concentric

/kənˈsɛntrɪk/ /kɑnˈsɛntrɪk/

Meanings

adjective

Having a common center.

Examples :

"The layers of the onion are concentric, each one smaller than the last. "

adjective

(of a motion) in the direction of contraction of a muscle. (E.g. extension of the lower arm via the elbow joint while contracting the triceps and other elbow extensor muscles; closing of the jaw while flexing the masseter).

Examples :

"During a bicep curl, the concentric phase of the movement occurs as you lift the weight, shortening the bicep muscle. "

physiology anatomy body medicine function

Related Words

muscles noun

/ˈmʌsəlz/

A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.

"Muscle consists largely of actin and myosin filaments."

closing verb

/ˈkləʊzɪŋ/ /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/

(physical) To remove a gap.

"The carpenter closed the gap in the wooden fence with a piece of wood. "

extensor noun

/ɪkˈstɛnsər/ /ɛkˈstɛnsər/

A muscle whose contraction extends or straightens a limb or body part.

"The doctor checked the extensor muscle in my arm by asking me to straighten my elbow against his resistance. "

triceps noun

/ˈtraɪˌseps/ /ˈtraɪseps/

Any muscle having three heads.

"My triceps are sore after lifting weights at the gym. "

masseter noun

/məˈsɛtər/ /ˈmæsətər/

The large muscle which raises the under jaw, and assists in mastication.

"Simple Example: "Chewing gum can strengthen your masseter muscle, making your jaw feel tired." More descriptive (but still simple): "When Sarah eats a crunchy apple, she can feel her masseter muscle working in her cheek." "

contracting verb

/kənˈtræktɪŋ/ /ˈkɑːntræktɪŋ/

To draw together or nearer; to shorten, narrow, or lessen.

"Example: "As the weather cooled down, the metal pipe started contracting, making a creaking sound." "

movement noun

/ˈmuːv.mənt/

Physical motion between points in space.

"I saw a movement in that grass on the hill."

smaller adjective

/ˈsmɑlɚ/ /ˈsmɔːlə/ /ˈsmɔlɚ/

Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.

"A small group."

direction noun

/d(a)ɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/

A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston).

"Keep going in the same direction."

extension noun

/ɪkˈstɛnʃən/

The act of extending; a stretching out; enlargement in length or breadth; an increase

"The library offered an extension on the due date for the overdue books. "

shortening verb

/ˈʃɔːrtənɪŋ/ /ˈʃɔːrtnɪŋ/

To make shorter; to abbreviate.

"The teacher is shortening the essay assignment from five pages to three. "

contraction noun

/kɒnˈtɹæk.ʃən/ /kənˈtɹæk.ʃən/

A reversible reduction in size.

"The muscle contraction during exercise resulted in a temporary reduction in the size of the arm. "