ANATOMY

MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

► TERMINOLOGY :- The study of technical or special

terms in a particular subject and their use in the
respective subjects.

► MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY :- Medical terminology is the

language used to precisely describe the human body
including its components, processes, conditions affecting
it, and procedures performed upon it.
Analysis of Medical terms
Medical term has 4 components.
❖WORD ROOT
❖COMBINING VOWEL
❖SUFFIX
❖PREFIX
WORD ROOT
It is the main or core part of
medical terminology. It usually
shows an organ, body structure
and body function.
Eg. Cardi - heart
Hepat- liver
Hemat- Blood
Gastr- Stomach
COMBINING VOWEL
The vowel which connects the word root with the
remaining part of the medical term.
Commonly used vowels are " I,O,E".
word root +combining vowel = combining
form
Written with a / (slash)
Eg. Cardi + o = cardio (cardi- heart) cardi/o
Hepat +o = Hepato ( hepat- liver)
hepat/o
SUFFIX
Word ending
Eg. Cardiology = cardio + logy
Logy is the word ending meaning STUDY
Cardiology means Study of Heart.

Hepatitis: Hepat + itis

Itis means inflammation:
Signs: Redness, Swelling, Pain and rise of
temperature.
► If the suffix begins with a vowel the combining vowel
should not be used in the medical term
Eg:-in the word hepatitis hepat/o+itis the suffix begins
with the vowel “I” so the combining vowel is not used in the
term hepatitis
Eg : Gastr + itis = gastritis; Hepat + itis = Hepatitis

► If the suffix begins with a consonant, then a combining

vowel is used with the word root before the suffix.
Eg : phleb/o(vein) + centesis(puncture) =Phlebocentesis,
arthr/o(joint) + scopy(examination) = Arthroscopy
PREFIX
⮚ Word beginning
⮚ It denotes number, negation, color, etc.
Eg:
• Mono ,Uni : one
• Multi ,Poly : many
• Primi : first
• Levo : left
• Hemi , semi : half
• Retro: behind
• Im , In : not
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

⮚ Abdomin/o: abdomen / belly

-centesis: surgical aspiration of fluid from an

organ or body cavity, by making a surgical
puncture in the wall, inserting a needle which
is connected to a hollow tube or catheter which
is then placed in to an air tight bottle.

Eg :Abdominocentesis: surgical aspiration of fluid

from the abdominal cavity.
Abdominocentesis is also called paracentesis
⮚Aden/o: Gland
Inflammation of gland: Adenitis
-oma: tumor
Tumor of gland: Adenoma
-Ectomy: Removal
Removal of gland: Adenectomy

⮚Adip/o/Ather/o/Lip/o/steat/o: Fat
-rrhea: Discharge or Flow

Eg :Steatorrhea: it is an abnormal condition in

which fat is discharged through stool.
 -sclerosis: hardening and thickening
Eg :Atherosclerosis: if fat get deposited in the inner wall of the
artery, the wall get hard and thickened .This is known as
atherosclerosis.

Fat is deposited in the form of layers or patches known as

atherosclerotic plaques. when more and more fat get
deposited the lumen or inner space with in the artery becomes
narrowed and finally blood flow is blocked. So the organ or tissue
supplied by the artery gets lack of blood supply or ischemia,
without blood supply the organ or tissue will not get oxygen or
nutrients. So this will lead to infarction or necrosis or tissue
death.
The myocardium is supplied by coronary artery and its branches. if
atherosclerosis occurs in the coronary artery, it will lead to
myocardial ischemia and finally myocardial infarction (MI) or
Heart attack.
⮚Arthr/o: joint
Arthritis: inflammation of joint
Arthrocentesis: surgical aspiration of fluid from joint.
Arthroplasty: surgical repair of joint
-scopy: visual examination
Arthroscopy: visual examination of joint
-algia/ -dynia :pain
Arthralgia/Arthrodynia: pain in joints
⮚Atri/o: atrium ( chamber of heart)
-opsy: visual examination/visualization
Biopsy: visual examination of living tissue under
microscope
Autopsy: post mortem examination.
⮚Adren/o: Adrenal gland
-pathy: disease/disorder
-osis: disease/disorder/ condition
adrenalectomy: removal of adrenal gland
-ectomy: removal

⮚Alveol/o: alveolus: air sac in the lungs.

Alveolitis: inflammation of alveoli.
-itis: inflammation

⮚Amni/o: Amnion: inner fetal membrane

Amniocentesis: surgical aspiration of amniotic fluid.
⮚Men/o: menses
-rrhea: discharge
Menorrhea: discharge of menses
Amenorrhea: lack of menses
Dysmenorrhea: difficult menstruation(painful menstrual periods)
Menarche: beginning of first menses in a female.
Menopause: stoppage of menses.
Puberty: achievement of sexual development or maturity.

⮚Andr/o: Male
-arche: onset/beginning
-pause: stoppage
Andrarche: beginning of sexual function of male.
Andropause: stoppage of sexual function of male.
⮚Angi/o: Artery, vessel
-graphy: recording or x-ray examination
-gram: the record obtained from graphy
-graph: instrument used for graphy
Angiography: X-ray examination of artery.

-plasty: surgical repair

Angioplasty: surgical repair of artery.
⮚Ankyl/o: stiff/ Fused
Eg : Ankylosis – Stiff joints
⮚Acro : extremity
Eg : Acromegaly –Abnormal growth of the hands,feets &
face caused by overproduction of growth hormones.

⮚Atelo : Imperfect
Eg: Atelophobia – Fear of being imperfect

⮚Anthrac/o: Coal/carbon
⮚pneum/o: air/lung
⮚Coni/o: dust
-Osis: disease or disorder
Pneumoconiosis: disease caused due to inhalation of dust particle
in the lungs
3 types of Pneumoconiosis
Anthracosis: or black lung disease
Lung disease due to inhalation of coal or carbon
Silicosis: or glass cutters disease/grinders disease.
Lung ds due to inhalation of silica particles.
Asbestosis: lung ds due to inhalation of asbestos particles.

⮚Aort/o: Aorta (Largest artery in the human body)

-stenosis: narrowing
Aortic stenosis: narrowing of aorta
Arteri/o: artery
Arteriosclerosis: hardening and thickening of the inner wall of the
artery due to deposition of fat or calcium.
-rrhexis: rupture
Arteriorrhexis: rupture of artery - causes haemorrhage or bleeding.
⮚Balan/o: Glans penis
Balanitis: inflammation of glans penis

⮚Blephar/o/palpebr/o: eyelid
Blepharitis: inflammation of eyelid

-ptosis: drooping/hanging down/downward displacement

Blepharoptosis: drooping of eyelids
Blepharoplasty: surgical repair of eyelid

⮚Brachi/o: Arm
Brachial artery: artery supply to the arm

⮚Bronch/o/Bronchi/o: -bronchus
Bronchitis: inflammation of bronchi
⮚Calcane/o: calcaneum/heel bone/hind foot bone
Calcaneal spur: painful benign growth from calcaneum.

⮚Carp/o: carpal bones( 8 short bones in the wrist)

⮚Cephal/o: head, encephal/o- brain
Cephalgia: headache or pain in the head
Normocephaly: normal head
Microcephaly: small head

⮚Cerebr/o: cerebrum (part of brain)

⮚Cervic/o: neck or cervix

Cervical Spondylitis : Inflammation of the neck region
Cervicitis:-inflammation of the cervix

⮚Chondr/o: cartilage
⮚Cost/o: rib
Costochondro: costal cartilage/rib cartilage
-malacia: softening
Chondromalacia: softening of cartilage
Costochondritis: inflammation of rib cartilage

⮚Col/o / colon/o: colon/large intestine

Colitis: inflammation of colon
Colectomy: removal of colon
Colonoscopy: visual examination of colon
-stomy: mouth like opening

Anastomosis: inter connection or bypassing b/w 2

organs or vessel
⮚Colp/o/vagin/o: vagina/birth canal
Vaginitis: inflammation of vagina

⮚Corne/o/ kerat/o: cornea

It is a transparent membrane surrounding the eye ball.
Keratitis: Inflammation of cornea
Keratoplasty :- surgical repair of cornea
Corneal ulcer:-ulcer of cornea

⮚Cleid/o- clavicle
⮚Cardi/o : Heart
Eg : Cardiology – Study of structure and function of heart.
⮚Crani/o: Cranium ( skull)
-tomy: cutting in/incision
-tome: instrument used for tomy
Craniotomy: making an incision or cut into the skull using
craniotome.

⮚Crin/o: to secrete

Glands divided in to two: endocrine gland and exocrine gland.

Endo:-inside
Exo:-outside

Endocrine gland: they are ductless gland, they leave their

secretions known as hormones directly in to the blood.
Eg: thyroid gland, adrenal gland
Exocrine glands: they leave their secretions usually outside
through the duct.
Eg: tear gland, salivary gland,sweat gland,mammary gland.
Pancreas: Both endocrine and exocrine gland.
⮚Cyt/o : Cell
Eg : Cytology : study of cells

⮚Chole : Gall bladder

Eg : Cholelithiasis – Stone in gall bladder
⮚Crypt/o: Hidden

⮚Orch/o/Orchi/o/Orchid/o: testes

A pair of male gonads or sex glands situated outside the

body in a membranous sac known as scrotum.
Orchitis: inflammation of testes
Anorchism: absence of testes
Orchiectomy: removal of testes (castration)
Cryptorchidism or Undescented testes: Testes developed
in the abdominal cavity and later descend in to the
Scrotum, but in cryptorchidism they remain hidden in the
abdominal cavity without descending into the scrotum.

Treatment:Orchiopexy
-pexy: surgical fixation
⮚Cutane/o/derm/o/dermat/o: skin

⮚Cyst/o: cyst/ urinary bladder

Cystitis: inflammation of bladder
Cystectomy: removal of urinary bladder

PCOD: Polycystic ovarian disease

PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome ( stein levanthal
syndrome )
⮚Dacry/o / lacrim/o:-tear
Lachrymal gland:-tear gland
Lachrymation: discharge of tears

⮚Dactyl/o: digits (finger & toes)

Polydactyly: presence of excess finger
Syndactyly: combined finger or webbed finger

⮚Dent/o: Odont/o:- Teeth

Periodontal tissue: tissue surrounding the tooth
Dental caries: tooth decay

⮚Dipl/o: double
-opia: vision
Diplopia: double vision

⮚Duoden/o: duodenum (1st & shortest part of small

intestine)
Duodenoscopy: visual examination of duodenum
⮚Electr/o:-electricity or electrical activity
ECG: electrocardiogram ( indian)
EKG: electrokardiogram ( american)

Cautery or cauterization: destruction of abnormal

tissue/growth by burning.
Electrocauterization: destruction of abnormal
tissue/ growth by the help of electricity.

⮚Cry/o: Freezing
Cryocauterization: destruction of tissues by
freezing using liquid nitrogen.

⮚Episi/o/ vulv/o: Vulva or external genital organ of female.

Vulvitis: inflammation of vulva
⮚Perine/o: perineum
Area of lower pelvic floor b/w Scrotum & anus in males,
vagina & anus in females.
During labor/delivery/parturition/confinement, after the
expulsion of the head of the baby, the broad shoulder and
body will come out [Link] may cause damage to the urinary
bladder of mother. To avoid these linear/longitudinal tear are
given in the perineum from posterior or back border of the vagina.
This will make vaginal orifice wide, known as episiotomy.

After the completion of labor perineorrhaphy is done.

-rrhapy: surgical suturing

⮚Erythr/o:Red
Erythroplakia: presence of red patches in the mouth.
-poiesis: Formation/production
Erythropoiesis: production of RBCS
⮚Esophag/o: Esophagus or food pipe
Esophagitis: inflammation of esophagus

⮚Femer/o: Femur or Thigh bone

⮚Fibul/o/perone/o: Fibula bone

Fibular fracture/peroneal fracture

⮚Galact/o/Lact/o: milk
Lactogenesis: production of milk
Lactation: discharge of milk
Galactorrhoea: Abnormally excess discharge of milk.

⮚Gingiv/o: Gums
Gingivitis: inflammation of gums
⮚Gnath/0:Jaw/chin
Gnathoplasty: surgical repair of chin
⮚Gnos/o: Knowledge
Diagnosis: complete or thorough knowledge of
disease.
Prognosis: prediction or foretelling the outcome of
disease

⮚Glomerul/o: Glomerulus
Glomeruli are ball or network of capillaries seen in
the cortex or outer part of kidneys.

⮚Gonad/o: Gonads/sex glands - testes in males &

ovaries in females.

⮚Gyna/e: Female
Gynaecomastia: Enlargement of breast in males.
 -gravida:-pregnant
Gravida refers to the number of times that a woman is or has been
pregnant, regardless of the pregnancy outcome. It is also used to
designate a pregnant woman often followed by a number to
indicate the number of pregnancy.(G)
Nulligravida:- a woman who has never been pregnant. (G0)
Primigravida:-a woman who is pregnant for the first time (G1)
Multigravida:-a woman who has been pregnant more than once
Parity or para indicates the number of pregnancies reaching viable
gestational age
⮚Hem/o/Haemat/o: Blood
Hematoma: collection or accumulation of blood in
a organ or in a body cavity or under the skin.

Haemostasis: stagnation( stoppage)

Haematology: study of blood

⮚Hidr/o: Sweat ( perspiration)

Diaphoresis: excessive sweating
Anhidrosis: absence of sweating

⮚Humer/o: Humerus/ upper arm bone

⮚Hydr/o: water/fluid
Hydrotherapy: treatment using water
Hydrocephalus: enlargement of head due to
excess collection of water, CEREBRO SPINAL
FLUID(CSF)
Hydrocele: Bulging or herniation of scrotum
due to accumulation of fluid.

⮚Icthy/o:Dry/scaly
Icthyosis: abnormal condition in which skin
becomes dry and scaly.(pruritus:- itching)

⮚ile/o: ileum ( terminal and longest part of small

intestine.

⮚ili/o: ilium ( upper part of hip bone)

⮚Immun/o: Immunity safety mechanism of the body.
Autoimmune disease: Abnormal type of immunity
in which body produce antibodies against its own
tissues or organs. These antibodies will destroy the
organs.
Eg. SLE( Systemic lupus erythematosus),
Rheumatoid arthritis.

⮚Irid/o: iris ( Coloured part of eye around pupil)

Inflammation of iris: iritis
Removal of iris: iridectomy

⮚Ischi/o: ischium ( Posterior part and inferior part of

hip
bone)
⮚Labi/o: Labium( lip like structure) ie, labium majora
and
labium minora. - which are lip like structure around the
vagina.

⮚Cheil/o: lip

⮚Lapar/o: Abdomen
Laparoscopy: visual examination of abdomen through
laparoscope.

⮚Laryng/o: Larynx or voice box

⮚Leiomy/o: smooth muscle

⮚My/o: muscle
Pain in muscle: Myalgia
⮚Lingu/o / gloss/o: Tongue
Inflammation of tongue: glossitis
Removal of tongue: glossectomy

⮚Lob/o: Lobe
Limbig: Abnormal type of gait
(Gait: mode of walking)

⮚Lumb/o: lowerBack/lumbar region

-ectasis: Dilation/Dilatation
⮚Lump/o: mass

⮚Mamm/o/Mast/o: Breast
Inflammation of breast: mastitis
Pain in breast: mastalgia

⮚Megal/o/-megaly: Enlargement
Organomegaly: enlargement of organ
Megalomania: usually seen in schizophrenia or psychosis. In
this person thinks he/she is superior to others.

⮚Meningi/o: meninges
3 membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Outer:
Dura mater, middle: Arachnoid mater and inner: Pia
Mater

Inflammation of meninges: meningitis

⮚Metacarp/o: metacarpal bones. 5 short bones in the
palm of hand.

⮚Metr/o/Hyster/o: uterus

⮚Myc/o/Fung/o: fungus
Fungemia: presence of fungus in blood
Mycosis: fungal disease
Dermatomycosis: fungal disease of skin

⮚Onych/o/Ung/o: Nail
Onychomycosis: fungal disease of nail

⮚Pil/o/trich/o: Hair
Trichology: study of hair
⮚Myringi/o/Tympan/o: Eardrum
⮚Myel/o: Bone marrow/Spinal cord
Myelopoiesis: formation of bone marrow.
Oid: Resembling/Similar to Derived from
-

Myeloid leukaemia: Blood cancer derived from bone

marrow.

Meningiocele: Bulging out or herniation of

meninges through a defect in the vertebral column
or back bone.
Eg: spina bifida
Myelomeningocele: Spinal cord along with
meninges will bulge out through the defect in the
vertebral column.
⮚Nas/o/Rhin/o: nose
Inflammation of nose: Rhinitis
Discharge from nose: Rhinorrhoea
Rhinoplasty: surgical repair of nose

⮚Nat/o:/Nat/i: Birth
Neonate: new born child
⮚Narc/o: sleepness
⮚Somn/o: sleep
Insomnia: lack of sleep
Somnambulism: Sleep walking

⮚Necr/o: Necrosis/tissue death

⮚Nephr/o/Ren/o: kidney
Nephroptosis: Downward displacement of kidney
Nephropexy: Surgical fixation of kidney
⮚Neur/o: Nerve
Polyneuritis: inflammation of many nerves.
Neuralgia: nerve pain
⮚caus/o: burning
Causalgia: Burning pain.

⮚Noct/o/Nyct/o: Night
Noctophobia: fear of night

⮚Occul/o/ophthalm/o: eyes
EOM: Extra Occular Muscle
IOL :-Intra Occular Lens
Adnexa: associated structure or accessory structure
Ocular adnexa: associated structure of eye ball, like
eye lids, eye lashes, lachrymal apparatus and extra
Ocular muscle.
⮚Orth/o: Straighten/Erect/Upright
-pnea: Breathing
Orthopnea: abnormal condition in which person
suffer from difficult in breathing or dyspnea in the
lying down. in recumbent position, but can breath
only in the erect position by placing pillows behind
the back. it is seen in CHF ( congestive heart failure).

⮚Oste/o: Bone
Osteomalacia: Softening of bone

⮚Ot/o: Ear
Inflammation of ear: otitis
Pain in ear: otalgia
Discharge from ear: otorrhea.
Otopyorrhea: Pus discharge from ear.
⮚Or/o/Bucc/o/Stomat/o: Mouth
Stomy:-mouth or opening

⮚Ox/o: oxygen
Hypoxemia: Decreased oxygen in blood
⮚Capn/o: Carbon di oxide

⮚Ovari/o / Oophor/o: Ovary

Oophritis: inflammation of ovary
Oophrectomy: surgical removal of ovary
⮚Pancreat/o: Pancreas

⮚Parathyroid/o: parathyroid gland ( 4 small gland

situated near the thyroid gland.)

⮚Patell/ o: Patella or knee cap

⮚Thorac/o / Pector/o: chest

⮚Ped/o/Pod/o: Foot
Podiatry: Speciality of medicine deal with treatment of
foot problems.
Pedal edema: Swelling of foot

⮚Pelv/i: Pelvis/Pelvic cavity. ( it is the lower most cavity

of abdomen enclosed with in pelvic girdle formed of
hip bones. ( Girdle: Bracket like )
⮚Phagi/o: Eat/swallow/engulf
-phagia: swallowing
Dysphagia: difficult in swallowing

⮚Phalang/o: digits (phalanges)

⮚Pharyng/o: Pharynx
Inflammation of pharynx: pharyngitis

⮚Phleb/o/Ven/o/Ven /i: Vein

Inflammation of vein: phlebitis

⮚Phren/o: Diaphragm ( partition between thoracic

cavity and abdominal cavity )
Phrenic nerve: Nerve supply to the diaphragm

⮚Pleur/o: Pleura .Double layered membrane surrounding

each lung

⮚Presby/o: Senility or old age

Presbyopia: Senile blindness
Presbycusis: Senile deafness

⮚Proct/o/Rect/o: Rectum

⮚Prostat/o: prostate ( a gland seen around the base of male

urethra)

⮚Pub/o: Pubis or pubic bone

Pubic symphysis: joint between 2 pubic bones
⮚Pyel/o: Pelvis of kidney
-plegia:- paralysis

⮚Rachi/o: Spine
⮚Radicul/0: nerve root

⮚Sacr/o: Sacrum bone/ Flat bone

At the lower part of back.

⮚Salping/o: Fallopian tube

⮚Scler/o: Sclera, White of eye

⮚Sial/o: Saliva
Sialolith: Salivary stone
Ptyalism: excessive saliva
⮚Lith/o:-stone
⮚Sigmoid/o: Sigmoid colon S shaped part of LI

⮚Spermat/o: sperm

⮚Spin/o: Spine

⮚Splen/o: Spleen

⮚Squam/o: Scaly ( squamous epithelium:

epithelium made of scale like cells)

⮚Stern/o: Sternum or breast bone

⮚Tend/o/Ten/o/Tendin/o: Tendon
Tendon is the tapering end of a muscle which connect
muscle to a bone.
(Ligament: connect Bone to bone)

⮚Thalam/o: Thalamus
Relay center of brain
⮚Thel/o: nipple
⮚Thorac/o: chest or thorax
⮚Thromb/o: clot
⮚Thym/o: Thymus gland
⮚Thyr/o: Thyroid gland
⮚Tibi/o: Tibia bone
⮚Ton/o: pressure/tension
⮚Umbilic/o/Omphal/o: Umbilicus/Naval
Omphalocele: Umbilical hernia

⮚Ur/o: Urine
-Uria: in urine or condition of urine
Polyuria: excess urine
Anuria: absence of urine
Hematuria: bloody urine
Olguria: scanty urine

⮚Ureter/o: Ureter- muscular tube carrying urine

from kidney to the bladder.

⮚Urethr/o: Urethra, Membraneous tube carrying

urine from the bladder to the outside.
⮚Vas/o: vas deferens/vessel
A long tube carrying sperm to the male
urethra.
Vasectomy: male sterilization technique.
Vas deferens is cut and cut end are ligated
and tied off.

⮚Xer/o: Dry
Xerostomia: dryness of mouth
Xeropthalmia: dryness of eyes
COLOURS [Link]

White Alb/o, leuk/o

Melan/o,
Black
anthrac/o

Red Erythr/o

Yellow Xanth/o

Blue Cyan/o