subluxation

sub·lux·a·tion
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UK/ˌsʌb.lʌkˈseɪ.ʃən/US/ˌsəbˌləkˈseɪ.ʃən/

noun

A partial dislocation of a joint, in which the articulating surfaces remain in partial contact.

“The patient experienced subluxations of his right ulna, his lower right rear molar, and the lens of his left eye.”

Similar
misalignment
Opposite
luxationalignment
OriginFrench subluxation ← New Latin subluxatio ← Ancient Greek παράρθρημα →
UncommonScrabble 20
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Meanings

nounsubluxation (countable and uncountable, plural subluxations)

plural subluxations

  1. countableuncountablemedicineA partial dislocation of a joint, in which the articulating surfaces remain in partial contact.

    The patient experienced subluxations of his right ulna, his lower right rear molar, and the lens of his left eye.

    3 more examples

    Lateral subluxation of the atlantoaxial joints has also been observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

    1988, Donald Resnick, Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders

    Many diseases and trauma are associated with lens subluxation. Clinical Features. All degrees of subluxation may be seen. Classically, iridodonesis is seen on slit lamp examination with eye movement. Phakodonesis may also be observed.

    2001, William Tasman, Edward A. Jaeger, The Wills Eye Hospital Atlas of Clinical Ophthalmology, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, →ISBN, page 78

    Subluxation of a tooth may cause bleeding and mobility of the tooth as a result of injury to the periodontal fibers. Displacement of the tooth is not usually apparent. Approximately 15 % to 20 % of reported trauma cases exhibit [it].

    2004, Michael Crocetti, Michael A. Barone, Frank A. Oski, Oski's Essential Pediatrics, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, →ISBN, page 176

    Synonyms: misalignment

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA partial dislocation of a joint, in which the articulating surfaces remain in partial contact.

Similar
misalignment
Opposite
luxationalignment

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπαράρθρημα
  2. New Latinsubluxatio
  3. Frenchsubluxation
  4. Englishsubluxation

From French subluxation, from New Latin subluxatio, from subluxare (“to subluxate, to partially displace”) + -atio (“-ation: forming abstract nouns”), from sub- (“sub-: under, below, lesser”) + luxare (“to dislocate; to displace”) after the model of Ancient Greek παράρθρημα (parárthrēma). Equivalent to sub- + luxation.

More words from French, New Latin, Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

subluxation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subluxation

MLA

“subluxation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subluxation. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “subluxation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subluxation.

Source: subluxation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.