BodyWiki · A–Z index
Entries starting with F
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Facet jointFacet joints are small joints at the back of the vertebrae where the bones above and below meet. They are also called zygapophyseal joints.Facet joint hypertrophyFacet joint hypertrophy is a change in which the facet joints—the small joints at the back of the spine—gradually enlarge after years of supporting the bodFacial asymmetryFacial asymmetry means that the contours, size, or position of facial features differ slightly between the left and right sides.Facial expression releaseFacial expression release is a myofascial release technique that uses a very light touch to gently rotate and release the facial tissues involved in expresFacial nerve palsyFacial nerve palsy is a condition in which a problem with the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve), which controls facial muscles, causes one side of tFacilitated segmentA facilitated segment is an osteopathic concept in which a segment of the spinal cord remains more easily excited than usual, and the muscles and organs suFADIR testThe FADIR test is a movement test that checks whether flexing the hip (Flexion), bringing it toward the body’s midline (ADduction), and turning it inward (Fall prevention exercisesFall prevention exercises reduce the likelihood of falling through consistent repetition of movements that appropriately challenge balance and leg strengthFallsA fall is an event in which someone unintentionally loses their balance and falls to the ground or a lower level.FartlekFartlek is a training method in which you freely change your speed as you run.FasciaFascia is a thin, tough connective tissue that surrounds and connects muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs.Fascia lataThe fascia lata is a thick, tough sheet of connective tissue that wraps around the entire thigh like a stocking.Fascial densificationDensification is a concept describing a state in which the gel-like substance filling the spaces between fascial layers becomes more viscous, preventing thFascial elastic recoilFascial elastic recoil is the process by which tendons and fascia stretch like springs to store energy, then shorten again to return that energy to movemenFascial glidingFascial gliding is the smooth sliding movement between layers of fascia, or between fascia and muscle, as they shift relative to one another.Fascial ManipulationFascial Manipulation is a hands-on technique developed by Italian physical therapist Luigi Stecco.Fascial plasticityFascial plasticity is a perspective that views fascia not simply as a piece of fabric that stretches and shortens, but as living tissue that regulates its Fat-free massFat-free mass is the weight left after subtracting fat from your total body weight.Fear of fallingFear of falling is a state in which excessive worry and fear about falling lead people to limit their own activities.Fear-avoidance modelThe fear-avoidance model is a psychological model of pain that describes how avoiding activity because “moving might hurt more or cause an injury” can actuFeedforward controlFeedforward control is a form of motor control in which the body anticipates the outcome of a movement and activates the necessary muscles before the movemFeldenkrais MethodThe Feldenkrais Method is a movement-learning approach that helps people discover more comfortable ways to use their bodies by paying attention to small, sFemoral arteryThe femoral artery is a large artery that begins where the external iliac artery, descending from the abdomen, passes through the groin and enters the thigFemoral headThe femoral head is the rounded, ball-shaped part at the upper end of the thigh bone (femur).Femoral internal rotation and adductionFemoral internal rotation and adduction refers to two movements occurring together: the thigh bone rotates inward at the hip joint (internal rotation) and Femoral neck stress fractureA femoral neck stress fracture is a tiny fracture caused by repeated loading, such as running or marching, at the neck of the thigh bone (femur), where it Femoral nerveThe femoral nerve is a large nerve that emerges from the lower back (L2–L4) and travels down the front of the thigh.Femoral nerve entrapmentFemoral nerve entrapment occurs when the femoral nerve, which travels from the pelvis down into the thigh, is compressed or irritated in the groin.Femoroacetabular impingementFemoroacetabular impingement is a condition in which the head of the thigh bone and the pelvic socket (acetabulum) catch against each other when you bend oFemurThe femur is the thighbone connecting the pelvis and knee, and it is the longest and strongest bone in the body.FibroblastFibroblasts are cells within connective tissues such as fascia, tendons, ligaments, and skin that produce collagen, elastic fibers, and the gel-like groundFibrocartilageFibrocartilage is firm cartilage densely packed with tough collagen fibers. It is found in places that need to withstand both compression and tension.FibromatosisFibromatosis is an umbrella term for soft tissue lesions in which fiber-producing cells multiply excessively, forming firm lumps or bands.FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition involving widespread pain lasting more than 3 months, along with fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and difficulty conceFibrosisFibrosis is a process in which fibrous components such as collagen accumulate excessively in injured tissue or tissue with prolonged inflammation, turning FibrositisFibrositis is an older name for a condition involving stiffness and tenderness when pressing on muscles and the surrounding tissues.FibulaThe fibula is a long, slender bone that runs alongside the tibia on the outer side of the lower leg.Fibularis longus and brevisFibularis longus and brevis are two muscles that lie alongside each other on the outer side of the lower leg.Fight-or-flight responseThe fight-or-flight response is an automatic reaction that prepares your body to “fight or flee” the moment you perceive a threat.Filum terminaleThe filum terminale is a slender fibrous cord that extends from the very bottom of the spinal cord to the Coccyx.Finger collateral ligament sprainThis is a stretch or tear of a ligament along the side of a finger joint, caused by the finger bending sideways while receiving a ball.Finger growth plate stress injury in adolescent climbersFinger growth plate stress injury in adolescent climbers develops when repeated loading accumulates at the growth plate of the middle phalanx in climbers wFinger joint crackingThe “pop” you hear when bending or pulling a finger comes from a physical process in which bubbles form and collapse in the lubricating fluid inside the joFinger joint swellingThis is when the finger joints become thicker or look swollen.Finger stiffnessFinger stiffness is a feeling of tightness or resistance when your fingers do not bend or straighten smoothly.FingersThe fingers are intricate structures made up of segments of bone and joints connected to the metacarpal bones, tendons that move them, and ligaments that sFinkelstein testThe Finkelstein test is widely used to check for De Quervain tenosynovitis when there is pain on the thumb side of the wrist.First carpometacarpal jointThe first carpometacarpal joint sits at the base of the thumb, near the wrist.First ray of the footThe first ray is the name for the big toe, the first metatarsal behind it, and the medial cuneiform, considered together as a single column.First spinning class syndromeFirst spinning class syndrome refers to severe thigh pain and swelling after an indoor group cycling class in people attending for the first time or returnFitts and Posner three-stage modelThe Fitts and Posner three-stage model is a widely used framework in Motor learning that divides the process of learning a new movement into three stages: Five Animal FrolicsFive Animal Frolics is a traditional Chinese qigong practice that loosens the body and steadies the breath by imitating the movements of five animals: the Five phasesThe five phases are an ancient Chinese framework that classifies all phenomena in the world into five qualities—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—and vieFixator muscleA fixator muscle holds the bone or joint to which an agonist attaches firmly in place so that the agonist can generate force effectively.Flank stiffnessFlank stiffness is a stiff, pulling feeling along the side of your lower back or below your ribs.Flat-back postureFlat-back posture is a postural type in which the forward curve of the lower back (lumbar lordosis) is reduced, making the back through the lower back lookFlatfootFlatfoot is a foot shape in which the concave arch along the inside of the foot is low, allowing more of the sole to touch the ground.FlexibilityFlexibility describes how far soft tissues such as muscles and tendons can stretch under an external force.Flexibility changes during growthDuring periods of rapid height growth, bones lengthen first, and muscles and tendons adapt afterward, so the body may feel stiffer than usual.Flexible flatfoot in childrenFlexible flatfoot in children is a foot shape in which the inner arch looks low when standing but reappears when the child stands on tiptoe or sits withoutFlexionFlexion is a movement that decreases the angle between the two bones forming a joint.Flexion intoleranceFlexion intolerance describes a pattern in which low back discomfort increases when bending the trunk forward.Flexor carpi radialisThe flexor carpi radialis is a muscle that starts on the inner side of the forearm and runs down toward the thumb side of the wrist.Flexor carpi ulnarisThe flexor carpi ulnaris runs down the inner forearm, bending the wrist toward the palm and tilting it toward the little finger.Flexor digitorum longusThe flexor digitorum longus begins deep in the back of the lower leg, curves behind the inner ankle bone, and passes through the sole to attach to the tipsFlexor digitorum profundusThe flexor digitorum profundus begins deep in the forearm and extends to the distal phalanges of the second through fifth fingers.Flexor digitorum superficialisThe flexor digitorum superficialis is a muscle that runs from the front of the forearm to the middle phalanges of the second through fifth fingers.Flexor pollicis longusThe flexor pollicis longus runs from deep in the front of the forearm to the tip segment of the thumb and bends the thumb’s end joint.Flexor tenosynovitis in climbersFlexor tenosynovitis in climbers is a stiff, painful condition in which repeated loading irritates the tendons that bend the fingers and the tendon sheathsFlip-flops and slippersFlip-flops are lightweight shoes that hold the foot against the sole with a strap between the big toe and second toe.Flotation therapyFlotation therapy is a relaxation method in which you lie in salt water close to body temperature, floating effortlessly as you rest for about an hour in aFluid balance and edemaLegs often swell in the evening because fluid pools in the lower legs during long periods of standing or sitting.Fluid retention and edema during pregnancyDuring pregnancy, your body retains water more readily than usual, so swollen feet and tingling hands in the evening become common.Flywheel trainingFlywheel training is a form of exercise in which you spin a rotating disc connected to a cord, using the disc’s rotational inertia as resistance.Foam rollingFoam rolling is a way to loosen your muscles yourself by placing your body on a cylindrical foam roller and rolling over it using your body weight.Folk remediesFolk remedies are health practices learned through experience in homes and villages and passed down through generations.Foot archThe foot arch is the concave curve formed by the slightly raised inner part of the sole.Foot core paradigmThe foot core paradigm views the foot not simply as a collection of bones and ligaments, but as a system whose components work together, much like the bodyFoot dropFoot drop describes a pattern in which weakness in lifting the ankle upward causes the toes to droop and catch on the ground while walking.Foot reflexologyFoot reflexology is a form of foot care that views the soles and tops of the feet as a 'map of the body' and uses thumb pressure to work on specific pointsFoot strike patternFoot strike pattern describes which part of your foot touches the ground first when you run.Footballer's ankleFootballer's ankle is a condition in which bending the ankle deeply forward causes a pinching pain or catching sensation at the front of the ankle.Foramen magnumThe foramen magnum is the largest opening at the base of the skull and forms the passage connecting the brain and spinal cord.Force plateA force plate is a plate-shaped measurement device that records the forces a person applies to the ground at very short intervals while standing, jumping, Force transmission between antagonistic musclesForce transmission between antagonistic muscles is the concept that forces pass through fascia even between muscles that move in opposite directions.Force–velocity curveThe force–velocity curve is a graph showing that when a muscle produces force while shortening, the faster it shortens, the less force it can produce.ForearmThe forearm is the region between the elbow and wrist, known anatomically as the antebrachium.Forearm muscle knotsForearm muscle knots are areas of hardened, tight, aching muscle in the forearm that develop after heavy use of the wrists and fingers.Forearm musclesForearm muscles is the collective name for the many muscles in the lower arm, between the elbow and wrist.Forefoot width and toe boxHow well a shoe fits depends as much on forefoot width and the toe box as it does on length.FormicationThis is the sensation of tiny insects, such as ants, slowly crawling on or under your skin.Forward head postureForward head posture describes a position in which the head sits forward of the centerline of the shoulders when viewed from the side.Fracture nonunionFracture nonunion is a condition in which the process of a broken bone joining back together has stopped and is no longer progressing.Fracture-dislocationA fracture-dislocation is an injury in which a fracture, or broken bone, and a dislocation, or displacement of a joint, occur together at the same site.Fragility fractureA fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a minor impact, such as slipping or falling from standing height.FrailtyFrailty is a state in which reserves across several body systems decline together with age, making recovery slower even after minor stresses such as infectFrank LowenFrank Lowen is an American manual therapy educator and one of the early instructors to teach visceral manipulation in North America.Franklin MethodThe Franklin Method is an approach to movement education that teaches movement by having you picture how bones, muscles, and joints actually move.Fred L. Mitchell SrFred Mitchell Sr. was an American osteopathic physician who established the framework for muscle energy technique, in which the person receiving treatment Freddy KaltenbornFreddy Kaltenborn was a Norwegian physical therapist who developed the Kaltenborn–Evjenth concept, an approach to treating joints based on the gliding and Free nerve endingsFree nerve endings are the ends of sensory nerves that extend without an enclosing capsule and are distributed throughout the skin, fascia, muscles, and joFree weights versus machinesFree weights are implements such as barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells whose movement path you control yourself, while machines are gym equipment that moFriction blisterA friction blister forms when repeated rubbing causes layers within the epidermis to separate and clear tissue fluid collects in the gap.Froment's signFroment's sign is a simple hand test that checks whether the tip joint of the thumb bends when a piece of paper held between the thumb and index finger is Fryette's lawsFryette's laws are osteopathic principles of motion that describe how the spine's direction of rotation accompanies bending to one side.Functional medicineFunctional medicine is a medical approach that seeks to view the whole body as a single system, looking beyond individual symptoms to the context in which Functional mobilityFunctional mobility is the ability to move independently to get where you want to go.Functional Movement ScreenFMS is a screening test developed by Gray Cook and Lee Burton that examines movement quality through seven fundamental movements.Functional OrthopedicsFunctional Orthopedics is a manual approach developed by American physical therapist Gregg Johnson that combines hands-on techniques to release soft tissueFunctional trainingFunctional training develops strength, balance, and coordination through exercises that resemble movements used in everyday life and sports, such as standiFundamentals of blood, lymph and edemaThe body has separate pathways for blood flow (blood vessels) and for collecting excess fluid between tissues (the lymphatic system).Fundamentals of breathing, sleep and the autonomic nervous systemBreathing, sleep, stress responses, and the autonomic nervous system influence one another and shape how you feel throughout the day.Fundamentals of therapeutic tools, manual techniques and physical modalitiesFrom massage balls and foam rollers, heat and cold packs, tape and supports, and electrical stimulation to hands-on techniques performed by professionals, Futsal injuriesFutsal injuries refer to injuries commonly sustained while playing futsal, affecting areas such as the ankles, knees, back of the thighs, and soles of the