Skeleton Word Parts

dia-

through, between

example of dia-

diaphysis

oss, osse/o

bone, bone tissue

example of oss, osse/o

osseous tissue (bone tissue)

-clast

break

example of -clast

osteoclast-breaks down bone

para-

near

example of para-

paranasal sinuses are near the nose

pariet/o

wall

example of pariet/o

the parietal bones form the side walls of the skull

cost/o

rib

example of cost/o

intercostal spaces are located between the ribs

supra-

above, superior

example of supra-

the supraspinous fossa is a depression superior to the spine of the scapula

infra-

below, inferior

example of infra-

the infraspinous fossa is a depression inferior to the spine of the scapula

meta-

near, beyond

example of meta-

the metacarpal bones of the palm are near and distal to the carpal bones of the wrist

-penia

lack of

example of -penia

in osteopenia there is a lack of bone density

-malacia

softening

example of -malacia

osteomalacia is a softening of bone tissue

arthr/o

joint, articulation

example of arthr/o

a synarthrosis is an immovable joint, suture

amphi-

on both sides, around, double

example of amphi-

an amphiarthrosis is a slightly moveable joint

ab-

away from

example of ab-

abduction is movement away from the midline of the body

ad-

toward, added to

example of ad-

adduction is movement toward the midline of the body

circum-

around

example of circum

circumduction is movement around a joint in a circle