Shared Flashcard Set

Details

MED107
Musculoskeletal System Medical Terminology
40
Health Care
Not Applicable
11/04/2026

Additional Health Care Flashcards

 


 

Cards

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

Example: Dystonia – A condition characterized by abnormal muscle tone or involuntary muscle contractions, which can lead to repetitive movements, abnormal postures, and impaired function.

Term
hyper-
Definition

Above, excessive

Example: Hypertonia – Excessive muscle tone, resulting in stiffness or rigidity, commonly seen in conditions like cerebral palsy or stroke.

Term
inter-
Definition

Between

Example: Intervertebral disc – A fibrocartilaginous structure located between the vertebrae of the spine, providing cushioning and flexibility. 

Term
intra-
Definition

Within, in

Example: Intramuscular injection – An injection administered directly into a muscle, commonly used for vaccines or medication delivery.

Term
poly-
Definition

Many, much

Example: Polydactyly – A congenital condition characterized by having more than the normal number of fingers or toes, which may require surgical correction for functional or cosmetic reasons.

Term
sub-
Definition

Below, under

Example: Subscapularis muscle – A muscle located below the scapula (shoulder blade), playing a key role in shoulder rotation and stabilization.

Term
-al
Definition

Pertaining to

Example: Femoral – Pertaining to the femur, the largest bone in the body, located in the thigh.

Term
-algia
Definition

Pain

Example: Myalgia – Pain in a muscle, often caused by overuse, injury, or systemic conditions like fibromyalgia. 

Term
-ar
Definition

Pertaining to

Example: Patellar – Pertaining to the kneecap (patella), a small bone that protects the knee joint and assists in movement

Term
-asthenia
Definition

Weakness

Example: Myasthenia – Muscle weakness, commonly associated with conditions like myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular function. 

Term
-centesis
Definition

Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid

Example: Arthrocentesis – Surgical puncture of a joint to remove fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic

Term
-clasia
Definition

Break

Example: Osteoclasia – Surgical breaking of bone tissue to correct deformities or aid in the healing process in severe cases.

Term
-clast
Definition

Break

Example: Osteoclast – A specialized bone cell that breaks down bone tissue during bone remodeling and repair. 

Term
-desis
Definition

Surgical fixation, fusion

Example: Arthrodesis – Surgical fusion of a joint to provide stability and reduce pain, often used for severe arthritis. 

Term
-ectomy
Definition

Excision, surgical removal, cutting out

Example: Tenectomy – Surgical removal of part of a tendon, often performed to treat chronic tendon inflammation or injury. 

Term
-gram
Definition

The record, radiographic image

Example: Myogram – A record of muscle contraction activity, often used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders. 

Term
ankyl/o
Definition

Stiff, bent

Example: Ankylosis - Abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones, often caused by injury or disease.

Term
arthr/o
Definition

Joint

Example: Arthritis – Inflammation of a joint, often resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness, which can be caused by aging, autoimmune disorders, or injury. 

Term
carp/o
Definition

Carpals, wrist

Example: Carpectomy - Surgical removal of a carpal bone, typically performed to relieve pain or improve wrist function.

Term
chondr/o
Definition

Cartilage

Example: Chondromalacia - Softening of cartilage, commonly affecting the knee and leading to pain and swelling during movement.

Term

clavic/o

clavicul/o

Definition

Clavicle, collarbone

Example: Clavicectomy - Excision of the clavicle, usually performed to treat severe fractures or chronic pain.

Term
cost/o
Definition

Ribs

Example: Costochondritis – Inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum, causing localized chest pain that can mimic heart-related conditions.

Term
crani/o
Definition

Cranium

Example: Craniotomy - Surgical incision into the cranium to access the brain for procedures such as tumor removal or trauma management.

Term
electr/o
Definition

Electricity; electrical activity

Example: Electromyography - A diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of muscles to detect neuromuscular disorders. 

Term
fasci/o
Definition

Fascia

Example: Fasciotomy - A surgical incision into fascia to relieve tension or pressure, often used to treat compartment syndrome.

Term
fibr/o
Definition

Fibrous connective tissue

Example: Fibromyalgia - A condition characterized by widespread pain in fibrous tissues and muscles, often accompanied by fatigue and sleep disturbances. 

Term

BDT = Bone Density Testing

  •  

Definition

 

  • A diagnostic test used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and determine the strength of bones.

Term

CTS = Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Definition

 

  • A condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.

Term

EMG = Electromyography

Definition

 

  • A diagnostic procedure that measures the electrical activity of muscles in response to nerve stimulation.

  • EMG is used to evaluate muscle weakness, nerve dysfunction, or neuromuscular disorders.

Term

MD = Muscular Dystrophy

 
Definition

 

  • A group of genetic disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and degeneration.

Term

MG = Myasthenia Gravis

 
Definition

 

  • A chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness.

Term

OA = Osteoarthritis

 
Definition

 

  • A degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage within joints.

Term

OP = Osteoporosis

 
Definition

 

  • A condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, making bones weak, brittle, and more prone to fractures.

Term

OT = Occupational Therapy

 
Definition

 

  • A therapeutic approach focused on enabling individuals to perform meaningful daily activities and tasks despite injury, illness, or disability.

Term

PKR = Partial Knee Replacement

 
Definition
 
  • A surgical procedure in which only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with a prosthesis. PKR is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients with localized arthritis in one compartment of the knee.

Term

PMR = Polymyalgia Rheumatica

 
Definition

 

  • An inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and hips.

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