70 Introduction to Medical Terminology
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Diseases and Conditions
Perhaps you or someone you know has experienced carpal tunnel
syndrome, uses a wheelchair due to paralysis, or has been diagnosed
with a chronic disease such as muscular dystrophy. In this section, you
will learn about common characteristics of diseases and conditions that
affect the muscular system.
Disease/Condition Defi nition
adhesion
ad-HEE-zhun
Normally, the formation of a fi brous
band of tissue that holds two parts or
surfaces together, as in the healing of
a wound. In a disease condition, the
formation of a fi brous band of tissue
that holds two surfaces together due to
infl ammation or trauma (Figure 3.6).
ataxia
uh-TAKS-see-uh
a- = without
tax/o = coordination
-ia = condition
Inability to coordinate voluntary
muscle activity; characterized by shaky,
unsteady movements.
atrophy
AT-troh-fee
a- = without
-trophy = condition of
growth or development
Wasting away or shrinkage of muscle
size.
Figure 3.6 Abdominal adhesion. Endoscopic view of a patient’s abdomen
with adhesions between the omentum (bottom left) and the abdominal wall
(top). The omentum is a membranous sac that hangs down from the stomach,
covering the intestines. Adhesions are growths of fi brous (scar) connective
tissue formed as a response to tissue trauma. They often result from
abdominal surgery. If the adhesions cause severe pain or obstruct part of the
bowel, they are removed surgically.