Medical Terminology in Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction to Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is the language used to describe the human body, its functions, diseases, procedures, and treatments. Understanding these terms is essential for students of anatomy and physiology, as it enables clear communication and comprehension of medical concepts.

• Medical terminology is based on Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

• Terms are often constructed from word roots (base meaning), prefixes (modify meaning), and suffixes (indicate procedure, condition, or disease).

• Examples: bradycardia (slow heart rate), leukocytosis (increase in white blood cells).

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Hypokalemia: An excess of potassium in the blood.

• Immunity: Resistance to disease or infection.

• Palpitate: Rapid, intense beating of the heart.

• Thrombophlebitis: Inflammation of the wall of a vein with a clot at the site.

• Bradycardia: Slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute).

• Hypertension: High blood pressure.

• Leukopenia: Abnormally low level of white blood cells.

• Coagulation: The process of blood clotting.

• Anterior: Refers to the front of the body.

• Extravasular: Outside the blood stream.

• Combining form: The root of the word, often used to construct medical terms.

Blood and Blood Cells

Blood is a vital fluid in the body, composed of plasma and formed elements (cells and cell fragments). Understanding the terminology related to blood is crucial in anatomy and physiology.

• Plasma: The liquid portion of blood.

• Formed elements: Red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).

• Hemoglobin: Protein in red blood cells that contains iron and carries oxygen.

• Leukocyte: White blood cell, involved in immune response.

• Thrombocyte: Platelet, involved in blood clotting.

• Reticulocyte: Immature red blood cell.

• Hemostasis: The process of stopping bleeding.

• Hemolysis: Destruction of red blood cells.

• Anemia: Decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin.

• Leukocytosis: Increase in white blood cells.

• Thrombocytopenia: Decrease in platelets.

• Polycythemia: Increase in red blood cells.

Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Medical terms are often constructed from word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Understanding these components helps in deciphering complex terminology.

• Word root: The base of the word, indicating the main meaning (e.g., cardi = heart).

• Prefix: Added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning (e.g., brady- = slow).

• Suffix: Added to the end of a word to indicate procedure, condition, or disease (e.g., -itis = inflammation).

Common Medical Prefixes

• brady-: slow

• tachy-: fast

• hyper-: above, excessive

• hypo-: below, deficient

• poly-: many

• mono-: one

• micro-: small

• macro-: large

• endo-: within

• exo-: outside

Common Medical Suffixes

• -itis: inflammation (e.g., arthritis = inflammation of joints)

• -emia: blood condition (e.g., anemia = lack of red blood cells)

• -cyte: cell (e.g., leukocyte = white blood cell)

• -penia: deficiency (e.g., leukopenia = deficiency of white blood cells)

• -osis: abnormal condition (e.g., leukocytosis = increase in white blood cells)

• -logy: study of (e.g., hematology = study of blood)

• -pathy: disease (e.g., neuropathy = disease of nerves)

• -ectomy: surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy = removal of appendix)

• -plasty: surgical repair (e.g., angioplasty = repair of blood vessel)

Common Medical Word Roots

Examples and Applications

• Bradycardia: A patient with a heart rate below 60 bpm is said to have bradycardia.

• Leukocytosis: An increase in white blood cells, often seen in infection.

• Thrombocytopenia: Low platelet count, which can lead to bleeding disorders.

• Hemolysis: Destruction of red blood cells, which can occur in certain diseases.

• Polycythemia: Excess red blood cells, which can increase blood viscosity.

Classification Table: Blood Cell Types

Important Formulas and Equations

• Blood Pressure:

• Cardiac Output:

Summary Table: Prefixes and Suffixes

Additional info: These notes expand on the brief definitions and word roots provided in the original material, offering academic context and examples relevant to anatomy and physiology students.