Intro to Human Anatomy and Physiology: Word Etymology and Roots

Anatomical and Physiological Word Roots (A - C)

• append-: This root means "to hang something."

  • Scientific Application: Appendicular, which pertains to the upper and lower limbs of the body.

• cardi-: This root means "heart."

  • Scientific Application: Pericardium, defined as the membrane that surrounds the heart.

• cerebr-: This root means "brain."

  • Scientific Application: Cerebrum, which refers to the largest part of the brain.

• cran-: This root means "helmet."

  • Scientific Application: Cranial, pertaining to the specific part of the skull that surrounds the brain.

Anatomical and Physiological Word Roots (D - M)

• dors-: This root means "back."

  • Scientific Application: Dorsal, indicating a position located toward the back of the body.

• homeo-: This root means "same."

  • Scientific Application: Homeostasis, the physiological process involving the maintenance of a stable internal environment.

• -logy: This suffix means "the study of."

  • Scientific Application: Physiology, which is the study of body functions.

• meta-: This root means "change."

  • Scientific Application: Metabolism, referring to the chemical changes that occur within the body.

Anatomical and Physiological Word Roots (N - P)

• nas-: This root means "nose."

  • Scientific Application: Nasal, pertaining directly to the nose.

• orb-: This root means "circle."

  • Scientific Application: Orbital, pertaining to the portion of the skull that encircles the eye.

• pariet-: This root means "wall."

  • Scientific Application: Parietal membrane, a membrane that lines the wall of a body cavity.

• pelv-: This root means "basin."

  • Scientific Application: Pelvic cavity, describes a basin-shaped cavity enclosed by the pelvic bones.

• peri-: This root means "rib."

  • Scientific Application: Pericardial membrane, the membrane that surrounds the heart.

• pleur-: This root means "rib."

  • Scientific Application: Pleural membrane, the membrane that encloses the lungs within the rib cage.

Anatomical and Physiological Word Roots (S - T)

• -stasis: This suffix means "standing still."

  • Scientific Application: Homeostasis, defined as the maintenance of a stable internal environment.

• super-: This root means "above."

  • Scientific Application: Superior, referring to a body part that is located above another body part.

• -tomy: This suffix means "cutting."

  • Scientific Application: Anatomy, the study of body structure which often involves the physical cutting or removing of body parts.