Medical Terminology in Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction

Understanding the roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms is fundamental for mastering the language of anatomy and physiology. These word parts help students interpret and remember complex terms, making it easier to understand the structure and function of the human body.

Common Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms

Below is a structured list of important word parts used in anatomy and physiology, along with their meanings and examples.

• ana-: up, back, again (e.g., anabolism - building up of molecules)

• append-: to hang something (e.g., appendage - a limb or structure attached to the body)

• auto-: self (e.g., autoregulation - self-regulation)

• cardi-: heart (e.g., cardiology - study of the heart)

• cata-: down, against (e.g., catabolism - breaking down of molecules)

• caput-: head (e.g., caput - head)

• cephal-: head (e.g., cephalic - pertaining to the head)

• cerebr-: brain (e.g., cerebrum - largest part of the brain)

• cervi-: neck (e.g., cervical - pertaining to the neck)

• chondro-: cartilage (e.g., chondrocyte - cartilage cell)

• corona-: crown (e.g., coronary - relating to the crown or encircling)

• cran-: skull (e.g., cranium - skull)

• dors-: back (e.g., dorsal - pertaining to the back)

• epi-: upon, above (e.g., epidermis - outer layer of skin)

• gastri-: stomach (e.g., gastric - pertaining to the stomach)

• homeo-: same, constant (e.g., homeostasis - maintaining internal balance)

• hypo-: under, below (e.g., hypodermic - under the skin)

• ic-: pertaining to (e.g., pelvic - pertaining to the pelvis)

• -logy: study of (e.g., biology - study of life)

• lumbus or lumbo-: loin, lower back (e.g., lumbar - pertaining to the lower back)

• macro-: large (e.g., macrophage - large cell that engulfs particles)

• media-: middle (e.g., medial - toward the midline)

• meta-: change, beyond (e.g., metabolism - chemical changes in the body)

• micro-: small (e.g., microscope - instrument for viewing small objects)

• nas-: nose (e.g., nasal - pertaining to the nose)

• ora-: mouth (e.g., oral - pertaining to the mouth)

• orb-: circle, eye socket (e.g., orbital - pertaining to the eye socket)

• para-: beside, near (e.g., parathyroid - near the thyroid gland)

• parie-: wall (e.g., parietal - pertaining to the wall of a body cavity)

• pelvi-: pelvis (e.g., pelvic - pertaining to the pelvis)

• peri-: around (e.g., pericardium - membrane around the heart)

• physio-: nature, function (e.g., physiology - study of function)

• pleur-: rib, side (e.g., pleura - membrane surrounding the lungs)

• sagitta-: arrow (e.g., sagittal plane - divides body into left and right)

• -stasis: standing still (e.g., homeostasis - maintaining balance)

• super-: above (e.g., superior - above another structure)

• -tomy: cutting (e.g., anatomy - cutting apart for study)

• venter or ventro-: belly, front (e.g., ventral - pertaining to the front)

• viscus-: internal organ (e.g., visceral - pertaining to internal organs)

Applications in Anatomy & Physiology

These word parts are used to construct terms describing anatomical structures, physiological processes, and medical conditions. Mastery of these terms enables students to decode unfamiliar vocabulary and communicate effectively in the health sciences.

• Example: The term epicardium combines epi- (upon) and cardi- (heart), meaning the layer upon the heart.

• Example: Hypodermic combines hypo- (under) and derm- (skin), meaning under the skin.

Additional info: These roots, prefixes, and suffixes are foundational for all chapters in anatomy and physiology, including cell biology, tissues, organ systems, and clinical terminology.