Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Medium
Subcapital
Meaning: Located just below the femoral head, at the junction of head and neck.
In practice: The commonest intracapsular hip fracture, graded by the Garden system and prone to avascular necrosis.
Word parts
- sub- means under
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: One of five long bones of the palm between the carpus and the fingers.
Answer: Metacarpal
Which word means: Inflammation of the membrane covering the outer surface of bone.
Answer: Periostitis
Words like subcapital come up in the daily game
One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.