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M
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 |
|---|---|---|
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves. | Medicine |
Macrophage | Large immune cell that engulfs pathogens and debris. | Biology / Physiology |
Macula | Central region of retina responsible for sharp vision. | Anatomy |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | Imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves. | Medicine / Motion Analysis |
Malabsorption | Impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestine. | Pathophysiology |
Malaria | Parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. | Pathophysiology |
Malignant Tumor | Cancerous growth that can invade/spread. | Pathophysiology |
Malnutrition | Condition due to inadequate or imbalanced nutrition. | Nutrition |
Mammary Gland | Milk-producing gland in mammals. | Anatomy / Physiology |
Mandible | Lower jawbone. | Anatomy |
Mania | State of abnormally elevated mood or energy. | Psychology |
Manometer | Device measuring pressure. | Physics / Medicine |
Manual Muscle Test (MMT) | Assessment of muscle strength via resistance. | Exercise Testing |
Marasmus | Severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency. | Nutrition / Pathophysiology |
Marathon | Long-distance race of 42.195 km. | Exercise Physiology |
Masseter | Muscle used for chewing. | Anatomy |
Mast Cell | Immune cell releasing histamine in allergies. | Biology |
Mastication | Process of chewing food. | Physiology |
Max Heart Rate (HRmax) | Highest heart rate during maximal effort. | Exercise Testing |
Maxilla | Upper jawbone. | Anatomy |
Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max) | Maximum oxygen consumption capacity. | Exercise Physiology |
McBurney’s Point | Abdominal landmark for appendicitis diagnosis. | Medicine |
McMurray Test | Clinical test for meniscus injury. | Sport Injury |
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) | Average blood pressure in arteries. | Physiology |
Medial | Anatomical term meaning “toward midline.” | Anatomy |
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) | Ligament stabilizing inside of knee joint. | Anatomy / Sport Injury |
Median Nerve | Major nerve running through arm and wrist. | Anatomy |
Medulla Oblongata | Brainstem region controlling vital functions. | Anatomy / Physiology |
Meiosis | Cell division producing gametes. | Genetics |
Melanin | Pigment responsible for skin, hair, eye color. | Biology |
Melatonin | Hormone regulating sleep-wake cycle. | Physiology |
Memory | Process of storing and retrieving information. | Psychology |
Menarche | Onset of menstruation. | Physiology |
Meniscectomy | Surgical removal of damaged meniscus. | Medicine |
Meniscus | Crescent-shaped cartilage in knee. | Anatomy |
Menopause | Permanent cessation of menstruation. | Physiology |
Menorrhagia | Excessive menstrual bleeding. | Pathophysiology |
Mental Health | Psychological well-being and functioning. | Psychology |
Mental Imagery | Visualization technique for performance enhancement. | Sport Psychology |
Mentorship | Guidance provided by an experienced individual. | Sociology |
Mesencephalon | Midbrain region controlling vision and hearing. | Anatomy |
Mesentery | Tissue anchoring intestines to abdominal wall. | Anatomy |
Metabolism | Sum of all chemical processes in the body. | Physiology |
Metacarpals | Bones of the hand between wrist and fingers. | Anatomy |
Metatarsalgia | Pain in the ball of the foot. | Sport Injury |
Metatarsals | Bones of the foot between ankle and toes. | Anatomy |
Metencephalon | Brain region including pons and cerebellum. | Anatomy |
Metformin | Drug used to manage type 2 diabetes. | Medicine |
Metronome Training | Use of rhythm cues for exercise/rehab. | Exercise Prescription |
Microfilaments | Cytoskeletal fibers involved in cell structure. | Biology |
Microglia | CNS immune cells protecting neurons. | Neuroscience |
Micronutrients | Vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts. | Nutrition |
Microtubules | Cytoskeletal structures for cell transport. | Biology |
Midbrain | Region of brainstem regulating motor control. | Anatomy |
Midsagittal Plane | Divides body into equal left and right halves. | Anatomy |
Migraine | Severe headache disorder with neurological symptoms. | Pathophysiology |
Mild Cognitive Impairment | Intermediate stage between aging and dementia. | Psychology |
Mineralocorticoids | Steroid hormones regulating fluid balance. | Physiology |
Minerals | Inorganic nutrients essential for body functions. | Nutrition |
Minimally Invasive Surgery | Surgical approach with small incisions. | Medicine |
Minute Ventilation (VE) | Volume of air breathed per minute. | Exercise Physiology |
Miosis | Constriction of pupil. | Physiology |
Mitochondria | Organelles producing ATP. | Biology / Exercise Physiology |
Mitosis | Cell division producing identical daughter cells. | Genetics |
Mitral Valve | Valve between left atrium and ventricle. | Anatomy |
Mitral Valve Prolapse | Condition with improper valve closure. | Pathophysiology |
Mixed Methods | Research design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. | Sociology |
Mobile Phase | Moving solvent in chromatography. | Chemistry |
Modeling | Learning through observation and imitation. | Sport Psychology |
Moderate-Intensity Exercise | Exercise at 40–60% of VO₂max. | Exercise Prescription |
Modulation | Adjustment of signal or physiological activity. | Physiology |
Monocyte | Large white blood cell differentiating into macrophages. | Biology |
Mononucleosis | Viral infection causing fatigue and swollen glands. | Pathophysiology |
Monosaccharide | Simple sugar molecule (e.g., glucose, fructose). | Chemistry / Nutrition |
Mood Disorder | Psychological disorder involving mood disturbance. | Psychology |
Morbidity | Rate of disease in a population. | Pathophysiology / Sociology |
Mortality Rate | Frequency of death in a population. | Sociology |
Motivation | Internal/external drive to achieve goals. | Psychology / Sport Psychology |
Motor Cortex | Brain region controlling voluntary movement. | Anatomy |
Motor Development | Progressive changes in movement ability across lifespan. | Motor Behavior |
Motor End Plate | Neuromuscular junction of muscle fibers. | Anatomy |
Motor Learning | Process of acquiring/refining movement skills. | Motor Behavior |
Motor Neuron | Nerve cell transmitting impulses to muscles. | Anatomy / Physiology |
Motor Unit | Motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates. | Physiology |
Movement Economy | Efficiency of movement at submaximal workloads. | Exercise Physiology |
Movement Pattern | Coordinated sequence of motor actions. | Motor Behavior |
Movement Screening | Assessment of functional movement quality. | Exercise Testing |
Multiaxial Joint | Joint allowing movement in multiple planes (e.g., hip). | Anatomy |
Multitasking | Performing multiple tasks simultaneously. | Psychology |
Muscle Biopsy | Procedure to sample muscle tissue. | Medicine / Exercise Physiology |
Muscle Cramp | Involuntary painful contraction of muscle. | Sport Injury |
Muscle Fatigue | Decline in muscle’s ability to generate force. | Exercise Physiology |
Muscle Fiber | Muscle cell specialized for contraction. | Anatomy |
Muscle Hypertrophy | Increase in muscle size due to training. | Strength & Conditioning |
Muscle Memory | Ability to perform tasks automatically through practice. | Motor Behavior |
Muscle Spindle | Sensory receptor detecting muscle stretch. | Physiology |
Muscle Strength | Maximum force produced by a muscle. | Exercise Physiology |
Myasthenia Gravis | Autoimmune disorder causing muscle weakness. | Pathophysiology |
Myelin | Fatty sheath surrounding axons. | Anatomy / Physiology |
Myocardial Infarction | Heart attack caused by blocked blood supply. | Pathophysiology / ECG |
Myocardium | Muscular layer of the heart wall. | Anatomy |
Myofibril | Contractile thread within muscle fibers. | Anatomy |
Myoglobin | Protein in muscle storing oxygen. | Biochemistry |
Myokine | Cytokine released by muscle during contraction. | Exercise Physiology |
Myopathy | Disease affecting muscle tissue. | Pathophysiology |
Myopia | Nearsightedness due to elongated eyeball. | Physiology |
Myosin | Protein responsible for muscle contraction. | Anatomy / Physiology |
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