Anatomy & Physiology Root Words

Superior

Above, towards the head

Inferior

Below, away from the head

Anterior

Towards the mouth (GI tube)

Posterior

Towards the anus (GI tube)

Medial

Towards the middle

Lateral

Towards the side

Deep

Below or underneath the surface

Superficial

At or near the surface

Caudal

Towards the tail (end of spinal column)

Cranial

Towards the head (top of spinal column)

Ventral

Belly-side (front)

Dorsal

Back side

Proximal

Toward an attached base

Distal

Away from an attached base

Prone

Lying face downward

Supine

Lying face upward

Transverse

Divides body top from bottom

Sagittal

Divides body into left and right

A(n)-

without

Arteri(o)-

Artery

Arthr(o)-

Joint

-blast

Immature cell

Cardi(a)(o)-

Heart

Cephal(i)(o)-

Head

Cerebr(a)(o)-

Brain

Cervic(a)(o)-

Neck

Crani-

Skull

-cyt(e)(o)

cell

Dent(i)(o)-

Tooth

Derma(to)

Skin

End(o)-

Within, inner

Epi-

Upon, above

Exo-

Out, away from

Fibr/o-

Fibers

Gastr(o)-

Stomach

Glyco-, Gluco-

sugar/glucose & its derivatives

Hem(at)-

Blood

Hepato-

Liver

Hyper-

Excess

Hypo-

Below, deficient

Iso-

Equal

-itis

inflammation

Meso-

Middle

Myo-

Muscle

Naso-

Nose

Nephro-

Kidney

Neuro-

Nerve

Oro-

Mouth

Osteo-

Bone

Oto-

Ear

Pulmo-

Lung

Rhino-

Nose

Thora(cic)(x)-

Chest

Trans-

Across, through