Medical Terminology Roots

Roots of Medical Terms

Definition of Roots

• Roots, also known as the root stem or main body of a word, indicate the organ or part which is modified by a prefix or suffix or both.
• Proper usage: Greek combining forms or roots should be used only with Greek prefixes, and Latin roots with Latin forms.
• Real use example: There are numerous inconsistencies in the formation of medical terms.
• A vowel (often a, i, or o) is frequently inserted between combining forms for euphony (pleasantness of sound).

Root Term Analysis and Definitions

1. Aden- (G)

• Analysis:
  • aden: gland
  • ektome: excision
  • oma: tumor
  • karkinos: cancer
• Terms and Definitions:
  • adenectomy: Excision of a gland.
  • adenoma: Glandular tumor.
  • adenocarcinoma: Malignant tumor of glandular epithelium.

2. Aer- (G)

• Analysis:
  • aer: air
  • bios: life
• Terms and Definitions:
  • aerated: Filled with air.
  • aerobic: Pertaining to organisms that live only in the presence of air.

3. Angio- (G)

• Analysis:
  • angeion: vessel
  • tome: a cutting
  • itis: inflammation
• Terms and Definitions:
  • angiotomy: Dissection of blood vessels.
  • angitis or angiitis: Inflammation of blood vessels or lymphatics.

4. Arth- (G)

• Analysis:
  • arthron: joint
  • algos: pain
  • itis: inflammation
  • logos: study, science
• Terms and Definitions:
  • arthralgia: Pain in the joints.
  • arthritis: Inflammation of the joints.
  • arthrology: The science of the joints.

5. Blephar- (G)

• Analysis:
  • blepharon: eyelid
  • oidema: swelling
  • plassein: to form
  • ptosis: a falling
• Terms and Definitions:
  • blepharedema: Swelling of the eyelids.
  • blepharoplasty: Plastic operation upon the eyelid.
  • blepharoptosis: Dropping of the upper eyelid.

6. Cardi- (G)

• Analysis:
  • kardia: heart
  • phono: sound
  • graphein: to write
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cardiac: Pertaining to the heart or esophageal orifice of the stomach.
  • phonocardiography: Graphic recording of heart sounds.
  • electrocardiogram: A graphic record of the heartbeat by an electrometer.

7. Cerebro- (L)

• Analysis:
  • cerebrum: brain
  • malakia: softening
  • spina: a thorn, the backbone
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cerebral: Pertaining to the brain.
  • cerebromalacia: Softening of the brain.
  • cerebrospinal: Referring to brain and spinal cord.

8. Cephal- (G)

• Analysis:
  • kephale: head
  • ad: toward
  • ic: pertaining to
  • itis: inflammation
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cephalad: Toward the head.
  • cephalic: Pertaining to the head.
  • cephalitis: Inflammation of the brain.

9. Cerv- (L)

• Analysis:
  • cervix: neck
  • al: pertaining to
  • ektome: excision
  • vesica: bladder
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cervical: Pertaining to the neck.
  • cervicectomy: Excision of the neck of the uterus.
  • cervicoversical: Relating to the cervix uteri and bladder.

10. Cheil, Chil- (G)

• Analysis:
  • cheilos: lip
  • itis: inflammation
  • plassein: to form
  • osis: diseased condition
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cheilitis: Inflammation of the lip.
  • cheiloplasty: Plastic operation of the lip.
  • cheilosis: Morbid condition of the lips due to vitamin B deficiency.

11. Chir- (G)

• Analysis:
  • cheir: hand
  • megas: large
  • plassein: to form
  • pous: foot
• Terms and Definitions:
  • chiromegaly: Abnormal size of the hands, wrists, and ankles.
  • chiroplasty: Plastic surgery on the hand.
  • chiropody: Treatment of conditions of the hands and feet.

12. Chol- (G)

• Analysis:
  • chole: bile
  • angeion: vessel
  • itis: inflammation
  • kystis: bladder, sac
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cholangitis: Inflammation of the bile duct.
  • cholecyst: Gallbladder.
  • cholecystogram: A radiogram of the gallbladder.

13. Chondr- (G)

• Analysis:
  • choudros: cartilage
  • ektome: excision
  • fibra: fiber
  • oma: tumor
• Terms and Definitions:
  • chondrectomy: Excision of cartilage.
  • chondrofibroma: A mixed tumor composed of fibrous tissue and cartilage.
  • chondroma: A cartilaginous tumor.

14. Cost- (L)

• Analysis:
  • costa: rib
  • chondros: cartilage
  • phren: diaphragm
  • sternon: breast
• Terms and Definitions:
  • costochondral: Pertaining to a rib and its cartilage.
  • costophrenic angle: The angle formed by the ribs and diaphragm.
  • costosternal: Referring to the ribs and breastbone.

15. Crani- (G, L)

• Analysis:
  • kranion: skull
  • al: pertaining to
  • tabes: a wasting
  • tome: incision
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cranial: Pertaining to the skull.
  • craniotabes: A thinning or atrophy of the skull bones.
  • craniotomy: Surgical opening of the skull.

16. Cysto- (G)

• Analysis:
  • kystis: bladder, sac
  • graphein: to write
  • skopein: to examine
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cyst: A bladder; any sac containing a liquid.
  • cystography: Radiographic examination of the urinary bladder following the introduction of air or opaque solution.
  • cystoscope: Instrument for interior examination of the bladder.

17. Cyt- (G)

• Analysis:
  • kytos: cell
  • logos: study
  • erythros: red
• Terms and Definitions:
  • cytology: The study of cell life.
  • erythrocyte: Red blood Cell.
  • lymphocyte: Lymph cell, a nongranular leukocyte.

18. Dacry- (G)

• Analysis:
  • dakry: tear
  • aden: gland
  • itis: inflammation
  • kele: hernia
  • kystis: sac
• Terms and Definitions:
  • dacryadenitis: Inflammation of the lacrimal (tear) gland.
  • dacryocle: Protrusion of the lacrimal sac.
  • dacryocyst: The lacrimal sac.

19. Dactyl- (G)

• Analysis:
  • dactylos: finger
  • itis: inflammation
  • gramma: a mark
  • megas: large
• Terms and Definitions:
  • dactylitis: Chronic disease of bones of fingers or toes in young children.
  • dactylogram: A fingerprint.
  • dactylomegaly: Abnormal size of fingers and toes.

20. Derm- (G)

• Analysis:
  • derma: skin
  • itis: inflammation
  • al: relating to
  • pathos: disease
• Terms and Definitions:
  • dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin.
  • dermal: Relating to the skin.
  • dermopathy: Any skin disease.

21. Encephal- (G)

• Analysis:
  • egkephalos: brain
  • itis: inflammation
  • oma: tumor
  • graphein: to write
• Terms and Definitions:
  • encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain.
  • encephaloma: Brain tumor.
  • encephalography: Radiographic examination of the head after withdrawal of fluid and replacing it with air.

22. Enter- (G)

• Analysis:
  • enteron: intestine
  • itis: inflammation
  • kele: hernia
  • kolon: colon
• Terms and Definitions:
  • enteritis: Inflammation of the intestines.
  • enterocele: A hernia of the intestines.
  • enterocolitis: Inflammation of intestines and colon.

23. Gastr- (G)

• Analysis:
  • gaster: stomach
  • eclasis: dilatation
  • enterou: intestine
  • stoma: opening
  • intestinum: intestine
  • al: pertaining to
• Terms and Definitions:
  • gastrectasis: Dilation of the stomach.
  • gastroenterostomy: Formation of a passage between the stomach and intestine.
  • gastrointestinal: Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.

24. Glyco- (G)

• Analysis:
  • glykus: sweet
  • heima: blood
  • ourou: urine
• Terms and Definitions:
  • glycemia or glycosemia: Sugar in blood.
  • glycosuria: Sugar in the urine.

25. Hem, Hemat- (G)

• Analysis:
  • haima: blood
  • emesis: vomiting
  • oma: tumor
  • philein: to love
• Terms and Definitions:
  • hematemesis: Vomiting of blood.
  • hematoma: A blood tumor.
  • hemophilia: Inability of the blood to coagulate.

26. Hepa- (G)

• Analysis:
  • hepat: liver
  • flexura: a curved part
  • itis: inflammation
  • lysis: destruction
• Terms and Definitions:
  • hepatic flexure: The right bend of colon under the liver.
  • hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver.
  • hepatolysis: Destruction of liver cells.

27. Hyster- (G)

• Analysis:
  • hystera: uterus
  • ektome: excision
  • ia: disease of
  • pexis: fixation
• Terms and Definitions:
  • hysterectomy: Excision of the uterus.
  • hysteria: A psychoneurosis marked by emotional instability and somatic symptoms.
  • hysteropexy: Abdominal fixation of the uterus or suspension of the uterus.

28. Ile- (L-G)

• Analysis:
  • cilein: ileum
  • caccus: blind
  • valva: one leaf of a double door
  • stoma: opening
• Terms and Definitions:
  • ileum: Third part of the small intestines.
  • ileocecal valve: Two lips of folds at the opening between ileum and cecum.
  • ileostomy: Creation of an opening through the abdomen into the ileum.

29. Ili- (L)

• Analysis:
  • ilium: flank
  • femoralis: femur
  • sacralis: sacrum
• Terms and Definitions:
  • ilium: The wide, upper part of the hip bone.
  • iliofemoral: Referring to ilium and femur.
  • iliosacral: Pertaining to ilium and sacrum.

30. Leuk- (G)

• Analysis:
  • leukos: white
  • haima: blood
  • osis: condition, excess
  • penia: lack
• Terms and Definitions:
  • leukemia: Disease characterized by an extremely high white count.
  • leukocytosis: Excessive increase in the number of leukocytes.
  • leukopenia: Abnormal decrease in the number of leukocytes.

31. Lip- (G)

• Analysis:
  • lipos: fat
  • ektome: excision
  • haima: blood
  • iodum: iodine
  • oleum: oil
• Terms and Definitions:
  • lipectomy: Excision of fatty tissues.
  • lipemia: Fat in the blood.
  • lipiodol: An opaque oil used for injection into body cavities for the purpose of radiographic examination.

32. Lith- (G)

• Analysis:
  • lithos: stone
  • iasis: presence of
  • kystis: bladder
  • tome: incision
  • skopein: to examine
• Terms and Definitions:
  • lithiasis: Presence of concretions or stones.
  • lithocystotomy: Incision into the bladder to remove calculi.
  • lithoscope: Instrument for examining stone in the bladder.

33. Mening- (G)

• Analysis:
  • meniux: membrane
  • al: relating to
  • itis: inflammation
  • oma: tumor
  • kokkos: berry
• Terms and Definitions:
  • meningeal: Related to meninges.
  • meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes of spinal cord and brain.
  • meningioma: Tumor of the meninges.

34. Metr- (G)

• Analysis:
  • metra: uterus
  • itis: inflammation
  • regnum: to burst forth
  • rhexis: a rupture
• Terms and Definitions:
  • metritis: Inflammation of the uterine musculature.
  • metrorrhagia: Bleeding from the uterus.
  • metrorrhexis: Rupture of the uterus.

35. Myel- (G)

• Analysis:
  • myelos: marrow
  • itis: inflammation
  • gennan: to produce
  • sark: flesh
• Terms and Definitions:
  • myelitis: Inflammation of spinal cord or bone marrow.
  • myelogenous: Originating in marrow.
  • myelosarcoma: Malignant tumor of the bone marrow.

36. My- (G)

• Analysis:
  • mys: muscle
  • itis: inflammation
  • kardia: heart
• Terms and Definitions:
  • myitis or myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
  • myocardium: Heart muscle.

37. Nephr- (G)

• Analysis:
  • nephros: kidney
  • pexis: fixation
  • sklerosis: hardening
  • osis: condition
• Terms and Definitions:
  • nephropexy: Surgical attachment of a floating kidney.
  • nephrosclerosis: Hardening of the kidney.
  • nephrosis: Condition marked by degeneration of renal substance.

38. Ophthalm- (G)

• Analysis:
  • ophthalmos: eye
  • ia: disease of
  • neos: new
  • natus: born, birth
• Terms and Definitions:
  • ophthalmia: Severe inflammation of the eye including the conjunctiva.
  • ophthalmia neonatorum: Purulent conjunctivitis in the newborn.
  • ophthalmology: Science of the eye and its diseases.

39. Osteo- (G)

• Analysis:
  • osteou: bone
  • klasis: a breaking
  • oma: tumor
  • malakia: a softening
• Terms and Definitions:
  • osteoclasia: Surgical fracture of a bone to remedy a deformity.
  • osteoma: A bony tumor.
  • osteomalacia: Softening of the bone.

40. Pneu- (G)

• Analysis:
  • pneumon: lung
  • kokkos: berry
  • ia: disease of
  • thorax: chest
  • peritonaiou: peritoneum
• Terms and Definitions:
  • pneumococcus: Microorganism causing pneumonia and other diseases.
  • pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs with consolidation and exudation.
  • pneumothorax: Introduction of air into the pleural cavity.
  • pneumoperitoneum: Introduction of air into the peritoneal cavity.

41. Proct- (G)

• Analysis:
  • proktos: rectum
  • logos: science
  • skopein: examine
  • pexis: fixation
• Terms and Definitions:
  • proctology: Medical specialty dealing with diseases of the rectum.
  • proctoscopy: Instrumental examination of the rectum.
  • proctopexy: Suture of the rectum to another part.

42. Psycho- (G)

• Analysis:
  • psyche: mind
  • iatreia: healing
  • neuron: nerve
  • osis: disease or condition
  • pathos: disease
• Terms and Definitions:
  • psychiatry: Medical specialty treating mental and neurotic disorders.
  • psychoneurosis: A functional disorder of mental origin without a demonstrable lesion.
  • psychopathy: Any mental disease usually related to defective character and personality.

43. Pyel- (G)

• Analysis:
  • pyclos: pelvis
  • itis: inflammation
  • gramma: a mark
  • graphein: to write
• Terms and Definitions:
  • pyelitis: Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney.
  • pyelogram: Radiogram of the ureter and renal pelvis.
  • pyelography: Radiography of a renal pelvis and ureter.

44. Pyloro- (G)

• Analysis:
  • pyloros: gatekeeper
  • utenosis: narrowing
  • mys: muscle
  • tome: a cutting
• Terms and Definitions:
  • pylorus: Orifice between stomach and duodenum.
  • pylorostenosis: Constriction of the pylorus.
  • pyloromyotomy: Incision of the pyloric sphincter to relieve pyloric stenosis.

45. Pyo- (G)

• Analysis:
  • pyou: pus
  • genesis: formation
  • metra: uterus
  • itis: inflammation
  • nephros: kidney
• Terms and Definitions:
  • pyogenic: Pus forming.
  • pyometritis: Purulent inflammation of the uterus.
  • pyonephrosis: Pus in the renal pelvis.

46. Radi- (L)

• Analysis:
  • radius: ray
  • activus: acting
  • sensitivus: feeling
  • therapeia: treatment
• Terms and Definitions:
  • radioactivity: The ability to emit rays that can penetrate various substances.
  • radiosensitive: Capable of being destroyed by radioactive substances.
  • radiotherapy: The use of radiation of any type in treating diseases.

47. Spondyl- (G)

• Analysis:
  • spondylos: vertebra
  • itis: inflammation
  • olisthesis: a slipping
  • syndesis: a binding together
• Terms and Definitions:
  • spondylitis: Inflammation of vertebrae.
  • spondylolisthesis: Forward dislocation of lumbar vertebrae with pelvic deformity.
  • spondylosyndesis: Surgical formation of an ankylosis between vertebrae.

48. Trachel- (G)

• Analysis:
  • thachelos: neck
  • itis: inflammation
  • plassein: to form
  • rhaphe: suture
• Terms and Definitions:
  • trachelitis: Inflammation of the cervix uteri.
  • tracheloplasty: Plastic operation of the cervix uteri.
  • trachelorrhaphy: Suturing of a torn cervix uteri.

49. Tubercul- (L)

• Analysis:
  • tuberculum: a little swelling
  • bacillus: rod
  • aris: akin to
  • ous: full of
  • oma: tumor
  • osis: process
• Terms and Definitions:
  • tubercule: The lesion of tuberculosis; also, a nodular bony prominence.
  • tuberculous bacillus: Microorganism causing tuberculosis.
  • tubercular: Relating to a bony prominence.
  • tuberculous: Affected with tuberculosis.
  • tuberculosis: An infectious disease marked by the formation of tubercles in any tissue.

50. Viscer- (L)

• Analysis:
  • viscus: organ
  • al: pertaining to
  • ptosis: a dropping
• Terms and Definitions:
  • visceral: Pertaining to the internal organs.
  • viscus: Organ.
  • viscera: Organs.
  • visceroptosis: Prolapse of the viscera; Glenard's disease.

Conclusion

• The root terms outlined above represent the foundational vocabulary used in medical terminology. Understanding their meanings is essential for learning and comprehending medical language.