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Brachi- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “arm” or “upper arm.” It is often used in medical and scientific terms, especially in anatomy and in zoology.

Brachi- comes from the Greek ����������ī́ō��, meaning “arm.” A medical term for the upper arm is brachium, from Latin and related to the Greek ����������ī́ō��.

Brachi- is a variant of brachio-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our 51�Թ�s That Use brachio- article.

One example of a medical term that features the combining form brachi- is brachialgia, “pain in the nerves of the upper arm.”

The first part of the word, brachi-, means “arm,” specifically the “upper arm.” What about the -algia part of the word? This combining form –algia means “pain.” Brachialgia literally translates to “arm pain.”

What are some words that use the combining form brachi-?

The following words were formed in New Latin using the equivalent form of brachi- in the language.

• brachial
• brachiate
• brachiation (formed from brachiate)
• brachiferous

What are some other forms that brachi- may be commonly confused with?

• brachy-
• brady-
• branchi-

Given the meaning of the combining form brachi-, where in the body would you expect to find the brachial vein and brachial artery?