Medical Terminology Simplified

Vertebral Column

10–78 The vertebr/al or spin/al column supports the body and provides a protec-

tive bony canal for the spinal cord.

Another name for the vertebr/al column is

__________ / __________ ____________________.

From the word spin/al, construct the CF for spine.

__________ / _____

10–79 Spondyl/o andvertebr/o are CFs that refer to the vertebrae (backbone).

The singular form of vertebrae is ____________________.

10–80 Vertebr/ectomy is an excision of a ____________________.

Spondyl/o/dynia is a painful condition of a ____________________.

10–81 Change the following words from singular to plural form by retaining the

aand adding an e.

Singular Plural

vertebra ____________________

bursa ____________________

pleura ____________________

10–82 Whereasvertebr/o is used to form words that describe the vertebra,

spondyl/ois used to form words about the condition of the vertebra.

Build medical words that mean

inflammation of vertebrae:____________________ / __________

disease of vertebrae:____________________ / _____ / ____________________

softening of vertebrae:____________________ / _____ / ____________________

10–83 As discussed previously, vertebr/o is used to form words that describe the

vertebral structure.

For example, vertebr/o/cost/al means pertaining to a____________________and

a rib.Vertebr/o/stern/al means pertaining to a____________________and the

sternum, or chest plate.

Boldfaceindicates a word root or combining form. Blueindicates a suffix. Pinkindicates a prefix.

480 CHAPTER 10• Musculoskeletal System

spin/al column

SPĪ-năl

spin/o

vertebra

VĔR-tĕ-bră

vertebra

VĔR-tĕ-bră

vertebra

VĔR-tĕ-bră

vertebrae

VĔR-tĕ-brē

bursae

BĔR-sē

pleurae

PLOO-rē

spondyl/itis

spŏn-dĭl-Ī-tĭs

spondyl/o/pathy

spŏn-dĭl-ŎP-ă-thē

spondyl/o/malacia

spŏn-dĭl-ō-mă-LĀ-shē-ă

vertebra, vertebra

VĔR-tĕ-bră