Which term describes muscle pain?

• A. Myalgia
• B. Phalanges
• C. Occiput
• D. Ligament

Answer: (A)

Muscle pain is described by the term myalgia. In medical language, the suffix -algia means pain, and when it targets muscle tissue, the correct term is myalgia. The other terms refer to different structures: phalanges are finger and toe bones, the occiput is the back part of the skull, and ligaments are connective bands that hold bones together. So when a clinician notes pain arising from muscles, they use myalgia to specify the source rather than pain in a bone or ligament. If inflammation of muscle is present, the term myositis might be used instead.