GaryMrMets
03-07-2002, 09:49 PM
Baseball may not seem like a scientific sport, but science comes into play in many aspects of the game. There are injuries and injury rehabilitation (medical science); groundskeeping and fertilizing (chemistry), and baseball and bat speed/trajectory (physics).
We'll begin this science lesson with explanations of injuries and treatments that Certified Athletic Trainers and doctors use to keep our favorite baseball players healthy and able to perform every day.
Below is a list of medical terminology.
Abrasion: Any injury which rubs off the surface of the skin.
AC Joint: Acromioclavicular joint; joint of the shoulder where most shoulder separations occur.
Aerobic: Exercise in which energy needed is supplied by oxygen inspired and is required for sustained periods of vigorous exercise with a continually high pulse rate.
Anaerobic: Exercise without the use of oxygen as an energy source; short bursts of vigorous exercise.
Anterior: In front of; the front surface of.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): A primary stabilizing ligament within the center of the knee joint that prevents hyperextension and excessive rotation of the joint. A complete tear of the ACL necessitating reconstruction could require up to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Arteriogram: A film demonstrating arteries after injection of a dye.
Arthrogram: X-ray technique for joints using air and/or dye injected into the affected area; useful in diagnosing meniscus tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.
Arthroscope: An instrument used to visualize the interior of a joint cavity.
Arthroscopy: A surgical examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of viewing through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the extent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
Bone Scan: An imaging procedure in which a radioactive substance is injected into the body to determine the status of a bone injury. If the radioactive substance is taken up by the bone at the injury site, the injury will show as a hot spot on the scan. The bone scan is particularly useful in the diagnosis of stress fractures.
Bursa: A fluid-filled sac that is located in areas where friction is likely to occur, then minimizes the friction; for example between a tendon and bone.
C.P.R.: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; artificial establishment of circulation of blood and movement of air into the lungs in a pulseless, non-breathing person.
Calf: Large muscle located at the back of the shin that connected to the heel by the Achilles tendon. This is responsible for foot plantarflexion (pointing your toe) and is instrumental in jumping.
Capsule: An enclosing structure which surrounds the joint and contains ligaments which stabilize that joint.
Cartilage: Smooth, slippery substance preventing two ends of bones from rubbing together.
Cat Scan: Use of a computer to produce a cross-sectional view of the anatomical part being investigated from x-ray data.
Charley Horse: A contusion or bruise to any muscle resulting in intermuscular bleeding
Clavicle: The collar bone.
Collateral ligament: On either side of a hinge joint, as of the elbow, knee and wrist.
Concussion: Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfunction. It can be graded as mild, moderate or severe depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.
Contusion: An injury to muscle and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object.
Dehydration: Loss of body water.
Deltoid ligament: Ligament that connects the tibia to bones of the medial aspect of the foot and is primarily responsible for stability of the ankle on the medial side. Is sprained less frequently than other ankle ligaments.
Deltoid muscle: Muscles at the top of the arm, just below the shoulder, responsible for shoulder motions to the front, side and back.
Dislocation: Complete displacement of joint surfaces.
Edema: Accumulation of fluid in organs and tissues of the body; swelling.
Electromyogram (EMG): Test to determine nerve function.
Ethyl Chloride: "Cold spray," a chemical coolant sprayed onto an injury to produce a local, mild anesthesia.
Etiology: The study of the cause of injury and disease.
Femur: Thigh bone; largest bone in the body.
Fibula: Smaller of the two bones in the lower leg; runs from the knee to the ankle along the outside of the lower leg.
Fracture: Breach in continuity of a bone. Types of fractures include simple, compound, comminuted, greenstick, incomplete, impacted, longitudinal, oblique, stress or transverse.
Groin: Junction of the thigh and abdomen; locations of muscles that rotate, flex and adduct the hip.
Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms of the arms or legs caused by excessive body heat and depletion of fluids and electrolytes.
Heat exhaustion: Mild form of shock due to dehydration because of excessive sweating when exposed to heat and humidity.
Heat stroke: Condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that overwhelmes the body's mechanisms for release of heat resulting in death if not cared for.
Hamstring: Muscle that runs from the buttocks to the knee along the back of the thigh. It functions to flex the knee, and is often times injured as a result of improper conditioning or lack of muscle flexibility.
Humerus: Bone of the upper arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.
Impingement Syndrome: Pinching together of the supraspinatus muscle and other soft tissue in the shoulder. The most common throwing arm injury.
Inferior: Anatomically beneath, lower, or toward the bottom.
Inflammation: The body's natural response to injury in which the site might display various degrees of pain, swelling, heat, redness and/or loss of function.
Isokinetic exercise: Form of active resistive exercise in which the speed of limb movement is controlled by a pre-set limiting machine.
Lateral: To the outside of the body.
Ligament: Band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone or bone to cartilage and supports and strengthens joints.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Imaging procedure in which a radio frequency pulse causes certain electrical elements of the injured tissue to react to this pulse and through this process a computer display and permanent film establish a visual image. MRI does not require radiation and is very useful in the diagnosis of soft tissue, disc, and meniscus injuries.
Medial: To the inside of the body.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Ligament of knee along the medial aspect that connects the femur to the joint.
Meniscus: Cresent-shaped cartilage, usually pertaining to the knee joint. Absorbs weight and provides stability.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Orthotic: Any device applied to or around the body in the care of physical impairment; commonly used to control foot mechanics.
Patella: The kneecap.
Plica: Fold of tissue in the joint capsule and a common result of knee injury.
Posterior: At the back part, or rear, of the body.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament: A primary stabilizing ligament of the knee that provides significant stability and prevents displacement of the tibia backward within the knee joint.
Quadrecep Muscles: A group of four muscles of the front thigh that run from the hip and form a common tendon at the patella; responsible for knee extension.
Radiography: Taking of x-rays.
Rotator Cuff: Comprised of four muscles in the shoulder area that can be irritated by overuse.
Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: A microtrauma or overuse injury caused by stress.
Sciatic Nerve: Major nerve that carries impulses for muscular action and sensations between the low back and thigh and lower leg; it is the longest nerve in the body.
Shin Splint: A catch-all syndrome describing pain in the shin that is not a fracture or tumor and cannot be defined otherwise.
Sprain: Injury resulting form the stretch or twist of the joint and causes various degrees of stretch or tear of a ligament or other soft tissue at the joint.
Strain: Injury resulting from a pull or torsion to the muscle or tendon that causes various degrees of stretch or tear to the muscle or tendon tissue.
Stress Fracture: A hairline type of break in a bone caused by overuse.
Superior: In anatomy, the upper of two parts; toward the top or above.
Target heart rate: A pre-determined pulse to be obtained during exercise when circulation is working at full efficient capacities.
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon and/or tendon sheath, caused by chronic overuse or sudden injury.
Tendon: Tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Tennis elbow: General term for lateral elbow strain.
Tibia: Larger of the two bones of the lower leg and is the weight-bearing bone of the shin.
Ulnar Nerve: Nerve in the elbow commonly irritated from excessive throwing.
"Wind knocked out": Syndrome describing a contraction of the abdominal nerve trunk, the solar plexus, as a result of an abdominal contusion.
We'll begin this science lesson with explanations of injuries and treatments that Certified Athletic Trainers and doctors use to keep our favorite baseball players healthy and able to perform every day.
Below is a list of medical terminology.
Abrasion: Any injury which rubs off the surface of the skin.
AC Joint: Acromioclavicular joint; joint of the shoulder where most shoulder separations occur.
Aerobic: Exercise in which energy needed is supplied by oxygen inspired and is required for sustained periods of vigorous exercise with a continually high pulse rate.
Anaerobic: Exercise without the use of oxygen as an energy source; short bursts of vigorous exercise.
Anterior: In front of; the front surface of.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): A primary stabilizing ligament within the center of the knee joint that prevents hyperextension and excessive rotation of the joint. A complete tear of the ACL necessitating reconstruction could require up to 12 months of rehabilitation.
Arteriogram: A film demonstrating arteries after injection of a dye.
Arthrogram: X-ray technique for joints using air and/or dye injected into the affected area; useful in diagnosing meniscus tears of the knee and rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.
Arthroscope: An instrument used to visualize the interior of a joint cavity.
Arthroscopy: A surgical examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of viewing through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the extent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
Bone Scan: An imaging procedure in which a radioactive substance is injected into the body to determine the status of a bone injury. If the radioactive substance is taken up by the bone at the injury site, the injury will show as a hot spot on the scan. The bone scan is particularly useful in the diagnosis of stress fractures.
Bursa: A fluid-filled sac that is located in areas where friction is likely to occur, then minimizes the friction; for example between a tendon and bone.
C.P.R.: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; artificial establishment of circulation of blood and movement of air into the lungs in a pulseless, non-breathing person.
Calf: Large muscle located at the back of the shin that connected to the heel by the Achilles tendon. This is responsible for foot plantarflexion (pointing your toe) and is instrumental in jumping.
Capsule: An enclosing structure which surrounds the joint and contains ligaments which stabilize that joint.
Cartilage: Smooth, slippery substance preventing two ends of bones from rubbing together.
Cat Scan: Use of a computer to produce a cross-sectional view of the anatomical part being investigated from x-ray data.
Charley Horse: A contusion or bruise to any muscle resulting in intermuscular bleeding
Clavicle: The collar bone.
Collateral ligament: On either side of a hinge joint, as of the elbow, knee and wrist.
Concussion: Jarring injury of the brain resulting in dysfunction. It can be graded as mild, moderate or severe depending on loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium.
Contusion: An injury to muscle and tissues caused by a blow from a blunt object.
Dehydration: Loss of body water.
Deltoid ligament: Ligament that connects the tibia to bones of the medial aspect of the foot and is primarily responsible for stability of the ankle on the medial side. Is sprained less frequently than other ankle ligaments.
Deltoid muscle: Muscles at the top of the arm, just below the shoulder, responsible for shoulder motions to the front, side and back.
Dislocation: Complete displacement of joint surfaces.
Edema: Accumulation of fluid in organs and tissues of the body; swelling.
Electromyogram (EMG): Test to determine nerve function.
Ethyl Chloride: "Cold spray," a chemical coolant sprayed onto an injury to produce a local, mild anesthesia.
Etiology: The study of the cause of injury and disease.
Femur: Thigh bone; largest bone in the body.
Fibula: Smaller of the two bones in the lower leg; runs from the knee to the ankle along the outside of the lower leg.
Fracture: Breach in continuity of a bone. Types of fractures include simple, compound, comminuted, greenstick, incomplete, impacted, longitudinal, oblique, stress or transverse.
Groin: Junction of the thigh and abdomen; locations of muscles that rotate, flex and adduct the hip.
Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms of the arms or legs caused by excessive body heat and depletion of fluids and electrolytes.
Heat exhaustion: Mild form of shock due to dehydration because of excessive sweating when exposed to heat and humidity.
Heat stroke: Condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that overwhelmes the body's mechanisms for release of heat resulting in death if not cared for.
Hamstring: Muscle that runs from the buttocks to the knee along the back of the thigh. It functions to flex the knee, and is often times injured as a result of improper conditioning or lack of muscle flexibility.
Humerus: Bone of the upper arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.
Impingement Syndrome: Pinching together of the supraspinatus muscle and other soft tissue in the shoulder. The most common throwing arm injury.
Inferior: Anatomically beneath, lower, or toward the bottom.
Inflammation: The body's natural response to injury in which the site might display various degrees of pain, swelling, heat, redness and/or loss of function.
Isokinetic exercise: Form of active resistive exercise in which the speed of limb movement is controlled by a pre-set limiting machine.
Lateral: To the outside of the body.
Ligament: Band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone or bone to cartilage and supports and strengthens joints.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Imaging procedure in which a radio frequency pulse causes certain electrical elements of the injured tissue to react to this pulse and through this process a computer display and permanent film establish a visual image. MRI does not require radiation and is very useful in the diagnosis of soft tissue, disc, and meniscus injuries.
Medial: To the inside of the body.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Ligament of knee along the medial aspect that connects the femur to the joint.
Meniscus: Cresent-shaped cartilage, usually pertaining to the knee joint. Absorbs weight and provides stability.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Orthotic: Any device applied to or around the body in the care of physical impairment; commonly used to control foot mechanics.
Patella: The kneecap.
Plica: Fold of tissue in the joint capsule and a common result of knee injury.
Posterior: At the back part, or rear, of the body.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament: A primary stabilizing ligament of the knee that provides significant stability and prevents displacement of the tibia backward within the knee joint.
Quadrecep Muscles: A group of four muscles of the front thigh that run from the hip and form a common tendon at the patella; responsible for knee extension.
Radiography: Taking of x-rays.
Rotator Cuff: Comprised of four muscles in the shoulder area that can be irritated by overuse.
Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: A microtrauma or overuse injury caused by stress.
Sciatic Nerve: Major nerve that carries impulses for muscular action and sensations between the low back and thigh and lower leg; it is the longest nerve in the body.
Shin Splint: A catch-all syndrome describing pain in the shin that is not a fracture or tumor and cannot be defined otherwise.
Sprain: Injury resulting form the stretch or twist of the joint and causes various degrees of stretch or tear of a ligament or other soft tissue at the joint.
Strain: Injury resulting from a pull or torsion to the muscle or tendon that causes various degrees of stretch or tear to the muscle or tendon tissue.
Stress Fracture: A hairline type of break in a bone caused by overuse.
Superior: In anatomy, the upper of two parts; toward the top or above.
Target heart rate: A pre-determined pulse to be obtained during exercise when circulation is working at full efficient capacities.
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon and/or tendon sheath, caused by chronic overuse or sudden injury.
Tendon: Tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Tennis elbow: General term for lateral elbow strain.
Tibia: Larger of the two bones of the lower leg and is the weight-bearing bone of the shin.
Ulnar Nerve: Nerve in the elbow commonly irritated from excessive throwing.
"Wind knocked out": Syndrome describing a contraction of the abdominal nerve trunk, the solar plexus, as a result of an abdominal contusion.