Orthopaedics · Musculoskeletal System · Hard
Osteochondritis
Meaning: A joint disorder in which a fragment of bone and overlying cartilage loses blood supply and may separate.
In practice: MRI of the adolescent's knee confirmed osteochondritis dissecans of the medial femoral condyle.
Word parts
- osteo- means bone
- -itis means inflammation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: Backward angulation of the femoral neck, the opposite of normal forward torsion.
Answer: Retroversion
Which word means: Describes the two crossing intra-articular knee ligaments, anterior and posterior.
Answer: Cruciate
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