Medical Terminology (rev.

7/08)
As an EMT, you will probably never have to
use more than a few mei!al terms in the
!ourse of your pre"hospital emer#en!y !are
a!tivities. an most of them will probably eal
with parts of the boy. $hysi!ians an nurses
prefer EMTs to spea% in other than mei!al
terms. &ut if you are an avi reaer, mu!h of
what you rea is li%ely to be freely sprin%le
with mei!al terms, an if you !annot
translate them you may not unerstan what
you are reain#.
Mei!al terms are !omprise of wors,
wor roots, !ombinin# forms, pre'(es, an
su)(es"all little wors, if you will, an ea!h
with its own e'nition.
*ometimes mei!al terms are mae up
of two whole wors. +or e(ample, the wor
*MA,, is -oine with the wor $./ to form the
mei!al term *MA,,$./, the name of a
isease. 0oul that it were all so simple1
Word roots are the founations of
wors an are not use by themselves.
T2E3M is a wor root that means heat4 to use
it alone woul ma%e no sense. &ut when a
vowel is ae to the en of the wor root to
ma%e it the !ombinin# form T2E3M/., it !an
be -oine with other wors or wor roots to
form a !ompoun term. T2E3M/. an METE3
(an instrument for measurin#) !ombine to
form T2E3M.METE3, an instrument for
measurin# heat or temperature.
More than one wor root or !ombinin#
form !an be -oine to form mei!al terms4
E,E5T3.5A367.83AM is a #oo e(ample.
E,E5T3/. (ele!tri!) is -oine to 5A367 (heart)
an the su)( "83AM (a written re!or) to
form the mei!al term that means a written
re!or of the heart9s ele!tri!al a!tivity.
Prefxes are use to moify or :ualify
the meanin# of wor roots. They usually tell
the reaer what %in of where (or in what
ire!tion), or how many.
The term "$;EA relates to breathin#,
but it says nothin# about the :uality or %in
of breathin#. Ain# the pre'( 6<*" :uali'es
it as i)!ult breathin#.
A&6.M7;A, $A7; is a rather broa
term4 it #ives the reaer no !lue as to e(a!tly
where the pain is lo!ate either insie or
outsie the abomen.
Ain# the pre'( "7;T3A to A&6.M7;A,
pinpoints the lo!ation of the pain, for 7;T3A"
A&6.M7;A,
$A7; means pain within the abomen.
"$,E87A refers to paralysis of the limbs. The
pre'( =>A637 informs the reaer as to how
many limbs are paraly?e. =>A637$,E87A
means paralysis of all four limbs.
Sufxes are wor enin#s that form
nouns, a-e!tives, or verbs. Mei!al terms !an
have more than one su)(, an a su)( !an
appear in the mile of a !ompoun term
a)(e to a !ombinin# form. A number of
su)(es have spe!iali?e meanin#s. 7T7*
means in@ammation4 thus A3T237T7* means
in@ammation of a -oint. "7A5 forms a noun
ini!atin# a person aAi!te with a !ertain
isease, as for e(ample, 2EM.$27,7A5.
*ome su)(es are -oine to wor roots
to form terms that ini!ates a state, :uality,
!onition, pro!eure, or pro!ess. $;E>M.;7A
an $*.37A*7* are e(amples of mei!al
!onitions, while A$$E;6E5T.M< an
A3T23.*5.$< are e(amples of mei!al
pro!eures. The su)(es in ea!h !ase are
unerline.
*ome su)(es !ombine with wor roots
to form a-e!tives, wors that moify nouns
by ini!atin# :uality or :uantity or by
istin#uishin# one thin# from another.
8A*T375, 5A367A5, +7&3.>*, A3T23T75, an
67A$2.3ET75 are all e(amples of a-e!tives
forme by ain# su)(es (unerline) to
wor roots.
*ome su)(es are ae to wor roots to
e(press reu!tion in si?e, ".,E an ">,E, for
e(ample. An A3TE37.,E is smaller than an
A3TE3<, an a BE;>,E is smaller than a vein.
0hen ae to wor roots, "E an C7DE
form verbs. E/57*E, an 5AT2ETE37DE are
e(amples.
+inally, some of what are !ommonly
a!!epte as su)(es are a!tually the
!ombination of a wor root an a su)(.
"ME8A,< (enlar#ement) results from the
!ombination of the wor root ME8A, (lar#e)
an the su)( "< (whi!h forms the term into a
noun). 5A367.ME8A,< means enlar#ement of
the heart.
R-18 * Medical Terminology
STANDARD TERMS
The following terms are used to denote direction of
movement, position, and anatomical posture.
abduction movement away from the bodys midline.
adduction movement toward the bodys midline.
afferent conducting toward a structure.
anterior the front surface of the body.
anterior to in front of.
caudad toward the tail.
cephalad toward the head.
circumduction circular movement of a part.
craniad toward the cranium.
deep situated remote from the surface.
distal situated away from the point of origin.
dorsal pertaining to the bac! surface of the body.
dorsiflexion bending bac!ward.
efferent conducting away from a structure.
elevation raising a body part.
extension stretching, or moving "ointed parts into or
toward a straight condition.
external situated outside.
flexion bending, or moving "ointed parts closer together.
inferior situated below.
internal situated inside.
laterad toward the side of the body.
lateral situated away from the bodys midline.
lateral rotation rotating outward away from the bodys
midline.
left lateral recumbent lying hori#ontal on the left side.
mediad toward the midline of the body.
medial situated toward the bodys midline.
medial rotation rotating inward toward the bod$1
midline.
palmar concerning the inner surface of the hand.
peripheral away from a central structure.
plantar concerning the sole of the foot.
posterior pertaining to the bac! surface of the body.
posterior to situated behind.
pronation lying face downward or turning the hand so
the palm faces downward or bac!ward.
prone lying hori#ontal, face down and flat.
protraction a pushing forward, as the mandible.
proximal situated nearest the point of origin.
recumbent lying hori#ontal, generally spea!ing.
retraction a drawing bac!, as the tongue.
right lateral recumbent lying hori#ontal on the right
side.
rotation turning around an a%is.
superficial situated near the surface.
superior situated above.
supination lying face upward or turning the hand so the
palm faces forward or upward.
supine lying hori#ontal, flat on the bac! and face up.
ventral the front surface of the body.
PLANES

& plane is an imaginary flat surface that divides the body
into sections.
coronal or frontal plane an imaginary plane that passes
through the body from side to side and divides it into
front and bac! sections.
midsagittal plane an imaginary plane that passes through
the body from front to bac! and divides it into right and
left halves.
sagittal plane an imaginary plane parallel to the median
plane. 't passes through the body from front to bac! and
divides the body into right and left sections.
transverse plane an imaginary plane that passes through
the body and divides it into upper and lower sections.
WORD PARS

(refi%es are generally identified by a following dash
)&M*'-+. ,ombining forms have a slash and a vowel
following the word root )&RT-R./+. 0uffi%es are
generally identified by a preceding dash )-1M'&+.
a! "not# $ithout# lac%ing# deficient& afebrile, without
fever.
ab! "a$a' from& abduct, to draw away from the midline.
!able# !ible "capable of& reducible, capable of being
reduced )as a fracture+.
abdomin(o "abdomen& abdominal, pertaining to the
abdomen.
ac! "to& acclimate, to become accustomed to.
acou "hear& acoustic, pertaining to sound or hearing.
acr(o "extremit'# top# pea%& acrodermatitis,
inflammation of the s!in of the e%tremities.
acu "needle& acupuncture, the ,hinese practice of
piercing specific peripheral nerves with needles to relieve
the discomfort associated with painful disorders.
ad! "to# to$ard& adduct, to draw toward the midline.
aden(o "gland& adenitis, inflammation of a gland.
adip(o "fat& adipose, fatty2 fat )in si#e+.
aer(o "air& aerobic, re3uiring the presence of o%ygen to
live and grow.
af! "to& afferent, conveying toward.
ag! "to& aggregate, to crowd or cluster together.
!algesia "painful& hyperalgesia, overly sensitive to pain.
!algia "painful condition& neuralgia, pain that e%tends
along the course of one or more nerves.
R-14 * Medical Terminology
ambi! "both sides& ambidextrous, able to perform manual
s!ills with both hands.
ambl(' "dim# dull# la)'& amblyopia, la#y eye.
amphi!# ampho! "on both sides# around both&
amphigonadism, having both testicular and ovarian tis-
sues.
am'l(o "starch& amyloid, starchli!e.
an! "$ithout& anemia, a reduced volume of blood cells.
ana! "up$ard# again# bac%$ard# excess&anaphylaxis, an
unusual or e%aggerated reaction of an organism to a
substance to which it becomes sensiti#ed.
andr(o "man# male& android, resembling a man.
angi(o "blood vessel* duct& angioplasiy, surgery of blood
vessels.
an%'l(o "stiff& ankylosis, stiffness.
ant!# anti! "against# opposed to# preventing# relieving&
antidote, a substance for counteracting a poison.
ante! "before# for$ard& antecubital, situated in front of
the elbow.
antero! "front& anterolateral, situated in front and to one
side.
ap! "to& approximate, to bring together2 to place close to.
apo! "separation# derivation from& apoplexy, sudden
neurologic impairment due to a cardiovascular disorder.
!arium# !orium "place for something& solarium, a place
for the sun.
arteri(o "arter'& arteriosclerosis, thic!ening of the walls
of the smaller arteries.
arthrio "+oint# articulation& arthritis, inflammation of a
"oint or "oints.
articul(o "+oint& articulated, united by "oints.
as! "to& assimilate, to ta!e into.
at! "to& attract, to draw toward.
audi(o "hearing& audiometer, an instrument to test the
power of hearing.
aur(o "ear& auricle, the flap of the ear.
aut(o "self& autistic, self-centered
bi! "t$o# t$ice# double# both& bilateral, having two
sides2 pertaining to two sides.
bi(o "life& biology, the study of life.
blephario "e'elid& blepharitis, inflammation of the
eyelid.
brachi(o "upper arm& brachialgia, pain in the upper arm.
brad'! "slo$& bradycardia, an abnormally slow heart
rate.
bronch(o "larger air passages of the lungs& bronchitis,
inflammation of the larger air passages of the lungs.
bucc(o "chee%& buccal, pertaining to the chee!.
cac(o "bad& cacosmis, a bad odor.
calc(o "bad& calculus, an abnormal hard inorganic mass
such as a gallstone.
calcane(o "heel& calcaneus, the heel bone.
calor (o "heat& caloric, pertaining to heat.
cancr(o "cancer& cancroid, resembling cancer.
capit(o "head& capitates, head-shaped.
caps(o "container& capsulation, enclosed in a capsule or
container.
carcin(o "cancer& carcinogen, a substance that causes
cancer.
cardi(o "heart& cardiogenic, originating in the heart.
carp(o "$rist bone& carpal, pertaining to the wrist bone.
cat!# cata! "do$n# lo$er# under# against# along $ith&
catabasis, the stage of decline of a disease.
!cele "tumor# hernia& hydrocele, a confined collection of
water.
celi(o "abdomen& celiomyalgia, a pain in the muscles of
the abdomen.
!centesis )perforation or tapping. as with a needle+
abdominocentesis, surgical puncture of the abdominal
cavity.
cephal(o "head& electroencephalogram, a recording of
the electrical activity of the brain.
cerebr(o "cerebrum& cerebrospinal, pertaining to the
brain and spinal fluid.
cervic (o "nec%# cervix& cervical, pertaining to the nec!
)or cervi%+.
cheil(o# chil(o "lip& cheilitis, inflammation of the lips.
cheirio# chir(o "hand& cheiralgia, pain in the hand.
chlor(o "green& chloroma, green cancer. a greenish tumor
associated with myelogenous leu!emia.
chol(e "bile# gall& choledochitis, inflammation of the
common bile duct.
chondr(o "cartilage& chondrodynia, pain in a cartilage.
chrom(o# chromat(o "color& monochromatic, being of
one color.
chron(o "time& chronic, persisting for a long time.
!cid! "cut# %ill# fall& insecticide, an agent that !ills insects.
circum! "around& circumscribed, confined to a limited
space.
!cis! "cut# %ill# fall& excise, to cut out.
!cl'sis "irrigation& enteroclysis, irrigation of the small
intestine.
co! "$ith& cohesion, the force that causes various
particles to unite.
col- (with) collateral, secondary or accessory2 a small
side branch such as a blood vessel or nerve.
col(o "colon# large intestine& colitis, inflammation of the
colon.
colp(o "vagina& colporrhagia, bleeding from the vagma.
com! "$ith& comminuted, bro!en or crushed into small
pieces.
con! "$ith& congenital, e%isting from the time of birth.
contra! "against# opposite& contraindicated, inadvisable.
cor(e# core(o "pupil& corectopia, abnormal location of the
pupil of the eye.
cost(o "rib& intercostal, between the ribs.
crani(o "s%ull& cranial, pertaining to the s!ull.
cr'(o "eold& cryogenic, that which produces low
temperature.
R-56 * Medical Terminology
cr'pt(o "hide# cover# conceal& cryptogenic, of doubtful
origin.
c'an(o "blue& cyanosis, bluish discoloration of the s!in
and mucous membranes.
c'st(o "urinar' bladder# c'st# sac of fluid& cystitis,
inflammation of the bladder.
!c'te "cell& leukocyte, white cell.
c't(o "cell& cytoma, tumor of the cell.
dacr'(o "tear& dacryorrhea, e%cessive flow of tears.
dact'l(o "finger# toe& dactylomegary, abnormally large
fingers or toes.
de! "do$n& descending, coming down from.
dent(o "tooth& dental, pertaining to the teeth.
derm(o# dermat(o "s%in& dermatitis, inflammation of the
s!in.
dextr(o "right& de%trad, toward the right side.
di! "t$ice# double& diplegia, paralysis affecting li!e parts
on both sides of the body.
dia! "through# across# apart& diaphragm, the partition
that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities.
dipl(o "double# t$in# t$ice& diplopia, double vision.
dips(o "thirst& dipsomania, alcoholism.
dis! "to free# to undo& dissect, to cut apart.
dors(o "bac%& dorsal, pertaining to the bac!.
!d'nia "painful condition& cephalodynia, headache.
d's! "bad# difficult# abnormal* incomplete& dyspnea,
labored breathing.
!ectasia "dilation or enlargement of an organ or part&
gastrectasia, dilation )stretching+ of the stomach.
ecto! "outer# outside of& ectopic, located away from the
normal position.
!ectom' "the surgical removal of an organ or part&
appendectomy, surgical removal of the appendi%.
electr(o "electric& electrocardiogram, the written record
of the hearts electrical activity.
!emia "condition of the blood& anemia, a deficiency of
red blood cells.
en! "in# into# $ithin& encapsulate, to enclose within a
container.
encephal(o "brain& encephalitis, inflammation of the
brain.
end!# endo! "$ithin& endotracheal, within the trachea.
ent!# ento! "$ithin# inner& entopic, occurring in the
proper place.
enter(o "small intestine& enteritis, inflammation of the
intestine.
ep!# epi! "over# on# upon& epidermis, the outermost layer
of s!in.
er'thr (o "red& erythrocyte, a red blood cell.
esthesia "feeling& anesthesia, without feeling.
eu "good# $ell# normal# health'& euphoria, an abnormal
or e%aggerated feeling of well-being.
ex! "out of# a$a' from& excrement, waste material
discharged from the body.
exo! "outside# out$ard& exophytic, to grow outward or
on the surface.
extra! "on the outside# be'ond# in addition to&
extracorporeal, outside the body.
faci(o "face# surface& facial, pertaining to the face.
febr(i "fever& febrile, feverish.
!ferent "bear# carr'& efferent, carrying away from a
center.
fibr(o "fiber# fillament& fibrillation, muscular
contractions due to the activity of muscle fibers.
!form "shape& deformed, abnormally shaped.
!fugal "moving a$a'& centrifugal, moving away from a
center.
galact(o "mil%& galactopyria, mil! fever.
gangli(o "%not& ganglion, a !notli!e mass.
gastr(o "stomach& gastritis, inflammation of the stomach.
gen(o "come into being# originate& genetic, inherited.
!genesis "production or origin& pathogenesis, the de-
velopment of a disease.
!genic "giving rise to# originating in& cardiogenic,
originating in the heart.
gloss(o "tongue& glossal, pertaining to the tongue. gl'c(o
"s$eet& glycemia, the presence of sugar in the blood.
gnath(o "+a$& gnathitis, inflammation of the "aw.
!gram "dra$ing# $ritten record& electrocardiogram, a
recording of the hearts electrical activity.
!graph "an instrument for recording the activit' of an
organ& electrocardiograph, an instrument for measuring
the hearts electrical activity.
!graph' "the recording of the activit' of an organ&
electrocardiography, the method of recording the hearts
electrical activity.
g'nec(o "$oman& gynecologist, a specialist in diseases of
the female genital tract.
gnos(o "%no$ledge& prognosis, a prediction of the
outcome of a disease.
hem(a# hem(of hemat(o "blood& hematoma, a locali#ed
collection of blood.
hemi! "one!ha,f& hemiplegia, paralysis of one side of the
body.
hepat(o "liver& hepatitis, inflammation of the liver.
heter(o "other& heterogeneous, from a different source.
hidr(o# hidrot(o "s$eat& hidrosis, e%cessive sweating.
hist(o "tissue& histodialysis, the brea!ing down of tissue.
hom(o# home(o "same# similar# unchanging* constant&
homeostasis, stability in an organisms normal
physiological states.
h'dr(o "$ater# fluid& hydrocephalus, an accumulation of
cerebrospinal fluid in the s!ull with resulting en
largement of the head.
h'pn(o "sleep& hypnotic, that which induces sleep.
h'al(o "glass& hyaline, 7lassy, transparent.
h'per! "be'ond normal# excessive& hypertension,
abnormally high blood pressure.
R-51 * Medical Terminology
h'po! "belo$ normal# deficient# under# beneath&
hypotension, abnormally low blood pressure.
h'ster(o "uterus# $omb& hysterectomy, surgical removal
of the uterus.
!iasis "condition& psoriasis, a chronic s!in condition
characteri#ed by lesions.
iatr(o "healer# ph'sician& pediatrician, a physician that
speciali#es in childrens disorders.
!id "in a state# condition of& gravid, pregnant.
idio "peculiar# separate* distinct& idiopathic, occur- ring
without a !nown cause.
il! "negative prefix& illegible, cannot be read.
-le(o "ileum& ileitis, inflammation of the ileum.
ili(o "ilium& iliac, pertaining to the ilium.
im! "negative prefix& immature, not mature.
in! "in# into# $ithin& incise, to cut into.
infra! "beneath# belo$& infracostal, below a rib, or
below the ribs.
inter! "bet$een& intercostals, between two ribs.
intra! "$ithin& intraoral, within the mouth.
intro! "$ithin# into& introspection, the contemplation of
ones own thoughts and feelings2 self-analysis.
ir(o# irid(o "iris& iridotomy, incision of the iris.
ischi(o "ischium& ischialgia, pain in the ischium.
!ismus "abnormal condition& strabismus, deviation of
the eye that a person cannot overcome.
iso! "same# e.ual# ali%e& isometric, of e3ual dimensions.
!itis "inflammation& endocarditis, inflammation within
the heart.
%erat(o "cornea& keratitis, inflammation of the cornea.
%inesi(o "movement& kinesialgia, pain upon movement.
labi(o "lip& labiodental, pertaining to the lip and teeth.
lact(o "mil%& lactation, the secretion of mil!.
Lal(o "tal%& lalopathy, any speech disorder.
Lapar(o "flan%# abdomen# abdominal $all& laparotomy,
an incision through the abdominal wall.
lar'ng(o "lar'nx& laryngoscope, an instrument for e%-
amining the laryn%.
lept(o "thin& leptodactylous, having slender fingers.
leuc(o# leu%(o "$hite& leukemia, a malignant disease
characteri#ed by the increased development of white
blood cells.
lingu(o "tongue& sublingual, under the tongue.
lip(o "fat& lipoma, fatty tumor.
lith(o "stone& lithotripter, an instrument for crushing
stones in the bladder.
!logist "a person $ho studies& pathologist, a person who
studies diseases.
log(o "spea%& give an account logospasms, spasmodic
speech.
!log' "stud' of& pathology, the study of disease.
lumb(o "loin& lumbago, pain in the lumbar region.
l'mph(o "l'mph& lymphoduct, a vessel of the lymph
system.
!l'sis "destruction& electrolysis, destruction )of hair, for
e%ample+ by passage of an electric current.
macr(o "large# long& macrocephalous, having an
abnormally large head.
malac(o "a softening& malacia, the morbid softening of a
body part or tissue.
mamm(o "breast& mammary, pertaining to the breast.
!mania "mental aberration& kleptomania, the
compulsion to steal.
mast(o "breast& mastectomy, surgical removal of the
breast.
medi(o "middle& mediastinum, middle partition of the
thoracic cavity.
mega! "large& megacolon, an abnormally large colon.
megal(o "large& megalomaniac, a person impressed with
his own greatness.
!megal' "an enlargement& cardiomegaly, enlargement of
the heart.
melan(o "dar%# blac%& melanoma, a tumor comprised of
dar!ly pigmented cells.
menlo "month& menopause, cessation of menstruation.
mes(o "middle& mesiad, toward the center.
meta! "change# transformation# exchange& metabolism,
the sum of the physical and chemical processes by which
an organism survives.
metr(o "uterus& metralgia, pain in the uterus.
micr(o "small& microscope, an instrument for magnifying
small ob"ects.
mon(o "single# onl'# sole& monoplegia, paralysis of a
single part.
morph(o "form& morphology, the study of form and
shape.
multi! "man'# much& multipara, a woman who has given
two or more live births.
m'c(o# m'cet(o "fungus& mycosis, any disease caused by
a fungus.
m'(o "muscle& myasthenia, muscular wea!ness.
m'el(o "marro$# also often refers to spinal cord&
myelocele, protrusion of the spinal cord through a defect
in the spinal column.
m'x(o "mucous# slimeli%e& myxoid, resembling mu-
cous.
narc(o "stupor# numbness& narcotic, an agent that in-
duces sleep.
nas(o "nose& oronasal, pertaining to the nose and mouth.
ne(o "ne$& neonate, a newborn infant.
necr(o "corpse& necrotic, dead )when referring to tis-
sue+.
Nephr(o "%idne'& nephralgia, pain in the !idneys.
neur(o "nerve& neuritis, inflammation of nerve pathways.
noct(i "night& noctambulism, sleep wal!ing.
norm(o "rule# order# normal& normotension, normal
blood pressure.
null(i "none& nullipara, a woman who has never given
birth to a child.
R-55 * Medical Terminology
n'ct(o "night& nycturia, e%cessive urination at night.
ob! "against# in front of# to$ard& obturator, a device that
closes an opening.
oc! "against# in front of# to$ard& occlude, to obstruct.
ocul/o "e'e& ocular, pertaining to the eye.
odont(o "tooth& odontalgia, toothache.
!oid "shape# form# resemblance& ovoid, egg-shaped.
olig(o "fe$# deficient# scant'& oligemia, lac!ing in blood
volume.
!oma "tumor# s$elling& adenoma, tumor of a gland.
o(o! "egg& ooblast, a primitive cell from which an ovum
develops.
on'ch(o "nail& onychoma, tumor of a nail or nail bed.
oophor(o "ovar'& oophorectomy, a surgical removal of
one or both ovaries.
!ops' "a vie$ing& autopsy, postmortem e%amination of a
body.
opthalm(o "e'e& opthalmic, pertaining to the eyes.
opt(o# optic(o "sight# vision& optometrist, a specialist in
adapting lenses for the correcting of visual defects. or(o
"mouth& oral, pertaining to the mouth.
orch(o# orchid(o "testicle& orchitis, inflammation of the
testicles.
orth(o "straight# upright& orthopedic, pertaining to the
correction of s!eletal defects.
!osis "process# an abnormal condition& dermatosis, any
skin condition.
oste(o "bone& osteomyelitis, inflammation of bone or
bone marrow.
ot(o "ear& otalgia, earache.
ovar'(o "ovar'& ovariocele, hernia of an ovary.
ov(i# ov(o "egg& oviduct, a passage through which an egg
passes.
pach'! "thic%en& pachyderma, abnormal thic!ening of
the s!in.
palat(o "palate& palatitis, inflammation of the palate.
pan! "all# entire# ever'& panacea, a remedy for all
diseases, a 8cure-all.8
para! "beside# be'ond# accessor' to# apart from#
against& paranormal, beyond the natural or normal.
path(o "disease& pathogen, any disease-producing agent.
!path' "disease of a part& osteopathy, disease of a
bone.
!penia "an abnormal reduction& leukopenia, deficiency
in white blood cells.
peps(o# pept(o "digestion& dyspepsia, poor digestion.
per! "throughout# completel'# extremel'& perfusion, the
passage of fluid through the vessels of an organ.
peri! "around# surrounding& pericardium, the sac that
surrounds the heart and the roots of the great vessels.
!pex' "fixation& splendopexy, surgical fi%ation of the
spleen.
phag(o "eat& phagomania, an insatiable craving for food.
phar'ng(o "throat& Pharyngospasms, spasms of the
muscles of the pharyn%.
phas(o "speech& aphasic, unable to spea!.
phil(o "li%e# have an affinit' for& necrophilia, an
abnormal interest in death.
phleb(o "vein& phlebotomy, surgical incision of a vein.
!phobia "fear# dread& claustrophobia, a fear of closed
spaces.
phon(o "sound& phonetic, pertaining to the voice.
phor(o "bear# carr'& diaphoresis, profuse sweating.
phot(o "light& photosensitivity, abnormal reactivity of the
s!in to sunlight.
phren(o "diaphragm& phrenic nerve, a nerve that carries
messages to the diaphragm.
ph'sic(o "nature& physiology, the science that studies the
function of living things.
pil(o "hair& pilose, hairy.
!plasia "development# formation& dysplasia, poor or
abnormal formation.
!plast' "surgical repair& arthroplasty, surgical repair of a
"oint.
!plegia "paral'sis& paraplegia, paralysis of the lower
body, including the legs.
pleur(o "rib# side# pleura& pleurisy, inflammation of the
pleura.
!pnea "breath# breathing& orthopnea, difficult breathing
e%cept in an upright position.
pneum(o# pneumat(o "air# breath& pneumatic, pertaining
to the air.
pneum(o# pneumon(o "lung& pneumonia, inflammation
of the lungs with the escape of fluid.
Pod(o "foot& podiatrist, a specialist in the care of feet.
!poiesis "formation& hematopoiesis, formation of blood.
pol'! "much# man'& polychromatic, multicolored.
post! "after# behind& postmortem, after death.
pre! "before& premature, occurring before the proper
time.
pro! "before# in front of& prolapse, the falling down, or
sin!ing of a part.
proct(o "anus& proctitis, inflammation of the rectum.
pseud(o "false& pseudoplegia, hysterical paralysis.
ps'ch(o "mind* soul& psychopath, one who displays
aggressive antisocial behavior.
!ptosis "abnormal dropping or sagging of a part&
hysteroptosis, sagging of the uterus.
pulmon(o "lung& pulmonary, pertaining to the lungs.
p' . o "pus& pyorrhea, copious discharge of pus.
p'el(o "renal pelvis& pyelitis, inflammation of the renal
pelvis.
p'r(o "fire# fever& pyromaniac, compulsive fire setter.
.uadri! "four& quadriplegia, paralysis of all four limbs.
rach(i "spine& rachialgia, pain in the spine.
radi(o "ra'# radiation& radiology, the use of ioni#ing
radiation in diagnosis and treatment.
re! "bac%# against# contrar'& recurrence, the return of
symptoms after remission.
rect(o "rectum& rectal, pertaining to the rectum.
R-59 * Medical Terminology
ren(o "the %idne's& renal, pertaining to the !idneys.
retro! "located behind# bac%$ard& retroperineal,
behind the perineum.
rhin(o "nose& rhinitis, inflammation of the mucus
membranes of the nose.
!rrhage "abnormal discharge& hemorrhage, abnormal
discharge of blood.
!rrhagia "hemorrhage from an organ or bod' part&
menorrhea, e%cessive uterine bleeding.
!rrhea "flo$ing or discharge& diarrhea, abnormal
fre3uency and li3uidity of fecal discharges.
sanguin(o "blood& exsanguinate, to lose a large volume
of blood either internally or e%ternally.
sarc(o "flesh& sarcoma, a malignant tumor.
schi)(o "split& schizophrenia, any of a group of emotional
disorders characteri#ed by bi#arre behavior )erroneously
called split personality+.
scler(o "hardening& scleroderma, hardening of con
nective tissues of the body, including the s!in.
!sclerosis "hardened condition& arteriosclerosis,
hardening of the arteries.
scoli(o "t$isted# croo%ed& scoliosis, sideward deviation
of the spine.
!scope "an instrument for observing& endoscope, an
instrument for the e%amination of a hollow body, such as
the bladder.
!sect "cut& transsect, to cut across.
semi! "one!half# partl'& semisupine, partly, but not
completely, supine.
sept(o* seps(o "infection& aseptic, free from infection.
somat(o "bod'& psychosomatic, both psychological and
physiological.
son(o "sound& sonogram, a recording produced by the
passage of sound waves through the body.
spermat(o "sperm# semen& spermacide, agent that !ills
sperm.
sph'gm(o "pulse& sphygmomanometer, a device for
measuring blood pressure in the arteries.
splen(o "spleen& splenectomy, surgical removal of the
spleen.
!stasis "stopping# controlling& hemostasis, the control of
bleeding.
sten(o "narro$& stenosis, a narrowing of a passage or
opening.
stere(o "solid# three!dimensional& stereoscopic, a three-
dimensional appearance.
steth(o "chest& stethoscope, an instrument for listening to
chest sounds.
sthen(o "strength& myasthenia, muscular wea!ness.
!stom' "surgicall' creating a ne$ opening& colostomy,
surgical creation of an opening between the colon and the
surface of the body.
sub! "under# near# almost# moderatel'& subclavian,
situated under the clavicle.
super! "above# excess& superficial, lying on or near the
surface.
supra! "above# over& suprapubic, situated above the
pubic arch.
s'm!# s'n! "+oined together# $ith& syndrome, a set of
symptoms that occur together.
tach'! "fast& tachycardia, a very fast heart rate.
!therap' "treatment& hydrotherapy, treatment with water.
therm(o "heat& thermogenesis, the production of heat.
thorac(o "chest cavit'& thoracic, pertaining to the chest.
thromb(o "clot# lump& thrombophlebitis, inflammation of
a vein.
!tome "a surgical instrument for cutting& microtome, an
instrument for cutting thin slices of tissue.
!tom' "a surgical operation on an organ or bod' part&
thoracotomy, surgical incision of the chest wall.
top(o "place& topographic, pertaining to special regions
)of the body+
trache(o "trachea& tracheostomy, an opening in the nec!
that passes to the trachea.
trans! "through# across# be'ond& transfusion, the
introduction of whole blood or blood components directly
into the bloodstream.
tri! "three& trimester, a period of three months.
trich(o "hair& trichosis, any disease of the hair.
!trips' "surgical crushing& lithotripsy, surgical crushing
of stones.
troph(o "nourish& hypertrophic, enlargement of an organ
or body part due to the increase in the si#e of cells.
ultra! "be'ond# excess& ultrasonic, beyond the audible
range.
uni! "one& unilateral, affecting one side.
u/r(o "urine& urinalysis, e%animation of urine.
ureter(o "ureter& ureteritis, inflammation of a ureter.
urethra(o "urethra& urethritis, inflammation of the
urethra.
vas(o "vessel# duct& vasodilator, an agent that causes
dilation of blood vessels.
ven(o "vein& venipuncture, surgical puncture of a vein.
ventr (o "bell'# cavit'& ventral, relating to the belly or
abdomen.
vesic(o "blister# bladder& vesicle, a small fluid-filled
blister.
viscer(o "internal organ& visceral, pertaining to the
viscera )abdominal organs+.
xanth(o "'ello$& xanthroma, a yellow nodule in the s!in.
xen(o "stranger& xenophobia, abnormal fear of strangers.
xer(o "dr'& xerosis, abnormal dryness )as of the mouth or
eyes+.
)o(o "animal life& zoogenous, ac3uired from an animal.
R-5: * Medical Terminology