SKELETAL SYSTEM MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Word Part
Ago
Ankyl/o
Arthr/o
Bifida
Burs/o
Chondr/o
Cost/o
Crani/o
Desis
Hallux
Kyph/o
Ligament/o
Listhesis
Lord/o
Lumb
Lysis
Myel/o
Oss/e, oss/I, ost/o, oste/o
Path
Penia
Pod
Poietic
Por
Scoli/o
Spina
Spondyl/o
Synovi/o, synov/o
Valgus
WORD PARTS
Meaning of Word Part
Diseased condition
Crooked, bent or stiff
Joint
split
Bursa
Cartilage
Rib
skull
Surgical fixation of bone/joint
Big toe
hump
ligament
slipping
Bent backwards
lumbar
Loosening/setting free
Breaking down/destruction
Bone marrow
bone
Disease
deficiency
foot
Pertaining to formation
Small opening
curved
Pertaining to the spine
Vertebra(e)
Synovial membrane or S. fluid
Bent
ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATION
MEANING
BDT
Bone density testing
AKA BKA
Above / Below Knee Amputation
CR
Closed Reduction – Manipulation to
attempt realignment of fx/dislocated
bone. Immobilized for healing
OR
Open Reduction – Surgical
realignment of bone parts
IF
Internal Fixation – Fx Tx where plate
or pins placed in bone to hold
together.
EF
External fixation – Fx Tx where pins
are placed through soft tissue/bone
and an external device applied to
hold bone together to heal
Fx
Fracture
OA
Osteoarthritis
OP
Osteoporosis
THA TKA TJA
Total Hip, Knee, Joint Arthroplasty
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint
FRACTURE TERMINOLOGY
FRACTURE TYPE
MEANING OF Fx
Fracture
Broken bone
Closed fx
Broken bone with no opening to
Simple/complete
skin
Colle’s Fx
Fx occurs at lower end of radius
(Irish surgeon – A. Colles)
when person tries to stop fall
Open fx
Broken bone with open wound of
Compound
skin
Comminuted Fx
Broken bone splintered/crushed
Comression
Fx occurs when bone is pressed
Vertebral crush Fx
together; compressed on self
Greenstick Fx
Broken bone is bent/only partly
Incomplete
broken
Oblique Fx
Fx occurs at angle across bone
Pathologic Fx
Fx occurs when weakened bone
Spiral Fx
Stress Fx
Transverse Fx
breaks under normal stress
Fx where bone has been twisted
apart. (Sports injury)
Fx of overuse, small crack in bone
developed from chronic, excessive
impact
Fx occurs straight across bone
ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATED FX TERMS
TERM
MEANING
Fat Embolus
Fat cells released into blood
Can form with long bone Fx
Crepitation or crepitus
Grating sound heard when ends of
broken bone move together
Callus
Bulging deposit around broken bone
area as it heals. Will turn to bone
Dislocation - Luxation
Total displacement of a bone from its
joint
Subluxation
Partial displacement of a bone from
its joint
Immobilization /Stabilization
Act of holding, suturing, fastening
bone in fixed position –cast/straps
Traction
Pulling force exhibited on limb in
distal direction to return bone/jt to
normal alignment
PROCEDURES AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
TEST/PROCEDURE/TX
MEANING OF
Arthroscopy
Visual examination of joint using
scope
Arhtrotomy
Incision into joint
Arthroplasty
Surgical repair of damaged joint
Arthrodesis
Surgical fixation/fusion of joint
Arthrolysis
Surgical loosening of anklyosed jt
Bursectomy
Surgical removal of bursa
Synovectomy
Surgical removal of synovium
Chondroplasty
Surgical repair of damaged cartilage
Diskectomy
Surgical removal of ruptured disc
Vertebroplasty
Laminectomy
Spinal fusion
Craniectomy
Craniotomy
Cranioplasty
Osteoclasis
Ostectomy
Osteoplasty
Osteorrhaphy
Osteotomy
Periosteotomy
Bone conserving hip resurfacing
Revision
Bone cement injected to stabilize
compression fx in spinal column
Surgical removal of lamina
Immobilization of spine by joining
together two or more vertebrae
Surgical removal of portion of skull
Surgical incision or opening into
skull
Surgical repair of the skull
Surgical Fx of bone to correct
deformity
Surgical removal of bone
Surgical repair of bone
Surgical suturing/wiring together of
bones
Surgical incision or sectioning of
bone
Incision through periosteum to bone
Restoration of hip function by
placing metal cap over femur head
and metal lining in acetabulum
Replacement of worn/failed implant