Word parts
What it means
The test shows how muscles respond at rest and when they contract, and it is often done with nerve conduction studies. It helps tell whether weakness or numbness comes from a muscle problem or a nerve problem, for example in carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage or ALS.
For the nurse
Tell the client to skip lotion on the test day and that needle insertion can be uncomfortable; the muscles may be sore or bruised afterward.
At a glance
| Also written | EMG |
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Related terms
sensory nerve
A nerve that carries signals about touch, pain, temperature, position and the other senses toward the brain and spinal cord.
myopathy
A disease of the muscle tissue itself.