Glossary of Chiropractic & Medical Terms

JOINT - The junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones.

JOINT DYSFUNCTION - The loss of normal function of a joint. It can be from loss of mobility, or fixation, or it can be from excess mobility, subluxation or pain.

JUGULAR VEINS - The major veins on each side of the neck draining blood from the head towards the heart.JOINT - The junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones.

JUGULAR VEINS - The major veins on each side of the neck draining blood from the head towards the heart.

KINESIOLOGY – 1) Conventionally, the art and science of testing the strength and function muscles. 2) Applied Kinesiology is a branch of kinesiology where certain muscles are tested to determine areas of vertebral subluxations, neurological deficits, and certain types of nutritional deficiencies. Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing with other standard methods of diagnosis. The doctor using AK finds a muscle that is unbalanced and then attempts to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly. The doctor works out the treatment that will best balance the patient's muscles. Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counselling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.

KYPHOSIS - The normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine; Used often interchangeably with "Hyperkyphosis," or the abnormal increase in the kyphotic curve of the thoracic spine.

LABYRINTH - The internal ear, comprising the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea.

LAMINA - The flattened or arched part of the back side or dorsal side of the vertebra, part of the vertebral arch that forms the roof of the spinal canal.

LAMINECTOMY - Excision of one or more laminae of the vertebrae.

LAMINOTOMY - An opening made in a lamina.

LASER - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The device that produces a focused beam of light at a defined wavelength that can vaporize tissue. In surgery lasers can be used to operate on small areas without damaging delicate surrounding tissue. Lasers are also being employed as therapeutic devices, since the light is able to penetrate below the skin.
LATERAL - Situated away from the midline of the body. Opposite of medial.

LIGAMENT - A band of flexible, fibrous, connective tissue that attach bones to one another, to provide stability of a joint, and to prevent or limit some joint motion. Ligaments are flexible, but once stretched they do not stretch back. Ligament laxity, from the slow, insidious stretch that can occur with long-term pressure on ligaments, leads to conditions such as flat feet or shoulder instability.

LIKELIHOOD RATIO (LR): A measure of discrimination by a test result. A test result with a likelihood ratio of greater than 1.0 raises the probability of a disorder and is often referred to as "positive" test result. A test result with a likelihood ratio of less than 1.0 lowers the probability of a disorder and is often called a "negative" test result.

LIPOMA - A benign fatty tumor, usually composed of mature fat cells. It is often football shaped and is easily felt under the skin.

LORDOSIS – 1: the normal curvature of the lumbar spine with the convexity forward. Both the loss of lordosis or an excess lordosis is not healthy for the spine.

LUMBAGO - A generic term signifying pain in the lumbar region, e.g. lumbago = low back pain.

LUMBAR - The lower part of the spine between the thoracic region and the sacrum. The normal lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae.