1. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
CHAPTER 4

2. CHAPTER OUTLINE Organ System Terminology (cont.) Terminology Nervous
Skeletal
Female Reproductive
Male Reproductive
Respiratory
Urinary
Senses (Hearing, Sight)
Drug Classifications
Medical Abbreviations
Review
Terminology
Prefixes
Suffixes
Organ System Terminology
Cardiovascular
Endocrine
Gastrointestinal
Integumentary
Lymph and Blood
Muscular

3. ELEMENTS OF A MEDICAL SCIENCE WORD ‘BASIC’
Medical science terminology is made up of combinations of
root words
prefixes
suffixes
combining vowels
e.g. periodontic = peri (prefix, meaning “around”) + o (combining vowel) + dont (root word, meaning “teeth”) + ic (suffix, meaning “pertaining to”)
Root words originate from either Greek or Latin.
Greek – diagnosis and surgery
Latin – anatomy

4. Word Root Main part or foundation of a word.
Identify what part of the body a term is related to.
All words have at least one word root.
A word root may be used alone or be combined with other elements to form a complete word.
e.g. Gastr (word root) + itis (suffix) = GASTRITIS (complete word).

5. ROOT WORDS - EXAMPLES card heart cyst bladder gastr stomach
hemat blood
hepat liver
my muscle
pector chest
neur nerve
pneumon lung
ocul eye
derma skin
ven vein
mast breast
oste bone
nephr kidney
ot ear

6. PREFIXES Added before a word root or suffix to alter its meaning
hyper = excessive
hyper/tension = high blood pressure
an = without
an/orexia = without appetite
post = after
post/partum = after child birth
dys = painful, difficult
dys/phas/ia = difficulty in speaking

7. SUFFIXES
Added to the end of a word root or combining vowel to modify its meaning
-al = pertaining to
dent/al = pertaining to teeth
-itis = inflammation
gastr/itis = inflammation of the stomach
-oma = tumor
melan/oma = black tumor

8. COMBINING VOWELS
Sometimes a CV is added to make the pronunciation of medical words easier.
Sometimes a CV is added to connect different word parts together.
“O” is the most common combining vowel.

9. Combining Forms
Correct pronunciation of medical words is very important.
In order to make the pronunciation of root words easier, sometimes it is necessary to insert a vowel after the root.
The combination of a root word and a vowel is known as a COMBINING FORM.
“O” is the most common combining vowels
e.g. gastr/o

10. Combining Words
When a word has more than one root, a combining vowel is used to link the root to each other.
e.g. osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ it is
root word/combining vowel/root word/suffix

11. prefix/root word/suffix
Hypoinsulinemia
Hypo / insulin / emia
prefix/root word/suffix
Notice that there is no combining vowel in this word because the prefix ends with a vowel and the suffix begins with a vowel.

12. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
The cardiovascular system distributes blood throughout the body using blood vessels called arteries, capillaries, and veins.
Blood transports nutrients to the body’s cells and carries waste products away from them.
Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) transport oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs.
Leukocytes (white blood cells) fight bacterial infections by producing antibodies.

13. CARDIOVACULAR SYSTEM
The heart pumps blood through the cardiovascular system.
Blood pressure is reported in a two number sequence (systole/diastole, e.g., 120/80).
Systolic phase is the increased pressure when blood is forced out of the heart.
Diastolic phase is the decreased pressure when the heart is not forcing blood out of the heart.
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. .
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without express written permission from the publisher.

14. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM ROOT
aneur widening
angi vessel
aort aorta
arter artery
ather plaque
card heart
cyte cell
embol embolus
oxy oxygen
pector chest
phleb vein
stenosis narrowing
thromb clot
vas(cu) blood vessel
ven vein

15. Cardiovascular System
Cardiomyopathy = disease of the heart muscle
Myocardial = concerning heart muscle
Tachycardia = abnormal rapid heart action
Phlebitis = inflammation of a vein
Thrombosis = blood clot
Hypertension = high blood pressure

16. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Consists of the glands that secrete hormones, chemicals that assist in regulating body functions.
Includes the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland, and the gonads (ovaries and testes).
Pituitary gland: produces multiple hormones and is located at the base of the brain. It controls the body’s growth and the activity of the other glands.
Thyroid gland: located just below the larynx and releases hormones important for regulating body metabolism.

17. The Endocrine System Cont.
Parathyroid glands: located on the thyroid gland.
Thymus gland: located beneath the sternum.
Pancreas: known for its production of insulin and glucagon.
Adrenal glands: located on top of the kidneys and produce such hormones as aldosterone, cortisol (hydrocortisone), androgens, and estrogens.
Medulla region: adrenal glands produce the catecholamines adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

18. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM ROOT aden gland adrena adrenal crine to secrete
glyc sugar
lipid fat
myx mucus
nephr kidney
pancreat pancreas
plas development
somat body
tetan tetanus
thym thymus
thyroid thyroid

19. Endocrine System Hyperlipidemia = high fat/lipids in the blood.
Hypothyroidism = a deficiency of thyroid hormone.

20. GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT
Contains the organs that are involved in the digestion of foods and the absorption of nutrients
Organs include the stomach, small and large intestine, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
Several organs contribute to the digestion of foods by secreting enzymes into the small intestine when food is present.
Ducts
hepatic duct – from liver to duodenum
cystic duct – from gallbladder to duodenum

21. GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT
Not the same as the alimentary tract
alimentary tract goes from the mouth to the anus
It contains organs such as lips, tongue, teeth, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus, in addition to the GI tract.

22. GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT ROOT
hepat liver
herni hernia
lapar abdomen
orexia appetite
pancreat pancreas
pepsia digestion
phag swallow
chol bile
col colon
duoden duodenum
enter intestine
esophag esophagus
gastr stomach
hemat blood

23. Gastrointestinal Tract
Consists of organs that are involved in digestion of foods and the absorption of nutrients
Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach
Gastroenteritis = inflammation of the stomach and the intestines
Hepatitis = inflammation of the liver
Appendicitis = inflammation of the appendix
Colitis = inflamed or irritable part of the intestinal tract called the colon
Hematemesis = vomiting of blood
Diarrhea = liquid bowel movement

24. Alimentary Tract chol = bile col = colon duoden =duodenum
enter = intestine
esophag = esophagus
gastr = stomach
hepat = liver
lapar = abdomen
pancreat = pancreas

25. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Refers to the covering of the body and is the body’s first line of defense, acting as a barrier against disease and physical hazards.
Helps control body temperature by releasing heat through sweat or by constricting blood vessels to act as insulation.
It includes the skin, hair, and nails. Hair is made of keratinized cells. Finger nails and toenails are also composed of keratin.
The mammary glands, or breasts, are also considered part of the integumentary system.
The skin is composed of the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis has no blood or nerves and is constantly discarding dead cells. The dermis, which is made of living cells, contains capillaries, nerves, and lymphatics. The dermis also contains the sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair.
The subcutaneous layer of tissue is beneath the dermis but is closely interconnected to it. It separates the skin from the other organs

26. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM ROOT
adip fat
cutane skin
derm(at) skin
hist tissue
kerat hard
mast breast
melan black
necr death (of cells, etc.)
onych nail

27. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM Dermatitis = skin inflammation
Erythrodemra = abnormal redness of skin
Lactation = secretion of milk
Mastectomy = surgical removal of breast
Onychomycosis = fungal infection of nails
Pachyderma = abnormal thickness of skin
Subcutaneous = beneath the skin
Transdermal = through the skin

28. LYMPH AND BLOOD SYSTEM
The lymphatic system is responsible, through its lymph nodes, for collecting, filtering, and returning plasma water leaving the blood vessels.
center of the body’s immune system
thymus, tonsils, spleen, and adenoids are outside the network
Spleen - responsible for removing old red blood cells from circulation
Lymphocytes – a type of white blood cells that attack bacteria and disease cells by releasing antibodies

29. LYMPH AND BLOOD SYSTEMS ROOT
aden gland
bacter bacteria
cyt cell
hemat blood
hemo blood
leuk white
lymph lymph
phleb vein
splen spleen
sepsis to putrefy
thromb clot
thym thymus

30. The Lymphatic System Adenopathy = lymph node disease
Hematoma = a collection of clotted blood
Hemophilia = a disease in which the blood does not clot normally
Lymphoma = lymphatic system tumor

31. MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Word muscles comes from mus=mouse; cle=little and resembles a mouse moving under a cover.
Muscles give shape and movement to the body.
more than 600 muscles
made up of fibers and attached to bones by tendons
Voluntary muscles - action controlled consciously
Involuntary muscles - operate automatically
Agonist muscles - produce an flexor movement
Antagonist muscles - contract or bring limb back to original position

32. MUSCULAR SYSTEM ROOT burs bursa chondr cartilage my muscle fibr fiber
rhabdo rod
tendin tendon
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without express written permission from the publisher.

33. The Muscular System Fibromyalgia = chronic pain in the muscles
Myoplasty = plastic surgery of muscle tissue
Tendinitis = inflammation of a tendon

34. NERVOUS SYSTEM The neuron is the basic functional unit.
The brain has over 100 billion neurons.
Central nervous system (CNS) – brain & spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system – branches from spinal cord
autonomic nervous system controls the automatic functions of the body
somatic nervous system controls the voluntary actions of the body.
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without express written permission from the publisher.

35. NERVOUS SYSTEM ROOT myel spinal cord alges pain neur nerve
phas speech
psycho mind
somat body
alges pain
cerebr cerebrum
encephal brain
esthes sensation
mening meninges
ment mind

36. The Nervous System Encephalitis = inflammation of the brain
Neuralgia = severe pain in a nerve
Neuroma = tumor or nerve cells

37. SKELETAL SYSTEM
Protects soft organs and provides structure and support for body organs
Contains 206 bones
axial (skull and spinal column vertebrae)
appendicular (arms, legs, connecting bones)
Ligaments and Cartilage - connective tissue that holds together the skeletal systems at joints
Joints range from rigid to those allowing full motion (e.g., the ball and socket joints of the hips and shoulders).
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without
express written permission from the publisher.

38. SKELETAL SYSTEM ROOT arthr joint oste bone ped, pod foot carp wrist
crani cranium
dactyl finger or toe
femor thigh bone
fibul small lower leg bone
humer upper arm bone
lord curve
oste bone
patell knee cap
oste bone
ped, pod foot
pelv pelvis
phalang bones of fingers and toes
rachi vertebrae
scoli crooked, bent
spondyl backbone
stern sternum, breastbone
tibi large lower leg bone

39. The Skeletal System Arthralgia = joint pain
Arthritis = inflammation of a joint
Carpal = pertaining to carpus in the wrist
Osteoarthritis = chronic disease of bones

40. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The Reproductive System produces hormones (e.g. estrogen, progesterone), controls menstruation, and provides for childbearing.
Contains the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the external genitalia.
The mammary glands (located in breast tissue) produce and secrete milk at childbirth.
The vagina is a muscular tube that leads from an external opening to the cervix and uterus.
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ.
The fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus.
The ovaries are located on each side of the uterus.

41. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ROOT
men menstruation
metr uterus
ovari ovary
salping fallopian tube
toc birth
uter uterine
vagin vagina
cervic cervix
condyle knob, knuckle
eclamps shining forth
gynec woman
hyster uterus
lact milk
mamm breast
mast breast

42. The Female Reproductive System
Gynecology = the study of the female reproductive organs
Amenorrhea = absence of menstruation
Dysmenorrhea = menstrual pain
Endometriosis = abnormal growth of uterine tissue
Vaginitis = inflammation of the vagina

43. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Produces sperm and secretes testosterone
Primary sex organs – testes (testicles)
Other organs
seminal glands
vas deferens
prostate gland
penis
urethra
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without express written permission from the publisher.

44. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ROOT
andr male
bala n glans penis
crypt hidden
orch testis
orchid testis
prostat prostate gland
semin semen
sperm sperm
vas vessel, duct
varic varicose veins
test testis, testicle

45. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The Respiratory System brings oxygen into the body through inhalation and expels carbon dioxide gas through exhalation. It produces sound for speaking and helps cool the body.
Respiratory muscles (especially the diaphragm) expand the lungs automatically, causing air to be inhaled into the upper respiratory tract.
The pleural cavity surrounds the lungs and provides lubrication for respiration.
The pharynx directs food into the esophagus and air into the trachea.
The larynx contains the vocal cords.
The trachea, or windpipe, connects to the two bronchi (bronchial tubes) that enter the lungs.
As air enters through the nose, it is warmed, moistened, and filtered. Inside the lungs, the bronchial tubes branch out and lead to the alveolar sacs that are the site of gas exchange within the lungs.
Alveoli are specialized tissues that are responsible for the exchange of gases between the blood and inhaled air.

46. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM ROOT WORDS
aer air
aero gas
bronch bronchus
capn carbon dioxide
cyan blue
laryng larynx
nas nose
ox oxygen
pector chest
pneumon lung, air
pulmon lung
respir breath
rhin nose
sinus sinus

47. The Respiratory System
Apnea = temporary failure to breath
Bronchitis = inflammation of the bronchial membrane
Cyanosis = blue discoloration of the skin due to a lack of oxygenation
Hypercapnia = excessive carbon dioxide in the blood
Hypoxia = low blood oxygen level
Pneumonia = inflammation of the lungs
Sinusitis = inflammation of the sinuses

48. URINARY TRACT Removes waste materials from the blood
The kidney is the primary organ.
The functional unit is the nephron. There are several million nephrons in the kidneys.
Urine is produced as plasma water and is filtered through the glomerulus, the filtrate is then collected in the tubule.
Waste materials from the blood may also be filtered into the tubule or may be secreted into the tubule at sites other than the glomerulus.
Urine is the filtrate that moves along the tubule.
Urine leaves the kidney through the ureters and collects in the bladder. It is excreted from the bladder through the urethra.

49. URINARY TRACT Waste materials from blood are ________ the tubule.
filtered into
secreted into
reabsorbed from
Image copyright Perspective Press and Morton Publishing Company. May not be copied, re-used, reproduced, or re-transmitted without express written permission from the publisher.

50. URINARY TRACT ROOT WORDS
ur kidney
uria urine, urination
uresis urination
ureter ureter
urethr urethra
vesic bladder
albumin protein
cyst bladder
glycos glucose
keto ketones
lith stone
nephr kidney
ren kidney

51. URINARY TRACT Anuria = inability to produce urine
Cystitis = inflammation of the bladder
Nephritis = inflammation of the kidney
Polyuria = excessive urination
Uremia = toxic blood condition caused by kidney failure

52. SENSES: HEARING
The Ears perform hearing, as well as the maintenance of body equilibrium.
The External ear functions to capture sound waves and channels them inside the ear.
The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is a funnel-shaped structure with an opening to outside. It contains glands that make earwax (cerumen) that protects the external ear.
Malleus, incus, and stapes are three bony structures that transmit sound from a vibrating tympanic membrane to the cochlea and located in the middle ear.
The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat, serving to equalize the air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane.
The labyrinth is the principal structure in the inner ear is which consists of the vestibule, the cochlea, and the semicircular canals.
The cochlea contains the organ of hearing. When sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea, it converts them into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain for interpretation. The semicircular canals and the vestibule are primarily responsible for body equilibrium.

53. SENSES: HEARING ROOT WORDS
acous hearing
acusis hearing condition
audi hearing
cerumin wax-like
labyrinth inner ear
myring eardrum
ot ear
salping eustachian tube
tympan eardrum

54. SENSES: SIGHT The Eyes are the organs that provide sight.
The eyelids protect the eye and assist in its lubrication.
The conjunctiva is the blood-rich membrane between the eye and the eyelid.
There are several glands that secrete fluids to protect and lubricate the eye; the lacrimal glands above each eye secrete tears and the meibomian glands produce sebum.
Nasolacrimal ducts (tear ducts) drains excess fluid into the eye.
The eye has three layers. The outer layer is composed of the sclera and the cornea.
The sclera is the white part of the eye. The cornea is transparent so the iris (the color of the eye) and the pupil (the opening of the eye) are visible.
The middle layer is called the choroid and contains blood vessels that nourish the entire eye.
In the third layer, the lens focuses light rays on the retina.
The vitreous humor (one of two fluids in the eye) fills the space between the retina and the lens.
Rods and cones within the retina they are responsible for visual reception.
The optic nerve within the retina transmits the nerve impulses to the brain for interpretation.

55. SENSES: SIGHT ROOT WORDS
ambly dim, dull
blephar eyelid
conjunctiv conjunctiva
come cornea
glauc gray
irid, ir iris
lacrim tear duct
ocul eye
ophthalm eye
opia vision
opt eye, vision
retin retina
stigmat point(ed)

56. Senses: Sight Blepharitis = inflammation of the eyelid
Conjunctivitis = inflammation of the conjunctiva
Retinitis = inflammation of the retina

57. DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
Drug class – group of drugs that have several therapeutic properties in common
Several classes oppose (means “against”)physiological processes.
Antacid =relieves gastritis, ulcer pain, heartburn, indigestion
Antianginals =relieves heart pain
Anticoagulants =prevents blood clots
Anticonvulsants =prevents seizures
Antidepressants =prevents depression
Antidiarrheals =stops diarrhea (loose stool)
Antiemetics =prevents nausea and vomiting

58. Antihistamine = blocks the effects of histamine
Antihyperlipidemia = lowers high cholesterol
Antihypertensive = reduces high blood pressure
Anti-inflammatory = reduces inflammation
Antipruritics = prevents or relieves itching
Antispasmodics = relieves intestinal cramping
Antitussive = relieves coughing

59. OTHER CLASSES Analgesic Hypoglycemic hypo + glyc + emic =
without pain, pain killer
Hypoglycemic
hypo + glyc + emic =
reduces blood sugar level
Hypolipidemic
hypo + lipid + emic =
reduces cholesterol or lipid levels
Spermicide
sperm + i + cide =
kills sperm

60. PHARMACY ABBREVIATIONS
About 10,000 abbreviations
can be specific to one institution
can be specific to one area of the country

61. Pharmacy Abbreviations
Most common abbreviations
Route
Form
Time
Measurement

62. Pharmacy Abbreviations
ad = right ear
as = left ear
au = each ear
IM = intramuscular
IV = intravenous
od = right eye
os = left eye
ou = each eye
po = by mouth
sl = sublingually

63. Pharmacy Abbreviations
elix = elixir supp = suppository ung = ointment ac = before meals pc = after meals hs = at bedtime qd = every day prn = as needed qid = four times a day tid = three times a day bid = two times a day