Word List 12

Musculoskeletal System

ankylosis

abnormal condition of stiffness (of a joint)

arthralgia

pain of a joint

arthrocentesis

surgical puncture of a joint

arthrodesis

binding/fixation of a joint

arthroscopy

visual examination of a joint

avulsion

injury where a structure is torn off another (avulsion fracture – ligament tears bone)

carpoptosis

prolapse/downward displacement of the carpals (wrist bones)

costochondritis

inflammation of the rib cartilage

diaphysis

shaft of a bone

kyphosis

abnormal condition of a humpback (increased thoracic spine curvature)

laminectomy

excision/removal of the lamina of the spine

leiomyoma

tumor of smooth muscle

lordosis

abnormal condition of curve/swayback (anterior curvature of the lumbar spine)

malleolus

bony structure on either side of the ankle (commonly fractured)

myalgia

muscle pain

myorrhexis

rupture of a muscle

myosarcoma

malignant tumor of connective tissue of the muscle

osteoarthritis

inflammation of the bone and joint

osteoporosis

porous bone

pelvimetry

act of measuring the pelvis

rhabdomyolysis

“rhabdo” condition where muscle breaks down quickly and releases toxins

sciatica

severe pain along sciatic nerve (posterior aspect of upper and lower leg)

scoliosis

abnormal condition of crooked/bent (spine) (abnormal lateral curvature of spine)

spondylolisthesis

slipping vertebra (backbone)

sprain

injury to ligament (stretched beyond its capacity)

strain

injury to tendon and/or muscle (stretched beyond its capacity)