Medical Terminology, Word Building, and Anatomical Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical term building blocks, cellular concepts, tissue types, anatomical directional terms, and body planes.

Root

The essential part of a medical term that provides its core meaning.

Combining Vowel

A vowel, most commonly "o", used to connect a root word to a suffix or another root.

Combining Form

A combination created when a root word is joined with a combining vowel.

Suffix

A word element added to the end of a root or combining form to modify its meaning.

Prefix

A word element added to the beginning of a root or combining form to expand its meaning; it never requires a combining vowel.

Ileum

A specific segment of the small intestine.

Ilium

A bone that forms part of the pelvis.

Prostate

A gland located at the base of the male bladder.

Prostrate

To lie flat on the ground, or to be physically weak and exhausted.

Hypotension

The medical condition of having low blood pressure.

Hypertension

The medical condition of having high blood pressure.

Zygote

A single fertilized cell resulting from the union of a male sperm and a female egg.

Cytology

The scientific study of cellular structure and function.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex substances into simpler ones.

Chromatin

Uncondensed DNA that condenses with histone proteins to form chromosomes.

Karyotype

An arrangement of human chromosomes lined up in $23$ pairs, totaling $46$ chromosomes.

Connective Tissue

A primary tissue type that binds, supports, and protects body structures (e.g., bone, cartilage, and fat).

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type that lines internal organs and functions to protect, secrete, absorb, and excrete.

Nervous Tissue

A primary tissue type that transmits electrical impulses throughout the body for coordination and sensory reception.

Anatomical Position

A standard body posture where a person stands erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides, palms facing forward, and feet pointing forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head, upper, or above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning toward the feet, lower, or below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning further toward the front or in front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning further toward the back or in back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the imaginary midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning toward the side of the body or away from the midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the axial body or trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning further from the axial body or trunk.

Frontal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body vertically into left and right portions.

Transverse Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body horizontally into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) portions.

Supine

Position describing a person lying flat on their back.

Prone

Position describing a person lying flat on their stomach.