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D
Kinesiology Dictionary
Please use this dictionary of professional kinesiology terms and definitions to help you learn. New terms and definitions will be added on a regular basis for you to learn from. I have decided to extend the dictionary to include terms and definitions from sciences that relate to and support being a kinesiologist or any other healthcare professional. Knowledge itself is power - use the dictionary to empower yourself. Please use the letters in blue below as links to get to the first letter of the term you are looking for. You will be transferred to another page containing those terms and definitions accordingly. Enjoy!
Term | Definition | Associated Field |
|---|---|---|
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) | Molecule carrying genetic information | Genetics / Biology |
DNA damage | Alteration in DNA structure | Genetics / Pathophysiology |
DNA repair | Mechanisms fixing DNA damage | Genetics / Biochemistry |
DNA replication | Process of copying DNA | Genetics / Biology |
Dendrite | Branch of neuron receiving signals | Neuroscience / Biology |
Denervation | Loss of nerve supply to tissue | Neuroscience / Pathophysiology |
Dependent variable | Outcome measured in an experiment | Sociology / Psychology |
Depolarization | Reduction of electrical charge across cell membrane | Physiology / ECG |
Depolarization wave | Electrical impulse in muscle or heart | ECG / Physiology |
Depression | Mood disorder with persistent sadness | Psychology / Sport Psychology |
Dermatology | Study of skin and its diseases | Medicine / Pathophysiology |
Dermatome | Skin area supplied by a single spinal nerve | Anatomy / Neuroscience |
Dermis | Middle layer of skin | Anatomy / Physiology |
Desaturation | Decrease in oxygen saturation | Pathophysiology / Exercise Physiology |
Desmosome | Cell structure for adhesion | Biology / Anatomy |
Detection threshold | Minimum stimulus intensity sensed | Psychology / Physiology |
Determinant of health | Factor influencing health outcomes | Sociology / Public Health |
Determinism | Belief that behavior is determined by causes | Psychology / Sociology |
Detoxification | Removal of toxins from body | Physiology / Nutrition |
Developmental milestone | Age-specific achievement in growth | Motor Behavior / Psychology |
Deviated septum | Displacement of nasal septum | Anatomy / Pathophysiology |
Diabetes mellitus | Metabolic disorder with high blood sugar | Pathophysiology / Nutrition |
Diabetic foot | Foot complication due to diabetes | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
Diabetic ketoacidosis | Dangerous complication of diabetes | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
Diabetic neuropathy | Nerve damage due to diabetes | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
Diabetic retinopathy | Eye damage caused by diabetes | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
Diagnostic test | Procedure to identify disease | Medicine / Pathophysiology |
Diaphragm | Primary muscle for respiration | Anatomy / Physiology |
Diaphragmatic breathing | Deep breathing using diaphragm | Exercise Physiology / Psychology |
Diastasis recti | Separation of abdominal muscles | Physiology / Exercise Physiology |
Diastole | Phase of heart relaxation | Physiology / Cardiology |
Diastolic blood pressure | Pressure during heart relaxation | Physiology / Cardiology |
Diencephalon | Region of brain including thalamus and hypothalamus | Anatomy / Neuroscience |
Diffuse injury | Widespread tissue damage | Pathophysiology / Sport Injury |
Diffusion | Movement of molecules from high to low concentration | Biology / Chemistry / Physiology |
Diffusion gradient | Difference driving diffusion | Physiology / Chemistry |
Digestion | Breakdown of food into absorbable components | Physiology / Nutrition |
Digestive enzyme | Substance breaking down food | Nutrition / Biochemistry |
Digestive system | Organs involved in food processing | Anatomy / Physiology |
Digital rectal exam | Clinical exam of rectum | Medicine / First Aid |
Digital sensor | Device converting physiological signal to digital | Biomechanics / Motion Analysis |
Digitalis | Heart medication from plant source | Pharmacology / Physiology |
Dilation | Widening of vessel or organ | Physiology / Pathophysiology |
Dimorphism | Existence of two distinct forms in a species | Biology / Genetics |
Dislocation | Joint displacement from normal position | Sport Injury / First Aid |
Disorientation | Confusion regarding time, place, or person | Psychology / Neurology |
Distal | Farther from point of attachment | Anatomy / Biomechanics |
Distal phalanx | Bone at tip of fingers or toes | Anatomy / Biomechanics |
Disuse atrophy | Muscle wasting from inactivity | Exercise Physiology / Pathophysiology |
Diuretic | Substance promoting urine production | Pharmacology / Physiology |
Diurnal rhythm | Same as circadian rhythm; daily biological pattern | Physiology / Psychology |
Diurnal variation | Fluctuation of biological processes over day | Physiology / Psychology |
Dominance (genetics) | Expression of one allele over another | Genetics / Biology |
Dominant gene | Gene that expresses its trait over another | Genetics / Biology |
Dopamine | Neurotransmitter regulating movement and mood | Neuroscience / Psychology |
Doppler effect | Change in frequency of waves relative to motion | Physics / Biomechanics |
Dorsal | Relating to the back side of the body | Anatomy / Biomechanics |
Dorsal column | Part of spinal cord carrying sensory info | Neuroscience / Anatomy |
Dorsal flexion | Same as dorsiflexion; upward foot movement | Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology |
Dorsal root | Sensory nerve root of spinal cord | Anatomy / Neuroscience |
Dorsal root ganglion | Cluster of sensory neuron cell bodies | Anatomy / Neuroscience |
Dorsalis pedis artery | Artery on dorsal foot | Anatomy / Physiology |
Dorsiflexion | Upward movement of foot at ankle | Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology |
Dose-response | Effect of dose on outcome | Pharmacology / Physiology |
Dosing | Administration of medication amount | Pharmacology / Medicine |
Double-blind study | Research design reducing bias | Sociology / Psychology |
Double-support phase | Phase in gait when both feet are on ground | Biomechanics / Motion Analysis |
Down syndrome | Genetic disorder from trisomy 21 | Genetics / Pathophysiology |
Downhill running | Running on decline slope | Exercise Physiology / Biomechanics |
Downward phase | Eccentric portion of exercise | Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning |
Drag force | Resistance force opposing motion through fluid | Physics / Biomechanics |
Drape test | Movement analysis using marker drapes | Motion Analysis / Biomechanics |
Duct | Tube conveying fluids in the body | Anatomy / Physiology |
Ductus arteriosus | Fetal blood vessel connecting pulmonary artery and aorta | Anatomy / Physiology |
Ductus venosus | Fetal vessel shunting blood past liver | Anatomy / Physiology |
Dumping syndrome | Rapid gastric emptying causing symptoms | Pathophysiology / Nutrition |
Duodenum | First part of the small intestine | Anatomy / Physiology |
Dynamic contraction | Muscle contraction with movement | Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning |
Dynamic equilibrium | Balance maintained during motion | Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology |
Dynamic stretching | Stretching performed with movement | Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning |
Dysarthria | Difficulty speaking due to muscle impairment | Neurology / Psychology |
Dysautonomia | Dysfunction of autonomic nervous system | Pathophysiology / Neuroscience |
Dyscalculia | Difficulty with arithmetic | Psychology / Education |
Dysgeometria | Impaired perception of distances | Neurology / Psychology |
Dysgeusia | Altered taste perception | Pathophysiology / Nutrition |
Dyskinesia | Abnormal or impaired movement | Motor Behavior / Pathophysiology |
Dyskinesia assessment | Evaluation of abnormal movements | Motor Behavior / Exercise Testing |
Dyslexia | Learning disorder affecting reading | Psychology / Education |
Dysmenorrhea | Painful menstruation | Pathophysiology / Physiology |
Dyspnea | Shortness of breath | Pathophysiology / First Aid |
Dyspnea scale | Tool to measure shortness of breath | Exercise Testing / Physiology |
Dyspraxia | Difficulty in motor planning | Motor Behavior / Psychology |
Dyssynchrony | Uncoordinated muscular or cardiac activity | Physiology / Exercise Testing |
Dysthymia | Chronic mild depression | Psychology / Sport Psychology |
Dystonia | Involuntary muscle contractions | Neurology / Motor Behavior |
Dystrophy | Degeneration of tissue or organ | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
Dysuria | Painful urination | Pathophysiology / Medicine |
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