Chapter 6: Blood, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems

Word Parts

This section focuses on the foundational elements of medical terms related to the blood, lymphatic, and immune systems. Understanding these word parts helps in decoding complex medical vocabulary.

• Root words: Indicate the main subject, such as hem/o (blood), lymph/o (lymph), immun/o (immune).

• Prefixes: Modify the meaning, e.g., anti- (against), auto- (self).

• Suffixes: Indicate procedures, conditions, or diseases, e.g., -emia (blood condition), -itis (inflammation).

Terminology

Key terms describe diseases, procedures, and anatomy of these systems.

• Anemia: A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

• Leukocyte: White blood cell, essential for immune defense.

• Lymphadenopathy: Disease of the lymph nodes.

• Immunodeficiency: Failure of the immune system to protect against disease.

Abbreviations

Common abbreviations streamline communication in clinical settings.

• RBC: Red Blood Cell

• WBC: White Blood Cell

• AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Chapter 7: Respiratory System

Word Parts

Medical terms for the respiratory system are built from roots, prefixes, and suffixes that describe breathing, airways, and lung function.

• Root words: pneum/o (lung), bronch/o (bronchus), nas/o (nose).

• Prefixes: tachy- (fast), brady- (slow).

• Suffixes: -pnea (breathing), -thorax (chest).

Terminology

Terms describe anatomy, diseases, and procedures of the respiratory tract.

• Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs.

• Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi.

• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.

• Apnea: Absence of breathing.

Abbreviations

• O2: Oxygen

• CO2: Carbon Dioxide

• CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

• TB: Tuberculosis

Chapter 8: Digestive System

Word Parts

Digestive system terminology is constructed from word parts that describe organs, functions, and diseases.

• Root words: gastr/o (stomach), enter/o (intestine), hepat/o (liver).

• Prefixes: sub- (under), peri- (around).

• Suffixes: -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (removal).

Terminology

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.

• Hepatomegaly: Enlargement of the liver.

• Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon.

• Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Abbreviations

• GI: Gastrointestinal

• NG: Nasogastric

• GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Chapter 9: Urinary System

Word Parts

Terms for the urinary system are built from roots, prefixes, and suffixes that describe the kidneys, bladder, and urine.

• Root words: nephr/o (kidney), cyst/o (bladder), ur/o (urine).

• Prefixes: poly- (many), oligo- (few).

• Suffixes: -uria (urine condition), -lith (stone).

Terminology

• Nephrolithiasis: Kidney stones.

• Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder.

• Polyuria: Excessive urination.

• Hematuria: Blood in the urine.

Abbreviations

• BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen

• UTI: Urinary Tract Infection

• CRF: Chronic Renal Failure

• ESRD: End-Stage Renal Disease

Chapter 10: Reproductive System

Word Parts

Medical terms for the reproductive system use roots, prefixes, and suffixes to describe organs, functions, and diseases.

• Root words: gynec/o (woman), andr/o (man), hyster/o (uterus), orchid/o (testis).

• Prefixes: multi- (many), nulli- (none).

• Suffixes: -gravida (pregnant woman), -para (to bear, give birth).

Terminology

• Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus.

• Orchiectomy: Surgical removal of a testis.

• Oophoritis: Inflammation of the ovary.

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland.

Abbreviations

• OB: Obstetrics

• GYN: Gynecology

• BPH: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

• PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome

Additional Info

• The “What’s in a name?” boxes referenced in each chapter provide etymological insights into medical terms, helping students understand the logic behind word construction.

• Mastery of word parts (roots, prefixes, suffixes) is essential for interpreting unfamiliar medical terms across all body systems.