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."