myelo-

1. a combining form meaning “marrow,” “of the spinal cord,” used in the formation of compound words:

   myelocyte.

Word History and Origins

Origin of myelo-¹

Combining form representing Greek myelós marrow

Words That Use myelo-

What does myelo- mean?

Myelo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “marrow” or “of the spinal cord.” It is often used in medical terms.

Marrow is a soft, fatty, vascular tissue in the interior cavities of bones that is a major site of blood cell production.

Myelo- comes from the Greek myelós, meaning “marrow.” The Latin word for marrow is medulla, which English directly borrowed as medulla.

What are variants of myelo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, myelo- becomes myel-, as in myelin.

Examples of myelo-

An example of a word you may have encountered that features myelo- is myelopathy, “any disorder of the spinal cord or of bone marrow.”

We know myelo- refers to “marrow” or the spinal cord. Now, the combining form -pathy, here, means “disease.” The form -pathy ultimately comes from the Greek páthos, “suffering, sensation,” source of the English words pathology and pathos. Myelopathy literally translates to “marrow disease.”

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

• myelocyte
• myelodysplasia
• myelofibrosis
• myelogenic
• myelography

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

• melano-
• myo-

Break it down!

A myelogram is a type of X-ray photograph. What part of the body does a myelogram capture an image of?