Medical Terminologies Paper Example

The prefix is the word that comes before the root word to modify the meaning. The word root is the segment that carries the main message. It is the main part of the medical word while the suffix is the word that comes after the word root. Combining vowel, on the other hand, is part that makes pronunciation easy and is usually 'o'.

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Anatomy- The word root is tom while 'ana' is the prefix and y is the suffix. Anatomy is the process of cutting up. Example: anatomy is the ease to understand.

Physiology- The word root, in this case, is physio, and the suffix is logy. The combining vowel is /o/. Physiology is the study of the nature of living things. Example: The physiology of the human brain is complex.

Homeostasis- The word root is 'homeo' and stasis is the suffix. The combining vowel is /o/. Homeostasis is maintaining the internal body environment. Example: The body can function effectively because of homeostasis.

Distal- The word root is distal, and the suffix is al. Distal refers to away from the origin of attachment. Example: The lateral malleolus on the distal part of the tibia

Proximal- The word root is the 'proxim' and the suffix is al. proximal means towards the origin regarding attachment. Example: The proximal femur has the head of the femur that attaches it to the hipbone.

Superior- The suffix is 'or' while the root word is 'superi' that means the above. Superior means towards the head region. Example: The thyroid gland is superior to the thymus.

Inferior- The suffix, in this case, is or while the root word is 'inferi' that means below. Combining the two words forms inferior which means away from the head. Example: Inferior to the right dome of the diaphragm is the superior border of the liver.

Ventral- The combining words are 'ventr' that means front part and al. ventral means towards the front. Example: The sternum is ventral to the pericardium.

Dorsal- The root word is 'dors' which means the back and al which means pertaining to is the suffix. Dorsal means towards the back. The dorsal of the vertebral bone is the spine of the vertebral bone.

Medial- The combining words are 'medi' and al where the root word is medi, and the suffix is al. Medial refers to towards the midline. The medial part of the mediastinum houses the heart.

Lateral- The root word is the 'later,' and the suffix is 'ar' that means pertaining to. Lateral means towards the sides of the body. Example: The spleen is lateral to the tail pancreas.

Superficial-The root word is 'superfic,' and the suffix is the ial. Superficial refers to the external to the body surface. Example: Superficial to the skin lies the epidermis.

Thoracic- It is formed by two phrases, thorac, and suffix ic. Thorac denotes thorax or chest while the suffix ic means pertaining to. Therefore thoracic refers to the areas of the body pertaining to the chest. Example: Thoracic cavity protects the lungs and other major blood vessels.

Abdominal- Formed by combining abdomen and the suffix al. Abdomin means abdomen while al means pertaining to. Therefore abdominal is the area of the body pertaining the abdomen. Example: Abdominal aorta is the descending aorta in the abdomen.

Epigastric- Formed by combining epi and gastric. The prefix epi means on top of while gastric denotes the stomach. Epigastric, therefore, means the area of the body on top of the stomach. Example: Epigastric pain indicates gastric problems like peptic ulcers.

Hypochondriac- It has a prefix hypo and the chondriac. Hypo means below while chondriac means the cartilage. It, therefore, means below the cartilage of the ribs. Example: Hypochondriac region has the fibers of intercostal muscles.

Umbilical- Formed by combining of the 'umbilica' and al. Umbilic means the navel while al means pertaining to. Therefore, umbilical means body area pertaining to the navel. Example: Capusa medusa is the distended veins in the umbilical region.

Lumbar- Formed by combining lumb and ar as the suffix. Lumb means the loin while the suffix ar means pertaining of. Lumbar is, therefore, the body segment pertaining to the loin. The lumbar region has five vertebrae.

Pleural- Pleura means the rib while ar means pertaining to. Pleural is, therefore, the body contents and cavity of the ribs. Example: The pleural cavity is a sterile environment in the body.

Pathology- Is a Greek word formed from pathos and logy as the suffix. Pathos means the disease while logy means the study of. Pathology is, therefore, a study of diseases. Example: The pathology behind sudden infant death is not well known.

Diagnosis- 'Dia' means through, and gnosis means knowledge. Diagnosis is the determination of the pathological condition in an individual. Example: The diagnosis of chest pain requires both physical examination and laboratory tests results.

Prognosis- Has two combining words Pro and gnosis. Pro stands for before, and gnosis stands for knowledge. Prognosis is the expected outcome of the disease as well as the course of treatment. Example: The patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and have blast cell of >20% have a poor prognosis.

Endoscopy- Contains two words endo and -'scopy'. The word root endo means within while 'scopy' means the process of viewing. Endoscopy is the technique of viewing inside the body cavity like the stomach, esophagus as part of the examination. Example: Through endoscopy, a stomach biopsy can be obtained.

Cyanosis: - The word root is cyano while the combining vowel is /o/. Cyano means the blue color while -osis means the condition of. Cyanosis is the blue discoloration seen on the skin and mucous membrane following underlying pathological condition. Example: Obstructive jaundice presents with marked cyanosis and pruritis.

Dermatology:-Combining vowel is /o/. The word root is Dermato which stands for skin while -logy means the study of. Therefore, dermatology is the study of the skin. Example: Dermatology is one of the well-paid specializations in Medicine.