Anatomical Word Roots
Many of the words used in anatomy are derived from either Latin
or Greek. Those nouns that are derived from Latin have different
endings depending upon whether they are singular or plural. Latin
nouns also have different endings depending upon the gender of
the noun (masculine, feminine, or neuter). There is also a
separate possessive form for each singular and each plural.
These nouns demonstrate the most common endings:
Feminine Nouns
(ending in –a)
Singular
Ulna- bone that forms the
elbow
Plural
Ulnae- bones that form
the elbows
Possessive: “of the “
Ulnae- of the bone
singular
Possessive: “of the” plural
Ulnarum- of the bones
Masculine Nouns
(ending in –us)
Metacarpus- ankle
Neuter Nouns
(ending in –um)
Retinaculum- network
Metacarpi- ankles
Retinacula- networks
Metacarpi- of the ankle
Retinaculi- of the network
Metacarporum- of the
ankles
Retinaculorum- of the
networks
These neuter nouns have unusual endings:
Singular
Femur- thigh bone
Plural
Femora- thigh bones
Possessive: “of the” singular
Femoris- of the thigh bone
Possessive: “of the” plural
Femorum- of the thigh bones
Foramen- opening
Foramina- openings
Foraminis-of the opening
Foraminum- of the openings
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
A
a, an = without, not (G)
ab = away, from, off
abduct, abducens = lead away (ab+duco)
acetabulum = small vinegar cup
acetum = vinegar, i.e. acetic acid
acinus = grape seed
acro = apex, peak (G)
ad, af = toward; adduct, afferent
aero = air
af = to, toward
ala, alae = wing(s)
alb = white
all(o) = other, else
allel = of one another (G)
alveolus = hollowed out, small pit
ambi = both
amoebo = change (G)
Top
amphi = around (G)
amylo = starch (G)
an(a) = up, back, again
andro = male (G)
angin = choked (G)
angio = vessel (G)
aniso = unequal (G)
ante = before, previous to, in front of
anti = against (G)
ap, api = tip, extremity
apo, ap, aph = away from, off
aponeurosis = from nerve (neura originally meant fibrous structures
appendix = hangs, dangles
aqua = water
arachne = spider
arbor = tree
arch = arch, primitive, beginning (G)
areola = little area
Top
arthron, articular = joint (G)
articulus, artis = joint
aspera = rough
atlas = to bear
atrium = entrance hall
auris, auricular = ear, ear-shaped
auto = self (G)
ax, axi, axo = axis, aisle (G)
axilla = armpit
Top
B
bacillo = stick, rod
bi, bin = two
bio = life
blasto = bud, rudiment
blepharo = eyelash
brachium = arm (Greek: brachion)
brachy = short
brevis = short
bronchus = windpipe
bucca = cheek
buccinator/buccina = trumpet
Top
C
caeca (ceca) = blind
calcaneus (calcaneum), calx = heel
callosum = hard skin
capill(i) hair
caput, capitalis, -cipital, = head; capitis = of the head; cephalic = head (G)
carcin = cancer
cardio = of the heart
carneae = of flesh
carpus = wrist (Gr karpos)
caryo (karyo) = nucleus (G)
cata = down (G); catabolism is to break down molecules
caud(a) = tail (cadere = to fall)
cava, caverna = hollow
celiac = body cavity
centri = center (G)
cephalos, ceps = head (G kephale); caput, capitalis, -cipital, capitis = head
cervix, cervicis = neck
Top
chondros = cartilage (G granule); e.g., chondrocyte
choroid = membrane
chrom(at)o = color (G)
chrono = time (G)
cili = eyelash
circum, circus = around, about, circle
coccyx = cuckoo (Gr kokkyx), curves like a cuckoo's beak;
cochlea = snail
coelo = hollow (G)
colliculus = little hill
collo = glue (G)
condyle = knuckle, knob (G)
co, con, col = with, together
concha = shell
corn = horn
corona/coronoid = crown
coronary = pertaining to a crown
corpus, corpora = body(ies)
cortico = bark (as in tree)
Top
costa = rib
coxa, coxae = hip/s
cranio = skull (G)
cribiform = sieve-like
cricoid = ring-like
crus, cruralis = leg(s)
crux, crucis = cross, torture
cubitus = elbow (cubit = tip of finger to elbow)
cutis, cutaneous = skin, to the skin
cyano = blue
cyst = cavity
cyte, cyto = cell (G kutos)
Top
D
dact = finger (G)
deci = ten
deferens = carry down (misnomer with ductus deferens)
deltoid = triangle shape
dendro, dendron = tree (G)
dens = tooth
dermis = skin (G)
desm = bond (G)
di = two
dia = through (G)
diaphragm = between partition, fence
diplo = twin
dis = apart, away from
dorsum, dorsal = back
ductus = leading
duodenum twelve finger lengths
dura = tough
dys = inseparable (G)
Top
E
e, ec, ex = out from, out of, exit
ecto = without, ouside
ef, ex = out of, from
encephalon = brain
enchyma = infusion (G)
em, en = in, on
endo, ento = within, home (G)
entero = intestine
epi = upon, over, beside (G epi, eph, ep)
epididymis = upon testes (G epi+didymos = upon paired)
epithelium = upon nipple
equus = horse
erythro = red (G)
esophagus = “I shall carry” (G)
ethmoid = sieve-like
eu =well, proper
ex(o) = outside, outer layer
Top
F
falci = sickle
fasces, fascia = bands
fasciculus = a bundle
femur, femoris = thigh, of thigh
fer, ferrous = carry, bear
ferri = iron
fibula = pin for holding clothes together (G perone)
fil = thread
fimbria = fringe
fissi = split, cleft
flagellum = whip
flavo = yello
foramen/foramina = hole/s
fornix = arch, fold, cellar, vault
fossa = depression, trench, ditch
fructi = fruit, shrub
fuge = avoiding
fundus = top, rounded portion of an organ
fungus = mushroom
furca = fork, to biFURcate
fusi = spindle
Top
G
galacto = milk (G)
gall = rooster
gameto = spouse, marriage
ganglion = swelling under the skin
gaster, gastro = stomach, belly-shaped (G)
gastrocnemius = belly of leg (sural region)
genital = of birth, generation
geno = race
genu = knee, as in genuflect
germino = seed, grow
gero old man (G)
gest = carried
gland = little acorn (glans)
glauco = gray-green
glenoid = socket form
glom = ball
glossa = tongue (G)
gloutous, glute = rump (G)
gono = offspring
gram, graph = writing, written (G)
gyn = female
gyrus = circle, turning, round
gracilis = gracile, slender
Top
H
hallux, hallucis = big toe
haplo = single (G)
hapto = touch (G)
haustus = drunk up
helico = spiral (G)
hem, hemato = blood (G)
hetero = different, other of two (G)
hepatic = relating to liver
histo = sheet, web, tissue (G)
holo = entire (G)
homo, homeo = alike, same (G)
hormo = excite
humor = fluid (G)
humerus = shoulder
hyalo = glass, crystal (G)
hydro = water (G)
hymeno = membrane (G)
hyper = over, above (G)
hypno = sleep (G)
hypo = under, beneath (G)
Top
I
ichthyo = fish (G)
iion, idium = small
ileum = twisted
ilium, ilio, iliac = flank
im = not
incus = anvil
infra = below
infundibulum = funnel
inguen, inguinis = groin, abdominal
innominate = unnamed (in+nomen)
inter = between
intra = within, inside
ischium, sciatic = hip (Gr ischion = hip)
Iso = euql, same
Itis =inflammation
Top
J
Jejunus = hungry, wanting, empty
Jugular = collar bone
Juxta = beside
Top
K
Karyo = neucleus, nut
Kera, cera = horn (G), as in keratin
Kilo = thousand (G)
Kineto = movement
Top
L
Labium, labia = lip
Lacrima = tear
Lact = milk
Lacuna = cavity in bone; empty space, missing part; gap
lamella = little leaf or plate
lamin = plate
larynx = gullet, to scream
latissimus = widest
latus, lateralis = side (lateral, latitude)
lecith = egg yolk
lemma = bark, husk (G)
leuko = white (G)
leva = raise
ligamentum = bandage (ligare = to bind, bone to bone in anatomy)
lingua = tongue
lip, lipos = fat (G)
litho = stone (G)
lobo =lobe
logy = discourse, speak
lopho = crest
lumbus, lumbar = loin, lower back
lumi = light
lunate, lunaris = moon, moon-shaped
luteo = yellow
lysis, lyso = break apart, dissolve, loosening, solution (G)
Top
M
macro = large, long (Gr makros)
macula = spot
magna, magnus, magnum = great
malleus/malleolus = hammer/little hammer
mamma = breast
manubrium = handle
manus = hand, as in manufacture
masseter = chew
mastoid = breast-form
maximus, max = greatest (superlative of magnus)
meatus = opening, pathway, passage
medialus, medi, mesos = middle (G)
medulla = marrow, pith, the in the middle
mega = large
meio = less (G)
melano = black (G)
meniscus = crescent (G meniskos, mene = moon)
mentum = chin
mero, mere, merous = part (G)
mesentery = around intestine (G mes+ enteron)
meso = middle (G)
Top
meta = beyond (next, with, after, over, between)
metacarpi = beyond the wrist
metra = uterus
micro = small (G), Unit: millionth
milli = thousandth
minimus, min = least
mitos = thread
morph = shape (G)
multus, multi = much, many
mut = change
myco, myceto, myces = fungus
myo = muscle
Top
N
nan(o), nann = dwarf (G), unit- billionth
nasus = nose
nate – born
navi = ship
nauti = ship
ne(o) = new
necro = dead
nephro = kidney
neuron = nerve, sinew (G)
nigri = black
nom = name
noto = back (G)
nutri = nourish
Top
O
obturatus = closed (obturo = I stop up), the obturator foramen is closed up by a membrane
oculus = eye
odonto = tooth
olegcranon = elbow + head
oligo = few (G)
omo = shoulder
onco = mass (G)
oo, ovo = egg (G)
opthalmos = eye
orbis, orbicualaris = circle
oris = mouth
ortho = straight (G)
os, ossis (osteo) = bone (G)
osis = condition (G)
osmo = pushing
oste(o) = bone (G)
oto = ear
Top
P
palatum = palate, taste
palma = palm of hand; e.g., palmar region of manus
palpate = touch or feel (palpo)
palpebrae = eyelid
papilla = nipple
para = beside, near, apart, beyond (G)
pari = equal
pariet = wall
parotid = near ear
path(o) = suffering
patella = dish-shaped or little plate
pectoralis, pectus = breast
ped, pes = foot (pes, pedis);
pelvis = basin
penna, pinna = feather
pepti = cook, digest
per = through
Top
peri = around
peroneus = pin, fibula
phago = eat, devour (G)
phalanx, phalanges = finger/s, toe/s (G)
pharynx = throat
pheno = visible (G)
Phrenic = diaphragm, frenzy
philo(us) = love
pia = delicate, tender
pico = small (I), unit trillionth
pineal = pine cone-like
pinna = feather, also penna, as in a pennate muscle
piriform = flame-shaped (pyro Gr)
plantaris, planta = sole of foot
plasma = something shaped or molded
platysma = flat
pleura = side, rib
Top
plexus = braid, twining
pneumo = lung, air
pod = foot (G pous, podos); ped, pes = foot
pollex, pollicis = strong; refers to digit I of the manus: the thumb
poly = much, many (G)
pons = bridge
popliteal = behind knee (poples, poplitis = ham), a ham is the thigh cut of meat
post = after, beyond
pre, pro = before, in front of
prepuce = foreskin
profundus = deep
prostate = stand before- the prostate stands before the bladder
prostrate = to lay flat
protero = before (G)
proto = first (G)
pseudo = false (G)
pterygoid = wing-form
pubis, pubes = adult or hair on chin
pulmonarius = lung
pylorus = gatekeeper
Top
Q
quad, quadratus = four, four-sided
Top
R
rami = branch
raphe = seam (G)
rectus = straight
rete = net; reticulum = little net; retinaculum = band, tether
retinaculum = band, tether, halter
reni = kidney
rete = net
rhino = nose
roseo = rose, red
Top
S
sagitta = arrow
saphenous = the Gr saphenes = visible
sarco = flesh (Gr sarkos)
sartor = tailor (sarcio = mend)
scapula = dig (G), the bone is spade-shaped
scleri = hard
sella = seat, saddle
seminalis, semen = seed
semi = half
septic(o) = decaying
septum = wall
serra = saw
sesamoid = seed-shaped, bones formed in tendons like the patella and pisiform
soleus = sole-like (solea = sandal)
soma(to) = body (G)
speci = type
Top
spermi = seed
sphenoid = wedge-form
spici = spike
spini = spine
spirili = twisted
spumi = foam
squam = flat
stapes = stirrup
stasis, stat = stop (G)
steno = narrow (G)
sternum = breast of a man
stratum = layer, pl. is strata
stylo = pen, column
sub = under
sulci = furrow
supinus = turned or thrown backward
supra, super = above, over
sura = calf of leg
sym, syn = together (it takes two!) (G)
symphysis = grow together (Gr phyo = grow)
Top
T
talus = ankle (aka astragalus in all tetrapods except humans)
tarsus = ankle (Gr tarsos = any flat surface; wicker basket)
tele(o) = far, end
tendon = stretched, tens- to hold
ter = three
teres = rounded, smooth
testa = brick, tile, shell
therm = heat
thyroid = large shield shape
tibia = musical pipe
tome, tomy = cut (G)
ton = stretch, tension (G)
toxi = poison (G)
trabecula, trabeculae = little beam(s)
trachea = rough
trans = across
trapezius = four-sided like a table
tri = three
trochanter/trecho = runner/to run (G)
trochlea = pulley
troph = nourish (G)
tubercle = bump (tuberculum, tuber = a swelling)
tuberosity = bulb, roughened area (tuberosus = bulb)
tunic = cover, garment
Top
U
ula, ule, ella, ullus, llium = small
ulna = elbow
umbilicus = navel
uni = one
uredo = itch, blight
uterus = womb
uvula = little grape
Top
V
vacca, vacci = cow
vacuo = empty
vagina = sheath
vagus = wandering
vas, vasa = vessel
vast = great, large (vastus = waste)
venter, ventralis = belly
ventricle = little belly (ventriculus, venter)
vertebrae = joints
vesico = bladder
viscera = organ, entrails
vomer = plow blade
Top
W
Top
X
xiphoid = sword-shaped (G)
Top
Y
Top
Z
zygo = joined, connected (G)
zyme = leaven (G)