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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
Labyrinth
Inner ear structure for balance and hearing.
Anatomy / Physiology
Lactate
Byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis.
Exercise Physiology / Biochemistry
Lactate Threshold
Exercise intensity where lactate begins to accumulate rapidly.
Exercise Testing
Lactation
Milk production by mammary glands.
Physiology
Lacteal
Lymphatic capillary in small intestine absorbing fats.
Anatomy
Lactic Acid
Organic acid formed during anaerobic metabolism.
Biochemistry
Lamella
Thin layer of bone tissue in compact bone.
Anatomy
Lamina
Bony plate of vertebra forming part of spinal canal.
Anatomy
Laminar Flow
Smooth fluid flow without turbulence.
Physics
Langerhans Cells
Skin immune cells involved in pathogen recognition.
Biology
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx causing hoarseness.
Pathophysiology
Laryngoscope
Instrument used to visualize the larynx.
Medicine / ACLS
Larynx
Voice box housing vocal cords.
Anatomy
Latency Period
Time between stimulus and response.
Physiology
Lateral
Anatomical term meaning “away from the midline.”
Anatomy
Lateral Epicondylitis
Tennis elbow; tendon injury at elbow.
Sport Injury
Lateral Ventricles
Paired brain cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid.
Anatomy
Latissimus Dorsi
Large back muscle aiding shoulder adduction/extension.
Anatomy / Strength & Conditioning
Laxity
Looseness of ligaments or tissues.
Sport Injury
Lean Body Mass
Body weight minus fat mass.
Nutrition / Exercise Physiology
Learning Curve
Rate of acquiring skill over time.
Psychology / Motor Behavior
Learning Transfer
Application of learned skills to new situations.
Psychology
Lens (Eye)
Transparent structure focusing light on retina.
Anatomy / Physiology
Leukemia
Cancer of blood-forming tissues.
Pathophysiology
Leukocyte
White blood cell involved in immunity.
Biology
Leukocytosis
Increased white blood cell count.
Pathophysiology
Leukopenia
Low white blood cell count.
Pathophysiology
Levator Scapulae
Muscle elevating the scapula.
Anatomy
Libido
Sexual drive or desire.
Psychology / Physiology
Ligament
Connective tissue connecting bone to bone.
Anatomy
Ligament Sprain
Injury due to ligament overstretching or tear.
Sport Injury
Limbic System
Brain structures regulating emotions and memory.
Neuroscience / Psychology
Limiting Factor
Element restricting performance or growth.
Exercise Physiology
Line of Pull
Direction of muscle force relative to joint.
Biomechanics
Linear Motion
Movement along a straight line.
Biomechanics
Linear Perspective
Depth perception cue in psychology.
Psychology
Lingual Frenulum
Tissue under tongue restricting movement.
Anatomy
Lipid
Fat molecules serving as energy storage.
Nutrition / Biochemistry
Lipid Peroxidation
Oxidative degradation of lipids.
Pathophysiology
Lipid Profile
Blood test assessing cholesterol and triglycerides.
Nutrition / Physiology
Lipogenesis
Metabolic formation of fat from carbohydrates.
Biochemistry
Lipolysis
Breakdown of fat stores into fatty acids.
Physiology
Lipoprotein
Protein–lipid complex transporting fats in blood.
Nutrition / Physiology
Listeriosis
Infection caused by Listeria bacteria.
Pathophysiology
Lithotripsy
Procedure using shock waves to break kidney stones.
Medicine
Liver
Organ for metabolism, detoxification, bile production.
Anatomy / Physiology
Liver Cirrhosis
Chronic scarring of liver tissue.
Pathophysiology
Load
External force applied to a structure or body.
Biomechanics
Load–Velocity Relationship
Inverse relationship between load and speed of movement.
Strength & Conditioning
Local Anesthetic
Drug blocking nerve conduction in a specific area.
Medicine
Long Bones
Bones longer than they are wide (e.g., femur).
Anatomy
Long QT Syndrome
ECG abnormality predisposing to arrhythmias.
ECG / Pathophysiology
Long-Term Memory
Memory lasting from days to lifetime.
Psychology
Longus Colli
Neck flexor muscle.
Anatomy
Lordosis
Excessive inward curvature of lumbar spine.
Anatomy / Pathophysiology
Low Back Pain
Common musculoskeletal disorder affecting lumbar region.
Sport Injury
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
“Bad” cholesterol increasing heart disease risk.
Nutrition / Physiology
Lung Capacity
Maximum volume of air lungs can hold.
Physiology / Exercise Testing
Lung Compliance
Ability of lungs to expand with pressure.
Physiology
Luteal Phase
Menstrual cycle phase after ovulation.
Physiology
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Hormone regulating ovulation and testosterone production.
Physiology / Endocrinology
Luxation
Complete dislocation of a joint.
Sport Injury
Lyase
Enzyme breaking chemical bonds without water.
Chemistry
Lymph
Fluid circulating in lymphatic system.
Physiology
Lymph Node
Small gland filtering lymph and housing immune cells.
Anatomy / Immunology
Lymphatic System
Network maintaining fluid balance and immunity.
Anatomy / Physiology
Lymphedema
Swelling due to lymphatic blockage.
Pathophysiology
Lymphocyte
White blood cell type (T, B, NK cells).
Immunology
Lymphokine
Signaling molecule produced by lymphocytes.
Biology
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
Psychoactive hallucinogenic compound.
Psychology
Lysis
Destruction or breakdown of cells.
Pathophysiology
Lysogenic Cycle
Viral life cycle integrating into host DNA.
Biology
Lysosome
Organelle containing digestive enzymes.
Biology
Lysozyme
Antibacterial enzyme found in tears and saliva.
Biology
Lytic Cycle
Viral cycle leading to host cell destruction.
Biology
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