| Term | Definition |
|---|
| acanth(o) | spiny; thorny |
| actin(o) & phot(o) | light...Similar to fluor(o) |
| aer(o) | air; gas...Similar to physo |
| alge, algesi, algio, algo | pain |
| amyl(o) | starch |
| andro | masculine |
| athero | plaque; fatty substance |
| bacill(i) | bacilli; bacteria |
| bacteri(o) | bacteria |
| bar(o) | weight; pressure |
| bas(o), basi(o) | base |
| bio- & vivi & zo(o) | life |
| blasto | immature cells |
| cac(o) | bad; ill |
| calc(o), calci(o) | calcium |
| carcin(o) | cancer |
| chem(o) | chemical |
| chlor(o) | chlorine, green |
| chondrio, chondro | cartilage, grainy, gritty |
| chore(o) | dance |
| chrom, chromat, chromo | color |
| chrono | time |
| chyl(o) | chyle, a digestive juice |
| chym(o) | chyme, semifluid production of chyme in the stomach |
| coni(o) | dust |
| crin(o) | secrete |
| cry(o) | cold |
| crypt(o) | hidden; obscure |
| cyan(o) | blue |
| cycl(o) | circle; cycle; ciliary body |
| cyst(o), cysti | bladder, cyst, cystic duct |
| cyt(o) | cell |
| dextr(o) | right, toward the right |
| dips(o) | thirst |
| dors(o), dorsi | back |
| dynamo | force; energy |
| echo | reflected sound |
| electr(o) | electricity; electric |
| eosin(o) | red; rosy...Similar to erythr(o) |
| ergo | work |
| erythr(o) | red, redness...Similar to eosin(o) |
| esthesio | sensation, perception |
| ethmo | ethmoid bone |
| etio | cause |
| fibr(o) | fiber |
| fluor(o) | light; luminous; fluorine...Similar to actin(o) |
| fungi | fungus |
| galact(o) | milk |
| gen(o) | producing; being born...Similar to -parous |
| gero, geront(o) | old age |
| gluco | glucose |
| glyco | sugars |
| gonio | angle |
| granulo | granular |
| gyn(o), gyne, gyneco | women |
| home(o), homo | same; constant |
| hydro(o) | hydrogen, water |
| hypn(o) & somn(o), somni | sleep |
| iatr(o) | physician; treatment |
| ichthy(o) | dry; scaly; fish...Similar to xer(o) |
| idio | distinct; unknown |
| immun(o) | safe; immune |
| kal(i) | potassium |
| karyo & nucle(o) | nucleus |
| ket(o), keton(o) | ketone; acetone |
| kin(o), kine & cine(o) | movement |
| kinesi(o), kineso | motion |
| kyph(o) | humpback |
| lact(o), lacti | mlik |
| latero | lateral, to one side |
| lepto | light, frail, thin |
| leuk(o) | white |
| lip(o) | fat |
| lith(o) | stone |
| log(o) | speech, words, thought |
| lys(o) | dissolution |
| macr(o) | large; long |
| medi(o) | middle; medial plane |
| meg(a), megal(o) | large; million |
| melan(o) | black; dark |
| mes(o) | middle; median |
| micr(o) | small; one-millionth; tiny |
| mio | smaller; less...DNCw/my(o) |
| morph(o) | structure; shape |
| narco | sleep; numbness |
| necr(o) | death; dying |
| noct(i) & nyct(o) | night |
| normo | normal...Similar to orth(o) |
| oncho, onco | tumor |
| orth(o) | straight; normal...Similar to norm(o) |
| oxy | sharp; acute; oxygen |
| pachy | thick |
| path(o) | disease...Similar to -pathy |
| phago | eating; devouring; swallowing |
| pharmaco | drugs; medicine |
| phon(o) | sound; voice; speech...Similar to son(o) |
| phot(o) & actin(o) | light...Similar to fluor(o) |
| physi, physio | physical; natural |
| physo | air; gas; growing...Similar to aer(o) |
| phyt(o) | plant |
| plasma, plasmo | formative; plasma |
| poikilo | varied; irregular |
| pseud(o) | false |
| pyo | pus |
| pyreto | fever...Similar to pyro |
| pyro | fever; fire; heat...Similar to pyreto |
| radio | radiation; x-ray; radius |
| salping(o) & syring(o) | tube |
| schisto | split...Similar to schiz(o) |
| schizo | split; division...Similar to schisto |
| scler(o) | hardness; hardening |
| scolio OR ankyl(o) | crooked; bent |
| scoto | darkness |
| sidero | iron |
| sito | food; grain...DNCw/ -trophy, -trophic |
| somat(o) | body |
| somn(o), somni & hypn(o) | sleep |
| sono | sound...Similar to phon(o) |
| spasmo | spasm |
| spher(o) | round; spherical |
| spir(o) | breath; breathe |
| squamo | scale; squamous |
| staphyl(o) | grapelike clusters |
| steno | narrowness |
| stere(o) | three-dimensional |
| strepto | twisted chains; streptococci |
| styl(o) | peg-shaped |
| syring(o) & salping(o) | tube |
| tel(o), tele(o) | distant; end; complete |
| terato | monster (as a malformed fetus) |
| therm(o) | heat |
| tono | tension; pressure |
| toop(o) | place; topical |
| tox(i), toxico, toxo | poison; toxin |
| tropho | food; nutrition...DNCw/ sito |
| vivi & bio- & zo(o) | life |
| xanth(o) | yellow |
| xeno | stranger |
| xer(o) | dry...Similar to ichthy(o) |
| xiph(o) | sword; xiphoid |
| zo(o) & bio- & vivi | life |
| zym(o) | fermentation; enzyme |
| cine(o) & kin(o), kine | movement |
| a- & an- | without |
| ab-, abs- & de- | away from |
| ad- | toward, to...Similar to ana- |
| ambi- | both, around |
| an- & a- | without |
| ana- | up, toward...Similar to ad- |
| ante- | before |
| anti- & contra- | against |
| apo- | derived, separate |
| aut(o) | self |
| bi- | twice, double |
| brachy- | short |
| brady- | slow |
| cata- | down |
| circum- | around |
| co-, col-, com-, con-, cor- | together |
| contra- & anti- | against |
| de- & ab-, abs- | away from...Similar to ex- |
| di-, dif-, dir-, dis- | not, separated |
| dia- | through |
| dys- | abnormal; difficult |
| ect(o)- | outside. Similar to exo- & extra- |
| end(o)- & intra- | within |
| epi- | over |
| eu- | well, good, normal |
| ex- | out of, away from...Similar to de-, ab-, abs- |
| exo- | external, on the outside...Similar to ect(o), extra- |
| extra- | without, outside of...Similar to ext(o), exo- |
| hemi- & semi- | half |
| hyper- | above normal; overly...Similar to ultra- |
| hypo- | below normal |
| infra- | positioned beneath |
| inter- | between |
| intra- | within |
| iso- | same, equal |
| mal- | bad; inadequate |
| meg(a), megal(o) | large |
| mes(o) | middle, median |
| meta- | after |
| micr(o)- | small, microscopic` |
| mon(o)- | single...Similar to uni- |
| multi- & poly- | many |
| olig(o)- | few; little, scanty |
| pan-, pant(o)- | all, entire |
| par(a)- | beside; abnormal; involving 2 parts. DNCw suffix -para |
| per- | through, intensely |
| peri- | around, about, near |
| pluri- | several, more |
| poly- & multi- | many |
| post- | after, following |
| pre- | before...Similar to pro- |
| pro- | before, forward...Similar to pre- |
| quadra-, quadri- | four |
| re- | again, backward |
| retro- | behind, backward |
| semi- & hemi- | half |
| sub- | less than, under, inferior |
| super- | more than, above, superior...Similar to supra- |
| supra- | above, over...Similar to super- |
| syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- | together |
| tachy- | fast |
| trans- | across, through |
| ultra- | beyond, excessive...Similar to hyper- |
| un- | not |
| uni- | one...Similar to mono- |
| -ad | toward |
| -algia & -dynia | pain |
| -asthenia | weakness |
| -blast | immature, forming...Similar to -plastic, -poietic |
| -cele | hernia |
| -cidal AND -cide | destroying, killing |
| -clasis | breaking |
| -clast | breaking instrument |
| -crine | secreting |
| -crit | separate |
| -cyte | cell |
| -cytosis | condition of cells |
| -derma | skin |
| -desis | binding |
| -dynia & -algia | pain |
| -ectasia AND -ectasis | expansion; dilation |
| -ectomy | removal of...Similar to -pheresis |
| -edema | swelling |
| -ema | condition...Similar to -lepsy, -osis |
| -emesis | vomiting |
| -emia | blood |
| -emic | relating to blood |
| -esthesia | sensation |
| -form | in the shape of |
| -gen | producing, coming to be |
| -genesis | production of |
| -genic | producing |
| -globin AND -globulin | protein |
| -gram | a recording |
| -graph | recording instrument |
| -graphy | process of recording |
| -iasis | pathological condition or state |
| -ic | pertaining to |
| -ics | treatment, practice, body of knowledge |
| -ism | condition, disease, doctrine |
| -itis (plural -itides) | inflammation |
| -kinesia & -kinesis | movement |
| -lepsy | condition of...Similar to -ema, -osis |
| -leptic | having seizures |
| -logist | one who practices |
| -logy | study, practice |
| -lysis | destruction of |
| -lytic | destroying |
| -malacia | softening |
| -mania | obsession |
| -megaly | enlargement |
| -meter | measuring device |
| -metry | measurement |
| -oid | like, resembling |
| -oma (plural -omata) | tumor, neoplasm |
| -opia & -opsia | vision |
| -opsy | view of |
| -osis (plural -oses) | condition, state, process...Similar to -lepsy, -ema |
| -ostomy AND -stomy | opening |
| -oxia | oxygen |
| -para | bearing...Similar to -parous. DNCw prefix para- |
| -paresis | slight paralysis |
| -parous | producing; bearing...Similar to -para AND gen(o) |
| -pathy | disease...Similar to path(o)- |
| -penia | deficiency |
| -pepsia | digestion |
| -pexy | fixation, usually done surgically |
| -phage, -phagia, -phagy | eating, devouring |
| -phasia | speaking- |
| -pheresis | removal...Similar to -ectomy |
| -phil AND -philia | attraction; affinity for |
| -phobia | fear- |
| -phonia | sound |
| -phoresis | carrying |
| -phoria | feeling; carrying |
| -phrenia | of the mind |
| -phthisis | wasting away |
| -phylaxis | protection |
| -physis | growing |
| -plakia | plaque |
| -plasia AND -plasm & -poiesis | formation...Similar to -poiesis |
| -plastic | forming...Similar to -blast, -poietic |
| -plasty | surgical repair |
| -plegia | paralysis |
| -plegic | one who is paralyzed |
| -pnea | breath |
| -poiesis & -plasia, -plasm | formation |
| -poietic | forming...Similar to -blast, -plastic |
| -poietic | one that forms |
| -porosis | lessening in density |
| -ptosis | falling down; drooping |
| -rrhage | discharging heavily |
| -rrhagia | heavy discharge |
| -rrhaphy | surgical suturing |
| -rrhea | a flowing, a flux |
| -rrhexis | rupture |
| -schisis | splitting |
| -scope | instrument, especially for observing and measuring |
| -scopy | use of an instrument for observing |
| -somnia | sleep |
| -spasm AND -stalsis | contraction |
| -stalsis AND -spasm | contraction |
| -stasis | stopping, constant |
| -stat | agent to maintain a state |
| -static | maintaining a state |
| -stenosis | narrowing |
| -stomy AND -ostomy | opening |
| -tome | cutting instrument, segment |
| -tomy | cutting operation |
| -trophic | nutritional...DNCw/ sito |
| -trophy | nutrition- ...DNCw/ sito |
| -tropia AND -version | turning |
| -tropic | turning toward |
| -tropy | condition of turning toward |
| -uria | urine |
| -version AND -tropia | turning |
| Connective tissue | holds and connects body parts. Ex: bones, ligaments, tendons |
| Epithelial tissue | covers internal/external body surfaces. Skin, and linings of organs |
| Muscle tissue | expands and contracts, allows body to move |
| Nervous tissue | carries messages to/from brain and spinal cord from all parts of body |
| Basic structure of a Cell | membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm |
| System | group of organs working together to perform a major function |
| Integumentary system | skin and accessory structures: hair, nails, sweat & oil glands |
| Musculoskeletal system | supports body, protects organs, provides movement |
| Cardiovascular system | Includes heart & blood vessels, to pump and transport blood throughout body |
| Respiratory system | performs respiration. Includes lungs and airways |
| Nervous system | Brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Regulates most body activities, sending/receiving messages |
| Urinary system | Kidnes, ureters, bladder, urethra. Eliminates metabolic waste, maintains acid/base & water/salt balance. Helps regulate blood pressure |
| Reproductive system | Male and female, controls reproduction & heredity |
| Blood system | includes blood and all components |
| Lymphatic & Immune systems | Include lymph, gland of lymphatic system, lymphatic vessels, and defenses of immunity |
| Digestive system | includes all organs of digestion and excretion of waste |
| Endocrine system | Includes glands to secrete hormones to regulate many body activities |
| Sensory system | Eyes, ears, and others to support 5 senses |
| Dorsal cavity | Back side of body--Split into cranial & spinal cavities |
| Ventral cavity | Front side of body--Split into thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities |
| Diaphragm | A muscle that divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities |
| Cell | smallest unit of a living structure |
| Inferior | below another structure |
| Superior | above another structure |
| Lateral | to the side |
| Medial / Midsagittal plane | middle, or near medial plane of the body. Divides body into equal left and right halves |
| Deep | through the surface |
| Superficial | on or near the surface |
| Proximal | near the point of attachment to the trunk |
| Distal | away from the point of attachment to the trunk |
| Supine | lying on the back, face up |
| Prone | lying on the abdomen, face down |
| Front / Coronal plane | Divides the body into anterior / posterior |
| Sagittal / Lateral plane | Parallel to the Medial, divides body into left /right sections |
| Transverse / Cross-sectional plane | Intersects body horizontally, dividing into upper / lower sections |
| Dorsal / Posterior | backside |
| Anterior / Ventral | front side |
| RUQ | Right Upper Quadrant: gallbladder, + parts of: intestines, liver, pancreas |
| RLQ | Right Lower Quadrant: appendix, + parts of: intestines, female reproductive |
| LUQ | Left Upper Quadrant: stomach, spleen, + parts of: intestines, liver, pancreas |
| LLQ | Left Lower Quadrant: parts of: intestines, female reproductive |
| Epigastric region | area above the stomach, near center of chest. 1/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| Hypochondriac regions (L and R) | Just beneath the ribs on either side of Epigastric region. L: spleen. R: liver. 2-3/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| Umbilical region | Surrounding the umbilicus (navel). 4/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| Lumbar regions (L and R) | Near the waist. On either side of Umbilical region. 5-6/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| Hypogastric region | The lowest center region. 7/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| Iliac (inguinal) regions (L and R) | Near hips, on either side of the Hypogastric region. 8-9/9 abdom'l-pelvic regions |
| abdomin(o) | abdominal...Similar to celi(o) |
| acetabul(o) | cup-shaped hip socketa |
| den(o) | gland |
| adip(o) | fat |
| adren(o) | adrenal glands |
| alveol(o) | air sac, algeolus |
| angi(o) | vessel |
| aort(o) | aorta |
| appendic(o) | appendix |
| arteri(o) | artery |
| arteriol(o) | arteriolea |
| arthr(o) | joint; articulation |
| aur(i), auricul(o) | ear |
| blephar(o) | eyelid |
| brachi(o) | arm |
| bronch(o), bronchi | bronchus |
| bucc(o) | cheek |
| burs(o) | bursa...See bursa |
| calcane(o) | heel bone |
| cardi(o) | heart; esophageal opening of the stomach |
| carp(o) | wrist bones |
| celi(o) | abdomen...Similar to abdomin(o) |
| cephal(o) | head |
| cerebell(o) | cerebellum |
| cerebr(o) | cerebrum |
| cervic(o) | neck; cervix |
| cheil(o), chil(o) & labi(o) | lip |
| chir(o) | hand |
| chol(e), cholo | bile |
| chondri(o), chondr(o) | cartilage |
| col(o), colon(o) | colon |
| colp(o) | vagina |
| core(o) | pupil |
| cortic(o) | cortex |
| costi, costo | rib |
| crani(o) | cranium |
| cyst(i), cysto | bladder; cyst |
| cyt(o) | cell |
| dactyl(o) | fingers, toes |
| dent(i), dento | tooth |
| derm(o), derma, dermat(o) | skind |
| uden(o) | duodenum |
| encephal(o) | brain |
| enter(o) | intestines |
| episi(o) | vulva |
| gastr(o) | stomach |
| gingiv(o) | gum |
| gloss(o) | tongue |
| gnath(o) | jaw |
| gonad(o) | sex glands |
| hem(a), hemato(o), hemo | blood |
| hepat(o), hepatic(o) | liver |
| hidr(o) | sweat |
| histi(o), histo | tissue |
| hyster(o) | uterus, hysteria |
| ile(o) | ileum...Similar to ili(o) |
| ili(o) | ilium...Similar to ile(o) |
| inguin(o) | groin |
| irid(o) | iris |
| ischi(o) | ischium |
| kary(o) | nucleus |
| kerat(o) | cornea |
| labi(o) & cheil(o), chil(o) | lip |
| lamin(o) | lamina |
| lapar(o) | abdominal wall |
| laryng(o) | larynx |
| linguo | tongue |
| lip(o) | fat |
| lymph(o) | lymph |
| mast(o) | breast |
| maxill(o) | maxilla (upper jaw) |
| medull(o) | medulla |
| mening(o) | meninges |
| muco | mucus |
| acetabul(o) | acetabulum |
| acromi(o) | end point of the scapula |
| ankyl(o) OR scoli(o) | bent, crooked |
| arthr(o) | joint |
| brachi(o) | arm |
| calcane(o) | heel |
| calci(o) | calcium |
| carp(o) | wrist |
| cephal(o) | head |
| condyl(o) | knob, knuckle |
| fasci(o) | fascia |
| femor(o) | femur |
| fibr(o) | fiber |
| humer(o) | humerus |
| kyph(o) | hump; bent |
| leiomy(o) | smooth muscle |
| lumb(o) | lumbar |
| metacarp(o) | metacarpal |
| my(o) | muscle...DNCw/mio |
| myel(o) | spinal cord; bone marrow |
| oste(o) | bone |
| patell(o) | knee |
| ped(i), ped(o), pod(o) | foot |
| pelv(i) | pelvis |
| phalang(o) | finger or toe bone |
| pod(o), ped(i), ped(o) | foot |
| pub(o) | pubix |
| rachi(o) | spine |
| radi(o) | forearm bone |
| rhabd(o) | rod-shaped |
| rhabdomy(o) | striated muscle |
| scapul(o) | scapula |
| scoli(o) | curved |
| spondyl(o) & vertebr(o) | vertebra |
| stern(o) | sternum |
| synov(o) | synovial membrane |
| tars(o) | tarsus |
| ten(o), tend(o), tendin(o) | tendon |
| thorac(o) | thorax |
| tibi(o) | tibia |
| uln(o) | ulna |
| vertebr(o) & spondyl(o) | vertebra |
| A-K | above the knee (amputation) |
| B-K | below the knee (amputation) |
| C1, C2, etc | 1st cervical vertebra, 2nd cervical vertebra, etc |
| Ca | calcium |
| CTS | carpal tunnel syndrome: pain and paresthesia in the hand due to repetitive motion injury of the median nerve |
| D1, D2, etc OR T1, T2 | 1st dorsal vertebra, 2nd dorsal vertebra -- now referred to as 1st thoracic vertebra, etc |
| DJD | degenerative joint disease |
| DTR | deep tendon reflex |
| EMG | electromyogram |
| Fx | fracture |
| IM | intramuscularly |
| L1, L2, etc | 1st lumbar vertebra, 2nd lumbar vertebra, etc |
| NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| P | phosphorus |
| ROM | range of motion |
| T1, T2, etc OR D1, D2 | 1st thoracic vertebra, 2nd thoracic vertebra, etc |
| TMJ | temporomandibular joint |
| musculoskeletal system | includes bones, joints, and muscles |
| osseous tissue | what bones are made of |
| osteocytes | cells of bones |
| ossification | process of bone hardening and development of the osteocytes; needs calcium, phosphorus, and vit. D |
| cartilage | fetal-stage bones which are soft and flexible until ossification begins |
| osteoblasts | bone-forming cells |
| osteoclasts OR phagocytes | those which absorbs some dying bone tissue |
| long bones | form the arms andlegs...See diaphysis |
| bone head | the end of a bone often rounded, that attaches to other |
| skeleton | adult has 206 bones |
| crest | a bony ridge |
| process | any bony projection to which muscles and tendons attach |
| tubercle | a slight elevation on a bone's surface where muscles or ligaments are attached |
| trochanter | a bony extension near the upper end of the femur where muscle is attached |
| tuberosity | a large elevation on the surface of a bone for the attachments of muscles or tendons |
| condyle | a rounded surface protrusion at the end of a bone |
| fossa | a shallow pit in bone |
| foramen | an opening through bone for blood vessels and nerves |
| fissure | a deep cleft in bone |
| sulcus | a groove or furrow on the surface of a bone |
| sinus | a hollow space or cavity in a bone |
| Marrow | soft connective tissue. Important to production of blood cells |
| sutures | places at which Cranial bones join and form the skull |
| spinal column | consists of five sets of vertebrae |
| vertebra | a bone segment with a thick, cartilaginous disk separating it from the other vertebrae |
| fontanelle | skull of a newborn--soft spot that closes eventually |
| frontal bone | forehead and roof of eye socket |
| ethmoid bone | nasal cavity and eye orbits |
| parietal bone | top and upper sides of the skull |
| temporal bone | lower part of skull and lower sides, includes openings for ears |
| temporomandibular joint (TMJ) | connects temporal bone to mandible (lower jawbone) |
| mastoid process | round extension behind the temporal bone |
| styloid process | peg-shaped protrusion from a bone, as one that extends down from the temporal bone |
| occipital bone | back and base of skull |
| foramen magnum | opening in occipital bone through which spinal cord passes |
| sphenoid bone | base of the cranium holding together the frontal, occipital, and ethmoid bones |
| sella turcica | depression in the sphenoid bone that holds the pituitary gland |
| frontal sinuses | cavities above the eyes |
| sphenoid sinus | cavity above and behind the nose |
| ethmoid sinuses | small sinuses at the side of the nasal cavity |
| maxillary sinuses | cavities on either side of the nasal cavity |
| compact bone | hard bone with a tightly woven structure |
| diaphysis | long middle section of a long bone; shaft |
| metaphysis | section of a long bone between the epiphysis and diaphysis |
| epiphyseal | cartilaginous tissue that is replaced during growth years, eventually calcifies and disappears when growth stops |
| articular cartilage | cartilage at a joint |
| cancellous bone | spongy bone with a latticelike structure |
| medullary cavity | soft center cavity in bone that often holds marrow |
| endosteum | lining of the medullary cavity |
| periosteum | fibrous membrane covering the surface of bone |
| nasal bones | facial bone that forms the nose bridge |
| lacrimal bones | holds the lacrimal gland and the canals for the tear ducts |
| mandibular bone or mandible | lower jawbone and holds the sockets for the lower teeth |
| maxillary bones | upper jawbone and sockets for the upper teeth |
| vomer | nasal septum |
| zygomatic bones | bones that shape the cheek |
| palatine bone | forms the nasal cavity and the hard palate |
| acromion | part of the scapula that connects to the clavicle |
| clavicle | curved bone of the shoulder that joins to the scapula; collar bone |
| sternum | long, flat bone that forms the midline of the anterior of the thorax |
| thorax | part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen; chest |
| scapula | large flat bone that forms the shoulder blade |
| pelvic girdle | hip bones |
| true ribs | (7) upper ribs of the chest that attach to the sternum |
| intervertebral OR cartilaginous disk | thick, circular mass of cartilage between the vertebrae of the spinal column |
| cartilaginous OR intervertebral disk | thick, circular mass of cartilage between the vertebrae of the spinal column |
| nucleus pulposus | fibrous mass in the center portion of the intervertebral disk |
| neural canal | space through which the spinal cord passes |
| sacrum | next-to-last spinal vertebra made up of (5) fused bones; vertebra that forms part of the pelvis |
| coccyx | the tailbone |
| ilium | wide portion of the hip bone |
| ischium | (1) of three fused bones that form the pelvic girdle |
| pubes | anteroinferior portion of the hip bone |
| pubic symphysis | joint between the two pubic bones |
| humerus | attaches to the scapula and clavicle |
| ulna | (2) lower arm bones |
| olecranon OR elbow | bony protrusion on the ulna |
| radius | bone between the elbow and wrist |
| carpus or wrist | attached to the radius and palm |
| metacarpals | (5) palm bones that radiate to fingers |
| phalanges (sing. phalanx) | finger bones |
| acetabulum | depression in hip bone into which thigh fits |
| femur | thigh bone |
| tibia OR shin | one of the two bones of the lower leg |
| fibula | (1) of the (2) bones of the lower leg |
| patella | kneecap |
| malleoli | bony protrusions at the bottom of the lower leg |
| tarsal bones | help form the ankle, tarsus or instep, and calcaneus or heel |
| metatarsals | bones that connect the tarsal bones to the phalanges or toe bones |
| articulation | point at which two bones join together to allow movement |
| atlas | 1st cervical vertebra |
| axis | 2nd cervical vertebra |
| bursa (pl. bursae) | sac lined with a synovial membrane that fills the spaces between tendons and joints |
| calcaneus | heel bone |
| fascia (pl. fasciae) | sheet of fibrous tissue that encloses muscles |
| origin | point at which muscles attach to stationary bone |
| insertion | point at which a muscle attaches to a movable bone |
| involuntary muscle OR smooth OR visceral | muscle not movable at will |
| voluntary OR striated muscle | muscle that can be contracted at will |
| flexion | the bending of a limb |
| extension | the straightening of a limb |
| rotation | the circular movement of a part, such as the neck |
| abduction | movement away from the body |
| adduction | movement toward the body |
| supination | a turning up, as of the hand |
| pronation | a turning down, as of the hand |
| dorsiflexion | a bending Up, as of the ankle |
| plantar flexion | a bending Down, as of the ankle |
| plantar flexion | Bending the sole of the foot downward toward the ground. |
| orthopedist | physician who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system |
| osteopath | physician who combines manipulative treatment with conventional therapeutic measures |
| arthrography | radiography of a joint |
| arthroscopy | examination with an instrument that explores the interior of a joint |
| diskography | radiographic image of an intervertebral disk by injection of a contrast medium into the center of the disk |
| myelography | radiographic imaging of the spinal cord |
| electromyogram | a graphic image of muscular action using electrical currents |
| bone scan | radiographic or nuclear medicine image of a bone |
| chiropractor | health care professional who works to align the spinal column so as to treat certain ailments |
| densitometer | device that measures bone density using light and x-rays |
| diskography | radiographic image of an intervertebral disk by injection of a contrast medium into the center of the disk |
| goniometer | instrument that measures angles or range of motion in a joint |
| myelography | radiographic imaging of the spinal cord |
| podiatrist | medical specialist who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the foot |
| rheumatoid factor test | used to detect rheumatoid arthritis |
| rheumatologist | physician who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders of the joints and musculoskeletal system |
| serum calcium | test for calcium in the blood |
| serum creatine phosphokinase | enzyme active in muscle contraction; usually phosphokinase is elevated after a myocardial infarction and in the presence of other degenerative muscle diseases |
| serum phosphorus | test for phosphorus in the blood |
| Tinel's sign | "Pins and needles" sensation felt when an injured nerve site is tapped |
| uric acid test | test for acid content in urine; elevated levels may indicate gout |
| anklylosis | stiffening of a joint, especially as a result of disease |
| arthralgia | severe joint pain |
| arthritis | any of various conditions involving joint inflammation |
| atrophy | wasting away of tissue, organs, cells, usu. from disease or loss of blood supply |
| bony necrosis | death of portions of bone |
| bunion | an inflamed bursa at the foot joint, between big the toe and first metatarsal bone |
| bursitis | inflammation of a bursa |
| calcar | spur |
| chondromalacia | softening of cartilage |
| closed fracture | no open skin wound |
| Colles' fracture | at lower end of the radius |
| comminuted fracture | shattered bones |
| complex fracture | part of the bone displaced |
| complicated fracture | involves extensive soft tissue injury |
| compound fracture | open skin wound; open fracture...See 'open fracture' |
| compression fracture | (1) or more vertebrae, from compression of the space between the vertebrae |
| contracture | extreme resistance to stretching of a muscle |
| crepitation, crepitus | noise made by rubbing together of bones |
| degenerative arthritis | arthritis with erosion of the cartilage...Similar to osteoarthritis |
| dislocation | movement of a joint out of its normal position, resulting from injury or sudden, strenuous mvmt |
| dystonia | abnormal tone in tissues |
| epiphysitis | inflammation of the epiphysis (the rounded end of a long bone) |
| exostosis | abnormal growth capped with cartilage |
| flaccid | without tone; relaxed |
| fracture | a break, esp. in a bone |
| gouty arthritis, gout | inflammation of joints, present in gout; usu. caused by uric acid crystals |
| greenstick fracture | twisting or bending of bone, But NO break; usu. happens to children |
| hairline fracture | no bone separation or fragmentation |
| herniated disk | protrusion of an invertebral disk into the neural canal |
| hypertrophy | abnormal increase as in muscle size |
| hypotonia | abnormally reduced muscle tension |
| impacted fracture | one fragment is driven into the tissue of another part of the fracture |
| incomplete fracture | does not go entirely through the bone |
| kyphosis | abnormal posterior spine curvature (humpback) |
| leiomyoma | benign tumor of smooth muscle |
| leimyosarcoma | malignant tumor of smooth muscle |
| lordosis | abnormal anterior spine curvature (swayback) |
| muscular dystrophy | progressive degenerative disorder affecting musculoskeletal system, and later, other organs |
| myalgia & myodynia | muscle pain |
| myeloma | bone marrow tumor |
| myodynia & myalgia | muscle pain |
| myoma | benign muscle tumor |
| myositis | inflammation of a muscle |
| open fracture | open skin wound...See 'compound fracture' |
| ostealgia & osteodynia | bone pain |
| osteoarthritis | arthritis with loss of cartilage...See 'degenerative arthritis' |
| osteodynia & ostealgia | bone pain |
| osteoma | benign bone tumor, usu. on skull or mandible |
| osteomyelitis | inflammation of bone marrow and surrounding bone |
| osteoporosis | degenerative thinning of bone |
| osteosarcoma | malignant tumor of bone |
| pathological fracture | occurs at site of already-damaged bone |
| phantom limb; phantom pain | pain felt in paralyzed or amputated limb |
| physical therapy | movement therapy to restore areas of damage |
| podagra | pain in big toe, often assoc. with gout |
| rhabdomyoma | benign tumor in striated muscle |
| rhabdomyosarcoma | malignant tumor in striated muscle |
| rheumatoid arthritis | autoimmune disorder affecting connective tissue |
| rickets | disease of skeletal system, usu. from lack of Vit. D |
| rigidity | stiffness...Similar to rigor |
| rigor | stiffening...Similar to rigidity |
| sciatica | lower back pain, usu. radiating down the leg |
| scoliosis | abnormal lateral curvature of spinal column |
| sequestrum | piece of dead tissue or bone separated from surrounding area |
| simple fracture | no open skin wound |
| spasm | sudden, involuntary muscle contraction |
| spastic | tending to have spasms |
| spina bifida | congenital defect with deformity of spinal column |
| spinal curvature | abnormal curvature of spine |
| spondylolisthesis | degenerative condition: a vertebra misaligns with one below; "slipped disk" |
| spondylolysis | degenerative condition of moving part of vertebra |
| sprain | injury to ligament |
| spur | bony projection growing out of bone; calcar |
| strain | injury to muscle after improper or over-use |
| subluxation | partial dislocation, as between joint surfaces |
| talipes calcaneus | deformity of hell, resulting from weakened calf muscles |
| talipes valgus | foot deformity, characterized by eversion (duck feet) |
| talipes varus | foot deformity, characterized by inversion (pigeon toe) |
| tendinitis OR tendonitis | inflammation of a tendon |
| tetany | painfully long muscle contraction |
| tremor | abnormal, repetitive muscle contractions |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace