Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Hard

Retropulsion

Meaning: Backward displacement of a bone fragment from the vertebral body into the spinal canal.

In practice: Characteristic of burst fractures; CT shows canal compromise and MRI assesses cord injury.

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 orthopaedics words.

Which word means: Inflammation of a tendon causing localised pain and swelling (short form: tendonitis).

Which word means: Large, flared upper part of the hip bone, bearing the crest and the anterior and posterior superior spines.

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