Abduction: movement of a body segment away from the midline of the body or body part to which it is attached.
Adduction: movement of a body segment or segment combination toward the midline of the body or body part to which it is attached.
Ambulant: moving about, walking.
Ambulant disabled: physically disabled individual still capable of moving about but with difficulty and insecurity, using canes, walkers, and other aids.
Anthropometry: the science of dealing with measurement of the human body to determine differences in individuals, groups, etc.
Average: the numerical result obtained by dividing the sum of two or more quantities by the number of quantities; an arithmetical mean.
Ball and socket joint: joints such as the hip and shoulder that permit rotation as well as movement in all planes.
Biomechanics: the application of the principles and techniques of mechanics to the structure, functions, and capabilities of living organisms.
Body buffer zone: an area of personal space that appears to surround every individual.
Body linkage system: a concept used when describing body motion that views the body as having a system of links, which theoretically are pure straight line distances between centers of joint rotation.
Center of gravity: that point in a body or system around which its weight is evenly distributed or balanced and may be assumed to act.
Column dragrams: see histogram.
Dynamic dimension: see functional dimension.
Dysfunction: abnormal, impaired, or incomplete functioning, as of a body organ or part.
Ergonomics: the study of the problems of people in adjusting to their environment; the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker.
Ethnicity: ethnic classification or affiliation.
Eversion: rotation of the foot, which involves lifting the lateral border to turn the sole or plantar surface outward.
Extension: straightening or increasing the angle between the parts of the body, generally defined as the return from flexion. When a joint is extended beyond the normal range of its movement, the movement becomes known as “hyperextension.”
Flexion: bending or decreasing the angle between the parts of the body.
Functional dimension: body dimensions taken with the body in various working positions; formerly referred to as “dynamic” dimensions.
Gait: manner of moving on foot; way of walking or running.
Goniometer: an instrument for measuring angles.
Hinge joint: joints permitting wide range of movement in only one direction.
Histogram: a graphic representation of a frequency or relative frequency distribution, consisting of vertical rectangles whose widths correspond to a definite range of frequencies and whose heights correspond to the number of frequencies occurring within the range.
Inversion: lifting the medial border of the foot to turn the sole inward.
Ischemia: a lack of blood supply in an organ or tissue.
Ischial tuberosity: the rounded portion of the bone on which the body rests when sitting.
Kinesiology: the science or study of human muscular movements.
Kyphosis: increased curvature of the thoracic spine.
Lateral rotation: turning away from the midline of the body.
Lordosis: curvature of the spine producing a hollow in the back.
Lumbar: designating or of the vertebrae, nerves, arteries, etc., in the part of the body just below the thoracic part.
Medial rotation: turning toward the midline of the body.
Median: the value in the middle range when a number of values are arranged in numerical order; the value located at a point where as many values fall below it as above it.
Metrication: the process of changing over to the metric system of weights and measures.
Metrology: the science of weights and measures.
Patella: kneecap.
Percentile: any of the values in a series when the distribution of the individuals in the series is divided into 100 groups of equal frequency.
Popliteal height: distance measured vertically from the floor to the underside of the portion of the thigh just behind the knee while the subject is seated with body erect.
Pronation: rotating the forearm so that the palm faces downward.
Secular change: human variation in body size, rate of growth, and development occurring from generation to generation over time.
Static dimension: See structural dimension.
Stature: vertical distance from the floor to the top of the head.
Structural dimension: dimensions which are taken with the body of the subject in fixed, standardized positions; formerly referred to as “static” dimensions.
Supination: rotating the forearm so that the palm faces upward.
Tabular: arranged in a table or tabulated scheme.
Taxonomy: the science of classification.
Torso: the trunk of the human body.
Visual angle: the angle subtended at the eye by the viewed object.