Appendix: Etymology of Orthopaedics

Appendix: Etymology of Orthopaedics The word etymology comes from the Greek etymos, meaning genuine or true, plus logos, study of. Etymo­ logy is the study of the original meaning of words (origo, beginning). Most of our medical terminology originated from Latin and Greek history and mythology, and was non­ medical in use. Scientific language was attributed to early physicians and writers such as Hypocrites, Aristotle, and Galen. Latin terms were introduced by Galen, a Greek physician who moved to Rome, and the Fle­ mish anatomist, Vesralius. Celsus, Aretaeus, Pliny, and Chaucer were among many others who contributed to the scientific vocabulary. Students receiving a medi­ cal degree are required to take the Hippocratic Oath, named for the most famous Greek physician, Hippocrates of Cos. He was a contemporary of Socrates, and the oath set forth a basic ethical code for the medical profession. Galen gave the first account of musculi by describ­ ing and naming more than 300. In 1543 bc, Vesalius abandoned the system of naming muscles and accu­ rately numbered them. In the sixteenth century, Jacque Dubois renamed muscles after parts to which they were attached; for example, tibialis, peroneus, and others were named by shape (rhomboid), size (longus, brevis), substance (membranous), or from the number of heads (biceps, triceps). Borelli added to names the action of muscles (pulley, lever, wheel). In the eighteenth cen­ tury, Winslow, Albinus, Cowper, Douglas, and Riolan named muscles as we know them today. Leonardo da Vinci lettered his illustrations and occasionally gave a muscle a special name.

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Centuries later, scholars preferred using the lan­ guages of Latin and Greek in science over other languages for a number of reasons, mainly because of the ease in which words could be used interchangeably in combin­ ing forms based on roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Special rules applied to plurals of such words. Anglo-Saxon English has a limited capacity for compounding words and often requires numerous words to make a point. Therefore Latin and Greek were retained as the main structure of scientific language as we know it today. Scholars for generations have studied word origins and discovered full histories for most words, found mostly in the authoritative Oxford English Dictionary. Anatomy is a descriptive science. Many words that are nonmedical in origin describe sizes and shapes (del­ toid, lamboid, piriformis) or plants (sesamoid: sesame seed; nucleus: little nut; pisiform: pea-shaped) or are taken from living creatures (lupus: wolf; musculus: little mouse; cauda equina: horse’s tail; lumbrical: worm). Often, the Greek and Latin words having the same meaning are very different; for example, clavicle (Latin, dim. of clavis, a key) and cleido (Greek, a fastener or key), are used in combining form (sternocleidomastoid). Anglo-Saxon (A-S) English favors monosyllabic words such as hand, foot, back, leg, arm, and so forth, and is augmented by many words from other languages such as Latin (L), Greek (Gr), French (Fr), Italian (It), Spanish (Sp), Middle English (ME), German (Ger), and other nonclassical origins. Greek mythology also con­ tributed to the linguistics in use today. Achilles, a hero who fought at Troy, was killed by an arrow that pierced the single vulnerable spot on his body; his heel. “Achilles

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heel” now refers to a vulnerable spot. Atlas, a giant in Greek mythology, was compelled to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. Today, the name Atlas is used to describe geography and collections of maps. Chemical elements also derive their names from myths, such as helium, titanium, and mercury. The space age programs today also chose mythological names such as Gemini, Nike, Saturn, Apollo, and Zeus. A knowledge of word derivation is the best way to accurately use words in their proper form. A brief description of the origin of orthopaedic and associated terminology is given here to assist in the understanding of this specialty.    a, an: (G) negative prefix before a word that signifies the thing named is deprived of its quality (e.g., anaerobic, anorexic); not, without. abdomen: (L) belly, the area between the chest and pelvis. abductors: (L) abducens, led away; ab- from ducere, to lead. Muscle on contraction pulls away from median plane of body or axial line of extremity. accident: (L) from accidens, a happening; accidere, to happen; (G) cado, to fall. An unexpected happening. acetabulum: (L) acetum, vinegar cup + bulum, little cup, dim. of abrum, a holder or receptacle. Cupshaped depression of the ilium (true hip) for holding head of femur. acromion: (G) akron or akros, summit, peak + -omos, shoulder; outermost tip of scapula. acute: (L) acutus, sharp, from acuere, to sharpen (cf. acus, needle). adductor: (L) adductus, to bring toward median plane of body vs. abductor. Adeno: (G) prefix for gland. adhesion: (L) ad, to bring in + haerere, to stick; adhaesio, stuck to. adipose: (L) adeps, adipis, fat. Term used to describe tissue fat. adjuvant: (L) adjuvans, aiding; that which assists to in­ crease the action desired. adventitia: (L) adventicius. Ad, to + veniere, to come. An adventitious bursa is one formed from surrounding tissues in an unusual situation (e.g., tailor’s bursa, student’s elbow). A tunica adventitia is applied to the outer covering of a structure or organ (artery).

agonist: (G) agonistes, a rival or combatant, a prime mover; a muscle concerned with carrying out a move­ ment (contraction) versus antagonist (opposite). ala, alar: (L) winglike structure; alar ligament of first cervical vertebra, and sacral ala, the lateral portion. allograft: (G) allos, other + (L) graphium, grafting knife. To transplant tissue from same species. ambidextrous: (L) ability to use both hands as if they were right hands; ambi, on both sides + dexter, right. amphiarthrosis: (G) amphi, on both sides + arthron, a joint. Limited mobility with movement in all direc­ tions. Diarthrosis and synarthrosis refer to incom­ plete joints (intervertebral disks). amputation: (L) amputare, to cut around + amputation, a pruning. Hippocrates recommended this operation at the joint. analgesia: (G) an, not + algos, pain. Absence of pain. anaphylaxis: (G) ana, up + phylaxis, protection. anapophysis: (G) ana, back + apophysis, an offshoot; an accessory spinal process of a vertebra. anastomosis: (G) an opening created by a natural, pathologic or surgical communication between two normally distinct spaces, organs or tubular structure. anatomy: (G) ana, apart + tome, a cutting; anatome, dissection. Hippocrates (420 bc) used word for a branch of medical education. The oldest treatise known on anatomy is an Egyptian papyrus (1600 bc) on dissecting bodies for medical purposes. The sci­ ence was based on dissection, from which it got its name. anconeus: (G) ancon, a bend, especially the elbow (cf. angle). anesthesia: (A-S) an, against + aesthesis, sensation. Par­ tial or complete loss of sensation. ankle: (A-S) from (L) angulus, an angle, corner, or bend; (G) bend. ankylosis: (G) ankyl, stiff + osis, condition. An ancient term for stiffening of joints, loss of mobility. annulus: (L) ring-shaped structure; annular fibrosis of intervertebral disks. anomaly: (G) anomalia, an, against + omaly, ordinary. Abnormality or deviation from normal, whether in structure, form, location, or function. antagonist: (G) anti- or an, against, opposite + tagon, a struggle; agonistes, a rival. A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle (agonist).

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

anterior: (L) ante-, before, more in front; from anterus, positive form of anterior. antero-(L) ante- be­ fore, more in front; prefix used in combining form. aorta: (L from Gr aorte) the main trunk of the arterial system of the body. anti-: (G) prefix meaning against. apex: (L) tip. aplasia: (G) a, against + plasia, to mold or form. A failure in tissue formation. aponeurosis: (G) apo, away from + neuron, tendon. Before Aristotle (c. 350 bc) introduced the word neura for nerves, everything of a fibrous nature was called a neuron. Galen (c. 180 ad) was first to use the word aponeurosis to refer to the insertion of a muscle that was not by flesh fibers but terminated in the white sheath. apophysis: (G) apo, from + physis, growth; offshoot. Outcropping, but not end of bone, but rather the outgrowth of bone without an independent center of ossification. A place for tendinous attachment. appendages: (L) appendere, to hang to, an extremity (pl. appendices). arachnoid: (G) arachne, spiderlike + eidos, form, shape; resembling a web; cerebellum and spinal cord cover­ ing. arcuate: (L) arcualis, arch-shaped, bowed. Refers to arcuate line of rectus sheath and arcuate ligament of wrist. artery: (G) aer, air + terso, to carry; arteries were believed to be air carriers in vessels. Later referred to arteries carrying blood. arthritis: (G) arthro, joint + -itis, inflammation. arthrodesis: (G) arthro, joint + desis, binding; fusion of a joint. arthrology: (G) arthro, joint + -ology, treatise or dis­ course, the science of joints. Galen recorded two main orders of joints: diarthrosis (articulation with movement) and synarthrosis (articulation without movement). He then divided the diarthroses into enarthroses, arthrodies, and ginglymus. Synarthroses were divided into suture, symphysis, and gomphosis. articulatio: (L) articulus, little joint, dim. of artus, fitted close. Artus was used for limbs, thus, articulatus, jointed. Galen, Pliny, and Celsus preferred the Latin articulus to the Greek arthro; however, both continue to be used.

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artifact: (L) ars, art + facere, to make; anything arti­ ficially produced and not occurring naturally. A feature of a test that stimulates a pathologic condition or interference with correct results of the test. aspera: (L) asper, rough. Linea aspera is a roughened ridge on the femur associated with insertion of the adductor group of muscles. asthenia: (G) asthenis, without strength; loss of strength, myasthenia—loss of muscle strength. ataxia: (G) lack of order; defective muscular coordination (esp.) that is manifested when voluntary muscular movements are attempted. atlas: (G) from atlao, endure or sustain. Galen (c. 180 ad) called the atlas protos spondylos, the first cervical verte­ bra, and second vertebra, epistropheus, to rotate on. The term was later changed to refer to the axis. atrophy: (G) atrophia, a wasting; a, lacking + trophia, nourishment. A decrease in size of an organ or tis­ sue, commonly a muscle. autogenous: (G) autos, self + genous, to produce; selfproduced or originating within the body. autonomic: (G, A-S) auto, self + nomos, law; functioning independently. auxe: (G) enlargement, increase; auxetic, to promote proliferation of leukocytes and other cells. avulsion: (L) avulsio, to separate by force. From (G) ab, away from + (L) vellere, to pull. axilla: (L) armpit. Uncertain origin, but thought to be a compound word from axis alae, meaning axle of a wing, where arm revolves at this point. axis: (L) a line, real or imaginary, that runs through center of a body; or a pivot, about which a part revolves. bacterium (pl. bacteria): (G) bakterion, rod; rodshaped, one-celled organism. biceps: (L) bi, two + ceps, head; caput; bicipital, having two heads. Refers to the biceps brachii and biceps femora muscle groups. bifida: bi, two + findere, to cleave; having two parts (e.g., spina bifida). biopsy: (G) bio, life + op, vision. Excision of living tissue for microscopic examination. blasts: (G) suffix meaning germ; used in reference to cells that make other cells, such as the osteoblasts, bone-making cells. bone: (A-S) from (L) os and (G) osteon.

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boss: (Fr) boce, a swelling; a rounded eminence (e.g., carpal bossing). Bosselated refers to having many small prominences. brachium: (L) arm, from (G) brakhion, shorter; brachy, short. Brachialis muscle of upper arm. brevis: (L) short. Refers to short flexor of fingers (flexor digitorum brevis). brisement: (Fr) crushing as in breaking by force; pronounced breez-mon. bruise: (Fr) bruiser, to break. Broken vessel. bruit: (Fr) noise; pronounced broo-ee. bunion: (G) bunion, bugnone, a lump; bouvos, a hill or eminence; (L) bunia, enlargement. bursa: (G) bursula, a pouch or sac, a purse; (L) pouch, wine skin. A sac between tendons, tendon and bone, muscle and bone that acts as a gliding surface at pressure points where friction can occur. Named in association with their anatomic location. cadaver (pl. cadavera): (L) cadere, to fall, die. calcar: (L) a spur, calcarine, spur-shaped; small spiny projection of bone. calcaneus: (L) calx, a heel; os calcis, heel bone. calcification: (L) calx, lime + facere, to make. calcium: (L) calx, lime. calisthenics: (G) kalos, beautiful + sthenos, strength. callus: (G) kalon, callositas, dry wood; (L) callum, hard skin; (A-S) callus, new bone formation at site of fracture. callous: hard, thickened skin (e.g., the foot). canal: (L) canalis, channel. Conduit for vessels, nerves. canaliculi: tunnels within bone matrix cancellous: (L) cancelli, lattice work. A resemblance of cancellous tissue in bone to lattice work. capitate: (L) caput, head-shaped; having a rounded extremity. Refers to small bone on distal row of hand; triquetrocapitate is the ligament. capitellum: (L) capitella, small head. Knoblike protrusion of lateral condyle of the distal humerus. capsule: (L) dim. of capsa, capsula, a little box; from capio, I receive. caput: (L) a head; (G) capitulum, a little head. Modified to -ceps, as in biceps and triceps. carotid: (G) karos, deep sleep; refers to main arteries of head and neck. carpus: (L) carpus, carpi, wrist; (G) karpos, karphyos, dry bits of wood.

cartilage: (L) cartilage, gristle; (G) chondro. cauda: (L) a tail, from cadere, to fall. Hence, cauda (tail) equine (horse), termination of the spinal cord, was believed to resemble a plaited horse’s tail. cell: (L) cella, a chamber. cervical: (L) cervico, cervicalis; pertaining to the neck. cheiro: (G) chiro, hand; (L) manus, to grasp. chirurgery: (G) hand + work; one who works with his hands, a chirurgeon. chondral: (G) from chondros, cartilage or gristle; (L) cartilage, gristle. chronic: (G) chronos, time; of long duration. cicatrix: (L) a scar left by a healed wound; to heal by scar tissue. circulation: (L) circulatio, movement in a circular course. claudication: (L) claudicare, to limp or be lame; dis­ turbance of circulation. clavicle: (L) claviculum, dim. of clavis, a key, probably related to claudere, to shut or close; (G) cleido- as in sternocleidomastoid. In both Latin and Greek, its use meant a key, bolt, fastener. The collar bone was likened to a key because it locks the shoulder girdle to the breast bone, and because of its shape. clinic: (G) klinikos, to recline, a bed. clonus: (G) klonos, turmoil; convulsing movements of epileptics. Now refers to spasm in which rigidity and relaxation alternate. coccyx: (G) cuckoo’s beak, from kokkyx, coccygeus, a cuckoo. Coccyx, tip of spine. collagen: (G) kolla, glue + gennan, to produce; a glue­ like substance that holds connective tissues together. Colloid, kollodes, glutinous. collateral: (L) con, together + lateralis, latus, side; sec­ ondary accessory. comitans: (L) companion. Comes (sing.), cometes (pl.); a blood vessel that accompanies a nerve trunk. communis: (L) common, a vessel; that supplies several branches of the hand. comminuted: (L) com, together + minuere, to crumble. To break into pieces, crushed. concussion: (L) concussus, a shaking, from concutio, shake violently. An old term for thunder. condyle: (G) kondylos, knuckle, knob; projections at the end of bones. conjoined: (Fr) to meet, touch, overlap; refers to the aponeurotic tendon.

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

contusion: (L) contusio, a bruise; from contundere: con, together + tundere, to break. coracoid: (G) korax, a crow + oeides, shape; (L) corvus. Anything hooked or pointed like a raven’s beak. Variant of coronoid. corpus: (L) corporis, body; (G) somatos, soma. corpuscle: (L) corpusculum, small, rounded body; for­ mer term for blood cell. cortex: (L) corticis, rind; outer hard layer of compact bone. cortical: (L) cortex, a rind, outer layer. costo-: (L) costa, from costarum, ribs. Refers to cos­ tovertebral cartilage. coxa: (L) kaksha, the hip bone. cranium: (L) skull. crepitus: (G) krepis, a little noise, creaking; from crepitare, to crackle. cribriform: (L) cribrum, a sieve + forma, form, sieve­ like; anything perforated with holes (e.g., cribriform plate of ethmoid bone). cricoid: (G) krikos, a ring + oeides, shape. Refers to cri­ coid cartilage shaped like a signet ring. cruciate: (L) crux, shaped like a cross; refers to the two intraarticular ligaments of the knee joint that cross and give strong support to the knee. cubitus: (L) elbow, from cubo, lying down (cf. decu­ bitus). Cuboid is cube-shaped; (G) kyboides, cube. cuneiform: (L) cuneus, a wedge + forma, shape. Any­ thing wedge-shaped. curettage: (Fr) curette, a cleanser; scraping out a cavity. Also called debridement. cutaneous: (L) cutis, skin. cuticle: (L) cuticula, little skin. The epidermis of the skin. cyto-: (G) kytos, prefix denoting cell. dactylos: (G) a digit, of the fingers or toes. debridement: (Fr) de + bridle; thus, unbridling. Origi­ nally, to cut away as restricting bands, and later to include tissue. decubitus: (L) lying down; position of lying down, decubitus ulcer may occur. dehiscence: (L) dehiscere, to gape; to burst open, as in a wound. deltoid: (G) delta (fourth letter of Greek alphabet); triangular-shaped. dermas: (L) skin; cutis vera, true skin; corium, integu­ mentary.

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dermatome: (G) derma, skin + tome, incision. Refers to dermatome distribution of spinal cord segments and nerve distribution. desmoid: (G) from desmos, band, a ligament. desiccant: (L) to dry up, as in a wound; desiccans (e.g., osteochondritis desiccans). dexterity: (L) means right or to the right; dexter, right. diagnosis: (G) dia, through + gnosis, knowledge; to discern. diaphragm: (G) dia, through + phragm, a partition, wall. Any partition of the body; more specifically, the abdominal diaphragm. diaphysis: (G) dia, through + physis, growth. To grow through, produce. Refers to center of ossification for shaft of long bones situated between growing regions at end of bone (epiphysis, metaphysis). diarthrosis: (G) a joint, a movable articulation; freely movable hinge joint. diastase: (G) dia, through + stase, to stand. A standing apart, separation. Now refers to complete separation of bone. diathermy: (G) dia, through + therme, heat. digitorum: (L) digitus, fingers or toes. diplegia: (G) di, two + plegia, stroke; paralysis affecting one side only. disk: (L) discus, plate; flat, round, platelike structure (intervertebral d.). disease: (Fr) desaise; des, from + aise, depart from nor­ mal. dislocation: (L) dis, apart + locus or locare, to place; dislocatio. Refers to separation of bone at joint area; formerly called a subluxation. doctor: (L) from docere, to teach. dorsum: (L) the back of a part. dysfunction: (G) dys, difficult, painful + functio (L), a performance. Abnormal, impaired function. dysplasia: (G) dys, bad + plasien, to form. Abnormal growth process. dura: (L) hard. Refers to dura mater, the outermost and toughest of three membranes enclosing the spinal cord and brain. Syn. pia mater, soft. dystrophy: (G) dys, bad, defective + troph, nourish­ ment. Deficient by way of nutrition or metabolism; shortening of a muscle. ebonation: (L) e, out + (A-S) ban, bone. Removal of bony fragments from a wound.

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eburnate: (L) eburnus, ivory; refers to changes in bone density to an ivory-like structure in a process called eburnation. ecchymosis: (G) ek, out + chymos, juice + osis, condition; ecchy, extravasation + mosis, to pour, shed. Extravasa­ tion of blood into tissue. edema: (G) oedema, a swelling. Hippocrates referred to fluid buildup in tissue as oedematous, and the term continues to this day. effusion: (L) escape of fluid. elbow: (A-S) from elboga; eln, forearm + boga, bend. From ell, a measure of length used in early times from shoulder to fingers; boga was a bending or bow. embolus: (G) plug. enarthrosis: (G) en, in + arthron, joint; a ball-andsocket joint. en bloc: (Fr) as a whole; in surgery to remove as a whole or a lump. enchondroma: (G) en, within + chondro, cartilage + oma, tumor; tumor within cartilage. endoskeleton: (G) endo, within + (A-S) skeleton; the bony and cartilaginous parts of the skeleton that develop from mesoderm and not ectoderm and that are buried within the soft parts. endosteum: (G) endo, within; medullary cavity of bone. ensiformus: (L) ensis, sword + forma, shape. Part of breastbone (xiphoid). enthesis: (Gr) a putting in. The use of metallic or other inert substances to substitute for or replace lost tissue. epicondyle: (G) epi, upon + kondylos, a knuckle, knob. Prominence on bone above or upon a condyle. epidermis: (L) epi, upon + dermis, skin. Outer layer of skin. epilepsy: (G) epi, upon + lepsy, falling sickness. An­ cient term referring to infliction, seizures. The French terms are petit mal (short) and grand mal (large). epimysium: (G) epi, upon + mys, muscle. The fibrous sheath enclosing a muscle. epiphysis: (G) epi, upon + physis, outgrowth. Center of ossification where a part of the process ossifies separately before making an osseous union with the main portion of bone.

epithelium: (G) epi, upon + thele, nipple. Areas with nipplelike papillae. Term usually applied for the skin. The cognate word endothelium is usually applied to blood vessel inner lining and mesothelium to visceral lining such as the lung pleura and lining of the peri­ toneal cavity. eponychium: (L) from onyx, nail; the structure from which the nail develops. equilibrium: (L) aequus, equal + libra, balance. State of balance. Condition in which contending forces are equal. equina: (L) from equus, horse; refers to equinovarus and valgus (a form of clubfoot). erythema: (G) erythros, red + ema, condition. To red­ den, to blush. erythropoietic: (G) erythros, red + poietic, suffix for making or producing. ethmoid: (G) ethmos, a sieve + oeides, form, shape, re­ sembles. Cribriform, sievelike. Perforations of the ethmoid plate. etiology: (G) aetiology; refers to studying causes of disease. eversion: (L) out + ventere, to turn the foot out at the ankle between the talus and calcaneus. exacerbate: (L) ex, out + acerbus, harsh, bitter; from exacerbare and exasperate, an increase in symptoms, a flare-up, to make worse. exostosis: (G) ex, out + os, bone + osis, condition. A bony outgrowth. extrinsic: (L) extrinsecus, coming from; extra, outside + secus, otherwise. euphoria: (A-S) eu-, well, good + phoria, being; a con­ dition of good health. fabella: (L) dim. of faba, a bean; a bean-shaped sesamoid fibrocartilage that may develop in the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle behind the knee joint. facet: (Fr) facette, little face; refers to the small, smooth articular surface of bone as in facet joints of the spine. falciform: (L) falx, sickle + forma, shape; triangular ligament of ischium (inguinal ligament). falx: (L) sickle-shaped structure; denotes a ligamentous opening (e.g., conjoined tendon). fascia: (L) a band, bandage. Anatomic fasciae denote sheathlike fibrous connective tissue that supports, separates, and covers muscles, joints, and other tis­ sues of the body.

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

femur: (L) dim. of ferendum, bearing; bearing weight as in the thigh bone. fenestra: (L) a window; to open or make a window; fenestrate, fenestration. fiber: (L) fibra, threadlike; (G) fibrin, fibroid. fibula: (L) a small clasp, or needlelike point, a broach, buckle; (G) anything pointed or piercing. Long, thin bone of lower limb behind the tibia. fissure: (L) fissura, a cleft or groove; any groove in bone or fascia. flap: (Dutch) flappens, to strike; named for a pedicle graft covering bone after resection. flavum: term for yellow; refers to band of yellow elastic tissue of laminae of spine, called yellow ligament or ligamentum flavum. flexor: (L) flectere, to bend; any muscle that flexes or bends a joint; flexion. foramen: (L) forare, foro, to pierce; a natural opening or passageway in bone, fascia, vessels, or nerves; to pass through (e.g., obturator foramen). fossa: (L) fovea, pit or hollow; (Fr) fodere, to dig. Any hollow depression in bone. fracture: (L) fractura, a break; (Fr) frangere, to break. ganglion: (G) ganglia, a knot, mass, tumor swelling. gastrocnemius: (G) gaster, belly + kneme, leg. Refers to the large superficial calf muscle of the posterior lower limb. gemellus: (L) for twin; one of two muscles inserted in the obturator internus tendon. Genu-: (L) to bend. Geniculum referred to a knot or node. (G) gony, gonu, knee; genu recurvatum, val­ gus, and varus. gladiolus: (L) dim. of gladius, a sword; main part of sternum. glenoid: (G) glene, shallow socket + oeides, shape. Cupshaped depression of scapula of shoulder. glia: (G) glue; supporting tissue of spinal cord. gluteal: (G) gloutos, a rump, buttock; any rounded eminence; gluteus maximus. gout: (L) gutta, a drop, meaning poison falling drop by drop into a joint as a cause of pain and disease. Hippocrates described gout in the foot as podagra. gracilis: (L) thin, lean, slender; a muscle of the thigh. hallux: (G) hallus, allomai, to leap; (L) great toe, hallucis.

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hamate: (L) hamatus, hamatum, hooklike process; ha­ mate bone of wrist. hamstring: (A-S) ham, back of thigh; flexor tendons behind knee that stand out like cords. hang nail: (A-S) angnaegl, from ange, troublesome + naeagl, nail. hemiplegia: (G) hemi-, half + plege, a stroke. Paralysis affecting one side of body. histology: (G) histos, woven web + logos, a treatise; histo refers to any woven material, a web, and in Homer, the sail of a ship. The tissue structure of an organism or part. humerus: (L) ossa humeri that involved the scapula, clavicle, and humerus. Later changed to mean only upper arm bone. hyaline: (G) hyalos, glass; hyaloid, glasslike that de­ notes clear matrix (e.g., hyaline cartilage of joint surfaces). hyoid: (G) U-shaped; from Greek letter upsilon. idiopathic: (G) idios, own, peculiar to oneself + pathos, disease. Refers to a condition or disease state without known cause. index: (L) from dico, to point out, a pointer; hence, the forefinger (pl. indices). ilium: (L) flank, from ilia, soft parts, because the iliac bone supports the gut. It is the wide portion of bone of the pelvis. incarnatus: to grow, as in to grow a fingernail or toenail. infection: (L) infectum, from inficere, to taint or tinge; to alter by invasion of a pathogenic agent, to infect. inflammation: (L) inflammatic, from inflammare, to burn, or flame within. In the eighteenth century, Sauvages introduced suffix -itis to refer to inflam­ mation. infrapatellar: (L) infra-, prefix for below, under + patellar; knee cap. infraspinatus: (L) infra-, beneath + spina, thorn; be­ neath scapular spine. innervation: (L) in, into + nervus, a nerve. Reciprocal innervation refers to muscles moving a joint. innominate: (L) innominatus, from in, without + nomen, name. Given to three bones of the pelvis where compound bone was not named. insertion: (L) in, into + serere, to plant. Place of attach­ ment of muscle into bone which it moves. in situ: (L) in position, in original place.

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interossei: inter, between + ossei, bone; situated be­ tween bones, such as specific muscles of the hands and feet, muscles, ligaments, or vessels. intramedullary: (L) within + medullaris, marrow. Within marrow cavity of bone. intrinsic: (L) intrinsecus, situated inside; thus intrinsic muscles have their origin and insertion entirely within a structure and thereby are limited to it. insertion: (L) in, into + serere, to plant. Place of attach­ ment of a muscle into a bone that it moves. interstitial: lying between; spaces within an organ or tissue. in toto: (L) as a whole. inversion: (L) ventere, to turn; to turn foot inward at the ankle. in vitro: (L) in glass, as in a test tube. in vivo: (L) in the living body or organism; a test per­ formed on living organisms. involucrum: from volvere, to wrap; a covering of newly formed bone enveloping the sequestrum in infec­ tion of bone. ischemic: (G) isch, to keep back + aemia, blood. Defi­ ciency of blood to a part, ischemia. ischium: (G) ischion, hip, meaning strength; lowermost bone of innominate bones forming the bony pelvis, seat bone; (L) coxa. joint: (L) junctura, junctio, from jungere, to join; the point of articulation between two bones. juxtaposition: (L) near, close proximity + positio, place. Adjacent to or side by side. kinematics: (G) kinematos, movement; relates to bio­ mechanics and muscle movements. knuckle: (Ger) knokel; (L) articulus, joint segment. Prominence of the distal heads of the metacarpals or dorsal aspect of any of the phalangeal joints. kyphosis: (G) kypho, hump + -osis, condition. Convex prominence of spine. lacuna: (L) a pit, hollow space; refers to microscopic resorption areas in bone, cartilage, or cementum. Lacunula, small or minute lacuna. lamella: (L) a little plate, dim. of lamina; layer of bone or ground substance of osseous tissue situated in places within bone. lamina: (L) flat plate; refers to flattened part of either side of the vertebral arch when used alone. latissimus: (L) latus, broad; refers to latissimus dorsi back sheath muscle.

leio: (G) leios, smooth; prefix that refers to muscles. lepto: (G) leptos, slender (e.g., leptodactyly, abnormally slim fingers). levator: (L) levo, to lift, raise a part; refers to levator musculi. ligamentum: (L) ligare, to tie, bind + mentum, a band­ age. Fibrous band of tissue connecting articular ends of bone serving to bind them together to facilitate or limit motion, or to support viscera. limbus: (L) edge, fibrocartilaginous rim of a joint; re­ fers to glenoid (shoulder) and acetabulum (hip). linea aspera: (L) linea, line + aspera, rough. Rough­ ened ridge on femur for insertion of adductus group of muscles. lipos: (G) lipos, fat; lipoid, resembling fat. lordosis: (G) lordo, curved, to bend; an exaggeration of the normal forward convexity in the lumbar re­ gion of the spine. lumbar: (L) lumbus, loin; refers to lumbar region. lumbrical: (L) lumbricus, worm; refers to the four small, wormlike muscles of the palm of the hand and foot. lunate: (L) luna, moon; crescent-shaped bone in wrist. lunula: (L) dim. of luna; refers to half-moon-shaped white area at base of nail. lupus: (L) wolf; named for gradual skin disease, lupus erythematosus. luxation: (G) luxatio, dislocation, from luxo, to dislo­ cate; subluxate is a partial dislocation. lymph: (L) lympha, water; clear, transparent fluid found in lymphatic vessels. magnum: (L) large or great; capitate bone, formerly called os magnum, the largest of carpal bones. malacia: (G) malakia, softening; as of abnormal tissue softening. malaise: (Fr) discomfort; indisposed, not well. malleolus: (L) malleus, small hammer; refers to bony eminences on either side of the ankle. mandible; (L) mandibula, horseshoe-shaped bone of lower jaw. manubrium: (L) a handle, from manus, hand + hibrium or habeo, to hold. Named for uppermost part of sternum (manubrium sterni) that is similar to the handle of a sword. manus: (L) the hand; (G) cheir. marrow: (A-S) mearh, unknown origin; (L) medulla. The spinal cord was formerly called the spinal marrow (fourteenth c.). Now, any soft central part of bone.

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

matrix: (L) mater, mother tissue; refers to intercellu­ lar substance of tissue, the formative portion of a structure. maxilla: (L) upper jaw; paired bone with several processes. mediastinum: (L) medius, middle + stare, to stand; taken from per medium tensum, that which is tight down the middle. (The term is applied to partitions and in no way is connected to the word mediastinus of Latin origin.) medicine: (L) medicina, the art of healing; medicor meant to heal or cure. From thirteenth cen­ tury, medicus applied to anyone associated with the art of healing in the care and treatment of patients. medullary: (L) medullaris, marrow, from medius, middle (medio ossis); refers to the medullary cavity, medulla. meninges: (G) meninx, a membrane; refers to mem­ branes investing the spinal cord and brain. -melia: (G) melos, limb; refers to absence of a limb (e.g., hemimelia). meniscus: (G) meniskos, crescent-shaped, dim. of mene, moon; the medial and lateral crescent-shaped in­ traarticular fibrocartilage in the knee. metabolic: (G) metaballein, to change; refers to metabolism. metacarpus: (G) meta, beyond + karpus, wrist. Five bony rays distal to the wrist. metaphysis: (G) meta, beyond + physis, growth. The line of junction of the epiphysis and the diaphysis. metaplasia: (G) meta, beyond + plasia, to form. Vir­ chow described connective tissue group changes into another tissue of the same group, such as carti­ lage into bone. metatarsal: (G) meta, beyond + tarsos, ankle. Five bony rays distal to the tarsal bones of the foot. mnemonic: (G) memory; a very old system for remem­ bering, dating back to 477 bc. monostotic: (G) mon, single + osteon, bone; refers to a single bone. mucous: (L) muco, slimy exudate from membrane. muscle: (L) little mouse, dim. of mus, mouse and (G) myo; probably derived from the way muscles move under the skin. myo-: (G) muscle; prefix denoting relationship to muscle

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myelos-: (G) marrow, the pith of plants; refers to the marrow cavity of the spinal cord. navicular: (L) navicula, little boat, dim. of navis, a ship; boat-shaped structure hollowed out in form. Both navicular and scaphoid are used for the boatshaped carpal and tarsal bones. necrosis: (G) nekrosis, state of death; sequestrum of bone, sloughing of soft tissue. Insufficient blood supply to a part resulting in death of tissue. nerve: (L) nervus, sinew and (G) neuron, sinew; refers to the nerve cells. neurolemma: (G) neuro, nerve + lemma, sheath, husk. A thin membranous sheath covering a nerve fiber. neuroma: (G) neuron, formerly any type of tumor composed of nerve cells. nodule: (L) nodulus, a knot; refers to a small node or collection of cells. nuchae: (L) nucha, back of neck; refers to neck area. nucleus: (L) nux, nut, a little nut; the central part of a cell. obturator: (L) obturare/obturo, to stop up, obstruct, or occlude; a membrane that covers an opening (e.g., obturator foramen). occult: (L) from occulere, to hide or cover over; occul­ tus, hidden, concealed. odontoid: (G) ondon, tooth + oid, resembles; toothlike process of second cervical vertebra. olecranon: (G) olenes kranon, kranos, helmet, olekra­ non, point of the elbow; elbow process at the proxi­ mal end of the ulna. omo-: (G) omos, shoulder; prefix used in combining form (e.g., omovertebral). omohyoid: (G) omos, shoulder + hyoeides, U-shaped. Shoulder muscle formerly called omohyoid because the muscle was attached to the scapula at one end and the hyoid bone at the other. onco: (G) onkos, bulk, mass; prefix used in combining form (e.g., oncogene, a gene associated with tumors). onychia: (G) onychos, onyx, nail; (L) unguis. Inflamma­ tion of nail bed. opponens: (L) opposing; applied to the muscles of the hand and foot (e.g., thumb opposed to other dig­ its). organ: (G) organon, (L) organum, viscus, viscera. orifice: (L) orificium, a natural opening.

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orthopaedic: (G) orthos, straight + paes, a child. Liter­ ally means straightening of children. First introduced in 1741 by Nicholas Andry, French physician, who published the first book on orthopaedics. He pro­ posed to prevent and correct deformities in children by exercise, diet, and mechanical means. His was the first work specifically devoted to the subject. os: (L) os, ossis, bone; ossicle, ossiculum, small bone. (G) oste, allows for use in combining form. ossification: (L) os, bone + facere, to make. Process of bone formation. osteoblast: (G) osteo, bone + blast, a germ or sprout. A bone-producing cell. osteoclast: (G) osteo, bone + klasis, to break up. Con­ cerned with absorption and removal of unwanted tissue. osteogenesis: (G) osteo, bone + genesis, origin. Bone production. osteophyte: (G) osseo, bone + phyte, outgrowth; bony excrescence branched in shape. pain: (L) poena, a fine, a penalty. palmaris: (L) palm, hand; palmaris longus and brevis muscles of hand. palpate: (L) palpare, palpabilis, to touch; perceptible by feel, touch. palsy: (Fr) paralysie, (ME) parlesie; term palsy appeared in 1300. paralysis: (G) para, besides + lysis, to loosen, paralyein, to disable. Disabling limb condition. paraplegia: (G) para, besides + plegia, a stroke. For­ merly meant stricken on one side, and now refers to paralysis of both limbs and maybe the trunk. paratenon: para, around + tenon, tendon; fatty tissue surrounding tendon to fill in spaces. paresis: (G) parienai, to let fall or pass; referred to muscle weakening and now includes partial paralysis. pars: (L) a part of a larger structure; the pars interar­ ticularis bridges the spine between articular facets. paronychia: (G) para, besides + nychia, a nail. Refers to infection of marginal area of nail. patella: (L) a saucer, small pan, dim. of patera, a round plate, and patere, to lie open or exposed; the knee­ cap. patency: (L) patens, open, evident. pathology: (G) pathema, disease + logos, word, reason. Study of the nature and cause of disease.

pectineus: (L) pecten, comb; muscle that flexes and adducts the thigh. pectoralis: (L) from pectus, the breast; ancient term for an ornamental breast plate that was later included in medicine to mean the pectoralis major and minor muscles of the chest. pedicle: (L) pes, pedis, foot, and pediculus, a little foot, stem; referred to stalks of plants originally, and later to structures of anatomy. pelvis: (L) a basin, (G) tub or wooden bowl; any basinshaped structure or cavity. Named for the large three innominate bones. periosteum: (G) peri, around + osteon, bone. Hard protective fibrous membrane covering bone. peritoneum: (G) peri, around + teinein, to stretch. Se­ rous membrane that supports the abdominal cavity. peroneal: (G) perone, pin, sewing needle, anything pointed for piercing; (L) fibula, brooch. Peroneal re­ lates to the fibula; peroneus, perone, relates to one of three muscles of the leg causing motion of the foot. pes: (L) pedis, a foot or footlike projection; applied to different structures such as pes cavus (hollow), pes planus (flat), pes anserinus (goose foot). phalanges: (G) phalanx, a band of soldiers; (L) internodia, because joints of fingers and toes were called nodes in close knit row. Refers to the distal, medial, and proximal phalanges of the hands and feet; pha­ lanx, line. Phlebo-: (G) phleps, phlebos, vein; combining form for vein. physician: (Fr) physicien; one who has successfully completed a prescribed course of studies in medi­ cine. physio: (G) prefix for nature. physis: (G) phyein, to generate growth; portion of long bone involved in growth (e.g., diaphysis and epiphy­ sis). Pia: (L) soft, thin vascular membrane investing the brain and spinal cord; innermost of the three me­ ninges (dura mater, pia mater, arachnoid). pinna: a static, winglike projection. piriformis: (L) pirun, a pear + forma, shape; piriformis muscle. pisiform: (L) pisum, pea + forma, shape. Pea-shaped bone of wrist and smallest of carpal bones, proximal row, ulnar side.

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

placebo: (L) for shall please; an inactive agent designed to appear the same as an active therapeutic agent. plantar: (L) planta, sole of foot, and (G) platus, planus, flat; from (L) plantaris, a sprout, twig, plant. plaster: (G) emplastron, to form, mold. Hippocrates and Galen wrote extensively on the subject. Pliny described it in making casts. Originally, bandages were made of starch and paste, lime, and egg white. The gypsum variety was made in Paris, thus plaster of Paris. -plasty: (G) suffix meaning to form or fashion. pleura: (G) a rib. Now applied to serous membrane lining the chest wall. plexus: (L) a braid, plait, entanglement; a complex, es­ pecially of blood and lymphatic vessels, and nerves (e.g., brachial plexus). plica: (L) plicae, a fold; a fold, pleat, band or shelf of synovial membrane that projects into a joint cavity. pollicis: (L) thumb, from polleo, strong; (pl. pollices); refers to the pollicis longus and brevis of the hand (formerly called pollex). popliteal: (L) poples, the ham; ancient term from plicare, to fold. Refers to the popliteus muscle behind the knee between the hamstrings that flexes the leg and aids in rotation. prima fasciae: (L) according to first appearance before final examination. profundus: (L) deep seated; refers to source located deeper than indicated reference point (e.g., profun­ dus tendon). Opposite of sublimis. prognosis: (G) foreknowledge, prediction of course of disease and recovery. pronator: (L) pronatus, prone (face down), from pronare, to bend forward and pronus, turned, in­ clined; pronator muscle that allows pronation. Ve­ salius used pronum and supinum to refer to muscles. proprioceptive: (L) proprius, one’s own, special + capere, to take, seize. A perception of sensations that creates awareness of what’s going on within the body. prosthesis: (G) prosthesis, an addition. proximal: (L) nearest point of reference. pseudo: (G): prefix for false, not true psoas: (G) psoa; one of two muscles of the loins. pubis: (L) grown up; anterior part of innominate bone, anterior pelvic bone.

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pulse: (L) pulsus, beating; pulsate, pulsare, throb. quadriceps: (L) quadri, four + caput, head. Four-head­ ed as a quadriceps muscle. rachio: (G) rhachis, spinal column; used in combining form. radius: (L) a staff, rod, spoke of a wheel; (G) radix, a ray. The distal radius rotates around the distal ulna through a radius of 180 degrees. ramus: (L) rami, branch; a branch of any given artery or nerve of the spine, extension. ray: (L) radius; in orthopaedics, refers to the five rays of bones in the hands and feet. rectus: (L) straight; refers to rectus abdominus muscle of the abdomen. reflex: (L) reflexus, to bend back and (G) reflectere, to turn back; used to describe muscle movements of the body. resection: (L) resectio, a cutting off; partial excision of a bone. retinaculum: (L) halter, a tether, from retinere, to re­ strain; restraining fibers of fascia that hold a part in place (e.g., the patellar retinaculum, fibers that sur­ round the knee cap and knee, and the flexor and extensor retinacula of the palm of the hand). retroversion: (L) retro, back + versio, a turning. rheumatoid: (G) rheuma, discharge + eidos, form, shape, resembling rheumatism. rhexis: (G) a rupture of any organ, blood vessel or tissue. rhomboids: (G) rhombus, kite-shaped; a four-sided figure with all sides equal. Refers to the rhomboid muscles, greater and lesser. rickets: (A-S) to twist. sacrum: (L) sacer, sacred, holy. In ancient times, the sacrum was used in sacrificial rites because it was the last bone to decay, and it was believed that the body would reform around it. Largest of vertebral bones, it protects and supports the lower organs. sagittal: (L) sagitta, an arrow; the sagittal suture re­ sembles an arrow. The sagittal plane is the medial vertical plane in line with the suture (i.e., the median plane of the body). saphenous: (Arabic) al safin, hidden; saphenous vein or nerve in the lower limbs. sarcolemma: (G) sarx, flesh + lemma, sheath. The deli­ cate membranous sheath surrounding each individ­ ual muscle fiber.

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sartorius: (L) sartor, a tailor; refers to a muscle whose action is to bring the leg into a flexed, adducted, and laterally rotated cross-legged sitting position habitu­ ally adopted by tailors. scaleneus: (G) scalenos, uneven; refers to a triangle with unequal sides, and named for the neck muscle group of unequal length composed of the medius, mini­ mus, and anterior m. scaphoid: (G) skaphe, a small boat, and (L) scapha, skiff; scooped out, hence, boat-shaped bones in the hands and feet. scapula: (L) scapulae, resembling a trough or digging tool and (G) spathula, broad implement, resembling a spade; the large, flat, triangular bone of the shoul­ der that articulates with the clavicle and humerus, shoulder blades. sciatic: (L) sciaticus, and (G) ischion, a hip joint; refers to pain in the loins and hip, and is associated with the large sciatic nerve. sclerosis: German in origin; meant degeneration of tis­ sue. Later, referred to a hardening process. scoliosis: (G) a curvature. In early times, meant any­ thing bent or curved. Now refers specifically to a lateral curvature of the spine. seizure: (Fr) seiser, a sudden attack of pain of certain symptoms of disease. semilunar: (L) semi, half + luna, moon. The crescentshaped lunate bone of carpus, lunate bone. septum: (L) saeptum, a partition. sequestrum: (L) sequestrare, to separate, set aside; frag­ ment of necrosed bone that has detached from sur­ rounding tissue. serratus: (L) serra, a saw, serrated, having a sawtooth edge; serratus anterior muscles, anterior (chest) and posterior (back). sesamoid: (G) sesamon, sesame plant + -oid, resem­ bling. In Arabic, is sem sem, a sesame seed. Seedshaped bones or fibrocartilage situated in tendons that move over a bony surface. sinister: (L) to the left; left hand. skeleton: (G) skeletos, a dried up body; the framework of the body consisting of 206 bones. soleus: (L) solea, a flat fish; the flat, triangular-shaped muscle that inserts into the tendocalcaneus of the lower limbs.

spasm: (G) spasmos, convulsion, to draw out or pluck; refers to tonic or clonic muscle spasms. spica: (L) ear of grain. Compares the overlapping of a cast to an ear of corn. spina: (L) a thorn, (G) spondylos. In anatomy, thorn­ like projections were called spines dating back to the fourteenth century; the vertebral column with its spinous processes. spinalis: (L) a muscle attached to a spinal process of a vertebrae. splay foot: (ME) splayen, to spread out + (A-S) foot. Flatfoot, pes planus. splenius: flat muscle on either side of the back of the neck and upper thoracic region. spondylo: (G) spine; prefix used in combining form to refer to the vertebrae; spondylolisthesis, to slip. sprain: (L) exprimere, to press, squeeze, strain; (Fr) espraindre, to wring. spur: (A-S) a pointed instrument. Refers to calcaneus of heel and femoral neck of femur (medial and un­ derside where spurs are likely to occur). stenosis: (G) stenos, narrow, a stricture; narrowing of a passageway. sternum: (G) sternon, breast, chest + steros, hard, solid, and palpable. Thus the breastbone is com­ posed of the manubrium (top portion), gladiolus (body), and ensiform or xiphoid process (lower portion). stethoscope: (G) stethos, chest + skopein, to examine. Instrument used to mediate the sounds produced within the body. styloid: (G) stylos, pillar and (L) stilus, any long, point­ ed instrument; the ulnar styloid is the large promi­ nence of bone at the back of the wrist. sublimis: (L) uplifted, up in the air; applied to physical position, such as sublimus tendon near the surface. subclavian: (L) sub, under, below + clavis, key. Refers to muscle, artery, or vein under the clavicle (collar bone). subscription: (L) subscriptus, written under. sulcus: (L) groove; plural sulci. The sulci cutis are the ridges on the skin of the palmar surface of fingers that comprise the fingerprints. superficialis: (L) superficial. Denotes an artery, vein, or nerve close to the surface.

Appendix C: Etymology of Orthopaedics

supination: (L) supinatio, turning face upward; supi­ nator muscle of forearm, or that of leg, turning leg or foot outward. supraspinatus: (L) supra, above + spinatus, spines or thorn-shaped. Refers to the supraspinatus muscle above the spine of the scapula. sural: (L) sura, calf; refers to calf muscle group, triceps surae (gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus muscles). sustentaculum: (L) a supporting structure.; a process of the calcaneum that supports part of the astragalus. surgeon: (G) from chirurgeon, cheir, meaning the hand + ergon, to work. One who works with the hands. symphysis: (G) syn, together + phyein, to grow, growing together; a natural union. Refers to the symphysis pubis, two articular bones joined by fibrocartilage. symptom: (G) symptoma, occurrence. synarthrosis: (G) syn, together + arthrosis, a joint. An immovable joint. syndesmosis: (G) syn, together + desmos, a band. A joint in which two bones are held together by ligaments. syndrome: (G) concurrence, running together; clinical picture of a disease made by the presence of several typical signs and symptoms. synergists: (G) syn, together + ergon, work, to cooper­ ate. Refers to the smooth coordinated way in which muscles work together in the execution of move­ ment, such as the synergist muscle group, organs, or parts acting in unison. synostosis: (G) syn, together + osteon, bone. The union of two bones by osseous tissue such as the diaphy­ sis and epiphysis of a long bone at the end of the growth period. synovium: (G) syn, together + oon, egg, (L) ovum, egg white. Refers to the egg white appearance of fluid present in movable joints. tabatiere anatomique: (Fr) anatomic snuff box; refers to space at the base of the thumb. talipes: (L) talipedare, to be weak on the feet, to totter. Hence, talipes, club foot. talus: (L) from Cicero, ludere talis, to play at dice, and taxillus, dice; bone resembling dice because dice were carved from the calcaneus of a horse. Talus, ankle bone. tarsus: (G) from tarsomai, to become dry, tarsos; referred to anything flat or spread out. Thus applied to the flat part of the feet.

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tectorial: (L) tectum, roof; pertains to a roof or covering. tendon: (L) tendere, to stretch out; (Gr) tenon, a tight­ ly stretched band; the elongated end of a muscle. Syn. sinew. tensor: (L) tendere, tensum, to stretch; named for mus­ cle that tenses or stretches and does not alter the direction of a part (e.g., tensor fascia). teres: (L) from terere, to rub or grind smooth, well turned or rounded off; refers to the ligamentum teres, round ligament of the hip. thecal: (G) sheath, capsule; relates to a tendon sheath, theca. thenar: (G) from theino, to strike; referred to flat part of hand used to strike. Now refers to muscles of the palm divided into groups called thenar (major group) and hypothenar (lesser group). thoraco: (G) thorax, chest, breast plate, stethos. In classical Greek, the thorax was armor (breastplate) to protect the chest and abdomen. therapy: (G) therapeia, treatment, remedy, cure. First referred to the noun, therapeutae, healers, and later included treatment. tibialis: (L) a pipe or flute, shin bone, variant of tubia, tube. In ancient times, musical instruments were made from shin bones of animals and objects of tubular form. Tibia, the larger anterior bone of the lower limb. tonic: (G) tonikos, from tonos, tone; refers to muscular tension or contraction. tourniquet: (Fr) tournier, to turn. Originally applied to a stick that turned to tighten a bandage or apply pressure over a large artery to stop blood flow. trabecula: (L) little beam, dim. of trabs, trapes, timber; any large wooden beam, such as the rib of a boat or strands of supporting fibers. Refers to beamlike pat­ tern or arrangement of bony lamellae in cancellous bone and muscle bundles raised up beneath ventric­ ular endocardium of heart. trapezoid: (L) an irregular, four-sided figure; referred to a four-sided geometrical figure with two sides parallel to two sides divergent. Named for a carpal wrist bone (os magnum), the muscle was also called musculus cucullaris because together with its fellow of the opposite side, it resembled a monk’s cowl or hood. trapezius: (L) the flat, triangular muscle covering the posterior surface of the neck and shoulders.

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trauma: (G) tro, to wound or hurt + ma, results of ac­ tion. Any wound or injury to the body by exterior forces inflicted or by physical agent. triceps: (G) tri, three + (L) tres, three + ceps, head; a three-headed muscle with a single insertion (e.g., triceps brachii in the arm and triceps surae of the lower limb that combines the gastrocnemius and so­ leus muscles). triquetrum: (L) triquetrus, having three corners; refers to the wedge-shaped cuneiform bone of the wrist. trochanter: (G) trochos, a wheel or runner; two bony processes below the neck of the femur for muscle attachment. Galen applied term to greater and lesser trochanters and bony protuberance because of the way it moved in the act of running; a lever to turn the wheel. trochlea: (L) trochilsa, a pulley and (G) trochos, a wheel; refers to trochlea of humerus, an articular cylinder around which the ulna moves, similar to a pulley, but cylinder does not turn. A structure having the function of a pulley, a ring through which a tendon or muscle projects. tubercle: (L) tuberculum, a little swelling; in orthopae­ dics, bony prominences that provide ligamentous attachment. tuberosity: (L) tuberosities, to roughen; any rough­ ened areas of bone for muscle attachment (e.g., greater tuberosity of the humerus). ulna: (L) from ell, a measure of length; (Gr) olene, the elbow. In earlier times, the word denoted the whole arm, and now refers to the inner and larger bone of the forearm and elbow opposite the thumb side. unguis: (L) claw, talon, nail; the toe or fingernails un­ der the nail bed. uniceps: (L) unus, one + ceps, head. Having a single head or origin.

unilateral: (L) unus, one + latus, side; occurring on one side. valgus: (L) bent outward, bow-legged; also, talipes val­ gus; hallux valgus, distal to a point outward, genu valgus. varus: (L) bent, turned inward; talipes varus (foot), genu varum (knock-kneed). vascular: (L) vas, a vessel or dish; hence, a vascular organ is one with a profuse blood supply. vastus: (L) vast, wide and great; refers to the three large muscle groups of the thigh (v. lateralis, v. me­ dialis, v. intermedius). vena: (L) vein, vessel; refers to the vena cava, the large vein leading to the heart with an upper and lower distribution. vertebrae: (L) joint, from vertere, to turn and vertebratus, jointed or articulated. Refers to the 33 bony segments of the spinal column. viability: (L) vita, life + habilis, fit. The ability to live, grow, and develop. vinculum: (L) a band, cord, or anything that binds; from vincio, I bind; ringlike ligaments of the wrists and ankles; blood vessel bridges to the flexor tendons (brevis and longus), vinculae. viscera: (L) vis, strength, casing, cavity; internal organs enclosed in the abdominal cavity and thorax. volar: (L) vola, palm of hand or sole, from vola manus, hollow of hand; (Gr) ballo, to hurl. Palma referred to outstretched open hand. vulnerable: (L) vulnerare, to wound; easily wounded. whitlow: (ME) whitflawe, white flow; suppurative in­ flammation at the end of a finger or toe, deep-seated or superficial. Paronychia, felon. wound: (A-S) wund; trauma to tissue. xiphoid: (Gr) xiphos, a sword + oeides, shape; swordshaped bone of the inferior tip of the sternum to which ribs attach (ensiformis).