Chapter 4 Medical Terminology

abdomin/o

abdomin/o

abdomen

anter/o

front

brachi/o

arm

cardi/o

heart

caud/o

tail

cervic/o

neck

chondr/i

gristle, cartilage

cran/o, crani/o

skull

cyt/o

cell

cephal/o

head

dist/o

distant

dors/o

back

femor/o

femur, thigh

gastr/o

stomach

glute/o

buttock

hom/o, home/o

same

ili/o

flank, hip, groin

infer/o

below

inguin/o

groin

later/o

side

lumb/o

loin, lower back

medi/o

middle

organ/o

tool

pelv/o

bowl, basin

physi/o

nature

pleur/o

pleura, rib

poster/o

back

proxim/o

near

super/o

above

thorac/o

thorax, chest

tom/o

to cut

umbilic/o

navel, umbilicus

ventr/o

belly

-stasis

standing still

atom

the simplest organized substance

molecule

A group of atoms bonded together

organelles

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

cell

Basic unit of life

tissues

Groups of cells with a common structure and function.

organ

A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body

system

group of organs that work together to perform complex body functions

supine

lying on the back

prone

lying face down

-ior, -al

pertaining to

superior

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

inferior

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

anterior

front of the body, bellyside

posterior

toward the back

medial

toward the midline, imaginary vertical line down the middle of the body

lateral

toward the side

superficial

(external) toward or at the body surface

deep

internal, inward from the surface of the body

proximal

toward the origin of attachment to the trunk

distal

away from the point of attachment

frontal or coronal plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

sagittal plane

divides body into left and right

transverse plane

divides the body into superior and inferior parts

thoracic region

area of the chest

epigastric region

on top of the stomach

hypochondriac region

below the cartilage of the ribs

iliac region

pertaining to the hip or groin

lumbar region

pertaining to the loin

trunk

chest, abdomen, and pelvis or torso

appendages

head, arms, and legs

cavities

spaces within the body that help protect, separate, and support internal organs

viscera

internal organs

dorsal cavity

contains the brain and spinal cord

ventral cavity

thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity

pericardial cavity

pertaining to around the heart

pleural cavities

lateral subdivision of Thoracic Cavity, enveloping a lung, and the Medial Mediastinum

mediastinum

area between the lungs containing the heart, aorta, vena cava, esophagus, and trachea

abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs

pelvic cavity

contains urinary bladder, portions of large intestine, and internal organs of reproduction

chron/o

time

path/o

disease

-gnosis

knowledge

dia-

through

acute

A disease with a rapid onset and/or short duration

chronic

of long duration; continuing

infection

Contamination or invasion of body tissue by pathogenic organisms

etiology

study of the cause of disease

trauma

wound or injury

prognosis

a forecast of the probable course and outcome of a disease or situation

diagnostic imaging

noninvasive procedures (endoscopy, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, and ultrasound)

endo-

within

computed tomography scan (CAT/CT Scan)

3 dimensional images of internal body structures

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in an image of the metabolic activity of cells

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue

ultrasound imaging (sonography)

pulsation of harmless sound waves through a body region

subjective

Existing in the mind or relating to one's own thoughts, opinions, emotions, etc.; personal, individual, based on feelings

objective

Factual, related to reality or physical objects; not influenced by emotions, unbiased

assessment

Diagnosis based on the data gathered from the subjective and objective of the patient