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Musculoskeletal Root Words
Root words for the Musculoskeletal system
37
Medical
Not Applicable
06/04/2025

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
ankl/o
Definition
ex: Anklyosis- Abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones, often due caused by injury or disease
Term
arthr/o
Definition

Joint

ex: Arthritis- Inflammation of a joint, often resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness, which can be caused by aging, auto immune disorders, or injury

Term
carp/o
Definition

Carpals, wrist

ex: Carpectomy- surgical removal of a carpal bone, typically performed to relieve pain or improve wrist function

Term
chondr/o
Definition

Cartilage

ex: Chondrmalacia- Softening of cartilage, commonly affecting the knee and leading to pain and swelling during movement

Term
clavic/o-clavicul/o
Definition

Clavicule, collarbone

ex: Clavicectomy- Excision of the clavicle, usually performed to treat severe fractures or chronic pain

Term
cost/o
Definition

Ribs

ex: Costochondritis- inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum, causing localized chest pain that can mimic heart-related conditions

Term
crani/o
Definition

Crainium

ex: Craniotomy- Surgical incision into the cranium to access the brain for procedures such as tumor removal or trauma MGMT.

Term
electr/o
Definition

Electricity; electrical activity

ex: Electromygraphy- A diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of muscles to detect neuromuscular disorders

Term
fasci/o
Definition

Fascia

ex: Fasciotomy- A surgical incision into fascia to relieve tension or pressure, often to treat compartment syndrome

Term
fibr/o
Definition

Fibrous Connective Tissue

ex: Fibromyalgia- A condition characterized by widespread pain in fibrous tissues and muscles, often accompanied by fatigue and sleep disturbancies

Term
kinesi/o
Definition

Movement, Motion

ex: Kinesiology- The study of movement and how the body's muscles, bones, and joints work together to produce motion

Term
kyph/o
Definition

Increased Convexity of the spine

ex: Kyphosis- Excessive outward curvature of the spine, leading to a hunched posture, commonly seen in older adults

Term
lamin/o
Definition

Lamina(thin, flat plate, or layer)

ex: Laminectomy- Surgical removal of a portion of the vertebral lamina to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves

Term
leiomy/o
Definition

Smooth(visceral) muscle that lines the walls of the internal organs

ex: Leiomyalgia- A benign tumor of smooth muscle, often found in the uterus where it is commonly referred to as a fibroid

Term
lord/o
Definition

Bent Forward, increased concavity of the spine

ex: Lordosis- Excessive inward curvature of the spine, commonly affecting the lower back and sometimes leading to pain

Term
lumb/o
Definition

Loin, Lumbar region of the spineĀ 

ex: Lumbodynia- Pain in the lumbar region, often caused by muscle strain, injury, or degenerative conditions

Term
mandibul/o
Definition

Mandible, lower jaw bone

ex: Mandibular- Pertaining to the mandible, the largest and strongest bone of the face that holds the lower teeth

Term
maxill/o
Definition

Maxilla, upper jaw bone

ex: Maxillofacial- Pertaining to the maxilla and face, often referring to surgeries or treatments involving the upper jaw and facial structures

Term
menisc/o
Definition

Meniscus, crescent

ex: Meniscectomy- Surgical removal of a meniscus, typically done to repair damage from injury or degeneration in the knee joint

Term
my/o
Definition

Muscle

ex: Myopathy- Any disease of the muscle, often resulting in weakness, pain, or dysfunction, such as in muscular dystrophy or inflammatory myopathies

Term
myel/o
Definition

Marrow(bone) spinal cord

ex: Myelitis- Inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow, which can cause neurological symptoms, weakness, or immune system dysfunction

Term
oste/o
Definition

Bone

ex: A condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, leading to brittle bones and fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists

Term
patell/o
Definition

Patella, kneecap

ex: Patellar- Pertaining to the kneecap, a small bone that protects the knee joint and facilitates leg extension

Term
pelv/o
Definition

Pelvis, Pelvic bone

ex: Pelvectomy- Surgical removal of part or all of the pelvis, typically performed to treat advanced cancers or severed trauma

Term
petr/o
Definition

Stone

ex: Petrous- Resembling stone or pertaining to the Petrous- part of the temporal bone, which houses the inner ear structures

Term
phalang/o
Definition

Bones of the fingers and toes

ex: Phalangeal- Pertaining to the bones of the fingers or toes, essential for dexterity and movement

Term
plant/o
Definition

Sole of the foot

ex: Plantar Fascitis- Inflammation of the fascia on the sole of the foot, causing heel pain and discomfort, often due to overuse or improper footwear

Term
pub/o
Definition

Pubis(hip bone)

ex: Pubofemoral- Pertaining to the pubis and femur, such as the pobofemoral ligament, which supports the hip joint

Term
rachi/o
Definition

Vertebral Spine, Vertebral column

ex: Rachalgia- Pain in the vertebral column, often caused by conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, or muscular strain

Term
rhabd/o
Definition

Rod-Shaped, Striated

ex: Rhabdomyolysis- a condition involving the breakdown of the Striated muscle fibers, leading to the release of muscle contents into the blood stream, potentially causing kidney damage

Term
sarc/o
Definition

Flesh, Connective tissue

ex: Sarcoma- A malignant tumor of connective tissue such as bone, muscle, or fat, often requiring surgical and medical treatment

Term
scoli/o
Definition

Crooked, Curved

ex: Scoliosis- Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which can cause back pain, posture issues, and in severe cases, breathing difficulties

Term
spondyl/o
Definition

Vertebrae, Spine, Vertebral column

ex: Spondlytis- Inflammation of the vertebrae, often seen in conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, causing stiffness and pain in the spine

Term
tars/o
Definition

Tarsals, Ankle Bones

ex: Tarsalgia- Pain in the ankle, in the ankle bones, often caused by arthritis, injury, or overuse

Term
ten/o- tendon/o
Definition

Tendon

ex: Tenosynovitis- Inflammation of a tendon and its surrounding synovial sheath, often caused by repetitive movement or injury

Term
vertebr/o
Definition

Vertebra, Spine, Vertebral Column

ex: Vertebral- Pertaining to a vertebrae, one of the interlocking bones that make up the spinal column, providing support and protection for the spinal cord

Term
pelv/i
Definition

Pelvis, Pelvic bone

ex: Pelvimetary- Measurement of dimensions of the pelvis, often used in obstetrics to assess the feasibility of child birth

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