HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does asynergy mean?

1. A form of muscle injury

2. Lack of special muscular coordination

3. An increase in muscle strength

4. Inability to relax muscles

The correct answer is: Lack of special muscular coordination

The term "asynergy" refers to a lack of special muscular coordination. This concept is often used in a clinical context to describe situations where there is an absence of coordinated movement among different muscle groups, which can lead to inefficient or impaired movement patterns. This lack of coordination may manifest in various ways, such as difficulties in performing complex activities that require the simultaneous action of multiple muscles working harmoniously together. In contrast, the other choices focus on different aspects of muscle function—such as injury, strength, and muscle relaxation—all of which do not accurately define asynergy. The essence of asynergy lies in the disruption of coordinated muscle activity, making the understanding of muscular coordination crucial in both diagnostic and therapeutic settings in various fields, including rehabilitation or physical therapy.