Medical terminology

-ALGIA

pain; as in neuralgia (nerve pain)

-DYNIA

pain; as in gastrodynia (pain in the stomach)

-EMIA

blood condition; as in leukemia (cancer of white blood cells)

-IA

condition, disease; as in polyuria (excessive urination)

-ITIS

inflammation; as in laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx)

-LEPSY

seizure or attack; as in epilepsy (disease marked by seizures)

-MALACIA

softening; as in chondromalacia (softening of the cartilage)

-MEGALY

enlargement; as in cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart)

-OMA

tumor, mass; as in sarcoma (cancerous tumor of connective tissue)

-OSIS

abnormal condition; as in dermatomycosis (fungal skin infection)

-PATHY

disease; as in myopathy (disease of muscle tissue)

-PENIA

deficiency; as in leukopenia (deficient number of white blood cells)

-PLEGIA

paralysis; as in quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)

-PNEA

breathing; as in apnea (temporary cessation of breathing)

-SCLEROSIS

hardening; as in arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

-RRHAGE

bursting forth; as in hemorrhage (excessive bleeding)

-RRHEA

flow, discharge; as in menorrhea (normal menstrual flow)

-RRHEXIS

breaking open; as in cardiorrhexis (rupture of the heart)

Abdominal

Space between the diaphragm and hip bones; houses the major digestive organs.

Alimentary

Pertaining to food or nutrition (alimentary canal).

Arterial

Pertaining to arteries or the blood in them.

Articular

Pertaining to a joint.

Autonomic

Occurring involuntarily.

Axial

Trunk and skull (skeleton).

Bowel

Division of the intestine.

Bronchial

Pertaining to air tubes of the lungs.

Capillary

Smallest blood vessels.

Cardiac

Pertaining to the heart.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Specialized form of involuntary muscle tissue found only in the heart.

Cardiovascular

Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.

Cavity

Space or hollow within the body.

Cerebral

Pertaining to the brain, particularly the cerebrum.

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck or cervix.

Cilia

Small hairlike structures.

Circulatory

Pertaining to blood circulation.

Cloaca

Urogenital chamber of birds into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals discharge.

Coccygeal

Tail area.

Collateral

Secondary or accessory.

Colon

Part of the large intestine.

Connective Tissue

Tissue specializing in connection and support of body parts.

Copulatory

Pertaining to sexual intercourse.

Coronary

Regarding the heart.

Cranial

Pertaining to the space enclosed by the skull; houses the brain and pituitary gland.

Cutaneous

Relating to the skin.

Deciduous

Falling out at the end of a stage or season; first set of teeth.

Dental

Pertaining to teeth or dentistry.

Diaphragm

Muscular wall dividing thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Diaphragmatic

Pertaining to the diaphragm.

Diastolic

Regarding the relaxation of the heart muscle, allowing heart chambers to fill with blood.

Digestive

Regarding the conversion of food into chemical substances the body uses.

Digital

Pertaining to fingers or toes.

Duodenal

Pertaining to the duodenum.

Duodenum

The first or proximal portion of the small intestine.

Endocrine

Secreting internally; relating to endocrine glands.

Epidermal

Relating to the outer layer of skin.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that protects, lines, or surrounds body organs.

Esophagus

Tubular food passage between the neck and stomach.

Excretory

Relating to the discharge of waste.

Exocrine

External secretion of a gland.

Extremities

Terminal portions: legs, feet, hooves, paws.

Fascial

Connective tissue membrane.

Fecal

Relating to feces (stool or excrement).

Genetic

Relating to biological heredity.

Genital

Pertaining to the reproductive organs.

Hormonal

Relating to hormones.

Integumentary

Pertaining to the skin of the body.

Intestinal

Pertaining to the large or small intestine.

Involuntary Muscle

Muscle tissues that are automatically controlled by the nervous system.

Larynx

Upper part of the trachea (windpipe).

Lumbar

Pertaining to the lower back.

Lymphatic

Pertaining to lymph or lymphatic vessels.

Mediastinum

The mass of tissues and organs separating the two lungs.

Metabolic

Relating to metabolism.

Mucous (adj.)

Secreting mucus or covered by mucus.

Mucus (n.)

Slippery secretion of mucous membranes; acts like a lubrication.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue with the power to contract and thus produce movement; can be skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, or cardiac muscle.

Muscular

Pertaining to the muscles.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue that carries nerve impulses.

Nervous

Pertaining to the nerves.

Peritoneum

Membrane lining the abdominal cavity and viscera.

Pleural Cavity

Space between lungs and pleura.

Reproductive

Concerning the production of offspring.

Respiratory

Pertaining to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and body cells.

Skeletal

Pertaining to the bones of the body.

Spinal Cavity

Spaces within the vertebrae; houses the spinal cord.

Striated

Striped, as in the appearance of voluntary (skeletal) muscles.

Thoracic Cavity

Space between the neck and diaphragm; houses the lungs.

Urinary

Pertaining to the system of urine excretion.

Urogenital

Pertaining to organs of excretion and reproduction.

Vascular

Relating to vessels for passage of bodily fluids.

Viscus (pl. Viscera)

Internal organ(s), particularly of the abdominal cavity.

Voluntary Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissues controlled by conscious effort; also called skeletal muscle.

ADEN/O-

Gland

ARTERI/O-

Artery

ARTHR/O-

Joint

BLEPHAR/O-

Eyelid

BRONCH/O-

Windpipe, throat

CARDI/O-

Heart

CEPHAL/O-

Head

CEREBR/O-

Brain