DELMAR’S AUDIOTAPE SET FOR MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Learning medical terminology should be a fun and exciting experience. It is very similar to
learning a foreign language because many of the word elements and eponyms—such as
Alzheimer’s disease (_alts’ hi_ me_rz)—come from foreign languages.
The audiotape set can be used with any medical terminology textbook and/or medical
terminology program. However, please keep in mind that not all of the word elements or
words appear in every medical terminology textbook.
The information is divided into sections that are completely independent of one another.
Each section begins with the word elements. The reason for this is quite simple—knowing
how to define and spell medical word elements makes learning the bigger medical words so
much easier. Be sure to study and learn the word elements for each section before going on
to the next section of words.
Students are encouraged to listen to the tapes as often as they possibly can in order to
become more proficient with the word elements, definitions, pronunciations, etc. for the
terminology associated with the human body. Work on pronouncing the word elements
and words as much as possible because being able to pronounce these words will help you
make that all important mental image of these words in your brain.
It should be made clear that these tapes are to be additional help and should in no way
replace the other study methods suggested by the instructor of the program.
Let’s begin our exploration of medical terminology.
SECTION 1 WORD BUILDING
The following words are provided as an introduction to show that many medical words are
constructed of word elements. Word elements include prefixes, suffixes, and root or stem
words. The stem or root word usually denotes the body part. Prefixes are placed before a
root or stem word to modify the root or stem. Suffixes are placed at the end of a root or
stem word to explain what is happening to the root or stem word. Some of these word
elements may be familiar to the student.
All of the words given in this first section have the same suffix ending, ology (o_l o_ je_),
which means study of. A slash (/) shown in a word element in printed text will indicate a
combining form that is made up of a root element with a combining vowel. Removal of the
combining vowel often takes place when the combining form is put with a suffix that begins
with the same vowel. The removal of the combining vowel does not change the meaning of
the root element in any way.
Here we go:
biology (bi_ o_l’ o_ je_) is the study of life and living things
bi/o means life
biology
cardiology (ka_r de_ o_l’ o_ je_) is the study of the physiology and pathology of the heart
cardi/o means heart
cardiology
cytology (si_ to_l’o_ je_) is the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells
cyt/o means cell
cytology
gastrology (ga_s tro_l’ _o je_) is the study of the function and diseases of the stomach
gastr/o means stomach
gastrology
histology (hi_s to_l’ o_ je_) is the study of the microscopic structure of tissue
hist/o means tissue
histology
neurology (nu_ ro_l’ o_ je_) is the study of the nervous system
neur/o means nerves, nervous system
neurology
pathology (pa_ tho_l’ o_ je_) is the study of the nature and cause of disease which involves
change in structures and function
path/o means disease
pathology
psychology (si_ ko_l’ o_ je_) is the study of mental processes both normal and abnormal and
their effects upon behavior
psych/o means mind
psychology
Now that you have learned that o/logy means study of, when you see it at the end of a word,
you will know that the word means the study of whatever body part the root word means.
Let’s look at another suffix ending—ologist. This suffix is actually made up of two suffixes:
o/log, which means study of, and -ist, which means one who. So, o/logist means one who
studies or one who specializes. With this suffix at the end of each of the root words given in
the previous section, we would have the name of the person who specializes in this area.
For example:
biologist (bi_ o_l’ o_ ji_st) is a specialist in biology
bi/o means life
biologist
cardiologist (ka_r de_ o_l’ o_ ji_st) is a physician specializing in the treatment of heart disease
card/i means heart
cardiologist
cytologist (si_ to_l’ o_ ji_st) is a person trained in cytology
cyt/o means cell
cytologist
gastrologist (ga_s tro_l’ o_ ji_st) is the person who specializes in the study of the function and
diseases of the stomach
gastr/o means stomach
gastrologist
histologist (hi_s to_l’ o_ ji_st) is a specialist in the study of cells and microscopic tissues
hist/o means tissue
histologist
neurologist (nu_ ro_l’ o_ ji_st) is a specialist in diseases of the nervous system
neur/o means nerves or nervous system
neurologist
pathologist (pa_ tho_l’ _o ji_st) is a specialist in diagnosing the abnormal change in tissues
removed during operations and postmortem examinations
path/o means disease
pathologist
psychologist (si_ ko_l’ o_ ji_st) is one who is trained in methods of psychological analysis,
therapy, and treatment
psych/o means mind
psychologist
Now let’s take the root words previously used and see how they can be put with other
suffixes.
bi/o means life
biohazard means anything that is harmful to man
hazard means harmful
biohazard
biolysis (bi_ o_l’ _i si_s) means the chemical decomposition of living tissue by the action of
living organisms
-lysis means decomposition, setting free, separation, destruction
biolysis
biometry (bi_ o_m’ e_ tre_) means application of statistics to biological science
-metry means to measure
biometry
cardi/o means heart
cardioaccelerator (kar” de_ o_ a_k se_l’ e_r a_ to_r) means that which increases the rate of the
heartbeat
accelerator means to speed up
cardioaccelerator
cardiolysis (ka_r de_ o_l’ _i si_s) means an operation to separate adhesions constricting the
heart
-lysis means destruction of
cardiolysis
cardiomegaly (kar_” de_ o_ me_g’ a_ le_) means enlargement of the heart
-megaly means to enlarge
cardiomegaly
cyt/o means cell
cytobiology (si_” to_ bi_ o_l’ o_ je_) means the biology of cells
biology is the study of life
cytobiology
cytolysis (si_ to_l’ _i si_s) means the dissolution or destruction of living cells
-lysis means destruction of
cytolysis
cytometry (si_ to_m’ e_ tre_) means the counting and measuring of cells
-metry means to measure
cytometry
gastr/o means stomach
gastrocamera (ga_s” tro_ ka_m’ e_ ra_) means a camera small enough to be swallowed that is
used to photograph the inside of the stomach
gastrocamera
gastrolysis (ga_s tro_l’ _i si_s) means the surgical breaking of adhesions between the stomach
and adjoining structures
-lysis means destruction of
gastrolysis
gastromegaly (ga_s” tro_ me_g’ a_ le_) means enlargement of the stomach
-megaly means to enlarge
gastromegaly
hist/o means tissue
histochemistry (hi_s” to_ ke_m’ _s
i tre_) means the study of the chemistry of cells and tissues
hist/o means tissue
histochemistry
histolysis (hi_s to_l’ _i si_s) means the disintegration of tissues
-lysis means destruction
histolysis
histotome (hi_s’ to_ to_m) means an instrument for cutting tissue into thin slices for
microscopic study
-tom means to cut
-e means instrument (in this word) and/or noun marker
histotome
neur/o means nerve
neuroallergy (nu_ ro_ a_l’ e_r je_) means an allergy in nervous tissue
allergy is an abnormal immune response to a substance
neuroallergy
neurolysis (nu_ ro_l’ _i _i s) means the loosening of adhesions surrounding a nerve
-lysis means destruction of
neurolysis
neurotome (nu_’ ro_ to_m) means a fine knife used in the division of a nerve
-tom means to cut
-e means instrument (in this word) and/or noun marker
neurotome
path/o means disease, feeling, or suffering
pathoanatomy (pa_th” o_ a_ na_t’ o_ me_) means the anatomical pathology
anatomy is the study of the structure of living organisms
pathoanatomy
pathogen (pa_ th’ o_ je_n) means a substance capable of producing a disease
-gen means to produce or originate
pathogen
pathophobia (pa_ th o_ fo_’ be_ a_) means a morbid fear of disease
-phobia means fear
pathophobia
psych/o means mind
psychogenic (si_ ko_ je_n’ _i k) means the mental origin or development of the mind
-gen means to produce or originate
-ic means pertaining to (adjective suffix)
psychogenic
psychometry (si_ ko_m’ e_ tre_) means the measurement of psychological variables such as
intelligence, behavior, aptitude, and emotional reactions
-metry means to measure
psychometry
psychosocial (si_” ko_ so_’ sha_l) means related to both psychological and social factors
psychosocial
The importance of learning how to spell, pronounce, and define these word elements cannot
be emphasized enough. These word elements are the key to becoming a successful medical
language expert.
Now let’s look at a few prefixes to see how these word elements can modify the meaning of
a word. Remember, a prefix modifies the root word.
a-, an- means without or not
anacidity (a_n” a_ si_d’ _i te_) means abnormal deficiency of acidity
anacidity
analgesia (a_n” a_l je_’ ze_ a_) means the absence of a normal sense of pain
algesia means sense of pain or sensitivity to pain
analgesia
apathy (a_p’ a_ the_) means a lack of emotion or feeling
-path means feeling
apathy
hyper- means over, above, increased
hyperammonia (hi_” pe_r a_m mo_ ne_’ a_) means an excess of ammonia in the blood
hyperammonia
hyperesthesia (hi_” pe_r e_s the_’ ze_ a_) means increased sensitivity to pain or touch
-esthesia means sensation
hyperesthesia
hypo- means under, below, decreased
hypoacidity (hi_” po_ a_ si_d’ _i te_) means decreased acid in the stomach
hypoacidity
hypoglossal (hi_” po_ glo_s’ a_l) means situated under the tongue
-glossal means pertaining to the tongue
hypoglossal
inter- means between
intercostal (i_n” te_r ko_s’ ta_l) means between the ribs
-cost means ribs
-al means pertaining to
intercostal
interpolar (i_n te_r po_’ la_r) means between two poles
-polar means pertaining to poles
interpolar
intra- means within, inside
intracostal (i_ tra_ ko_s’ ta_l) means on the inner surface of the ribs
-cost means ribs
-al means pertaining to
intracostal
intraoral (i_n tra_ o_r’ a_l) means within the mouth
oral means pertaining to the mouth
intraoral
This ends the section on Word Building. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented. Remember, the key to mastering medical
terminology is mastering word elements.
SECTION 2 WHOLE BODY TERMINOLOGY
The following word elements are used in relationship to the whole body. Remember that
one of the keys to learning medical words is to be able to pronounce, spell, and define as
many word elements as you can. In printed text the slash (/) indicates a combining form;
the hyphen (-) before indicates a suffix; and the hyphen (-) after indicates a prefix. Here
we go:
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used.
Listen as each word element is being pronounced.)
abdomin/o (a_b do_m i_ no_) means abdomen
abdomin/o
anter/o (a_n te_r o_) means before or in front of
anter/o
cardi/o (ka_r de_ o_) means heart
cardio
caud/o (kaw do_) means tail
caudo
chondr/o (ko_n dro_) means cartilage
chondro
crani/o (kra_ ne_ o_) means head or skull
cranio
crin (kri_n) means to secrete
crin
cyt/o (si_ to_) means cell
cyto
dist/o (di_s to_) means far
disto
dors/o (do_r so_) means back
dorso
-e_ means instrument and/or noun suffix
e
end/o (e_n do_) means inside or within
endo
enter/o (e_n te_r o_) means intestine
entero
epi- (e_p _i ) means upon or over
epi
gastr/o (ga_s tro_) means stomach
gastro
hyp/o (hi_ po_) means under, below, beneath
hypo
-ic (i_k) is one of the adjective suffixes meaning pertaining to
ic
ili/o (i_l e_ o_) means ilium, hipbone. This is not to be confused with the ileo (pronounced the
same way but spelled _i le_o_) which is the word element for the ileum, spelled _i le_u_m, the last
and longest part of the small intestine.
ilio
infer/o (i_n fe_r o_) means beneath or below
infero
inguin/o (i_ng gwi_ no_) means groin
inguino
integument (i_n te_g” u_ me_nt) means skin
integument
later/o (la_t e_r o_) means side
latero
lumb/o (lu_m bo_) means lower back
lumbo
medi/o (me_ de_ o_) means middle
medio
musculo (mu_s ku_ lo_) means muscle
musculo
nas/o (na_ zo_) means nose
naso
nervo (ne_r vo_) means nerve
nervo
orbit/o (o_r bi_ to_) means circle, orbit, bony cavity or socket
orbito
or/o (o_r o_) means mouth
oro
path/o (pa_th o_) means disease, feeling, suffering
patho
pelv/o (pe_l vo_) means pelvis
pelvo
-plasm (pla_ zm) means formation
plasm
poster/o (po_s’ te_r o_) means back, after, behind
postero
proxim/o (pro_k si_ mo_) means nearest point or origin
proximo
retr/o (re_t ro_) means behind or backward
retro
skelet/o (ske_l e_ to_) means skeleton
skeleto
super/o (su_ pe_r o_) means above or higher than
supero
thorac/o (tho_ ra_ ko_, tho_r a_k o_, tho_ ra_k o_) means chest
thoraco
trans- (tra_ns) means through or across
trans
umbilic/o (u_m bi_l’ _i ko_) means navel
umbilico
urin/o (u_ ri_ no_) means urine or urinary organs
urino
vascul/o (va_s ku_ lo_) means vessel
vasculo
ventr/o (ve_n tro_) means front
ventro
viscer/o (vi_s e_r o_) means internal organ (viscera)
viscero
Body Directions (The following terms are used to identify specific regions of the body.)
anterior (a_n te_r’ e_ or) means toward the front
anter/o means before
anterior
is the opposite of
posterior (po_s te_’ re_ or) which means toward the back
poster/o means back
posterior
lateral (la_t’ e_r a_l) means on the side
later/o means side
lateral
is the opposite of
medial (me_’ de_ a_l) which means nearest the middle
medi/o means middle or median
medial
inferior (i_n fe_’ re_ or) means lower or away from the head end
infer/o means beneath or below
inferior
is the opposite of
superior (soo pe_’ re_ or) which means upper or head end
super/o means above or higher than
superior
distal (di_s’ ta_l) means the part farthest from the source
dist/o means far
distal
is the opposite of
proximal (pro_k’ si_m a_l) which means the part closest to the source
proxim/o means nearest the source
proximal
apex (a_’ pe_ks) means tip or summit
apex
is the opposite of
base (ba_s) which means bottom or lowest part
base
prone (pro_n) means lying face down
prone
which is opposite to
supine (su_ pi_n’) which means lying face up (notice supine has the word up in it)
supine
Body Planes (This is another way of identifying specific structures or areas of the body.
The word for body planes is spelled plane.)
median (me_ dio_ means middle) or mid-sagittal (saj_j’ _i ta_l) plane goes through the center of
the head, chest, and pelvis, dividing the body into two equal left and right portions
median or mid-sagittal plane
sagittal (saj_j’ _i ta_l) plane runs parallel to the median plane and can be in any location; it
divides the body into two unequal parts (right and left)
sagittal plane
transverse (tra_ns means through or across) or horizontal plane divides the body
horizontally into lower and upper portions
transverse or horizontal plane
vertical, coronal, or frontal plane divides the body to create posterior (back) and anterior
(front) portions
vertical, coronal, or frontal plane
Body Cavities (The body is made up of areas referred to as cavities. The dorsal and ventral
cavities are the two largest internal spaces and they are divided as follows:)
dorsal cavity (dors/o means back) is one of two major body cavities; it contains the
cranial cavity (crani/o means skull)
the brain is found in this cavity
spinal cavity (spinal means referring to the spine)
the spinal cord is found in this cavity
ventral cavity (ventr/o means front) is the second of the two major body cavities; it
contains the
abdominal cavity (abdomin/o means abdomen)
organs found in this cavity are the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, spleen
nasal cavity (na_ zo_ means nose)
the nose is found in this cavity
oral cavity (or/o means mouth)
this is the cavity for the mouth
orbital cavity (orbit means little circle)
this is the cavity containing the eyes
pelvic cavity (pelv means pelvis)
the reproductive organs and the urinary bladder are found in this cavity
thoracic cavity (thorac/o means chest)
the heart and lungs are found in this cavity
Abdominal Cavity Divisions
Left and right divisions
hypochondrium (hi_” po_ ko_n’ dre_ u_m)
hypo- means under
chondr/o means cartilage
-ium means related to
hypochondrium
lumbar (lu_m’ ba_r)
lumb/o means lower back
lumbar
inguinal or iliac (i_ng’ gwi_ na_l) or _i l’ e_ a_k)
inguinal means pertaining to the groin
iliac means pertaining to the ilium
inguinal, iliac
Middle divisions
epigastrium (e_p _i ga_s tre_’ u_m)
epi- means over or upon
gastrium means pertaining to the stomach
epigastrium
umbilical (u_m bi_l’ _i ka_l)
umbilic/o means navel
umbilical
hypogastric (hi_” po_ ga_s’ tri_k)
hyp/o means under, below
gastric means pertaining to the stomach
hypogastric
Body Structures
cells are the basic and smallest unit of the body
protoplasm (pro_’ to_ pla_zm) is the substance that the cell is made of
-plasm means growth or development
protoplasm
cytoplasm (si_’ to_ pla_zm) carries out the work of a cell
cyt/o means cell
-plasm means growth or development
cytoplasm
nucleus (nu_’ kle_ u_s) is the controlling structure of a cell
nucleus
tissues (ti_sh’ u_z) are specialized cells grouped to perform special functions
epithelial (e_p _i the_’ le_ a_l) tissue covers surfaces, forms glands, and lines cavities
epithelial tissue
connective tissue holds parts of the body in place
connective tissue
muscular (mu_s ku_’ la_r) tissue allows movement
muscular tissue
nervous tissue conducts nerve impulses
nervous tissue
organ (or’ ga_n) is the combining of two or more tissues to perform certain functions
viscera (vi_s’ e_r a_) is a term used to refer to internal organs
viscera
a system (si_s’ te_m) is made up of organs combined to perform a function or related group
of functions
blood and lymphatic (li_m fa_t’ _i k) system
lymph is an alkaline fluid
blood and lymphatic system
cardiovascular (ka_r” de_ o_ va_s’ ku_ la_r) system
cardi/o means heart
vascular means pertaining to blood vessels
cardiovascular system
endocrine (e_n’ do_ kri_n, e_n’ do_ kri_n, e_n’ do_ kre_n) system
end/o means inside
-crin means to secrete
-e is a noun suffix
endocrine system
gastrointestinal (ga_s” tro_ _i n te_s’ ti_ na_l) system
gastr/o means stomach
intestinal means pertaining to the intestines
gastrointestinal system
integumentary (i_n te_g u_ me_n’ ta_ re_) system
integument means skin
integumentary system
musculoskeletal (mu_s” ku_ lo_ ske_l’ e_ ta_l) system
muscul/o means muscle
skeletal means pertaining to skeleton
musculoskeletal system
nervous (ne_r vous) system
nerv/o means nerve
ous means pertaining to
nervous system
reproductive (male and female) system
reproductive system
respiratory (re_s pi_r’ a_ to_ re_) system
respirat refers to breathing
respiratory system
sensory (eyes, ears, nose) system
sensory system
urinary (u_ ri_ na_r’ e_) system
urin/o means urine
urinary system
This ends the section on Whole Body Terminology. If you have any questions, please ask
your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this
section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 3 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
The integumentary system has many important functions, such as
(1) Skin waterproofs the body and prevents fluid loss. Skin also helps the immunologic
system by acting as a barrier to organisms.
(2) Sebaceous glands, which are oil glands, lubricate the skin and discourage the growth of
bacteria.
(3) Sudoriferous glands, which are sweat glands, help to regulate body temperature and
water content.
(4) Hair helps control loss of body heat and acts as a receptor for the sense of touch.
(5) Nails help protect the surface end of the last bone of each finger and toe.
The integumentary system consists of skin, hair, nails, sebaceous, and sudoriferous glands.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
-algia (a_l’ je_ a_) means pain
algia
bas/o (ba_ so_) means bottom or lowest part
baso
carcin/o (kar
_ si_ no_) means cancerous
carcino
cheil/o (ki_ lo_) means lip
cheilo
cili/o (si_l e_ o_) means eyelash or microscopic hairlike projections
cilio
corne/o (kor ne_ o_) means cornea, horny or hard
corneo
cry/o (kri_ o_) means cold
cryo
cutane/o (ku_ ta_’ ne_ o_) means skin
cutaneo
cut/o (ku_ to_) means skin
cuto
cyt/o (si_ to_) means cell
cyto
decub (de_ ku_b) means to lie down
decub
dermat/o (de_r ma_ to_) means skin
dermato
derm/o (de_r mo_) means skin
dermo
-e_ is a noun suffix. In some words it also means that the word is an instrument.
e
epi- (e_p _i ) means upon, over, at, in addition to
epi
erythr/o (e_ ri_th ro_) means red
erythro
granul/o (gra_n u_ lo_) means little grain
granulo
hidr/o (hi_ dro_) means sweat
hidro
hyper- (hi_ pe_r) means excessive, above, over
hyper
integument- (i_n te_g u_ me_nt) means the skin
integument
-itis (i_’ ti_s) means inflammation
itis
kerat/o (ke_r a_ to_) means horny, hard, cornea
kerato
leuk/o (lu_ ko_) means white (also spelled leuco)
leuko
lip/o (li_ po_, li_p o_) means fat or lipid
lipo
melan/o (me_l a_ no_) means black or darkness
melano
myc/o (mi_ ko_) means fungus
myco
-oid (oyd) means like or resembling
oid
-ology (o_l o_ je_) means the study of
ology
-oma (o_ ma_) means tumor or neoplasm
oma
onych/o (o_n _i ko_) means nail
onycho
-osis (o_ si_s) means condition
osis
pil/o (pi_ lo_) means hair
pilo
scler/o (skle_ ro_) means hard or the white of the eye. The white of the eye is known as the
sclera.
sclero
seb/o (se_b o_) means oil (sebum)
sebo
squam/o (skwa_ mo_) means scale
squamo
sub- (su_b) means under, below, beneath
sub
sudor/o (su_ do_ ro_) means sweat
sudoro
trich/o (tri_k o_) means hair
tricho
xanth/o (za_n tho_) means yellow
xantho
xer/o (ze_ ro_) means dry
xero
Integumentary System Words
alopecia (al” _o pe_’ she_ a_) means hair loss
alopecia
basal cell carcinoma (ba_’ sa_l cell ka_r” si_ no_’ ma_) is a malignancy of the skin that rarely
metastasizes
basal means pertaining to base
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
basal cell carcinoma
cheilitis (ki_ li_’ ti_s) means inflammation of the lip
cheil/o means lip
-itis means inflammation
cheilitis
ciliary (si_l’ e_ e_r” e_) means pertaining to eyelashes
cili/o means eyelash
ciliary
cryosurgery (kri_” o_ se_r’ je_r e_) means use of extreme cold to freeze or destroy tissue
cry/o means cold
cryosurgery
decubitus ulcer (de_ ku_’ bi_ tu_s) means bedsore
decub means lying down
decubitus ulcer
dermatitis (de_r” ma_ ti_’ ti_s) means inflammation of the skin, usually accompanied by
redness, itching, and/or lesions of the skin
dermat/o means skin
-itis means inflammation
dermatitis
dermatology (de_r” ma_ to_l’ o_ je_) is the study of the skin and its diseases
dermat/o means skin
-ology means study of
dermatology
epidermis (e_p” _i de_r’ mi_s) is the outer layer of skin
epi- means upon, over
derm/o means skin
epidermis
erythralgia (e_r” _i thra_l’ je_ a_) is a condition of painful redness of the skin
erythr/o means red
-algia means pain
erythralgia
excoriation (e_ks ko_ re_ a_’ shu_n) is the removal of the epidermis or the covering of an organ
by trauma, chemicals, burns, or other causes
excoriation
hyperhidrosis (hi_” pe_r hi_ dro_’ si_s) means excessive sweating
hyper- means excessive
hidr/o means sweat
-osis means condition
hyperhidrosis
integumentary (i_n te_g u_ me_n’ ta_ re_) means relating to the skin
integument means skin
integumentary
keratosis (ke_ a_ to_’ si_s) means a horny growth
kerat/o means horny
-osis means condition
keratosis
leukoplakia (lu_” ko_ pla_’ ke_ a_) means a formation of white spots
leuk/o means white
leukoplakia
melanin (me_l a_ ni_n) is pigment that gives color to hair and skin
melan/o means black or darkness
melanin
scleroderma (skle_r” o_ de_r’ ma_) is a disease that causes hard skin
scler/o means hard
derm means skin
scleroderma
sebaceous (se_ ba_’ shu_s) glands are oil-producing glands
seb/o (oil)
sebaceous glands
squamous cell carcinoma (skwa_’ mu_s cell ka_r” si_ no_’ ma_) is a malignant tumor of the
epidermis composed of squamous cells
squam/o means scale
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
squamous cell carcinoma
subcutaneous tissue layer (su_b” ku_ ta_’ ne_ u_s) is the third layer of tissue covering the body
sub- means under
cutane/o means skin
subcutaneous tissue layer
sudoriferous (su_ dor _i f’ e_r u_s) glands are the sweat-producing glands
sudor/o means sweat
sudoriferous glands
systemic lupus erythematosus (si_s te_m’ _i k lu_’ pu_s e_r _i the_’ ma_ to_ si_s) is a chronic
inflammatory disease of connective tissue that may cause injury to the kidneys, nervous
system, skin, joints, etc.)
systemic means pertaining to systems
erythema means red
systemic lupus erythematosus
xanthoma (za_n tho_’ ma_) means yellow growths caused by deposits of fat in the skin
xanth/o means yellow
-oma means tumor
xanthoma
xerosis (ze_ ro_’ si_s) means abnormal dryness of the skin
xer/o means dry
-osis means condition
xerosis
This ends the section on the Integumentary System. If you have any questions, please ask
your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this
section as many times as you feel is necessary to keep as comfortable pronouncing these
words as you are spelling them.
SECTION 4 SKELETAL SYSTEM
Bones, cartilage, and joints make up the skeletal system. Bones form the framework that
supports and protects the internal organs. Cartilage is a form of connective tissue that is
more elastic than bone and is found in areas of the body where flexibility is needed, such as
the ear lobe and the outer nose. Joints, with the help of muscles, make the many body
movements possible.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
ab- means away from
ab
ad- means toward, adherence
ad
-algia (a_l’ je_ a_) means pain
algia
arthr/o (a_r’ thro_) means joint
arthro
articulo (a_r ti_k u_ lo_) means joint or junction
articulo
burs/o (bu_r so_) means sac of fluid
burso
carp/o (ka_r po_) means wrist
carpo
caud/o (kaw do_) means tail or lower part of the body
caudo
-centesis (se_n te_’ si_s) means surgical puncture with a needle to remove fluid
centesis
cephal/o (se_f a_ lo_) means head
cephalo
cervic/o (se_r vi_ ko_) means neck (cervix)
cervico
cheir/o (ki_ ro_) means hand
cheiro
chondr/o (ko_n dro_) means cartilage (a form of connective tissue that is more flexible than
bone)
chondro
cleid/o (kli_ do_) means collarbone, which is called the clavicle
cleido
cost/o (ko_s to_) means rib
costo
crani/o (kra_ ne_ o_) means skull or head
cranio
dactyl/o (da_k ti_ lo_) means fingers or toes
dactylo
dia- (di_ a_) means through, between, complete
dia
digit/o (di_j _i to_) means fingers or toes
digito
dynam/o (di_ na_ mo_) means power
dynamo
-ectomy (e_k’ to_ me_) means surgical removal
ectomy
epi- (e_p _i ) means over or upon
epi
ethm/o (e_th mo_) means sieve
ethmo
fasci/o (fa_sh e_ o_) means sheet, band, fascia or fibrous band
fascio
fibr/o (fi_ bro_) means fiber
fibro
-graphy (gra_f e_) means procedure of recording or writing
graphy
hemi- (he_m e_) means half
hemi
-iatry (i_ a_ tre_) means the study of
iatry
ili/o (i_l e_ o_) means ilium or hip bone. This is not to be confused with ileo (pronounced the
same way but spelled ileo) which is the word element for the ileum, spelled ileum, the last
and longest part of the small intestine
ilio
inter- (i_n te_r) means between
inter
ischi/o (i_s ke_ o_) means the lower portion of the hip bone, called the ischium
ischio
-itis (i_’ ti_s) means inflammation
itis
lumb/o (lu_m bo_) means lower back
lumbo
-malacia (ma_ la_ she_ a_) means abnormal softening
malacia
maxill/o (ma_k si_ lo_) means upper jaw bone, called the maxilla
maxillo
meta- (me_t’ a_) means after, behind, over, change
meta
myel/o (mi_ e_l o_) means bone marrow or spinal cord
myelo
-odynia (o_ di_n’ e_ a_) means pain
odynia
-oido (oyd o_) means like or resembling
oido
-oma (o_ ma_) means tumor or neoplasm
oma
-osis (o_ si_s) means condition
osis
oste/o (o_s te_ o_) means bone
osteo
pariet/o (pa_ ri_ e_ to_) means wall
parieto
ped/o (pe_ do_, pe_d o_) means foot or child
pedo
-plasty (pla_s te_) means surgical correction or surgical repair
plasty
pod/o (po_d o_) means foot
podo
porosis (po_ ro_’ si_s) means a condition of becoming porus
porosis
sacr/o (sa_’ kro_) means sacrum, which is the next to the last part of the lower spine; this
word element is very similar to another word element, sarc/o (sa_r ko_), which means flesh.
Be careful not to confuse these two root words.
sacro
scoli/o (sko_ le_ o_) means twisted, crooked, curved
scolio
-scopy (sko_ pe_) means the procedure to view or look
scopy
sphen/o (sfe_ no_) means wedge
spheno
spondyl/o (spo_n di_ lo_) means vertebra. Remember vertebra, spelled vertebra, is singular.
Vertebrae, spelled vertebrae, is plural.
spondylo
stern/o (ste_r no_) means sternum, which is located in the center of the chest and is more
commonly called the breast bone
sterno
synov/o (si_n o_ vo_) means synovial membrane
synovo
tars/o (ta_r so_) means ankle, instep, or edge of eyelid
tarso
tend/o (te_n do_), ten/o (te_n o_) attaches muscle to bone or the tendon
tendo, teno
therap/o (the_r’ a_ po_) means treatment
therapo
therm/o (the_r mo_) means heat
thermo
thorac/o (tho_ ra_ ko_) means chest
thoraco
traumat/o (traw ma_ to_) means wound or injury
traumato
-trophy (tro_ fe_) means growth or nourishment
trophy
vertebr/o (ve_r te_ bro_) means vertebra
vertebro
Skeletal System Words
abduction (a_b du_k’ shu_n) is moving away from the source
ab- means away from
abduction
adduction (a_ du_k’ shu_n) is moving toward the source
ad- means near, toward
adduction
appendicular skeleton (a_p” e_n di_k’ u_ la_r) consists of the upper and lower extremities,
including the pelvic and shoulder girdles (126 bones total)
appendicular skeleton
arthritis (a_r thri_’ ti_s) means inflammation of joint(s)
arthr/o means joint
-itis means inflammation
arthritis
arthrocentesis (a_r” thro_ se_n te_’ si_s) is the surgical puncture of a joint with a needle to
remove fluid for analysis
arthr/o means joint
-centesis means surgical puncture with a needle
arthrocentesis
arthrography (a_r thro_g’ ra_ fe_) is the radiographic examination of a joint
arthr/o means joint
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
arthrography
arthroplasty (a_r’ thro_ pla_s” te_) is the surgical repair of a damaged joint
arthr/o means joint
-plasty means surgical repair or surgical correction
arthroplasty
arthroscopy (a_r thro_s’ ko_ pe_) is the visual examination of the internal structure of a joint
arthr/o means joint
-scopy is the procedure to view or look
arthroscopy
articulation (a_r ti_k” u_ la_’ shu_n) is another name for a joint or a connection between bones
articul/o means joint or junction
articulation
axial skeleton (a_k’ se_ a_l) consists of skull, spinal column, ribs and sternum (80 bones total)
axial skeleton
bursitis (bu_r si_’ ti_s) means inflammation of a bursa
burs/o means bursa
-itis means inflammation
bursitis
carpals (kar palz) are the bones of the wrist
carp/o means wrist
carpals
cervical vertebrae (ser’ vi kal ver’ te bre) are the first seven vertebrae that form the neck
cervic/o means neck
vertebr/o means vertebra
cervical vertebrae
chondromalacia (kon dro mal a’ she a) means abnormal softening of cartilage
chondr/o means cartilage
-malacia means abnormal softening
chondromalacia
clavicle (klav’ i k’l) connects the sternum to the scapula. It is better known as the
collarbone.
clavicle
coccyx (kok’ siks) —also called the tailbone--is composed of four small fused vertebrae
coccyx
cranium (kra’ ne um) is the portion of the skull that contains the brain
crani/o means skull
cranium
dactylitis (dak’ til i tis) means inflammation of the bones of the fingers and toes
dactyl/o means fingers or toes
-itis means inflammation
dactylitis
diaphysis (di af i sis) is the shaft or middle part of long bones
dia- means through
diaphysis
epiphysis (e pif i sis) is the wide end of a long bone covered with articular cartilage
epi- means over, upon
epiphysis
ethmoid bone (eth’ moyd) forms part of the nose, orbit (eye), and floor of the cranium
ethm/o means sieve
-oid means like or resembling
ethmoid bone
fibula (fib’ u la) is the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg
fibula
fontanelle (fon” ta nel’) is a soft spot on a baby’s head where sutures have not yet closed
fontanelle
frontal bone forms the forehead
frontal bone
humerus (hu’ mer us) is the long bone in the upper arm
humerus
ilium (il’ e um) is one of the bones of each half of the pelvis
ili/o means ilium, which is part of the hip bone
ilium
intercostal (in ter cos’ tal) means between the ribs
inter- means between
-costal means referring to ribs
intercostal
ischium (is’ ke um) is the lower and posterior portion of the pelvic girdle
ischi/o means lower portion of the hip bone
ischium
ligament means the fibrous bands of connective tissue that connect one bone to another
bone
ligament
lumbago (lum ba’ go) means pain in the lumbar region or lower back
lumb/o means lower back
lumbago
lumbar vertebrae (lum’ bar ver’ te bre) are the third set of five vertebrae
lumb/o means lower back
lumbar vertebrae
mandible (man’ di bl) is the lower jaw bone. It is the only movable bone of the skull.
mandible
manipulation is the attempted reduction or realignment of a bone involved in a fracture or
joint dislocation.
manipulation
maxillary bone (mak’ si ler” e) is the upper jaw bone
maxill/o is the upper jaw bone
maxillary bone
metacarpals (met” a kar’ palz) are the bones of the palms of the hands
meta- means after, beyond, over
carp/o means wrist
metacarpals
metatarsals (met” a tar’ salz) are the bones of the foot
meta- means after, beyond, over
tars/o means foot
metatarsals
myeloma (mi e lo’ ma) is a tumor made up of cells from bone marrow tissue
myel/o means bone marrow or spinal cord
-oma means tumor
myeloma
occipital bone (ok sip’ i tal) forms the posterior floor and walls of the cranium
occipital bone
ostealgia (os’ te al je a) means pain within a bone
oste/o means bone
-algia means pain
ostealgia
osteoarthritis (os” te o ar thri’ tis) means inflammation of a joint
oste/o means bone
arthr/o means joint
-itis means inflammation
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis (os” te o por o’ sis) is the loss of bone density and increase in bone porosity
oste/o means bone
-porosis is a condition of becoming porus
osteoporosis
parietal bone (pa ri’ e tal) forms the roof and upper sides of the cranium
pariet/o means wall
-al means connection with
parietal bone
phalanges (fa lan’ jez) are the bones of the fingers and toes
phalanges
podiatry (po di’ a tre) is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions of the
human feet
pod/o means foot
-iatry means the study of
podiatry
prosthesis (pros’ the sis) means replacement part or implant
prosthesis
radius (ra’ de us) is one of two bones in the lower arm; this bone is in line with the thumb
radius
sacrum (sa’ krum) is the curved, triangular-shaped bones between the lumbar vertebrae
and the coccyx
sacr/o means sacrum
sacrum
scapula (skap’ u la) is the shoulder blade
scapula
scoliosis (sko” le o’ sis) means an abnormal sideways curve of the spine
scoli/o means crooked or curved
-osis is a condition
scoliosis
sphenoid bone (sfe’ noyd) forms part of the base of the skull and parts of the floor and side
of the bony socket that protects and surrounds the eyeball
sphen/o means wedge
-oid means like or resembling
sphenoid bone
suture is a type of joint that is a jagged line where bones join and form a joint that does not
move
suture
synovectomy (sin” o vek’ to me) means the surgical removal of a synovial membrane from a
joint
synov/o refers to the synovial membrane
-ectomy means surgical removal
synovectomy
synovial joints (sin o’ ve al) are the movable joints in the body
synovial joints
tarsals (tar’ salz) are the bones of the ankle
tars/o means ankle or instep
tarsals
temporal bones form the side and base of the cranium
temporal bones
tendon attaches muscle to bone
tend/o means attaches muscle to bone
tendon
thoracic vertebrae (tho ras’ ik ver’ te bre) are the second set of 12 vertebrae that form the
posterior wall of the chest
thorac/o means chest
vertebr/o means vertebra
thoracic vertebrae
tibia (tib’ e a) is the larger of the two bones in the lower leg; also known as the shin bone
tibia
ulna (ul’ na) is the larger of the two bones found in the lower arm
ulna
zygomatic bones (zi” go mat’ ik) are referred to as the cheekbones
zygomatic bones
This ends the section on the Skeletal System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 5 MUSCULAR SYSTEM
The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the body. Myology is the study of
muscles (the root word my/o means muscle and the suffix -logy means the study of). With
over 600 muscles in the body, this system is made up of three types of muscles:
1.
cardiac muscle (kar’ de ak) is the muscle of the heart
card/i means heart
-ac means pertaining to
cardiac muscle
2.
smooth muscles are involuntary (in means against and voluntarius means
will) and
nonstriated (non means not and striated means striped or streaked)
leiomyoma (li” o mi o’ ma) is a tumor that consists primarily of smooth
muscle
lei/o (li o) is the word element for smooth
my/o (mi o) means muscle
-oma (o ma) means tumor
leiomyoma
3.
skeletal muscle is attached to bone and is a voluntary muscle because it
operates at will (voluntarius means will); these muscles are also called
striated which means striped or streaked
For example:
rhabdomyoma (rab” do mi o’ ma) is a tumor in the striated muscular tissue
rhabd/o (rab do) means rod or striated
my/o means muscle
-oma means tumor
rhabdomyoma
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
a- means not or without
a
ab- means away from
ab
ad- means toward
ad
adhes/o (ad he so) means to stick to
adheso
agon (ag on) means contest or struggle
agon
-algia (al’ je a) means pain
algia
ant- (ant) means against
ant
ap/o (ap’ o) means away from
apo
aponeur/o (ap” o nu ro) means away from a nerve
aponeuro
-asthenia (as the’ ne a) means weakness
asthenia
bi- (bi) means two
bi
brachial (bra’ ke al) means pertaining to the arm
brachial
brady- (brad e) means slow
brady
bucc/o (buk ko) means cheek
bucco
card/i, cardi/o (kard i, kar de o) means heart
cardi, cardio
carp/o (kar po) means wrist
carpo
-cele means swelling or tumor
cele
cleid/o (kli’ do) means collarbone (clavicle)
cleido
cnemis (ne mis) means shin, lower leg, or tibia
cnemis
collis (kol is) means neck
collis
condyl/o (kon di lo) means the end of a bone
condylo
corac/o (kor a ko) means shoulder blade (scapula)
coraco
creat (kret) means flesh
creat
-desis (de sis) means to bind or tie together
desis
dors/o (dor so) means back
dorso
duct/o (duk to) means vessel or channel
ducto
dys- (dis) means bad, labored, difficult, painful, disordered
dys
-ectomy (ek’ to me) means surgical removal or excision
ectomy
electr/o (e lek tro) means electric or electricity
electro
ergon (er gon) means work
ergon
ex- (eks) means out, away from, completely
ex
fasci/o (fash e o) means band or sheet
fascio
fibr/o (fi bro) means fiber
fibro
flex/o (fleks o) means pliable or easily bent
flexo
form/a (for’ ma) means shape
forma
gastr/o (gas’ tro) means stomach
gastro
-graphy (gra fe) means the procedure to record or write
graphy
hemi- (hem e) means half
hemi
hyoid (hi oyd) means U-shaped. The hyoid bone is the horseshoe-shaped bone located at
the base of the tongue.
hyoid
hyper- (hi per) means excessive, above, over
hyper
hyp/o (hi po) means under, below, beneath
hypo
in- means against or into
in
intra- (in tra) means within or inside
intra
-ist means one who specializes
ist
-itis (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
kinesi/o, kinesis (ki ne se o, ki ne sis) means movement or motion
kinesio, kinesis
lei/o (li o) means smooth
leio
lev/o (le vo), levat/o (le va to) means to raise or lift
levo, levato
-logy (lo je) means the study of
logy
-lysis (li sis) means to set free
lysis
-malacia (ma la’ she a) means abnormal softening of tissue
malacia
mast/o (mas to) means breast
masto
meter (me’ ter) is an instrument for measuring
meter
my/o (mi o) means muscle
myo
necr/o (nek ro) means death
necro
neur/o (nu ro) means nerve or nervous system
neuro
non- (non) means absence
non
-odynia (o din’ e a) means pain
odynia
-oid (oyd) means resembling or like
oid
-oma (o ma) means tumor
oma
-osis (o sis) means condition
osis
para- (par a) means near, beside, to bear
para
-paresis (par’ e sis, pa re’ sis) means partial or incomplete paralysis
paresis
-pathy (path e) means disease or feeling
pathy
pector/o (pek’ to ro) means chest or breast
pectoro
peritone/o (per” i to ne’ o) means the peritoneum
peritoneo
physi/o (fiz e o) means relationship to nature
physio
pirum (pir um) means pear
pirum
-plasty (plas te) means surgical correction or surgical repair
plasty
-plegia (ple’ je a) means paralysis or stroke
plegia
poly- (pol e) means excessive, many, much
poly
press/o (pres’ o) means to press or draw
presso
pseud/o (soo do) means false
pseudo
pteryg/o (ter ij o) means wing shaped
pterygo
quad- (kwod) means four
quad
quadr/i, quadr/o (kwod ri, kwod ro) means having four or consisting of four
quadri, quadro
radicul/o (ra dik u lo) means root
radiculo
rhabd/o (rab’ do) means rod
rhabdo
-rrhaphy (r raf e) means suture or sew
rrhaphy
-rrhea (re a) means flow or discharge
rrhea
-rrhexis (r hex is) means rupture
rrhexis
sarc/o (sar’ ko) means flesh. This word element is very similar to another word element
sacr/o (sak’ ro) which means sacrum the next to the last part of the lower spine. Be careful
not to confuse these two root words.
sarco
-scopy (skop e) means procedure to view or visually examine
scopy
serrat/o (ser a to) means notched
serrato
skelet/o (skel’ e to) means skeleton
skeleto
spas/o (spaz o) means to draw or pull
spaso
sphincter/o (sfingk’ ter o) means tight band
sphinctero
stern/o (ster no) means sternum; also called the breast bone
sterno
striated (stri’ a ted) means marked by streaks
striated
super- (soo per) means above, beyond, superior
super
syn- (sin) means joined or together
syn
synov/o (sin o vo) means the lubricating fluid in joints
synovo
tax/o (taks o) means order
taxo
ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o (ten o, tendo, ten din o) means tendon, which attaches muscle to
bone
teno, tendo, tendino
tens/o (ten’ so) means tense
tenso
-therapy (ther’ a pe) means treatment
therapy
thyr/o (thi ro) means oblong, shield or thyroid
thyro
-tome (tom) means instrument to cut
tome
-tomy (to me) means procedure to cut
tomy
ton (ton) means tension or tone
ton/o
tonia (to ne a) means condition of tension or contraction
tonia
tort/i (tor ti) means twisted
torti
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
tri- (tri) means three
tri
troph/o, troph/y (tro fo, tro fe) means nourishment
tropho, trophy
viscer/o (vis er o) means pertaining to internal organs
viscero
voluntarius (vol un ter e us) means will
voluntarius
Muscular System Words
abduction (ab duk’ shun) means moving away from the source
ab- means away from
abduction
abductor (ab duk’ tor) is a muscle that moves a part away from a common center
ab- means away from
duct/o means carry or lead
abductor
Achilles tendon (a kil’ ez) attaches the heel bone to the major muscle of the calf of the leg
Achilles tendon
adduction (a duk’ shun) means moving toward the source
ad- means toward
adduction
adductor (a duk’ tor) is a muscle that moves a part toward a common center
ad- means toward
duct/o means carry or lead
adductor
adhesion (ad he’ zhun) means a band of fibers that abnormally holds structures together
adhes/o means to stick to
adhesion
aponeurosis (ap” o nu ro’ sis) means a tendon or fibrous sheet attached to muscular fiber
aponeur/o means away from nerve
-osis means condition
aponeurosis
arthrodesis (ar thro de’ sis) means a binding or fusion of a joint
arthr/o means joint
-desis means to bind or tie together
arthrodesis
ataxia (a tak’ se a) means the inability to coordinate muscles
a- means without, not
taxia means order
ataxia
biceps (bi’ seps) is the muscle of the anterior upper arm that flexes the elbow
bi- means two
biceps
bradykinesia (brad” e ki ne’ se a) means extreme slowness in movement
brady- means slow
kinesia means movement
bradykinesia
cardioplegia (kar” de o ple’ je a) means paralysis of the muscles of the heart
cardi/o means heart
-plegia means paralysis
cardioplegia
carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed or damaged as it
passes through the carpal tunnel
carp/o means wrist
carpal tunnel syndrome
circumduction (ser” kum duk’ shun) is a circular movement of a limb
circum means around
duct means to carry or lead
circumduction
contracture (kon trak’ chur) means the abnormal shortening of muscle tissues
contracture
deltoid muscle forms the muscular shoulder cap and is named such because it is shaped like
an inverted triangle, or the Greek letter delta
delt means delta
-oid means like or resembling
deltoid muscle
dystonia (dis to’ ne a) means abnormal condition of muscle tone
dys- means bad, disordered
tonia means pertaining to tone
dystonia
electromyography (e lek” tro mi og’ ra fe)--also known as EMG--records strength of muscle
contractions that result from electrical stimulation
electro- means electricity
my/o means muscle
-graphy means procedure to record or write
electromyography
epicondylitis (ep” i kon” di li’ tis) —also known as tennis elbow—is the inflammation of the
tissues surrounding the elbow
epi- means over, upon
condyl/o means the end of a bone
-itis means inflammation
epicondylitis
extension (eks ten’ shun) means increasing the angle between two bones or the
straightening of a limb
ex- means away from
tens/o means to stretch out
extension
extensor is a muscle that straightens a limb at a joint
ex- means away from
extensor
fascia (fash’ e a) means a sheet or band of fibrous tissue that supports, separates, and
covers muscles
fascia
fasciectomy (fash” e ek’ to me) means the surgical removal of fascia
fasc/i means sheet, band
-ectomy means surgical removal
fasciectomy
fascioplasty (fash’ e o plas” te) means the surgical repair of fascia
fasc/i means sheet, band
-plasty means surgical repair
fascioplasty
fibroma (fi bro’ ma) —also called fibroid (fi’ broyd—means a tumor composed mainly of
fibrous or fully developed connective tissue)
fibr/o means fiber
-oma means tumor
-oid means resembling, like
fibroma, fibroid
flexion (flek’ shun) means the bending of a limb at a joint
flexion
flexor (fleks’ or) means a muscle that bends at a joint
flex/o means bend
flexor
gastrocnemius (gas” trok ne’ me us) is the main muscle of the calf of the leg
gastr/o means stomach
cnemius means shin, lower leg or tibia
gastrocnemius
gluteus maximus (gloo te us) is the largest muscle of the buttocks (but’ uks)
gluteus maximus
gluteus minimus (gloo te us) is the smallest muscle of the buttocks (but’ uks)
gluteus minimus
hemiparesis (hem” e par’ e sis) means slight paralysis of one side of the body
hemi- means half
paresis means partial or incomplete paralysis
hemiparesis
hemiplegia (hem e ple’ je a) means total paralysis of one side of body
hemi- means half
-plegia means paralysis
hemiplegia
herniorrhaphy (her ne or’ a fe) means the surgical suturing of a defect in a muscular wall
herni/o means hernia
-rrhaphy means to sew or suture
herniorrhaphy
hyperextension (hi” per eks ten’ shun) is the overextension of a limb or body part beyond
normal limits
hyper- means excessive
ex- means away from
tens/o means to stretch out
hyperextension
hypotonia (hi” po to’ ne a) means a condition of diminished tone of the skeletal muscles
hyp/o means under, below
tonia means pertaining to tone
hypotonia
kinesiology (ki ne” se ol’ o je) means the study of muscular activity and movement of body
parts
kinesi/o means movement
-logy means study of
kinesiology
muscle atrophy (at’ ro fe) means a weakness and wasting away due to disuse of muscles
over a long period of time
a- means without, not
-trophy means nourishment, growth
muscle atrophy
myalgia (mi al’ je a) means pain in a muscle
my means muscle
-algia means pain
myalgia
myasthenia gravis (mi as the’ ne a gra vis) means an autoimmune disorder of
neuromuscular function characterized by episodic muscle weakness
my/o means muscle
-asthenia means weakness
myasthenia gravis
myectomy (mi ek’ to me) means surgical removal of a portion of a muscle
my/o means muscle
-ectomy means surgical removal
myectomy
myocardium (mi o kar’ de um) is the muscle of the heart
my/o means muscle
cardium means pertaining to heart
myocardium
myocele (mi’ o sel) means the protrusion of a muscle through its ruptured sheath or fascia
my/o means muscle
cele (seal) means hernia, swelling
myocele
myolysis (mi ol’ i sis) means the breaking down or degeneration of muscle tissue
my/o means muscle
-lysis means breaking down or destruction
myolysis
myomalacia (mi” o ma la’ se a) means the abnormal softening of muscle tissue
my/o means muscle
-malacia means abnormal softening
myomalacia
myoneural junction (mi o nu ral junk shun) is a point where nerve endings and muscle
cells come into contact
my/o means muscle
neural means pertaining to nerves
myoneural junction
myoplasty (mi o plas” te) means surgical repair of a muscle
my/o means muscle
-plasty means surgical repair
myoplasty
myorrhaphy (mi or’ a fe) means suturing a muscle wound
my/o means muscle
-rrhaphy means to sew or suture
myorrhaphy
paraplegia (par a ple’ je a) means paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body
para- means beside
-plegia means paralysis
paraplegia
pectoralis major (pek” to ra’ lis) is a large triangular muscle and is one of the important
muscles of the chest
pector means chest, breast
pectoralis major
polymyalgia (pol” e mi al’ je a) means pain in several muscle groups
poly means excessive, many
my/o means muscle
-algia means pain
polymyalgia
pronation (pro na’ shun) is the rotation of an arm or leg so that the palm of the hand or the
sole of the foot is turned downward or backward. It is the opposite of supination.
pronation
quadriceps femoris (kwod’ ri seps fem’ or is) is the large muscle on the anterior thigh that
assists in extending the leg
quadri- means four
quadriceps femoris
quadriplegia (kwod” ri ple’ je a) means paralysis of all four extremities
quadri- means four
-plegia means paralysis
quadriplegia
rhabdomyosarcoma (rab” do mi” o sar ko’ ma) is a neoplasm that originates in the skeletal
muscle and is extremely malignant
rhabd/o means rod
my/o means muscle
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
rhabdomyosarcoma
sciatica (si at’ i ka) is the inflammation of the sciatic nerve
sciatica
spasm, also known as cramp, means a violent, sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle
spasm
sphincter (sfingk’ ter) is a circular muscle that tightly constricts the opening of a
passageway
sphincter
sphincterotomy (sfingk” ter ot’ o me) means the incision into a sphincter muscle
sphincter/o means sphincter muscle
-tomy means to cut into or incision
sphincterotomy
sternocleidomastoid (ster” no kli” do mas’ toyd) is the muscle that helps flex the neck and
rotate the head
stern/o means sternum
cleid/o means collar bone
mast/o means breast
-oid means resembling
sternocleidomastoid
subluxation (sub luks a’ shun) is a partial or incomplete dislocation
subluxation
supination (su” pin a’ shun) is the rotation of an arm or leg so that the palm of the hand or
the sole of the foot is turned forward or upward. It is the opposite of pronation.
supination
tendinitis (ten” din i’ tis) —also known as tendonitis (ten” do ni’ tis) —is the inflammation
of a tendon
tendin or tendon means tendon
-itis means inflammation
tendinitis or tendonitis
tenectomy (te nek’ to me) means surgical removal of a lesion from a tendon
ten means tendon
-ectomy means surgical removal
tenectomy
tenolysis (ten ol’ i sis) means to release a tendon from adhesions
ten/o means tendon
-lysis means to set free
tenolysis
tenosynovitis (ten” o sin” o vi’ tis) is the inflammation of a tendon sheath
ten/o means attaches muscle to bone or tendon
synov/o means synovial
-itis means inflammation
tenosynovitis
torticollis (tor” ti kol’ is) —also known as wryneck—means a stiff neck due to spasmodic
contraction of the sternocleidomastoid (ster” no kli” do mas’ toyd) muscle
tort/i means twisted
collis (kol is) means neck
torticollis
triceps are formed from three divisions and are the muscles of the posterior upper arm that
extend the elbow
tri- means three
triceps
viscous (vis’ kus) means sticky or gelatinous
viscous
This ends the section on the Muscular System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 6 NERVOUS SYSTEM
The center of the nervous system is the brain which coordinates and controls all activities
of the body. Should the brain stop functioning, death would occur. The structures of this
system include the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs. Three parts make up
this system: the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and
the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Word Elements We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced.
arachn/o (a rak no) means spider or spider web
arachno
athet/o (ath’ e to) means uncontrolled
atheto
ax/o (ak so) means axis or main stem
axo
caus/o, caust/o (kaw so, kaw sto) means burning
causo, causto
-cele means hernia, swelling, tumor, cyst
cele
cephal/o (sef a lo) means head
cephalo
cerebell/o (ser e bel o) means cerebellum (ser e bel um)
cerebello
cerebr/o (ser e bro) means brain or cerebrum (ser e brum, ser e brum)
cerebro
concuss/o (kon kush o) means violently shaken
concusso
contus/o (kon too’ so) means bruise
contuso
convolut/o (kon vo loo’ to) means coiled or twisted
convoluto
cortic/o (kor ti ko) means cortex or outer region
cortico
dendr/o (den dro) means branching or resembling a tree
dendro
dur/o (du ro) means dura mater
duro
encephal/o (en sef a lo) means brain
encephalo
epi- (ep i) means over or upon
epi
-esthesia (es the ze a) means sensation or feeling
esthesia
gangli/o, ganglion/o (gang le o, gang le on o) means swelling or ganglion
ganglio, gangliono
gli/o (gli o) means glue
glio
gyr/o (ji ro) means turning or folding
gyro
hemat/o (he ma to) means blood
hemato
hydro- (hi dro) means pertaining to water or hydrogen
hydro
-lepsy (lep se) means seizure
lepsy
medull/o (med u lo, me dul o) means inner section, soft, marrow
medullo
mening/o, meningi/o (men in go, men in je o) means meninges (membranes that enclose the
brain and spinal cord
meningo, meningio
myel/o (mi e lo) means spinal cord or bone marrow
myelo
narc/o (nar ko) means numbness or stupor
narco
neur/o (nu ro) or neur/i (nu ri) means nerve or nervous system
neuro, neuri
noct/i (nok ti) means night
nocti
-oid (oyd) means like or resembling
oid
-phasia (fa ze a) means speak or speech
phasia
plex/o (pleks o) means plexus or network
plexo
poli/o (pol e o) means gray matter of brain and spinal cord
polio
radicul/o (ra dik u lo) means root as in nerve root
radiculo
somn/i, somn/o (som ni, som no) means sleep
somni, somno
sub- (sub) means below, beneath, under
sub
sulc/o (sul ko) means groove or furrow
sulco
synaps/o, synapt/o (sin ap so, sin ap to) means point of contact
synapso, synapto
thalam/o (thal a mo) means thalamus or inner room
thalamo
Nervous System Words
agnosia (ag no’ ze a) is the loss of comprehension of auditory, visual, or other sensations
although the sensory sphere is intact
a- means without
gnosia means knowledge
agnosia
Alzheimer’s disease (alts’ hi merz) is a chronic, organic mental disorder that includes
progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, and personality changes
Alzheimer’s disease
amnesia (am ne’ ze a) is a loss of memory
amnesia
amyotrophic (a mi” o tro’ fik) lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease)
abbreviated ALS—is a degenerative disease of the motor neurons in which the patient
becomes progressively weaker until completely paralyzed
amyotrophic means pertaining to muscular atrophy
lateral means pertaining to the side
scler/o means hard
-osis means condition
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
apathy (ap’ a the) means indifference or lack of emotion
a- means without
-pathy means feeling
apathy
aphasia (a fa’ ze a) is the absence or impairment of the ability to communicate through
speech
a- means without
phasia means to speak or speech
aphasia
apraxia (a prak’ se a) is the inability to perform purposive movements although there is no
sensory or motor impairment
a- means without
praxia refers to action
apraxia
arachnoid membrane (a rak’ noyd) is the second layer of the meninges and it resembles a
spider web
arachn/o means spider web
oid means resembling or like
arachnoid membrane
athetosis (ath e to’ sis) is a condition in which irregular, slow, twisting, snakelike
movements occur in the upper extremities (usually)
athet/o means uncontrolled
-osis means condition
athetosis
autonomic nervous system (aw to nom’ ik)--abbreviated ANS--consists of ganglia (gang’ gle
a) on either side of the spinal cord
autonomic nervous system
axon (ak’ son) is the neuron process that conducts impulses away from the cell body
axon
Bell’s palsy is a paralysis of the seventh cranial or facial nerve, causing a unilateral
drooping of the side of the face affected by the paralysis
Bell’s palsy
brainstem is the stalklike portion of the brain that connects cerebral hemispheres with the
spinal cord
brainstem
central nervous system—abbreviated CNS—consists of the spinal cord and brain
central nervous system
cephalalgia (sef a lal’ je a) is pain in the head or a headache; may also be called
cephalodynia (sef” a lo din’ e a)
cephal/o means head
-algia means pain
cephalalgia
cerebellum (ser e bel’ um) is located in the lower back of the cranium below the cerebrum
(ser’ e brum, ser e’ brum). It coordinates muscle activity for smooth and steady
movements.
cerebellum
cerebral palsy (ser e’ bral pawl’ ze) is a nonprogressive paralysis that has resulted from
brain defect or lesion present at birth or shortly after birth
cerebral means pertaining to the brain
palsy means paralysis
cerebral palsy
cerebral contusion (ser e’ bral kon too’ shun) is bruising of the brain tissue due to a head
injury
cerebral means pertaining to the brain
contus/o means bruise
cerebral contusion
cerebrospinal fluid (ser” e bro spi’ nal) —abbreviated CSF—is a colorless, clear, watery
fluid produced by special capillaries within the brain ventricles
cerebr/o means brain
spinal means pertaining to the spine
cerebrospinal fluid
cerebrum (ser’ e brum, ser e’ brum) is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for
the highest level of thought
cerebr/o means brain
cerebrum
coma (ko’ ma) is a deep state of unconsciousness marked by the absence of spontaneous eye
movements, response to stimuli, and/or vocalization
coma
concussion (kon kush’ un) is a head injury resulting from impact with an object
concuss/o means violently shaken
concussion
conscious (kon’ shus) means being awake and aware of surroundings
conscious
convolution (kon” vo loo’ shun)--also known as gyrus--means a turn, fold, or coil of
anything that is rolled, as a scroll
convolution
demyelination (de mi’ e lin a’ shun) is the destruction or loss of the myelin (mi’ e lin) sheath
from the myelinated (mi’ e li nat’ ed) fibers due to disease
demyelination
dendrite (den’ drit) is the part of the neuron that conducts impulses to the cell body
dendr/o means branching
dendrite
dura mater (du’ ra ma’ tur) is the outermost membrane of the meninges
dur/o means pertaining to the dura mater
dura mater
dysphasia (dis fa’ ze a) is the impairment of speech resulting from a brain lesion
dys- means bad, labored, painful, difficult
-phasia means to speak or speech
dysphasia
electroencephalography (e lek tro en sef a lo gra fe) —also known as EEG—is the process of
recording brain-wave activity
electr/o means electric
encephal/o means brain
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
electroencephalography
electroshock therapy—also known as electroconvulsive therapy (abbreviated ECT)
produces a controlled convulsion as an electric current passes through the brain
electroshock therapy
encephalogram (en sef’ a lo gram) is the record made from an EEG
encephal/o means brain
gram means record or image
encephalogram
encephalopathy (en sef” a lop’ a the) is any degenerative disease of the brain
encephal/o means brain
-pathy means disease or feeling
encephalopathy
epidural (ep i doo ral) means outside the dura mater
epi- means upon, over
dural means pertaining to the dura mater
epidural
epilepsy (ep’ i lep” se) is a group of disorders that are characterized by recurrent episodes
of seizures
epilepsy
fissure (fish’ ur)—also known as sulcus—is a groove or natural division, cleft, or slit
fissure
frontal lobe consists of the four main convolutions in front of the cerebrum that control
motor functions
frontal lobe
ganglion (gang’ le on) is a mass of nervous tissue mainly composed of nerve-cell bodies and
lying outside the brain or spinal cord
ganglion
grand mal epilepsy is one of two types of epilepsy that is characterized by tonic-clonic
(klon’ ik) seizures
grand mal epilepsy
gray matter is what nerves are called that do not have myelin sheath protective coverings
on them
gray matter
homeostasis (ho” me o sta’ sis) refers to the state of equilibrium or the process of
maintaining a constant internal environment in the body
home/o means likeness
-stasis means standing
homeostasis
hydrocephalus (hi dro sef’ a lus) is an abnormally increased amount of fluid within the
brain
hydr/o means fluid
cephalus means referring to the brain
hydrocephalus
hypothalamus (hi” po thal’ a mus) is the portion of the diencephalon comprising the
ventral wall of the third ventricle. It is located below the thalamus and controls vital body
functions.
hyp/o means under, below
hypothalamus
innervation (in” er va’ shun) is the nerve supply to a body part and also the stimulation of
a body part
innervation
lethargy (leth’ ar je) is a lowered level of consciousness where the patient is listless, drowsy,
and apathic
lethargy
lobectomy (lo bek’ to me) means surgical removal of a lobe of the brain
lob/o means lobe
-ectomy means to surgically remove
lobectomy
lobotomy (lo bot’ o me) means to surgically cut into a lobe
lob/o means lobe
o/tomy means to cut into; incision
lobotomy
medulla oblongata (me dul’ la ob” long ga’ ta) is the lower portion of the brainstem that
controls the basic vital functions
medull/o means inner portion
oblongata means oblong
medulla oblongata
meninges (men in’ jez) are the three layers of membrane that enclose the brain and spinal
cord; the three layers are: dura mater—the external layer, arachnoid membrane—the
middle layer, and pia (pe’ a) mater (ma’ tur) —the internal layer
mening/o means meninges or the covering of the brain and spinal cord
meninges
meningitis (men in ji’ tis) inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain
mening/o means meninges (membranes around the spinal cord or brain)
-itis means inflammation
meningitis
migraine headache (mi’ gran) is a sudden, severe, sharp headache usually only on one side
migraine headache
mnemonic (ne mon’ ik) is a device to help recall or aid memory
mnemonic
multiple sclerosis (skle ro’ sis) —abbreviated MS—is an inflammatory disease of the central
nervous system in which infiltrating lymphocytes, mainly T cells and macrophages, degrade
the myelin (mi’ e lin) sheath of nerves
scler/o means hard
-osis means condition
multiple sclerosis
myelin sheath (mi’ e lin) is a fatlike substance forming a sheath around the axons of certain
nerves
myelin sheath
myelitis (mi” e li’ tis) is the inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow
myel/o means spinal cord or bone marrow
-itis means inflammation
myelitis
myelography (mi’ e log’ ra fe) is the diagnostic study of the spinal cord after injecting a
contrast medium into the body
myel/o means spinal cord or brain
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
myelography
narcolepsy (nar’ ko lep” se) is recurrent uncontrollable seizures of drowsiness and sleep
narc/o means numbness or stupor
-lepsy means seizure
narcolepsy
neuralgia (nu ral’ je a) means pain in a nerve
neur/o means nerve
-algia means pain
neuralgia
neuritis (nu ri’ tis) is an inflammation of a nerve
neur/o means nerve
-itis means inflammation
neuritis
neuroglia (nu rog’ le a) (also known as glial cell) is the tissue that forms the interstitial
supporting elements—cells and fibers—of the nervous system
neur/o means nerve
gli/o means glue
neuroglia
neuroplasty (nu’ ro plas” te) is the surgical repair of a nerve
neur/o means nerve
-plasty means surgical repair or correction
neuroplasty
neurorrhaphy (nu ror’ a fe) is the suturing of a nerve
neur/o means nerve
-rrhaphy means to sew or suture
neurorrhaphy
neurotransmitter (nu” ro trans’ mit er) is a chemical substance that makes it possible for
an impulse to jump across the synapse from one neuron to another
neur/o means neuron or nerve
neurotransmitter
occipital lobe (ok sip’ i tal) is the posterior lobe of the brain that is shaped like a three-sided
pyramid. It controls eyesight.
occipital lobe
paralysis (pa ral’ i sis) is the loss of the ability to use voluntary movement in a muscle
because of injury or disease; it may be temporary or permanent.
paralysis
paresthesia (par” es the’ ze a) is the sensation of burning, numbness, and tingling usually
with no apparent physical cause
par means beside
esthesia means sensation or feeling
paresthesia
parietal lobe (pa ri’ e tal) is the division of each side of the brain lying beneath each
parietal bone. It receives and interprets nerve impulses from sensory receptors.
parietal lobe
Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive and degenerative central nervous system
disorder
Parkinson’s disease
peripheral nervous system (per if’ er al) —abbreviated PNS—consists of the spinal nerves
and cranial nerves
peri- means around or about
peripheral nervous system
petit mal epilepsy (pet e’ mal) —also known as absence epilepsy—is characterized by a
brief altered state of consciousness with eye or muscle fluttering but without convulsive
movements of generalized seizure
petit mal epilepsy
pia mater (pe’ a ma’ tur) is the innermost membrane of the three meninges and is located
closest to the brain and spinal cord. It has a rich supply of blood vessels.
pia means tender, soft
pia mater
plexus (pleks’ us) is the singular form (the plural form is plexi). It is a network of nerves,
blood, or lymphatic vessels.
plexus
poliomyelitis (pol” e o mi el i’ tis) is the inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord
poli/o means gray matter of brain and spinal cord
myel/o means spinal cord or bone marrow
-itis means inflammation
poliomyelitis
pons (ponz) is located in the brainstem at the base of the brain and acts as a bridge
allowing nerves to cross over so that one side of the brain can control the opposite side of
the body
pons
radiculitis (ra dik” u li’ tis) is an inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve
radicul/o means root, nerve root
-itis means inflammation
radiculitis
receptor (re sep’ tor) is a sensory organ—such as eye, ear, skin, or taste bud—that receives
external stimulation and then transmits it to a sensory neuron
receptor
SAM stands for the neurons responsible for Sending (sensory), Accessing (connecting), and
Moving (motor)
SAM
sciatica (si at’ i ka) is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, usually associated with pain,
running along the thigh and leg
sciatica
seizure (se’ zhur)--also known as a convulsion--is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or
groups of muscles that is sudden and violent in nature
seizure
somnolence (som’ no lens) is prolonged drowsiness or sleepiness
somnolence
stimulus (stim’ u lus) is the singular form. The plural form is stimuli. It means something
that activates or excites a nerve that in turn causes an impulse.
stimulus
stroke—also known as cerebrovascular accident (ser” e bro vas’ cu lar) or CVA—happens
when the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted because of a ruptured or blocked blood
vessel
stroke, cerebrovascular accident, CVA
stupor (stu’ por) is a state of impaired consciousness with a lack of unresponsiveness to
environmental stimuli
stupor
subarachnoid space (sub” a rak’ noyd) is located below the arachnoid membrane and
above the pia mater. It contains the cerebrospinal fluid.
sub- means under, below
arachn/o means spider, spider web
-oid means resembling
subarachnoid space
subdural space (sub du’ ral) is located below the dura membrane and above the arachnoid
membrane
sub- means below, beneath
dural means pertaining to the dura mater
subdural space
synapse (sin’ aps) is the point of juncture between two neurons in the neural pathway
synaps/o means point of contact
synapse
syncope (sin’ ko pe)--also known as fainting--is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a
lack of oxygen in the brain
syncope
temporal lobe (tem’ por al) is a lobe of the brain that is located laterally and below the
frontal and occipital lobes. It controls the senses of hearing and smell.
temporal lobe
tetanus (tet’ a nus)--also known as lockjaw--is an acute infectious disease due to the toxin
of tetanus bacillus. It can be prevented through immunization.
tetanus
thalamus (thal’ a mus) is the largest subdivision of the diencephalon (di” en sef’ a lon) on
either side. It monitors sensory stimuli by suppressing some and magnifying others.
thalamus
tic douloureux (tik doo loo roo) is the inflammation of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve
usually resulting in neuralgia of the nerve
tic douloureux
transient ischemic (is ke’ mik) attack—also known as TIA—is the temporary interference
with blood supply to the brain
isch means to hold
emic means pertaining to blood
transient ischemic attack
tremor (trem’ or, tre’ mor) is an involuntary movement of a part or parts of the body
tremor
ventricle (ven’ trik l) means a small cavity. In the nervous system it refers to the four small
cavities located within the middle region of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
ventricle
white matter--also called myelin sheath--is a protective covering over some nerve cells (if
nerves do not have myelin sheath they are called gray matter)
white matter
This ends the section on the Nervous System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 7 BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
Blood performs many functions that are primarily grouped into transportation and
protection. Blood transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, glucose, fats, amino acids,
hormones, waste products, electrolytes, and heat throughout the body. If disease or
infection should invade the body, antibodies move in and take defensive action where
needed.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
aden/o (ad e no) means gland
adeno
an- means without or not
an
anti- (an ti) or (an te if placed before a word element that begins with a vowel sound)
means against
anti
aut/o (aw to) means self
auto
axill/o (ak sil o) means armpit
axillo
bas/o (bas o) means bottom or lowest part
baso
brachial (bra’ ke al) means pertaining to the arm
brachial
brachy (brak e) means short
brachy
carcin/o (kar si no) means cancerous
carcino
cervic/o (ser vi ko) means neck
cervico
cyst/o (sis to) means sac of fluid or urinary bladder
cyst/o
cyt/o (si to) means cell
cyto
-ectomy (ek’ to me) means surgical removal or excision
ectomy
-emia (e me a) means blood condition
emia
eosin/o (e o sin o) means rose-colored, rosy, or red
eosino
erythr/o (e rith ro) means red
erythro
gen (jen) means to originate or produce
gen
hemat/o (he ma to, hem a to), hem/o (he mo) means blood
hemato, hemo
immun/o (im u no) means safe or protection
immuno
inguin/o (ing gwi no) means groin
inguino
inter- (in ter) means between
inter
-itis (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
leuk/o (lu ko) means white
leuko
-logy (lo ge) means study of
logy
lymph/o (lim fo) means alkaline fluid called lymph
lympho
-lytic (lit’ ik) means dissolution, decompensation, reduce, destroy
lytic
macr/o (mak ro) means large or long
macro
-megaly (meg a le) means large
megaly
meta- (met’ a) means change or beyond
meta
mon/o (mon o) means one or single
mono
myel/o (mi’ e lo) means spinal cord and/or bone marrow
myelo
my/o (mi o) means muscle
myo
-ology (ol o je) means the study of
ology
-oma (o ma) means tumor
oma
onc/o (on ko) means tumor
onco
-osis (o sis) means condition
osis
oste/o (os te o) means bone
osteo
pan- (pan) means all or every
pan
-pathy (path e) means disease, feeling, suffering
pathy
-penia (pe’ ne a) means deficiency or decrease
penia
phag/o (fag o) means to eat or swallow
phago
phil (fil) means love for or tendency toward
phil
pneum/o (nu mo) means air or lung
pneumo
sarc/o (sar ko) means flesh (not to be confused with sacro (sa kro) which means sacrum)
sarco
splen/o (sple no) means spleen
spleno
syn- (sin) means together, joined, union, association
syn
tele (tel e) means distant or far
tele
-therapy (ther’ a pe) means treatment
therapy
thromb/o (throm bo) means clot
thrombo
thym/o (thi mo) means thymus
thymo
tonsill/o (ton sil o) means tonsil
tonsillo
-toxin (toks in) means poison
toxin
Blood and Lymphatic System Words
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (a kwird’ im un’ de fish’ en se sin’ drom) —
abbreviated AIDS—is the syndrome of opportunistic infections that occur as the final stage
of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
immun/o means safe, protection
deficiency means decrease
syndrome means to occur together
acquired immune deficiency syndrome
adenocarcinoma (ad” e no kar” sin o’ ma) is a malignant adenoma arising from a glandular
organ
aden/o means gland
carcin means cancerous
-oma means tumor
adenocarcinoma
anemia (a ne’ me a) is the reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells, the
amount of hemoglobin, or volume of packed red cells
an- means without
-emia means blood condition
anemia
antitoxin (an” ti tok’ sin) is an antibody produced in response to and capable of
neutralizing a specific biologic toxin
anti- means against
-toxin means poison
antitoxin
autoimmune disease (aw” to im mun’) is a disease produced when the body’s normal
tolerance of its own antigenic markers on cells disappears
aut/o means self
immune means safe or protection
autoimmune disease
axillofemoral bypass graft (ak” sil o fem’ or al) is the surgical establishment of a connector
between the axillary artery and the common femoral arteries
axill/o means armpit
femoral means pertaining to the femoral arteries
axillofemoral bypass graft
basophil (ba’ so fil) means the cells or parts of cells that are readily stained with basic dyes
bas/o means base
phil means love for, tendency toward
basophil
brachytherapy (brak” e ther’ a pe) is the use of implants of radioactive materials in
radiation therapy
brachy- means short
-therapy means treatment
brachytherapy
carcinoma (kar” si no’ ma) is a new growth or a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial
tissue
carcin- means cancerous
-oma means tumor
carcinoma
cervicobrachial (ser” vi ko bra’ ke al) means pertaining to the neck and arm
cervic/o means neck
brachial means pertaining to the arm
cervicobrachial
eosinopenia (e” o sin o pe’ ne a) is the abnormally small number of eosinophilic cells in
peripheral blood
eosin/o means rose-colored
-penia means decrease or deficiency
eosinopenia
erythrocytopenia (e rith” ro si” to pe’ ne a) is the decreased number of red blood cells in
the body
erythr/o means red
cyt/o means cell
-penia means decrease, deficiency
erythrocytopenia
hemolytic (he” mo lit’ ik) means pertaining to the breakdown of red blood cells
hem/o means blood
-lytic means dissolution or decompensation
hemolytic
inguinal glands (ing’ gwi nal) are lymph nodes of the groin
inguin/o means groin
inguinal glands
leukemia (lu ke’ me a) is a chronic or acute disease of unregulated clonal proliferation of
the stem cells of the blood-forming tissues
leuk/o means white
-emia means blood condition
leukemia
lymphadenopathy (lim fad” e nop’ a the) is any disease of the lymph nodes
aden/o means gland
-pathy means disease
lymphadenopathy
lymphoma (lim fo ma) is a tumor of lymphoid tissue
lymph means lymph gland/tissue
-oma means tumor
lymphoma
macrophage (mak’ ro faj) is the monocyte that has the ability to recognize and ingest all
foreign antigens
macr/o means large
phage means to eat or swallow
macrophage
metagenesis (met a jen’ e sis) is the alternation of generations
meta- means change
genesis means to produce
metagenesis
monocytopenia (mon” o si” to pe’ ne a) means a diminished number of monocytes in the
blood
monocyt/o are monocytes
-penia means decrease or deficiency
monocytopenia
myeloma (mi e lo’ ma) is a tumor originating in cells of the hematopoietic (he” ma to poy
et’ ik, hem” a to poy et’ ik) portion of bone marrow
myel/o means bone marrow or spinal cord
-oma means tumor
myeloma
myosarcoma (mi” o sar ko’ ma) is a malignant tumor derived from myogenic cells
my/o means muscle
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
myosarcoma
oncology (ong kol’ o je) is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors
onc/o means tumor
-logy means study of
oncology
osteosarcoma (os” te o sar ko’ ma) is a malignant sarcoma of the bone
oste/o means bone
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
osteosarcoma
panmyelosis (pan mi’ el o sis) is an increase in all the elements of bone marrow
pan- means all
myel means bone marrow or spinal cord
-osis means condition
panmyelosis
Pneumocystis carinii (nu” mo sis’ tis ka ri’ ne i) is the causative organism of Pneumocystis
carinii pneumonia abbreviated PCP
pneum/o means air or lung
cyst means sac
Pneumocystis carinii
radiation therapy (ra de a’ shun) is the branch of medicine that utilizes ionizing radiation
in the treatment of malignant neoplasms
radiation therapy
sarcoma (sar ko’ ma) is a cancer arising from connective tissue such as muscle or bone
sarc means flesh
-oma means tumor
sarcoma
splenectomy (sple nek’ to me) is the surgical excision of the spleen
splen/o means spleen
-ectomy means surgical removal
splenectomy
splenomegaly (sple” no meg’ a le) is an enlargement of the spleen
splen/o means spleen
-megaly means enlargement
splenomegaly
teletherapy (tel e ther’ a pe) is the treatment of disease by telepathy
tele- means distant
-therapy means treatment
teletherapy
thrombocytopenia (throm” bo si” to pe’ ne a) means an abnormal decrease in the number
of blood platelets
thromb/o means clot
cyt/o means cell
-penia means decrease or deficiency
thrombocytopenia
thymoma (thi mo’ ma) is a tumor originating in the epithelial tissue of the thymus
thym means thymus
-oma means tumor
thymoma
tonsillitis (ton sil i tis) means inflammation of a tonsil
tonsill/o means tonsil
-itis means inflammation
tonsillitis
toxinosis (tok” si no’ sis) means any disease or condition caused by a toxin
toxin means poison
-osis means condition
toxinosis
This ends the section on the Blood and Lymphatic System. If you have any questions,
please ask your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should
repeat this section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the
meaning and pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 8 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
This system consists of the heart (cardi/o) and blood vessels (vascular). It is this system
that allows blood to travel through the body. The heart works as a pump to keep the blood
moving. It is one of the strongest organs in the human body.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
an- means without or not
an
angi/o (an’ je o) means blood or lymph vessel
angio
anti- (an ti or an te) means against
anti
arteri/o (ar te re o) means artery
arterio
ather/o (ath er o) means yellowish plaque or fatty substance
athero
bas/o (ba so) means bottom or lowest part
baso
brady- (brad e) means slow
brady
cardi/o (kar de o) means heart
cardio
coron/o (kor o no) means heart
corono
cyt/o (si to) means cell
cyto
dys- (dis) means bad, labored, painful, difficult
dys
ech/o (ek’ o) means sound
echo
-ectomy (ek’ to me) means surgical removal, cutting out, excision
ectomy
electr/o (e lek tro) means relating to electricity or electric
electro
-emia (e me a) means blood condition
emia
end/o (en do) means within or inside
endo
eosin/o (e o sin o) means rose-colored
eosino
epi- (ep i) means upon, over, at, in addition to, after
epi
erythr/o (e rith ro) means red
erythro
fibrill/o (fi bril o) means muscular twitching
fibrillo
fibrin (fi’ brin) means fiber
fibrin
-gram (gram) means record or image
gram
-graphy (graf e) means the procedure of recording or writing
graphy
hemat/o (he ma to or hem a to), hem/o (he mo) means blood
hemato, hemo
isch/o (is ko) means suppress, restrain or hold back
ischo
-itis (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
leuk/o (lu ko) means white
leuko
-lysis (li’ sis) means dissolution, decomposition, destruction, separation, setting free
lysis
macr/o (mak ro) means large or long
macro
megal/o (meg a lo) means great size
megalo
my/o (mi o) means muscle
myo
neutr/o (nu tro) means neither or neutral
neutro
-osis (o sis) means condition, status, process
osis
-penia (pe ne a) means decrease or deficiency
penia
peri- (per e) means around, about, surrounding
peri
phag/o (fag o) means eating or swallowing
phago
phil (fil) means love for or tendency towards
phil
phleb/o (fleb o) means vein
phlebo
-plasty (plas te) means surgical repair or surgical correction
plasty
pro- (pro) means in front of or before
pro
-rrhagia (ra’ je a) means abnormal discharge or bursting forth
rrhagia
scler/o (skle ro) means hard, sclera, white of eye
sclero
sept/o (sep to) means partition or infection
septo
-stasis (sta’ sis) means stop or control
stasis
tachy (tak e) means fast, rapid, swift
tachy
thromb/o (throm bo) means clot
thrombo
valvulo (val vu lo) means valve
valvulo
vas/o (vas o) means vessel
vaso
ven/o (ve no, ven o) means vein
veno
Cardiovascular System Words
aneurysm (an’ u rizm) is an abnormal ballooning out of a blood vessel, usually an artery
aneurysm
angioplasty (an’ je o plas” te) is the surgical correction or repair of a blood vessel
angi/o means blood vessel
-plasty means surgical repair or surgical correction
angioplasty
aortic valve (a or’ tik) is the valve between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta that
prevents regurgitation of blood back into the left ventricle
aortic valve
arrhythmia (a rith’ me a) is the irregularity or loss of rhythm of the heartbeat; also
referred to as dysrhythmia (dis rith me ah)
arrhythmia
arteriosclerosis (ar te” re o skle ro’ sis) is the condition where arteries become hardened
and lose their elasticity
arteri/o means artery
scler means hard
-osis means condition
arteriosclerosis
atria (a’ tre a) is the plural form for the upper chambers of the heart; atrium (a’ tre um) is
the singular form
atri/o means upper chamber
atria
bradycardia (brad” e kar’ de a) is a slow heartbeat usually under 60 beats per minute
brady- (brad e) means slow
cardia (kar de ah) means heart
bradycardia
carditis (kar di’ tis) is the inflammation of the heart
card means heart
-itis means inflammation
carditis
dysrhythmia (dis rith’ me a) is the irregularity or loss of rhythm of the heartbeat; also
referred to as arrhythmia (a rith’ me a)
dys- means bad, labored, difficult
dysrhythmia
echocardiogram (ek” o kar’ de o gram”) is the graphic recording of the heart produced by
ultrasound
ech/o means sound
cardi/o means heart
-gram means record or image
echocardiogram
embolism (em’ bo lizm) is the obstruction of a blood vessel caused by a foreign object such
as a clot
embolism
endarterectomy (end” ar ter ek’ to me) means the surgical removal of an artery lining
end means inside
arter means artery
-ectomy means surgical removal
endarterectomy
endocardium (en” do kar’ de um) means the interior lining of heart
end/o means inside
card means heart
-ium means pertaining to
endocardium
epicardium (ep” i kar’ de um) is the outermost layer of the heart
epi- means upon, over
card means heart
-ium means pertaining to
epicardium
fibrillation (fi” bril a’ shun) means formation of fibers
fibrillation
hemorrhage (hem’ e rij) is a severe, abnormal discharge of blood
hem/o means blood
rrhage means to burst forth
hemorrhage
hemostasis (he mos’ ta sis) means the stopping of blood flow or bleeding
hem/o means blood
-stasis means to stop or control
hemostasis
ischemia (is ke’ me a) is the temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction
isch- means to hold back
-emia means blood condition
ischemia
leukemia (lu ke’ me a) is the progressive increase of abnormal white blood cells
leuk/o means white
-emia means blood condition
leukemia
leukopenia (lu” ko pe’ ne a) means a decrease in the number of white blood cells
leuk/o means white
-penia means decrease or deficiency
leukopenia
mitral valve (mi’ tral) is the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle
mitral valve
myocardial infarction (mi o kar’ de al in fark’ shun) is the partial or complete occlusion of
one or more coronary arteries
my/o means muscle
cardi means heart
-al means pertaining to
myocardial infarction
myocardium (mi o kar’ de um) is the middle layer of the heart
my/o means muscle
cardium means pertaining to the heart
myocardium
pericardium (per” i kar’ de um) is the sac that encloses the heart
peri- means about, around
cardium means pertaining to the heart
pericardium
phlebitis (fle bi’ tis) is the inflammation of a vein
phleb/o means vein
-itis means inflammation
phlebitis
pulmonary valve (pul’ mo ne re) is the valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary
artery
pulmon/o means lung
pulmonary valve
septum (sep’ tum) is the wall dividing two cavities; there are many different septums found
in the body, here are just a few: atrial septum; intermuscular septum; nasal septum; and
ventricular septum
sept/o means partition
septum
tachycardia (tak” e kar’ de a) refers to rapid heart action
tachy- means rapid or fast
cardia means pertaining to the heart
tachycardia
thrombocytopenia (throm” bo si” to pe’ ne a) is the decrease in the number of blood
platelets
thromb/o means to clot
cyt/o means cell
-penia means decrease or deficiency
thrombocytopenia
thrombophlebitis (throm” bo fle bi’ tis) is the inflammation of a vein with a blood clot
present
thromb/o means to clot
phleb/o means vein
-itis means inflammation
thrombophlebitis
tricuspid valve (tri kus’ pid) is the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle
tricuspid valve
valvuloplasty (val’ vu lo plas” te) refers to the surgical repair of a valve
valvul/o means valve
-plasty means surgical repair or correction
valvuloplasty
varicose veins (var’ i kos vanz) are enlarged and twisted superficial veins
varicose veins
ventricle (ven’ trik l) is the lower chamber of the heart on either side; the plural form is
ventricles
ventricle
This ends the section on the Cardiovascular System. If you have any questions, please ask
your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this
section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 9 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system consists of the nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, trachea,
bronchial tree, and lungs. This system serves two functions: (1) to bring in oxygen to be
delivered to the cells and (2) to carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be expelled out of
the body.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
alveol/o (al ve o lo) means air sac
alveolo
angi/o (an’ je o) means blood or lymph vessel
angio
anthrac/o (an’ thra ko) means coal dust
anthraco
atel- (at el) means imperfect or incomplete
atel
brady- (brad e) means slow
brady
bronchi/o (brong ke o) means the branch of the windpipe named bronchus
bronchio
bronch/o (brong ko) means the branch of the windpipe named bronchus
broncho
-centesis (sen te’ sis) means surgical puncture to remove fluid
centesis
coccidi- (kok sid e) means berry shaped
coccidi
cyan/o (si a no) means blue
cyano
cystic (sis tik) means pertaining to a sac or bladder
cystic
cyt/o (si to) means cell
cyto
dys- (dis) means bad, difficult, painful, disordered
dys
-ectasis (ek’ ta sis) means to stretch or enlarge
ectasis
-emia (e me a) means blood condition
emia
epi- (ep i) means upon or over
epi
epiglott/o (ep i glot o) is the word element for the epiglottis, which is the leaf-shaped
structure that covers the entrance of the larynx (lar’ inks) or voice box during swallowing
epiglotto
eu- (u) means healthy, normal, good, well, easy
eu
fibr/o (fi bro) means fiber
fibro
-gram (gram) means record or image
gram
hem/o (he mo) means blood
hemo
hydr/o (hi dro) means fluid or water
hydro
hyp/o (hi po) means under, below, beneath
hypo
inter- (in ter) means between
inter
-it is (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
laryng/o (lar in’ go, lar ing’ o) means the voice box, called the larynx (lar inks)
laryngo
meter means an instrument used to measure
meter
metry (me tre) means the procedure to measure
metry
myc/o (mi ko) means fungus
myco
nas/o (na so) means nose
naso
oid/o (oyd o) means resembling or like
oido
optic (op’ tik) means pertaining to eye or vision
optic
or/o (or” o) means mouth
oro
-oscopy (os ko pe) means procedure of visually examining
oscopy
-osis (o sis) means condition
osis
-ostomy (os’ to me) means procedure of making an opening
ostomy
oxi-, ox/o, oxy- (ok si, oks o, ok se) means oxygen
oxi, oxo, oxy
parietal (pa ri’ e tal) means the wall of a cavity
parietal
-phagia (faj e a) means to eat or swallow
phagia
pharyng/o (far in go) means the throat, called the pharynx (far’ inks)
pharyngo
phon/o (fo no) means sound or voice
phono
phren/o (fren o) means diaphragm or mind
phreno
-plegia (ple’ je a) means stroke or paralysis
plegia
pleur/o (ploo ro) means rib or side
pleuro
pnea (ne a) means to breathe or breathing
pnea
pneumon/o (nu mo no) means air or lung
pneumono
-ptysis (ti’ sis) means spitting
ptysis
pulm/o (pul’ mo, pool’ mo) means lung
pulmo
pulmon/o (pul’ mo no, pool’ mo no) means lung
pulmono
py/o (pi o) means pus
pyo
rhin/o (ri no) means nose
rhino
-rrhea (re a) means flow or discharge
rrhea
sarc/o (sar ko) means flesh. This word element is very similar to another word element
sacr/o (sa” kro) which means sacrum (the next to the last part of the lower spine). Be
careful not to confuse these two root words.
sarco
-scop (skop) means visual examination
scop
sept/o (sep to) means partition or infection
septo
silic/o (sil i ko) means silica (quartz) dust
silico
sinus/o (si nu so) means sinus or hollow
sinuso
spir/o (spi ro) means breath or breathing
spiro
tachy- (tak e) means fast or rapid
tachy
thorac/o (tho ra ko, tho rak o) means chest
thoraco
tom/o (to mo) means to cut or section
tomo
trache/o (tra ke o) means the windpipe, called the trachea
tracheo
Respiratory System Words
alveoli (al ve’ o li) are the air cells of the lungs; alveolus (al ve’ o lus) is the singular form.
alveol/o means air sac
alveoli
anthracosis (an’ thra ko’ sis) refers to an accumulation of carbon deposits in the lungs due
to breathing smoke or coal dust; synonym for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (nu” mo ko”
ne o’ sis)
anthrac/o means coal
-osis means condition
anthracosis
apnea (ap ne’ a) is the temporary cessation of breathing
a- means without
pnea means to breathe
apnea
asthma (az’ ma) is a chronic allergic disease caused by a response to various stimuli
asthma
atelectasis (at” e lek’ ta sis) means a collapsed lung
atel- means imperfect
-ectasis means stretching
atelectasis
bronchi (brong’ ki) are the branches from the windpipe named trachea (tra’ ke a) to the
lungs
bronchi
bronchial tree (brong’ ke al) means pertaining to the bronchi (brong’ ki) and bronchial
tubes
bronchial tree
bronchiole (brong’ ke ol) is a smaller division of the bronchus inside the lung
bronchiole
bronchitis (brong ki’ tis) is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes
bronch/o means bronchus
-itis means inflammation
bronchitis
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--abbreviated COPD—is used to describe diseases of
the lung when a more specific term cannot be used
pulmon/o means lungs
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
coccidioidomycosis (kok sid” i oyd o mi ko’ sis) is a disease caused by a fungus
coccidi- means berry shaped
oid/o means resembling
myc/o means fungus
-osis means condition
coccidioidomycosis
complete spirometry (spi rom’ e tre) is measuring the air capacity of the lungs
spir/o means to breathe
-metry means the procedure to measure
complete spirometry
croup (kroop) means an acute childhood disease of the respiratory tract characterized by
hoarseness, a barking cough, and difficult breathing
croup
cystic fibrosis (sis tik’ fi bro’ sis) —abbreviated CF—is an inherited disease of the exocrine
glands that usually begins in infancy
cyst/o means sac
-ic means pertaining to
fibr/o means fiber
-osis means condition
cystic fibrosis
diaphragm (di’ a fram) is the muscular partition that separates the abdominal and thoracic
cavities
diaphragm
dysphagia (dis fa’ je a) is the inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing
dys- means difficult, bad, labored
-phagia means to eat or swallow
dysphagia
dyspnea (disp ne’ a, disp’ ne a) means labored or difficult breathing
dys- means bad, labored, difficult
pnea means to breathe or breathing
dyspnea
emphysema (em” fi se’ ma) is a condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) become enlarged
emphysema
empyema (em” pi e’ ma) is the presence of pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural
cavity
py/o means pus
empyema
epiglottis (ep” i glot’ is) is a thin, leaf-shaped structure that covers the entrance of the
larynx (lar’ inks) when food is swallowed.
epi- means over, upon
glottis is the opening between the vocal folds
epiglottis
eupnea (up ne’ a) refers to normal breathing
eu- means healthy, normal, good
pnea means to breathe or breathing
eupnea
expiration (eks” pi ra’ shun) is the expulsion of air from the lungs in breathing
ex- means out
expiration
fiberoptic bronchoscopy (fi’ ber op’ tik brong kos’ ko pe) is a procedure using a
bronchoscope and fiberoptic materials to examine the bronchi
fiber means fiber
optic means pertaining to vision
bronch/o means branch of windpipe (bronchi)
-oscopy means procedure to examine visually
fiberoptic bronchoscopy
glottis (glot’ is) means the vocal folds and the space between that produce sound from the
voice box (larynx)
glottis
hemopneumothorax (he” mo nu mo tho’ raks) refers to blood and air in the pleural cavity
hem/o means blood
pneum/o means air
thorax means chest or pleural cavity
hemopneumothorax
hemoptysis (he mop’ ti sis) refers to coughing up blood from the oral cavity, larynx (lar’
inks), trachea, bronchi, or lungs
hem/o means blood
-ptysis means spitting or coughing
hemoptysis
hilum (hi’ lum) is the depression in the lung at the point of entrance of the bronchus
hilum
hydropneumothorax (hi” dro nu” mo tho’ raks) refers to fluid and air in the pleural cavity
hydr/o means fluid
pneum/o means air
thorax means chest or pleural cavity
hydropneumothorax
hypoxemia (hi poks e’ me a) is a decrease of oxygen in the blood
hyp/o means under, below, beneath
ox means oxygen
-emia means blood condition
hypoxemia
hypoxia (hi poks’ e a) is the deficiency of oxygen
hyp/o means under, below, beneath
oxia pertaining to oxygen
hypoxia
influenza (in” flu en’ za) is more commonly called the flu
influenza
inspiration (in” spir a’ shun) is the drawing of air into the lungs
inspiration
interstitial lung disorders (in” ter stish’ al) — abbreviated ILD — are a large group of
diseases with different causes, but with the same or similar clinical and pathological
changes
inter- means between
interstitial lung disorders
laryngitis (lar in ji’ tis) is the inflammation of the voice box, called the larynx (lar’ inks)
laryng/o means voice box (larynx)
-itis means inflammation
laryngitis
laryngoscopy (lar” in gos’ ko pe) refers to examining the interior of the voice box (lar’ inks)
laryng/o means voice box (larynx)
-scopy means procedure to visually examine
laryngoscopy
parietal pleura (pa ri’ e tal ploo’ ra) is the portion of the pleura that extends from the roots
of the lungs and covers the side of the pericardium to the chest wall and backward to the
spine
parietal means pertaining to or forming the wall of a cavity
parietal pleura
pharynx (far’ inks) is the passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus and for air
from the nasal cavity to the larynx
pharynx
pleurisy (ploo’ ris e) is the inflammation of the pleura
pleurisy
pneumothorax (nu mo tho’ raks) means air or gas in the pleural cavity
pneum/o means air
thorax means chest or pleural cavity
pneumothorax
pulmonary angiogram (pul’ mo ne re an’ je o gram) is the x-ray of the vessels in the lungs
pulmon/o means lung
angi/o means blood vessels
-gram means record or image
pulmonary angiogram
rales (rahlz) are abnormal sounds heard in the chest during inspiration
rales
residual volume (re zid’ u al) refers to measuring the amount of air remaining in the lungs
after forced expiration
residual volume
rhinorrhea (ri” no re’ a) refers to a discharge from the nose
rhin/o means nose
-rrhea means flow
rhinorrhea
sarcoidosis (sar” koyd o’ sis) is a condition of unknown etiology with widespread lesions
that may affect any organ or tissue of the body
sarc/o means flesh
-oid means like
-osis means condition
sarcoidosis
silicosis (sil i ko’ sis) is a condition resulting from inhalation of silica dust
silic/o means silica (quartz dust)
-osis means condition
silicosis
sinus (si’ nus) is a cavity within a bone; within the head there are four major pairs:
ethmoid (eth’ moyd), frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid (sfe’ noyd)
sinus
sputum cytology (si tol’ o je) is the study of cells found in the substance expelled by
coughing or clearing the throat
cyt/o means cell
-ology means study of
sputum cytology
tactile (tak’ til) means pertaining to touching with the hands
tactile
thoracentesis (tho” ra sen te’ sis) is the surgical puncture of the chest wall for removal of
fluid
thora means chest
-centesis means surgical puncture
thoracentesis
thoracostomy (tho” rak os’ to me) is the insertion of a tube into the chest wall to allow
drainage from the chest cavity
thorac/o means chest
-ostomy means artificial opening
thoracostomy
tomogram (to’ mo gram) means an x-ray obtained by taking pictures of selected planes of
tissue
tom/o means to cut
-gram means record or image
tomogram
tracheostomy (tra” ke os’ to me) means surgically creating an artificial opening into the
windpipe (trachea)
trache/o means windpipe (trachea)
-ostomy means artificial opening
tracheostomy
tuberculosis (tu ber” ku lo’ sis)--abbreviated TB--is a highly infectious disease caused by
tubercle bacillus
tuberculosis
visceral pleura (vis’ er al ploo’ ra) is the part of the pleura that covers the lungs and enters
into and lines the interlobar fissures
visceral pleura
This ends the section on the Respiratory System. If you have any questions, please ask
your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this
section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 10 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The digestive system is also known as the alimentary (al ih men’ tar e) canal and/or
gastrointestinal tract, which is abbreviated GI. It is responsible for the intake and
digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of solid waste products.
The mouth or oral cavity, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, appendix,
and large intestine are the major parts of this system.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
aliment/o (al’ i men to) means nourish
alimento
angi/o (an’ je o) means blood vessel
angio
an/o (a no) means anus or ring
ano
anti- (an ti) means against
anti
bili/o (bil e o) means bile or gall
bilio
bucc/o (buk ko) means cheek
bucco
carcin/o (kar” si no’) means cancerous
carcino
cec/o (se ko) means blind gut (cecum)
ceco
cheil/o (ki lo) means lip
cheilo
chole (ko le) means bile or gall
chole
cholecyst/o (ko le sis to) means gallbladder
cholecysto
choledoch/o (ko led o ko) means common bile duct
choledocho
chol/o (ko lo) means bile or gall
cholo
cirrh/o (si ro) means orange-yellow or tawny
cirrho
col/o (ko lo), colon (ko lon) means large intestine or colon
colo, colon
cyst/o (sis to) means sac of fluid or bladder
cysto
denti- (den ti), dent/o (den to) means teeth
denti, dento
dia- (di ah) means through or complete
dia
dys- (dis) means bad, labored, painful, difficult
dys
enter/o (en ter o) means intestine, usually small intestine
entero
epi- (ep i) means upon or over
epi
esophag/o (e sof a go) means esophagus (carries food from mouth to stomach)
esophago
gastr/o (gas tro) means stomach
gastro
gingiv/o (jin ji vo) means gum
gingivo
gloss/o (glos o, glos so) means tongue
glosso
glottis (glot’ is) means the space between vocal folds
glottis
-gram means record or image
gram
-graphy (graf e) means the procedure of recording or writing
graphy
hem/o (he mo) means blood
hemo
hepat/o (hep a to) means liver
hepato
hydr/o (hi dro) means fluid or water
hydro
ile/o (il e o) means ileum which is the last and lowest part of the small intestine. It should
not to be confused with ili/o pronounced the same way but spelled ilio, which is the word
element for ilium pronounced the same way but spelled ilium, a part of the hipbone)
ileo
intra- (in tra) means within or inside
intra
-it is (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
labi/o (lab e o) means lip
labio
lapar/o (lap a ro) means abdomen or abdominal wall
laparo
lingu/o (ling gwo) means tongue
linguo
lithiasis (lith i’ a sis) means the formation or presence of stones
lithiasis
mandibul/o (man dib u lo) means lower jaw bone (mandible)
mandibulo
maxill/o (mak sil o) means upper jaw bone (maxilla)
maxillo
-megaly (meg a le) means to enlarge
megaly
meta- (met’ a) means to change, beyond
meta
odont/o (o don to) means teeth
odonto
or/o (or o) means mouth
oro
-oscopy (os ko pe) means the procedure of visual examination
oscopy
-osis (o sis) means condition
osis
-ostomy (os’ to me) means creating a mouth or opening
ostomy
-otomy (ot o me) means to cut into, incision
otomy
pancreat/o (pan kre a to) means pancreas
pancreato
parotid (pa rot’ id) means located near the ear (parotid gland)
parotid
peps/o (pep so) means digestion or digest
pepso
peri- (per e) means around or about
peri
-pexy (peks e) means surgical fixation
pexy
-phagia (faj e a), phag/o (fag o) means to eat or swallow
phagia, phago
pharyng/o (far in go) means throat
pharyngo
polyp/o (pol e po) means a tumor on a stem, called a polyp
polypo
proct/o (prok to) means anus and rectum
procto
pylor/o (pi lo ro) means pylorus or pyloric sphincter or gate keeper
pyloro
pyr/o (pi ro) means fever or fire
pyro
rect/o (rek to) means rectum or straight
recto
-rrhea (re ah) means flow or discharge
rrhea
rug/o (ru go) means wrinkle or fold
rugo
sigmoid/o (sig moy do) means sigmoid colon
sigmoido
splen/o (sple no) means spleen
spleno
-stalsis (stal sis) means contraction
stalsis
stom/o, stomat/o (sto mo, sto ma to) means mouth
stomo, stomato
sub- (sub) means under, below, beneath, less
sub
syn- (sin) means together or union
syn
trache/o (tra ke o) means the windpipe; it is medically called the trachea
tracheo
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
uvul/o (u vu lo) means uvula or little grape
uvulo
ven/o (ve no, ven o) means vein
veno
Digestive System Words
abdominal ultrasonography (ab dom’ i nal ul tra son og’ ra fe) is the procedure of making
a record of sound waves as they bounce off the abdominal viscera
abdominal pertaining to the abdomen
son/o means sound
-graphy means the procedure to record
abdominal ultrasonography
absorption (ab sorp’ shun) is the process that transfers nutrients into the bloodstream and
body
absorption
alimentary canal (al i men’ tar e) is another name for the digestive tract; also called the
gastrointestinal tract
aliment/o means to nourish
alimentary canal
ampulla of Vater (am pul’ la fa ter) is the duodenal end of the drainage systems of the
pancreatic and common bile ducts; now called Vater’s (fa terz) papilla
ampulla of Vater
anus (a’ nus) is the outlet of the rectum that lies in the fold between the buttocks
an/o means anus
anus
ascites (a si’ tez) means the accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
ascites
barium enema (ba’ re um en’ e ma) —abbreviated BE—is the use of barium sulfate as an
enema to help x-ray and perform a fluoroscopic examination of the colon
barium enema
biliary tree (bil’ e ar e) consists of the hepatic duct, cystic duct, and common bile duct
bili/o means bile
biliary tree
carcinoembryonic antigen (kar” si no em” bre on’ ik an’ ti jen) —abbreviated CEA—
means antigens normally present in the fetus
carcin/o means cancer
embryonic means pertaining to the embryo
anti- means against
gen means to originate or produce
carcinoembryonic antigen
cecum (se’ kum) is a blind pouch or cul-de-sac that forms the first portion of the large
intestine on one side and connects to the ileum on the other side
cec/o means blind gut or cecum
cecum
cholecystogram (ko” le sis’ to gram) is an x-ray of the gallbladder
cholecyst/o means gallbladder
-gram means record or image
cholecystogram
choledocholithotomy (ko led” o ko lith ot’ o me) is the removal of gallstone(s) through an
incision in the bile duct
chole means bile
doch/o means duct
lith/o means stone
-otomy means to cut into or incision
choledocholithotomy
cirrhosis (si ro’ sis) is a chronic disease of the liver
cirrh means orange yellow
-osis means condition
cirrhosis
colonoscopy (ko” lon os’ ko pe) means to examine the upper portion of the rectum with an
elongated speculum
colon means large intestine
-oscopy means procedure to visually exam
colonoscopy
colostomy (ko los’ to me) is the opening of some portion of the colon through the abdominal
wall
col/o means large intestine
-ostomy means creating an opening
colostomy
diarrhea (di a re’ a) means frequent passage of unformed watery bowel movements
dia- means through
-rrhea means flow
diarrhea
diverticulum (di” ver tik’ u lum) is a sac or pouch in the walls of a canal or organ
diverticulum
duodenum (du” o de’ num, du od’ e num) is the first part of the small intestine connecting
with the pylorus of the stomach
duodenum
dyspepsia (dis pep’ se a) means imperfect or painful digestion
dys- means bad
-pepsia means digestion
dyspepsia
esophagogastrectomy (e sof” a go gas trek’ to me) is the surgical removal of all or part of
the stomach and esophagus
esophag/o means esophagus
gastr/o means stomach
-ectomy means surgical removal
esophagogastrectomy
esophagoscope (e sof’ a go skop) is the type of endoscope used for examination of the
esophagus
esophag/o means esophagus
-scop means visual examination
-e means instrument and also noun suffix
esophagoscope
feces (fe’ sez) means stools, excrement, body waste
feces
fissure (fish’ ur) is a groove or natural division
fissure
fistula (fis’ tu la) is an abnormal tubelike passage from a normal cavity or tube to a free
surface or to another cavity
fistula
gastric analysis (gas’ trik) is the the analysis of gastric contents of the stomach to determine
the quality of the secretions
gastric means pertaining to the stomach
gastric analysis
gastrostomy (gas tros’ to me) is the surgical creation of a gastric fistula through the
abdominal wall
gastr/o means stomach
-ostomy means creating an opening
gastrostomy
greater omentum (o men’ tum) is the portion of the omentum that is suspended from the
greater curvature of the stomach and covers the intestines like an apron
greater omentum
guaiac stool test (gwi’ ak) is the alcoholic solution of guaiac that is used in testing for occult
blood in feces
guaiac stool test
hemorrhoidal veins (hem o roy’ dal) means pertaining to certain anal arteries called
hemorrhoids
hemorrh means blood
-oid means like or resembling
al means pertaining to
hemorrhoidal veins
hepatitis (hep” a ti’ tis) is the inflammation of the liver
hepat/o means liver
-itis means inflammation
hepatitis
hydrochloric acid (hi” dro klo’ ik) is the gastric juice produced by the parietal cells of the
gastric glands
hydr/o means fluid
hydrochloric acid
ileitis (il” e i’ tis) means inflammation of the ileum
ile/o (spelled ileo) means ileum
-itis means inflammation
ileitis
ileocecal valve (il’ e o se’ kal) is made up of sphincter muscles that serve to close the ileum
at the point where the small intestines open into the ascending colon
ile/o (spelled ileo) means ileum
-cecal means pertaining to the cecum
ileocecal valve
ileostomy (il’ e os’ to me) is the creation of a surgical passage through the abdominal wall
into the ileum
ile/o (spelled ileo) means ileum
-ostomy means creating an opening
ileostomy
ileum (il’ e um) spelled ileum is the lower three-fifths of the small intestine
ileum
intravenous cholangiogram (in tra ve’ nus ko lan” je o gram) —abbreviated IVC—is an xray of the bile ducts
intra- means within
venous means pertaining to veins
chol/o means bile
angi/o means vessels
-gram means to record
intravenous cholangiogram
irritable bowel syndrome—abbreviated IBS—is the abnormally increased motility of the
large and small intestines. It is also called spastic colon
irritable bowel syndrome
jejunum (je ju’ num) is the portion of the small intestine between the duodenum and the
ileum; it is approximately two- fifths of the small intestine
jejunum
liver scan is the test performed by injecting a radioactive substance intravenously which
then circulates through the blood to the liver
liver scan
lower esophageal sphincter--abbreviated LES--is located at the lower end of the esophagus;
it is also called the cardiac valve
lower esophageal sphincter
mesentery (mes’ en ter” e) is the fold of peritoneum that encircles the small intestine and
connects it to the posterior wall of the abdomen
mesentery
pancreas (pan’ kre as) is a gland located under the stomach that produces secretions that
aid in the digestion of food and helps to neutralize stomach acid
pancreas
parotid salivary gland (pa rot’ id) is one of three salivary glands that aid in the digestive
process
parotid salivary gland
pepsin (pep’ sin) is the chief enzyme of gastric juice; it converts proteins into proteoses and
peptones
pepsin
peristalsis (per i stal’ sis) is the progressive wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in
the alimentary canal
peristalsis
peritoneum (per” i to ne’ um) is the abdominal cavity lining
peritoneum
pharynx (far’ inks) is the passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and for
food from the mouth to the esophagus
pharynx
polyp (pol’ ip) is a tumor on a stem commonly found in the nose, uterus, colon, and rectum
polyp
proctoscopy (prok tos’ ko pe) means visual examination of the rectum with a proctoscope
proct/o means anus and rectum
-scopy means procedure to examine
proctoscopy
pyloric sphincter (pi lor’ ik sfingk’ ter) is a smooth muscle that surrounds the opening of
the stomach into the duodenum
pyloric sphincter
rectosigmoid colon (rek” to sig’ moyd) is the upper part of the rectum and adjoining
portion of the sigmoid colon
rectosigmoid colon
rectum (rek’ tum) is the lower part of the large intestine; it is about 5 inches long
rectum
reflux esophagitis (re’ fluks e sof a ji’ tis) means inflammation of the esophagus due to a
return or backward flow into the esophagus
esophag/o means esophagus
-itis means inflammation
reflux esophagitis
rugae (roo’ je) is the plural for ruga (roo’ ga). Rugae (spelled rugae) are the folds that form
in the stomach lining when the stomach is empty
rugae
small bowel follow-through—abbreviated SBFT—is an x-ray procedure using barium to
examine the small intestine at timed intervals
small bowel follow-through
sublingual salivary gland (sub ling’ gwal) helps aid in the digestive process
sub- means under, below
lingual means pertaining to the tongue
sublingual salivary glands
submandibular salivary gland (sub” man dib’ u lar) helps aid in the digestive process. It is
also called the submaxillary salivary gland (sub” mak’ si ler” e)
sub- means under, below
mandibular means jaw bone
submandibular salivary glands
transverse colon is the section of the colon between the ascending and descending colon
trans- means through or across
transverse colon
upper gastrointestinal series is commonly called upper GI
upper gastrointestinal series
vermiform appendix (ver’ mi form) is a blind tube that is attached to the cecum
vermiform appendix
villi (vil’ i) is the plural form of villus (vil’ us), which is a small fold or projection of some
mucous membranes
villi
This ends the section on the Digestive System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 11 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Endocrine comes from the word elements end/o which means inside, crin- which means to
secrete, and the -e, which is a noun suffix. The hormones produced by the glands included
in the endocrine system are released into the bloodstream which then carries these chemical
messengers throughout the body. These hormones help regulate various activities of
specific cells, organs, or both. The structures included in this system are:
(1) one pituitary gland often referred to as the master gland
(2) one thyroid gland
(3) four parathyroid glands
(4) two adrenal glands, also known as suprarenals, because they are located on top of each
kidney
(5) one pancreas
(6) one thymus
(7) one pineal gland
(8) two gonads called
ovaries in females
testes in males
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
acr/o (ak’ ro) means extremities (arms and legs)
acro
ad- means toward or in the direction of
ad
aden/o (ad’ e no) means gland
adeno
adrenal/o (ad ren a lo) means adrenal glands
adrenalo
andr/o (an dro) means male or in relationship to male
andro
anti- (an ti) means against
anti
calci- (kal si) means calcium, lime, the heel
calci
cortic/o (kor ti ko) means outer region or cortex
cortico
crin/o (krin o) means to secrete
crino
cyt/o (si to) means cell
cyto
dipsia (dip’ se a) means thirst
dipsia
duct/o (duk to) means to lead or carry as in a vessel or channel
ducto
ect/o (ek to) means outside
ecto
-ectomy (ek’ to me) means excision, to cut out, surgical removal
ectomy
-emia (e’ me a) means blood condition
emia
end/o (en do) means within or inside
endo
epi- (ep i) means upon or over
epi
eu- (u) means well or good
eu
ex/o (eks o) means outside of, without, away from
exo
fusion (fu’ shun) means to pour or join together
fusion
gen (jen) means to originate or produce
gen
gluc/o (glu ko), glyc/o (gli ko) means sugar or glucose
gluco, glyco
gonad/o (gon a do) means the sex glands, called gonads (ovaries and testes)
gonado
gynec/o (gi ne ko, jin e ko) means female or woman
gyneco
hyper- (hi per) means excessive, multiple, many
hyper
hyp/o (hi po) means under, below, beneath
hypo
-ism means state of or condition
ism
-itis (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
ket/o (ke to) means ketones, which are metabolic byproducts
keto
lact/o (lak to) means milk
lacto
lute/o (lu te o) means yellow
luteo
mast/o (mas to) means breast
masto
medull/o (med u lo) means inner section, middle, medulla
medullo
-megaly (meg a le) means enlarge, great, extreme
megaly
melan/o (mel a no) means black or dark
melano
-oid (oyd) means resembling or like
oid
o/logy (ol o je) means study of
ology
-oma (o ma) means tumor
oma
oophor/o (o of o ro) means ovary
oophoro
ophthalm/o (of thal mo) means eye or vision
ophthalmo
oxy (ok se) means oxygen, sharp, acid, quick
oxy
pan- means all
pan
pancreat/o (pan kre at o) means pancreas
pancreato
para- (par a) means near, beside, to bear
para
-pathy (path e) means disease, feeling, suffering, emotion
pathy
pineal/o (pin e a lo) means pineal gland
pinealo
pituit/o (pi tu i to) means pituitary gland
pituito
poly- (pol e) means many
poly
post- means after or behind
post
prandial (pran’ de al) means pertaining to a meal
prandial
ren/o (re’ no) means kidney
reno
retin/o (ret i no) means retina or net
retino
somat/o (so mat o) means body
somato
sphen/o (sfe no) means wedge
spheno
thym/o (thi mo) means thymus
thymo
thyr/o (thi ro) means thyroid or shield
thyro
toc/o (to ko) means childbirth
toco
toxic/o (toks i ko) means poison
toxico
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
-uria (u re a) means urine or urination
uria
Endocrine System Words
acromegaly (ak ro meg’ a le) is enlargement of the hands and feet (extremities) caused by
the secretion of too much growth hormone after puberty
acr/o means extremities (hands and feet)
-megaly means enlarge
acromegaly
Addison’s disease (ad i sonz) results from a deficiency in the secretion of adrenocortical
hormones
Addison’s disease
adrenal cortex (ad re’ nal kor’ teks) is the outer layer of the adrenal gland
adrenal means pertaining to the adrenal glands
cortex is the outer layer
adrenal cortex
adrenal medulla (ad re’ nal me dul’ la) is the inner portion of the adrenal gland which
secretes epinephrine
adrenal means pertaining to adrenal glands
medulla means inner portion
adrenal medulla
adrenalectomy (a dren a lek’ to me) is the surgical removal of the adrenal gland
adrenal means pertaining to adrenal glands
-ectomy means surgical removal
adrenalectomy
adrenopathy (ad” ren op’ a the) is any disease of the adrenal glands
adren/o means adrenal glands
-pathy means disease
adrenopathy
aldosterone (al dos’ ter on, al do ster’ on) is the hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex
that regulates the metabolism of sodium, chloride, and potassium
aldosterone
androgen (an’ dro jen) is a substance producing or stimulating the development of male
characteristics
andr/o means male
gen means to originate or produce
androgen
antidiuretic hormone (an” ti di u ret’ ik) —abbreviated ADH—maintains the body’s water
balance by promoting reabsorption of water through the kidneys
anti- means against
diuretic means to increase the secretion of urine
antidiuretic hormone
corticosteroid (kor” ti ko ster’ oyd)--also called cortisone (kor’ ti son)--is any number of
hormonal steroid substances obtained from the cortex of the adrenal gland
cortic/o means cortex
-oid means like or resemble
corticosteroid
Cushing’s disease (koosh’ ing) is a metabolic disorder characterized by increased
adrenocortical secretions
Cushing’s disease
diabetes mellitus (di a be’ tez mel i’ tus) is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism,
characterized by hyperglycemia and glycosuria, resulting from inadequate production or
utilization of insulin
diabetes mellitus
diabetic retinopathy (di a bet’ ik ret” in op’ a the) is a disease of the retina occurring in
diabetics
retin/o means retina
-pathy means disease
diabetic retinopathy
diuretic (di” u ret’ ik) is the agent that increases the secretion of urine
diuretic
electrolyte (e lek’ tro lit) includes the sodium, potassium, and chlorine in the blood
electrolyte
endocrine gland (en’ do krin, krin, kren) is a ductless gland that produces internal
secretions that are released into the blood or lymph and are circulated to all parts of the
body
end/o means inside
crin means to secrete
-e is a noun suffix
endocrine gland
endocrinologist (en” do kri nol’ o jist, en” do krin ol’ o jist) is a person who specializes in
the endocrine system
end/o means inside
-crin means to secrete
-olog means to study
-ist means one who
endocrinologist
endocrinopathy (en” do krin op’ a the) is any disease resulting from a disorder of an
endocrine gland or glands
end/o means inside
crin/o means to secrete
-pathy means disease
endocrinopathy
epinephrine (ep” i nef’ rin) —also called adrenaline (a dren’ a len) —is a hormone secreted
by the medulla of the adrenal gland in response to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system
epi- means over, upon
nephr/o means kidney
epinephrine, adrenaline
estrogen (es’ tro jen) is the hormone produced by the ovary. It is considered the female sex
hormone.
estrogen
euthyroid (u thi’ royd) means the normal thyroid function
eu- means good, normal
thyr/o means shield
-oid means like, resembling
euthyroid
exocrine gland (eks’ o krin) secretes via its own duct or directly to the surface
ex/o means outside
crin means to secrete
-e is a noun suffix
exocrine gland
exophthalmos (eks” of thal’ mus) is a condition where the eyeball is protruding
ex/o means outside
ophthalm means eye
exophthalmos
follicle-stimulating hormone—abbreviated FSH—is produced by the anterior pituitary; it
stimulates growth of a follicle on the ovary and spermatogenesis in the testis
follicle-stimulating hormone
glucose tolerance test—abbreviated GTT—determines a patient’s ability to metabolize
glucose
glucose tolerance test
goiter (goy’ ter) also known as thyromegaly (thi” ro meg’ a le) is the enlargement of the
thyroid gland
thyr/o means thyroid
-megaly means enlargement
goiter or thyromegaly
Graves’ disease--named after the Irish physician, Robert James Graves--is an exophthalmic
(eks” of thal mik) goiter
Graves’ disease
gynecomastia (ji” ne ko mas’ te a, gi” ne ko mas’ te a, jin” e ko mas’ te a) is the
development of abnormally large breasts in the male
gynec/o means female
mastia means pertaining to breasts
gynecomastia
hypergonadism (hi” per go’ nad izm) means excessive secretion of sex glands
hyper- means excessive
gonad means sex glands
hypergonadism
hyperparathyroidism (hi” per par” a thi’ roy dizm) is a condition resulting from increased
activity of the parathyroid glands
hyper- means excessive
parathyroid means parathyroid glands
hyperparathyroidism
hypocalcemia (hi” po kal se’ me a) is the abnormally low level of calcium in the blood
hyp/o means under, below
calc means calcium
-emia means blood condition
hypocalcemia
hypoglycemia (hi” po gli se’ me a) is a deficient amount of sugar in the blood
hyp/o means under, below
glyc/o means sugar
-emia means blood condition
hypoglycemia
islets of Langerhans (i’ lets of lang er hanz) are the clusters of cells in the pancreas called
alpha, beta, and delta cells
islets of Langerhans
lactogenic hormone (lak’ to jen ik) —is also known as prolactin; (abbreviated LTH) it
induces the secretion of milk
lact/o means milk
-genic means to produce
lactogenic hormone
luteinizing hormone (lu’ te in zing, lu’ te in iz” ing) (abbreviated LH) is secreted by the
anterior lobe of the hypophysis (pituitary) and stimulates the development of the corpus
luteum
lutein means yellow
luteinizing hormone
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (mel’ an o sit, mel an’ o sit)--abbreviated MSH--regulates
skin pigmentation in humans
melan/o means dark or black
cyt means cell
-e is a noun suffix
melanocyte-stimulating hormone
melatonin (mel” a to’ nin) is produced by the pineal gland
melan/o means black or dark
melatonin
oxytocin (ok” se to’ sin) is a hormone produced by the pituitary that stimulates the uterus
to contract during childbirth
oxytocin
pancreatectomy (pan” kre a tek’ to me) is the removal of a part or all of the pancreas
pancreat means pancreas
-ectomy means surgical removal
pancreatectomy
panhypopituitarism (pan hi” po pi tu’ i tar izm) is deficient function of the pituitary gland
pan- means all
hyp/o means under, below
pituitarism refers to the pituitary gland
panhypopituitarism
parathyroid hormone (par a thi’ royd) —abbreviated PTH—means secreted by the
parathyroid glands. It regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism
para means beside
thyr/o means shield
-oid means like, resembling
parathyroid hormone
pheochromocytoma (fe o kro” mo si to’ ma) is a benign tumor occurring in the adrenal
medulla
phe/o means dusty
chrom/o means color
cyt/o means cell
-oma means tumor
pheochromocytoma
pineal gland (pin’ e al) is a gland shaped like a pine cone that produces melatonin
pineal gland
pinealopathy (pin” e a lop’ a the) is any disease of the pineal gland
pineal means pineal gland
-pathy means disease
pinealopathy
polydipsia (pol” e dip’ se a) means excessive thirst
poly means excessive
dipsia means thirst
polydipsia
polyuria (pol” e u’ re a) means excessive urination
poly means excessive
-uria means urine or urination
polyuria
postprandial blood sugar (post pran’ de al) is a test where blood sugar is taken after a highcarbohydrate meal. It screens for diabetes mellitus.
post means after, behind
prandial means relating to a meal
postprandial blood sugar
progesterone (pro jes’ ter on) is the hormone responsible for changes in the endometrium
in order to prepare for pregnancy
progesterone
serotonin (ser” o ton’ in) is a vasoconstrictor helpful in sleep and sensory perception
serotonin
somatotropin (so” mat o tro’ pin) is also called the human growth hormone (HGH)
somat/o means body
tropin means growth or development
somatotropin
steroid (ster’ oyd) can refer to a hormone produced by the body as well as medications that
duplicate the action of this hormone; it controls metabolism, inflammation, immune
function, salt and water balance, sexual characteristic development, and the ability to
withstand illness and injury
steroid
testosterone (tes tos’ ter on) is the hormone produced by the testes
testosterone
tetany (tet’ a ne) is a nervous disorder frequently associated with pregnancy or lactation
tetany
thymectomy (thi mek’ to me) means surgical removal of the thymus
thym/o means thymus
-ectomy means surgical removal
thymectomy
thymitis (thi mi’ tis) means inflammation of the thymus
thym/o means thymus
-itis means inflammation
thymitis
thymoma (thi mo’ ma) is a tumor originating from the thymus
thymoma
thyroid-stimulating hormone (thi’ royd) —abbreviated TSH—is the hormone secreted by
the anterior lobe of the pituitary. It stimulates the thyroid.
thyroid-stimulating hormone
thyroiditis (thi” royd i tis) is inflammation of the thyroid gland
thyroid means thyroid gland
-itis means inflammation
thyroiditis
thyroxine (T4) (thi roks’ in) is the hormone produced by the thyroid gland
thyroxine
transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (trans” sfe noy’ dal hi pof” i sek’ to me) means removal
of part of the pituitary through the sphenoid bone
trans- means through
sphenoidal means pertaining to the sphenoid bone
hypophys means hypophysis, which is another name for the pituitary
-ectomy means surgical removal
transsphenoidal hypophysectomy
triiodothyronine (T3) (tri” i o” do thi’ ro nen) is one of two principal hormones secreted by
the thyroid gland
tri- means three
iod/o means iodine
thyr/o means thyroid
triiodothyronine
This ends the section on the Endocrine System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 12 SPECIAL SENSES
The special senses include the following organs:
(1) eyes—the receptor organs for the sense of sight and
(2) ears—the sensory organs for the sense of hearing and maintaining balance
Word Elements - The Eye (We will first look at the word elements that might be used in
conjunction with the eye. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these
word elements several times before going on to the next section.)
ambly/o (am ble o) means dim or dull
amblyo
ametr/o (am e tro) means out of proportion
ametro
anis/o (an i’ so) means unequal
aniso
aque/o (a’ kwe o) means water
aqueo
blephar/o (blef a ro) means eyelid
belpharo
canth/o (kan tho) means corner of the eye
cantho
choroid/o (ko royd o) means choroid, or the middle layer of the eye
choroido
chrom/o (kro mo) means color
chromo
conjunctiv/o (kon junk ti vo) means conjunctiva or connected
conjunctivo
core/o (ko re o) means pupil of the eye
coreo
corne/o (kor ne o) means cornea or horny
corneo
dacry/o (dak re o) means tear, tear duct, or lacrimal duct
dacryo
dipl/o (dip lo, di plo) means double
diplo
es/o (es o) means inward
eso
ex/o (eks o) means outward
exo
extra (eks tra) means on the outside or beyond
extra
fove/o (fo ve o) means pit
foveo
intra- (in tra) means within or inside
intra
ir/i (i ri), irid/o (ir i do), irit/o (i ri to), ir/o (i ro) means the iris of the eye or a rainbow
iri, irido, irito, iro
kerat/o (ker a to) means cornea, hard, horny
kerato
lacrim/o (lak rim o) means tear, tear duct, or lacrimal duct
lacrimo
lute/o (lu te o) means yellow
luteo
macul/o (mak u lo) means spot
maculo
mon/o (mon o) means one or single
mono
nyctal/o (nik ta lo) means night
nyctalo
ocul/o (ok’ u lo) means eye
oculo
ophthalm/o (of thal mo) means eye or vision
ophthalmo
opia (o pe a) means vision
opia
opt/i (op ti) means eye or vision
opti
optic/o (op ti ko) means eye or vision
optico
opt/o (op to) means eye or vision
opto
-pexy (pek se) means to put in place or surgical fixation
pexy
phac/o (fak o) means lens of the eye
phaco
presby/o (prez be o) means old age
presbyo
pseud/o (soo do) means false
pseudo
-ptosis (to sis) means drooping or sagging, prolapse
ptosis
pupill/o (pu pil lo) means the pupil of the eye
pupillo
retin/o (ret i no) means retina or net
retino
scler/o (skler o) means sclera, the white of the eye, or hard
sclero
scot/o (sko to) means darkness
scoto
strabi (stra bi) means squint-eyed
strabi
tars/o (tar so) means edge of the eyelid or ankle
tarso
vitre/o (vit re o) means glassy
vitreo
Word Elements - The Ear (We will next look at some of the word elements that might be
used in conjunction with the ear. Listen as each word element is being pronounced.
Practice these word elements several times before going on to the next section.)
acous/o (a koos’ o) means hearing or related to hearing
acouso
audi/o (aw’ de o), audit/o (aw’ di to), aur/i (aw’ ri), aur/o (aw’ ro) mean ear or hearing
audio, audito, auri, auro
bi- (bi) means two
bi
cochle/o (kok le o) means snail or spiral
cochleo
cusis (ku sis) means hearing
cusis
labyrinth/o (lab i rin tho) means maze or the inner ear
labyrintho
mastoid/o (mas toyd) means mastoid process
mastoido
mon/o (mon o) means one
mono
myc/o (mi ko) means fungus
myco
myring/o (mir in go) means tympanic membrane or eardrum
myringo
ot/o (o to) means ear or hearing
oto
pinn/i (pin ni) means external ear
pinni
py/o (pi o) means pus
pyo
tympan/o (tim pa no) means tympanic membrane or eardrum
tympano
Special Senses Words - The Eye
accommodation (a kom” o da’ shun) is the ability of the eye to make adjustments for seeing
objects at various distances
accommodation
adnexa (ad nek’ sa) is the accessory part of a structure
adnexa
amblyopia (am” ble o’ pe a) is a reduction or dimness of vision when there is no apparent
reason why
ambly/o means dim or dull
opia means vision
amblyopia
ametropia (a” me tro’ pe a) is an imperfect refractive power of the eye in which the main
focus does not lie on the retina
ametr/o means out of proportion
opia means vision
ametropia
anisocoria (an i” so ko’ re a) is an inequality in the size of the pupils
anis/o means unequal
coria means pupil
anisocoria
aqueous humor (a’ kwe us) means a transparent fluid found in anterior and posterior
chambers of the eye
aque/o means water, fluid
aqueous humor
blepharitis (blef” ar i’ tis) is an inflammation of the eyelid
blephar/o means eyelid
-itis means inflammation
blepharitis
blepharoptosis (blef” a ro to’ sis) is drooping of the upper eyelid
blephar/o means eyelid
-ptosis means to droop
blepharoptosis
canthus (kan’ thus) is the angle at either end of the slit between the eyelids
canth/o means corner of the eye
canthus
cataract (kat’ a rakt) is a cloudiness or loss of transparency of lens of the eye
cataract
choroid (ko’ royd) is the opaque middle layer of the eyeball
choroid
cilia (sil’ e a) is the medical name for eyelashes or the hairlike processes projecting from
epithelial cells
cilia
conjunctiva (kon” junk ti’ va, kon junk’ ti va) is the mucous membrane that lines the
underside of the eyelid and forms a protective covering of an exposed area of eyeball
conjunctiva
conjunctivitis (ko junk ti vi’ tis, kon junk” ti vi’ tis)--also known as pinkeye--is the
inflammation of the conjunctiva
conjunctiv/o means conjunctiva
itis means inflammation
conjunctivitis
cornea (kor’ ne a) is the clear, transparent front portion of the eye that covers about onesixth of its surface
cornea
crystalline lens (kris’ ta lin) are the lenses of the eye in the capsule behind the pupil
crystalline lens
cycloplegia (si” klo ple’ je a) is the paralysis of the ciliary muscle
cycl/o means circular
-plegia means paralysis
cycloplegia
dacryocyst (dak’ re o sist) is a lacrimal (tear) sac
dacry/o means tear
cyst/o means sac
dacryocyst
dacryocystitis (dak” re o sis ti’ tis) means inflammation of a tear sac with the mucous
membrane of the lacrimal sac involved as well
dacry/o means tear
cyst/o means sac
-itis means inflammation
dacryocystitis
diabetic retinopathy (di a bet’ ik ret” in op’ a the) is a disease of the retina that occurs in
diabetes
diabetic means pertaining to diabetes
retin/o means retina
-pathy means disease
diabetic retinopathy
dilate (dil ate) means to make larger
dilate
diopter (di op’ ter or di’ op ter) is used as a unit of measurement of the refractive power of
a lens
diopter
diplopia (dip lo’ pe a or di plo’ pe a) —also known as double vision—is the perception of
two images from a single object
dipl/o means two, double
-opia means vision
diplopia
ectropion (ek tro’ pe on) means the turning outward of the edge of the eyelid
ect/o means out
ectropion
entropion (en tro’ pe on) means the turning inward of the edge of the eyelid
entr/o means inward
entropion
esotropia (es o tro’ pe a)--also known as cross eyes--is an inward deviation of one eye in
relation to the other eye
es/o means inward
esotropia
exotropia (eks” o tro’ pe a)--also known as walleye--is the outward deviation of one eye in
relation to the other eye
ex/o means outward
exotropia
extraocular (eks” tra ok’ u lar) means outside the eye
extra- means on the outside
ocular pertains to eye
extraocular
fovea centralis (fo’ ve a sen’ tral is) is a pit within the macula lutea (mak u la lu te a)
fovea means pit
fovea centralis
glaucoma (glaw ko’ ma) is a group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular
pressure resulting in damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers
glaucoma
hordeolum (hor de’ o lum) means inflammation of the sebaceous gland in the eyelid
hordeolum
hyperopia (hi” per o’ pe a) is farsightedness
hyper- means excessive
-opia means vision
hyperopia
intraocular (in” tra ok’ u lar) means within the eyeball
intra- means within, inside
-ocular pertains to the eye or vision
intraocular
iris (i ris) is the colored muscular layer that surrounds the pupil of the eye
iris
keratitis (ker a ti’ tis) means inflammation of the cornea
kerat/o means cornea
-itis means inflammation
keratitis
lacrimation (lak’ ri ma shun) is the normal, continuous secretion of tears by the lacrimal
glands
lacrim/o means tear
lacrimation
monochromatism (mon” o kro’ ma tizm) means complete color blindness
mon/o means one
chrom/o means color
monochromatism
mydriatic drops (mid re at’ ik) are administered to dilate the pupil by causing temporary
paralysis of the ciliary muscle
mydriatic drops
myopia (mi op’ e a, mi o’ pe a) is nearsightedness
my/o means muscle
-opia means vision
myopia
nyctalopia (nik ta lo’ pe a) is the condition in which an individual cannot see well in faint
light or at night
nyctal means night
-opia means vision
nyctalopia
nystagmus (nis tag’ mus) means constant, involuntary, movement of the eyeball
nystagmus
ocular (ok’ u lar) means concerning the eye or vision
ocular
opaque (o pak’) means impenetrable by visible light rays
opaque
optic nerve (op’ tik) carries impulses for the sense of sight
optic means pertaining to eye or vision
optic nerve
papilledema (pap” il e de’ ma) is swelling of the optic disk
papill/o means resembling a nipple
edema means swelling
papilledema
presbyopia (prez be o’ pe a) means the decreased accommodation of the lens as a result of
aging
presby means old
-opia means vision
presbyopia
pseudophakia (soo do fa ke a) is an eye in which the natural lens is replaced with an
intraocular lens
pseud/o means false
phac/o, phak/o means lens of eye
pseudophakia
pupil (pu’ pil) means the circular opening in the center of the iris
pupil
refraction (ri frak’ shun) is an examination procedure to determine the eye’s refractive
error in order to get a prescription for the best corrective lenses
refraction
retina (ret’ i na) is the innermost layer of the eye
retina
retinopexy (ret in o’ peks e) is the treatment for retinal detachment
retin/o means retina
-pexy means the surgical fixation
retinopexy
sclera (skler’ a) is the white of the eye
sclera
scleritis (skle ri’ tis) means inflammation of the sclera
scler/o means sclera or white of the eye
-itis means inflammation
scleritis
scotoma (sko to’ ma)--also known as a blind spot--is an area of absent or depressed vision
scot/o means darkness
-oma means tumor
scotoma
strabismus (stra biz’ mus)--also known as a squint--is a disorder in which the eyes cannot
be directed in a parallel manner toward the same object
strabi means squint-eyed
strabismus
tarsal plate (tar’ sal) means the framework within the upper and lower eyelids that gives
stiffness and shape to the eye
tars/o means edge of the eyelid
tarsal plate
tarsectomy (tar sek’ to me) means the excision of the tarsal plate of the eyelid
tars/o means edge of the eyelid
-ectomy means surgical removal
tarsectomy
tonometry (ton om’ e tre) is the measurement of intraocular tension
ton/o means tension
-metry means procedure to measure
tonometry
visual acuity measurement (a ku’ i te) is the evaluation of the eye’s ability to distinguish an
object’s details and shape
visual acuity measurement
vitreous humor (vit’ re us) is the soft, clear jellylike mass that makes up the posterior twothirds of the eyeball
vitre/o means glassy
vitreous humor
xerophthalmia (ze rof thal’ me a) means the drying of eye surfaces characterized by loss of
luster in the conjunctiva and cornea
xer/o means dry
ophthalmia means eye
xerophthalmia
Special Senses Words - The Ear
acoustic (a koos’ tik) means pertaining to sound or the sense of hearing
acoustic
air conduction is the conduction of sound to the inner ear via the pathway provided by the
air in the ear canal
air conduction
audiology (aw” de ol’ o je) is the study of hearing disorders and the rehabilitation of
persons with hearing loss
audi/o means ear or hearing
audiology
audiometry (aw” de om’ e tre) is testing the sense of hearing
audi/o means ear or hearing
-metry means procedure to measure
audiometry
bone conduction (kon duk’ shun) is sound conduction through the cranial bones
bone conduction
cerumen (se roo’ men) is the waxlike, soft, brown secretion found in the external canal of
the ear-- also known as ear wax
cerumen
cochlea (kok’ le a) means a winding, cone-shaped tube forming a portion of the middle ear
cochlea
equilibrium (e kwil’ lib re um) is the state of balance
equilibrium
eustachian tube (u sta’ ke an, u sta’ shen) means the auditory tube extending from the
middle ear to the pharynx
eustachian tube
eustachitis (u” sta ki’ tis) is the inflammation of eustachian tube
eustach means eustachian tube
-itis means inflammation
eustachitis
fenestration (fen’ es tra shun) is a surgical procedure in which a new opening is made in the
labyrinth of the inner ear to restore hearing
fenestr/o means window
fenestration
incus (ing’ kus) —also known as the anvil—is the middle of three ossicles in the tympanum
incus
labyrinthectomy (lab i rin thek’ to me) means excision of the labyrinth
labyrinth/o means labyrinth
-ectomy means surgical removal or excision
labyrinthectomy
malleus (mal’ e us) —also known as the hammer—is the largest of the three auditory
ossicles in the middle ear
malleus
mastoidectomy (mas toyd” ek to me) means the excision of mastoid cells
mastoid refers to the mastoid process
-ectomy means surgical removal
mastoidectomy
Meniere’s disease (man” e arz’) is the recurrent and usually progressive group of symptoms
including progressive deafness, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and a sensation of fullness or
pressure in the ears
Meniere’s disease
monoaural (mon aw’ ral) is the testing involving only one ear
mon/o means one
aural means pertaining to ear
monoaural
myringectomy (mir in jek’ to me) means surgical removal of the tympanic membrane
myring/o means tympanic membrane
-ectomy means surgical removal
myringectomy
myringitis (mir in ji’ tis) means the inflammation of the tympanum or eardrum
myring/o means tympanic membrane
-itis means inflammation
myringitis
myringoplasty (mir in’ go plast” e) is surgical correction of the tympanic membrane
myring/o means tympanic membrane
-plasty means surgical correction or surgical repair
myringoplasty
myringotomy (mir in got’ o me) is the incision of the tympanic membrane
myring/o means tympanic membrane
-otomy means surgical incision
myringotomy
organ of Corti (kor’ te) is an elongated spiral structure running the entire length of the
cochlea in the floor of the cochlear duct
organ of Corti
otalgia (o tal’ je a) means pain in the ear
ot/o means ear
-algia means pain
otalgia
otic (o’ tik) means concerning the ear
ot/o means ear
-ic means pertaining to
otic
otitis (o ti’ tis) is inflammation of the ear
ot/o means ear
-itis means inflammation
otitis
otopathy (o top’ a the) is any diseased condition of the ear
ot/o means ear
-pathy means disease or feeling
otopathy
otoplasty (o’ to plas” te) is plastic surgery of the ear to correct defects and deformities
ot/o means ear
-plasty means surgical correction
otoplasty
otopyorrhea (o to pi o re a) means purulent discharge from the ear
ot/o means ear
py/o means pus
-rrhea means flow
otopyorrhea
otorrhea (o” to re’ a) is inflammation of the ear with purulent discharge
ot/o means ear
-rrhea means flow
otorrhea
otosclerosis (o” to skle ro’ sis) is a condition characterized by chronic progressive deafness,
especially for low tones
ot/o means ear
scler/o means hard
-osis means condition
otosclerosis
pinna (pin’ a), also called the auricle (aw’ ri kl), is the projected part of the exterior ear
pinna or auricle
presbycusis (prez bi ku’ sis) means the impairment of hearing in old age
presby means old
presbycusis
purulent otitis media (pur’ u lent o ti’ tis) is a buildup of pus within the middle ear
purulent means pus-producing
ot/o means ear
-itis means inflammation
purulent otitis media
stapedectomy (sta” pe dek’ to me) is the excision of the stapes in order to improve hearing
staped/o means stapes
-ectomy means surgical removal
stapedectomy
stapes (sta’ pez) —also known as the stirrup—is the ossicle in the middle ear that
articulates with the incus
stapes
tinnitus (tin i tus) is a subjective ringing or tinkling sound in the ear
tinnitus
tympanectomy (tim” pa nek’ to me) means excision of the tympanic membrane
tympan/o means tympanic membrane
-ectomy means surgical removal
tympanectomy
tympanic membrane (tim pan’ ik) is the membrane serving as the lateral wall in the
tympanic cavity and separating it from the external acoustic meatus
tympanic membrane
tympanocentesis (tim” pa no sen te’ sis) is the surgical puncture of the tympanic membrane
tympan/o means tympanic membrane
-centesis means surgical puncture
tympanocentesis
tympanometry (tim” pa nom’ e tre) is the procedure for objective evaluation of the
mobility and patency of the eardrum and for the detection of middle ear disorders and the
patency of the eustachian tubes
tympan/o means tympanic membrane
-metry means procedure to measure
tympanometry
vertigo (ver’ ti go, ver ti’ go) is sometimes used as a synonym for dizziness, lightheadedness,
and giddiness
vertigo
This ends the section on the Special Senses. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 13 URINARY SYSTEM
The urinary system has several important functions, including:
(1) constantly filtering blood to remove waste materials and urea
(2) maintaining proper balance of water, salts, and acids
(3) removing excess fluids from the body
Major organs found in this system are:
two kidneys
two ureters (tubes from the kidneys to the bladder)
one urinary bladder (both ureters drain into this bladder)
one urethra (tube from bladder to outside)
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
-algia (al’ je a) means pain or suffering
algia
-cele means tumor or swelling, hernia, cyst
cele
cortic/o (kor ti ko) means outer region or cortex
cortico
cyst/o (sis to) means sac of fluid or bladder
cysto
dia- (di a) means through or complete
dia
dys- (dis) means bad, labored, difficult, painful
dys
-ectasis (ek’ ta sis) means stretching, dilation, enlargement
ectasis
-ectomy (ek’ to me) means surgical removal, called excision
ectomy
-emia (em e a) means blood condition
emia
epi- (ep i) means above or over
epi
glomerul/o (glo mer’ u lo) means ball or cluster, as in glomerulus
glomerulo
-gram (gram) means record or image
gram
-graphy (graf e) means the procedure of recording or writing
graphy
hem/o (he mo) means blood
hemo
hydr/o (hi dro) means water or fluid
hydro
hyp/o (hi po) means below or beneath
hypo
inter- (in ter) means between
inter
intra- (in tra) means within or inside
intra
-it is (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
lithiasis (lith i’ a sis) means formation or presence of stones
lithiasis
lith/o (lith o) means stone, medically called calculus
litho
lysis (li sis) means dissolution, decompensation, setting free, separation
lysis
malacia (ma la’ she a) means abnormal softening
malacia
meat/o (me a to) means opening or passageway
meato
medull/o (me dul lo) means inner portion or middle
medullo
nephr/o (nef ro) means kidney
nephro
noct/o (nok to) means night
nocto
olig/o (ol i go) means small, few, scanty
oligo
-oscopy (os ko pe) means procedure to visually examine
oscopy
-ostomy (os to me) means to create an opening
ostomy
-osis (o sis) means condition, status, or process
osis
-otomy (ot o me) means to cut into or surgical incision
otomy
-pathy (path e) means disease, feeling, suffering
pathy
-pexy (pek se)
means surgical fixation or to put in place
pexy
-plasty (plas te) means surgical correction or repair
plasty
poly- (pol e) means many or much
poly
-ptosis (to sis) means dropping, drooping, prolapse
ptosis
pyel/o (pi e lo) means renal pelvis, trough, basin, or bowl of the kidney
pyelo
py/o (pi o) means pus
pyo
ren/o (re no) means kidney
reno
retr/o (ret ro) means back or behind
retro
scler/o (skle ro) means hard, sclera, white of the eye
sclero
spad/o (spa do) means draw off
spado
sten/o (sten o) means narrow or contraction
steno
-tripsy (trip’ se) means crushing
tripsy
ureter/o (u re’ ter o) means tube from kidney to bladder. This tube is the ureter.
uretero
urethr/o (u re thro) means tube from bladder to outside. This tube is the urethra.
urethro
-uria (u re a) means urination or urine
uria
urin/o (u ri no) means urine or urinary organ
urino
ur/o (u ro) means urine or urinary tract
uro
venous (ve’ nus) means pertaining to a vein
venous
vesic/o (ves’ i ko) means urinary bladder
vesico
Urinary System Words
anuria (an u’ re a) is the absence of urine formation
an- means without
uria means urine
anuria
calculus (kal’ ku lus)--commonly called stone--calculus is singular; calculi is plural
calculus
catheterization (kath” e ter i za’ shun) means the use or passage of a catheter
catheterization
cortex (kor’ teks) is the outer layer of an organ
cortex
cystalgia (sis tal’ je a) means pain in the bladder
cyst/o means bladder
-algia means pain
cystalgia
cystectomy (sis tek’ to me) is the surgical removal of the bladder
cyst/o means bladder
-ectomy means surgical removal
cystectomy
cystitis (sis ti’ tis) means inflammation of the bladder
cyst/o means bladder
-itis means inflammation
cystitis
cystocele (sis’ to sel) is a bladder hernia that protrudes into the vagina
cyst/o means bladder
cele means hernia or swelling
cystocele
cystography (sis tog’ ra fe) is the radiographic study of any cyst into which a radiopaque
dye has been injected into the bladder
cyst/o means bladder
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
cystography
cystopexy (sis’ to pek” se) is surgical fixation of the bladder to the wall of the abdomen
cyst/o means bladder
-pexy means surgical fixation
cystopexy
cystoscopy (sis tos’ ko pe) is the examination of the bladder with the cystoscope
cyst/o means bladder
-oscopy means procedure to view with a scope
cystoscopy
diuresis (di” u re’ sis) means the secretion and passage of large amounts of urine
diuresis
dysuria (dis u’ re a) is painful or difficult urination
dys- means painful, difficult
uria means urine
dysuria
enuresis (en” u re’ sis) also known as bed wetting
enuresis
epispadias (ep” i spa’ de as) is an abnormal congenital opening of the urethra on the back
(or upper side) of the penis
epi- means upon
epispadias
glomerulonephritis (glo mer” u lo ne fri’ tis) is nephritis in which the lesions primarily
involve the glomeruli
glomerul/o means ball, cluster
nephr/o means kidney
-itis means inflammation
glomerulonephritis
glomerulus (glo mer’ u lus) is a group of twisted capillaries or nerve fibers
glomerulus
hemodialysis (he” mo di al’ i sis, hem” o di al’ i sis) is a method for reproducing the
function of the kidneys by circulating blood through tubes made of semipermeable
membranes
hem/o means blood
dia- means through
-lysis means dissolution
hemodialysis
hydroureter (hi” dro u re’ ter) is distention of the ureter with fluid due to an obstruction
hydr/o means fluid
ureter means tube from kidney to bladder
hydroureter
hypospadias (hi” po spa’ de as) is an abnormal congenital opening of the male urethra on
the undersurface of the penis
hyp/o means under, below
hypospadias
interstitial cystitis (in” ter stish’ al sis ti tis) means inflammation and irritation of the
bladder wall
inter- means between
cyst/o means bladder
-itis means inflammation
interstitial cystitis
intravenous pyelogram (in tra ve’ nus pi’ e lo gram) is an x-ray of the urinary tract in
which a radiopaque material is given intravenously
intra- means within
venous means vein
pyel/o means pelvis
-gram means record or image
intravenous pyelogram
KUB is the abbreviation for kidneys, ureters, and bladder; used in reference to roentgenray study of the abdomen
KUB
lithotripsy (lith’ o trip” se) means the crushing of a calculus in the bladder or urethra
lith/o means stone
-tripsy means crushing
lithotripsy
meatotomy (me” a tot’ o me) is the incision of the urinary meatus to enlarge the opening
meat/o means opening
-otomy means incision
meatotomy
medulla (me dul’ la) is the inner portion of an organ in contrast to the outer portion, or
cortex
medulla
micturition (mik tu ri’ shun) means voiding of urine
micturition
nephrectomy (ne frek’ to me) is the removal of a kidney
nephr/o means kidney
-ectomy means surgical removal
nephrectomy
nephritis (nef ri’ tis) is the inflammation of a kidney
nephr/o means kidney
-itis means inflammation
nephritis
nephrolith (nef” ro lith) is a stone in the kidney
nephr/o means kidney
lith/o means stone
nephrolith
nephrolithiasis (nef” ro lith i’ a sis) is the presence of calculi in kidney
nephr/o means kidney
lithiasis means formation of stones
nephrolithiasis
nephrolithotomy (nef” ro lith ot’ o me) is a renal incision for the removal of calculus
nephr/o means kidney
lith means stone
-otomy means surgical incision
nephrolithotomy
nephrolysis (ne frol’ i sis) is the surgical detachment of an inflamed kidney from
paranephric (par” a nef’ rik) adhesions
nephr/o means kidney
-lysis means dissolution or decompensation
nephrolysis
nephromalacia (nef” ro ma la’ se a) is abnormal renal softness or softening
nephr/o means kidney
-malacia means abnormal softening
nephromalacia
nephron (nef’ ron) is the structural and functional unit of the kidney
nephron
nephropathy (ne frop’ a the) means disease of the kidney
nephr/o means kidney
-pathy means disease
nephropathy
nephrosclerosis (nef” ro skle ro’ sis) is renal sclerosis or hardening
nephr/o means kidney
scler/o means hard
-osis means condition
nephrosclerosis
nephrostomy (ne fros’ to me) means formation of an artificial fistula into the renal pelvis
nephr/o means kidney
-ostomy means to create an opening
nephrostomy
nocturia (nok tu’ re a) means urination, especially excessive, during the night
noct/o means night
-uria means urine
nocturia
oliguria (ol ig u’ re a) is the diminished formation of urine
olig/o means few, small
-uria means urine
oliguria
polyuria (pol” e u’ re a) is excessive secretion and discharge of urine
poly means excessive
-uria means urine
polyuria
pyelonephritis (pi” e lo ne fri’ tis) is inflammation of the kidney substance and pelvis
pyel/o means pelvis
nephr means kidney
-itis means inflammation
pyelonephritis
pyeloplasty (pi” e lo plas” te) is surgical repair of the pelvis of the kidney
pyel/o means pelvis
-plasty means surgical repair
pyeloplasty
renal failure (re’ nal) means acute failure of the kidney to perform its essential functions
renal failure
renal pelvis (re’ nal pel’ vis) is the expanded proximal end of the ureter
renal pelvis
sphincter (sfingk’ ter) is the circular muscle constricting an orifice
sphincter
urea (u re’ a) is the chief nitrogenous constituent of urine
urea
uremia (u re’ me a) is a toxic condition associated with renal insufficiency produced by
retention in the blood of nitrogenous substances normally excreted by the kidney
ur/o means urine
-emia means blood condition
uremia
ureterectasis (u re” ter ek’ ta sis) is dilatation of the ureter
ureter is the tube from the kidney to the bladder
-ectasis means to stretch
ureterectasis
ureterectomy (u re” ter ek’ to me) is the excision of the ureter
ureter means the tube from the kidney to the bladder
-ectomy means surgical removal
ureterectomy
ureterostenosis (u re” ter o ste no’ sis) is stricture of a ureter
ureter means the tube from the kidney to the bladder
sten/o means narrowing
-osis means condition
ureterostenosis
ureters (u’ re terz) are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to bladder
ureters
ureteroplasty (u re’ ter o plas” te) is plastic surgery of the ureter
ureter means the tube from the kidney to the bladder
-plasty means surgical repair
ureteroplasty
urethra (u re’ thra) is the tube from the bladder to outside
urethra
urethralgia (u re thral’ je a) is pain in the urethra
urethr/o means the tube from the bladder to the outside
-algia means pain
urethralgia
urethropexy (u re’ thro peks e) is surgical fixation of the urethra
urethr/o means the tube from the bladder to the outside
-pexy means surgical fixation
urethropexy
urethrostenosis (u re” thro sten o’ sis) means narrowing of the tube from the bladder to the
outside
urethr/o means tube from bladder to outside
stenosis means condition of narrowing
urethrostenosis
urethrostomy (u re thros’ to me) is the formation of a permanent fistula opening into the
urethra
urethr/o means the tube from the bladder to the outside
-ostomy means to create an opening
urethrostomy
This ends the section on the Urinary System. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 14 MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS
The primary function of the female reproductive system is to create and support new life.
The primary function of the male reproductive system is to produce and deliver sperm to
the female ovum (egg) to create a new life.
The female reproductive system includes two ovaries, two fallopian tubes, one uterus, and
the vagina. The male reproductive system includes two testes, seminal ducts, and the penis.
This section also includes word elements and spelling words for obstetrics (the specialty
dealing with childbirth) and gynecology (the specialty dealing with female reproductive
problems).
Word Elements--Female
a- means not or without
a
abort/o (a bor to) means miscarriage or premature expulsion of a nonviable fetus
aborto
abrupti/o (a brup’ she o) means tearing away or broken away from
abruptio
amni/o (am” ne o) refers to amnion, which can refer to either the sac that holds the fetus or
the fluid that is contained in the sac
amnio
ante- (an te) means forward or before
ante
arche (ark e, ar’ ke) means beginning or first
arche
-centesis (sen te’ sis) means surgical puncture with a needle to remove fluid
centesis
cervic/o (ser’ vi ko) means neck (cervix)
cervico
colp/o (kol po) means vagina
colpo
contra- (kon tra) means against
contra
corpus (kor’ pus) means body
corpus
end/o (en do) means within or inside
endo
episi/o (e pis e o) means external genital organs (vulva)
episio
fet/i, fet/o (fe ti, fe to) means fetus or unborn child
feti, feto
flex/o (fleks o) means bend
flexo
fund/o (fun do) means base or bottom
fundo
galact/o (ga lak to) means milk
galacto
gest/o, gestat/o (jes to, jes ta to) means to carry young or offspring
gesto, gestato
gravid/o (grav i do, grav id o) means pregnant
gravido
hyster/o (his ter o) means uterus or womb
hystero
-itis (i’ tis) means inflammation
itis
lact/i, lact/o (lak ti, lak to) means milk
lacti, lacto
leuk/o (lu ko) means white
leuko
lute/o (lu te o) means yellow
luteo
mamm/o (mam o) means breast
mammo
mast/o (mast o) means breast
masto
meat/o (me a to) means opening or passage
meato
men/o (men o) means occurring monthly
meno
menstru/o (men stroo o) means occurring monthly
menstruo
metri/o (met re o), metr/o (me tro) means uterus
metrio, metro
my/o (mi o) means muscle
myo
nulli- (nul i) means none
nulli
olig/o (ol i go) means scanty or few
oligo
ooo-, ovi-, ovo-(o o, o ve, o vo) means egg or o vum
ooo, ovi, ovo
oophor/o (o of o ro) means ovary
oophoro
opercul/o (o per’ ku lo) means cover or lid
operculo
ovari/o (o va re o) means ovary
ovario
para- (par a) means to bear or bring forth
para
part/o (par to) means labor and childbirth
parto
pelvi- (pel ve) means pelvic cavity, pelvic bone, hip
pelvi
peri- (per e) means surrounding
peri
perine/o (per i ne o) means perineum or the region between the vaginal orifice and the anus
perineo
-pexy (peks e) means surgical fixation or to put in place
pexy
poly- (pol e) means excessive, much, many
poly
pregn/o (preg no) means pregnant or full of
pregno
primi- (pri mi) means first
primi
py/o (pi o) means pus
pyo
retr/o (ret ro) means behind, backward, back of
retro
-rrhea (re a) means flow or discharge
rrhea
salping/o (sal pin go) means tube (either fallopian or eustachian)
salpingo
umbilic/o (um b i l ko) means navel
umbilico
uter/o (u ter o) means uterus or womb
utero
vagin/o (vaj i no) means vagina or sheath
vagino
vulv/o (vul vo) means external genital organs (vulva) or covering
vulvo
Word Elements--Male
an- means without or not
an
balan/o (bal’ a no) means glans penis
balano
-cele (seal) means hernia or swelling
cele
didym/o (did i mo) means testes, twins, double
didymo
hydr/o (hi dro) means relating to water
hydro
olig/o (ol i go) means scanty or few
oligo
orchid/o (or kid o) means testes
orchido
orchi/o (or ke o) means testes
orchio
orch/o (or ko) means testes
orcho
peni- (pen i) means penis
peni
perine/o (per i ne o) means perineum (per” i ne’ um) which is the region between the
scrotum and anus
perineo
priap/o (pri a po) means penis
priapo
prostat/o (pros ta to) means prostate gland
prostato
semini- (sem iI ni) means semen or sperm
semini
spermat/o (sper mat o), sperm/o (sper mo) means spermatozoa (sper” mat o zo’ a), sperm,
seed
spermato, spermo
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
Female Reproductive System Words
abruptio placentae (a brup’ she o pla sen’ ti) is the premature detachment of a placenta,
which is normally situated after the 20th week of gestation
abrupti/o means tearing away
abruptio placentae
amenorrhea (a men” or re’ a) is the absence of menstruation
a- means without
men/o means monthly
-rrhea means flow
amenorrhea
amniocentesis (am” ne o sen te’ sis) is the puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and
syringe to remove amniotic fluid
amni/o means amniotic
-centesis means surgical puncture with a needle
amniocentesis
amniotic fluid (am’ ne ot ik) is the fluid contained in the amniotic sac
amniotic fluid
anteflexion (an” te flek’ shun) is the abnormal bending forward of the uterus at its body
and neck
ante- means before
flexion means to bend
anteflexion
antepartum (an” te par’ tum) means before the onset of labor
ante- means before
partum relates to the process of birth
antepartum
Apgar score is a system of scoring an infant’s physical condition one minute and five
minutes after birth
Apgar score
cervicitis (ser vi si’ tis) is the inflammation of the neck (cervix) of the uterus
cervic/o means neck
-itis means inflammation
cervicitis
clitoris (kli’ to ris, klit’ o ris) is the small erectile body on the female anatomy that is
homologous to the male penis
clitoris
coitus (ko’ i tus) also known as copulation (kop” u la’ shun) or sexual intercourse
coitus
corpus luteum (kor’ pus lu’ te um) is a yellow cellular mass in the ovary that forms after
the graafian follicle has erupted
corpus means body
luteum means yellow
corpus luteum
ectopic pregnancy (ek top’ ik) is when the fertilized ovum implants outside of the uterine
cavity
ectopic means abnormal position
ectopic pregnancy
embryo (em’ bre o) is the stage of development of the fertilized ovum between the second
and eighth weeks
embryo
endometriosis (en” do me” tre o’ sis) is a condition where inner surface mucous membrane
of the uterus, called the endometrium, has located in various sites throughout the pelvis or
in the abdominal wall
end/o means within, inside
metri means uterus
-osis means condition
endometriosis
episiotomy (e pis” e ot’ o me) is the surgical cutting into the female perineum to facilitate
delivery
episi/o means external genitalia
-otomy means to cut into, incision
episiotomy
fallopian tubes (fa lo’ pe an)--also called oviducts or uterine tubes--extend from the fundal
end of the uterus and end near the ovary-- these tubes are not connected to the ovary
fallopian tubes
fetus (fe’ tus) the developing child from the third month to birth. Prior to this it is called
an embryo.
fetus
fimbria (fim’ bre a) means the structure resembling a border or fringe
fimbri/o means fringe
fimbria
fundus (fun’ dus) is the portion of an organ farthest from its opening
fund/o means botom, base,or ground
fundus
galactocele (ga lak’ to sel) is a tumor of a milk duct
galact/o means milk
-cele means hernia
galactocele
genitalia (jen” i tal’ e a) is another name for the reproductive organs
genitalia
gestation (jes ta’ shun) is the length of time from conception to birth
gest/o means to carry young or offspring
gestation
hymen (hi’ men) is the membrane that covers the entrance to the vagina
hymen
hysteroscope (his’ ter o skop) is an instrument used to visually examine the uterus
hyster/o means uterus
-scop means to look
-e is a noun suffix and it also indicates that this word is an instrument
hysteroscope
infundibulum (in” fun dib’ u lum) is a funnel-shaped structure or opening
infundibulum
lactiferous glands (lak tif’ er us) is another name for the mammary glands
lact/i means milk
lactiferous glands
leukorrhea (lu” ko re’ a) is a white mucous discharge from the uterine cervix or vagina
leuk/o means white
-rrhea means flow
leukorrhea
mammary glands (mam’ a re) are the glands of the female breast that secrete milk
mammary glands
mammography (mam og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the breast used to diagnose breast cancer
mamm/o means breast
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
mammography
mastectomy (mas tek’ to me) is the surgical removal of the breast
mast/o means breast
-ectomy means surgical removal
mastectomy
mastitis (mas ti’ tis) is the inflammation of the breast
mast/o means breast
-itis means inflammation
mastitis
menarche (men ar’ ke) is the onset of the menstrual period
men/o means monthly
arche means the beginning
menarche
menopause (men’ o pawz) is the permanent cessation (end) of menstrual periods
men/o means monthly
pause means to stop
menopause
menorrhea (men o re a) is another name for normal menstrual period
men/o means monthly
-rrhea means flow
menorrhea
metrorrhea (me” tro re’ a) is an abnormal discharge from the uterus
metr/o means uterus
-rrhea means flow
metrorrhea
myometrium (mi” o me’ tre um) is the muscular wall of the uterus which forms the main
mass of the uterus
my/o means muscle
metrium means uterus
myometrium
nulligravida (nul i gra vi da) means a female who has never conceived a child
nulli- means none
gravida means pregnant
nulligravida
nullipara (nul ip’ a ra) means a female who has never produced a viable offspring
nulli- means none
para means to bear or give birth
nullipara
oligomenorrhea (ol” i go men” o re’ a) means a scanty or infrequent menstrual flow
olig/o means scanty
men/o means monthly
-rrhea means flow
oligomenorrhea
oophorectomy (o” of o rek’ to me) means the surgical removal of an ovary
oophor/o means ovary
-ectomy means surgical removal
oophorectomy
oophoritis (o” of o ri’ tis) means the inflammation of an ovary
oophor/o means ovary
-itis means inflammation
oophoritis
operculum (o per’ ku lum) is a plug of mucus that fills up the cervical opening upon
becoming pregnant
opercul/o means cover or lid
operculum
ovulation (ov” u la’ shun) is the ripening and rupture of a graafian follicle and the
discharge of an egg from the cortex of the ovary
ovulation
parturition (par tu rish’ un) is the process of giving birth
part- means to bear
parturition
pelvimetry (pel vim’ e tre) is the process of measuring the pelvic dimensions
pelvi- means pelvis
-metry means the process of measuring
pelvimetry
perimetrium (per i me’ tre um) is the uterine serous coating
peri- means surrounding
metri means uterus
perimetrium
perineum (per” i ne’ um) is the external region between the vulva and anus in a female or
between the scrotum and anus in a male
perineum
placenta (pla sen’ ta) is the structure through which the fetus derives nourishment
placenta
placenta previa (pla sen’ ta pre’ ve a) means abnormal implanting of the placenta in the
lower portion of the uterus
placenta previa
polymenorrhea (pol” e men o re’ a) is the excessive occurrence or frequency of menstrual
periods
poly means excessive
men/o means monthly
-rrhea means flow
polymenorrhea
preeclampsia (pre” e klamp’ se a)--also called toxemia of pregnancy-- is a complication that
presents with hypertension, edema, and an abnormally high level of protein in the urine
preeclampsia
primigravida (pri mi grav’ i da) is the first pregnancy for a woman
primi- means first
gravida means pregnant
primigravida
puerperium (pu” er pe’ re um) is the 42-day period after childbirth and the expulsion of
the placenta and membranes
puerper/I means childbearing or labor
puerperium
pyosalpinx (pi” o sal’ pinks) means pus in the fallopian tubes
py/o means pus
salpinx means tube
pyosalpinx
retroflexion (ret” ro flek’ shun) means bending or flexing backward
retr/o means behind
flex/o means to bend
retroflexion
tubal ligation (tu’ bal li ga’ shun) is the surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes
have a section removed and are ligated for the purpose of birth control
tubal means pertaining to a tube
ligation means to bind or tie off
tubal ligation
ultrasound (ul” tra sound) means the use of sound waves in order to produce an image or
photo of an organ or tissue
ultrasound
umbilical cord (um bil’ i kal) is the attachment that connects the fetus with the placenta
umbilical cord
urethral meatus (u re’ thral me a’ tus) is the opening of the urethra to outside the body
urethral means pertaining to the urethra
meatus means opening or passage
urethral meatus
vulva (vul’ va) means the female external genitalia consisting of labia majora, labia minora,
clitoris, vestibule of vagina, vaginal opening and bulbs of the vestibule
vulv/o means external genitalia
vulva
zygote (zi’ got) is another name for the fertilized ovum; it is the cell produced by the union
of two gametes
zygote
Male Reproductive System Words
anorchism (an or’ kizm) is the congenital absence of one or both testes
an/o means without
orchism means pertaining to testes
anorchism
azoospermia (a zo o sper’ me a) means the absence of spermatozoa in the semen
a- means without
zoo means animal
spermia means pertaining to sperm
azoospermia
balanitis (bal a ni’ tis) is inflammation of the skin covering the glans penis
balan/o means glans penis
-itis means inflammation
balanitis
benign prostatic hypertrophy (be nin’ pros tat’ ik hi per’ tro fe)--abbreviated BPH--is the
enlargement of the prostate gland
benign means not recurrent or progressive
prostatic means pertaining to the prostate gland
hyper- means excessive
-trophy means growth
benign prostatic hypertrophy
circumcision (ser” kum si’ zhun) is the surgical removal of the end of the prepuce of the
penis
circumcision
Cowper’s glands (kow’ perz) are a pair of compound tubular glands beneath the bulb of
the male urethra--also called the bulbourethral glands (bul” bo u re’ thral). They secrete a
viscid fluid that helps form part of the seminal fluid.
Cowper’s glands
cryptorchidism (kript or’ kid izm) means failure of the testicles to descend into the scrotum
crypt/o means hidden
orchidism means pertaining to the testes (testicles)
cryptorchidism
epididymis (ep” i did’ i mis) is a small oblong body found at the posterior surface of the
testis that constitutes the first part of the excretory duct of each testis
epi- means over, upon
epididymis
glans penis (glans pe’ nis) is the bulbous end of the penis
glans penis
hydrocele (hi’ dro sel) is the accumulation of serous fluid in a testicle
hydr/o means fluid
-cele means tumor or swelling
hydrocele
impotence (im’ po tens) is the inability of a male to achieve or maintain erection
impotence
oligospermia (ol” i go sper’ me a) is a deficient amount of spermatozoa in the seminal fluid.
It may be temporary or permanent
olig/o means scanty, few
spermia means relating to spermatozoa
oligospermia
orchidectomy (or” ki dek’ to me) is the surgical removal of a testicle (testis)
orchid/o means testicle, testis
-ectomy means surgical removal
orchidectomy
orchitis (or ki’ tis) is the inflammation of a testis due to trauma, metastasis, mumps or
infection
orchi/o means testis
-itis means inflammation
orchitis
perineum (per” i ne’ um) is the external region between the scrotum and anus in a male
and between the vulva and anus in a female
perineum
phimosis (fi mo’ sis) means a narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so that the foreskin
cannot be pushed back over the glans penis
phimosis
prepuce (pre’ pus)--also known as foreskin--it is the fold of skin over the glans penis in the
male
prepuce
prostate gland (pros’ tat) surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra in the male
prostate gland
prostatitis (pros” ta ti’ tis) means the inflamed condition of the prostate gland. It may be a
complication of gonorrheal infection
prostat/o means prostate gland
-itis means inflammation
prostatitis
prostatorrhea (pros” ta to re’ a) means an abnormal discharge from the prostate gland
prostat/o means prostate gland
-rrhea means flow
prostatorrhea
scrotum (skro’ tum) is the double pouch in males which contains the testicles and part of
the spermatic cord
scrotum
seminal vesicle (sem’ i nal) is one of two saclike structures in the male lying behind the
bladder close to the prostate and connected to the ductus deferens on each side
seminal vesicle
seminiferous tubule (sem in if’ er us tu’ bul) means the very small channel of the testis in
which spermatozoa develop and through which they leave the testis
seminiferous tubule
spermatic cord (sper mat’ ik) is the cord that suspends the testis. It is composed of veins,
arteries, lymphatics, nerves, and ductus deferens.
spermatic cord
testis (tes’ tis) [also called testicle (tes’ ti kl) the male gonad] one of two reproductive glands
located in the scrotum that produce the male reproductive cells called spermatozoa and the
male hormone, testosterone
testis/testicle
transurethral resection of the prostate (trans” u re’ thral)--abbreviated TURP--is the
removal of prostatic tissue by use of a device inserted through the urethra
transurethral resection of the prostate
vas deferens (vas def’ er enz)--also called ductus deferens (duk’ tus def’ er enz)--is the
excretory duct of the testis and the continuation of the canal of the epididymis
vas/o means vessel, duct
ductus means vessel, duct
deferens means to carry away
vas deferens, ductus deferens
vasectomy (vas ek’ to me) means the removal of all or a segment of the vas deferens as a
method of birth control
vas/o means vessel, duct
-ectomy means surgical removal
vasectomy
This ends the section on the Reproductive System. If you have any questions, please ask
your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this
section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 15 RADIOLOGY, IMAGING, AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
Many times in the process of assessing a patient’s condition, this area of specialization aids
in gathering the information necessary to reach a diagnosis and decide on the best plan to
care for the patient. Testing may involve anything from the traditional x-ray to
ultrasound. The information is described in a report, referred to as the radiology report,
by a physician, called a radiologist, who is specially trained in the practice of diagnostic
radiology.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used.
Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements several
times before going on to the next section.)
ab- means away from
ab
ad- means toward
ad
albumin/o (al bu’ mi no) means albumin or protein
albumino
angi/o (an’ je o) means vessel, usually blood or lymph
angio
anter/o (an ter o) means front
antero
aort/o (a or’ to) means aorta
aorto
arteri/o (ar te re o) means artery
arterio
arthr/o (ar thro) means joint
arthro
assay (a sa’, as’ a) means to evaluate
assay
bacteri/o (bak te re o) means bacteria, rod, or staff
bacterio
brachy (brak e) means short
brachy
bronch/o (brong” ko) means the branch of the windpipe named the bronchus (brong’kus)
broncho
calc/i (kal” si) means calcium, lime, the heel
calci
cardi/o (kar de o) means heart
cardio
-centesis (sen te’ sis) means surgical puncture to remove fluid
centesis
cerebr/o (ser” e bro) means brain or cerebrum (ser’ e brum, ser e’ brum)
cerebro
chol/o (ko lo), chol/e (ko le) means bile or gall
cholo, chole
cholecyst/o (ko le sis to) means gallbladder
cholecysto
cine/o (sin e o) means movement
cineo
crit (krit) means to separate
crit
cutane/o (ku tan e o) means skin
cutaneo
cyst/o (sis to) means sac or bladder
cysto
decubit/o (de ku bi to) means lying down
decubito
ech/o (ek o) means sound
echo
end/o (en do) means inside or within
endo
fluor/o (floor o) means luminous
fluoro
-graphy (graf e) means the procedure of recording or writing
graphy
hemat/o (hem a to) means blood
hemato
hepat/o (hep a to) means liver
hepato
hyster/o (his ter o) means uterus or womb
hystero
immun/o (im u no) means safe or protection
immuno
intra- (in tra) means within or inside
intra
-logist (lo jist) means one who specializes in the study of
logist
-logy (lo je) means the study of
logy
lymph/o (lim fo) means an alkaline fluid called lymph
lympho
mamm/o (mam o) means breast
mammo
myel/o (mi e lo) means bone marrow or spinal cord
myelo
ot/o (o to) means ear or hearing
oto
-ous, -ic (ik) means pertaining to
ous, ic
pancreat/o (pan kre a to) means pancreas
pancreato
per (per) means through or excessive
per
pharmac/o (far ma ko) means drug or medicine
pharmaco
poster/o (pos’ ter o) means back
postero
py/o (pi o) means pus
pyo
pyel/o (pi e lo) means renal pelvis
pyelo
radi/o (ra de o) means radiation or x-ray
radio
ren/o (re no) means kidney
reno
retr/o (ret ro) means behind
retro
roentgeno (rent gen o) means x-ray
roentgeno
salping/o (sal ping o) means fallopian tube or eustachian tube
salpingo
-scop (skop) means to view
scop
-scopy (sko pe) means a procedure to visually examine
scopy
son/o (so no) means sound
sono
supin/o (su pi no) means lying on the back
supino
tel/e (tel e) means distant or far
tele
-therapy (ther’ a pe) means treatment
therapy
tom/o (to mo) means to cut or section
tomo
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
ultra- (ul tra) means beyond or excess
ultra
urethr/o (u re thro) is the tube from the bladder to outside of the body, called the urethra
(u re’ thra)
urethro
-uria (u re a) means urine or urination
uria
ven/o (ve no, ven o) means vein
veno
xer/o (ze ro) means dry
xero
Radiology, Imaging, and Diagnostic Procedure Words
abduction (ab duk’ shun) is the movement of a limb away from the body
ab- means to take away
abduction
adduction (a duk’ shun) is the movement of a limb toward the body
ad- means toward
adduction
agglutination (a gloo” ti na’ shun) is the clumping together of cells or particles
agglutin/o means to clump or stick together
agglutination
albuminuria (al bu mi nu’ re a) is the presence of serum protein albumin in the urine
albumin/o means albumin or protein
-uria means urine
albuminuria
amniocentesis (am” ne o sen te’ sis) is the surgical puncture of the amniotic sac using a
needle and syringe in order to remove amniotic fluid to evaluate fetal health and diagnose
certain congenital disorders
amni/o means amnion
-centesis means surgical puncture
amniocentesis
angiocardiography (an” je o kar” de og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the heart and blood vessels
after injecting a radiopaque solution into the body
angi/o means blood vessels
cardi/o means heart
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
angiocardiography
angiography (an” je og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the blood vessels after injecting a radiopaque
solution into the body
angi/o means blood vessels
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
angiography
anteroposterior projection--abbreviated as AP--is where the x-ray beam travels from the
anterior (front) to the posterior (back)
anter/o means front
posterior means back
anteroposterior projection
aortography (a” or tog’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the aorta
aort/o means aorta
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
aortography
arteriography (ar” te re og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the arteries
arteri/o means artery
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
arteriography
arthrography (ar throg’ ra fe) is an x-ray of a joint
arthr/o means joint
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
arthrography
auscultation (aws” kul ta’ shun) means listening through a stethoscope for sounds within
the body to determine the condition of the heart, lungs, abdomen, etc.
auscultation
axial (ak’ se al) means pertaining to the axis
axial
barium enema (ba’ re um)--abbreviated BE--is the use of barium sulfate as an enema to
help x-ray and fluoroscopic examination of the colon
barium enema
blood urea nitrogen--abbreviated BUN--is the amount of nitrogenous substance present in
the blood, as urea which is the major end product of the metabolism of protein
blood urea nitrogen
brachytherapy (brak” e ther’ a pe) is the use of implants of radioactive materials such as
cesium, iridium, radium, or gold in radiation therapy
brachy- means short
-therapy means treatment
brachytherapy
bronchography (brong kog’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the lung or a portion of it
bronch/o means branch of windpipe (trachea)
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
bronchography
bruit (brwe, broot’) is a sound or murmur (especially an abnormal one) heard during
auscultation
bruit
calciuria (kal” se u’ re a) is the presence of calcium in the urine
calc/i means calcium
-uria means urine
calciuria
cannula (kan’ u la) is a tube or sheath enclosing a trocar that allows the escape of fluid
after withdrawal of the trocar from the body
cannula
cardiac catheterization (kar’ de ak kath” e ter i za’ shun) is the passage of a tiny plastic
tube into the heart through a blood vessel
card/i means heart
-ac means pertaining to
cardiac catheterization
cardiocentesis (kar’ de o sen te sis) is the surgical puncture of the heart
cardi/o means heart
-centesis means surgical puncture
cardiocentesis
centrifuge (sen’ tri fuj) is a device that spins test tubes at high speeds
centrifuge
cholangiography (ko lan” je og’ ra fe) is the x-ray of the bile ducts
chol means bile
angi/o means vessel
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
cholangiography
cholecystography (ko” le sis tog’ ra fe) is the examination of the gallbladder by use of an xray
cholecyst/o means gallbladder
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
cholecystography
cineradiography (sin” e ra” de og’ ra fe) is the recording of images as they appear in
motion on a fluorescent screen
cine/o means motion
radi/o means x-ray
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
cineradiography
complete blood count--abbreviated CBC--determines the number of red and white blood
cells per cubic millimeter of blood
complete blood count
computed axial tomography (ak’ se al to mog’ ra fe)--abbreviated CT or CAT--is a form of
tomography in which transverse planes of tissue are imaged by a radiographic beam
tom/o means to cut
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
computed axial tomography
cystourethrography (sis” to u re throg’ ra fe) is the examination of the bladder and urethra
via x-ray after injecting a radiopaque contrast media
cyst/o means bladder
urethr/o means urethra
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
cystourethrography
decubitus x-rays (de ku’ bi tus) are x-rays taken with the person in a recumbent lateral
position
decubit/o means lying down
decubitus x-rays
differential blood counts (dif” er en’ shal) determine the number of blood cells per cubic
millimeter of blood
differential blood counts
dorsal recumbent position (dor sal) is where the patient is lying on the back (supine) with
the knees bent. It is used for examination of the abdominal area and for vaginal or rectal
examinations.
dors/o means back
dorsal recumbent position
echocardiography (ek” o kar” de og’ ra fe) is the use of ultrasound to visualize internal
cardiac structures
ech/o means sound
cardi/o means heart
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
echocardiography
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ko lan je o pan” kre a tog’ ra fe)-abbreviated ERCP--is a procedure that examines the size and filling of biliary and
pancreatic ducts with the use of an endoscope
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
endoscopy (en dos’ ko pe) means using an endoscope to inspect body organs or cavities
end/o means inside
-scopy means procedure of visually examining
endoscopy
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (e rith’ ro sit)--abbreviated ESR--a test based on the rate at
which the red blood cells (erythrocytes) separate from the plasma and settle to the bottom
of a tube
erythr/o means red
cyt/o means cell
-e is a noun suffix
erythrocyte sedimentation rate
eversion (e ver’ zhun) means turning outward
eversion
extension (eks ten’ shun) is the movement by which both ends of any part are pulled apart
extension
fasting blood sugar--abbreviated FBS--is used to measure the blood sugar (glucose) levels
after a patient has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours. It is used to screen for and monitor the
treatment of diabetes mellitus.
fasting blood sugar
flexion (flek’ shun) is the act of bending
flexion
fluoroscopy (floo” or os’ ko pe) uses a fluoroscope to project x-ray images on a fluorescent
screen. it allows body parts to be visualized in motion.
fluor/o means luminous
-scopy means a procedure to visually examine
fluoroscopy
gamma rays (gam’ a) are the electromagnetic waves emitted by radioactive substances
gamma rays
glucose tolerance test--abbreviated GTT--is a test that is performed by giving a certain
amount of glucose to a patient, orally or intravenously. Blood samples are then drawn at
certain times and blood glucose is checked.
glucose tolerance test
glycosuria (gli” ko su’ re a) is the presence of glucose in urine
glyc/o means sugar
-uria means urine
glycosuria
hematocrit (he mat’ o krit)--also known as packed cell volume--is the percentage of whole
blood volume occupied by red blood cells that are separated in a centrifuge
hemat/o means blood
crit means to separate
hematocrit
hematuria (he” ma tu’ re a, hem” a tu’ re a) means blood in the urine
hemat/o means blood
-uria means urine
hematuria
hemogram (he’ mo gram) is a detailed record of the findings in an examination of the blood
hem/o means blood
-gram means record or image
hemogram
hysterosalpingography (his” ter o sal pin” gog’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the uterus and ovaries
hyster/o means uterus
salping/o means tube
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
hysterosalpingography
intravenous cholangiography (ko lan” je og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the bile ducts after
injection of a contrast medium.
intra- means within
venous means pertaining to a vein
chol means bile
angi/o means vessels
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
intravenous cholangiography
intravenous pyelography (pi” e log’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the renal pelvis and ureter after the
injection of a contrast medium
intra- means within
venous means pertaining to a vein
pyel/o means renal pelvis
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
intravenous pyelography
inversion (in ver’ zhun) means to turn inward
inversion
ionization (i on i za’ shun) is the dissociation of compounds into their constituent ions
ionization
irradiation (i ra’ de a shun) is the therapeutic application of roentgen rays, radium rays,
ultraviolet rays or other radiation to a patient
irradiation
ketonuria (ke to nu’ re a) means that there are ketones in the urine; ketones are abnormal
substances produced in response to an increased fat metabolism
ket/o means ketones
-uria means urine
ketonuria
knee-chest position is where the patient is lying face down so that the hips are bent with the
knees and chest resting on the table. This position is used for rectal examinations.
knee-chest position
lateral view (lat’ er al) is where x-rays pass through a person’s side
lateral view
lethal (le’ thal) means pertaining to that which causes death
lethal
lithotomy position (lith ot’ o me) is where the patient is supine with feet and legs raised and
supported in stirrups. It is used for vaginal and rectal examinations. It is also used for the
removal of a stone, usually from urinary bladder.
lith/o means stone
-tomy means a procedure to cut
lithotomy position
lower GI series--also known as a barium enema--is the introduction of barium sulfate into
the colon by an enema tube
lower GI series
lymphangiography (lim fan” je og’ rah fe) is the radiographic examination of the lymph
vessels
lymph means an alkaline fluid called lymph
angi/o means vessels
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
lymphangiography
magnetic resonance imaging--abbreviated MRI--uses a combination of radio waves and a
strong magnetic field to produce images of any plane through the body. It is used for
imaging the brain, spine, and complex joints. It is not recommended for patients with
metal implanted in the body, such as pacemakers, some joint replacements, and prosthetic
heart valves.
magnetic resonance imaging
mammography (mam og’ ra fe) means an x-ray of the breast
mamm/o means breast
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
mammography
myelography (mi e log’ ra fe) means an x-ray of the spinal cord by use of a radiopaque
medium injected into the intrathecal (in” tra the’ kal) space
myel/o means spinal cord or bone marrow
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
myelography
nuclear medicine (nu’ kle ar) is that branch of medicine that is concerned with diagnostic,
therapeutic, and investigative use of radionuclides (ra” de o nu’ klidz)
nuclear medicine
oblique view (o blek’, o blik’) means x-rays are taken from different angles
oblique view
ophthalmoscope (of thal’ mo skop) is used to examine the interior of the eye
ophthalm/o means eye
-scop means to visually examine or look
-e means noun marker
ophthalmoscope
orthovoltage (or” tho vol’ tij) is the voltage used in x-ray therapy; approximately 250
kilovolts
orthovoltage
otoscope (o’ to skop) is a device used for examination of the ear
ot/o means ear
-scop means to visually exam or look
-e is a noun suffix and also indicates instrument in this word
otoscope
palliative (pal’ e a” tiv) is an agent that alleviates or eases
palliative
palpation (pal pa’ shun) is the process of examining by applying the hands or fingers to the
external surface of the body
palpation
percussion (per kush’ un) is the tapping of the fingertips lightly, but sharply, to determine
the position, size, and consistency of an underlying structure and the presence of fluid or
pus in a cavity
percussion
phlebotomist (fle bot’ o mist) is an individual who is trained and skilled in drawing blood
phleb/o means veins
tom/o means to cut
-ist means one who
phlebotomist
phlebotomy (fle bot’ o me)--also known as venipuncture--is the puncture of a vein for
drawing blood
phleb/o means veins
tom/o means to cut
-y is the procedure
phlebotomy
piezochemistry (pi e’ zo kem is tre) is the study of the effect of high pressure on chemical
reactions
piez/o means to squeeze
piezochemistry
positron emission tomography--abbreviated PET--is the reconstruction of brain sections by
using positron-emitting radionuclides--it can measure cerebral blood flow, blood volume,
oxygen uptake, and glucose transport and metabolism
tom/o means to cut
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
positron emission tomography
posteroanterior projection (pos” ter o an ter’ e or)--abbreviated PA--is where the the x-ray
beam travels through the body from posterior to anterior
poster/o means back
anterior means front
posteroanterior projection
prone position (pron) means that the patient is lying on the belly face down. It is used to
examine the buttocks and back.
prone position
prothrombin time (pro throm’ bin)--abbreviated PT--is the number of seconds required for
thromboplastin to coagulate plasma
pro- means in behalf of or before
thrombin refers to clotting or coagulating
prothrombin time
pyelography (pi” e log’ ra fe) means the x-ray of the renal pelvis and ureter
pyel/o means renal pelvis
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
pyelography
pyuria (pi u’ re a) means pus in the urine
py/o means pus
-uria means urine
pyuria
rad is the abbreviation for radiation absorbed dose
rad
radiation therapy (ra de a’ shun ther’ a pe) is the branch of medicine that utilizes ionizing
radiation in the treatment of malignant neoplasms
radiation therapy
radiograph (ra’ de o graf)--also known as an x-ray--is the film on which an image is
produced through exposure to x-radiation
radi/o means x-ray
graph means the visual record
radiograph
radioimmunoassay (ra” de o im” u no as’ a)--abbreviated RIA--is a very sensitive method
of determining the concentration of substances, particularly the protein-bound hormones,
in blood plasma
radi/o means x-ray
immun/o means safe
assay means to test
radioimmunoassay
radioisotope (ra” de o i’ so top) is a radioactive form of an element
radi/o means x-ray
radioisotope
radiologist (ra de ol’ o jist) is the physician who specializes in the use of radiant energy to
diagnose and treat patients.
radi/o means x-ray
-logist means one who studies
radiologist
radiology (ra de ol’ o je) is the branch of medicine that deals with radioactive substances,
including x-rays, radioactive isotopes, and ionizing radiations
radi/o means x-ray
-logy means study of
radiology
radiolucent (ra” de o lu’ sent) relates to the air and soft tissues that permit x-rays to pass
through. They appear as shades of gray to black on the x-ray.
radiolucent
radionuclide (ra” de o nu’ klid) is an atom that disintegrates by the emission of
electromagnetic radiation
radionuclide
radiopaque tissues (ra de o pak’) are tissues that do not permit x-ray to pass through.
They appear white or light gray on the x-ray. Bone and tooth enamel are examples.
radiopaque tissues
radiopharmaceutical (ra” de o farm” a su’ ti kal) is a radioactive material, either in the
form of individual elements or elements attached to other substances called carriers
radi/o means x-ray
pharmaceutical refers to drugs or pharmacy
radiopharmaceutical
rale (rahl) is an abnormal crackle-like respiratory sound heard during breathing in or
inspiration.
rale
recumbent position (re kum bent) is any position in which the patient is lying down either
on the back, side, or front
recumbent position
renal angiography (an” je og’ ra fe) is an x-ray of the blood vessels in the kidney
renal means pertaining to the kidney
angi/o means blood vessel
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
renal angiography
rhonchus (rong’ kus)--also known as a wheeze--is an added sound with a musical pitch
happening during inspiration or expiration
rhonchus
roentgenology (rent” gen ol’ o je) is the science of applying roentgen rays for diagnostic
and therapeutic purposes. It is also known as radiology.
roentgen refers to exposure to radiation
-ology means study of
roentgenology
scanning is the recording on a photographic plate through the emission of radioactive
waves from a specific substance injected into the body
scanning
scintigram (sin’ ti gram)--also known as nuclear scan--provides information about the
function and structure of organs or systems that conventional x-rays cannot produce
scintigram
serology (se rol’ o je) is the scientific study of serum
ser/o is serum
-logy is the study of
serology
Sims’ position is where the patient is lying on the left side of the chest, with the right knee
and right thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back. It is used in the
examination and treatment of the rectal area. Note that the apostrophe is placed after the s
because the s is part of the name Sims.
Sims’ position
single-photon emission computed tomography--abbreviated SPECT--is a medical imaging
method for reconstructing cross-sectional images of radiotracer distributions
single-photon emission computed tomography
speculum (spek’ u lum) is an instrument used to enlarge the opening of a canal or cavity in
order to examine the cavity interior
speculum
sphygmomanometer (sfig” mo man om’ et er)--also known as a blood pressure cuff--is used
to measure blood pressure
sphygm/o means pulse
meter is the instrument to measure
sphygmomanometer
stethoscope (steth’ o scop) is the instrument used to listen to sounds especially blood and
heart sounds
steth/o means chest
scop means to visually examine
-e means instrument
stethoscope
supine position (su pin’)--also known as the horizontal recumbent position--is where the
patient is lying on the back with the face up. It is used for examining and treating the
anterior surface of the body and for x-rays
supine position
teletherapy (tel e ther’ a pe) is the treatment of disease by telepathy (te lep’ a the)
tele means distance or far off
therapy is treatment
teletherapy
thoracentesis (tho” ra sen te’ sis)--also called thoracocentesis (tho” rak o sen te’ sis)--is the
surgical entry into the thoracic cavity in order to remove fluid
thora means chest
-centesis means surgical puncture
thoracentesis
tomography (to mog’ ra fe) shows images of structures in a selected plane of tissue by
blurring images of structures in all other planes
tom/o means to cut
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
tomography
transducer (trans du’ ser) is a device that converts one form of energy to another
transducer
Trendelenburg position (tren del’ en burg) is where the patient is lying on the back with
the knees bent and the legs elevated slightly higher than the head
Trendelenburg position
trocar (tro’ kar) is a sharply pointed surgical instrument contained in a cannula
trocar
ultrasonography (ul tra son og’ ra fe) is the use of ultrasound to produce an image or
photograph of an organ or tissue
ultra means beyond, excess
son/o means sound
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
ultrasonography
upper GI series (GI is the abbreviation for gastrointestinal) is the use of a barium swallow,
which is a chalky-tasting contrast medium (such as barium, water, and flavoring), that
makes these structures visible on x-rays
upper GI series
urinalysis (u” ri nal’ i sis) is the analysis of urine
urina means urine
lysis means to dissolve
urinalysis
venography (ve nog’ ra fe) means the x-ray of veins
ven/o means vein
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
venography
xeroradiography (ze” ro ra” de og’ ra fe) is the method of photoreproduction used in
radiography that uses a dry process
xer/o means dry
radi/o means x-ray
-graphy means the procedure of recording or writing
xeroradiography
This ends the section on Radiology, Imaging, and Diagnostic Procedures. If you have any
questions, please ask your instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook.
You should repeat this section as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable
with the meaning and pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 16 ONCOLOGY
The word oncology simply means the study of tumors. There are more than 100 different
types of cancers known to attack the human body. Through continued documentation of
tumors, the treatments used, and the effects of these treatments, oncologists have made
great strides in helping to combat the negative effects of these abnormal masses of tissue
called tumors.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
aden/o (ad e no) means gland
adeno
-algia (al’ je ah) means pain or suffering
algia
an- means without or not
an
angi/o (an’ je o) means blood or lymph vessel
angio
bas/o (ba so) means bottom or lowest part
baso
blast/o (blas to) means primitive cell or immature cell
blasto
carcin/o (kar si no) means cancerous
carcino
chem/o (ke mo) means chemical or drug
chemo
chondr/o (kon dro) means cartilage
chondro
cyst/o (sis to) means sac of fluid or bladder
cysto
dosi (do si) means dose
dosi-
-emia (em e a) means blood condition
emia
fibrin/o (fi brin o), fibr/o (fi bro) means fiber
fibrino, fibro
hem/o (he” mo) means blood
hemo
hist/o (his to) means tissue
histo
hyper- (hi per) means excessive, over, above
hyper
immun/o (im u no) means safe or protection
immuno
inter- (in ter) means between
inter
lei/o (li o) means smooth
leio
leiomy/o (li o mi o) means smooth muscle
leiomyo
lip/o (li po, lip o) means fat or lipid
lipo
-logy (lo je) means study of
logy
medull/o (med u lo) means soft inner part, inner section, middle
medullo
-megaly (meg a le) means enlargement
megaly
melan/o (mel a no) means black or darkness
melano
meta- (met’ a) means change
meta
metr/o (me tro, met ro) means an instrument used to measure or the uterus
metro
muta- (mu ta) means genetic change
muta
mutagen/o (mu ta jen o) means causing genetic change
mutageno
myel/o (mi e lo, mi el o) means bone marrow or spinal cord
myelo
my/o (mi o) means muscle
myo
ne/o (ne o) means new or strange
neo
-oid (oyd) means like or resembling
oid
-oma (o ma) means tumor or neoplasm
oma
onc/o (ong ko) is another word element that means tumor
onco
papill/o (pap i lo) means nipple-like or nipple-shaped
papillo
-pathy (path e) means disease or feeling, suffering
pathy
-plasia (pla ze a), -plasm (pla zm), -plaso (pla zo) means formation or growth
plasia, plasm, plaso
polyp/o (pol ip o) means tumor on a stem called a polyp (pol’ ip)
polypo
radi/o (ra de o) means x-rays or rays
radio
sarc/o (sar ko) means flesh; this word element is very similar to another word element
sacr/o (sa’ kro) which means sacrum, the next to the last part of the lower spine. Be careful
not to confuse these two root words.
sarco
scirrh/o (skir o) means hard
scirrho
squam/o (skwa mo) means scaly
squamo
-therapy (ther’ a pe) means treatment
therapy
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
Oncology Words
adenocarcinoma (ad” e no kar” sin o’ ma) is a malignant adenoma arising from a glandular
organ
aden/o means gland
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
adenocarcinoma
adenopathy (ad e nop’ a the) is the enlargement of glands, especially lymph nodes
aden/o means gland
-pathy means disease
adenopathy
anemia (a ne’ me a) is the reduction below the normal number of erythrocytes, quantity of
hemoglobin, or volume of packed red cells in blood
an- means without
-emia means blood condition
anemia
basal cell carcinoma (ba’ sal kar” si no’ ma) is a malignancy of the skin that rarely
metastasizes
bas/o means bottom
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
basal cell carcinoma
blastoma (blas to’ ma) is a neoplasm composed of immature, undifferentiated cells derived
from the blastema of an organ or tissue
blast/o means immature
-oma means tumor
blastoma
carcinoma (kar” si no’ ma) is a malignant new growth
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
carcinoma
chemotherapy (ke” mo ther’ a pe) is the treatment of a disease by use of chemical reagents
that have a specific and toxic effect upon disease-causing microorganisms
chem/o means chemical
-therapy means treatment
chemotherapy
chondrosarcoma (kon dro sar ko’ ma) is a malignant tumor originating from cartilage
chondr/o means cartilage
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
chondrosarcoma
cystalgia (sis tal’ je a) means pain in the bladder
cyst/o means sac of fluid
-algia means pain
cystalgia
dosimetrist (do sim’ e trist) is a health professional who calculates and plans the proper
radiation dosage for treatment
dosi- means dose
metr/o means to measure
-ist means one who
dosimetrist
esophageal adenocarcinoma (e sof” a je’ al ad” e no kar” sin o’ ma) is a malignant
adenoma arising from the esophagus
esophageal means pertaining to the esophagus
aden/o means gland
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
esophageal adenocarcinoma
fibrinogen (fi brin’ o jen) is a kind of protein found in blood
fibrin/o means fiber
gen means to originate or produce
fibrinogen
fibrosarcoma (fi” bro sar ko’ ma) is a spindle-celled sarcoma containing much connective
tissue
fibr/o means fiber
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
fibrosarcoma
hemangiosarcoma (he man” je o sar ko’ ma) is a malignant neoplasm originating from
blood vessels
hem/o means blood
angi/o means blood vessels
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
hemangiosarcoma
histology (his tol’ o je) means the study of tissue
hist/o means tissue
-logy means study of
histology
hyperplasia (hi” per pla’ ze a) is an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the normal
tissue of an organ
hyper- means excessive
-plasia means formation or growth
hyperplasia
interstitial implant (in” ter stish’ al) is a radioactive source placed directly into tissue
rather than in a body cavity
inter- means between
interstitial implant
irradiation (i ra’ de a shun) is the treatment by x-ray
irradiation
leiomyosarcoma (li” o mi” o sar ko’ ma) is a combined leiomyoma (li o mi o’ ma) and
sarcoma (sar ko’ ma)
lei/o means smooth
my/o means muscle
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
leiomyosarcoma
liposarcoma (lip” o sar ko’ ma) is a malignant tumor derived from embryonal (em’ bre o
nal) lipoblastic (lip’ o blast ik) cells
lip/o means fat
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
liposarcoma
malignant melanoma (mel” a no’ ma) is a darkly pigmented mole or tumor of the skin
melan/o means black or dark
-oma means tumor
malignant melanoma
medulloblast (me dul’ o blast) means undifferentiated cells of the neural tube, which may
develop into a neuroblast (nu’ ro blast) or spongioblast (spun’ je o blast)
medull/o means inner part
-blast means immature cell
medulloblast
megaloblastoid (meg’ a lo blast oid) means resembling large nucleated cells
megal/o means large
-blast means immature cell
-oid means resembling
megaloblastoid
metastasis (me tas’ ta sis) is the process whereby cancer cells break away from the primary
site and begin secondary growths in other body parts
metastasis
mixed-tissue tumors are cancers arising from tissue that is capable of differentiating into
epithelial and connective tissue
mixed-tissue tumors
multiple myeloma (mi e lo’ ma) is a neoplastic disease characterized by the infiltration of
bone and bone marrow by myeloma cells forming multiple tumor masses
myel/o means bone marrow or spinal cord
-oma means tumor
multiple myeloma
mutagenesis (mu” ta jen’ e sis) is the induction of genetic mutation
mutagen/o means causing genetic change
mutagenesis
neoplasm (ne’ o plazm) is the new and abnormal formation of tissue as a tumor or growth
ne/o means new
-plasm means formation
neoplasm
oncogene (ong’ ko jen) is a special kind of gene that may cause cells to divide abnormally
onc/o means tumor
-gen means to originate or produce
-e is a noun suffix
oncogene
oncologist (ong kol’ o jist) is a person who specializes in the branch of medicine dealing
with tumors
onc/o means tumor
-log means study of
-ist means one who
oncologist
oncology (ong kol’ o je) is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors
onc/o means tumor
-logy means study of
oncology
palliative therapy (pal’ e a” tiv) is a treatment to relieve cancer symptoms even though
remission seems unlikely
palliate (pal e at) means cloaked
palliative therapy
papillated (pap’ i lat ed) means containing small, nipple-shaped projections or elevations
papill/o means nipple-shaped or nipple-like
papillated
polypoid (pol’ e poid) means resembling a polyp (pol’ ip)
polyp/o means tumor on a stem
-oid means resembling or like
polypoid
prophylactic (pro fi lak’ tik) means tending to ward off disease
prophylactic
radiation therapy (ra de a’ shun) is the branch of medicine that utilizes radiation in the
treatment of malignant neoplasms
radi/o means x-rays
radiation therapy
remission (ri mish’ un) is the temporary or permanent absence of cancer symptoms
remission
sarcoma (sar ko’ ma) is a cancer arising from connective tissue such as muscle or bone
sarc/o means flesh
-oma means tumor
sarcoma
scirrhous (skir’ rus) means hard or indurated
scirrh/o means hard
-ous means possessing or full of
scirrhous
squamous cell carcinoma (skwa’ mus) is a cancer consisting of flat, scaly, epithelial cells of
the skin
squam/o means scale
carcin/o means cancerous
-oma means tumor
squamous cell carcinoma
stem cells are renewing cells which are replaced regularly
stem cells
T cells are the white blood cells that are important in the body’s immune system
T cells
TNM staging system is the system used to refer to the size and degree of invasion of a
tumor in the local area, nodes, or distant sites
TNM staging system
transmutation (trans” mu ta’ shun) is the evolutionary change of one species into another
trans- means through
muta- means genetic change
transmutation
This ends the section on Oncology. If you have any questions, please ask your instructor
for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section as many
times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and pronunciation of the
words presented.
SECTION 17 PHARMACOLOGY
A drug is a chemical substance that affects body functions. Drugs may come from plants,
minerals, animals, or they may be made from synthetic sources. The pharmacist (R.Ph) is
the person who dispenses medications ordered by a physician. The five rights of
medication administration are: right patient, right medication, right amount, right time,
and right route. Specialities within the field of pharmacology are: pharmacy, toxicology,
medicinal chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and molecular pharmacology.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
algesi/o (al je ze o) means sensitivity to pain
algesio
anti- (an” ti) means against
anti
bucc/o (buk ko) means cheek
bucco
chem/o (ke” mo) means chemical or drug
chemo
contra- (kon tra) means against
contra
cutane/o, cut/o (ku ta ne o, ku to) means skin
cutaneo, cuto
derm/o (der mo) means skin
dermo
hypn/o (hip no) means sleep
hypno
intra- (in tra) means within
intra
lingu/o (ling gwo) means tongue
linguo
narc/o (nar ko) means stupor or numbness
narco
par- (par) means other than or apart from
par
pharmac/o (far” ma ko) means drug or chemical
pharmaco
sub- (sub) means under, below, less
sub
syn- (sin) means together, with, union
syn
tox/o, toxic/o (toks o, tok si ko) means poison
toxo, toxico
trans- (trans) means through or across
trans
Pharmacology Words
absorption (ab sorp’ shun) is the taking up of liquids by solids, or of gases by solids or
liquids
absorption
analgesic (an” al je’ sik) is a drug that relieves pain
an- means without
-algesic means pain
analgesic
antibiotic (an” ti bi ot’ ik) is a drug that slows down or stops the growth of bacteria, fungi,
or parasites
anti- means against
biotic means referring to life
antibiotic
anticoagulant (an” ti ko ag’ u lant) is a drug that prevents clotting or coagulation of blood
anti- means against
coagulant refers to clotting
anticoagulant
anticonvulsant (an” ti kon vul’ sant) is a drug that prevents or reduces the severity of
convulsions
anti- means against
anticonvulsant
antidepressant (an” ti de pres’ sant) is a drug that elevates mood and treats symptoms of
depression
anti- means against
antidepressant
antidiabetic (an” ti di” a bet’ ik) is a drug that treats Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus
anti- means against
diabetic pertaining to diabetes
antidiabetic
antihistamine (an” ti his’ ta men or min) is a drug that blocks the action of histamine
anti- means against
histamine is a substance that causes allergic reactions
antihistamine
beta-blocker is a drug called antiarrhythmic (an” te a rith’ mik), antianginal, and
antihypertensive that blocks the action of epinephrine (ep” i nef’ rin) at certain sites
beta-blocker
buccally (buk’ a le) means held between the gum and cheek
bucc/o means cheek
buccally
capsule (cap sul) is one of the forms in which medicine is delivered
capsule
cardiovascular drug (kar” de o vas’ ku lar) is a drug that acts to increase the efficiency of
the heart and blood vessels
cardi/o means heart
vascular refers to the blood vessels
cardiovascular drug
contraindication (kon” tra in di ka’ shun) means factors in a patient’s condition that make
use of drug inadvisable
contra- means against
contraindication
controlled substances are drugs that may become addictive
controlled substances
dependence (de pen’ dens) is the situation where the removal or withholding of a drug may
produce adverse physical and/or psychological symptoms
dependence
distribution is the process of moving from the bloodstream into body tissues and fluids
distribution
diuretic (di” u ret’ ik) is a drug that increases the volume of urine excreted
diuretic
emetic (e met’ ik) is a drug that induces vomiting
emetic
endocrine drug (en’ do krin, krin, kren) stimulates naturally occurring hormones such as
estrogens, thyroid, etc.
endocrine drug
gastrointestinal drugs (gas tro in tes ti nal) are drugs such as antiulcer, antacid,
antinauseant, antidiarrheal, laxative, or cathartic (ka thar’ tik), used to relieve
uncomfortable or possibly dangerous gastrointestinal symptoms
gastr/o means stomach
intestinal means pertaining to intestines
gastrointestinal drugs
GI tract routes are the oral and rectal routes and nasogastric tubes for drug administration
GI is the abbreviation for gastrointestinal
tract refers to a body system
GI tract routes
hypersensitivity (hi” per sen si tiv’ i te) refers to an allergy to a drug
hyper- means excessive
hypersensitivity
inhalation (in” ha la’ shun) is the breathing of a substance into the nose or mouth
inhalation
injection (in jek’ shun) is the administration of a substance directly into tissue
injection
isotonic (i so ton’ ik) means pertaining to solutions that have the same osmotic pressure
is/o means equal
tonic pertaining to tension or contraction
isotonic
legend drugs--another name for prescription drugs
legend drugs
lipid (lip’ id, lip’ id)) is any one of a group of fats or fatlike substances, characterized by
their insolubility in water and solubility in fat solvents such as alcohol, ether, and
chloroform
lipid
local effect is the effect limited to the area of the body to which a drug is administered
local effect
ointment is one of the forms in which medication is administered
ointment
OTC drugs stands for over-the-counter drugs
OTC drugs
palliative (pal’ e a” tiv) is an agent that alleviates or eases
palliative
parenteral route (par en’ ter al) is any route other than the gastrointestinal tract for
administering drugs
par- means other than
-enteral means intestine
parenteral route
pharmacist (far’ ma sist) is one who is licensed to prepare and dispense drugs
pharmac/o means drug
-ist means one who
pharmacist
placebo (pla se’ bo) is an inactive substance that satisfies a patient’s psychological need.
Also known as a sugar pill.
placebo
prophylactic (pro fi lak’ tik) is a drug that prevents disease
prophylact/o means guarding
prophylactic
sedatives include hypnotics and barbiturates, which are drugs that relax an individual by
depressing the central nervous system
sedatives
side effects are toxic and other unintended effects that may occur with the use of a drug
side effects
solution is one of the forms in which medication is administered
solution
stimulant is a drug that speeds up vital processes such as heart and respiration
stimulant
sublingually (sub ling’ gwal le) means placed under the tongue
sub- means under
lingually refers to the tongue
sublingually
suppository (su poz’ i to re) is one of the forms in which medication is administered
suppository
suspension (sus pen’ shun) is one of the forms in which medication is administered
suspension
synergy (sin’ er je) is the cooperation among two or more drugs
syn- means together
synergy
syrup is one of the forms in which medication is administered
syrup
systemic effect (sis tem’ ik) is the effect of a drug that is absorbed and distributed
throughout the body
systemic effect
tablet is one of the forms in which medication is administered
tablet
therapeutic (ther a pu’ tik) means pertaining to medication used to cure or treat a disease
therapeutic
tincture (tink’ chur) is one of the forms in which medication is administered
tincture
topical administration is applying ointment with friction or with a dermal patch
topical administration
toxicologist (toks” i kol’ o jist) is a specialist in the field of poisons or toxins
toxic/o means poison
-logist is one who studies
toxicologist
tranquilizer is a drug that is used to control anxiety
tranquilizer
transdermal or transcutaneous drug delivery system is the administration of drugs through
a dermal patch
trans- means through or across
dermal means pertaining to skin
cutaneous means pertaining to skin
transdermal or transcutaneous drug delivery system
Drugs
Actifed (ak’ tih fed) its generic name is triprolidine hydrochloride (tri pro’ li den) (hi” dro
klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Actifed, triprolidine hydrochloride
Antivert (an’ ti vert) its generic name is meclizine hydrochloride (mek’ li zen) (hi” dro klor’
id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Antivert, meclizine hydrochloride
Artane (ar tane) its generic name is trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride (tri hek” se fen’ i dil)
(hi” dro klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Artane, trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride
Benadryl (be’ na dril) its generic name is diphenhydramine hydrochloride (di” fen hi’ drah
men) (hi” dro klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Benadryl, diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Coumadin (ku’ ma din) its generic name is sodium warfarin (so de um) (wor’ fer in)
Coumadin, sodium warfarin
Darvon (dar’ von) its generic name is propoxyphene hydrochloride (pro pok’ se fen) (hi”
dro klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Darvon, propoxyphene hydrochloride
Dilantin (di lan’ tin) its generic name is phenytoin (fen’ i to in)
Dilantin, phenytoin
Diuril (di’ u ril) its generic name is chlorothiazide (klo” ro thi’ a zid)
Diuril, chlorothiazide
Dulcolax (dul’ co lax) its generic name is bisacodyl (bis ak o dil, bis a ko dil)
Dulcolax, bisacodyl
Inderal (in’ der al) its generic name is propranolol hydrochloride (pro pran’ o lol) (hi” dro
klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Inderal, propranolol hydrochloride
Lanoxin (la nox’ in) its generic name is digoxin (di jok’ sin)
Lanoxin, digoxin
Lomotil (lo mo’ til) its generic name is diphenoxylate hydrochloride (di” fen ok’ si lat) (hi”
dro klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Lomotil, diphenoxylate hydrochloride
Orinase (or’ i nas) its generic name is tolbutamide (tol bu’ ta mid)
Orinase, tolbutamide
Pavabid (pav’ uh bid) its generic name is papaverine hydrochloride (pa pav’ er in) (hi” dro
klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Pavabid, papaverine hydrochloride
Persantine (per san’ ten) its generic name is dipyridamole (di” pi rid’ a mol)
Persantine, dipyridamole
Premarin (prem’ a rin) its generic name is estrogen (es’ tro jen)
Premarin, estrogen
Pronestyl (pro nes’ til) its generic name is procainamide hydrochloride (pro kan’ ah mid)
(hi” dro klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Pronestyl, procainamide hydrochloride
Prozac (pro’ zak) its generic name is fluoxetine hydrochloride (floo ox’ e teen) (hi” dro klor’
id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Prozac, fluoxetine hydrochloride
Robaxin (ro” baks’ in) its generic name is methocarbamol (meth” o kar’ ba mol)
Robaxin, methocarbamol
Seconal (sek’ o nal) its generic name is secobarbital (sek” o bar’ bi tal)
Seconal, secobarbital
Sinequan (sin’ a kwon) its generic name is doxepin hydrochloride (dok’ se pin) (hi” dro
klor’ id, hi” dro klo’ rid)
Sinequan, doxepin hydrochloride
Tagamet (tag’ ah met) its generic name is cimetidine (si met’ i den)
Tagamet, cimetidine
Thorazine (thor’ ah zen) its generic name is chlorpromazine (klor pro ma zen)
Thorazine, chlorpromazine
Tolinase (tol’ i nas) its generic name is tolazamide (tol az a mid)
Tolinase, tolazamide
Tylenol (ti’ le nol) its generic name is acetaminophen (a set” a min’ o fen)
Tylenol, acetaminophen
Valium (val’ ee um) its generic name is diazepam (di az’ e pam)
Valium, diazepam
Xanax (zan’ aks ) its generic name is alprazolam (al pra’ zo lam)
Xanax, alprazolam
This ends the section on Pharmacology. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.
SECTION 18 MENTAL HEALTH
This medical specialty, called psychiatry, deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention of mental illness. A psychiatrist is the medical doctor who is trained in the
methods and practices of psychotherapy. Forensic psychiatrists deal with legal
considerations such as mental competence in criminal cases. A clinical psychologist has a
doctorate in psychology and is trained in psychotherapy and psychodiagnostic assessment
through various testing measures.
Four broad classifications of psychiatric disorders are: psychoses, neuroses, sexual
disorders, and character disorders. Psychoses can be either functional (such as
schizophrenia or paranoia) or organic. Neurotic problems are categorized as affective,
anxiety, somatoform and hysterical disorders. Sexual disorders are groups into two
categories: paraphilia and sexual dysfunctions.
Word Elements (We will first look at some of the word elements that might be used in this
system. Listen as each word element is being pronounced. Practice these word elements
several times before going on to the next section.)
aut/o (aw” to) means self
auto
-iatr/o (i a tro) means treatment or physician
iatro
-ist means one who specializes
ist
-mania (ma’ ne a) means obsessive or excessive preoccupation
mania
ment/o (men to) means mind
mento
neur/o (nu ro) means nerve
neuro
o/rexia (o rek se a) means appetite
orexia
-osis (o sis) means condition
osis
phobia (fo be a) means fear
phobia
phoria (fo re a) means feeling, carry, mental state
phoria
phren/o (fren o) means mind or diaphragm
phreno
psych/o (si ko) means mind
psycho
schiz/o (skiz’ o) means division or split
schizo
somat/o (so’ ma to) means body
somato
therapy (ther’ a pe) means treatment
therapy
xen/o (zen o) means strange or a foreign material
xeno
Mental Health Words
affect (af’ fekt) in psychology is the emotional reactions associated with an experience
affect
amnesia (am ne’ ze a) is a loss of memory
amnesia
anorexia nervosa (an o rek’ se a ner vo’ sa) is a psychosomatic eating disorder
an- means without
-orexia means appetite
nerv/o means nerve
anorexia nervosa
antianxiety agents help to lesson anxiety in mild to moderate states of emotional upset
antianxiety agents
antidepressant (an” ti de pres’ sant) helps reverse depressive symptoms and produce
feelings of well-being
anti- means against
antidepressant
antipsychotic medications (an” ti si kot’ ik) reduce excitement and control hostile and
aggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients
anti- means against
psychotic means pertaining to the mind
antipsychotic medications
anxiety disorders (ang zi’ e te) are a group of psychiatric disorders mainly characterized by
anxiety including phobias
anxiety disorders
apathy (ap’ a the) means indifference or lack of emotion
a- means without
-pathy means feeling (it can also mean disease)
apathy
Bender-Gestalt (ges tawlt’) is one of several types of neuropsychological tests. This test
helps to detect deficiencies in perception, movement, or coordination.
Bender-Gestalt
bulimia nervosa (bu lim’ e a ner vo’ sa) is a disorder which includes recurrent episodes of
binge eating, self-induced vomiting and diarrhea, excessive exercise, strict dieting or
fasting, and an exaggerated concern about body shape and weight
bulimia nervosa
character disorders—are one of four broad classifications of psychiatric disorders
character disorders
clinical psychologist (si kol’ o jist) is a person who has a doctorate degree in psychology, is
qualified to use many of the same treatments as a psychiatrist, and is trained in
psychotherapy and psychodiagnostic assessment through various tests
clinical psychologist
cognitive therapy stresses the importance of the relationship between thoughts, feelings,
and behavior
cognitive therapy
déjà vu (da’ zha voo) is the illusion that a new situation is a repetition of a previous
experience
déjà vu
dementia (de men’ she a) is a mental deterioration due to organic brain disease
dementia
euphoria (u for’ e a) is an exaggerated feeling of well-being
eu- means good, healthy
-phoria means feeling
euphoria
forensic psychiatrist (fo ren’ zik) deals with legal considerations such as determining
mental competence in cases of a criminal nature
forensic means pertaining to the law
forensic psychiatrist
functional psychoses (si ko sez) are one of two types of psychoses--of which functional has
two divisions: schizophrenia (skiz” o fren’ e a) and paranoia (par” a noy’ a)
functional psychoses
hallucination (ha loo si na’ shun) in psychology is a false perception having no relation to
reality and cannot be accounted for by any outside stimuli
hallucination
hypochondria (hi” po kon’ dre a) is abnormal concern about one’s health with the false
belief of suffering from some disease
hypo- means under, below
chondria means pertaining to cartilage
hypochondria
hysterical disorders--also called dissociative disorders—are characterized by sudden, but
temporary alteration in normally integrative functions of identify, motor behavior, or
consciousness
hysterical disorders
id is the part of personality structure that harbors unconscious, instinctive desires and
strivings of the individual
id
illusion is a misinterpreted sensory impression
illusion
insomnia (in som’ ne a) is the inability to sleep at a time when the person is expected to
sleep
insomnia
intelligence tests are attempts to measure intelligence, such as Wechsler Adult Intelligence
Scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
intelligence tests
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--abbreviated MMPI--is the most widely used
and researched objective testing instrument for personality assessment
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
mutism (mu’ tizm) is the inability to speak
mutism
narcissism (nar’ sis izm) is self-love
narcissism
neuropsychological tests (nu ro si ko loj’ i kal) include Bender-Gestalt, Wechsler Memory
Scale, and Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery, and are often referred to as “tests
for brain damage”
neuropsychological tests
obsession is the neurotic mental state of having an uncontrollable desire to dwell on an
emotion or idea
obsession
obsessive-compulsive disorders are disorders in which thoughts invade the mind in spite of
attempts to eliminate them
obsessive-compulsive disorders
organic psychosis is a psychosis that is caused by brain damage
organic psychosis
paranoia (par” a noy’ a) is a functional psychosis characterized by the belief that one is
being plotted against. Extreme jealousy and suspiciousness are symptoms of this disease.
paranoia
paraphilia (par” a fil’ e a) is a disorder in which unusual or bizarre imagery or acts are
necessary for sexual excitement
paraphilia
personality tests are tests that quantify and/or describe personality and emotional functions
personality tests
phobic disorders (fo’ bik) involve irrational, exaggerated fears that are triggered by specific
stimuli
phobic disorders
psyche (si’ ke) means all that encompasses the mind and its processes
psyche
psychiatrist (si ki’ a trist) is a physician who specializes in the study and treatment of
mental disorders
psych/o means mind
-iatrist means one who studies
psychiatrist
psychoanalysis (si” ko a nal’ i sis) is a therapy that attempts to make a patient aware of
past and present mental and emotional experiences to help eliminate the undesirable effects
of these experiences
psych/o means mind
psychoanalysis
psychodrama (si” ko dram’ a) is where patients act out real-life or fantasy situations
psych/o means mind
drama means to act
psychodrama
psychomotor (si” ko mo’ tor) is a physical activity associated with mental processes
psych/o means mind
motor means causing motion
psychomotor
psychosis (si ko’ sis) is any major mental disorder of either organic or emotional origin
marked by loss of contact with reality, illogical thought process or derangement
psychosis
psychotherapy (si ko ther’ a pe) is the treatment of disease by mental rather than physical
methods
psych/o means mind
-therapy means treatment
psychotherapy
repression (re presh’ un) in psychology is the refusal to entertain ideas that are painful or
distressing
repression
Rorschach Technique (ror’ shak) is where patients describe inkblots in order to evaluate
the personality structure
Rorschach Technique
schizophrenia (skiz’ o fren’ e a) is a condition in which the patient retreats into an “ideal”
world which often leads to the inability to distinguish imagination from fact
schiz/o means division
phrenia is a mental disorder
schizophrenia
somatoform disorders (so mat’ o form) is a group of disorders that act as symptoms of a
disease, but there is no evidence of a physical disorder to help explain the symptoms
somat/o means body
somatoform disorders
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale is an intelligence test that helps to evaluate the
intelligence of an adult
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
This ends the section on Mental Health. If you have any questions, please ask your
instructor for further clarification or refer to your textbook. You should repeat this section
as many times as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable with the meaning and
pronunciation of the words presented.