72 Treating Connective Tissue Conditions with Muscle Release Techniques, 2nd Edition: Summary 72
A tissue is a collection of cells working together to perform one or more specific functions. There are four main types of tissue: • Epithelial tissu e: Forms protective barriers, like the skin, separating different functioning tissues and organs. • Nervous tissue : Responds to various stimuli, allowing us to sense and react to our environment. • Connective tissue : Acts like a bridge, joining nearby tissues to fill crucial bodily functions. Types of connective tissue include bone, blood cells, adipose (fatty) tissue, dense connective tissue, and loose ordinary tissue. Dense connective tissue includes ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, all of which serve crucial roles in supporting our musculoskeletal system. • Muscle tissue : Responsible for movement through contraction, enabling actions like muscle flexing and heartbeats. Muscles can become very short and tight due to prolonged periods of inactivity, like sitting for extended hours every day. This happens because while primarily elastic, muscles also exhibit some plasticity. As we continuously maintain certain postures, muscles may gradually become shortened and stiff. However, these changes are reversible with specific stretches and techniques. | HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION Each individual muscle fiber has an inner sheath called the endomysium . It functions to separate and insulate muscle fibers, allowing them to contract and relax independently. The endomysium also contains capillaries and nerve endings that supply vital nutrients to the muscles. It complements the broader functions of the fascia by ensuring individual muscle fibers operate optimally.
INTRODUCTION KEY TERMS • Apical : Pertaining to the top or highest point of a structure • Arthro : Related to joints in the body • Basal : Relating to the base or bottom of a structure • Chondro : Associated with cartilage, a firm connective tissue found in the body • Cyte : Denoting a cell • Dys- : A prefix indicating something abnormal or difficult • Elasticity : The ability of a material to return to its original form or recover from deformation • Hyper : Excessive or beyond the normal range • Hypo : Deficient or below the normal range • Kinetic chain : Refers to the interconnected system of body parts, tissues, and structures, where changes or issues in one area can affect the functioning of other parts • Lysis : The process of splitting or breaking down • Myo : Associated with muscles in the body • Osteo : Relating to bones in the body • Peri : Pertaining to the outer or surrounding area of a structure • Reticulum : A network or meshlike structure, similar to a bandage, found in certain body parts, like the wrists and ankles • -gen : Denoting the start or origin of something • -ie : A suffix indicating a small or diminutive form of something, like “small one” • -itis : Signifying inflammation or swelling of a specific part of the body • -oid : A suffix indicating a shape or resemblance to a specific object, such as “shaped like” • -penia : A suffix indicating a weakening or deficiency in a particular element or component
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