Spondylarthrosis
/ˌspɑːn.dɪ.lɑːrˈθroʊ.sɪs/noun
A degenerative condition of the spinal joints, especially the facet joints.
Did you know?Spondylarthrosis is built from Greek roots for “vertebra” and “joint,” and the ending -osis is a classic medical suffix for a condition, not a curse—though it sounds like one.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
σπόνδυλος (spondylos)
“vertebra; spinal joint”
Ancient Greek
GRK
ἄρθρον (arthron)
“joint”
Ancient Greek
GRK
-ωσις (-osis)
“a condition or process”
19th–20th Century
Medical Latin/English
spondylarthrosis
“a degenerative disorder of the vertebral joints”
Modern English
English
spondylarthrosis
“degenerative disease of the spinal joints”
Explore more surprising origins