Unit 4: WORD BUILDING IN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:
1. to define and categorize common prefixes in anatomy and physiology;
2. to define and review root words related to anatomy and physiology and break down word
parts; and
3. to define and categorize common suffixes in anatomy and physiology.
Presentation of Contents
As you study medical terminology. You will find that certain word elements can be applied to
a wide range of anatomic structures and physiologic concepts and are therefore present in
wide range of medical terms.
Prefixes in Anatomy and Physiology
As we have explained earlier, a prefix is a word element added before one or more words to
modify the meaning of the root(s) and create a new word.
Prefixes show up at the beginning of a word and tell the how, why, where, when, how much,
how many, position, direction, time or status. Prefixes have a very important job: They act as
modifiers or adjectives, altering the meaning of the root word of the medical term.
Prefixes to Denote Number or Quantity
The following prefixes are commonly used to denote the number or quantity of anatomic
structures or physiologic processes present. As you will see, they can be found in a wide variety
of medical terms.
Prefix
Meaning
Example
Definition
bi-
two
biceps muscles
a muscle having two “head” (-ceps)
di-
two
diarthic
pertaining to (-ic) two joints (arthr/o)
hemi-
one-half
hemiplegia
mono-
one; single
mononuclear
pertaining to (-ar) a cell having one nucleus
(nucle/o)
multi-
many
multigravida
a woman who has been pregnant (gravida)
more than once
nulli-
none
nullipara
a woman who has given birth (-para) to no
living children
poly-
many
polypo
quad-
four
quadriceps-muscle
semi-
one-half; partly
semilunar
a valve resembling (-ar) a half moon (lun/o)
tri-
three
tricuspid
a valve consisting of the three pointed or
tapered shapes (-cuspid)
uni-
one
unilateral
pertaining to (-al) one side (later/o)
partial paralysis (-plegia) of one-half of the
body, the right or left half
having a nucleus (nucle/o) with many nuclear
shapes (morph/o)
a muscle having four “heads” (-ceps)
Prefixes to Describe Normal Function
The following prefixes are commonly used to describe normal anatomic structures and
physiologic process. As you will see, some of these prefixes are used to indicate normal
functioning of a particular organ, while others are used to compare two or more structures of
processes.
Prefix
Meaning
Example
Definition
a muscle that draws a limb (-ductor) away
from the body
ab-
away from
abductor
ad-
toward; near
adrenal
pertaining to (-al) a structure located near the
kidney (ren/o)
ante-
before (in time);
forward
anteversion
forward tilting or turning (-version) of an organ
from its usual position
contra-
against;
opposite side
contralateral
pertaining to (-al) something on the opposite
side (later/o) of the body
dia-
through
diarrhea
discharge (-rrhea) of abundant, watery feces
through the anus
dis-
apart; away
from
dislocate
ec-
out; away from
ectopic
em-
in; inside
empyema
en-
in; surrounded
by
endemic
endo-
inside; within
endometrium
epi-
on; over; above;
outer
epidermis
ex-
out; away from
exhale
exo-
out; away from
exocrine
hypo-
under
hypothalamus
inter-
between;
interstitial
to move (-locate) a structure away from its
usual position, as in dislocating a bone from its
joint
pertaining to (-ic) a structure out of place
(top/o)
a condition (-ema) characterized by the
presence of pus (py/o) inside a body cavity,
usually the chest cavity
pertaining to (-ic) something that occurs in
people (dem/o) in a particular geographic
region
the structure or tissue (-um) lining the inside of
the uterus (metri/o)
noun (-is) signifying the outer layer of skin
(derm/o)
to breathe (-hale) out
secreting (-crine) to the outside surface of an
organ rather than into the blood
the gland located under the thalamus gland (thalamus)
pertaining to (-al) the space (stiti/o) between
tissue cells
Commonly Used Prefixes to Denote Direction or Location in Time
In anatomy and physiology, the location of one anatomic structure I typically described by
comparing its position to that of another structure; similarly, the time of one physiologic process
is often described in comparison to the occurrence of another. The prefixes listed below are
commonly used for this purpose and are found in numerous terms pertaining to anatomy and
physiology.
Prefix
Meaning
Example
intra-
within; inside
intravenous
ipsi-
same; same side
ipsilateral
para-
beside; beyond
parathyroid
per-
through
percutaneous
peripostpreprimiproretro-
around;
surrounding
after (in time or
place)
before (in time
or place)
first
in front of;
prolapsed
before (in time)
backward;
behind
pericardium
postpartum
prenatal
primigravida
lapse
retroversion
sub-
under; beneath
subcutaneous
trans-
through; across
transurethral
Definition
pertaining to (-ous) a process occurring inside
a vein (ven/o)
pertaining to (-al) something on the same side
(later/o) of the body
the glands located beside the thyroid gland (thyroid) gland
pertaining to (-ous) a process occurring
through the skin (cutane/o)
the structure or tissue (-um) that surrounds the
heart (cardi/o)
after labor or childbirth (-partum)
pertaining to (-al) the time before birth (nat/o)
a woman who is pregnant (-gravida) for the
first time
sinking of an organ to a location in front of its
usual position
backward tilting or turning (-version) of an
organ from its usual position
pertaining to (-ous) a process occurring below
the skin (cutane/o)
pertaining to (-al) a process occurring through
the (urethra/o)
Review of Common Prefixes
Keep the other word part functions in mind when dealing with prefixes. The combining form or
root, as explained in the previous unit, specifies the body part. The suffix, always at the end of
a word, usually indicates a procedure, condition or disease. When all three work together, they
make one powerful word.
Let’s review the most common prefixes in simple, easy-to-memorize alphabetical order. Later
in the chapter, we go over how theses prefixes fit into everyday medical life and language.
A-E Prefixes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
A-, an-: Lack of, without, not
Ab-: Away from, take away
Ad-: Towards or to, near
Ambi-, ambo-: Both
Amphi-: Double, both sides
Ana-: Up, apart
Ante-: Before, in front of, or forward
Anti-: Opposing or against
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Ap-, apo-: Separated or derived from
Aut-, auto-: Self, by yourself
Bi-: Double, two, twice, both
Brady-: Slow; most often refers to heart rhythm/rate
Brachy-: short
Cata-: Lower, down, against
Circum-: Around
Co-, con-, com-: Together or with
Contra-: Against or opposed to
De-: Down or from
Di-: Twice or two
Dia-: Through, apart, across, between
Dis-: Apart from or free from
Dys-: Bad, painful, difficult
E-, ec-, ex-: From, away from, out of
Ect,- exo-, ecto-: Outside, outer, on
Em-, en-: In
End-, endo-, ent-, ento-: Within or inner
Epi-, ep-: Upon, over, or on
Eu-: Normal
Extra-, extro-: Beyond, outside of, or outward
Be on the lookout for prefixes that sound similar but mean slightly different things, such as aband ad-, ambi- and amphi-, dis- and dys-.
F-J Prefixes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Hemi-, semi-: Half, half of
Hyper-: Above, excessive, beyond
Hyp-, hypo-: Below, beneath, deficient
Im-, in-: Into, in, within
Infra-: Below or beneath
Inter-: Between
Intra-: Within, inside
Intro-: Into or within
Infra-, inter-, and intra- are always mixed up and used inappropriately.
K-O Prefixes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Macro-: Large
Mal-: Bad
Mes-, meso-: Middle
Meta-: Beyond or changing
Micro-, micr-: Tiny, small
Mono-, uni-: One
Mult-, multi-: Many, multiple
Neo-: New or recent
Oligo-: Scanty
If you can’t recall the meaning of a prefix, try putting into everyday English context. For
example, you might remember the meaning of macro- by thinking about the word
macroeconomics, which is about economics on a large scale.
P-Z Prefixes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Pan-: All
Para-: Beyond, beside, or after
Per-: Through
Peri-: Around
Poly-: Many, excessive
Post-: After or following, behind
Pre-, pro-: In front of, before, preceding
Presby-: Old age
Pseudo-: False
Quadri-: Four
Re-: Backward or again
Retro-: Behind, backward
Semi-: Half
Sub-: Under or beneath
Super-, supra-: Above, excessive, superior
Sym-, syn-: With or together
Tachy-: Rapid or fast
Trans-: Through or across
Tri-: Three
Ultra-: Excessive, beyond
Matching Prefixes to Situations
The next step in prefixes is applying them to the words used every day in medical terminology.
Keep in mind that the following is not by any stretch the end-all, be-all, conclusive list of
medical words, but it’s a nice sampling of prefixes at work.
In your body
Here are some common examples of prefixes in body-related words. You can see a nice mix
of amounts, directions ad changes in these prefixes:
o Amenorrhea: Without period of menses, as in pregnancy
o Anovulatory: Ovaries not releasing eggs, can be hormonally induced
o Bilateral: Lateral meaning side; both sides
o Bradycardia: Slow heart rate
o Bradyarrhythmia: Slow, irregular heartbeat
o Circumferential: Around the outside
o Dysfunctional: Difficult or painful; dysfunctional uterine bleeding
o Exocervix: Part of the cervix away from the uterus
o Endocervix: Inner part of the cervix, within the uterus
o Hypertension: Excessive or high blood pressure
o Hyperemesis: Excessive vomiting
o Hypotensive: Low or below normal blood pressure
o Infraumbilical: Below or beneath the umbilicus
o Multiloculated: A tumor or cyst having many or multiple locules, small spaces or cavities
often filled with fluid
o Oliguria: Scanty, inadequate amount of urine production
o Oligomenorrhea: Scanty menstrual flow
o Paraovarian: Beside an ovary
o Pericardial: Around the heart
o Periurethral: Around the opening of the urethra
o
o
o
o
o
Polydipsia: Excessive thirst (symptom of diabetes)
Polyuria: Excessive urination (also symptom of diabetes)
Pseudocyst: A structure resembling a cyst; but not an actual cyst
Subcostal: Beneath or under the ribs
Subumbilical: Area beneath or under the umbilicus
Suffixes
As you may recall, a suffix is a word element added after one or more root words to modify
the meaning of the root(s) and create a meaningful word. The suffixes most commonly used
in medical terminology are presented in the table below.
Suffixes to Form Nouns
The following suffixes are often added to root words to create nouns.
Suffix
Meaning
Example
-ation
-blast
-cyte
-globin
process
immature cell
cell
protein
forms noun, from
root word
vaccination
osteoblast
hepatocyte
hemoglobin
specialist
cardiologist
-logy
study of
cardiology
-um
thing; structure
myocardium
-is
-ist
dermis
Definition
process of the vaccinating (vacci/o)
immature bone (oste/o) cell
liver (hepat/o) cell
a blood (hem/o) protein
middle layer of the skin (derm/o)
specialist in the study (log/o) of the heart
(cardi/o)
study of the heart (cardi/o)
the structure formed by the muscle (my/o)
tissue in the heart (cardi/o)
The suffix has a job that’s as important as the prefixes and the root words. It is a third clue to
the mystery of each medical term. The suffix is always at the end of a word and usually
indicates a procedure, a condition or a disease.
All medical terms have suffixes. The suffix is all business and tells us what is happening with a
specific body part or system – usually what is wrong with the body or which procedure is being
used to diagnose or fix it.
Suffixes to Form Adjectives
The following common suffixes can be added to root words to create adjectives. You will
probably recognize many of these suffixes, since they are used to create adjectives from nonmedical as well as medical root words.
Suffix
Meaning
Example
-ac
-al
-ar
-ary
-ated
pertaining to
pertaining to
pertaining to
pertaining to
subjected to;
having
producing
pertaining to
pertaining to
cardiac
nasal
muscular
pulmonary
pertaining to the heart (cardi/o)
pertaining to the nose (nas/o)
pertaining to muscle (muscul/o)
pertaining to the lungs (pulmon/o)
myelinated
having been covered with a myelin sheath
-genic
-ic
-ical
-ile
pertaining to
carcinogenic
gastric
neurological
penile
Definition
producing cancer (carcin/o)
pertaining to the stomach (gastr/o)
pertaining to the study (log/o) of nerves
(neur/o)
pertaining to the penis (pen/o)
-ior
-oid
-ory
pertaining to
resembling
pertaining to
having the
qualities of
pertaining to
-ose
-ous
anterior
mucoid
auditory
pertaining to the front (anter/o)
resembling mucus (muc/o)
pertaining to sound (audit/o)
varicose
having the qualities of a twisted vein (varic/o)
venous
pertaining to a vein (ven/o)
Suffixes to Create Singular and Plural Forms
Because of their Greek or Latin origin, some medical terms use somewhat strange-looking
singular and plural suffixes. Once you learn just few of these forms, however, these terms will
not see, intimidating.
Suffix (singular)
Suffix (Plural)
Example
-a
-en
-is
-nx
-on
-um
-us
-x
-ae
-ina
-es
-nges
-a
-a
-i
-ces
vertebr a → vertebrae
lum en → lumina
diagnos is → diagnos es
salpi nx → salpi nges
gangli on → gangli a
bacteri um → bacteri a
bronch us → bronch i
appendi x → appendi ces
Common Suffixes
The scope of suffix meanings is extremely wide. Like prefixes, many suffixes have similar
meanings to those used in plain old, everyday English, whereas some are wildly different. You
will get to know the usual suspects of suffixes fairly quickly – the following three in particular.
-itis
The suffix -itis simply indicates an inflammation of some kind. The -itis is quite popular in medical
terminology because it can be applied to just about any body part within any body system.
Here’s a quick sample:
o Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils
o Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi
o Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint
-oma
The -oma suffix can stand for something ugly: a tumor. It can also pertain to a neoplasm, or
new growth. Again, -oma is one of the most versatile suffixes because a tumor or neoplasm
can happen on or near any body part, in any body system.
Some -omas you might have heard of:
o Carcinoma: Malignant (cancerous) tumor or growth
o Leiomyoma: Benign (non-cancerous) tumor derived from smooth muscle. Commonly
called a fibroid or fibroid tumor
o Melanoma: Tumor of the melanocytic (melanocytes in the skin) system of the skin, a
highly malignant and quickly metastasizing (spreading) tumor.
A tumor can be benign or malignant depending on the type and composition, and amount
of cell division and growth.
-pathy
The last of the big three is the -pathy suffix, which indicates a disease process. Once again, the
wide-ranging use of this suffix is made possible by the large number of body systems it can help
describe.
o Cardiomyopathy: Disease process involving the muscles of the heart
o Cardiopathy: Disease process involving the heart
o Neuropathy: Disease process involving the nervous system
o Osteopathy: Disease process involving bone
Suffixes: Wrapping It Up
Suffix
-ac, -ic, -al, -ous, -tic
-algia, -dynia
-arche
-ate, -ize
-cele
-centesis
-cidal, -cide
-cle, -cule, -ule, -ulus
-cyte
-desis
-dynia
-ectasis, ectasia
-ectomy
-emesis
-emia
-ent, -er, -ist
-esis, -ia, -iasis, -ity, -osis, -sis, -tion, -y
-form, -oid
-genesis
-genic
-gram
-graph
-graphy
-ism
-itis
-lysis
-malacia
-megaly
-meter
-metry
-ologist
-ology
-oma
-opsy
-osis
-ostomy, -stomy
-otomy
-pathy
-penia
-pexy, -pexis
-phagia, -phagy
-phobia
What It Means
Related to or pertaining to
Pain, discomfort
Beginning
Subject to, use
Protrusion (hernia)
Surgical puncture to withdraw or aspirate fluid
Kill or destroy
Small
Cell
Surgical fusion or binding
Pain
Stretching, dilatation
Cutting out, surgical removal
Vomit
Pertaining to blood, a blood condition
Person, agent
State of or condition of
Looking like, resembling, or shaped liked
A beginning process, origin of
Produced by
A written record
Instrument used to record
Process of recording
Condition or theory
Inflammation
Destruction, breakdown or separation
Softening
Enlargement
Instrument used to measure
Process of measuring
One who studies, a specialist
Study of, process of study
Tumor, neoplasm, swelling
To view
Process, condition
Artificial surgical opening
Process of incision or cutting into
Disease, abnormality
Lack of or deficiency
Surgical fixation
Eating
Morbid fear of or intolerance
-plasia
-plasty
-plegia
-pnea
-poiesis, poietic
-ptosis
-rrhage, -rrhagia
-rrhaphy
-rrhea
-rrhexis
-sclerosis
-scope
-scopy
-spasm
-stasis
-tome
-tripsy
-trophic, -trophy
Formation, development
Surgical reconstruction, or shaping of
Paralysis
Breathing
Production or manufacture of
Downward displacement or drooping
Excessive flow or discharge
Suturing in place, fixation
Flow or discharge
Rupture or breaking away
Hardening
Instrument used to visually examine
Process of visual examination
Sudden or involuntary
To stop, stopping
Instrument
Crushing
Growth or development
The suffixes, -rrhagia or rrhage, -rrhaphy, -rrhea, -rrhexis are known as the Four R’s. All four are
difficult to pronounce and are almost always misspelled – usually with one r being left out.
Word Recognition
Root words remain the basic component of word building, and you can look directly to them
to recognize all sorts of words that associate with specific body parts and regions. Because
you have spent so much time going over these individual building blocks, you can now begin
to use what you know to piece together the larger puzzle of knowing whole words.
Terms for Your Interior
The table below lists many examples of where these root words can take you on your medical
terminology journey.
Interior Terms
Root Word
What it Means
Example(s)
Abdomen/o
Abdomen
Angi/o
Vessel
Arteri/o
Artery
Arthr/o
Joint
Audi/o
Hearing
Bio
Bronch/i, bronch/o
Life
Bronchus/Lung
Cardi/o
Heart
Cholecyst/o
Gallbladder
Chondr/i, chondr/o
Cartilage
Abdominoplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction
of the abdomen
Angioplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction of a
vessel
Arterioplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction of
the artery
Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint
Arthroplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction of a
joint
Audiometry: Measurement of hearing using an
audiometer
Biology: The study of life and living organisms
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi
Bronchoscopy: Visual examination of the bronchi
Cardiomegaly: Enlargement of the heart
Cardiac: Pertaining to the heart
Carditis: Inflammation of the heart
Cholecystectomy: Removal of a gallbladder
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder
Chondromalacia: Softening of cartilage
Col/o
Colon
Cry/o
Cold
Cyst/i, cyst/o
Bladder, or cyst
Cyt/o
Duoden/o
Cell
Duodenum
Enchepal/o
Episi/o
Erythr/o
Brain
Vulva
Red
Esophag/o
Esophagus
Galact/o
Milk
Gatsr/o
Stomach
Glyc/o
Gynec/o
Sugar
Female
Hemat/o, Hem/o
Hepat/o, Hepatic/o
Blood
Liver
Heter/o
Other, different
Hist/o, histi/o
Hom/o, home/o
Hydr/o
Tissue
Same, alike
Water, wet
Hyster/o
Ile/o
Uterus
Ileum (intestine)
Ili/o
Ilium (pelvic bone)
Jejun/o
Jejunum
Lacrima
Laryng/o
Tears
Larynx
Leuk/o
Lith/o
Men/o
White
Stone or calculus
Menstruation
Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon
Colonoscope: Instrument used in colonoscopy
Cryobiology: Branch of biology dealing with
effects of low temperature
Cystectomy: Surgical removal of a simple cyst or
of the urinary bladder
Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder
Cystogram: Radiograph of the bladder
Cystopexy: Surgical fixation of the bladder to
abdominal wall
Cytology: Study of cells
Duodenotomy: Surgical cutting into the abdomen
Duodenectomy: Surgical removal of the
duodenum
Duodenitis: Inflammation of the duodenum
Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain
Episiotomy: Surgical cutting of the vulva
Erythrocytes: Red blood cells
Erythema: Reddening of the skin
Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): Visual
examination of the esophagus, stomach, and
duodenum by scope
Galactorrhea: Spontaneous flow of milk when
nursing
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach
Gastrectomy: Surgical removal of the stomach
Gastrodynia: Stomach ache
Glycosuria: Sugar in the urine
Gynecologist: Physician who studies and treats
diseases of female reproductive organs
Hematocyte: Blood cell
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver
Hepatomegaly: Enlargement of the liver
Heterosexual: Sexually attracted to the opposite
sex
Histology: Study and function of tissue
Homosexual: Sexually attracted to the same sex
Hydromassage: Massage by means of moving
water
Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus
Ileostomy: Artificial opening into the ileum
Ileitis: Inflammation of the ileum
Ilioinguinal: Pertaining to the ilium and inguinal
regions
Jejunitis: Inflammation of the jejunum
Jejunostomy: Artificial opening into the jejunum
Lacrimatory: Causing a flow of tears
Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx
Laryngectomy: Surgical removal of the larynx
Leukocyte: White blood cell
Lithotripsy: Crushing of a stone or calculus
Menorrhea: Menstrual flow
Menorrhagia: Excessive or heavy menstrual flow
Myel/o
My/o
Bone marrow/spinal
cord
Muscle
Nat/o
Birth
Necr/o
Death
Nephr/o
Neur/o, Neur/i
Kidney
Nerve
Oophor/o
Ovary
Peritone/o
Peritoneum
Pharyng/o
Pleur/o, pleur/a
Pharynx
Pleura
Pneum/a/o/ato/ono
Proct/o
Lung
Rectum, anus
Pulmon/o
Pyel/o
Lungs
Renal pelvis
Rect/o
Rectum
Salping/o
Fallopian tube
Sarc/o
Splen/o
Flesh
Spleen
Tend/o, ten/o,
tendin/o
Testicul/o
Tendon
Thorac/o
Chest
Tonsill/o
Tonsils
Ureter/o
Ureter
Urethr/o
Urethra
Vas/o
Vas deferens
Viscer/o
Viscera (organs)
Testis
Myelogram: Recording of the spinal cord
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle
Myalgia: Pain in a muscle or painful muscle
Prenatal: Before birth
Postnatal: After birth
Necrosis: Death of a cell
Necrophobia: Morbid fear of death or dead
bodies
Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of a kidney
Neurologist: Physician who studies and treats
conditions of the nervous system
Oophorectomy: Surgical removal of an ovary
Oophoritis: Inflammation of an ovary
Peritoneal: Pertaining to the peritoneum
Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum
Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining of the chest
cavity
Pleurolysis: surgical separation of pleural
adhesions
Pulmonary: Pertaining to the lungs
Proctologist: Physician who studies and treats
diseases of rectum and anus
Pulmonary: Pertaining to the lungs
Pyelography: radiograph (x-ray) of the pelvis of
the kidney
Pyelolithotomy: Removal of a stone from the
kidney pelvis
Rectosigmoid: Pertaining to the rectum and
sigmoid
Salpingectomy: Surgical removal of a fallopian
tube
Sarcoid: Resembling flesh
Splenomegaly: Enlargement of the spleen
Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen
Tendinitis (or tendonitis): Inflammation of a tendon
Testicular: Pertaining to a testis or testicle
Testitis: Inflammation of the testis
Thoracotomy: Incision into the chest cavity
Thoracentesis: Surgical puncture into the chest
cavity
Tonsillectomy: Surgical removal of the tonsils
Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils
Ureterolithotomy: Removal of a calculus (stone)
from a ureter by means of incision
Ureteropelvic: Pertaining to the ureter and pelvis
of the kidney
Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra
Urethropexy: Surgical fixation of the urethra
Vasectomy: Surgical removal of portion of vas
deferens for male sterilization
Viscerography: Radiography of the viscera
Terms for the Outside of Your Body
Now let’s look at some of the words you can conjure for the exterior of your body.
External Terminology
Root Word
What It Means
Example(s)
Blephar/o
Cephal/o
Eyelid or eyelash
Head
Cervic/o
Neck or cervix
Cheil/o, chil/o
Derm/a/o,
dermat/o
Lip
Skin
Dors/i, dors/o
Gingiv/o
Inguin/o
Irid/o
Lapar/o
Back or posterior
Gums in mouth
Groin
Iris of eye
Abdomen, loin, flank
Lingu/o
Mamm/a,
mamm/o
Mast/o
Odont/o
Oncyh/o
Tongue
Breast
Opthalm/o, ocul/o
Eyes
Optic/o, opt/o
Seeing, sight
Or/o
Ot/o
Mouth
Ear
Pelv/o
Pelvis
Pod/o
Rhin/o
Foot
Nose
Stomat/o
Mouth
Thorac/o
Chest
Blepharoplasty: Surgical repair of the eyelids
Cephalocentesis: Surgical puncture of the head
(skull)
Cephalomegaly: Enlargement of the head (skull)
Cervicodynia: Pain in the neck
Cervicitis: Inflammation of the cervix
Cheilophagia: Biting of the lips
Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin
Dermatologist: Physician who studies and treats
diseases of the skin
Dermatome: Instrument used for cutting thin skin
slices for skin grafting
Dorsalgia: Pain in the back
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums
Inguinodynia: Pain in the groin
Iridectomy: Surgical removal of the iris
Laparatomy: Cutting into the abdomen
Laparoscopy: Visual examination into the
abdomen
Sublingual: Under the tongue
Mammoplasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction of
the breast
Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast
Odontalgia: Toothache
Onychophagia: Habit of biting the nails
Onychomalacia: Softening of the nails
Opthalmologist: Physician studying eyes and
treatment of eye diseases
Optician: One who fills the opthalmologist’s
prescription for corrective eye glasses
Orolingual: Pertaining to the mouth and tongue
Otitis media: Inflammation of the middle ear
Otodynia: Earache
Pelvimetry: Measurement of dimensions and
capacity of plevis
Podarthritis: Inflammation of the joints of the foot
Rhinoplasty: Nose job
Rhinorrhea: Discharge of mucus from the nose
(runny nose)
Stomatitis: Inflammation of the oral mucosa or
lining of the mouth
Thoracentesis: Surgical puncture into the chest
cavity
Thoracotomy: Surgical incision into the chest
cavity
Breast
Teeth
Nails
Defining the Root Word
The root word describes the body parts involved in the medical term. So, if you are having a
hard time remembering the meaning of a word, you can parse it out by identifying the root
word. At the very least, you will know hat body part it refers to, which can help you narrow
down the possible prefix and suffix suspects. Look at some common examples:
o Arthro: joint
o Colo: colon
o Laryngo: larynx
o Myelo: bone marrow
o Myo: Muscle
o Neuro: nerve
o Osteo: bone
Medical terms always have a suffix but not always a prefix. Some medical terms have a
combination of two or more root words, coupling multiple body parts together: for example,
hepatospleno comes from hepato (liver) and spleno (spleen).
Identifying the combining vowel
The combining vowel, usually an o, joins a root word to a suffix. If a suffix begins with a vowel,
the combining vowel o is not used, because it would create a double vowel.
Take the root word neuro as an example. Let’s join it to the suffix -it is, which means
“inflammation.” Using the combining vowel o to join these together, we would have neuroitis,
which is not only difficult to pronounce but also contains a double vowel. Therefore, the o is
dropped, and inflammation of a nerve becomes neuritis.
Defining the Suffix
As you know, the suffix indicates a procedure, disease, disorder or condition, and you look at
it first. For example, the suffix -itis is common. It means “inflammation,” so every time you see itis, you know it means something is inflamed.
Taking a word that you know – tonsil – you know that tonsillitis means “inflammation of the
tonsil.”
Gastr/o is the root word for “stomach,” so gastritis is “inflammation of the stomach.” The
commonly used suffix -ectomy means “surgical removal or excision of.”
When you put ectomy with tonsil, you have tonsillectomy, removal of the tonsils. Gastrectomy
would therefore be what? Surgical removal of the stomach.
The word tonsil (or tonsils) has only one l, but when it’s made into a combining form such as
tonsillitis or tonsillectomy, the l is doubled. Tonsillitis is a commonly misspelled medical word.
Suffixes as “adjectives” help describe the root word. For instance, the suffixes -al, -ic, -ous, and
-eal are all suffixes that mean “pertaining to.” The suffix -ologist refers to “one who studies or
practices a specialized medical field.” The suffix -ology is “study of.”
The common suffix -pathy means “disease.” Take an easily identifiable root word, cardio or
cardiac, meaning “heart,” and apply different suffixes. Cardiology is the study of heart
diseases. The cardiologist is the physician who practices cardiology, and cardiopathy means
some form of heart disease.
Neurology, then, is the study of nerves or the nervous system, and the neurologist is the
physician who specializes neurology. Any disease of the nervous system or the nerves is
neuropathy.
REFERENCES:
1. Marjorie Canfield Willis, Medical Terminology Programmed Learning Approach Second
Edition
2. Barbara A. Gylys, Mary Ellen Wedding, Medical Terminology Systems” A Body Systems
Approach” Sixth Edition
3. Fremgen, Frucht; Medical Terminology A living Language, Fifth Edition
4. Dennerll, Jean T.; Medical Terminology A Programmed Text, Fifth Edition