Athletic Trainer Certified; athletic trainers with this designation have passed the certification exam administered by the NATA.

Acromioclavicular joint; joint of the shoulder where acromion process (of the scapula) and the distal end of the clavicle meet; most shoulder separations occur at this point.

Movement of any extremity away from the body.

Any injury which rubs off the surface of the skin.

An infection which produces pus; can be the result of a blister, callus, penetrating wound or laceration.

The tendon at the back of the heel connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.

Movement of an extremity toward the body.

Any muscle which moves a part toward the median axis of the body.

Abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures during immobilization following trauma or as a complication of surgery which restricts normal elasticity of the structures involved.

Exercise in which energy needed is supplied by oxygen inspired; required for sustained periods of work, particularly in endurance events.

Testosterone, or a steroid hormone resembling testosterone, that stimulates growth in the body as a whole.

Exercise without the use of oxygen as an energy source; short bursts of vigorous exercise at sprint-like intensities.

In front of; the front surface.

Ligament of knee attaching to anterior tibial plateau and posterior medial aspect of femoral condyle. It provides stability in keeping the lower leg from coming forward.

condition in which swelling within the anterior compartment of the lower leg (comprising of muscles, nerves and arteries to the foot) jeopardizes the viability of the muscles and nerves within the compartment.

An agent which prevents inflammation (such as aspirin or ibuprofen).

Film demonstrating arteries after injection of opaque medium (dye).

X-ray technique for joints using air and/or dye injected in affected area (to show torn cartilage or rotator cuff tears).

An instrument used for visualization of the interior of a joint cavity; sometimes referred to as a scope.

Examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of surgical viewing apparatus (arthroscope) inserted into the joint.

The withdrawal of fluids from a body cavity by means of suction or siphonage apparatus (syringe).

Without symptoms.

To shrivel or shrink from disuse, as in muscular atrophy.

Death of a part due to lack of circulation (can occur in the elbow from throwing).

A tearing away forcibly of a part or structure.

The armpit.

Indicates that there is trauma inside the knee joint that leads to excessive joint-fluid production; inflammation of the gastrocnemius bursa. Usually produces localized swelling behind the knee.

Fracture dislocation of the base of the first metacarpal (or the thumb).

Muscle on the front of the upper arm responsible for bending the elbow.

"Radionuclide Imaging," which is useful to demonstrate stress fractures not evident on routine x-rays.

Network of nerves originating from the cervical vertebrae running down into the arm.

A discoloration of the skin due to an extravasation of the blood into the underlying tissues.

Common term for brachial plexus trauma in the neck. Usually results in burning or tingling sensation into the shoulder or arm when the neck is forced beyond the normal range of motion.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; artificial establishment of circulation of the blood and movement of air into the lungs in a pulseless, non-breathing person.

The heel bone.

Also known as gastrocnemius; muscle responsible for plantarflexing, or pointing the toes down the foot.

An enclosing structure which surrounds the joint and contains ligaments which stabilize that joint.

Smooth, slippery substance preventing two ends of bones from rubbing together and grating.

Use of computed radiographic equipment to get a cross sectional image of an anatomical area. Is best to visualize bony structures. It is also referred to as a CAT scan.

Inflammation of cellular or connective tissue.

A bruise to the quadriceps resulting from a direct blow to the front of the thigh, characterized by intramuscular bleeding. No other injury should be called a charley horse.

Fracture to the chondral (cartilaginous) surfaces of bone.

A roughening of the cartilage surface. Best known for the roughening of the underside of the kneecap.

The collar bone.

A substance existing in commonly injured tissues of the body, including skin, cartilage, ligaments and bone.

An overall shorting of the muscle as it generates tension and contracts.

Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfunction. Can be graded mild, moderate or severe depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.

Existing before birth; to be born with.

An injury to the muscles and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object.

An anti-inflammatory medication.

The cartilage that separates the bones within the rib cage.

The bony framework of the head composed of eight cranial bones, the 14 bones of the face and the teeth.

Abnormal sac containing liquid or semisolid matter.

Changes in the joint surfaces as a result of repetitive trauma.

Loss of body water.

Muscles at top of arm, just below shoulder.

A flat, round-like, plate structure usually referring to cartilage between vertebrae.

Complete displacement of joint surfaces.

Away from.

An overall lengthening of the muscle as it develops tension and contracts to control motion performed by an outside force; negative work is done.

Bleeding into the surface tissue below the skin, resulting in a "black and blue" effect.

Suffix connoting the affected part (e.g. meniscectomy, appendectomy).

Accumulation of fluid in organs and tissues of the body (swelling).

Away from, pushing out from the center.

Accumulation of fluid, or the fluid itself, in various spaces in the body.

Commonly found in the knee following injury.

Ionized particles in blood, tissue fluids and cells including salts of sodium, potassium and chlorine.

Fluid for replacing electrolytes, such as Gatorade® Thirst Quencher.

Electromyogram test to check nerve function.

Inflammation in the elbow due to overuse of either the flexor or extensor muscles attaching to the medial or lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Study of the causes of injury and disease.

Turning outward.

Motion of straightening a joint.

A muscle which upon contraction results in straightening a joint.

Lateral movement of a joint or extremity to the outside.

From without.

A connective tissue sheath consisting of fibrous tissue and fat which unites the skin to the underlying tissues.

Thigh bone.

The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg, located to the outside.

The ability of muscle to relax and yield to stretch force.

A general term used to describe exercise performed by a person to passively or actively elongate soft tissues without the assistance of a therapist.

Bending a joint, as in flexing the arm or leg.

A muscle which upon contraction flexes or bends.

Breach in continuity of a bone.

Types of fractures include simple, compound, comminuted, greenstick, incomplete, impacted, longitudinal, oblique, stress or transverse.

Tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpo-phangeal joint of the thumb.

The shoulder socket, containing the glenoid, the humeral head and the labrum.

A cavity of the scapula into which the head of the humerus fits to the form of the shoulder joint (the shoulder socket).

Junction of the thigh and abdomen.

Muscle running from the buttocks to behind the knee. Often injured as a result of improper conditioning or lack of muscle flexibility. Muscle responsible for flexing the knee joint.

Condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that overwhelms the body's mechanisms for release of heat.

Mild form of shock caused by loss of fluid and electrolytes from the circulation because of excessive sweating when exposed to heat.

Painful muscle spasms of arms or legs, likely caused by depletion of fluids and electrolytes.

A tumor-like mass produced by an accumulation of coagulated blood in a cavity.

Contusion to the iliac crest.

Bone of the upper arm.

Extreme extension, or straightening, of a limb or body part.

A thick, wide facial layer from the iliac crest to the knee joint.

Pinching together of the supraspinatus muscle and other soft tissue in the shoulder, which is common in throwing.

Lower, beneath, toward the bottom.

Uniting membrane between the tibia and fibula that forms a collagenous fibrous tissue. It has two functions: to serve as an origin for many of the muscles of the lower leg, and to transmit stress from the tibia to the fibula.

Inherent or inside.

A form of active resistive exercise in which the speed of movement of the limb is controlled by a pre-set rate-limiting device, such as Cybex, Biodex, etc.

A muscle contraction in which tension is developed but no mechanical work is done. There is no appreciable joint movement and the overall length of the muscle remains the same.

A constant speed and consistent resistance exercise.

A concentric or eccentric muscular contraction that results in movement of a joint or body part (lifting a free weight).

Suffix connoting inflammation (e.g. tendinitis, bursitis).

Passive traction and/or gliding movements applied to joint surfaces that maintain or restore the joint play normally allowed by the capsule, so that the normal roll-slide joint mechanic can occur as a person moves.

To the outside of the body.

Ligament of knee attaching lateral femoral condyle to the fibula head. It provides lateral stability to the knee.

Wound, injury or tumor.

Band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone or bone to cartilage and supports and strengthens joints.

Region of low back comprised of lumbar and sacral spine.

Provides highly detailed pictures of the body's interior, using magnetic fields. It is especially useful in athletic injuries to visualize soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons.

Rounded projection on either side of the ankle joint.

A passive movement using physiological or accessory motion, which may be applied with a thrust or when the patient is under anesthesia.

The maximal volume of oxygen consumed per unit of time.

Pertaining to or near the middle.

Ligament of knee attaching to medial femoral condyle and to medial tibia. It provides medial stability to the knee.

Crescent shaped cartilage usually pertaining to the knee joint.

An intra-articular procedure at the knee by which meniscus (fibrocartilage) is removed surgically.

Five long bones of hand, just below the fingers.

Five long bones of foot, just below the toes.

Passive stretching movements performed by a therapist at a speed slow enough that a patient can stop the movement.

An illness or an abnormal condition or quality.

Inflammation of a muscle.

Inflammation in muscle resulting in the formation of bone-like substance.

National Athletic Trainers' Association. The certifying and governing body of the athletic training profession, as approved by the National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies.

Relating to death of a portion of tissue.

Inflammation of a nerve.

Any devise applied to or around the body in the care of physical impairment or disability, commonly used to control foot mechanics.

A piece of bone and/or cartilage loosened from its attachment after trauma and a cause of a lesion.

An inflammatory disease of bone caused usually by infection with streptococcus or staphylococcus.

Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society; governing body of athletic trainers employed by National Football League teams.

Sensation of numbness or tingling, indicating nerve irritation.

The kneecap.

Inflammation of the patella tendon.

Study of the nature and cause of disease.

Chest muscles beneath breast, leading up to shoulder.

Muscles of the lateral lower leg responsible for everting the foot.

Inflammation of a vein.

Pertaining to the sole of the foot.

The tight band of muscle an connective tissue beneath the arch of the foot.

A fold of tissue in the joint capsule and a common result of knee injury.

An approach to therapeutic exercise based on the principles of functional human anatomy and neurophysiology.

At the back part, or rear of the body.

Ligament of the knee attaching to posterior tibial plateau and anterior lateral aspect of femoral condyle. It provides stability in keeping the lower leg from going backward.

An approach to exercise whereby the load or resistance to the muscle is applied by some mechanical means and is quantitatively and progressively increased over time.

Moving of the forearm into a palm down position.

Near the source, nearest any point being described.

The four powerful muscles in the front of the thigh, responsible for extending the knee joint.

Taking of x-rays.

Forearm bone on thumb side.

Surgical rebuilding of an injured joint.

Pain felt in undamaged area of body away from actual injury.

Restoration of body fluids.

To cut off, or cut out, a portion of a structure or organ.

The moving of tissue to expose a part or structure of the body.

Comprised of four muscles in the shoulder area: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Often irritated by overuse.

Sternoclavicular joint; articulation between the sternum and the clavicle.

Relating to the juncture of the hip bone and lower part of the spine.

Injection of radioactive fluid (equal in radioactivity to about one x-ray) which may then be displayed on a computer/monitor or film (e.g. bone scan).

The shoulder blade.

Largest nerve in body located in back of leg which controls most of its function.

Lies within and adds strength to tendons as they cover bony surface.

The most commonly know is the kneecap.

A catch-all syndrome describing pain either in the front of the lower leg or on the inner aspect of the leg.

Refers to a sprain of the A-C joint where the tip of the clavicle may be elevated from its normal position of attachment on the acromion process.

Sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a muscle.

Large, solid organ responsible for the normal production and destruction of blood cells.

Inflammation of one or more vertebrae.

Forward displacement of one lumbar vertebra.

Abnormal vertebrael fixation or immobility.

A joint injury. A violent twisting, stretching, pulling or tearing of a ligament.

A stretching but no tear of a ligament. Athlete may be able to continue to play or usually return to play in a few days.

A partial tear of a ligament. Bracing may be required.

Athlete will usually miss one to four weeks.

A complete tear of a ligament. Depending upon ligament involved, bracing or even surgery may be required. Athlete is usually out from three weeks up to 12 months depending upon course of treatment.

Common term for brachial plexus trauma in the neck.

A muscle injury. The stretching, pulling or twisting of a muscle or tendon.

A stretching but no tear of a muscle or tendon. Athlete may be able to continue to play or usually return to play in a few days.

A partial tear of a muscle or tendon. Athlete will usually miss one to four weeks.

A complete tear of a muscle or tendon. Depending upon muscle or tendon involved, surgery may be required. Athlete is usually out from six weeks up to six months.

A continual x-ray taken when a portion of the body is stressed to its maximum to see if the ligaments are intact.

A hair-line type of break in bone caused by overuse.

Any therapeutic maneuver designed to lengthen (elongate) pathologically shortened soft-tissue structures and thereby increase range of motion.

Partial dislocation of a joint. Term usually implies that joint can return to normal position without formal reduction.

In anatomy, the upper of the two parts; toward the top or above.

Moving the forearm into a palm-up position.

Lubricating fluid for joints and tendons, produced in synovium, or inner lining of joint.

The ankle bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula.

A pre-determined heart rate to be obtained during exercise when circulation is working at full efficient capacity.

Arch of foot.

Inflammation of the tendon and/or tendon sheath, often caused by chronic overuse and/or sudden injury.

Fibrous tissue that connects muscles to other structures.

General term for lateral elbow pain.

Larger of the two bones in lower leg; weight-bearing bone.

A special type of x-ray apparatus that demonstrates the organ or tissue is a particular depth.

The windpipe.

A flat triangular muscle covering the posterior surface of the neck and shoulder.

Muscle of the posterior upper arm, opposite the biceps, that extends the elbow.

Sprain of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the great toe.

Abrasion resulting from contact with artificial turf in which one or more layers of skin are removed.

One of two bones in forearm; extends from point of elbow and found on outer (little finger) side.

Nerve in the elbow commonly irritated from excessive throwing or repeated trauma.

Angulation outward and away from the midline of the body.

Angulation inward and toward the midline of the body.

The junction between the two forearm bones (radius and ulna) and the eight wrist bones (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate, pisiform, triquetral, lunate and scaphoid).