| Gowers' contraction | Contraction of the calf muscles when the anterior surface of the leg is struck. Synonym: Gowers' contraction. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| closing contraction | Contraction produced at the time of closing of the circuit when using direct current to stimulate the muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| muscle contraction | A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. (12 Dec 1998) |
| contraction | <physiology> A shortening or reduction in size, in connection with muscles contraction implies shortening and/or development of tension. Origin: L. Contractus = drawn together (18 Nov 1997) |
| contraction band | A microscopic change in myocardial cells in which excessive contraction, associated with elevated intracellular calcium and serum norepinephrine, causes the formation of transverse amorphous band's in the fibres which are then incapable of contracting again. Synonym: contraction band necrosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contraction band necrosis | A microscopic change in myocardial cells in which excessive contraction, associated with elevated intracellular calcium and serum norepinephrine, causes the formation of transverse amorphous band's in the fibres which are then incapable of contracting again. Synonym: contraction band necrosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contraction stress test | A test used to evaluate foetal well-being by inducing contractions and analyzing the foetal heart rate response. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contraction, uterine | The tightening and shortening of the uterine muscles. During labour, contractions accomplish two things: (1) they cause the cervix to thin and dilate (open); and (2) they aid the baby to descend into the birth canal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| myocardial contraction | Contractile activity of the heart. (12 Dec 1998) |
| myotatic contraction | A reflex contraction of a skeletal muscle that occurs as a result of stimulation of the stretch receptors in the muscle, i.e., as part of a myotatic reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| postural contraction | Maintenance of muscular tension (usually isometric) sufficient to maintain posture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hourglass contraction | Constriction of the middle portion of a hollow organ, such as the stomach or the gravid uterus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| idiomuscular contraction | A localised contraction of a degenerating muscle, occurring at the point of a sharp blow, independent of the nerve supply. Synonym: idiomuscular contraction, mounding, myoidema. Origin: myo-+ G. Oidema, swelling (05 Mar 2000) |
| isometric contraction | Muscular contractions characterised by increase in tension without change in length. (12 Dec 1998) |
| isometric contraction period | The time between closure of the atrioventricular valves and opening of the semilunar valves. (05 Mar 2000) |