skeleto-, skelet-, skele-

(Greek > Latin: dried up, withered, mummy; the bony and some of the cartilaginous framework of the body of animals; including humans)

chondroskeleton (s) (noun), chondroskeletons (pl)
The parts of the bony structures of vertebrates which are formed from cartilage (substance that surrounds the joints): "The chondroskeleton is an element of bones which consists of specialized connective tissue between the joints; such as, the knees, fingers, etc."
dermaskeleton (s) (noun), dermaskeletons (pl)
The bony or horny supporting structures in the skin of many vertebrates (backbone of mammals, birds, or fish): "Fish scales and the carapaces (shells) of turtles are examples of dermaskeletons."
dermoskeleton (s) (noun), dermoskeletons (pl)
Support structures that support organism bodies from the outside and which are formed from the ectoderms (outer layers of skin): .All arthropods (spiders, insects, crustaceans, horseshoe crabs, etc.) have dermoskeletons."
ectoskeleton (s) (noun), ectoskeletons (pl)
The external outer shell of organisms that supports and protects the bodies of certain creatures.
endoskeletal (adjective), more endoskeletal, most endoskeletal
Pertaining to the structures that support the inside of the body.
endoskeleton (s) (noun), endoskeletons (pl)
The body parts that support the inside of the body.
exoskeletal (adjective), more exoskeletal, most exoskeletal
Relating to the outer area of a body which encloses and protects the soft tissues and organs; such as, with many insects.
exoskeleton (s) (noun), exoskeletons (pl)
1. An exterior, or hard covering that supports and protects the outer structures of creatures: "Examples of exoskeletons include insects, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, barnacles, etc."
2. A device that humans can wear for greater strength: "The exoskeleton works on a principal of muscle-actuation."

"Built into exoskeletons are a number of pressure points, which, when triggered by even the slightest contact with a person's body, reinforce the movement of the arms, hands, feet, and legs similar to the power steering in cars which make natural rotational movements by the arms and hands with a car's steering wheel much easier."

exosuit (s) (noun), exosuits (pl)
Another term for equipment that works by means of muscle-actuation with many more axes or parts of the body that allow rotations; for example, making it possible for the head to be turned, extended, and flexed: "The exosuit is worn like a suit and takes the physical abilities of a body and uses hydraulic power and/or electrical motors to greatly increase the body's normal activities so they are much stronger than usual."

"The exosuit allows a person of average physical capabilities to pickup very heavy objects as if they were dolls or teddy bears throwing them around with very little effort."

"An individual wearing one of these exosuits will be able to handle objects many times his or her bodyweight with considerably more control and dexterity."

"In the future, it is possible that patients suffering from various degenerative neurological and muscular disorders; such as, multiple sclerosis, as well as victims of spinal trauma, will be able to recover their pre-injury functionality and possibly even exceed it much more then when it was performing normally."

"It's possible that in a decade, or less, we may see exosuits begin to replace the wheelchair as a crucial life-improving mechanism for the sick and the injured persons."

—Compiled from information seen in
"Life-Altering Robotic Technology" by Brian Hicks;
in Wealth Daily; September 19, 2013.
scleroskeleton (s) (noun), scleroskeletons (pl)
Bony elements resulting from the ossification (hardening like bone) of fibrous structures: "Scleroskeletons usually affect ligaments (connective tissue), fasciae (band of tissue below the skin that covers or separates different layers of tissues), and the tendons (soft tissues which attach muscles to bones)."
skeletal (adjective), more skeletal, most skeletal
Pertaining to body parts that are composed of bones which are arranged for special functions and activities."
skeletal muscle (s) (noun), skeletal muscles (pl)
The largest structure that is composed of bundles of specialized cells which are capable of contractions and relaxations to create movements: "The skeletal muscles, or voluntary muscles, of the body consist of more than 600 types."

"Skeletal muscles are composed of groups of muscle fibers in a systematic arrangement."

"Movements of the skeletal muscles are controlled by the brain because each muscle fiber is supplied with a nerve ending which receives impulses from the brain."


—Compiled from information located in
The American Medical Association Home Medical Encyclopedia;
Medical Editor, Charles B. Clayman, MD; Random House; New York; 1989; pages 703-705.
skeletogenous (adjective), more skeletogenous, most skeletogenous
Referring to the formation and development of the bone structures of the body.
skeletogeny (s) (noun), skeletogenies (pl)
The formation of the bone structures of a body.
skeletography (s) (noun), skeletographies (pl)
A written description of the anatomy and biomechanics concerning bodily bone structures.