Medical terminology of the musculoskeletal system
The article discusses medical terminology related to the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system consists of muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints and bones. These terms will help in the study of disorders and diseases related to the musculoskeletal system.
This article provides an overview of word roots, plus some additional suffixes and prefixes related to the musculoskeletal system. There are terms and definitions of orthopedic specialties.
There is also a list of musculoskeletal structures, examinations and diagnostic procedures.
If you need knowledge about the formation of medical terms, read the articleBasics of medical terminology.Also an article11 Rules for converting simple expressions into plural expressionsthis is a good article for using single and multiple outputs. This article begins with an overview of the basic prefixes and suffixes that can be applied to all body systems.
Prefix overview
This section contains prefixes used in most medical terminology systems.
Prefixes are used at the beginning of a word to change or diversify the meaning of a word. When prefixes are separated from a term, it is followed by a hyphen (-).
| Prefixes | Definition |
|---|---|
| one one- | no, no, no, far away |
| automatically- | Himself |
| Brady- | slowly |
| Is- | separately, through |
| terminal, endo- | inside, inside |
| exo- | outside without |
| epi- | she |
| hyper- | superstitious |
| hi- | fail |
| between- | between |
| inside- | midden |
| media- | mediocre |
| midden- | located or related to the center |
| average- | midden |
| half- | w |
| standard | normal |
| O- | Door |
| over- | around |
| physio-, physio- | related to nature or physiology |
| Police- | a lot of |
| professional- | for, for, for, with, on behalf of, because of |
| gen- | rug |
| retro- | back, back, back |
| Fulani | under, under, under, in a small amount, less than usual |
| syn-, sy-, syl-, sym- | trade union or association |
| tachy- | Fast |
| trans- | over, through, beyond, above |
| ultra- | excess |
Suffix overview
Below are some suffixes that can be used in medical terminology for most systems. Suffixes are placed at the end of the stem of a word or word part to change or vary the meaning.
Suffixes can indicate a condition, disease, or procedure. When a suffix is written as standalone, it is preceded by a hyphen (-).
| Suffix | Definition |
|---|---|
| -ac. -al, -ar, -ary | Re |
| -ic | Related to properties |
| -ose, -ous | Re |
| - only | Re |
| - proc | surgical puncture to aspirate or remove fluid |
| -decision | cutting process |
| -ectomie | excision (surgical removal or excision) |
| -gram | drawing or written record |
| -Curve | the product of a drawing, writing or recording |
| -graf | recording process |
| -tj | stan |
| -name | state process, theory, principle, method |
| -this is | inflammation |
| -log | the one who studies |
| -ology | test |
| -liza | the process of loosening, releasing or destroying |
| - aside | No |
| - coming | apartment, process to status |
| -otomies | intervenes |
| - stoma | create a hole |
| - Plastic | surgical repair |
| - Also | disease |
| - sclerosis | hardening |
| - reach | display instrument |
| - cheap | visual examination with a lighted instrument |
| - older | apartment, apartment |
| - stoppage | stand, set, stop, check |
| narrowing | narrowing |
| -spanning | Busy |
| - therapy | therapy |
| -torso | chest |
| -ule | Lille |
The root word and the connecting vowel forDiseases of the musculoskeletal system System
This is a list of word roots where the combined vowels are used to indicate locomotor.
| word order | Definition |
|---|---|
| Arthro(o) | collection |
| cage | bursa |
| Carp | pols |
| Chondr(o) | cartilage |
| clavicle(s) | clavicle |
| stuitbeen(o) | tailbone |
| diner(s) | ribs |
| skulls | skull |
| Thigh bone | thigh bone |
| Fibula | fibula |
| Mood(o) | humerus |
| Lub | hip |
| Ischi(o) | sciatica |
| jaw | jaw |
| Maxill(o) | jaw |
| Koot(o) | metacarpal |
| metatarsal bone) | metatarsal bone |
| muscle | muscle |
| mine | muscle |
| Myel(o) | GO |
| Are | bot |
| Patell(o) | kneecap |
| pelvis (o) | pelvis, hip bone |
| stream(s) | phalanges |
| pub(y) | uterus |
| Ray | Ray |
| holy | holy |
| escape | Shoulder |
| Spondyl(o) | We |
| Rufa(s) | use |
| I have | sen |
| for you | tibia |
| Uln(o) | butt pipe |
| circles | We |
Suffixes and prefixes specific to the musculoskeletal system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| article- | collection |
| as- | as |
| Epi- | enabled or enabled. |
| -fibrous | made of fibrous tissue. |
| -gen | what it yields |
| myo- | muscle |
| Min- | muscle |
| Allotment- | feet |
| Oss- | bot |
| Osteo-, osteo- | bot |
| - cost | bot |
| -Physically | growth or increase |
Specializations of the musculoskeletal system
This is a list of specialists who diagnose and treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal system.
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| Orthopedics | Ortho means normal, straight or upright. |
| Pedic means feet | |
| Medical specialization dealing with the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. | |
| Orthopedist | Ortho means normal, straight or upright. |
| A doctor who specializes in treating the musculoskeletal system. | |
| Orthopedic surgery | Ortho means normal, straight or upright. |
| Surgery means the treatment of a disease or deformity. | |
| A medical field that specializes in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system and surgical procedures. | |
| Orthopedic surgeon | Ortho means normal, straight or upright. |
| A surgeon is a doctor who treats illnesses and injuries through surgical procedures. | |
| A doctor who specializes in the musculoskeletal system and who performs surgeries. |
Structure and functions of the skeletal system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| Axial skeleton | Ash- means ash. |
| The axis is a line through the center of the body. | |
| Axial refers to the axis of the body. | |
| The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. These bones form the axis of the skeleton. | |
| Articular cartilage | Articul- means pond. |
| Cartilage is a non-vascular, dense supporting tissue. | |
| Articular cartilage is a type of hyaline connective tissue that covers the articular surfaces of bones. Articular cartilage is found in synovial joints. | |
| Bot | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| bursa | The bursa is a fluid-filled, fibrous sac between some tendons and bones that acts as a small cushion that allows the tendon to move over the bone. |
| spontaneous bot | Cancellus means grid. |
| Spongy bone, also called spongy bone, is a network of bony plates at the ends of long bones. | |
| Cartilage | Cartilage is a non-vascular, dense supporting tissue. |
| Brusselled | Cartilage refers to cartilage. |
| In the cartilage joint, two bones come together to form an easily movable joint. | |
| Compact bot | The compact bone is the outer shell of skeletal structures. The compact bone is also called cortical bone. |
| Crackle | Crepitus is a clicking sound often heard when joints are moved. |
| Diafyse | -phy means height or growth. |
| The shaft is the straight shaft of a long bone. | |
| Base plate | The epiphyseal plate is a thin layer of cartilage between the epiphysis, the secondary bone formation center, and the diaphysis of the bone. The epiphyseal plates are also called growth plates. |
| Epiphysis | Epi- means on or through. |
| -phy means height or growth. | |
| The epiphysis is the enlarged proximal and distal end of a long bone. | |
| Fibrous joint | -fibrous means consisting of fibrous tissue. |
| Fibrous joints are easily movable joints where fibrous tissue connects bones. There are fibrous joints in the skull. | |
| Havers system | The Haversian system is a circular bone unit containing many small, longitudinal canals in the bone tissue. |
| collection | A joint is a joint where two bones meet. |
| IJscapsule | The joint capsule is a sac-like structure that surrounds the end of a bone. |
| Ligament | A ligament is a flexible band of fibrous tissue that holds joints together while still allowing them to move. Ligaments connect bone to bone. |
| Ossification | We - the bone. |
| Ossification is the formation of a bone matrix where calcium and phosphate are bound to collagen fibers. | |
| Osteoblast | Osteo-, oste- means bone. |
| A burst is a cell that can build up tissue. | |
| -blast means the embryonic stage of development. | |
| Osteoblasts are cells that deposit and secrete new bone cells to form bone. | |
| Osteoclast | Osteo-, oste- means bone. |
| -clast means something that breaks down, causing it to dissolve. | |
| Osteoclasts are the main bone cells that dissolve, digest and reabsorb bone. | |
| Osteocyt | Osteo-, oste- means bone. |
| Cyt- means cell. | |
| Osteocytes are bone cells responsible for maintaining the bone matrix. Osteocytes include osteoblasts and osteoclasts. | |
| osteogeen | Osteo-, oste- means bone. |
| -gene means what it generates. | |
| Osteogenesis is the development of bone tissue. | |
| Skeleton | Peri means round. |
| -osteum means bone. | |
| The periosteum is the thick fibrous connective tissue that covers the bone. | |
| Reconstruction | Re means to return again. |
| Remodeling is a process of regenerating and restoring bone stability and strength. | |
| synovial fluid | Synovial refers to the secretion of the synovium. |
| Synovia is a fluid secreted by the synovium that is clear and viscous. | |
| This synovial fluid is a lubricating fluid that reduces friction between the two bones where the joint originates. | |
| synovialized | Synovial refers to the secretion of the synovium. |
| Synovia is a fluid secreted by the synovium that is clear and viscous. | |
| Synovial joints make up the majority of joints in the body. The joints are freely movable and allow easy movement between the bones. | |
| Sen | Tendons are cord-like bands of fibrous connective tissue that connect bones to muscles. |
| bar | Trabeculae are a fibrous connective tissue cord that forms an irregular network of supporting fibers. |
| We | The vertebra is one of the bones of the spine. |
Structure and functions of the muscular system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| actin | Actin are the thin filaments in muscle fibers that are attracted to myosin filaments, causing the muscles to contract. It is one of the two proteins required for muscle contraction. |
| Adenozyntrifosforaan (ATP) | Adenosine triphosphate is the source of energy required for muscle contraction. |
| heart muscle | Heart refers to the heart. |
| A muscle is a type of tissue made up of fibers that can contract and move body parts. | |
| Cardiac muscle is a striated muscle, like skeletal muscle, and is under involuntary control, like smooth muscle. This type of muscle is only found in the heart. | |
| Contractile tissue | Shrinkability refers to the ability to reduce size or length. |
| Contractile tissue is tissue that has the ability to shrink in size or length in response to a stimulus. | |
| Muscle | A muscle is a type of tissue made up of fibers that can contract and move body parts. |
| Miofibryler | Myo- refers to the muscles. |
| A fiber is a small fiber that is part of the cells. | |
| Myofibrils are bundles of myofilaments in the cardiac and skeletal muscles that give the muscle its striated appearance. | |
| Myofilamenter | Myo- refers to the muscles. |
| Filaments are thin fibers that resemble a thread. | |
| Myofilaments are thread-like structures found in striated muscle bundles. The thick filaments are myosin and the thin filaments are actin. | |
| Myosin | Myo- refers to the muscles. |
| Myosin are the thick filaments in muscle fibers that interact with actin. It is one of the two proteins required for muscle contraction. | |
| Sarcolemma | Sarco - refers to meat. |
| -lemma means a confining membrane. | |
| The sarcolemma is a membrane that covers the fibers of the smooth, striated, and cardiac muscle. | |
| Sarkomery | Sarco - refers to meat. |
| -just means part or part. | |
| Sarcomeres are the smallest functional unit of myofibrils. | |
| The sarcoplasmic reticulum | Sarco - refers to meat. |
| Sarcoplasm is the semi-liquid cytoplasm of muscle cells. | |
| Mesh means a small mesh. | |
| The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a network of tubules and sacs in skeletal muscle fibers that play an important role in muscle contraction and relaxation by releasing and storing calcium ions. | |
| Skeletal muscle (striated muscle) | The skeleton is the supporting skeleton of the body. |
| Skeletal muscles control the voluntary movements of the body. Skeletal muscles are also striated muscles. | |
| Smooth muscles | Smooth muscles are involuntary and not consciously controlled. Smooth muscles are found in body organs such as the intestines, airways and also blood vessels. |
Movement classifications of the musculoskeletal system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| Kidnapping | Abduction is movement from the center of the body. |
| Adduction | Adduction is movement toward the center of the body. |
| Circumcision | The circling is done in a circular motion. |
| Dorsiflexie | Dorsiflexion is the upward bending of the foot toward the shin. |
| Eversie | Eversion is the movement of the sole of the foot outward from the center of the body. |
| Expansion | Extension is the straightening of the angle in the joint. |
| CURL | Flexion is bending a joint to form an angle. |
| hyperextensie | Hyperextension is an exaggerated version of extension. |
| Inversion | Inversion is the inward movement of the sole of the foot toward the center of the body. |
| Plantairflexie | Plantar flexion is when the toes are pointed. |
| pronation | Pronation involves turning the forearm or hand so that the palm is facing down. |
| Rotation | Rotation is the rotation of a body part around an axis. An example is turning your head from side to side. |
| Supination | Supination involves rotating the forearm or hand so that the palm is facing up. |
Treatments in the musculoskeletal system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| arthrocentrism | Arthro- means pond or pond. |
| -centesis means a surgical puncture for aspiration or removal of fluid. | |
| During arthrocentesis, a needle is inserted into the joint to remove fluid. This procedure is used to collect samples of joint fluid to diagnose the condition. | |
| Arthrography | Arthro- means pond or pond. |
| graph indicates the recording process. | |
| Arthrography is a method of using radiography to image the inside of a joint. A radiopaque contrast agent is also used in this method. | |
| Arthroplasty | Arthro- means pond or pond. |
| -plasty means surgical repair. | |
| The use of surgery to restore mobility to a painful joint or joint affected by osteoarthritis through reconstruction or replacement. | |
| Artroscopie | Arthro- means pond or pond. |
| -scopy means visual examination with a lighted instrument. | |
| The use of an endoscope inserted into a small incision to visualize and examine the inside of the joint. | |
| Bone Density Test | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| Densitometry is a method of measuring bone density. | |
| Bone densitometry is a method of determining bone mass by measuring the absorption of radiation from the skeleton. | |
| Bone graft | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| A transplant is an organ that is taken from one person and implanted in another person. Graft is also tissue taken from one person's site and inserted into another person or the same person. | |
| Bone grafting is the repair of a skeletal defect by taking a piece of bone from one part of the body and transplanting it to another part of the body. | |
| go | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| Bone marrow is a spongy material found in the inner cavity of a bone. | |
| Bottom scan | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| A bone scan is a method that uses an image produced by the emission of radiopaque particles to visualize the bone. | |
| X-ray of the bone | Bone is a connective tissue that is dense and hard and forms the backbone of the human skeleton. |
| A bone X-ray uses radiology to look for a problem in the bones or joints. | |
| computed tomography | Computed tomography is a technique that uses radiography to obtain a cross-section of tissue. |
| Dual Energy Absorbers (DEXA) | Dual-energy absorptiometry is a bone density measurement method that uses two low-dose X-rays at different levels to produce an image. |
| Elektromiogram (EMG) | Electro- refers to electric. |
| Myo- refers to the muscles. | |
| -gram is a drawing or written record. | |
| An electromyogram is a recording of the electrical activity of skeletal muscles. | |
| Electromyography (EMG) | Electro- refers to electric |
| Myo- refers to the muscles | |
| chart is the recording process. | |
| Electromyography is a method used to measure the action potential of the muscles. | |
| Rentgen LED | Join this connection between the bones. |
| X-rays of the joints can detect fluid, abnormalities, rutting, stenosis, and changes in the structure of the joint. | |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | Magnetic refers to a magnetic stone. |
| Resonance means to resound. | |
| Imaging means an image. | |
| MRI is a procedure used to create an image by creating a magnetic field that provides detailed information about the bone. | |
| Percutaneous discectomy (also discectomy) | Percutaneous procedures performed through the skin. |
| Discectomy is the removal of the intervertebral disc. | |
| Percutaneous discectomy is the removal of the intervertebral disc through the skin. | |
| Prosthesis | A prosthesis is the replacement of a missing body part, such as a limb or joint, with an artificial part. |
Diseases and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
| Semester | Definition |
|---|---|
| atonic | A- refers to no, no, without, far away. |
| -tonic refers to the quality of muscle tone or muscle contraction. | |
| Atonic refers to the lack of normal tone, as in a muscle that is flaccid. | |
| Environment | A- refers to no, no, without, far away. |
| -tropia means affinity for. | |
| Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle size or activity due to lack of exercise or a neurological or musculoskeletal disorder. | |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | Karp(o) means pulse. |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition of the wrist and hand caused by compression of the median nerve in the hand. | |
| Clone | Clonus is increased reflex activity, such as repeated muscle contractions and relaxations that occur in rapid succession. |
| contracture | Contracture is the permanent flexion and immobility of a joint, sometimes caused by atrophy and shortening of muscle fibers. |
| displacement | A dislocation is the displacement of a body part from its original position. |
| connective tissue | Fasci- means a band or band of fibrous tissue. |
| Fascia is a fibrous connective membrane of varying thickness and density found throughout the body. | |
| fibromyalgia | Fibr(o) refers to fibers. |
| We- refers to the muscles. | |
| algia refers to pain. | |
| Fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis characterized by musculoskeletal pain, cramps, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. | |
| Relaxed | Loose means loose and without tension, for example a muscle that is weak and flaccid and has no normal tension. |
| Broken bones | A fracture is a traumatic injury to a bone where the normal continuity of the bone is broken. |
| Kyphosis | Kyph(o)- refers to the hump. |
| -oza refers to the state. | |
| Kyphosis is an abnormal condition of the spine in which the curvature of the thoracic spine increases. | |
| curvature of the spine | Lord(o)- refers to leaning forward |
| -oza refers to the state | |
| Lordosis is an abnormal condition of the spine, consisting of an increase in the cavity of the lumbar spine. | |
| Muscular dystrophy | Muscle refers to the muscles |
| Dystrophin is a missing or defective protein. | |
| Muscle wasting is a genetically transmitted disease caused by a mutation in the gene that produces the protein dystrophin, which causes progressive atrophy of symmetrical skeletal muscle groups. | |
| muscle strain | We- refers to the muscles. |
| algia refers to pain. | |
| Muscle pain is muscle pain. | |
| Myopathy | We(o) refers to the muscles. |
| -pathy refers to illness. | |
| Myopathy is an abnormal condition of the skeletal muscles characterized by muscle weakness and wasting. | |
| Arthrosis | Oste(o) refers to bones. |
| Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. | |
| Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis in which one or more joints undergo degenerative changes. | |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Rheumatic refers to inflammation of the joints. |
| Arthritis is a group of inflammatory conditions of muscles, joints, ligaments and bursae. | |
| Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. | |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation, destruction and deformity of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is known to have an autoimmune component. | |
| scoliosis | Scolio- refers to twisted or crooked. |
| -osis refers to the condition. | |
| Scoliosis is an abnormal condition of the spine that involves a lateral curvature of the spine. |
Reference
Mosby's Medical Dictionary (2017). 10th printing. St Louis, MO. Elsevier Inc.
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Label:The musculoskeletal system