brachi-

1. variant of brachio- before a vowel.

Words That Use Brachi-

What does brachi- mean?

Brachi- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “arm” or “upper arm.” It is often used in medical and scientific terms, especially in anatomy and in zoology.

Brachi- comes from the Greek brachī́ōn, meaning “arm.” A medical term for the upper arm is brachium, from Latin and related to the Greek brachī́ōn.

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

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use brachio- article.

Examples of brachi-

One example of a medical term that features the combining form brachi- is brachialgia, “pain in the nerves of the upper arm.”

The first part of the word, brachi-, means “arm,” specifically the “upper arm.” What about the -algia part of the word? This combining form –algia means “pain.” Brachialgia literally translates to “arm pain.”

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

The following words were formed in New Latin using the equivalent form of brachi- in the language.

• brachial
• brachiate
• brachiation (formed from brachiate)
• brachiferous

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

• brachy-
• brady-
• branchi-

Break it down!

Given the meaning of the combining form brachi-, where in the body would you expect to find the brachial vein and brachial artery?