Bones

Axial Skeleton: bones of skull, thoracic cage and vertebral column Appendicular Skeleton: bones of the upper and lower extremities

oss/e, oss/I, osteo/o, ost/o refer to bones. arthr/o refers to joints.

Bone Marrow
Related Combining Form(s): myel/o (also means spinal cord)
Primary Function(s):
  • Red bone marrow forms some blood cells.
  • Yellow bone marrow stores fat.
Cartilage
Related Combining Form(s): chondr/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Creates a smooth surface for motion within the joints.
  • Protects the ends of the bones.
Joints
Related Combining Form(s): arthr/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Work with the muscles to make a variety of motions possible.
Ligaments
Related Combining Form(s): ligament/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Connect one bone to another.
Synovial Membrane
Related Combining Form(s): synovi/o, synov/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Forms the lining of synovial joints.
  • Secretes synovial fluid, the lubricant that reduces friction between joints.
Bursa
Related Combining Form(s): burs/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Cushions areas of joints that are subject to friction during movement.

Healthcare

Chiropractor
Specialists in manipulative treatment of disorders originating from misalignment of the spine.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Physician who specializes in diseases and disorders involving bones, joints, and muscles.
Podiatrist
Specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the foot.
Rheumatologist
Specializes in diagnosing and treatment of arthritis as well as osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and tendinitis that are characterized by inflammation in the joints and surrounding connective tissues.

Pathologies

Ankylosis
Loss or absence of motility in a joint due to disease, injury, or surgical procedure.
Note: ankyl means crooked, bent, or stiff.
Arthrosclerosis
Stiffness of the joints, especially in the elderly.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa.
Dislocation
Displacement of a bone from its joint.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint.
Note: There are over 100 types of arthritis and related diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Osteomalacia
Abnormal softening of bone.
Clubfoot
Congenital deformity of the foot.
Osteoporosis
Loss of bone density and an increase in bone porosity, frequently associated with aging.
Fracture
Broken bone.
Note: There are many types of fractures.

Muscles

The Muscular System
Related Combining Form(s): my/o, myos/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Make body movement possible.
  • Hold body erect.
  • Move body fluids.
  • Produce body heat.
Fascia
Related Combining Form(s): fasci/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Cover, support, and separate muscles.
Tendons
Related Combining Form(s): ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o
Primary Function(s):
  • Attach muscles to bones.

Types

Skeletal muscle
found attached to bones; responsible for voluntary movement of the body
Smooth muscle
located in blood vessels and digestive tract; responsible for involuntary movement of fluid
Cardiac muscle
located in the heart; responsible for involuntary contraction of heart which pumps blood

Pathology

Achilles tendinitis
A painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon caused by excessive stress placed on the tendon
Ataxia
Lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movement
Atrophy
The wasting or thinning of tissue (muscle atrophy refers to muscle tissue)
Dyskinesia
Distortion or impairment of voluntary movement resulting in fragmented or jerky motions
Hernia
Occurs when a tissue protrudes through a weak area in the muscle normally containing it
Muscular dystrophy
General term for a large group of diseases that are characterized by progressive muscular weakness and degeneration of the skeleton muscles that control movement
Paraplegia
Paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body
Plantar fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia on the sole of the foot
Sarcopenia
Loss of muscle mass, strength and the function that come with aging
Torticollis
Stiff neck due to spasmodic contraction of the neck muscles that pull the head to the affected side

Word List

Word Parts

ankyl/o
crooked, bent, stiff
arthr/o
joint
burs/o
bursa, sac of fluid near joint
chondr/i, chondr/o
cartilage
cost/o
rib
crani/o
skull
-desis
to bind, tie together
kyph/o
bent, hump
lord/o
curve, swayback, bent
lumb/o
lumbar, lower back, loin
myel/o
spinal cord, bone marrow
oss/e, oss/i, ost/o, oste/o
bone
scoli/o
curved, bent
spondyl/o
vertebrae, vertebral column, backbone
synovi/o, synov/o
synovial membrane, synovial fluid
bi-
twice, double, two
clon/o
violent action
dys-
bad, difficult, painful
fasci/o
fascia, fibrous band
fibr/o
fibrous tissue, fiber
-ia
abnormal condition, disease
-ic
pertaining to
kines/o, kinesi/o
movement
-lysis
breakdown, separation, setting free, destruction, loosening
my/o
muscle
-plegia
paralysis, stroke
tax/o
coordination, order
ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o
tendon, stretch out, extend, strain
ton/o
tension, tone, stretching
tri-
three

Terms

abduction ab-DUCK-shun
Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
acetabulum ass-eh-TAB-you-lum
The large circular cavity in each side of the pubic bone, that is commonly known as the hip socket.
adduction ah-DUCK-shun
The movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.
adhesion ad-HEE-zhun
A band of fibrous tissue that holds structures together abnormally.
allogenic al-oh-JEN-ick
Originating within another.
ankylosing spondylitis ang-kih-LOH-sing spon-dih-LYE-tis
A form of rheumatoid arthritis that primarily causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae.
arthrodesis ar-throh-DEE-sis
A surgical procedure to stiffen a joint such as an ankle, elbow, or shoulder.
arthroscopy ar-THROS-koh-pee
The visual examination of the internal structure of a joint.
ataxia ah-TACK-see-ah
The inability to coordinate muscle activity during voluntary movement.
atonic ah-TON-ick
Lacking normal muscle tone or strength.
atrophy AT-roh-fee
Weakness or wearing away of body tissues or structures.
autologous aw-TOL-uh-guss
Originating within an individual.
avascular necrosis ay-VAS-cue-ler neh-KROH-sis
The death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.
Also called osteonecrosis.
bone marrow transplant
A procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells into your body to replace bone marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells.
Also called a stem cell transplant.
bradykinesia brad-ee-kih-NEE-zee-ah
Extreme slowness of movement.
callus KAL-us
An area of thickened and sometimes hardened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation.
carpal tunnel syndrome KAR-pul
Occurs when the tendons passing through the carpal tunnel of the wrist are chronically overused and become inflamed and swollen.
chondromalacia kon-droh-mah-LAY-shee-ah
The abnormal softening of the cartilage.
chronic fatigue syndrome
A debilitating disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and can be made worse by physical or mental activity.
circumduction ser-kum-DUCK-shun
The circular movement at the far end of a limb.
comminuted fracture KOM-ih-newt-ed
One in which the bone is splintered or crushed.
compression fracture
A broken bone that occurs when the bone is pressed together on itself.
costochondritis kos-toh-kon-DRIGH-tis
An inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum.
crepitation krep-ih-TAY-shun
The crackling sound heard when ends of a broken bone move together.
dorsiflexion dor-sih-FLECK-shun
Movement that bends the foot upward, at the ankle.
dual x-ray absorptiometry ab-sorp-shee-OM-eh-tree
A low exposure radiographic measure of the spine and hips to measure bone density.
dyskinesia dis-kih-NEE-zee-ah
The distortion or impairment of involuntary movement, as in a tic or spasm.
dystonia dis-TOH-nee-ah
A condition of abnormal muscle tone.
electromyography ee-leck-troh-my-OG-rah-fee
A diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity within muscle fibers in response to nerve stimulation.
epicondylitis ep-ih-kon-dih-LYE-tis
The inflammation of the tissues surrounding the elbow.
ergonomics er-goh-NOM-icks
The study of human factors that affect the design and operation of tools in the work environment.
exercise physiologist fiz-ee-OL-oh-jist
A specialist who works under physician supervision to develop, implement, and coordinate exercise programs, and administer medical tests to promote physical fitness.
fasciitis fas-ee-EYE-tis
The inflammation of a fascia.
fat embolus EM-boh-lus
When particles of fat get into your bloodstream and block blood flow.
fibromyalgia figh-broh-my-AL-jee-ah
A chronic condition of unknown cause characterized by uncontrollable fatigue and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
ganglion cyst GANG-glee-on SIST
A harmless fluid filled swelling that occurs most commonly on the outer surface of the wrist.
gout GOWT
Gout is a painful form of arthritis.
When your body has extra uric acid, sharp crystals can form in your joints.
hallux valgus HAL-ucks VAL-guss
Also known as a bunion.
An abnormal enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe.
heel spur
A calcium deposit in the planter fascia, near its attachment to the heel bone, that can be one of the causes of a planter fasciitis.
hemarthrosis hem-ar-THROH-sis
Blood within a joint space.
hemiparesis hem-ee-pah-REE-sis
A slight paralysis of one side of the body.
hemiplegia hem-ee-PLEE-jee-ah
The total paralysis of one side of the body.
hernia HER-nee-ah
A hernia usually happens in your abdomen or groin.
When one of your organs pushes through the muscle or tissue that contains it.
hyperkinesia high-per-kye-NEE-zee-ah
Abnormally increased motor function or activity.
hypotonia high-poh-TOH-nee-ah
A condition of decreased tone of the skeletal muscles.
impingement syndrome im-PINJ-ment SIN-drohm
A condition that occurs within the shoulder joint when inflamed and swollen tendons are caught in the narrow space between the bones of the joint.
insertion
The act of putting something inside something else.
intermittent claudication klaw-dih-KAY-shun
Pain in the leg muscles that occurs in the legs during exercise and is relieved by rest.
internal fixation
A fracture treatment in which pins, or plate, are placed directly into the bone to hold the broken pieces in place.
juvenile iodiopathic arthritis id-ee-oh-PATH-ick ar-THRIGH-tis
The most common type of arthritis in children younger than age 16.
kyphosis kye-FOH-sis
An abnormal increase in the outward curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side.
laminectomy lam-ih-NECK-toh-mee
The surgical removal of the lamina from the vertebrae.
lordosis lor-DOH-sis
An abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the lumbar spine.
lumbago lum-BAY-goh
Pain in he lumbar region of the spine.
Also known as low-back pain.
malleolus mal-LEE-oh-lus
The rounded, boney, protuberance on each side of the ankle.
manubrium mah-NEW-bree-um
The bone that forms the upper portion of the sternum.
metacarpals met-ah-KAR-palz
The five bones that form the palm of the hand.
metatarsals met-ah-TAHR-salz
The five metatarsals are the bones that form the part of the foot to which the toes are attached.
multiple myeloma my-eh-LOH-mah
A malignant tumor composed of blood forming tissues of the bone marrow.
muscular dystrophy DIS-troh-fee
A group of inherited muscle disorders that cause muscle weakness without affecting the nervous system.
myasthenia gravis my-as-THEE-nee-ah GRAH-vis
A chronic autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction and produces serious weakness of the voluntary muscles.
myoclonus my-oh-KLOH-nus
A spasm of twitching of a muscle or group of muscles.
myofascial release my-oh-FASH-ee-ahl
A specialized soft tissue manipulation technique used to ease the pain of conditions such as fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome.
myoparesis my-oh-PAR-eh-sis
A weakness or slight paralysis of a muscle.
Myorrhaphy my-OR-ah-fee
Surgical suturing of a muscle.
Neuromuscular new-roh-MUS-kyou-lar
Relating to nerves and muscles.
Oblique oh-BLEEK
Slanted, or at and angle.
Open fracture
A break in which the bone is broken, and there is an open wound in the skin.
Also known as a compound fracture.
Origin
The point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived.
orthopedic surgeon or-thoh-PEE-dick
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders involving the bones, joints, and muscles.
Also known as an orthopedist.
orthotic or-THOT-ick
A mechanical appliance such as a leg brace or splint, that is specially designed to control, correct, or compensate for impaired limb function.
osteitis oss-tee-EYE-tis
An inflammation of bone.
osteoarthritis oss-tee-oh-ar-THRIGH-tis
The form of arthritis that is most commonly associated with aging.
Also known as wear and tear arthritis.
osteochondroma oss-tee-oh-kon -DROH-mah
A benign boney projection covered with cartilage.
osteomalacia oss-tee-oh-mah-LAY-shee-ah
Abnormal softening of bones in adults.
osteomyelitis oss-tee-oh-my-eh-LYE-tis
An inflammation of the bone marrow and adjacent bone.
osteopenia oss-tee-oh-PEE-nee-ah
Thinner than average bone density in a young person.
osteoporosis oss-tee-oh-poh-ROH-sis
A marked loss of bone density, and an increase in bone porosity that is frequently associated with aging.
osteoporotic hip fracture oss-tee-oh-pah-ROT-ick
Usually caused by weakening of the bones due to osteoporosis, and can occur either spontaneously, or as the result of a fall.
Paget’s disease PAJ-its
A bone disease of unknown cause.
paralysis pah-RAL-ih-sis
The loss of sensation and voluntary muscle movements in a muscle through disease or injury to its nerve supply.
paraplegia par-ah-PLEE-jee-ah
The paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body.
pathologic fracture
Occurs when a bone breaks under normal strain, because the bone has been weakened by osteoporosis, or to a disease process, such as cancer.
percutaneous vertebroplasty per-kyou-TAY-nee-us VER-tee-broh-plas-tee
A minimally invasive procedure performed to treat osteopersosis related compression fractures of the spine.
physiatrist fiz-ee-AT-rist
A physician who specilizes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
plantar fasciitis PLAN-tar fas-ee-EYE-tis
An inflammation of the plantar fasciia, causing inflammation and heel pain when walking or running.
podiatrist poh-DYE-ah-trist
A specialist who diagnosis and treats disorders of the foot.
polymyositis pol-ee-my-oh-SIGH-tis
The inflammation of several skeletal muscles at the same time.
pronation proh-NAY-shun
The act of rotating the arm or leg so that the palm of a hand or sole of the foot is turned downward or backward.
prosthesis pros-THEE-sis
An artificial substitute for a diseased or missing body part such as a leg, that has been amputated.
quadriplegia kwad-rih-PLEE-jee-ah
The paralysis of all four extremities.
rheumatoid arthritis ROO-mah-toyd ar-THRIGH-tis
A chronic autoimmune disorder in which the joints and some organs of other body systems are attacked.
rickets RICK-ets
A disorder in children that involves a softening and weakening of the bones, primarily caused by a a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphates.
sarcopenia sar-koh-PEE-nee-ah
The age related reduction in skeletal muscle mass in the elderly.
scoliosis skoh-lee-OH-sis
An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
shin splint
A painful condition caused by the muscle tearing away from the shin bone.
singultus sing-GUL-tus
Mylclonus of the diaphram that causes the characteristic hiccup sound with each spasm.
Also known as hiccups.
sphincter SFINK-ter
A ring-like muscle that tightly constricts the opening of a passageway.
spina bifida SPY-nah BIF-ih-dah
A congenital defect that occurs during early pregnancy when the spinal canal fails to close completely around the spinal cord to protect it.
spiral fracture
A fracture in which the bone has been twisted apart.
spondylolisthesis spon-dih-loh-liss-THEE-sis
The forward slipping movement of the body of one of the lower lumbar vertebre on the vertebrae or sacrum below it.
spondylosis spon-dih-LOH-sis
A degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal spinal structure and function.
sprain
An injury to a joint, such as an ankle, knee, or wrist, that usually involves a stretched or torn ligament.
subluxation sub-luck-SAY-shun
The partial displacement of a bone from its joint.
synovectomy sin-oh-VECK-toh-mee
The surgical removal of a synovial membrane from a joint.
tenodesis ten-ODD-eh-sis
The surgical suturing of the end of a tendon to the bone.
tenolysis ten-OL-ih-sis
To free a tendon from adhesions.
Torticollis, Wryneck tor-tih-KOL-is
A twisting of the neck that causes the head to rotate and tilt at an odd angle.
Transverse trans-VERSE
A line or plane that intersects another line or plane at a 90° right angle.
Vertebrae VER-teh-bray
The bony structure units of the spinal column.