MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
CATEGORIES OF MEDICAL TERMS
 Descriptive
– descriptive medical terms describes
the shape, size, color, function etc. of the anatomical
structure.
 Eponyms – literally “putting a name upon” - are
used to honor someone who first discovered or
described an anatomical structure, diagnosed a
disease, or developed a medical instrument or
procedure.

Eponyms give no useful information about what the
item is or where it is located.
OBJECTIVES

Analyze words by dividing them into component parts.



Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body.


Do not simply memorize terms.
Break words up into their component parts.
The medical terms will be easier to understand if you know their context in health and disease
processes.
Be aware of spelling and pronunciation problems.


Some medical terms are pronounced alike, but spelled differently (i.e. ilium and ileum).
Some medical terms are similar and a mispronunciation can lean to a misunderstanding (i.e. urethra
and ureter).
ELEMENTS OF MEDICAL TERMS

Root – the root is the foundation of the word. All medical words have one or more roots.

Prefix – word beginning. Usually identifies some subdivision or part of the central
meaning.

Suffix – word ending. Modifies the central meaning.

Combining vowel – usuallu an “o”. Links the root to a suffix or another root.

Combining form – combination of the root plus the combining vowel.
3 GENERAL RULES
 1.
Read the meaning of the medical terms from
the suffix back to the beginning of the term and
across.
 2. Drop the combining vowel (usually o) before
a suffix beginning with a vowel: gastritis not
“gastroitis”.
 3. Keep the combining vowel between two
roots: gastroenterology, not “gastrentology”.
COMMON PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
 Itis
= inflammation (tonsillitis, appendicitis,
hepatitis)
 Osis = abnormal condition (cyanosis)
 Ectomy = to cut out [remove] (appendectomy,
tonsillectomy)
 Otomy = to cut into (tracheotomy)
 Ostomy = to make a [mouth] (colostomy)
 A / an = without / none (anemia, areflexia)
COMMON PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES

Micro = small (microscopic)

Macro = large (macroscopic)

Mega / megaly = enlarged (megacolon, organomegaly)

Scopy / scopic = to look / observe (colonoscopy)

Graphy / graph = recording an image (mammography)

Gram = the image (mammogram)

Ology / ologist = study / specialize in (cardiologist, rheumatology)
WORD ROOTS FOR ORGANS
Root
Meaning
Example
Stomato
Mouth
Stomatitis
Dento
Teeth
Dentist
Glosso / linguo
Tongue
Glossitis, lingual gland
Gingivo
Gums
Gingivitis
Encephalo
Brain
Encephalitis
Gastro
Stomach
Gastritis
Entero
Intestine
Gastroenteritis
Colo
Large intestine
Colitis, megacolon
WORD ROOTS FOR ORGANS
Root
Meaning
Example
Procto
Anus / rectum
Proctitis, proctologist
Hepato
Liver
Hepatitis, hepatomegaly
Nephro / rene
Kidney
Nephrosis, renal
Orchiso
Testis
Orchiditis
Oophoro
Ovary
Oophorectomy
Hystero / metro
Uterus
Hysterectomy, endometritis
Salpingo
Uterine tubes
Hysterosalpingogram
Dermo
Skin
Dermatitis
WORD ROOTS FOR ORGANS
Root
Meaning
Example
Masto / mammo
Breast
Mammography,
mastectomy
Osteo
Bones
Osteoporosis
Cardio
Heart
Electrocardiogram
Cysto
Bladder
Cystitis
Rhino
Nose
Rhinitis
Phlebo / veno
Veins
Phlebitis, phlebotomy
Pneumo / pulmo
Lung
Pneumonitis,
pulmonologist
Hemo / emia
Blood
Hematologist, anemia
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
abdomin/o
abdomen
adip/o
anter/o
bol/o
fat
front
to cast (throw)
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
cervic/o
neck (of the body or
uterus)
cartilage
color
coccyx (tailbone)
chondr/o
chrom/o
coccyg/o
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
crani/o
cyt/o
dist/o
dors/o
skull
cell
far, distant
back portion of the body
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
hist/o
ili/o
tissue
ilium (of the pelvic
bone)
groin
nucleus
inguin/o
kary/o
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
later/o
lumb/o
medi/o
nucle/o
side
lower back
middle
nucleus
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
pelv/i
poster/o
proxim/o
sacr/o
pelvis
back, behind
nearest
sacrum
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
sarc/o
spin/o
thel/o
thorac/o
trache/o
Meaning
flesh
spine, backbone
nipple
chest
trachea, windpipe
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
and Prefixes
Combining Form
umbilic/o
ventr/o
vertebro
viscer/o
Meaning
navel, umbilicus
belly side of the body
vertebra(e), backbone
internal organs
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Combining Form
Meaning
ana-
up
cata-
down
epi-
above
hypo-
below
inter-
between
meta-
change
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND PREFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-eal
pertaining to
-iac
pertaining to
-ior
pertaining to
-ism
process, condition
-ose
pertaining to, full of
-plasm
formation
-somes
bodies
-type
picture, classification
PRONUNCIATION
GUIDE REVIEW

ā as in āpe

ē as in ēven

ī as in īce

ō as in ōpen

ū as in ūnit

ă as in ăpple

ĕ as in ĕvery

ĭ as in ĭnterest

ŏ as in pŏt

ŭ as in ŭnder
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
angi/o
 aort/o
 arter/o
 arteri/o
 ather/o
 atri/o

Meaning
vessel
aorta
artery
artery
yellowish plaque
atrium
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
brachi/o
 cardi/o
 cholesterol/o
 coron/o
 cyan/o
 myx/o

Meaning
arm
heart
cholesterol
heart
blue
mucus
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
ox/o
 pericardi/o
 phleb/o
 sphygm/o
 steth/o
 thromb/o

Meaning
oxygen
pericardium
vein
pulse
chest
clot
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
valvul/o
 valv/o
 vas/o
 vascul/o
 ven/o, ven/i
 ventricul/o

Meaning
valve
valve
vessel
vessel
vein
ventricle
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
angi/o
 aort/o
 arter/o
 arteri/o
 ather/o
 atri/o

Meaning
vessel
aorta
artery
artery
yellowish plaque
atrium
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
brachi/o
 cardi/o
 cholesterol/o
 coron/o
 cyan/o
 myx/o
arm
heart
cholesterol
heart
blue
mucus

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form








ox/o
pericardi/o
phleb/o
pulmon/o
rrhythm/o
sphygm/o
steth/o
thromb/o
Meaning
oxygen
pericardium
vein
long
rhythmn
pulse
chest
clot
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
valvul/o
 valv/o
 vas/o
 vascul/o
 ven/o, ven/i
 ventricul/o
valve
valve
vessel
vessel
vein
ventricle

REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-constriction
-dilation
-emia
-graphy
-lysis

-megaly




Meaning
narrowing
widening; stretching; expanding
blood condition
process of recording
breakdown; separation;
destruction; loosening
enlargement
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning

-meter
measure

-oma
-osis
-plasty
-sclerosis
-stonosis
-tomy
tumor; mass; fluid collection
condition; usually abnormal
surgical repair
hardening
tightening; structure
process of cutting





REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix
 a-,
an
Meaning
no; not; without

brady-
slow

de-
lack of; down; less; removal of

dys-
bad; painful; difficult; abnormal

endo-
in; within

hyper-
above; excessive
REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix
Meaning

hypo-
deficient; below; under; less
than normal

inter-
between

peri-
surrounding

tachy-
fast

tetra-
four

tri-
three
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
bas/o
 chrom/o
 coagul/o
 cyt/o
 eosin/o
 erythr/o

Meaning
base
color
clotting
cell
red, dawn, rosy
red
TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
granul/o
 hem/o
 hemat/o
 hemoglobin/o
 is/o
 kary/o

Meaning
granules
blood
blood
hemoglobin
same, equal
nucleus
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
leuk/o
 mon/o
 morph/o
 myel/o
 neutr/o
 nucle/o

Meaning
white
one, single
shape, form
bone marrow
neutral
nucleus
TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
phag/o
 poikil/o
 sider/o
 spher/o
 thromb/o

Meaning
eat, swallow
varied, irregular
iron
globe, round
clot
SUFFIXES








-apheresis
-blast
-cyte
-cytosis
-emia
-globin
-globulin
-lytic








-oid
-osis
-penia
-phage
-philia
-phoresis
-poiesis
-stasis
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
bas/o
 chrom/o
 coagul/o
 cyt/o
 eosin/o
 erythr/o
base
color
clotting
cell
red, dawn, rosy
red

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
granul/o
 hem/o
 hemat/o
 hemoglobin/o
 is/o
 kary/o
granules
blood
blood
hemoglobin
same, equal
nucleus

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
leuk/o
 mon/o
 morph/o
 myel/o
 neutr/o
 nucle/o
white
one, single
shape, form
bone marrow
neutral
nucleus

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
phag/o
 poikil/o
 sider/o
 spher/o
 thromb/o
eat, swallow
varied, irregular
iron
globe, round
clot

Combining Forms, Prefixes,
and Terminology
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
immun/o
 lymph/o
 lymphaden/o
 splen/o
 thym/o
 tox/o

Meaning
protection
lymph
lymph node
spleen
thymus gland
poison
Combining Forms, Prefixes,
and Terminology
PREFIXES
Prefix
Meaning

ana-
again, anew

inter-
between
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
axill/o
armpit
 cervic/o
neck; cervix (neck of uterus)
 immun/o
immune; protection; safe
 inguin/o
groin
 lymph/o
lymph
 lymphaden/o lymph gland (node)

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
splen/o
 thym/o
 tox/o

Meaning
spleen
thymus gland
poison
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-cytosis
-edema
 -globulin
 -megaly
 -oid
 -pathy

Meaning
condition of cells; slight
increase in numbers
swelling
protein
enlargement
resembling
disease; emotion
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
-penia
 -phylaxis
 -poiesis
 -stitial


-suppression
Meaning
deficiency
protection
formation
to set; pertaining to standing or
positioned
to stop
REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix
ana auto hyper inter retro
Meaning
up; apart; backward; again; anew
self; own
above; excessive
between
behind; back; backward
COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
adip/o
 albin/o
 caus/o
 cauter/o
 cutane/o
 derm/o/

Meaning
fat
white
burn, burning
heat, burn
skin
skin
COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
dermat/o
 diaphor/o
 erythem/o
 erythemat/o
 hidr/o
 ichthy/o

Meaning
skin
profuse sweating
redness
redness
sweat
scaly, dry
COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
kerat/o
 leuk/o
 lip/o
 melan/o
 myc/o
 onych/o

Meaning
hard, horny tissue
white
fat
black
fungus
nail
COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
phyt/o
 pil/o
 py/o
 rhythid/o
 seb/o
 squam/o
plant
hair, hair follicle
pus
wrinkle
sebum
scalelike

COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
steat/o
 trich/o
 ungu/o
 xanth/o
 xer/o

Meaning
fat
hair
nail
yellow
dry
COLORS
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
adip/o
 albin/o
 caus/o
 cauter/o
 cutane/o
 derm/o

Meaning
fat
white
burn, burning
heat, burn
skin
skin
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
dermat/o
 diaphor/o
 erythem/o
 erythemat/o
 hidr/o
 ichthy/o

Meaning
skin
profuse sweating
redness
redness
sweat
scaly, dry
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
kerat/o
 leuk/o
 lip/o
 melan/o
 myc/o
 onych/o

Meaning
hard, horny tissue
white
fat
black
fungus
nail
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
phyt/o
 pil/o
 py/o
 rhythid/o
 seb/o
 squam/o

Meaning
plant
hair, hair follicle
pus
wrinkle
sebum
scale-like
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
steat/o
 trich/o
 ungu/o
 xanth/o
 xer/o

Meaning
fat
hair
nail
yellow
dry
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
-algia
 -derma
 -esis
 -lysis


-ose
Meaning
pain
skin
condition
breakdown; separation;
destruction; loosening
full of; pertaining to;
sugar
Review Sheet
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-osis
-ous
 -plakia
 -plasty
 -rrhea

Meaning
condition, usually
abnormal
pertaining to
plaque
surgical repair
flow; discharge
VOCABULARY







adenoids
alveolus (alveoli)
apex of the lung
base of the lung
brochioles
bronchus (bronchi)
carbon dioxide
VOCABULARY








cilia
diaphragm
epiglottis
expiration
glottis
hilum
inspiration
larynx
VOCABULARY







lobe
mediastinum
nares
oxygen
palatine tonsil
paranasal sinus
parietal pleura
VOCABULARY







pharynx
pleura
pleural cavity
pulmonary parenchyma
respiration
trachea
visceral pleura
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
adenoid/o
 alveol/o
 bronch/o
 bronchi/o
 bronchiol/o
 capn/o

Meaning
adenoids
alveolus, air sac
bronchial tube
bronchus
bronchiole, small bronchus
carbon dioxide
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
coni/o
 cyan/o
 epiglott/o
 laryng/o
 lob/o
 mediastin/o

Meaning
dust
blue
epiglottis
larynx, voice box
lobe of the lung
mediastinum
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
nas/o
 orth/o
 ox/o
 pector/o
 pharyng/o
 phon/o

Meaning
nose
straight, upright
oxygen
chest
pharynx, throat
voice
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
phren/o
 pleur/o
 pneum/o
 pneumon/o
 pulmon/o
 rhin/o

Meaning
diaphragm
pleura
air, lung
lung
lung
nose
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
sinus/o
 spir/o
 tel/o
 thorac/o
 tonsill/o
 trache/o

Meaning
sinus cavity
breathing
complete
chest
tonsils
trachea, windpipe
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES, AND
TERMINOLOGY
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-ema
-osmia
-pnea
-ptysis
-sphyxia
-thorax
condition
smell
breathing
spitting
pulse
pleural cavity, chest
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
adenoid/o
 alveol/o
 bronch/o
 bronchi/o
 bronchiol/o
 capn/o
adenoids
alveolus; air sac; small sac
bronchial tube
bronchial tube
bronchiole
carbon dioxide

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
coni/o
 cyan/o
 epiglott/o
 laryng/o
 lob/o
 mediastin/o
dust
blue
epiglottis
larynx (voice box)
lobe
mediastinum

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
nas/o
 orth/o
 ox/o
 pector/o
 pharyng/o
 phon/o
nose
straight
oxygen
chest
throat (pharynx)
voice; sound

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
phren/o
 pleur/o
 pneum/o
 pneumon/o
 pulmon/o
 rhin/o
diaphragm; mind
pleura
lung; air; gas
lung; air; gas
lung
nose

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
sinus/o
 spir/o
 tel/o
 thorac/o
 tonsill/o
 trache/o
sinus
to breathe
complete
chest
tonsil
trachea (windpipe)

REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-ema
 -osmia
 -pnea
 -ptysis
 -sphyxia
 -thorax
condition
smell
breathing
spitting
pulse
chest; pleural cavity

COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND TERMINOLOGY
Examples of Combining Forms
Combining Form
Meaning
Terminology
bucc/o
cheek
buccal mucosa
celi/o
belly, abdomen
celiac
dent/i
tooth
dentibuccal
esophag/o
esophagus
esophageal
sialaden/o
salivary gland
sialadenitis
COMBINING FORMS, SUFFIXES,
AND TERMINOLOGY
Examples of Suffixes
Suffix
Meaning
Terminology
-ase
enzyme
lipase
-chezia
defecation
hematochezia
-iasis
abnormal condition choledocholithiasis
-prandial
meal
postprandial
SUFFIXES
-ectasis, -ectasia
 -emesis
 -lysis
 -pepsia
 -phagia
 -plasty
 -ptosis
 -ptysis

SUFFIXES
-rrhage, -rrhagia
 -rrhaphy
 -rrhea
 -spasm
 -stasis
 -stenosis
 -tresia

SUFFIXES

Suffixes that are also terms:
 emesis
(emetic)
 lysis
 spasm
 stasis
 stenosis
COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY





bucc/o
cec/o
celi/o
cheil/o
chol/e





cholangi/o
cholecyst/o
choledoch/o
col/o
colon/o
COMBINING FORMS AND TERMINOLOGY






dent/i
duoden/o
enter/o
esophag/o
gastr/o
gingiv/o






gloss/o
gluc/o
glyc/o
hepat/o
herni/o
ile/o
COMBINING FORMS AND TERMINOLOGY





jejun/o
labi/o
lingu/o
lip/o
lith/o





odont/o
or/o
palat/o
pancreat/o
proct/o
COMBINING FORMS AND TERMINOLOGY
pylor/o
 rect/o
 sialaden/o
 splen/o
 steat/o
 stomat/o

REVIEW SUFFIXES









-ase
-centesis
-chezia
-ectasia
-ectasis
-ectomy
-emesis
-emia
-genesis
enzyme
surgical puncture to remove fluid
defecation; elimination of wastes
stretching; dilation; expansion
stretching; dilation; expansion
removal; excision; resection
vomiting
blood condition
producing; forming
REVIEW SUFFIXES








-graphy
-iasis
-lysis
-megaly
-orexia
-pathy
-pepsia
-phagia
process of recording
abnormal condition
breakdown; separation;
destruction; loosening
enlargement
appetite
disease; emotion
digestion
eating; swallowing
REVIEW SUFFIXES








-prandial
-plasty
-ptosis
-ptysis
-rrhage
-rrhagia
-rrhaphy
-rrhea
meal
surgical repair
droop; sag; prolapse; fall
spitting
bursting forth (of blood)
bursting forth (of blood)
suture
flow; discharge
REVIEW SUFFIXES







-scopy
-spasm
-stasis
-stenosis
-stomy
-tomy
-tresia
visual examination
sudden contraction of muscles
stop; control; place
tightening; stricture
new opening (to form a mouth)
process of cutting
opening
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
GLANDS
Combining Form
Meaning
aden/o
gland
 adren/o
adrenal glands
 adrenal/o
adrenal glands
 gonad/o
sex glands (ovaries, testes)
 pancreat/o
pancreas
 parathyroid/o parathyroid gland

Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
GLANDS
Combining Form
pituitar/o
hypophysis
 thyr/o
 thyroid/o

Meaning
pituitary gland;
thyroid gland
thyroid gland
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
RELATED FORMS
Combining Form
andr/o
 calc/o, calici/o
 cortic/o
region
 crin/o
 dips/o
 estr/o
 gluc/o, glyc/o

Meaning
male
calcium
cortex, outer
secrete
thirst
female
sugar
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
GLANDS
Combining Form
home/o
 hormon/o
 kal/I
 lact/o
 myx/o
 natr/o

Meaning
sameness
hormone
potassium (an electrolyte)
milk
mucus
sodium (an electrolyte)
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
GLANDS
Combining Form
phys/o
 somat/o
 ster/o
 toc/o
 toxic/o
 ur/o

Meaning
growing
body
solid structure
childbirth
position
urine
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
SUFFIXES
Suffix
-agon
 -emia
 -in, -ine
 -tropin
 -uria

Meaning
assemble, gather together
blood condition
a substance
stimulating the function of
urine condition
Combining Forms, Suffixes,
Prefixes, and Terminology
PREFIXES
Prefix
eu hyper hypo oxy pan tetra tri

Meaning
good, normal
excessive, above
deficient, below
rapid, sharp, acid
all
four
three
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

aden/o
gland

adren/o
adrenal glands

adrenal/o
adrenal glands

andr/o
male

calc/o, calici/o
calcium

cortic/o
cortex, outer region
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
crin/o
 dips/o
 estr/o
 gluc/o, glyc/o
 gonad/o


home/o
Meaning
secrete
third
female
sugar
sex glands (ovaries,
testes)
sameness
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form Meaning
hormon/o
 kal/i
electrolyte)
 insulin/o
 lact/o
 myx/o
 natr/o

hormone
potassium (an
insulin
milk
mucus
sodium (an electrolyte)
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
pancreat/o
 parathyroid/o
 phys/o
 pituitar/o

somat/o
 ster/o

Meaning
pancreas
parathyroid gland
growing
pituitary gland;
or hypophysis
body
solid structure
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form Meaning
thyr/o
 thyroid/o
 toc/o
 toxic/o
 ur/o

thyroid gland
thyroid gland
childbirth
position
urine
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
-agon
 -emia
 -in, -ine
 -tropin
 -uria

Meaning
assemble, gather together
blood condition
a substance
stimulating the function of
urine condition
REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix
eu hyper hypo oxy pan tetra tri
Meaning
good, normal
excessive, above
deficient, below
rapid, sharp, acid
all
four
three
COMBINING FORMS
COMBINING FORMS
alveol/o
cac/o
carcin/o
cauter/o
chem/o
cry/o
cyst/o
fibr/o
follicul/o
fung/i
medull/o
mucos/o
mut/a
mutagen/o
onc/o
papill/o
pharmac/o
plas/o
ple/o
polyp/o
prot/o
radi/o
sarc/o
scirrh/o
xer/o
SUFFIXES
-blastoma
-genesis
-oma
-plasia
-plasm
-suppression
-therapy
PREFIXES
anaapobrachyepimetatele-
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
GENERAL TERMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
calc/o
 calci/o
 kyph/o

lamin/o
 lord/o
 lumb/o

Meaning
calcium
calcium
posterior curvature in
thoracic region
lamina
curve
loins, lower back
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
GENERAL TERMS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
myel/o
 orth/o
 oste/o
 scoli/o
 spondyl/o
 vertebr/o

Meaning
bone marrow
straight
bone
crooked
vertebra
vertebra
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
GENERAL TERMS
SUFFIXES
Suffix
-blast
 -clast
 -listhesis
 -malacia
 -physis
 -porosis
 -tome

Meaning
embryonic cell
to break
slipping
softening
to grow
pore, passage
instrument to cut
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
acetabul/o
 calcane/o
 carp/o
 clavicul/o
 cost/o
 crani/o

Meaning
acetabulum (hip socket)
calcaneus (heal)
carpals (wrist bones)
clavicle (collar bone)
ribs
cranium (skull)
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
femor/o
 fibul/o
 humer/o
 ili/o
 ischi/o
 malleol/o

Meaning
femur (thigh bones)
fibula (smaller lower leg bone)
humerus (upper arm bone)
ilium (upper part of pelvic bone)
ischium (part of pelvic bone)
malleolus
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
mandibul/o
 maxill/o
 metacarp/o
 metatars/o
 olecran/o
 patell/o
 pelv/i
mandible (lower jaw bone)
maxilla (upper jaw bone)
metacarpals (hand bones)
metatarsals (foot bones)
olecranon (elbow)
patella (kneecap)
pelvis

TERMINOLOGY — BONES
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
perone/o
 phalang/o
 pub/o
 radi/o
 scapul/o

Meaning
fibula
phalanges (finger, toe bones)
pubis
radius
scapula (shoulder blade)
TERMINOLOGY — BONES
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
stern/o
 tars/o
 tibi/o
 uln/o

Meaning
sternum (breastbone)
tarsals
tibia (shin bone)
ulna (lower arm bone)
TERMINOLOGY — JOINTS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

ankyl/o
stiff

arthr/o
joint

articul/o
joint

burs/o
bursa

chondr/o
cartilage
TERMINOLOGY — JOINTS
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

ligament/o
ligament

rheumat/o
watery flow

synov/o
synovial membrane

ten/o
tendon

tendin/o
tendon
TERMINOLOGY — JOINTS
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-desis
 -stenosis
to bind, tie together
narrowing

Terminology — Muscles
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
fasci/o
 fibr/o
 leiomy/o
 my/o
facia
fibrous
smooth muscle
muscle

Terminology — Muscles
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
myocardi/o
 myos/o
 plant/o
 rhabdomy/o

Meaning
heart muscle
muscle
sole of the foot
skeletal muscle
connected to bones
Terminology – Muscles
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-asthenia
 -trophy
lack of strength
development,
nourishment

Terminology – Muscles
PREFIXES
Prefix
Meaning
ab ad dorsi poly-
away from
toward
back
many, much

VOCABULARY

adnexa uteri

amnion

areola

Bartholin glands

cervix
VOCABULARY

chorion

clitoris

coitus

corpus luteum

cul-de-sac
VOCABULARY

embryo

endometrium

estrogen

fallopian tube

fertilization

fetus
VOCABULARY

fimbriae

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

gamete

genitalia

gestation

gonad
VOCABULARY

gynecology

human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

hymen

labia

lactiferous ducts
VOCABULARY

luteinizing hormone (LH)

mammary papilla

menarche

menopause

menstruation
VOCABULARY

myometrium

neonatology

obstetrics

orifice

ovarian follicle

ovary
VOCABULARY

ovulation

ovum

parturition

perineum

pituitary gland
VOCABULARY

placenta

pregnancy

progesterone

puberty

uterine serosa
VOCABULARY

uterus

vagina

vulva

zygote
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

amni/o
amnion

cervic/o
cervix, neck

chori/o
chorion

chorion/o
chorion

colp/o
vagina
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
culd/o
 episi/o
 galact/o
 gynec/o
 hyster/o
cul-de-sac
vulva
milk
woman, female
uterus, womb

Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
lact/o
 mamm/o
 mast/o
 men/o
 metr/o
milk

breast
breast
menses, menstruation
uterus
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
my/o
 myom/o
 nat/i
 obstetr/o
 o/o

Meaning
muscle
muscle tumor
birth
midwife
egg
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form

oophor/o
ov/o
 ovari/o
 ovul/o
 perine/o

Meaning
ovary
egg
ovary
egg
perineum
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form

phor/o
salping/o
 uter/o
 vagin/o
 vulv/o

Meaning
to bear
fallopian tubes
uterus
vagina
vulva
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-arche
-cyesis
 -gravida
 -parous

Meaning
beginning
pregnancy
pregnancy
to bear, bring forth
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-rrhea
-salpinx
 -tocia
 -version

Meaning
discharge
uterine tube
labor, birth
act of turning
Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
PREFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
dys-
painful
endo in intra multi-
within
in
within
many


Terminology: Combining Forms,
Suffixes, and Prefixes
PREFIXES
Suffix

nulli-
pre primi retro
Meaning
no, not, none
before
first
backward
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

amni/o
_________

cephal/o
_________

cervic/o
_________

chori/o, chorion/o
_________

colp/o
_________
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning

amni/o
amnion

cephal/o
head

cervic/o
cervix, neck

chori/o, chorion/o
chorion

colp/o
vagina
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
culd/o
 episi/o
 galact/o
 gynec/o
 hyster/o

Meaning
cul-de-sac
vulva
milk
woman, female
uterus, womb
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
lact/o
 mamm/o
 mast/o
 men/o
 metr/o

Meaning
milk
breast
breast
menses, menstruation
uterus
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form
Meaning
my/o
 myom/o
 nat/i
 obstetr/o
 olig/o
 o/o
muscle
muscle tumor
birth
midwife
scanty
egg

REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form

oophor/o
ov/o
 ovari/o
 ovul/o
 perine/o

Meaning
ovary
egg
ovary
egg
perineum
REVIEW SHEET
COMBINING FORMS
Combining Form

phor/o
py/o
 salping/o
 uter/o
 vagin/o
 vulv/o

Meaning
to bear
pus
fallopian tubes
uterus
vagina
vulva
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning

-arche
beginning

-cele
hernia
-cyesis
 -ectasis
 -ectomy

pregnancy
stretching, dilation
removal, excision
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-flexion
 -genesis
 -gravida
 -itis
 -pareunia
 -parous
flexible
producing; forming
pregnancy
inflammation
sexual intercourse
to bear, bring forth

REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning

-plasia
development, formation

-plasty
surgical repair

-ptosis
dropping, sagging

-rrhagia
bursting forth (blood)

-rrhaphy
suture
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix

-rrhea
-salpinx
 -scopy
 -stenosis
 -stomy

Meaning
discharge
uterine tube
visual examination
tightening
new opening
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning
-tocia
 -tomy
 -tresia
 -version
labor, birth
process of cutting
opening
act of turning

REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix

bi-
dys endo in intra multi
Meaning
two
painful
within
in
within
many
REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix
Meaning
nulli oxy peri pre-
no, not, none
swift, sharp
surrounding
before

REVIEW SHEET
PREFIXES
Prefix

primi-
pseudo retro uni
Meaning
first
false
backward
one
VOCABULARY
bulbourethral gland (Cowper gland)
 ejaculation
 ejaculatory duct
 epididymis (pl. epididymides)
 flagellum
 fraternal twins

VOCABULARY






glans penis
identical twins
parenchyma
penis
perineum
prepuce (or foreskin)
VOCABULARY
prostate gland
 scrotum
 semen
 seminal vesicle
 seminiferous tubules
 spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa)

VOCABULARY
sterilization
 stroma
 testis (pl.: testes)
 testosterone
 vas deferens

TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
andr/o
balan/o
cry/o
crypt/o
epididym/o
gon/o
hydr/o
orch/o, orchi/o,
orchid/o
Meaning
male
penis
cold
hidden
epididymis
seed
water, fluid
testis, testicle
TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form
pen/o
prostat/o
semin/i
sperm/o
terat/o
test/o
varic/o
vas/o
zo/o
Meaning
penis
prostate gland
semen, seed
spermatozoa, semen
monster
testis, testicle
varicose veins
vessel duct
animal life
TERMINOLOGY
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning

-genesis
formation

-one
hormone

-pexy
fixation, put in place

-stomy
new opening
REVIEW SHEET
Combining Form
andr/o
balan/o
cry/o
crypt/o
epididym/o
gon/o
hydr/o
orch/o, orchi/o
Meaning
male
glans penis
cold
hidden
epididymis
seed
water, fluid
testis, testicle
REVIEW SHEET
Combining Form
pen/o
prostat/o
semin/i
sperm/o
terat/o
test/o
varic/o
vas/o
zo/o
Meaning
penis
prostate gland
semen, seed
spermatozoa, semen
monster
testis, testicle
varicose veins
vessel duct
animal life
REVIEW SHEET
SUFFIXES
Suffix
Meaning

-genesis
formation

-one
hormone

-pexy
fixation, put in place

-stomy
new opening