Terms list Terminology Medical terms
latest update 2024
amphiarthroses (AM-fee-ar-THROH-seez) Amphiarthroses are joints in the body that allow
limited movement, such as the intervertebral discs in the spine.
amputation (am-pyoo-TAY-shun) Amputation is the surgical removal of a body part, typically
a limb, due to injury, disease, or other medical reasons.
analgesic (AN-uhl-JEE-zik) An analgesic is a medication or substance that relieves pain
without causing a loss of consciousness. Common examples include pain relievers like ibuprofen
or acetaminophen.
ankylosing spondylitis (ANG-kuh-LOH-sing SPAHN-duh-LIGH-tis) Ankylosing
spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing pain,
stiffness, and fusion of the vertebrae.
ankylosis (ang-kuh-LOH-sis) The abnormal fusion of bones, usually at a joint, resulting in
immobility or reduced range of motion.
anti-inflammatory (AN-tee-in-FLAM-muh-tor-ee) A substance or treatment that reduces
inflammation, swelling, and pain in the body. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
are common examples.
antipyretic (AN-tee-pigh-RET-ik) A substance or medication that reduces fever, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol).
appendicular skeleton (ap-pun-DIH-kyoo-lur SKEL-uh-tuhn) The part of the skeleton that
includes the bones of the limbs, including the arms and legs.
arthralgia (ar-THRAL-jee-uh) Pain in one or more joints without inflammation.
, arthritis (ar-THRIGH-tis) A group of inflammatory joint diseases that cause pain, swelling,
stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.
arthrocentesis (AR-throh-sen-TEE-sis) A medical procedure involving the removal of
synovial fluid from a joint for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
arthrodesis (AR-throh-DEE-sis) A surgical procedure that fuses two or more bones to
eliminate joint movement, often used to treat joint pain or instability.
arthroplasty (AR-throh-PLAS-tee) The surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint,
typically with a prosthetic implant.
arthroscopy (ar-THRAHS-kuh-pee) A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a tiny
camera (arthroscope) to view and treat joint conditions.
axial skeleton (AK-see-uhl SKEL-uh-tuhn) The central part of the skeleton, including the skull,
vertebral column, and ribcage.
body (BAH-dee) The main part of an organ or structure, such as the body of a bone.
bone density test (BOHN DEN-sit-ee TEST) A medical test that measures the density and
strength of bones, often used to diagnose osteoporosis.
bone depression (BOHN dee-PREH-shun) A concave or hollowed-out area on the surface of a
bone.
bone grafting (BOHN GRAF-ting) A surgical procedure in which bone tissue is transplanted to
stimulate bone healing or repair.
bone marrow aspiration (BOHN MAIR-oh as-puh-RAY-shun) A medical procedure that
involves the removal of a small sample of bone marrow for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
bone processes (BOHN PRAH-ses-us) Projections, ridges, or bumps on the surface of
bones, serving various functions, such as attachment points for muscles.
bone scan (BOHN SCAN) A nuclear medicine imaging technique used to evaluate bone
conditions, including fractures and bone tumors.
bunion (BUN-yun) A painful swelling and deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe.
bursa sac (BUR-suh SAK) A fluid-filled sac located near joints that reduces friction between
tissues and facilitates movement.
bursectomy (bur-SEK-tuh-mee) The surgical removal of a bursa sac, often to relieve
inflammation or pain.
latest update 2024
amphiarthroses (AM-fee-ar-THROH-seez) Amphiarthroses are joints in the body that allow
limited movement, such as the intervertebral discs in the spine.
amputation (am-pyoo-TAY-shun) Amputation is the surgical removal of a body part, typically
a limb, due to injury, disease, or other medical reasons.
analgesic (AN-uhl-JEE-zik) An analgesic is a medication or substance that relieves pain
without causing a loss of consciousness. Common examples include pain relievers like ibuprofen
or acetaminophen.
ankylosing spondylitis (ANG-kuh-LOH-sing SPAHN-duh-LIGH-tis) Ankylosing
spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing pain,
stiffness, and fusion of the vertebrae.
ankylosis (ang-kuh-LOH-sis) The abnormal fusion of bones, usually at a joint, resulting in
immobility or reduced range of motion.
anti-inflammatory (AN-tee-in-FLAM-muh-tor-ee) A substance or treatment that reduces
inflammation, swelling, and pain in the body. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
are common examples.
antipyretic (AN-tee-pigh-RET-ik) A substance or medication that reduces fever, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol).
appendicular skeleton (ap-pun-DIH-kyoo-lur SKEL-uh-tuhn) The part of the skeleton that
includes the bones of the limbs, including the arms and legs.
arthralgia (ar-THRAL-jee-uh) Pain in one or more joints without inflammation.
, arthritis (ar-THRIGH-tis) A group of inflammatory joint diseases that cause pain, swelling,
stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.
arthrocentesis (AR-throh-sen-TEE-sis) A medical procedure involving the removal of
synovial fluid from a joint for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
arthrodesis (AR-throh-DEE-sis) A surgical procedure that fuses two or more bones to
eliminate joint movement, often used to treat joint pain or instability.
arthroplasty (AR-throh-PLAS-tee) The surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint,
typically with a prosthetic implant.
arthroscopy (ar-THRAHS-kuh-pee) A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a tiny
camera (arthroscope) to view and treat joint conditions.
axial skeleton (AK-see-uhl SKEL-uh-tuhn) The central part of the skeleton, including the skull,
vertebral column, and ribcage.
body (BAH-dee) The main part of an organ or structure, such as the body of a bone.
bone density test (BOHN DEN-sit-ee TEST) A medical test that measures the density and
strength of bones, often used to diagnose osteoporosis.
bone depression (BOHN dee-PREH-shun) A concave or hollowed-out area on the surface of a
bone.
bone grafting (BOHN GRAF-ting) A surgical procedure in which bone tissue is transplanted to
stimulate bone healing or repair.
bone marrow aspiration (BOHN MAIR-oh as-puh-RAY-shun) A medical procedure that
involves the removal of a small sample of bone marrow for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
bone processes (BOHN PRAH-ses-us) Projections, ridges, or bumps on the surface of
bones, serving various functions, such as attachment points for muscles.
bone scan (BOHN SCAN) A nuclear medicine imaging technique used to evaluate bone
conditions, including fractures and bone tumors.
bunion (BUN-yun) A painful swelling and deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe.
bursa sac (BUR-suh SAK) A fluid-filled sac located near joints that reduces friction between
tissues and facilitates movement.
bursectomy (bur-SEK-tuh-mee) The surgical removal of a bursa sac, often to relieve
inflammation or pain.
