Chapter 3: The Skeletal System

ankyl/o

crooked, bent, stiff

arthr/o

joint

burs/o

bursa

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

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

acetabulum (ass-eh-TAB-you-lum)

also known as the hip socket; is the large circular cavity in each side of the pelvis that articulates with the head of the femur to form the hip joint.

allogeneic (al-loh-jen-EEH-ick)

originating within another.

ankylosing spondylitis (ang-kih-LOH-sing spon-dih-LYE-tis)

(AS) is a type of arthritis that primarily causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae.

arthrodesis (ar-throh-DEE-sis)

also known as surgical ankylosis, is the surgical fusion (joining together) of two bones 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.

autologous (aw-TOL-uh-guss)

originating within an individual.

avascular necrosis (ay-VAS-cue-ler neh-KROH-sis)

also known as osteonecrosis, is an area of bone tissue death caused by insufficient blood flow, often to the hip.

callus (KAL-us)

forms as a bulging deposit around the area of the break—this tissue eventually becomes bone. Also, a thickening of the skin caused by repeated rubbing.

chondromalacia (kon-droh-mah-LAY-shee-ah)

the abnormal softening of cartilage.

comminuted fracture (KOM-ih-newt-ed)

the bone is splintered or crushed. Comminuted means crushed into small pieces.

compression fracture

occurs when the bone is pressed together (compressed) 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)

also known as crepitus, is the grating sound heard when the ends of a broken bone move together.

dual x-ray absorptiometry (ab-sorp-shee-OM-eh-tree)

(DXA) is a low-exposure radiographic measurement of the spine and hips to measure bone density.

fat embolus (EM-boh-lus)

can form when a long bone is fractured due to an accident or surgery, and fat cells from yellow bone marrow are released into the blood.

gout (GOWT)

also known as gouty arthritis, is a type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by deposits of urate crystals in the joints; often the big toe.

hallux valgus (HAL-ucks VAL-guss)

also known as a bunion, is an abnormal enlargement of the joint at the base of the great toe (hallux is Latin for big toe, and valgus means bent).

hemarthrosis (hem-ar-THROH-sis)

blood within a joint.

hematopoietic (hee-MAH-toh-poy-et-ick)

pertaining to the formation of blood cells.

internal fixation

also known as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), is a fracture treatment in which a plate or pins are placed directly into the bone to hold the broken pieces in place.

juvenile idiopathic arthritis (id-ee-oh-PATH-ick ar-THRIGH-tis)

(JIA), formerly called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder that affects children ages 16 years or younger, with symptoms that include stiffness, pain, joint swelling, skin rash, fever, slowed growth, and fatigue.

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, or posterior portion, of a vertebra. This procedure, also known as decompression surgery, relieves pressure on the spinal cord by enlarging the spinal canal.

lordosis (lor-DOH-sis)

an abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the lumbar spine.

lumbago (lum-BAY-goh)

also known as low back pain (LBP) is the general term for pain in the lumbar region of the spine.

malleolus (mah-LEE-oh-lus)

a rounded bony projection on the tibia and fibula on the sides of each ankle joint (plural, malleoli).

manubrium (mah-NEW-bree-um)

the bony structure that forms the upper portion of the sternum.

metacarpals (met-ah-KAR-palz)

the five bones that form the palms of the hand.

metatarsals (met-ah-TAHR-salz)

form that part of the foot to which the toes are attached.

multiple myeloma (my-eh-LOH-mah)

a type of cancer that occurs in blood-making plasma cells found in the red bone marrow.

open fracture

also known as a compound fracture, is one in which the bone is broken and there is an open wound in the skin.

orthopedic surgeon (or-thoh-PEE-dick)

also known as an orthopedist, is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders involving the bones, joints, and muscles.

orthotic (or-THOT-ick)

a mechanical appliance, such as a shoe insert, leg brace, or a splint, which is specially designed to support, control, correct, or compensate for impaired limb function.

osteitis (oss-tee-EYE-tis)

an inflammation of a bone.

osteoarthritis (oss-tee-oh-ar-THRIGH-tis)

(OA), also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is most commonly associated with aging.

osteochondroma (oss-tee-oh-kon-DROH-mah)

a benign bony projection covered with cartilage.

osteomalacia (oss-tee-oh-mah-LAY-shee-ah)

also known as adult rickets, is abnormal softening of bone 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.

osteoporosis (oss-tee-oh-poh-ROH-sis)

(OP) is a marked loss of bone density and an increase in bone porosity frequently associated with aging.

osteoporotic hip fracture (oss-tee-oh-pah-ROT-ick)

also known as a broken hip, is usually caused by weakening of the bones due to osteoporosis and can occur spontaneously or as the result of a fall.

Paget’s disease (PAJ-its)

a chronic bone disease of unknown cause named for Sir James Paget. The condition is characterized by the abnormal breakdown of bone, usually in the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs, followed by abnormal bone formation.

pathologic fracture

a chronic bone disease of unknown cause named for Sir James Paget. The condition is characterized by the abnormal breakdown of bone, usually in the pelvis, skull, spine, and legs, followed by abnormal bone formation.

percutaneous vertebroplasty (per-kyou-TAY-nee-us VER-tee-broh-plas-tee)

performed to treat osteoporosis-related compression fractures.

podiatrist (poh-DYE-ah-trist)

holds a Doctor of Podiatry (DP) or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the foot.

polymyalgia rheumatica (pol-ee-my-AL-jee-ah roo-MA-tih-kah)

(PMR) is an inflammatory disorder of the muscles and joints characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and hips and thighs. Rheumatica is the Latin word for rheumatism, an obsolete term for arthritis and other disorders causing pain in the joints.

prosthesis (pros-THEE-sis)

a substitute for a diseased or missing body part, such as a leg that has been amputated (plural, prostheses).

radiculopathy (rah-dick-you-LOH-path-ee)

a condition caused by the compression of a nerve in the spine, sometimes referred to as a pinched nerve.

rheumatoid arthritis (ROO-mah-toyd ar-THRIGH-tis)

(RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the joints and some organs of other body systems are attacked.

rickets (RICK-ets)

a deficiency disease occurring in children. This condition is characterized by defective bone growth resulting from a lack of vitamin D necessary for the body to maintain calcium and phosphorous levels in the bones.

scoliosis (skoh-lee-OH-sis)

an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

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. Spina means referring to the spine. Bifida means split.

spinal stenosis (steh-NOH-sis)

a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, potentially putting pressure on the nerves and spinal cord that may cause pain.

spiral fracture

a complete 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 vertebrae on the vertebra or sacrum below it.

spondylosis (spon-dih-LOH-sis)

also known as spinal osteoarthritis. This degenerative disorder can cause the loss of normal spinal structure and function.

stem cell transplant

also known as spinal osteoarthritis. This degenerative disorder can cause the loss of normal spinal structure and function.

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, usually the knee.

vertebrae (VER-teh-bray)

The spinal column consists of 26 vertebrae. Each of these bony units is known as a vertebra, and the term vertebral means pertaining to the vertebrae.