M&S

Word Root

The core part of a medical term that contains its primary meaning

Combining Form

A word root plus a vowel (usually 'o') used to join with suffixes or other roots

Suffix

A word part added to the end of a root to modify its meaning

Prefix

A word part added to the beginning to indicate location, time, number, or status

-cyan/o

Blue

-erythr/o

Red

-leuk/o

White

-melan/o

Black

-poli/o

Gray

-ac, -al, -ary, -eal

Pertaining to

-osis

Abnormal condition

-pathy

Disease

-algia

Pain

-itis

Inflammation

-megaly

Enlargement

-sclerosis

Hardening

-centesis

Surgical puncture to remove fluid

-graphy

Process of producing a picture or record

-gram

A picture or record

-plasty

Surgical repair

-scopy

Visual examination

-rrhage / -rrhagia

Bleeding or abnormal excessive fluid discharge

-rrhaphy

Surgical suturing

-rrhea

Flow or discharge

Pre-

Before

Peri-

Around

Post-

After

Ab-

Away from

Ad-

Toward

Hyper-

Excessive, increased

Hypo-

Deficient, decreased

Anatomical position

Body standing upright, facing forward, palms forward

Sagittal plane

Divides body into left and right

Frontal plane

Divides body into front and back

Transverse plane

Divides body into top and bottom

Ventral

Front of the body

Dorsal

Back of the body

Superior

Above or toward the head

Inferior

Below or toward the feet

Medial

Toward the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Proximal

Closer to the origin or attachment

Distal

Farther from the origin or attachment

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain

Spinal cavity

Contains the spinal cord

Thoracic cavity

Contains heart and lungs

Abdominal cavity

Contains digestive organs

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive and excretory organs

Cytoplasm

The material within a cell excluding the nucleus

Nucleus

The control center of the cell

Stem cell

Unspecialized cell that can develop into specialized cells

DNA

Genetic material of the cell

Genome

Complete set of genes in an organism

Chromosome

Structure that carries genetic information

Tissue

Group of similar cells that perform a specific function

Epithelial tissue

Covers and protects body surfaces

Connective tissue

Supports and connects other tissues and organs

Muscle tissue

Produces movement

Nervous tissue

Transmits nerve impulses

Aden/o

Gland

Exocrine glands

Secrete substances into ducts

Endocrine glands

Secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

Etiology

The study of the causes of diseases

Pathologist

Specialist in the study of disease

Communicable disease

Can be transmitted from one person to another

Nosocomial infection

Hospital-acquired infection

Congenital disorder

Condition present at birth

Idiopathic disease

Illness with unknown cause

Oste/o

Bone

Arthr/o

Joint

Chondr/o

Cartilage

Fracture

Broken bone

Osteoporosis

Condition of weakened bones

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine

Orthopedics

Branch of medicine dealing with bones and joints

Arthroscopy

Visual examination of a joint

Radiography

X-ray imaging