A bony outgrowth or protuberance. [osteo- + G. phyton, plant]
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os·teo·phyte 'äs-tē-ə-.fīt n a pathological bony outgrowth
os·teo·phyt·ic .äs-tē-ə-'fit-ik adj
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n.
a projection of bone, usually shaped like a rose thorn, that occurs at sites of cartilage degeneration or destruction near joints and intervertebral discs. Osteophyte formation is an X-ray sign of osteoarthritis but is not a cause of symptoms in itself.
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os·teo·phyte (osґte-o-fīt″) [osteo- + -phyte] a bony excrescence or osseous outgrowth. Called also osteophyma.Medical dictionary. 2011.