Medical Terminology Simplified

Malignant tumor that develops from bone marrow, usually in long bones or the

pelvis

Ewing sarcoma occurs most commonly in adolescent boys.

Fluid-filled tumor that most commonly develops along the tendons or joint of the

wrists or hands but may also occur in the ankles and feet

In most instances, ganglion cysts cause no pain, require no treatment, and go away on

their own. Reasons for treatment are cosmetic or when the cyst causes pain (presses on a

nearby nerve) or interferes with joint movement. Treatment involves removing the fluid

or excising the cyst. (See Fig. 10–12.)

Hereditary metabolic disease that is a form of acute arthritis, characterized by exces-

sive uric acid in the blood and around the joints

Herniation or rupture of the nucleus pulposus (center gelatinous material within an

intervetebral disk) between two vertebrae; also called prolapsed disk(See Fig. 10–13.)

A herniated disk places pressure on a spinal root nerve or the spinal cord. Displacement

of the disk irritates the spinal nerves, causing muscle spasms and pain. It occurs most

commonly in the lower spine.

488 CHAPTER 10• Musculoskeletal System

Ewing sarcoma

Ū-ĭng săr-KŌ-mă

ganglion cyst

GĂNG-lē-ŏn SĬST

Figure 10-12Ganglion cyst of the wrist

Nerve root

Lamina

Vertebra

Spinous

process

Nucleus pulposus herniates

and compresses nerve root

Intervertebral disk

Figure 10-13 Herniated disk.

gout

GOWT

herniated disk

HĔR-nē-āt-ĕd