arthr-

Arthr- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “joint” or “jointed.” It is often used in medical and scientific terms.

Arthr- comes from the Greek árthron, meaning “a joint.” Related to arthr- and deriving from a Greek word based on árthron is arthritis, “acute or chronic inflammation of the joint.”

Arthr- is a variant of arthro-, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use arthro– article.

One word you have likely come across that features the combining form arthr- is arthralgia, “pain in a joint.”

The word arthralgia is made of two combining forms. The first, arthr-, means “joint.” The second, -algia, refers to “pain.”

What are some words that use the combining form arthr-?

• arthrectomy
• arthrosis (in its pathological sense of “degenerative joint disease”)

What are some other forms that arthr- may be commonly confused with?

• arteri- 

If you type arthr-, your spellchecker may suggest Arthur, a male given name that is unrelated to the Greek árthron. Arthur may come from a Celtic or Latin source. What famous people named Arthur come to mind? Discover a few at our entry for the name.

The combining form –ectomy means “excision.” With this in mind, what kind of medical procedure is an arthrectomy?