Cleidorrhexis

/ˌklaɪdoʊˈrɛksɪs/ noun

Definition

Rupture or breaking of the clavicle (collarbone), or surgical fracturing of the clavicle.

Etymology

From Greek 'kleido-' (clavicle) plus '-rrhexis' (rupture or breaking, from 'rhegnynai' meaning to break). This is a surgical or pathological term.

Kelly Says

Cleidorrhexis is so specialized that even orthopedic surgeons probably wouldn't use this term—they'd just say 'broken collarbone'—yet these ultra-technical Greek terms allow medical literature to be extremely precise, creating a specialized vocabulary that sometimes feels like a foreign language even to healthcare professionals.

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