Etymologizing terms associated with bodybuilding, hypertrophy, physiology, and kinesiology (No bro science here, bub!)

Hypertrophy: Hypertrophy is the enlargement of an organ or tissue due to an increase in the size of its component cells. It generally occurs when the cells in the organ or tissue are exposed to increased levels of work or stress. The term is derived from the Greek words “hyper” meaning “over” and “trophe” meaning “nourishment.”

Atrophy: Atrophy is the opposite of hypertrophy, and is the decrease in the size of an organ or tissue due to a decrease in the size of its component cells. It generally occurs when the cells in the organ or tissue are exposed to decreased levels of work or stress. The term is derived from the Greek words “a” meaning “without” and “trophe” meaning “nourishment.”

Troph: Troph is the Greek root of the terms hypertrophy and atrophy, and is derived from the Greek word “trophe” meaning “nourishment.”

Anabolic: An anabolic process is a type of metabolic process that involves the building of molecules from smaller components. It is the opposite of a catabolic process. The term comes from the Greek “anabole” meaning “to throw up” or “to build up.”

Catabolic: Catabolic processes are metabolic processes that involve the breaking down of molecules into smaller components. It is the opposite of an anabolic process. The term comes from the Greek “katabole” meaning “to throw down” or “to break down.”

Adduction: Adduction is the movement of a limb or body part towards the midline of the body. The term comes from the Latin “adducere” meaning “to lead to.”

Hip Abduction: Hip abduction is the movement of the leg away from the midline of the body. The term comes from the Latin “abducere” meaning “to lead away.”

Hip Adduction: Hip adduction is the movement of the leg towards the midline of the body. The term comes from the Latin “adducere” meaning “to lead to.”

Extension: Extension is the movement of a limb or body part away from the midline of the body. The term comes from the Latin “extendere” meaning “to stretch out.”

Flexion: Flexion is the movement of a limb or body part towards the midline of the body. The term comes from the Latin “flexus” meaning “bent.”

Supination: Supination is the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces up or forwards. The term comes from the Latin “supinatus” meaning “bent backwards.”

Pronation: Pronation is the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces down or backwards. The term comes from the Latin “pronatus” meaning “bent forwards.”

Anatomical: Anatomical is an adjective relating to the scientific study of the structure of living organisms. The term comes from the Greek “anatome” meaning “cutting up.”

Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. The term comes from the Latin “insula” meaning “island.”

Hormone: A hormone is a chemical messenger released by the endocrine system to regulate bodily functions. The term comes from the Greek “hormon” meaning “to excite or stir up.”

Testosterone: Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testes that is responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. The term comes from the Latin “testis” meaning “testicle” and “sterol” meaning “solid.”

Estrogen: Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovaries that is responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics. The term comes from the Latin “oestrus” meaning “heat” and “genesis” meaning “origin.”

Dorsiflexion: Dorsiflexion is the movement of the foot so that the toes are brought towards the shin. The term comes from the Latin “dorsum” meaning “back” and “flexus” meaning “bent.”

Plantarflexion: Plantarflexion is the movement of the foot so that the toes are pointed away from the shin. The term comes from the Latin “planta” meaning “sole” and “flexus” meaning “bent.”

Progesterone is a steroid hormone that is involved in the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The name progesterone is derived from the Latin pro- ("before") and gestare ("to carry, bear"), meaning "to carry before."