Medical Terminology

micro

smaller than

macro

bigger than

megalo

very large

megaly

very large

peri

around

trans

across or through

endo- (as prefix)

within or inside

inter

between

chloro

green

leuk

white

eryth

red

cyan

blue

dys

not working normally

mal

bad

emia

blood condition

itis

inflammation

osis

condition/disease (usually non-inflammatory)

pathy

disease

hyper

greater than normal

hypo

below or lower than normal

tachy

fast

brady

slow

echo

ultrasonic waves

electro

electricity

-ectomy

removal of

-gram

picture

-graph/-graphy

process of taking a picture

-otomy

making a cut in/removing part of

-scopy

use of instrument for viewing

-plasty

reparing/modifying the shape of

-ology

study of a part of the body

-ologist

specialist working with a specific part of the body or specific disease

-iatry

medical treatment

-iatrist

specialist providing specific treatment

cardi-

heart

derm-

skin

gastro-

stomach

neuro-

nervous system

ortho-

bone

ped-

child

psych-

mind

ophthalmo-

eye

uro-

urinary tract

onc-

tumor

gynec-

female

rheum-

rheumatic

endo- (as root word)

endocrine glands

pulmo-

lungs

isch-

restriction/blockage

-emic

blood

vas-/vaso-

blood vessels

angio-

blood vessels specifically arteries

aorto-

aorta

arterio-

arteries

ven-/veno-

vein

phlebo-

vein

hem-/hemo-

blood

athero-

fatty plaque

thrombo-

blood clot

embolo-

embolus/clot

aneurysm

bulging or swelling of blood vessels

isch-/ischem-

lack of blood supply/flow

cardiomyo-

heart muscle

sten-

narrowing/constriction

pericardio-

pericardium/sac around heart

endo-/endothe-

inner linig of blood vessels or heart

myo-

muscle

cranio-

skull/cranium

cephal-

head

oculo/ophthalmo-

eye/vision

ot-/oto-

ear/hearing

tympan/myringo

eardrum

rhino

nose

oro-

mouth

buccal-

cheek/mouth

labio-

lips

maxillo-

upper jaw

manibulo-

lower jaw

dent-/odont-

teeth

lingua-/gloss-

tongue

palato-

palate

naso-

nasal passages

sinus-

sinuses

cerebro-

brain

neuro-

nerves/nervous system

oro-

mouth

esophag-

esophagus

gastr-

stomach

enter-

intestine

duoden-

duodenum

jejun-

jejunum

ile

ileum

col-

colon

rect-

rectum

hepat-

liver

cholecyst-

gallbladder

pancreat-

pancrease

myalgia

muscle pain

myopathy

muscle disease

myositis

muscle inflammation