Medical Terminology

Ventral

Front surface of the body (anterior).

Dorsal

Back surface of the body (posterior).

Superior

Closest to the head.

Inferior

Closest to the feet.

Proximal

Closest to the point of attachment.

Distal

Farthest from the point of attachment.

Medial

Closest to the midline.

Lateral

Farthest from the midline.

Deep

Farthest from the surface of the skin.

Superficial

Closest to the surface of the skin.

Flexion

Decreasing angle of a joint.

Extension

Increasing angle of a joint.

Adduction

Motion toward the midline.

Abduction

Motion away from the midline.

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

-al

Pertaining to.

-algia

Pertaining to pain.

-ectomy

Surgical removal of.

-ic

Pertaining to.

-itis

Inflammation.

-logy

Study of.

-logist

Specialist.

-megaly

Enlargement.

-meter

Measuring instrument.

-ema

Tumor (usually referring to cancer).

-pathy

Disease.

hyper-

Over, excessive, high.

hypo-

Under, below normal.

tachy-

Rapid, fast.

brady-

Slow.

pre-

Before.

post-

After.

Nephropathy

Disease of the kidney.

Dysuria

Painful urination.

Hyperemesis

Excessive vomiting.

Analgesic

Pertaining to no pain.