Chapter 5 Medical Terminology

Compound

A word formed from two or more whole words

Prefix

Word part added to the beginning of a root or word

Suffix

Word part added to the end of a root or word

Broncho/pulmo

(Root) Lungs

Cardi

(Root) Heart

Brady

(Prefix) slow/below normal

Dys

(Prefix) difficult or painful

Tachy

(Prefix) above normal/rapid

Pnea

(Suffix) breathing

Anatomy

The study of body structure

Physiology

The study of body function

Midline

Divides the body into left and right halves

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

To the side, away from the midline of the body

Bilateral

On both sides

Unilateral

Limited to one side

Midaxillary line

A line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle

Anterior

The front of the body

Posterior

The back of the body

Ventral

Referring to the front of the body, synonym for anterior

Dorsal

Referring to the back of the body, synonym for posterior

Superior

Toward the head

Inferior

Away from the head

Proximal

Closer to the torso

Distal

Farther away from the torso

Torso

Trunk of the body

Palmer

Referring to the palm of the hand

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot

Midclavicular

Line through the center of each clavicle

Supine position

Lying on the back

Prone position

Lying facedown

Recovery position

Lying on the side

Lateral Recumbent

Recovery position

Fowler position

Sitting position

Anatomic position

Standing up, facing forwards, hands at the sides, palms facing forwards

Frontal plane

Coronal plane (front and back)

Saggital plane

Median plane (midline, down the middle)

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane (top and bottom of the body)

Abdominal quadrants

Four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury

Divisions of abdominal quadrants

Right upper quadrant (RUQ), Left upper quadrant (LUQ), Right lower quadrant (RLQ), Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

GLASSP

Gallbladder, Liver, Appendix, Spleen, Stomach, Pancreas

RUQ

Gallbladder, Liver

LUQ

Spleen, Stomach

RLQ

Appendix

LLQ

Pancreas