myelo-

combining form

variants or before a vowel myel-

: bone marrow : spinal cord

myelocyte

myelencephalon

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek, combining form of myelós "bone marrow," perhaps from my- (base of mûs "mouse, muscle," myṓn "cluster of muscles") + -elos, suffix with various applications, seen also in pimelḗ "soft fat, lard" — more at mouse entry 1

Note: Marrow, like muscle, is soft tissue, and both contrast with bone. For the suffix, compare also the derivational relationship of ankṓn "bend of the arm, elbow," ankálē "bent arm."