•  Below, under Example: Subscapularis muscle – A muscle located below the scapula (shoulder blade), playing a key role in shoulder rotation and stabilization.

•  Above Example: Suprapatellar – Refers to the area above the patella (kneecap), commonly associated with the suprapatellar bursa, which reduces friction and allows smooth movement of the quadriceps tendon over the femur.

• Pain Example: Myalgia – Pain in a muscle, often caused by overuse, injury, or systemic conditions like fibromyalgia.

•  Break Example: Osteoclast – A specialized bone cell that breaks down bone tissue during bone remodeling and repair.

• Surgical fixation, fusion Example: Arthrodesis – Surgical fusion of a joint to provide stability and reduce pain, often used for severe arthritis.

• Pertaining to Example: Thoracic – Pertaining to the thorax (chest), which houses the lungs, heart, and other vital structures.

•  Loosening, separating, dissolution Example: Osteolysis – Destruction or dissolution of bone tissue, often seen in conditions like bone metastasis or infection.

• Softening Example: Chondromalacia – Softening of cartilage, particularly in the knee, leading to pain and difficulty with movement.

• Tumor Example: Rhabdomyoma – A benign tumor of muscle tissue, typically found in the heart or skeletal muscles.

•  Surgical repair Example: Myoplasty – Surgical repair or reconstruction of damaged or weakened muscle tissue.

• Suturing, repairing Example: Tenorrhaphy – Suturing of a torn or severed tendon to restore function and stability.

• Malignant tumor Example: Osteosarcoma – A malignant bone tumor commonly affecting children and young adults, requiring surgical and medical treatment.

• Stiff, bent Example: Ankylosis - Abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones, often caused by injury or disease.

•  Ribs Example: Costochondritis – Inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum, causing localized chest pain that can mimic heart-related conditions.

• Fascia Example: Fasciotomy - A surgical incision into fascia to relieve tension or pressure, often used to treat compartment syndrome.

•  Bent forward, increased concavity of the spine Example: Lordosis - Excessive inward curvature of the spine, commonly affecting the lower back and sometimes leading to pain.

• lumb/o: Loin, lumbar region of the spine Example: Lumbodynia - P

maxill/o: 

•  Maxilla, upper jaw bone Example: Maxillofacial - Pertaining to the maxilla and face, often referring to surgeries or treatments involving the upper jaw and facial structures.

•  Muscle Example: Myopathy – Any disease of the muscle, often resulting in weakness, pain, or dysfunction, such as in muscular dystrophy or inflammatory myopathies.

• Bone Example: Osteoporosis – A condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, leading to brittle bones and an increased risk of fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists.

•  Pubis (hipbone) Example: Pubofemoral – Pertaining to the pubis and femur, such as the pubofemoral ligament, which supports the hip joint.

• Vertebral spine, vertebral column Example: Rachialgia – Pain in the vertebral column, often caused by conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, or muscular strain.

• Crooked, curved Example: Scoliosis – Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which can cause back pain, posture issues, and in severe cases, breathing difficulties.

•  Vertebra, spine, vertebral column Example: Vertebral – Pertaining to a vertebra, one of the interlocking bones that make up the spinal column, providing support and protection for the spinal cord.

Word Anatomy 101

BDT = Bone Density Testing

• A diagnostic test used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and determine the strength of bones. It is commonly used to diagnose conditions like osteoporosis and assess fracture risk. Techniques include dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

CTS = Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• A condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers, often associated with repetitive motions like typing or assembly work.

EMG = Electromyography

• A diagnostic procedure that measures the electrical activity of muscles in response to nerve stimulation. EMG is used to evaluate muscle weakness, nerve dysfunction, or neuromuscular disorders.

MD = Muscular Dystrophy

• A group of genetic disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Types of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne muscular dystrophy (most common) and Becker muscular dystrophy, among others.

MG = Myasthenia Gravis

OA = Osteoarthritis

• A degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage within joints. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. OA primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine.

OP = Osteoporosis

OT = Occupational Therapy

• A therapeutic approach focused on enabling individuals to perform meaningful daily activities and tasks despite injury, illness, or disability. OT helps patients regain independence in activities of daily living and adapt to physical or cognitive limitations.

PKR = Partial Knee Replacement

• A surgical procedure in which only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis. PKR is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients with localized arthritis in one compartment of the knee.

PMR = Polymyalgia Rheumatica

• An inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and hips. PMR is more common in older adults and is often associated with systemic inflammation, such as in giant cell arteritis.

RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis

• A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformities. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA often affects smaller joints and can involve systemic symptoms like fatigue and fever.

ROM = Range of Motion

• The extent of movement a joint or muscle can achieve in various directions. It is often assessed in physical therapy, injury evaluation, or post-surgery rehabilitation to determine joint health or progress of recovery

RSD = Repetitive Stress Disorder

• Definition: A condition caused by repetitive motion or overuse of muscles, tendons, or nerves, leading to pain, inflammation, or injury. Common examples include tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.

THR = Total Hip Replacement

• Definition: A surgical procedure in which the damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial prosthesis. THR is often performed for severe arthritis or hip fractures, restoring function and relieving pain.

Erb’s Palsy