Medical Terminology Glossary
A comprehensive quick-reference guide for all combining forms, abbreviations, diagnostic terms, and pathology language covered across Weeks 4–6 of OST 142.
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Terms Shown
0
Cardiovascular
0
Respiratory
22
Musculoskeletal
oste/o
OS-tee-oh
Combining form meaning bone.
Osteoporosis — condition of porous, fragile bones.
cost/o
KOS-toh
Combining form meaning rib.
Costochondritis — inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum.
vertebr/o
VER-teh-broh
Combining form meaning vertebra or spinal column.
Vertebroplasty — surgical repair of a collapsed vertebra.
arthr/o
AR-throh
Combining form meaning joint.
Arthritis — inflammation of one or more joints.
chondr/o
KON-droh
Combining form meaning cartilage.
Chondromalacia — softening of cartilage, often in the patella.
my/o
MY-oh
Combining form meaning muscle.
Myopathy — any disease of muscle tissue.
fasci/o
FASH-ee-oh
Combining form meaning fascia (fibrous connective tissue).
Fasciotomy — surgical incision through fascia to relieve pressure.
-desis
DEH-sis
Suffix meaning surgical fixation or binding.
Arthrodesis — surgical fusion of a joint to eliminate motion.
-plasty
PLAS-tee
Suffix meaning surgical repair or reconstruction.
Arthroplasty — surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint.
-tomy
toh-MEE
Suffix meaning incision or cutting into.
Myotomy — surgical incision into a muscle.
ORIF
oh-ar-eye-EF
Abbreviation for open reduction internal fixation; surgical procedure to repair a fractured bone using plates, screws, or rods.
The patient underwent ORIF of the distal radius after a fall.
ROM
ar-oh-EM
Abbreviation for range of motion; measures joint mobility.
Active ROM of the shoulder was limited to 90 degrees of abduction.
NWB
en-dub-yoo-BEE
Abbreviation for non-weight bearing; instruction to avoid putting weight on an affected limb.
Postoperative instructions: NWB on the right lower extremity for 6 weeks.
WBAT
dub-yoo-bee-ay-TEE
Abbreviation for weight bearing as tolerated; patient may bear weight as comfort allows.
The patient was cleared for WBAT on the left foot after the 4-week follow-up.
fracture
FRAK-cher
A break in the continuity of a bone.
A displaced fracture of the femoral neck requires urgent orthopedic consultation.
comminuted fracture
KOM-ih-noot-ed FRAK-cher
A fracture in which the bone is broken into three or more fragments.
The comminuted fracture of the tibial plateau required complex ORIF.
greenstick fracture
GREEN-stik FRAK-cher
An incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone bends and the other breaks; common in children.
Greenstick fractures occur because children's bones are more pliable than adult bones.
osteoporosis
os-tee-oh-poh-ROH-sis
A condition characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration, increasing fracture risk.
Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency.
bursitis
ber-SIGH-tis
Inflammation of a bursa, the fluid-filled sac that cushions a joint.
Subacromial bursitis often causes shoulder pain with overhead activity.
kyphosis
ky-FOH-sis
Abnormal outward curvature of the thoracic spine; humpback appearance.
Severe kyphosis can impair pulmonary function by restricting thoracic expansion.
scoliosis
skoh-lee-OH-sis
Abnormal lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form, often detected during school screenings.
sarcoma
sar-KOH-mah
A malignant tumor arising from connective tissue, including bone, cartilage, or muscle.
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents.