Medical Terminology

Module: Medical terminology

Medical terminology is a vocabulary for accurately defining the human body, name of an organ, disease
condition, process or procedure. Medical term can easily be understood if the component parts of the
term/word are known.

A Medical term can be broken down into one or more word components:
1. Root word – foundation of the word that can be combined with a prefix or suffix. The root word is
a term derived from source language – Greek or Latin and usually describes a body part.
2. Prefix – placed before the root word to modify its meaning by giving additional information about
the location of an organ, the number of parts, or time involved.
3. Suffix – placed after the root word to add meaning such as condition, disease process or procedure
4. Linking or combining Vowel (eg: -o-)

Eg: Pericarditis - The term means ‘inflammation of the area surrounding the heart’.
Pericarditis can be divided into three parts:
a. The prefix (peri- = surrounding/around).
b. The root (-card- = heart).
c. The suffix (–itis = inflammation).

A medical term must have at least one root; however, does not have to have prefix and/or a suffix.
Eg: Sternocleidomastoid
The term sternocleidomastoid can be divided into three root words [Stern –o- cleid –o- mastoid]. ‘o’ is the
combining vowel linking three roots [stern = sternum, cleid = clavicle, & mastoid = mastoid].

Combining vowels are often used between roots and/or suffixes, but not used between prefixes and roots.
‘o’ is the combining vowel this is used mostly than ‘i’ or ‘a’.

II. Prefixes/Suffixes
Prefix/Suffix Meaning Example
A
a- Without, not, lack of Aphasia (lack of speech)
ab- Away from Abductor (leading away from)
-able Capable Viable(capable of living)
-ac Pertaining to Cardiac (pertaining to heart)
acou- Hearing Acoustics (science of sound)
acr- Extremity Acromegaly (large extremities)
ad- To, toward, near to Adrenal (near the kidney)
aden-o- Gland Adenoma (glandular tumor)
-al Pertaining to Abdominal (pertaining to abdomen)

-algia Pain Myalgia (muscle pain)

an- Without, not, lack of Anaerobic (without oxygen)
ana- Up, back, again Anatomy (a cutting up)

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angi-o- Blood vessel Angiography (radiography of blood vessels)

ante- Before, forward, in front of Antepartum (before delivery)
anti- Against, reversed Antiperistalsis (reversed peristalsis)
arteri-o- Artery Artery
arthr- Joint Arthritis (inflammation of a joint)
-ary Associated with, related to Urinary (associated with urine)
-ase Enzyme Lactase (milk enzyme)
-asis Condition, state of Homeostasis (state of staying the same)
ather-o- Fatty deposit Atherosclerosis
aut-o- Self Autolysis (self breakdown)
axill- Armpit Axilla

B
bi- Twice, double Bicuspid (two cusps)
bio- Live Biology (study of living)
-blast- Bud, germ Fibroblast (fiber-producing cell)
blephar-o- Eyelid Blepharoplast
brady- Slow Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
bucc-o Cheek Buccolabial

C
-c Expressing relationship Cardiac (referring to heart)
carcin- Cancer Carcinogenic (causing cancer)
cardi-o- Heart Cardiopathy (heart disease)
cata- Down, according to Catabolism (breaking down)
-centesis Surgical puncture for Amniocentesis
aspiration
cephal- Head Cephalic (toward the head),
-cele Hollow Blastocele (hollow cavity inside a blastocyst)
cerebr-o- Brain Cerebrospinal (referring to brain and spinal
cord)
chol- Bile Acholic (without bile)
cholecyst- Gallbladder Cholecystokinin (hormone that causes the
gallbladder to contract)
chondr- Cartilage Chondrocyte (cartilage cell)
-cide Kill Bactericide (agent that kills bacteria)
circum- Around,about Circumduction (circular movement)
clast- Smash, break Osteoclast (cell that breaks down bone)
co- With, together Coenzyme (molecule that functions with an
enzyme)
com- With, together Commissure (coming together)
con- With, together Convergence (to incline together)

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contra- Against, opposite Contralateral (opposite side)

cryo- Cold Cryosurgery

crypt-o- Hidden Cryptorchidism (undescended or hidden

testes)
cyst-o- Bladder or sac Cystocele (hernia of a bladder)
cyan-o- Blue Cyanosis
-cyte- Cell Erythrocyte (red blood cell)
cyt-o- Cell Cytoskeleton (supportive fibers inside a cell)

D
dacryo- Tear Dacryocystitis
de- Away from, cessation Dehydrate (remove water)
derm-, dermat-o- Skin Dermatology (study of the skin)
di- Two Diploid (two sets of chromosomes)
dia- Through, apart, across Diapedesis (ooze through)
-dipsia Thirst Polydipsia (excessive thirstiness)
dis- Reversal, apart from Dissect (cut apart)
dors-o- Back Dorsal (pertaining to the back)
-duct- Draw Abduct (lead away from)
-dynia Pain Mastodynia (breast pain)
dys- Difficult, bad, abnormal Dysmentia (bad mind)

E
e- Out, away from Eviscerate (take out viscera)
ec- Out from Ectopic (out of place)
ect-o- On outer side Ectoderm (outer skin)
-ectasia, -ectasis Expansion, dilation Bronchiectasis, Telangiectasia
-ectomy Cut out Appendectomy (cut out the appendix)
-edem- Swell Myoedema (swelling of a muscle)
em- In Empyema (pus in)
-emesis Vomiting Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
-emia Blood condition Anemia (deficiency of blood)
en- In Encephalon (in the brain)
encephal-o- Brain Encephalogram
endo- Within Endometrium (within the uterus)
enter-o- Intestine Enteritis (inflammation of the intestine)
epi- Upon, on, above Epidermis (on the skin)
erythro- Red Erythrocyte (red blood cell)
eu- Well, true, good Euphoria (well-being)
ex- Out, away from Exhalation (breathe out)

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exo- Outside, on outer side Exogenous (originating outside)

extra- Outside Extracellular (outside the cell)

F
faci-o- Face Facioplegic (facial paralysis)
-ferent Carry Afferent (carrying to the central nervous
system)
fore- Before or ahead Foreward
-form Expressing resemblance Fusiform (resembling a fusion)

G
galact-o- Milk Galactorrhea (milk discharge)
gastr-o- Stomach Gastrodynia (stomach ache)
-genesis Produce, origin Pathogenesis (origin of disease)
gingiv- Gums Gingivitis (inflammation of gums)
gloss- Tongue Hypoglossal (under the tongue)
glyco- Sugar, sweet Glycolysis (breakdown of sugar)
-gram A drawing Myogram (drawing of a muscle contraction)
-graph Instrument that records Myograph (instrument for measuring muscle
contraction)

hem- Blood Hemolysis (breakdown of blood)

hemi- Half Hemiplegia (paralysis of half of the body)
hepat-o- Liver Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
heter-o- Different, other Heterozygous (different genes for a trait)
hidr-o- Sweat Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
hist- Tissue Histology (study of tissues)
home-o- Same, similar Homeostasis (state of staying the same)
hydr-o- Wet, water Hydrocephalus (fluid within the head)
hyper- Over, above, excessive Hypertrophy (overgrowth)
hyp-o- Under, below, deficient Hypotension (low blood pressure)
hyster-o- Uterus, womb Hysterectomy (cut out uterus)

I
-ia Expressing condition Neuralgia (pain in nerve)
-iatr- Treat, cure Pediatrics (treatment of children)
-id Expressing condition Flaccid (state of being weak)
Im- Not Impermeable (not permeable)
In- In, into Injection (forcing fluid into)

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infra- Below Infraorbital (below the eye)

inter- Between, among Intercostal (between the ribs)
intra- Within Intraocular (within the eye)
-ism Condition, state of Dimorphism (condition of two forms)
iso- Equal Isotonic (same tension)
-itis Inflammation Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
-ity Expressing condition Acidity (condition of acid)
K
kerat-o- Cornea or horny tissue Keratinization (formation of a hard tissue)
kin- Move Kinesiology (study of movement)

L
labi-o- Lip Labioplasty (lip repair)
lacrim-o- Tear Lacrimal gland (tear gland)
leuk-o- White Leukocyte (white blood cell)
liga- Bind Ligament (structure that binds bone to bone)
lip- Fat Lipolysis (breakdown of fats)
lith-o- Stone, calculus Lithotripsy (destruction of stones)
-logy Study Histology (study of tissue)
-lysis Breaking up, dissolving Glycolysis (breakdown of sugar)

M
macr-o- Large Macrophage (large phagocytic cell)
mal- Bad Malnutrition (bad nutrition)
-malacia Softening Osteomalacia (softening of bone)
mast-o Breast Mastectomy (excision of the breast)
mega- Great Megacolon (large colon)
melan-o- Black Melanocyte (black pigment producing skin
cell)
mes-o- Middle, mid Mesoderm (middle skin)
meta- Beyond, after, change Metastasis (beyond original position)
micro- Small Microorganism (small organism)
mito- Thread, filament Mitosis (referring to threadlike chromosomes
during cell division)
mono- One, single Monosaccharide (one sugar)
-morph- Form Morphology (study of form)
multi- Many, much Multinucleated (two or more nuclei)
myel-o- Marrow, spinal cord Myeloid (derived from bone marrow)
my-o- Muscle Myocardium (heart muscle)
myring-o- Eardrum Myringotomy (incision in the eardrum)

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N
narc-o- Numbness Narcotic (drug producing stupor or
weakness)
neo- New Neonatal (first four weeks of life)
nephr-o- Kidney Nephrectomy (removal of a kidney)
neur-o- Nerve Neuritis (inflammation of a nerve)

O
ocul-o- Eye Oculomotor (movement of the eye)
odont-o- Tooth or teeth Odontomy (cutting a tooth)
-oid Expressing resemblance Epidermoid (resembling epidermis)
olig-o- Few, scanty, little Oliguria (little urine)
-oma Tumor, mass Carcinoma (cancerous tumor)
onych-o- Nail Onychomycosis (fungal infection of nail)
oophor-o- Ovary Oophorectomy (cut off ovary)
-op- See Myopia (nearsighted)
ophthalm- Eye ophthalmology (study of the eye)
orth-o- Straight, normal Orthodontics (discipline dealing with the
straightening of teeth)
-ory Referring to Olfactory (relating to the sense of smell)
-ose Full of Adipose (full of fat)
-osis A condition of Osteoporosis (porous condition of bone)
oste-o- Bone Osteocyte (bone cell)
ot-o- Ear Otolith (ear stone)
-ous Expressing material Serous (composed of serum)

P
pachy- Thick Pachyderma (thick skin)
-paresis Slight paralysis Hemiparesis (paralysis of half of the body)
para- Beside, beyond, near to Paranasal (near the nose)
-pathy Disease, disorder Cardiopathy (disease of the heart)
-penia Deficiency Thrombocytopenia (deficiency of
thrombocytes)
per- Through, excessive Permeate (pass through)
peri- Around, surrounding Periosteum (around bone)
-phag- Eat Dysphagia (difficult eating or swallowing)
-phas- Speak, utter Aphasia (unable to speak)
-phil- Like, love Hydrophilic (water-loving)
phleb- Vein Phlebotomy (incision into a vein)
-phobia Fear, Sensitivity Hydrophobia (fear of water)
-plas- Form, grow Neoplasm (new growth)

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-plasty Surgical repair, Rhinoplasty

reconstruction
-plegia Paralyze Paraplegia (paralysis of lower limbs)
-pne- Breathe Apnea (lack of breathing)
pneum-o- Air, gas, or lungs Pneumothorax (air in the thorax)
pod- Foot Podiatry (treatment of foot disorders)
-poie- Make Hematopoiesis (make blood cells)
poly- Many, much Polycythemia (excess red blood cells)
post- After, behind Postpartum (after childbirth)
pre- Before, in front of Prenatal (before birth)
pro- Before, in front of Prosect (to cut before-for the purpose of
demonstration)
proct-o- Anus, rectum Proctoscope (instrument for examining the
rectum)
pseudo- False, fake Pseudostratified (falsely layered)
psycho- Mind Psychosomatic (effect of the mind on the
body)
-ptysis Spitting, vomiting Hemoptysis (spitting/vomiting blood)
Pulmon-, pulmo- Lungs Pulmonary (related to lungs)
pyo- Pus Pyoderma (pus in the skin)
Pyr-o- Fever Antipyretic

Q
quadr-i- Four Quadriceps (four headed muscle)

R
re- Back, again, contrary Reflect (bend back)
rect-o- Rectum
retro- Backward, located behind Retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum)
rhin-o- Nose Rhinoplasty (repair of the nose)
-rrhagia Burst forth, pour Hemorrhage (bleed)
-rrhea Flow, discharge Rhinorrhea (nasal discharge)

S
salping-o- Tubes (fallopian tubes) Salpingo-oophorectomy (cut off ovary and
fallopian tube)
sarco- Flesh or fleshy Sarcoma (connective tissue tumor)
scler-o- Hard Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
-scope Examine Endoscope (instrument for examining the
inside of a hollow organ)
semi- Half Semilunar (shaped like half a moon)
somat-o- Body Somatotropin (hormone causing body
growth)

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-stasis Stop, stand still Hemostasis (stop bleeding)

sten-o- Narrow Stenosis (narrow canal)
-stomy To make an artificial opening Tracheostomy (make an opening into the
trachea)
sub- Under Subcutaneous (under skin)
super- Above, upper, excessive Supercilia (upper brows)
supra- Above, upon SuprarenaI (above kidney)
sym- Together, with Symphysis (growing together)
syn- Together, with Synapsis (joining together)

T
tachy- Fast, swift Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
therm- Heat Thermometer (device for measuring heat)
-tic Pertaining to
-tomy Cut, incise Phlebotomy (incision of a vein)
tox- Poison Antitoxin (substance effective against
poison)
trans- Across, through, beyond Transection (cut across)
tri- Three Triceps (three-headed muscle)
-troph- Nourish Hypertrophy (enlargement or
overnourishment)
-tropic Changing, influencing Gonadotropic (influencing the gonads)

U
-uria Urine Polyuria (excess urine)

V
vene- Vein Venesection (phlebotomy)
viscer- Internal organ Visceromotor (movement of internal organs)

X
xanth-o- Yellow color Xanthopathy

Z
zo-o Animal, animal life Zoology (study of animals)

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III. Roots of body parts and components

(Internal Anatomy, External Anatomy, Body Fluids, Body Substances)

Body Part/Component Greek Root Latin Root Other Root

Abdomen lapar(o)- abdomin- -
Aorta aort(o)- aort(o)- -
Arm brachi(o)- - -
Armpit - axill- -
Artery arteri(o)- - -
Back - dors- -
big toe - allic- -
Bladder cyst(o)- vesic(o)- -
haemat-, hemat- (haem-,
Blood hem-) sangui-, sanguine- -
Blood clot thromb(o)- - -
Blood vessel angi(o)- vascul-, vas- -
Body somat-, som- corpor- -
Bone oste(o)- ossi- -
bone marrow, marrow myel(o)- medull- -
Brain encephal(o)- cerebr(o)- -
Breast mast(o)- mamm(o)- -
Chest steth(o)- - -
Cheek - bucc- -
Ear ot(o)- aur- -
eggs, ova oo- ov- -
optic(o)
Eye ophthalm(o)- ocul(o)- [French]
Eyelid blephar(o)- cili-; palpebr- -
Face - faci(o)- -
fallopian tubes salping(o)- - -
fat, fatty tissue lip(o)- adip- -
Finger dactyl(o)- digit- -
Forehead - front(o)- -
Gallbladder cholecyst(o)- fell- -
genitals, sexually
undifferentiated gon(o)-, phall(o)- - -

Gland aden(o)- - -

glans penis or clitoridis balan(o)- - -

Gums - gingiv- -

Hair trich(o)- capill- -

Hand cheir(o)-, chir(o)- manu- -
Head cephal(o)- capit(o)- -
Heart cardi(o)- cordi- -

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hip, hip-joint - cox- -

Horn cerat(o)- cornu- -

Intestine enter(o)- - -
Jaw gnath(o)- - -
Kidney nephr(o)- ren- -

Knee gon- genu- -

Lip cheil(o)-, chil(o)- labi(o)- -
Liver hepat(o)- (hepatic-) jecor- -

loins, pubic region episi(o)- pudend- -

Lungs pneumon- pulmon(i)- (pulmo-) -
marrow, bone marrow myel(o)- medull- -
Mind psych- ment- -
Mouth stomat(o)- or- -
Muscle my(o)- - -
Nail onych(o)- ungui- -
Navel omphal(o)- umbilic- -
Neck trachel(o)- cervic- -

Nerve; the nervous system neur(o)- nerv- -

Nipple, teat thele- papill-, mammill- -
Nose rhin(o)- nas- -
Ovary oophor(o)- ovari(o)- -
Pelvis pyel(o)- pelv(i)- -
Penis pe(o)- - -
pupil (of the eye) cor-, core-, coro- - -
Rib pleur(o)- cost(o)- -
rib cage thorac(i)-, thorac(o)- - -
Shoulder om(o)- humer(o)- -
Sinus - sinus- -
Skin dermat(o)- (derm-) cut-, cuticul- -
Skull crani(o)- - -
Stomach gastr(o)- ventr(o)- -
Testis orchi(o)-, orchid(o)- - -

throat (upper throat cavity) pharyng(o)- - -

throat (lower throat
cavity/voice box]) laryng(o)- - -
Thumb - pollic- -
Tooth odont(o)- dent(i)- -
Tongue gloss-, glott- lingu(a)- -
Toe dactyl(o)- digit- -
Tumour cel-, onc(o)- tum- -
Ureter ureter(o)- ureter(o)- -

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Urethra urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- -

urine, urinary System ur(o)- urin(o)- -

uterine tubes sarping(o)- sarping(o)- -
Uterus hyster(o)-, metr(o)- uter(o)- -
Vagina colp(o)- vagin- -
Vein phleb(o)- ven- -
Vulva episi(o)- vulv- -
Womb hyster(o)-, metr(o)- uter(o)- -
Wrist carp(o)- carp(o)- -

IV. Roots of Position

Description Greek Root in English Latin Root in English Other Root

Around peri- circum- -
Left - sinistr- -
Middle mes(o)- medi- -
Right dexi(o)- dextr(o)- -
Surrounding peri- circum- -

V. Roots of quantity
(Amount, Quantity)

Description Greek Root in English Latin Root in English Other Root

Double diplo- dupli- -
Equal iso- equi- -
Few oligo- pauci- -
demi-
Half hemi- semi- (French)
Many, much poly- multi- -
Twice dis- bis- -

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Anatomic Directions

o anterior (ventral)
toward the front (belly) of the body

o posterior (dorsal)
toward the back of the body

o medial
toward the midline of the body

o lateral
toward the side of the body

o proximal
nearer to the point of attachment or to a given reference point

o distal
farther from the point of attachment or from a given reference point

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o superior
above

o inferior
below

o cranial (cephalic)
toward the head

o caudal
toward the lower end of the spine

o superficial (external)
close to surface of the body

o deep (internal)
close to the center of the body

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Anatomic Planes/Sections

o frontal plane
also called a coronal plane, is made at right angles to the midline and divides the body into
anterior and posterior parts

o sagittal plane
passes from front to back and divides the body into right and left portions, if the plane
passes through the midline, it is a mid-sagittal or medial plane

o transverse plane
passes horizontally dividing the body into superior and inferior parts

Body Positions

o anatomic position
standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, legs parallel, and toes pointed
forward

o decubitus position
lying down, specifically according to the part of the body resting on a flat surface, as in left
or right lateral decubitus, or dorsal or ventral decubitus

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o dorsal recumbent position

on back, with legs bent and separated, feet flat

o Fowler position
on back, head of bed raised about 18 inches and knees elevated

o knee-chest position
on knees, head and upper chest on table, arms crossed above head

o left lateral recumbent position

on left side, right leg drawn up

o lithotomy position
on back, legs flexed on abdomen, thighs apart

o prone
lying face down

o Sims position
on left side, right leg drawn up high and forward, left arm along back, and chest forward
resting on bed

o supine
lying face up

o Trendelenburg position
on back with head lowered by tilting bed back at 45 degree angle

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