Med Terms Chapters 1-8

Word root

the core of the word

Suffix

attached to the end of a word root to modify its meaning

Combining vowel

usually an o used to ease pronunciation

Combining form

word root with a combining vowel attached, separated by a slash

Arthr

joint (root)

Hepat

Liver (root)

Ven

vein (root)

Oste

Bone (root)

-itis

inflammation (suffix)

-ic

pertaining to (suffix)

-ous

pertaining to (suffix)

-pathy

disease (suffix)

-megaly

enlargement (suffix)

intra-

within (prefix)

sub-

under (prefix)

Cell

basic unit of all living thing. The human body is composed of trillions of cells, which vary in size and shape according to function

Cell membrane

forms the boundary of the cell

Cytoplasm

A jelly/gel like fluid inside the cell

Nucleus

largest structure within the cell, usually spherical and centrally located. It contains chromosomes for cellular reproduction and is the control center for cellular activity.

Chromosomes

located in the nucleus of the cell. There are 46 chromosomes in all normal human cells, with the exception of mature sex cells, which have 23.

Genes

regions within the chromosome. Each chromosome has several thousand genes that determine hereditary characteristics.

DNA

comprises each gene; is a genetic material that regulates the activities of the cell. DNA abbreviates deoxyribonucleic acid.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform the specific function.

Muscle tissue

composed of cells that have a special ability to contract, usually producing movement

Nervous tissue

similarly specialized cells united in the performance of a particular function; found in the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities

Connective tissue

connects, supports, penetrates, and encases various body structures. Adipose (fat), osseous (bone) tissues, and blood are types of connective tissue. Fibrous tissue is a type of connective tissue that provides strength and stability such as in ligaments and tendons

Epithelial tissue

the major covering of the external surface of the body; forms membranes that line body cavities and organs; and is the major tissue in glands. Glandular tissue is designed to secrete substances such as digestive enzymes.

Organ

two or more types of tissues that together perform special body functions. For example, the skin is an organ composed of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue

Viscera

arge internal organs contained in the body cavities, especially in the abdominal cavity

System

group of organs that work together to perform complex body functions. For example, the cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its function is to transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products

integumentary system

Composed of skin, nails, and glands. Forms a protective covering for the body, regulates body temperature, and helps manufacture vitamin D.

Respiratory system

Composed of nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. Performs respiration, which provides for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body

Urinary system

Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Removes waste material (urine) from the body, regulates fluid volume, and maintains electrolyte concentration

Reproductive system

female reproductive system is composed of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands. Male reproductive system is composed of testes, urethra, penis, prostate gland, and associated tubes. Responsible for heredity and reproduction.

Cardiovascular system

Composed of the heart and blood vessels. Pumps and transports blood throughout the body.

Lymphatic/immune system

Composed of a network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides for defense against infection and drainage of extracellular fluid.

Digestive system

Composed of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus, plus accessory organs, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Prepares food for use by the body cells and eliminates waste.

musculuskeletal system

Composed of muscle, bones, and joints. Provides movement and framework for the body, protects vital organs such as the brain, stores calcium, and produces red blood cells

Nervous system

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs. Regulates specific body activities by sending and receiving messages. Sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, are also part of the nervous system.

Endocrine system

Composed of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate many specific body activities

Cranial cavity

space inside the skull (cranium) containing the brain

Spinal cavity

space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord

Thoracic cavity

space containing the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and mediastinal area

abdominal cavity

space containing the stomach, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters

pelvic cavity

space containing the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, parts of the small and large intestine, and the anus

abdominopelvic cavity

both the pelvic and abdominal cavities

aden/o

gland

cyt/o

cell

epitheil/o

epithelium

fibr/o

fiber

hemat/o

blood

hist/o

tissue

lip/o

fat

my/o

muscle

neur/o

nerve

organ/o

organ

sarc/o

flesh, connective tissue

system/o

system

Viscer/o

internal organs

aut/o

self

bi/o

life

cancer/o

cancer

carcin/o

cancer

crypt/o

hidden

necr/o

death (cells, body)

eti/o

cause (of death)

gno/o

knowledge

iatr/o

physician, treatment, medicine

lei/o

smooth

onc/o

tumor/mass

path/o

disease

rhabd/o

rod-shaped, striated

somat/o

Body

vir/o

virus

cyan/o

blue

erythr/o

red

leuk/o

white

melan/o

black

xanth/o

yellow

dia-

through, complete (prefix)

dys-

painful, abnormal, difficult, labored (prefix)

Hyper-

above, excessive (prefix)

hypo-

below, incomplete, deficient, under (prefix)

Meta-

after, beyond, change (prefix)

Micro-

Small (prefix)

neo-

new (prefix)

pro-

before (prefix)

-al, -ic, -ous

pertaining to (suffix)

-cyte

cell (sufix)

-gen

substance or agent that produces or causes (suffix)

-genic

producing, originating, causing (suffix)

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician) (suffix)

-logy

study of (suffix)

-oid

resembling (suffix)

-oma

tumor, swelling (suffix)

-opsy

view of, viewing (suffix)

-osis

abnormal condition (means increase when used with blood cell word roots) (suffix)

-plasia

condition of formation, development, growth (suffix)

-plasm

growth, substance, formation (suffix)

-sarcoma

malignant tumor (suffix)