For ease of browsing, this glossary is divided into the following six sections:
- General Terms
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Posture & Antatomy
- Risk Factors - COMING SOON
- Common Work-Related Injuries - COMING SOON
- Ergonomic Interventions - COMING SOON
POSTURE & ANATOMY
Abduction: Movement of a limb away from the body - such as elevating the elbow or raising the arm to the side.
Adduction: Movement of a limb towards the body.
Awkward Posture: A deviation from the more natural, neutral position of any particular joint.
Back: The trunk of the body from below the neck (cervical spine) to the tailbone (sacrum). The back includes the upper and lower back.
Center of Gravity: The center of mass of an object that determines its symmetry and ease of handling.
Discs: Gelatinous plate-shaped protectors that act as shock absorbers for the bones of the spine. Back injuries may cause disc deformation including bulging, herniation and rupture of the discs.
Extension: The straightening of a joint whereby the angle between adjacent bones usually increases. Exceptions are extension of the feet and wrists.
Flexion: The bending of a joint whereby the angle between adjacent bones usually decreases.
Hyperextension of the Shoulder: Extension of the shoulder in which the upper arm is actually behind the back: for instance, when reaching behind the back for an object.
Hyperextension of the Spine: Extension of the trunk beyond the upright, forming a more extreme backward arch and changing the distribution of pressure on the spinal discs; for instance, in work done above shoulder height.
Joint: A body part where two bones meet and are connected by ligaments.
Lateral: Toward the side of the body away from the midline.
Ligaments: Fibrous structures that connect bones to bones, providing support while allowing flexibility and movement.
Lower Extremity: The hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and/or foot.
Medial: Towards the midline of the body.
Median Nerve: The nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel of the wrist and provides power and sensation to the thumb and first three fingers of the hand.
Muscle: Body tissue which contracts to produce movement or force.
Musculoskeletal System: System composed of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Nerve: Transmitters of sensation and movement from body to brain.
Neutral Position: The body position that reduces stressors on the body. Typically the neutral posture will be near the mid-range of any joint’s range of motion.
Pinch Grip: One of several types of grips. This grip maintains hold on an object by pinching the fingers, not encircling the hand, around the object (such as when taking a lid off of a jar).
Power Grip: A grip allowing the four fingers and thumb to encircle the object. This grip is usually a more powerful grip during activity.
Pronation: The action of rotating the forearm so that the hand is palm down.
Range of Motion: The amount of movement that any joint in the body has. Stresses on the connective tissues at a joint increase as the joint moves towards the limit of its range of motion.
Radial Deviation: Angling the wrist toward the thumb side.
Supination: The action of rotating the forearm so that the hand is palm up.
Ulnar Deviation: Angling the wrist towards the little finger side.
Upper Extremity: The hand, wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder, and/or neck.
SOURCES USED DURING THIS COMPILATION OF ERGONOMIC TERMS:
- http://www.ergoweb.com/resources/faq/glossary.cfm
- http://www.workriteergo.com/ergonomics/glossary.asp
- http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=anti-glare+filter&i=37812,00.asp
- http://www.afcindustries.com/monitor-arms.htm
- http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ergonomic-keyboard.htm
- http://www.humanics-es.com/glossary.htm
- http://www.kareproducts.com/osha-ergonomic-terms-kf-32.html
Marji Hajic is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist practicing at the Hand Therapy & Occupational Fitness Center in Santa Barbara, California. For more information on hand and upper extremity injuries, prevention and recovery, visit
