Imaging & Radiology · Radiology · Hard

Osteophyte

Meaning: A bony outgrowth that develops at the margins of a joint affected by osteoarthritis.

In practice: Osteophytes at the knee joint margins are a classic X-ray sign of osteoarthritis.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related imaging & radiology words.

Which word means: A display setting that adjusts brightness and contrast to highlight specific tissues on CT.

Which word means: Resembling cartilage; describes a lesion matrix showing ring-and-arc or popcorn calcification.

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.