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

Arthro- comes from the Greek á���ٳ���Dz�, meaning “a joint.” Related to arthro- and deriving from a Greek word based on á���ٳ���Dz� is arthritis, “acute or chronic inflammation of the joint.”

What are variants of arthro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, arthro- becomes arthr-, as in arthralgia.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features anthro- is arthropod, a scientific name for such creepy crawlies as insects, spiders and other archanids, and crustaceans.

We have learned already that the prefix arthro- means “joint.” What about the –pod part of the word? It means “foot,” from the Greek ���ú��.

So, arthropod literally translates to “jointed foot.” Indeed, arthopods have a segmented body, jointed limbs, and usually a chitinous shell that undergoes moltings.

Another creature, the octopus, is also derived in part from the Greek ���ú��, meaning “foot.” Can you guess why? Discover the answer at our entry on octopus.

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

• Arthrobacter
• arthrodysplasia
• arthrography
• arthrolith
• arthrolysis
• arthropathy
• arthroplasty
• arthrosclerosis
• arthroscope
• arthrotomy

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

• anthropo-
• arterio-

The combining form –meter means “measure.” With that in mind, what does an arthrometer measure?