Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Medium
Osteonecrosis
Meaning: Death of bone tissue caused by a loss of blood supply, often affecting the femoral head.
In practice: Long-term steroid use put him at risk of osteonecrosis of the hip.
Word parts
- osteo- means bone
- -osis means an abnormal condition or process
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: Age-related degeneration of the spine, with disc narrowing and osteophyte formation.
Answer: Spondylosis
Which word means: A tarsal bone on the outer side of the midfoot, lying in front of the heel bone.
Answer: Cuboid
Words like osteonecrosis come up in the daily game
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