Orthopaedics · Musculoskeletal System · Hard

Syndesmosis

Meaning: Fibrous joint where bones are bound by ligament and interosseous membrane, allowing little movement.

In practice: A high ankle sprain injures the distal tibiofibular one, often from forced external rotation of the foot.

Word parts

  • -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: Non-inflammatory degenerative disease of a joint with cartilage wear and bony change.

Which word means: Deviation of the long axis of one fracture fragment relative to the other.

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Related words

More orthopaedics terms · All medical words