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Common Musculoskeletal System Prefixes and suffixes
Musculoskeletal system
93
Anatomy
Undergraduate 1
10/13/2025
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Term
a-: 
 Definition
 Absence of, without Example: Atrophy – Wasting away or reduction in muscle size due to lack of use, often resulting from prolonged immobility, nerve damage, or muscle disease.
Term
ab-:
 Definition
Away from Example: Abduction – Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body, such as raising the arm or leg to the side, common in physical therapy and exercise routines.
Term
ad-
 Definition
Toward Example: Adduction – Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body, such as bringing the arm or leg back to its resting position after abduction.
Term
brady-
 Definition
 Slow Example: Bradykinesia – Slowness of movement, often a symptom of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, affecting motor function and coordination.
Term
dys-
 Definition
Painful, difficult, abnormal, labored
Term
hyper-
 Definition
Above, excessive 
Term
inter-
 Definition
Between
Term
intra
 Definition
Within
Term
poly
 Definition
Many
Term
sub
 Definition
Below, under
Term
supra
 Definition
Above
Term
sym
 Definition
 Together, joined 
Term
syn-:
 Definition
Together, joined
Term
-al:
 Definition
Pertaining to
Term
-algia
 Definition
Pain 
Term
-ar
 Definition
Pertaining to
Term
-asthenia:
 Definition
Weakness
Term
-centesis
 Definition
Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid
Term
-clasia
 Definition
Break
Term
-clast
 Definition
Break
Term
-desis
 Definition
Surgical fixation, fusion
Term
-ectomy
 Definition
Excision, surgical removal, cutting out 
Term
-gram
 Definition
The record, radiographic image 
Term
-graphy:
 Definition
Process of recording, radiographic imaging
Term
-ic:
 Definition
Pertaining to
Term
-itis:
 Definition
Inflammation
Term
-lysis:
 Definition
Loosening, separating, dissolution
Term
-malacia:
 Definition
Softening
Term
-oid
 Definition
Resembling
Term
-oma
 Definition
Tumor
Term
-osis:
 Definition
Abnormal condition
Term
-penia:
 Definition
Abnormal reduction
Term
-physis:
 Definition
Growth
Term
-plasty:
 Definition
Surgical repair
Term
-rrhaphy
 Definition
Suturing, repairing
Term
-sarcoma
 Definition
Malignant tumor
Term
-scopy:
 Definition
Process of viewing, visual examination
Term
-tomy:
 Definition
Incision, cut into
Term
-trophy
 Definition
Nourishment, development
Term
ankyl/o
 Definition
Stiff, bent
Term
arthr/o
 Definition
Joint
Term
carp/o
 Definition
Carpals
Term
chondr/o
 Definition
Cartilage
Term
clavic/o
 Definition
Clavicle, collarbone
Term
cost/o:
 Definition
Ribs
Term
crani/o
 Definition
 Cranium
Term
electr/o
 Definition
 Electricity; electrical activity
Term
fasci/o
 Definition
Fascia
Term
fibr/o
 Definition
Fibrous connective tissue
Term
kinesi/o
 Definition
Movement, motion
Term
kyph/o
 Definition
Increased convexity of the spine
Term
lamin/o
 Definition
Lamina (thin, flat plate or layer)
Term
leiomy/o:
 Definition
Smooth (visceral) muscle that lines the walls of internal organs
Term
lord/o
 Definition
Bent forward, increased concavity of the spine
Term
lumb/o
 Definition
 Loin, lumbar region of the spine
Term
mandibul/o
 Definition
Mandible, lower jaw bone
Term
maxill/o
 Definition
Maxilla, upper jaw bone
Term
menisc/o
 Definition
Meniscus, crescent
Term
my/o:
 Definition
Muscle
Term
myel/o
 Definition
 Marrow (bone), spinal cord
Term
oste/o
 Definition
Bone
Term
patell/o
 Definition
 Patella, kneecap
Term
pelv/i
 Definition
Pelvis, pelvic bone
Term
pelv/o
 Definition
Pelvis, pelvic bone
Term
petr/o: 
 Definition
Stone
Term
phalang/o
 Definition
Bones of the fingers and toes
Term
plant/o
 Definition
Sole of the foot
Term
pub/o
 Definition
Pubis (hipbone)
Term
rachi/o
 Definition
Vertebral spine, vertebral column
Term
rhabd/o
 Definition
 Rod-shaped, striated
Term
sarc/o
 Definition
Flesh, connective tissue
Term
scoli/o
 Definition
Crooked, curved
Term
spondyl/o
 Definition
Vertebra, spine, vertebral column 
Term
tars/o
 Definition
 Tarsals, ankle bones 
Term
ten/o
 Definition
Tendon
Term
vertebr/o
 Definition
Vertebra, spine, vertebral column 
Term

BDT

 Definition

Bone Density Testing
Term

CTS 

 Definition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Term

EMG

 Definition

Electromyography
Term

MD

 Definition

Muscular Dystrophy
Term

MG

 Definition

Myasthenia Gravis
Term

OA 

 Definition

 Osteoarthritis
Term

OP

 Definition

Osteoporosis
Term

OT

 Definition

Occupational Therapy
Term

PKR

 Definition

Partial Knee Replacement
Term

PMR

 Definition

Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Term

RA

 Definition

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Term

ROM

 Definition

Range of Motion
Term

RSD

 Definition

Repetitive Stress Disorder
Term

THR 

 Definition

Total Hip Replacement
Term

TKR

 Definition

Total Knee Replacement
Term

Achilles Tendon

 Definition
The tendon that connects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). It plays a critical role in walking, running, and jumping. Frequently injured in sports, leading to conditions such as Achilles tendinitis or ruptures.
Term

Paget's Disease of Bone

 Definition
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