Dictionary

osteochondrosis Any disease that affects the progress of bone growth by killing bone tissue. Osteochondrosis is seen only in children and teens whose bones are still growing.

osteoclasia Destruction and reabsorption of bone tissue, as occurs when broken bones heal.

osteoclasis The surgical destruction of bone tissue. Osteoclasis is performed to reconstruct a bone that is malformed, often a broken bone that healed improperly. The bone is broken and then reshaped with the aid of metal pins, casting, and bracing.

ORT Oral rehydration therapy.

ortho- Prefix meaning straight or erect, as in orthodontics (the straightening of the teeth) and orthostatic (in an upright posture).

orthodontic treatment The use of devices, such as dental braces, to move teeth or adjust underlying bone. Teeth can be moved with removable appliances or with fixed braces.

orthodontics The dental specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of dental deformities as well as irregularity in the relationship of the lower to the upper jaw.

orthomolecular medicine 1 A type of medicine that, according to biochemist Linus Pauling, is concerned with “the preservation of good health and the treatment of disease by varying the concentration in the human body of substances that are normally present in the body.” The treatment of diabetes with the injection of insulin and the prevention…

orthopaedics See orthopedics.

orthopaedist See orthopedist.

orthopedics The branch of surgery that is broadly concerned with the skeletal system. Sometimes spelled orthopaedics.

orthopedist An orthopedic surgeon, a physician who corrects congenital or functional abnormalities of the bones with surgery, casting, and bracing. Orthopedists also treat injuries to the bones. Sometimes spelled orthopaedist.