Medical Terminology Simplified

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL TERMS

The following are additional terms related to the musculoskeletal system. Recognizing and learning these terms will
help you understand the connection between a pathological condition, its diagnosis, and the rationale behind the
method of treatment selected for a particular disorder.

Diseases and Conditions

Muscular Disorders

Group of hereditary diseases characterized by gradual atrophy and weakness of

muscle tissue

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most

common form with an average life span of 20 years.

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by severe muscular weakness

and progressive fatigue

Trauma to a joint that causes injury to the surrounding ligament, accompanied by

pain and disability

486 CHAPTER 10• Musculoskeletal System

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

AIDS acquired immunodeficiency HNP herniated nucleus pulposus

syndrome (herniated disk)

AP anteroposterior L1, L2, to L5 first lumbar vertebra, second

lumbar vertebra, and so on

C1, C2, to C7 first cervical vertebra, second MG myasthenia gravis

cervical vertebra, and so on

D.O., DO Doctor of Osteopathy RA rheumatoid arthritis

CT computed tomography S1, S2, to S5 first sacral vertebra, second sacral

vertebra, and so on

CTS carpal tunnel syndrome THR total hip replacement

Fx fracture T1, T2, to T12 first thoracic vertebra, second

thoracic vertebra, and so on

ABBREVIATIONS

This section introduces musculoskeletal system–related abbreviations and their meanings.

muscular dystrophy

MŬS-kū-lăr DĬS-trō-fē

muscul:muscle

-ar:pertaining to

dys-:bad; painful;

difficult

-trophy:development,

nourishment

myasthenia gravis (MG)

mī-ăs-THĒ-nē-ă GRĂV-ĭs

sprain