Musculoskeletal System

Question 1

ankylos/o

Answer 1

Stiffening (Ankylosing spondylitis is an abnormal stiffening of the spine that results in a lack of mobility.)

Question 2

arthr/o

Answer 2

Joint (Arthritis is inflammation of a joint.)

Question 3

carp/o

Answer 3

Wrist (bone) (Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the nerves in the wrist.)

Question 4

cervic/o

Answer 4

Neck (The cervical spine is the group of vertebrae that compose the neck.)

Question 5

chondr/o

Answer 5

Cartilage (Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage around the ribs that often mimics the pain of a heart attack.)

Question 6

cost/o

Answer 6

ribs (When performing an electrocardiogram, the medical assistant must locate the intercostal spaces for proper electrode placement.)

Question 7

crani/o

Answer 7

Skull, Head (The cranial cavity is located within the skull.)

Question 8

dactyl/o

Answer 8

Digit (Dactylography is the process of taking someone’s fingerprints.)

Question 9

femor/o

Answer 9

Femur (thighbone) (The femoral artery is located near the femur in the upper part of the leg.)

Question 10

fibul/o

Answer 10

Fibula (smaller bone in the calf) (A fibular fracture would be a break of the fibula.)

Question 11

humer/o

Answer 11

Humerus (upper bone in the arm) (When one hits the humeral nerve, it is often described as hitting the funny bone.)

Question 12

ili/o

Answer 12

Ilium (pelvic bones) (The iliac crest of the pelvis is used as a landmark for administering intramuscular injections.)

Question 13

lamin/o

Answer 13

Lamina of a vertebra (A laminectomy, removing a portion of the vertebra, may be performed by a surgeon to relieve back pain.)

Question 14

mandibul/o

Answer 14

Mandible (lower jaw, the only movable bone in the skull) (Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain occurs when the bone of the mandible does not align correctly with the temporal bone to which it is attached.)

Question 15

maxill/o

Answer 15

Maxilla (upper jaw) (Maxillary sinuses are located just above the maxilla of the face.)

Question 16

muscul/o, my/o

Answer 16

Muscle (Muscular pertains to muscles; the myocardium is the muscular portion of the heart.)

Question 17

orth/o

Answer 17

Straight, straighten (An orthopedist is one that specializes in straightening bones.)

Question 18

oste/o

Answer 18

Bone (Osteitis is inflammation of a bone.)

Question 19

patell/o

Answer 19

Patella (kneecap) (The patellar reflex is solicited when striking a patient’s leg just below the kneecap.)

Question 20

pelv/i

Answer 20

Pelvis (The pelvic cavity is housed within the bony structure of the pelvis.)

Question 21

phalang/o

Answer 21

Fingers or toes (Phalangitis is inflammation of a finger or a toe.)

Question 22

rachi/o, spondyl/o, vertebr/o

Answer 22

Vertebra(e), spine (Rachitis and spondylitis are both inflammation of the vertebrae or spine. The vertebral column is composed of the bones of the spine.)

Question 23

stern/o

Answer 23

Sternum (breastbone) (Substernal chest pain is pain described as being just below the breastbone, often indicating a heart attack.)

Question 24

ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o

Answer 24

Tendon (Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon.)

Question 25

tibi/o

Answer 25

Tibia (shin) (A tibial contusion, caused by striking the shin, is quite painful.)