32 Introduction to Medical Terminology
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Combining Form Meaning
orth/o straight
oste/o bone
ped/o foot; child
pod/o foot
pyret/o fever
rachi/o spine; vertebra
rheumat/o watery fl ow
sacr/o sacrum
sarc/o fl esh; connective tissue
scoli/o crooked; bent
spondyl/o vertebra; backbone
ster/o solid structure; steroid
synovi/o lubricating fl uid of joints
tars/o ankle
ten/o, tendin/o,
tendon/o
tendon
Prefi xes
The prefi xes listed below are not specifi c to
skeletal system terminology. These universal pre-
fi xes are used in many other medical terms, which
you will learn as you progress through this book.
Prefi x Meaning
a-, an- not; without
anti- against
inter- between
intra- within; into
meta- change; beyond
non- not
peri- around; surrounding
sub- below; under
supra- above
syn- together; with
Suffi xes
The suffi xes that follow are common in medical
terms used to describe conditions and procedures
of the skeletal system. You will encounter these suf-
fi xes in many other terms throughout this book.
Suffi x Meaning
-al, -ic pertaining to
-algia pain
Suffi x Meaning
-ation process; condition
-centesis surgical puncture to remove fl uid
-desis to bind; tie together
-ectomy surgical removal; excision
-itis infl ammation
-malacia softening
-oid like; resembling
-oma tumor; mass
-osis abnormal condition
-penia defi ciency
-plasty surgical repair
-porosis abnormal condition of small holes
-scope instrument used to view
-scopy visual examination using a scope
-tomy process of cutting; incision
Anatomy and Physiology
The skeletal system is composed of the bones
and related structures that aid body movement. It
is divided into two major parts: the axial skeleton
and the appendicular skeleton (Figure 2.1).
The axial skeleton consists of the bones along
the axis, or central line, of the human body. The
axial skeleton consists of the skull, facial bones,
sternum (breastbone), ribs, and vertebral column.
The appendicular skeleton contains the bones in
the appendages of the body, as well as the structures
that connect the appendages to the axial skeleton.
Specifi cally, the appendicular skeleton comprises
the shoulder girdle; the arm, wrist, and hand bones;
the pelvic girdle; and the leg, ankle, and foot bones.
Functions of Bone
The skeletal system serves fi ve important func-
tions in the human body.
• Support—The skeletal system provides struc-
ture and shape for the body.
• Protection—The skeletal system surrounds and
protects the internal organs.
• Mineral storage—Calcium and phosphorus,
two minerals that the body needs for important
regulatory functions, are stored inside the bones.
• Blood cell formation—Red blood cells are
manufactured in the bone marrow.
(Continued)