Range of motion describes how far a joint or region of the body can move. It is commonly measured during musculoskeletal and neurologic examinations. Spine clinicians use it to understand mobility, pain behavior, and function. Rehabilitation teams use it to track progress over time.

The Pulmonary Valve is one of the heart’s four valves. It sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. It opens to let blood flow to the lungs and closes to prevent backward flow. Clinicians commonly assess it during heart exams and cardiac imaging.

Spinal biomechanics is the study of how the spine moves and how it bears load. It explains how bones, discs, joints, ligaments, and muscles work together to create stability and motion. Spinal biomechanics is commonly used in spine care, rehabilitation, injury analysis, and surgical planning. It is also used in research and medical device design to understand forces on the neck, mid-back, and low back.

The Pulmonic Valve is one of the four valves of the heart. It sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Its job is to keep blood moving forward from the heart to the lungs. In clinical care, it is commonly discussed during echocardiograms and congenital heart disease follow-up.

Suboccipital muscles are a small group of deep muscles at the base of the skull, just above the top of the neck. They connect the skull to the first two cervical vertebrae and help control fine head movements and head posture. In spine and headache care, they are commonly discussed when evaluating upper neck pain, cervicogenic headache, and occipital-area symptoms.

The Aortic Valve is one of the four valves of the heart. It sits between the left ventricle and the aorta, the body’s main artery. Its job is to let blood leave the heart and prevent it from leaking backward. Clinicians discuss and assess it during routine cardiac exams, echocardiograms, and valve disease evaluations.

Scalene muscles are a small group of muscles on the side of the neck. They connect the neck (cervical spine) to the upper ribs and help control breathing and neck motion. Clinicians commonly discuss them when evaluating neck pain, arm symptoms, and thoracic outlet–type complaints. They are also important landmarks during certain injections and surgeries in the lower neck.

The Tricuspid Valve is one of the four valves in the heart. It sits between the right atrium and right ventricle and helps keep blood moving in the correct direction. It opens and closes with each heartbeat to prevent backward flow. Clinicians commonly discuss it during heart exams, echocardiograms, and evaluation of right-sided heart function.

Levator scapulae is a paired muscle in the back and side of the neck that connects the upper cervical spine to the shoulder blade (scapula). Its plain meaning is “the muscle that lifts the scapula.” Clinically, it is commonly discussed in neck pain, shoulder/upper-back tightness, posture concerns, and scapular (shoulder blade) mechanics. It is also relevant when clinicians evaluate whether symptoms come from muscle irritation versus the cervical spine (discs, joints, or nerves).

The Mitral Valve is a heart valve that controls blood flow between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It opens to let blood move forward and closes to prevent blood from leaking backward. Clinicians assess it to explain symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart palpitations. It is also a focus of medical and procedural care when it becomes narrowed or leaky.