INTRAMEDULLARY Meaning and
Definition
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Intramedullary is an adjective used in medical terminology to describe the location or positioning of an object or procedure within the medulla, which refers to the central or innermost part of a structure or organ, particularly within bones. The term is commonly used in orthopedics to refer to implants or devices that are placed directly within the medullary cavity of a long bone, such as the femur or tibia, during surgical procedures.
When used in the context of orthopedic surgery, intramedullary devices typically refer to rods, nails, pins, or screws that are inserted through the skin and soft tissues and then advanced into the medullary canal of the bone. These implants are often used to treat fractures by providing rigid internal fixation or stability to promote bone healing and alignment. Intramedullary fixation has the advantage of minimizing disruption to other soft tissues and reducing the risk of infection compared to some other surgical techniques.
The term intramedullary can also be used more broadly within the medical field to describe procedures or treatments that are focused or targeted within the medulla of other organs or structures, such as the spinal cord or blood vessels. It implies a deep placement or involvement within the central part of these structures and is often contrasted with extramedullary, which refers to things located outside or around the medulla.
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Within the bone marrow; within the spinal cord; within the medulla oblongata.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INTRAMEDULLARY
- Intraexillary
- untramedullary
- jntramedullary
- kntramedullary
- ontramedullary
- 9ntramedullary
- 8ntramedullary
- ibtramedullary
- imtramedullary
- ijtramedullary
- ihtramedullary
- inrramedullary
- inframedullary
- ingramedullary
- inyramedullary
- in6ramedullary
- in5ramedullary
- inteamedullary
- intdamedullary
- intfamedullary
- inttamedullary
- intramadullary
- intramedular
Etymology of INTRAMEDULLARY
The word "intramedullary" is formed by combining two roots: "intra-" and "medullary".
1. "Intra-" is a prefix derived from the Latin word "intra" meaning "inside" or "within".
2. "Medullary" is an adjective derived from the Latin word "medullaris", which means "marrow-like" or "related to the marrow". "Medullaris" is derived from the Latin word "medulla", meaning "marrow" or "core".
Combining these roots, "intramedullary" refers to something situated or occurring within the marrow or core of a structure, such as an intramedullary tumor located within the central core of a bone.
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