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Osteo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “bone.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Osteo- comes from the Greek �Dz���é�Dz�, meaning “bone.”

What are variants of osteo-?

When combined with words or word elements forms that begin with a vowel, osteo- becomes oste-, as in osteitis.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features osteo- is osteology, which is the branch of anatomy dealing with—you guessed it—the skeleton.

We know osteo- means “bone.” And -(o)logy? That means “study of,” ultimately from the Greek ��ó���Dz�, meaning “word,” among many other senses. Osteology, then, literally translates to “the study of bones.”

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

• osteoarthritis
• osteoblast
• osteochondritis
• osteogenesis
• osteophage
• osteoplasty
• osteoporosis

What are some other forms that osteo– may be commonly confused with?

• oto-
• ortho-

Despite appearances, the word ostentatious, meaning “characterized by pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others,” does not use the Greek root osteo-. Learn where ostentatious comes from at our entry for the word.

Given that osteo- means “bone” and dystrophy means “faulty or inadequate development,” then what is osteodystrophy?