Orthopaedics · Nervous System · Medium
Radiculopathy
Meaning: Dysfunction of a spinal nerve root causing pain, numbness or weakness along its distribution.
In practice: Her arm pain and weak triceps suggested a C7 radiculopathy.
Word parts
- -pathy means disease or disorder
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 displacement of a bone fragment from the vertebral body into the spinal canal.
Answer: Retropulsion
Which word means: Traction inflammation of a growth centre where a tendon attaches in a growing child.
Answer: Apophysitis
Words like radiculopathy come up in the daily game
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