Diarthrosis
/ˌdaɪ.ɑːrˈθroʊ.sɪs/noun
A freely movable joint, such as the shoulder, elbow, or knee.
Did you know?Ancient Greek physicians used arthron, meaning “joint,” for the body’s connecting structures; modern anatomy preserves this root in an entire vocabulary of joint science.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂er-
“To fit together, join, or arrange”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄρθρον (árthron)
“A joint or limb-member; something that connects”
Ancient Greek
Greek
διάρθρωσις (diárthrōsis)
“A joining through; an articulation or freely movable joint”
Late Greek / Medical Latin
Greek/Latin
diarthrosis
“An anatomical articulation permitting movement”
17th Century
English
diarthrosis
“A freely movable joint in anatomical terminology”
Modern English
English
diarthrosis
“A synovial or otherwise freely movable joint”