medical terminology
Major Structures | Related Combining Forms | Primary Functions |
Bones | oss/e, oss/i, oste/o, ost/o | Act as the framework for the body, protect the internal organs, and store calcium. |
Bone Marrow | myel/o (also means spinal cord) | Red bone marrow helps form red blood cells. Yellow bone marrow stores fat. |
Cartilage | chondr/o | Creates a smooth surface for motion within the joints and protects the ends of the bones. |
Joints | arthr/o | Work with the muscles to make a variety of motions possible. |
Ligaments | ligament/o | Connect one bone to another. |
Synovial Membrane | synovi/o, synov/o | Forms the lining of synovial joints and secretes synovial fluid. |
Synovial Fluid | synovi/o, synov/o | Lubricant that makes smooth joint movements possible. |
Bursa | burs/o | Cushions areas subject to friction during movement. |
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
-lysis loosening or setting free
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 synovial membrane, synovial fluid
| Major Structures | Related Combining Forms | Primary Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles | muscul/o, my/o, myos/o | Make body movement possible, hold body erect, move body fluids, and produce body heat. |
| Fascia | fasci/o | Cover, support, and separate muscles. |
| Tendons | ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o | Attach muscles to bones. |
Vocabulary Related to the Muscular System
This list contains essential word parts and medical terms for this chapter. These and the other important primary terms are shown in boldface throughout the chapter. Secondary terms, which appear in cyan italics, clarify the meaning of primary terms.
Word Parts
- bi- twice, double, two
- -cele hernia, tumor, swelling
- dys- bad, difficult, or painful
- fasci/o fascia, fibrous band
- fibr/o fibrous tissue, fiber
- -ia abnormal condition, disease, plural of -ium
- -ic pertaining to
- kines/o, kinesi/o movement
- my/o muscle
- -plegia paralysis, stroke
- -rrhexis rupture
- tax/o coordination, order
- ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o tendon, stretch out, extend, strain
- ton/o tone, stretching, tension
- tri- three