Glossary Term
Active Structure
An active structure is any tissue crossing a joint that is actively contracting (exhibits an increase in activity). By definition, only muscle tissue can be "active structures". The active structures involved in maintaining arthrokinematic motion include all of the muscles crossing the joint, especially the antagonists and proximal stabilizing muscles.
Active Structure: Any tissue crossing a joint that is actively contracting (exhibits an increase in activity). By definition, only muscle tissue can be "active structures".
- The active structures involved in maintaining arthrokinematic motion include all of the muscles crossing the joint, especially the antagonists and proximal stabilizing muscles. For example, active resistance to anterior translation during shoulder flexion results from an increase in rotator cuff activity.