needle or a small incision to remove a small sample of muscle. The procedure may be done to confirm a clinical diagnosis, distinguish between nerve and muscle disorders, identify a metabolic defect of muscle, diagnose diseases of connective tissue and blood vessels, detect muscle inflammation, […]
- Muscle cramp
An involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. When we use the muscles such as those of our arms and legs that can voluntarily be controlled, they alternately contract and relax as we move our limbs. Muscles that support our head, neck, and trunk contract similarly in a synchronized fashion to maintain our […]
- Muscle relaxant
Muscle relaxant is a term usually used to refer to skeletal muscle relaxants (drugs), which act on the central nervous system (CNS) to relax muscles. These drugs are often prescribed to reduce pain and soreness associated with sprains, strains, or other types of muscle injury. Some examples of commonly prescribed skeletal muscle relaxant medications include […]
- Muscle, abductor
Any muscle used to pull a body part away from the midline of the body. For example, the abductor muscles of the legs spread the legs away from the midline and away from one another. The word “abductor” comes from the Latin prefix “ab-” meaning “away from” + “ducere” meaning “to draw or lead” = […]
- Muscle, cardiac
A type of muscle with unique features only found in the heart. The cardiac muscle is the muscle of the heart and medically is called the myocardium (“myo-” being the prefix denoting muscle).