Medical Terminology for Billers
KNOWING THE MEDICAL LANGUAGE
an/o |
= anus |
- perianal |
append/o, |
= appendix |
- appendectomy |
appendic/o |
|
|
bucc/o |
= cheek |
- buccal mucosa |
cel/o |
= cecum (first part of large intestine) |
- cecal |
celi/o |
= belly, abdomen |
- celiac |
cheil/o [kai] |
= lip |
- cheilosis |
cholecyst/o |
= gallbladder |
- cholecystectomy |
choledoch/o |
= common bile duct |
- choledochotomy |
col/o |
= colon, large intestine |
- colostomy |
colon/o |
= colon |
- colonic |
den/i, |
= tooth |
- dentibuccal |
odont/o |
|
|
duoden/o |
= duodenum |
- duodenal |
enter/o |
= small intestine |
- enterocolitis |
|
|
- mesentery |
|
|
- paraenteral |
esophag/o |
= esophagus |
- esophageal |
faci/o |
= face |
- facial |
gastr/o |
= stomach |
- gastrostomy |
gingiv/o |
= gums |
- gingivitis |
gloss/o |
= tongue |
- hypoglossal |
lingu/o |
= tongue |
|
hepat/o |
= liver |
- hepatitis |
ile/o |
= ileum |
- ileocecal sphincter |
jejun/o |
= jejunum |
- choledochojejunostomy |
labi/o |
= lip |
- labial |
lapar/o |
= abdomen |
- laparoscopy |
mandibul/o |
= mandible, lower jaw |
- submandibular |
or/o |
= mouth |
- oral |
palat/o |
= palate |
- palatoplasty |
pancreat/o |
= pancreas |
- pancreatitis |
peritone/o |
= peritoneum |
- pertonitis |
pharyng/o |
= throat |
- pharyngeal |
proct/o |
= anus and rectum |
- proctologist |
pylor/o |
= pyloric sphincter |
- pyloroplasty |
rect/o |
= rectum |
- rectocele |
sialaden/o |
= salivary gland |
- sialadenitis |
sigmoid/o |
= sigmoid colon |
- sigmoidoscopy |
stomat/o |
= mouth |
- stomatitis |
uvul/o |
= uvula |
- uvulectomy |
eti/o |
= cause |
- etiopathic |
edi/o |
= unknown |
- idiopathic |
prote/o |
= protein |
|
polyp/o |
= small growth, polyp |
|
cirrh/o |
= yellow-orange |
- cirrhosis |
SUBSTANCES Digestive System
amyl/o |
= starch |
- amylase |
bil/i |
= gall, bile |
- biliary |
bilirubin/o |
= bilirubin (bile pigment) |
- hyperbilirubinemia |
chol/e |
= gall bile |
- cholelithiasis |
chlorhydr/o |
= hydrochloric acid |
- achlorhydria |
gluc/o, |
= sugar |
|
glyc/o |
|
|
glycogen/o |
= glycogen, animal starch |
- glycongenolysis |
lip/o |
= fat, lipid |
- lipoma |
lith/o |
= stone |
- lithogenesis |
prote/o |
= protein |
- protease |
sial/o |
= saliva, salivary |
- sialolith |
steat/o |
= fat |
- steatorrhea |
stom/o |
= opening |
- anastomosis |
SUFFIXES Digestive System
-ase |
= enzyme |
- protease |
-chezia |
= defection, elimination of waste |
- hemtochezia |
-iasis |
= abnormal condition |
- choledocholithiasis |
-prandial |
= meal |
- postprandial |
-chalasia |
= relaxation |
- achalasia |
-gen |
= constriction; to make narrow |
|
-stalsis |
= constriction; to make narrow |
- peristalsis |
-orexia |
= appetite |
- anorexia |
ADDITIONAL Digestive System
tom/o |
= cutting |
- tomography |
cholangi/o |
= bile vessel |
- chlangiectasis |
men/o |
= menstrual flow |
- menorrhagia |
ot/o |
= ear |
|
-ectasis, |
= stretching, dilation, dilatation, widening |
- bronchiectasis |
-ectasia |
|
|
-emesis |
= vomiting |
- hematemesis |
-lysis |
= destruction, breakdown, separation |
- hemolysis |
-pepsia |
= digestion |
- dyspepsia |
-phagia, |
= eating, swallowing |
- polyphagia |
pha/o |
|
|
-plasty |
= surgical repair |
- rhinoplasty |
-rrhage, |
= bursting forth |
- hemorrhage |
-rrhagia |
|
|
-rrhea |
= flow, discharge |
- dysmenorrhea |
-spasm |
= involuntary contraction |
- pylorospasm |
-stenosis |
= tightening, stricture |
- pyloric stenosis |
-tresia |
= opening |
- atresia |
-stasis |
= stopping, controlling |
- cholestasis |
-rrhaphy |
= suture; stitching |
- herniorrhaphy |
calio/o, |
= calyx (plural: calyces) |
- caliectasis |
calic/o |
|
|
cyst/o |
= urinary bladder |
- cystitis |
corpo/o |
= body |
- extracoporeal |
glomerul/o |
= glomerulus |
- glomerular capsule |
meat/o |
= meatus |
- meatal stenosis |
nephr/o |
= kidney |
- renal ischemia |
pyel/o |
= renal pelvis |
- pyelolithotomy |
ren/o |
= kidney |
- renal ischemia |
trigon/o |
= trigone (region of the bladder) |
- trigonitis |
ureter/o |
= ureter |
- ureteroplasty |
urethr/o |
= urethra |
- urethritis |
vesic/o, cyst/o |
= urinary bladder |
- intravesical |
Note: Colic is intermittent spasm caused by inflammation and distention (swell) of an organ. In renal colic, pain results from calculi in the kidney of ureters. Renal colic |
||
vas/o |
= vessel, duct, vas deferens |
|
SUBSTANCES + URINARY SIGNS + SYMPTOMS Urinary System
albumin/o |
= albumin (protein in the blood) |
- albuminuria |
azot/o |
= nitrogen |
- azotemia |
bacteri/o |
= bacteria |
- bacteriuria |
dips/o |
= thirst |
- polydipsia |
kal/o, kal/i |
= potassium |
- hyperkalemia |
ket/o, |
= ketone bodies (ketoacids and acetone) |
- ketosis |
kent/o |
|
|
lith/o |
= stone |
|
natr/o |
= sodium |
- hyponatremia |
noct/o |
= night |
- nocturia |
olig/o |
= scanty; few |
- oliguria |
py/o |
= pus |
- pyuria |
-tripsy |
= crushing |
- lithotripsy |
ur/o |
= urinary tract, urine |
- uremia |
urin/o |
= urine |
- urinary incontinence |
Note: scanty: less than sufficient, limited. |
||
Incontinence: inability to control urination function or defectation. |
SUFFIXES Urinary System
-pexy |
= fixation |
|
-uria |
= urine condition |
- albuminuria |
di-, dia- |
= complete |
- diuresis |
Note: Caffeine and alcohol are well known diuretics. |
||
-poietin |
= substance that forms |
|
PREFIXES Urinary System
extra- |
= outside, outside of |
- extracorporeal |
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM back to TOP
amini/o |
= aminion |
- aminiocentesis |
cervic/o |
= cervix, neck |
- endocervicitis |
chori/o, |
= chorion |
- chorionic |
chorion/o |
|
|
colp/o |
= vagina |
- colposcopy |
culd/o |
= culde sac |
- culdocentesis |
episi/o, vulv/o |
= vulva |
- episiotomy |
galact/o |
= milk |
- galactorrhea |
gynec/o |
= woman, femal |
- gynecomastia |
hyster/o |
= uterus, womb |
- hysterectomy |
lact/o |
= milk |
- lactation |
mamm/o, |
= breast |
- mammoplasty |
mast/o |
|
|
men/o |
= menses, menstruation |
- amenorrhea |
metr/o, |
= uterus |
- metrorrhagia |
metri/o |
|
|
my/o |
= muscle |
- myomectomy |
nat/i |
= birth |
|
obstetr/o |
= pregnancy and childbirth |
- obstetrics |
o/o |
= egg |
- oogenesis |
oophor/o |
= ovary |
- oophorectomy |
ov/o |
= egg |
- ovum |
ovary/o |
= ovary |
- ovarian |
ovul/o |
= egg |
- anovulatory |
perine/o |
= perineum |
- perineorrhaphy |
phor/o |
= to bear |
- oophoritis |
salping/o |
= fallopian tube |
- salpingectomy |
uter/o |
= uterus |
- uterine prolapse |
vagin/o, |
= vagina |
- vaginal orifice |
colp/o |
|
|
vulv/o, |
= vulva |
- vulvovaginitis |
episi/o |
|
|
lei/o |
= smooth |
- leiomyomas |
terat/o |
= monster |
- mature teratoma |
Note: a dermoid cyst lined with all cell types, including: skin, hair, teeth, and cartilage often called benign cystic teratoma |
SUFFIXES Female Reproductive System
-arche |
= beginning |
- menarche |
-cyesis |
= pregnancy |
- pseudocyesis |
-gravida |
= pregnant |
- primigravida |
-parous |
= bearing, bringing forth |
- primiparous |
-rrhea |
= discharge |
- leukorrhea |
-salpinx |
= fallopian tubes |
- pyosalpinx |
-tocia |
= labor, birth |
- dystocia |
-version |
= act of turning |
- cephalic version |
-tropin |
= stimulate |
- gonadotropin |
Note: Previa means before or in front of. Placenta Previa |
PREFIXES Female Reproductive System
dys- |
= painful |
- dyspareunia |
endo- |
= within |
- endometritis |
in- |
= in |
- involution of the uterus |
intra |
= within |
- intrauterine |
device |
|
|
multi- |
= many |
- multipara |
nulli- |
= no, not, none |
- nulligravida |
pre- |
= before |
- prenatal |
primi- |
= first |
- primipara |
retro- |
= backward |
- retroversion |
oxy- |
= rapid |
- oxytocia |
Note: Pareunia means sexual intercourse |
||
vol- |
= roll |
- involution |
Note: Involution: the uterus returns to its normal size |
andro/o |
= male |
- androgen |
balan/o |
= penis |
- balanitis |
cry/o |
= cold |
- cryogenic surgery |
crypt/o |
= hidden |
- cryptorchidism |
epididym/o |
= epididymis |
- epididymitis |
gon/o |
= seed |
- gonorrhea |
hydr/o |
= water, fluid |
- hydrocele |
arch/o, |
= testis, testicles |
- orchiectomy |
orchi/o |
|
|
pen/o |
= penis |
|
prostat/o |
= prostate gland |
|
semin/i |
= semen, seed |
- seminiferous tubules |
sperm/o, |
= spermatozoa, semen |
- spermolytic |
spermat/o |
|
|
terat/o |
= monster |
|
test/o |
= testis, testes |
|
varic/o |
= varicose veins |
|
vas/o |
= vessel, duct, vas deferent |
|
zo/o |
= animal life |
- azoospermia |
ster/o |
= type of steroid |
|
Note: Example of steroids: estrogen, cortisol, progesterone |
||
phim/o |
= muzzle |
- phimosis |
SUFFIXES Male Reproduction
-genesis |
= formation |
|
-one |
= hormone |
- testosterone |
-pexy |
= fixation, put |
- orchiopexy |
-stomy |
= new opening |
- vasovasostomy |
-spadias |
= condition of tearing or cutting |
- hypospadias |
-ferous |
= pertaining to bearing, bearing, carrying |
- seminiferous tubules |
Note: Suffixes ending in “-sis”, like “-lysis” form adjectives by dropping the “-sis” and adding “-tic” |
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM back to TOP
angi/o |
= vessel |
- angiogram |
aort/o |
= aorta |
- aortic stenosis |
arter/o, |
= artery |
- arteriosclerosis |
arteri/o |
|
|
ather/o |
= yellowish-plaque, fatty substance |
- atheroma |
atri/o |
= atrium, upper heart chamber |
- atrial |
branchi/o |
= arm |
- brachial artery |
cardi/o |
= heart |
- cardiomegaly |
cholesterol/o |
= cholesterol |
- hypercholesterolemia |
coron/o |
= heart |
- coronary arteries |
cyan/o |
= blue |
- cyanosis |
myx/o [mix] |
= mucus |
- myxoma |
ox/o |
= oxygen |
- hypoxia |
pericardi/o |
= pericardium |
- pericardiocentesis |
phleb/o |
= vein |
- phlebotomy |
rrhythm/o |
= rhythm |
- arrhythmia |
sphygm/o [spigm] |
= pulse |
- sphygmomanometer |
steth/o |
= chest |
- stethoscope |
thromb/o |
= clot |
- thrombolysis |
valvul/o, |
= valve |
- valvuloplasty |
valv/o |
|
|
vas/o |
= vessel |
- vasoconstriction |
Note: constriction means to tighten or narrow |
||
Note: Hypoxemia, also known as anoxia |
||
vascul/o |
= vessel |
- vasoconstriction |
ven/o, |
= vein |
|
ven/i |
|
|
ventricul/o |
= ventricle, lower heart chamber |
|
Integumentary System back to TOP
adip/o |
= fat |
- adipose |
albin/o |
= white |
- albinism |
caus/o |
= burn, burning |
- causalgia |
cauter/o |
= heat, burn |
- electrocautery |
cutane/o |
= skin |
- subcutaneous |
chym/o |
= pour |
- ecchymosis (ses) |
derm/o, |
= skin |
- epidermis |
dermat/o |
|
|
Note: Atopic dermatitis is marked by intense itching leading to excoriations of the skin (from scratching). Atopic means pertaining to a genetic tendency to experience an allergic reaction. |
||
diaphor/o |
= profuse sweating |
- diaphoresis |
erythem/o, |
= redness |
- erythema |
erythemat/o |
|
|
hidro/o [hee-dro] |
= sweat |
- anhidrosis |
ichthy/o [ikthee] |
= dry, scaly |
- ichthyosis |
kerat/o |
= hard |
- keratosis |
leuk/o |
= white |
- leukoplakia |
lip/o |
= fat |
- lipoma |
melan/o |
= black |
- melanocyte |
myc/o |
= fungus (fungi include yeasts, molds, + mushrooms) |
- mycosis |
nid/o |
= nest |
- pilonidal cyst |
onych/o [onik], |
= nail |
- onycholysis |
ongu/o |
|
|
Note: par means near or beside. Paronychia is the inflammation and swelling of the soft tissue around the nail and associated with torn cuticles or ingrown nails. |
||
phyt/o |
= plant |
- dermatophytosis |
pil/o, |
= hair (hair follicle) |
- pilosebaceous) |
trich/o |
|
|
sebace/o |
= gland that secrets sebum |
|
py/o |
= pus |
- pyoderma |
rhytid/o |
= wrinkle |
- rhytidectomy |
seb/o |
= sebum (oily secretion from sebaceous glands) |
- seborrhea |
squam/o [squem] |
= scale-like |
- squamous epithelium |
steat/o |
= fat |
- steatoma |
trich/o [trik] |
= hair |
- trichomycosis |
ungu/o |
= nail |
- subungual |
xanth/o [zanth] |
= yellow |
- xanthoma |
xer/o |
= dry |
- xeroderma |
SUFFIXES Skin
-derma |
= skin |
|
-elasma |
= a flat plate |
- xanthelasma |
-plakia |
= plaque |
- leukoplakia |
TABLE COLORS Skin
albin/o |
= white |
- albinism |
anthrac/o |
= black (as coal) |
- anthracosis |
chlor/o |
= green |
- chlorophyll |
cirrh/o |
= tawny yellow |
- cirrhosis |
cyan/o |
= blue |
- cyanosis |
eosin/o |
= rosy |
- eosinophil |
erythr/o |
= red |
- erythrocyte |
jaund/o |
= yellow |
- jaundice |
leuk/o |
= white |
- leukoderma |
lute/o |
= yellow |
- corpus luteum |
melan/o |
= black |
- melanocyte |
poli/o |
= gray |
= poliomyelitis |
xanth/o |
= yellow |
= xanthoma |
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM back to TOP
adenoid/o |
= adenoids |
- adenoidectomy |
alveol/o |
= alveolus, air sacs |
- alveolar |
branch/o, |
= bronchial tubes, bronchus |
|
bronchi/o |
|
|
bronchiol/o |
= bronchiole, small bronchus |
- bronchiolitis |
capn/o |
= carbon dioxide |
- hypercapnia |
coni/o |
= dust |
- pneumoconiosis |
cyan/o |
= blue |
- cyanosis |
epiglott/o |
= epiglottis |
- epiglottitis |
laryin/o |
= laryinx, voice box |
- laryngeal |
lob/o |
= lob of the lung |
- lobectomy |
mediastin/o |
= mediastinum |
- mediastinoscopy |
nas/o |
= mediastinum |
- mediastinoscopy |
orth/o |
= straight, upright |
- orthopnea |
ox/o |
= oxygen |
- hypoxia |
pector/o |
= chest |
- expectoration |
pharyng/o |
= pharynx, throat |
- pharyngeal |
phren/o |
= diaphragm |
- phrenic nerve |
Note: phrenic nerve is the motor nerve of the diaphragm |
||
pleur/o |
= pleura |
- pleurodynia |
pneum/o, |
= pleura |
- pleurodynia |
pneumon/o |
|
|
pulmon/o |
= lung |
- pulmonary |
rhin/o |
= nose |
- rhinoplasty |
sinu/o |
= sinus, cavity |
- sinusitis |
spir |
= breathing |
- spirometer |
tel/o |
= complete |
- atelectasis |
thorac/o, |
= chest |
- thoracotomy |
pector/o |
|
|
tonsill/o |
= tonsils |
- tonsillectomy |
trache/o |
= trachea, windpipe |
|
anthrac/o |
= coal |
- anthracosis |
asbest/o |
= asbestos |
- asbestosis |
silic/o |
= rocks, glass |
- silicosis |
Note: Edema means: abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces |
||
oxysm/o |
= sudden |
- paroxysmal |
SUFFIXES Respiratory System
-ema |
= condition |
- empyema |
Note: em means in |
|
|
-osmia |
= smell |
- anosmia |
-pnea |
= breathing |
- apnea |
-oxia |
= oxygen |
-anoxia |
Note: sleep apnea is sudden cessation (stop) of breathing during sleep. |
||
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves narrowing or occlusion (block off) in the upper airway |
||
-ptysis |
= spitting |
- hemoptysis |
-sphyxia |
= pulse |
- asphyxia |
-thorax |
= pleural cavity, chest |
- hemothorax |
-desis |
= bind (tie) |
- pleurodesis |
ani/o |
= size |
- anisocytosis |
bas/o |
= base (alkaline, opposite of acid) |
- basophil |
chrom/o |
= color |
- hypochromic |
coagul/o |
= clotting |
- anticoagulant |
cyst/o |
= cell |
- cytology |
eosin/o |
= red, dawn, rosy |
- eosinophil |
erythr/o |
= red |
- erythroblast |
granul/o |
= granules |
- granulocyte |
hem/o, |
= blood |
- hemolysis |
hemat/o |
|
|
hemoglobin/o |
= hemoglobin |
- hemobloginopathy |
is/o |
= same, equal |
- anisocytosis |
kary/o |
= nucleus |
- megakaryocyte |
leuk/o |
= white |
- leukopenia |
mon/o |
= one, single |
- monocyte |
morph/o |
= shape, form |
- morphology |
myel/o |
= bone marrow |
- myeloblast |
neutr/o |
= neutral (neither base or acid) |
- neutropenia |
nucle/o |
= nucleus |
- polymorphonuclear |
phag/o |
= eat, swallow |
- phagocyte |
poikil/o |
= varied, irregular |
- poikilocytosis |
sider/o |
= iron |
- sideropenia |
phere/o |
= globe, round |
- spherocytosis |
thromb/o |
= clot |
- thrombocytopenia |
SUFFIXES Blood System
-apheresis |
= removal, a carrying away |
- plasmapheresis |
-blast |
= immature, embryonic |
- monoblast |
-cytosis |
= abnormal condition of cells (increased in cells |
- macrocytosis |
-emia |
= blood condition |
- leukemia |
-globin, |
= protein |
- hemoglobin |
-globulin |
|
|
-lytic |
= pertaining to destruction |
- immunoglobulin |
-oid |
= derived from |
- myeloid |
-osis |
= abnormal condition |
- thrombosis |
-penia |
= deficiency |
- dyspenia |
-phage |
= eating, swallowing |
- macrophage |
-philia |
= attraction for (an increase in cell numbers) |
- eosinophilia |
-phoresis |
= carrying, transmission |
- electrophoresis |
-poiesis |
= formation |
- hematopoiesis |
-stasis |
= stop, control |
- hemostasis |
-crit |
= separate |
- hematocrit |
-phil |
= attraction to |
- basophil |
-plastic |
= pertaining to formation |
- hyperplastic |
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM back to TOP
calc/o |
= calcium |
- hypercalcemia |
kyph/o |
= humpback |
- kyphosis |
|
(posterior curvature in thoracic region) |
|
lamin/o |
= lamina (part of vertebral arch) |
- laminectomy |
lord/o |
= curve, swayback |
- lordosis |
|
(anterior curvature in lumbar region) |
|
lumb/o |
= loins, lower back |
- lumbar |
myel/o |
= bone marrow |
- myelopoiesis |
orth/o |
= straight |
- orthopedics |
oste/o |
= bone |
- osteitis |
scoli/o |
= crooked, bent (lateral curvature) |
- scoliosis |
spondyl/o, |
= vertebra |
- spondylosis |
vertebr/o |
|
- vertebroplasty |
rheumat/o |
= watery flow (refers to joint fluid) |
- rheumatologist |
chir/o |
= hand |
- chiropractor |
styl/o |
= pole, stake |
- styloid process |
sphen/o |
= wedge |
- sphenoid bone |
ethm/o |
= sieve; like a screen |
- ethmoid bone |
Note: Bone process is an area of bone that extends out from bone. |
||
ment/o |
= chin |
- mental foramen |
acr/o |
= extremity |
- acromion |
om/o |
= shoulder |
- acromion |
xiph/o |
= sword |
- xiphoid process |
equin/o |
= horse, clubfoot |
- talipes equinovarus |
Note: Talipes (latin talus = ankles, pes = foot), common form is talipes equinovarus |
SUFFIXES Musculoskeletal System
-blast |
= embryonic or immature |
- osteoblast |
-clast |
= to break |
- osteoclast |
-listhesis |
= slipping |
- spondylolisthesis |
-malacia |
= softening |
- osteomalacia |
-physis |
= to grow |
- epiphysis |
-porosis |
= pore, passage |
- osteoporosis |
-tome |
= instrument to cut |
- osteotome |
-ostosis |
= condition of bone |
- exostosis |
TERMS RELATED TO SPECIFIC BONES Musculoskeletal System
acetabul/o |
= acetabulum (hip socket) |
- acetabular |
calcane/o |
= calcaneus (heel) |
- calcaneal |
carp/o |
= carpals (wrist bones) |
- carpal |
clavicul/o |
= clavicle (collar bones) |
- suilavicular |
cost/o |
= rib (true, false, floating ribs) |
- ribs |
crani/o |
= cranium (skull) |
- craniotomy |
femor/o |
= femur (thigh bone) |
- femoral |
fibul/o |
= fibula (smaller lower leg) |
- fibular |
humer/o |
= humerus (upper arm bone) |
- humeral |
ili/o |
= ilium (upper part of pelvic bone) |
- iliac |
ischi/o |
= ischium (lower part of pelvic bone) |
- ischial |
malleol/o |
= malleolus (process of each side of ankle) |
- malleolar |
mandibul/o |
= mandible (lower jawbone) |
- mandibular |
maxill/o |
= maxilla (upper jawbone) |
- maxillary |
metacarp/o |
= metacarpals (hand bones) |
- metacarpectomy |
metatars/o |
= metatarsals (foot bones) |
- metatarsalgia |
olecran/o |
= olecranon (elbow) |
- olecranal |
patell/o |
= patella (kneecap) |
- patellar |
pelv/i |
= pelvis (hipbone) |
- pelvimetry |
perone/o |
= fibula (small lower leg bone) |
- peroneal |
phalang/o |
= phalanges (finger and/or toes bones) |
- phalangeal |
pub/o |
= pubis (anterior part of the pelvic bone) |
- pubic |
radi/o |
= radius (forearm bone – thumb side) |
- radial |
scapul/o |
= scapula (shoulder blade) |
- scapular |
stern/o |
= sternum (breastbone) |
- sternal |
tars/o |
= tarsal (bones of the hind foot) |
- tarsectomy |
tibi/o |
= tibia (shin bone) |
- tibial |
uln/o |
= ulna (forearm bone – little finger side) |
- ulnar |
JOINTS Musculoskeletal System
ankyl/o |
= stiff |
- anklosis |
arthr/o, |
= joint |
- arthroplasty |
articul/o |
|
- articular cartilage |
burs/o |
= bursa |
- bursitis |
chondr/o |
= cartilage |
- achondroplasia |
ligament/o |
= ligament |
- ligamentous |
rheumat/o |
= watery flow |
- rheumatologist |
synov/o |
= synovial |
- synovitis |
ten/o, |
= tendon |
- tenorrhaphy |
tendin/o |
|
- tendinitis |
pod/o |
= foot |
- podagra |
SUFFIX
-desis |
= to bind, tie, together |
- arthrodesis |
-stenosis |
= narrowing |
- spinal stenosis |
-agra |
= excessive pain |
- podagra |
MUSCLE Musculoskeletal System
fasci/o |
= fascia (forms sheaths enveloping muscle) |
- fasciectomy |
fibr/o |
= fibrous connective tissue |
- fibromyalgia |
leiomy/o |
= smooth |
- leiomyoma |
my/o |
= muscle |
- myalgia |
myocardi/o |
= heart muscle |
- myocardial |
myos/o |
= muscle |
- myocardial |
plant/o |
= sole of the foot |
- plantar flexion |
rhabdomy/o |
= skeletal (striated) muscle connection to bones |
- rhabdomyoma |
sarc/o |
= muscle and flesh |
- sarcopenia |
SUFFIXES Musculoskeletal System
-asthenia |
= lack of strength |
- myasthenia gravis |
-trophy |
= development, nourishment |
- atrophy |
PREFIXES Musculoskeletal System
ab- |
= away from |
- abduction |
ad- |
= toward |
- adduction |
dorsi |
= back |
- dorsiflexion |
poly- |
= many, much |
- polymyalgia |
SENSE ORGANS: THE EYE Structure and Fluids back to TOP
aque/o |
= water |
- aqueous humor |
blephar/o |
= eyelid |
- blepharitis |
conjuctiv/o |
= conjunctiva |
- conjunctivitis |
cor/o |
= pupil |
- anisocoria |
corne/o |
= cornea |
- corneal abrasion |
cycl/o |
= ciliary body or muscle of the eye |
- cycloplegic |
dacry/o |
= tears, tear duct |
- dacryodenitis |
ir/o, irid/o |
= iris (colored portion of the eye around the pupil) |
- iritis |
kerat/o |
= cornea |
- keratitis |
lacrim/o |
= tears |
- lacrimal |
ocul/o |
= eye |
- intraocular |
ophthalm/o |
= eye |
- ophthalmologist |
opt/o, optic/o |
= eye, vision |
- optic |
palpebr/o [pal-pee-br] |
= eyelid |
- palpebral |
pupill/o |
= pupil |
- pupillary |
papill/o |
= optic disc; nipple-like |
- papilledema |
phac/o, [fai-c] |
= lens of the eye |
- phacoemulsification |
phak/o |
|
|
retin/o |
= retina |
- retinitis |
scler/o |
= sclera (white of the eye; hard) |
- corneoscleral |
uve/o [yoo-vee] |
= uvea; vascular layer of the eye |
- uveitis |
|
(iris, ciliary body, and choroid) |
|
vitre/o [vee-tree] |
= glassy |
- vitreous humor |
CONDITIONS Sense Organs, Eye
ambly/o |
= dull, dim |
- amblyopia |
dipl/o |
= double |
- diplopia |
glauc/o [gla-c] |
= gray |
- glaucoma |
mi/o |
= smaller, less |
- miosis |
mydr/o |
= widen, enlarge |
- mydriasis |
nyct/o |
= night |
- nyctalopia |
phot/o |
= light |
- photophobia |
presby/o |
= old age |
- presbyopia |
scot/o [skot] |
= darkness |
- scotoma |
xer/o [zeer] |
= dry |
- xerophthalmia |
Note: Aphakia – absence of the lens of the eye. |
||
Pseudophakia – presence of an aritifical lens after cataract surgery |
SUFFIXES Sense Organs, Eye
-opia, |
= vision |
- hyperopia |
-opsia |
|
- hemianopsia |
-tropia |
= to turn |
- esotropia |
-edema |
= swelling |
- papilledema |
PREFIXES Sense Organs, Eye
my- |
= to shut |
- myopia |
SENSE ORGANS: THE EAR
acous/o |
= hearing |
- acoustic |
audi/o |
= hearing; the sense of hearing |
- audiogram |
audit/o |
= hearing |
- auditory |
aur/o, |
= ear |
- aural |
auricul/o |
|
|
chochle/o |
= cochlea |
-cochlear |
mastoid/o |
= mastoid process |
- mastoiditis |
myring/o, |
= eardrum, tympanic membrane |
- myringitis |
tympan/o |
|
|
ossicul/o |
= ossicle |
- ossiculoplasty |
ot/o |
= ear |
- otic |
salping/o |
= vestibule tube, auditory tube |
- salpingopharyngeal |
staped/o |
= stapes (third bone of the middle ear) |
- stapedectomy |
tympan/o |
= eardrum, tympanic membrane |
- tympanoplasty |
vestibule/o |
= vestibule |
- vestibulocochlear |
SUFFIXES: The Ear
-acusis, -cusis |
= hearing |
- hyperacusis |
-meter |
= instrument to measure |
- audiometer |
-otia |
= ear condition |
- macrotia |
aden/o |
= gland |
- adenectomy |
adren/o |
= adrenal gland |
- adrenaopathy |
gonad/o |
= sex glands (ovaries and testes) |
- gonadotropin |
pancreat/o |
= pancreas |
- pancreatectomy |
parathyroid/o |
= parathyroid gland |
- parathyroidectomy |
pituitar/o |
= pituitary gland; hypophysis |
- hypopituitarism |
thyr/o, |
= thyroid gland |
- thyrotropic hormone |
thyroid/o |
|
|
RELATED TERMS Endrocrine System
andr/o |
= male |
- androgen |
calc/o, |
= calcium |
- hypercalcemia |
calci/o |
|
|
cortic/o |
= cortex, outer region |
- corticosteroid |
crin/o |
= secrete |
- endocrinologist |
dips/o |
= thirst |
- polydipsia |
estr/o |
= female |
- estrogenic |
gluc/o |
= sugar |
- glucagon |
glyc/o |
= sugar |
- hyperglycemia |
home/o |
= sameness |
- homeostasis |
hormon/o |
= hormone |
- hormonal |
kal/i, kal/o |
= potassium |
- hypokalemia |
lact/o |
= milk |
- prolactin |
myx/o |
= mucus |
- myxedema |
natr/o |
= sodium |
- hyponatremia |
phys/o |
= growing |
- hypophysectomy |
somat/o |
= body |
- somatotropin |
ster/o |
= solid structure |
- steroid |
toc/o |
= childbirth |
- oxytocin |
toxic/o |
= poison |
- thyrotoxicosis |
ur/o |
= urine |
- antidiurectic hormone |
SUFFIXES Endrocrine System
-agon |
= assemble, gather together |
- glucagon |
-emia |
= blood condition |
- hypoglycemia |
-in, -ine |
= a substance |
- epinephrine |
-tropin |
= stimulating the function of |
- adrenocorticotropin |
-uria |
= urine condition |
- glycosuria |
PREFIXES Endrocrine System
eu- |
= good, normal |
- euthyroid |
hyper- |
= excessive; above |
- hyperkalemia |
hypo- |
= deficient; below, under; less than normal |
- hypoinsulinism |
oxy- |
= rapid, sharp, acid |
- oxytocin |
pan- |
= all |
- panhypopituitarism |
tetra- |
= four |
- tetraiodothyronine |
tri- [try] |
= three |
- triiodothyronine |
cerebell/o |
= cerebellum |
- cerebellar |
cerebro/o |
= cerebrum |
- cerebrospinal fluid |
dur/o |
= dura meter |
- subdural hematoma |
Note: hematoma: collections of blood |
||
encephal/o |
= brain |
- encephalitis |
gli/o |
= glial cells |
-glioblastoma |
lept/o |
= thin, slender |
-leptomeningeal |
mening/o, |
= membranes, meninges |
- meningeal |
meningi/o |
|
|
myel/o |
= spinal cord, bone marrow |
- poliomyelitis |
poli/o |
= gray matter |
- poliomyelitis |
pont/o |
= pons (bridge, part of brainstem) |
- cerebellopontine |
-ine |
= pertaining to |
- cerebellopontine |
radicul/o |
= nerve root (of spinal nerves) |
- radiculopathy |
thalam/o |
= thalamus |
- thalamic |
thec/o [theec] |
= sheath (refers to meninges) |
- intrathecal injection |
vag/o |
= vagus nerve |
- vagal |
brachi/o |
= arm |
|
astr/o |
= star |
- astrocytes |
SIGNS AND SYMPTONS Nervous System
alges/o, |
= excessive sensitivity |
-analgesia |
-algesia |
|
|
-algia |
= pain |
- neuralgia |
caus/o |
= burning |
- causalgia |
comat/o |
= deep sleep |
- comatose |
esthesi/o, |
= feeling, nervous sensation |
- anesthesia |
-esthesia |
|
|
par- |
= abnormal (from para) |
- paresthesia |
|
|
|
Note: anesthetics are agents that reduce / eliminate sensation |
||
kines/o, |
= movement |
- bradykinesia |
kinesi/o |
|
|
-kinesia |
|
|
-kinesis |
|
|
-kinetics |
|
|
-lepsy |
= seizure |
- epilepsy |
narc/o |
= stupor |
- narcolepsy |
ex/o |
= word, phrase |
- dyslexia |
-paresis |
= weakness |
- hemiparesis |
-phasia |
= speech |
- aphasia |
-plegia |
= paralysis |
- hemiplegia |
quadri/o |
= four |
- quadriplegia |
-praxia |
= action |
- apraxia |
-in |
= a substance |
- myelin sheath |
de- |
= lack, of down, less, removal |
- demyelination |
syncope/o |
= to cut off, cut short |
- syncopal |
Note: Syncope [sin-ca-pee] means fainting; sudden and temporary loss of consciousness caused by inadequate flow of blood to the brain. |
OTHER Nervous System
tax/o |
= order, coordination |
- ataxia |
LYMPHATIC AND IMMUNE SYSTEMS back to TOP
all/o |
= other |
- allergic |
immun/o, |
= protection |
- autoimmune disease |
-phylaxis |
|
|
lymph/o |
= lymph |
- lymphopoieses |
lymphaden/o |
= lymph node (gland) |
- lymphadenitis |
splen/o |
= spleen |
- splenomegaly |
thym/o |
= thymus gland |
- thymoma |
tox/o |
= poison |
- toxic |
PREFIXES Lymphatic and Immune Systems
ana- |
= again, anew |
- anaphylaxis |
inter- |
= between |
- interstitial fluid |
SUFFIXES Lymphatic and Immune Systems
-phylaxis, |
= protection |
- anaphylaxis |
immun/o |
|
|
-oid |
= pertaining to resembling / derived |
- lymphoid |
-stitial |
= pertaining to standing / positioned |
- interstitial fluid |
CANCER MEDICINE (ONCOLOGY) back to TOP
alveo/o |
= small sac |
- alveolar |
cac/o [kek] |
= bad |
- cachexia |
carcin/o |
= cancer, cancerous |
- carninoma in situ |
cauter/o |
= burn, heat |
- electrocauterization |
chem/o [keem] |
= chemical, drug |
- chemotherapy |
cry/o |
= cold |
- cryosurgery |
cyst/o |
= sac of fluid |
- cystic tumor |
fibr/o |
= fibers |
- fibrosarcoma |
follicul/o |
= small glandular sacs |
- follicular |
fung/i |
= fungus, mushroom |
- fungating tumor |
medull/o |
= soft, inner part |
- medullary tumor |
mucos/o |
= mucous membrane |
- mucositis |
mut/a |
= genetic change |
- mutation |
mutagen/o |
= causing genetic change |
- mutagenic |
necr/o |
= death |
- necrotic |
onc/o |
= tumor |
- oncology |
papill/o |
= nipple-like |
- papillary |
pharmac/o |
= chemical, drug |
- pharmacokinetics |
plas/o |
= formation |
- dysplastic |
ple/o |
= many, more |
- pleomorphic |
polyp/o |
= polyp |
- polypoid tumor |
prot/o |
= first |
- protocol |
radi/o |
= rays |
- radiation |
sarc/o |
= flesh, connective tissue |
- osteosarcoma |
scirrh/o [skier] |
= hard |
- scirrhous |
xer/o |
= dry |
- xerostomia |
SUFFIXES Cancer Medicine (oncology)
-blastoma |
= immature tumor |
- retinoblastoma |
-genesis |
= formation |
- angiogenesis |
-oma |
= mass, tumor |
- adenocarcinoma |
-plasia, |
= formation, growth |
- hyperplasia |
-plasm |
|
- neoplasm |
-suppression |
= to stop |
- myelosupression |
-therapy |
= treatment |
- radiotherapy |
-ation |
= process |
- mutation |
PREFIX Cancer Medicine (oncology)
ana- |
= backward |
- anaplasia |
apo- |
= off, away |
- apoptosis |
brachy- |
= short (distance) |
- brachytherapy |
epi- |
= upon (on the surface) |
- epidermoid |
meta- |
= beyond; change |
- metastasis |
tele- |
= far |
- teletherapy |
RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE back to TOP
is/o |
= same |
- radioisotope |
pharmaceut/o |
= drug |
- radiopharmaceutical |
Note: radi/o stands for radioactive |
||
radi/o |
= x-rays |
- radiographer |
son/o |
= sound |
- hysterosonogram |
ster/o, stere/o |
= solid structure; steroid |
- stereotaxis |
therapeut/o |
= treatment |
- therapeutic |
vitr/o |
= glass |
- in vitro |
viv/o |
= life |
- in vivo |
Note: Stereotaxis – stereotactic surgery; stereotactic – using of 3planes in neurosurgery for locating points |
SUFFIXES Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
-gram |
= record |
- angiogram |
-graphy |
= process of recording |
- computed tomography |
-lucent |
= to shine |
- radiolucent |
-opaque |
= obscure |
- radiopaque |
PREFIXES Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
echo- |
= a repeated sound |
- echocardiography |
ultra- |
= beyond |
- ultrasonography |