Rachio-: Medical Combining Form for Spine

Rachio- (or rachio-) is a combining form meaning “spine” or “vertebral column”, from Greek rhachis (spine).

Common Derivatives

• Rachiotomy – incision into spinal canal.
• Rachiodynia – spinal pain.
• Rachio centesis – spinal tap (lumbar puncture).
• Rachischisis – congenital fissure of vertebral column (spina bifida).
• Rachitis – inflammation of spine (archaic; now spondylitis).

Used in anatomy, neurology, orthopedics, and radiology terminology.