Medical (especially anatomical) terms are daunting at first. They
can seem almost like a different language. It is important not to
panic. Don’t attempt to memorise lists of words. Terms will
soon become familiar once you start using them in the dissection
room. The most useful approach is to understand the derivation of
key words. Often their component parts come up time and time
again, within unfamiliar words. By learning the meaning of these,
you can often work out what a new word means - or see where it came
from.
This glossary should help transform rote
learning into something far more productive. It is by no means
exhaustive, but the derivations are relevant in many subject
areas. Students already familiar with Latin and/or Greek will have
a head start. A short glossary of Physiology
and Related Sciences is also available.
Suggestions, corrections, additions: Click
or email to cusplap@ucl.ac.uk
A- = prefix denoting without
Agammaglobulinaemic = blood (haem) lacks gammaglobulin
Apnoea = cessation of breathing (N.B. see also ad- and an-)
Ab = away from (Latin)
Abduction = movement of limb away from the midline of the body.
Abembryonic = away from or opposite the embryo
Ad = towards, beside (Latin)
Adduction = movement of limb towards the midline of the body.
Adaxial = towards the main axis N.B. often becomes a- followed by a double letter as in the following
Affect (verb) = do something to something (Contrast effect:
see under E- )
Agglutination = particles sticking to each other
-aemia = suffix denoting a specified bio-chemical condition of
the blood
Hyperglycaemia = excess sugar in the blood
Anaemia = reduction in the amount of haemoglobin in the blood
An- = prefix denoting without, lacking
Anaerobe = an organism that is able to live and grow in the absence of
free oxygen
Anaesthesia = loss of feeling or sensation in a part or all of the body (N.B. in some cases the same meaning of ‘without’ can be conveyed by
the ‘A’- alone as the prefix)
Angio- = prefix denoting blood or lymph vessels
Angina pectoris = pain in the centre of the chest occurring when the
demand for blood by the heart exceeds the supply of the coronary
arteries
Angiogenesis = the formation of new blood vessels
Ante = before (Latin)
Anterior = near or nearer to the front.
Antenatal = before birth (N.B. do not confuse with Anti- = opposite, against) Anti- = opposite, against
Antidromic = describes impulses travelling the wrong way in a nerve
fibre
Anticoagulant = a drug that prevents the clotting of blood (N.B. do not confuse with Ante- = before) -ase = suffix denotingenzyme that breaks down a
substance
Lactase = enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose
Dehydrogenase = enzyme that catalyses an oxidation reaction
Arthr(o)- = relating to joints [Grk]
Aural = relating to the ear (auricula = ear, Latin)
Auriscope = apparatus used to examine the eardrum and passage leading
to it (N.B. do not confuse with oral = relating to the mouth)
Bi = two
Bicuspid = having two cusps e.g. the mitral valve of the heart
Biceps = a muscle with two heads
Brachi- = related to the arm
Brachial artery = artery in the arm running from the armpit to
the elbow
Brachialgia = pain in the arm
Brady- = prefix denoting slowness
Bradycardia = slowing of heart rate to less than 50 beats per minute
Bradylalia = abnormally slow speech
Broncho- = prefix denoting bronchial tree
Bronchitis = inflammation of the bronchi
Bronchospasm = narrowing of bronchi by muscular contraction in response
to some stimulus
Calc- = relating to calcium (Latin)
Hypercalcaemia = high blood calcium
Hypocalcaemia = low blood calcium
Cardi- = prefix denoting the heart
Cardiomegaly = enlargement of the heart
Cardiac muscle = muscle of the heart wall
Cephal- = prefix denoting the head
Cephalocele = neural tube defect
Cephalalgia = pain in the head
Corona = crown
(Latin) Corona capitis = crown of
head
Coronal plane = divides the body into dorsal (back) and ventral (front)
parts
Costa = rib (Latin)
Costal groove = groove on the undersurface of each typical rib behind
which intercostal nerves and vessels run
Intercostals = muscles running between the ribs
Cyst = an abnormal sac or closed cavity lined with epithelium and
filed with liquid or semisolid matter Cyst- = prefix denotinga bladder esp. the urinary
bladder
Cystitis = inflammation of the urinary bladder, often caused by
infection
Cystalgia = pain in the urinary bladder
Cyto- = prefix denoting cell or cytoplasm -cyte = suffix denoting cell or cytoplasm
Cytokinesis = division of the cytoplasm of the cell
Chondrocyte = a cartilage cell
Di- = prefix denoting two (Latin)
Dipeptide = compound consisting of two amino acids joined together by a
peptide bond
Disaccharide =carbohydrate consisting of two linked monosaccharide
units .. beware confusion with dis-
Dia- = through, throughout
Dialysis = method of separating particles of different dimensions in a
liquid mixture, using a thin semi-permeable membrane
Diarrhoea = frequent bowel evacuations or the passage of abnormally
soft faeces
Dis- = reversed or separated
Dislocation = separation of bones in a joint
Disinfection = removal of infection ..easily confused with di- meaning two (e.g. disulphide) or dys-
meaning abnormal (e.g. dysfunction)
Distal = situated away from the origin or point of attachment
or from median line of the body
Dors- = prefix denoting theback (from dorsum, Latin)
Dorsal = situated close to the back of body or the posterior of an
organ
Dorsoventral = extending from back to front surface
Dys- = abnormal, painful
Dyspnoea = shortness of breath
Dysgenesis = faulty development
E- (see also Ex-) = out of, outside,
from
Evaginate = protrude outside a covering
Effect (noun) = outcome, arising from something: Drugs often
have both good and bad effects.
Effect (verb) = have as an outcome: Drugs can effect cures. Distinguish carefully from
Affect (verb) = do something to: Effective pain-killers may
affect the patient's alertness.
-ectomy = cutting and removing
Lobectomy = removing a lobe of an organ
Appendicectomy = removal of the appendix
Endo = within
Endogenous = arising within a tissue
Endoderm = inner of the three germ layers of the early embryo
Epi = above, surrounding
Epidermis = outer parts of skin
Epicardium = layer of tissue immediately surrounding the heart (part of
pericardium), the outermost layer of the heart wall.
Eu = normal
Eupnoea = normal breathing
Eupepsia = state of normal or good digestion
Erythr- = prefix denoting redness
Erythrocyte = red blood cell
Erythema = redness, rubor – a flushing of the skin due to dilation of
the blood capillaries in the dermis
Ex = out of, from (Latin)
Extension = opposite of flexion. The movement of a joint, in the
sagittal plane, making the angle between bones greater. E.g. kicking a
ball, extends the knee. N.B. Often becomes just e-, sometimes followed by a double
letter e.g.:
Effusion = escape of a fluid (e.g. blood) from tissue.
Exo = outside
Exogenous = something not usually found within tissue.
Expiration = the act of breathing out from lungs
Extra = outside (Latin)
Extrapleural = relating to tissues of chest wall outside the parietal
pleura.
Extraembryonic coelom = the cavity, lined with mesoderm that surrounds
the embryo from the earliest stages of development.
Fer-= carry (from fero = I carry, Latin)
Afferent = carry into e.g. an afferent blood vessel feeds a capillary
network in an organ
Efferent = carry from e.g. designated vessels that drain fluid from an
organ
Transfer = carry across (N.B. do not confuse with ferr- = prefix relating to iron ferritin = iron/ protein complex stored in tissue ferrous compounds = compounds of iron where the iron is in its
+2 oxidation state ferric compounds= compounds of iron where iron is in its +3
oxidation state)
Fissure = a groove or cleft (from fissilis = split, Latin)
Oblique fissure = divides lung into lobes and runs around the lung
Horizontal fissure = divides right lung into 3 lobes and extends
laterally to meet the oblique fissure.
Flex- = bend (from flexus, Latin)
Flexion = movement of joint in the sagittal plane, usually making the
angle between bones less e.g. bringing fist towards shoulder.
Lateral flexion (usually of the spine) = bending to the side
Fossa = a depression or hollow, (literal translation =
ditch, trench, Latin)
Iliac fossa = the depression in the inner surface of the ileum
Fossa ovalis = depression on wall of the right atrium that separates
the right atrium from the left. It represents the septum primum of the
developing heart.
-genic = giving rise to (Latin) -genous = arising from (Latin)
exogenous = something that comes from outside the body
Glomerulus(Latin) A small ball like structure as in kidney glomeruli, synaptic glomeruli
Haemo-, haem-, haemato-, -aem- (US
hemo- etc.) = relating to blood
haemostasis = arrest of bleeding
haematocrit = fraction of blood volume occupied by red cells
Hemi- = prefix that in medicine denotes the right or left half
of the body
Hemianaesthesia = anaesthesia of one side of the body
Hemicolectomy = surgical removal of about half of the colon (large
intestine)
Hepat- = prefix denoting the liver
Hepatic artery = artery that supplies the liver
Hepatic flexure = the bend in the colon underneath the liver where the
ascending colon joins the transverse colon.
Hetero = different, varied
Heterozygous = describes an individual in whom the pairs of genes
determining a particular characteristic are dissimilar
Heterotopia = displacement of an organ or part of body from its normal
position.
Histo- = prefix denoting tissue
Histology = study of the structure of tissues by means of staining
techniques combined with light and electron microscopy
Histogenesis = the formation of tissues
Homo = the same
Homogeneous, homogenous = having uniform properties
Homologous = describing organs or parts that have the same basic
structure and evolutionary origin, but not necessarily the same function
or superficial structure.
Hydr- = prefix denoting water or a watery fluid (Latin)
Hydrocele = accumulation of watery liquid in a sac.
Hydrocephalus = an abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal
fluid within the ventricles of the brain
Hyper = above normal
Hyperventilate = breathing more than normal
Hyperglycaemia = an excess of blood glucose in the blood stream.
Hypo = below, less than normal
Hypodermic = below the skin
Hypotension = condition in which the arterial blood pressure is
abnormally low
In vitro = literally translated as ‘in glass’.
Usually refers to a procedure carried out isolated from body and
maintained in a tissue bath. (vitrum =glass, Latin)
In vivo = a procedure carried out with tissue innormal
position within the body. (vivo = I live, Latin)
Inter = between (Latin) (N.B. do not confuse with intra!)
Intercellular = between cells
Intercostals = muscles that occupy the spaces between the ribs
Intra = inside (Latin)
Intracellular = inside cells
Intraperitoneal = an injection given into the abdominal cavity
Ipsi = same, self (Latin)
Ipsilateral = on the same side
Iso- = prefix denoting equality, uniformity and similarity
Isotonic = having the same osmolarity or (in physiology) effective
osmolarity (taking account of the solute permeability of cell
membranes).
Isodactylism = a congenital defect in which all the fingers are the
same length.
-itis = suffix denoting inflammation of an organ, tissue etc.
Arthritis = inflammation of a joint
Peritonitis = inflammation of the peritoneum
Kal- = relating to potassium (Kalium– hence symbol K,
Latin)
Hypokalaemia = low blood potassium
Hyperkalaemia = high blood potassium
Late = wide, far (Latin)
Lateral = in anatomy relates to the region or parts of the body that
are furthest from the median plane
-logy = suffix denoting field of study
Cytology = study of cells
Nephrology = study, investigation and management of the diseases of the
kidney
-lysis = disruption, destruction or release
Haemolysis = destruction of red cells
Anxiolytic = causing relief from anxiety
Medial = relating to or situated in the central region of an
organ, tissue or the body (frommedius =
mid, middle, Latin)
Median plane (sagittal plane) = plane dividing the body or an organ
into equal right and left halves
Mediastinum = space in the thorax between the two pleural sacs that
contains amongst other things the heart
Mening- = relating to the meninges (membranes covering the brain) (Greek)
Meningitis = inflammation of the meninges
Muco- = prefix denoting mucus (Latin)
Mucociliary = the process by which cilia move a thin film of mucus from
the lower and upper respiratory tracts towards the digestive tract
Mucosa = mucous membrane, a moist membrane that lines many tubular
structures and cavities e.g. nasal cavity
My- = prefix denoting muscle
Myoblast = a cell that develops into a muscle fibre
Myocardial infarction = death of a segment of heart muscle, which
follows interruption of its blood supply
Natri = relating to sodium (Natrium - hence symbol Na, Latin)
Natriuretic factor = factor leading to extra sodium appearing in the
urine
Natriuresis = excretion of sodium in the urine
Nephro- = prefix denoting the kidneys (Greek) (N.B see renal = relating to the kidney, Latin)
Nephritis = inflammation of the kidney
Nephron = the active unit of excretion in the kidney
Neuro- = prefix denoting nerves or the nervous system
Neurolemma = sheath of the axon of the nerve fibre
Neurone = basic functional unit of the nervous system; a cell
specialized to transmit electrical nerve impulses
Normo = normal (Latin)
Normocapnic = normal carbon dioxide levels within the blood.
Normotensive = describes the state in which the arterial blood pressure
is within the normal range
-oma = suffix denoting a tumour
Hepatoma = tumour of the liver
Lymphoma = tumour of the lymph nodes
Oral = relating to the mouth (os, oris = mouth, Latin)
Oral cavity = the mouth
Oral contraceptive = ‘the pill’ (taken via the mouth) (N.B. do not confuse with aural = relating to the ear) Ortho- = prefix denoting straight
Orthodontics = branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of the
irregularities of the teeth.
Orthopaedics = practice of the correction of deformities caused by
disease or damage to the bone and joints of the skeleton
-osis = a diseased condition that involves the preceding part
of the word
e.g. Tuberculosis, Nephrosis
Oste(o)- = relating to bone [Grk]
Para = alongside (Latin)
Parathyroid = gland beside the thyroid
Paranasal = near the nasal cavity
Peri = surrounding or around (Latin)
Perineurium = sheath around nerve.
Perinatal = around the time of birth.
-physis = growth
Hypophysis = outgrowth under the brain i.e. the pituitary gland
-plegic = suffix denoting paralysis
Diplegia = paralysis of both sides of the body, particularly the legs
Hemiplegia = paralysis of one side of the body
Pneo- = prefix denoting breathing Pneumo- = prefix denoting the presence of air or gas
Pneumothorax = air in the pleural cavity
Pneumocephalus = the presence of air within the skull
Pneumon- = prefix denoting the lungs
Pneumonia = inflammation of the lung caused by bacteria, in which the
alveoli become filled with inflammatory cells and the lung becomes solid
Pneumonectomy = surgical removal of the lung
Poly- = prefix denoting many, multiple
Polysome = a group of ribosomes linked together by messenger RNA
molecules, formed during translation process of protein synthesis
Polysaccharide = carbohydrate formed from many monosaccharide molecules
joined in long linear and branched chains
Post = after, behind (Latin)
Posterior = near or nearer backend or tail
Posteroanterior = from the back to the front
Proximal = situated close to the origin or point of attachment
or close to the median line of the body(from proximus =
nearest, Latin) Quadri- = prefix denoting four (Latin)
Quadriceps = a great extensor muscle of the leg, situated in the thigh
and divided into four distinct portions
Quadriplegia = paralysis affecting all four limbs Renal = relates to the kidney (Latin) (N.B. see nephro- = prefix denoting the kidney, Greek)
Renal artery = either of the two arteries arising from the abdominal
aorta and supplying the kidneys.
Renal tubule = fine tubular part of nephron through which water and
certain dissolved substances are reabsorbed back into the blood
-rrhage = denotes excessive or abnormal flow or discharge from an
organ or part
haemorrhage = excessive bleeding
menorrhagia = excessive menstrual flow
-rrhoea = flow or discharge from an organ or part
Diarrhoea = frequent bowel evacuations or passage of abnormally soft
faeces.
Rhinorrhoea = flow from the nose
Saccharo- = prefix denoting sugar
Disaccharide = carbohydrate consisting of two linked monosaccharide
units
Polysaccharide = carbohydrate formed from many monosaccharide molecules
joined in long linear and branched chains
Sagittal = an anatomical plane that divides the body
longitudinally into left and right parts, parallel to the median plane.
Stasis = constancy, cessation of movement (Latin)
Homeostasis = physiological process by which the internal systems of
the body are maintained at equilibrium, despite variations in the
external conditions.
-stoma = mouth
Stoma = in surgery, an artificial opening of a tube
tracheostomy = an artificial opening (mouth) in the trachea
colostomy = an artificial opening in the colon that has been brought to
the surface of the abdomen
ileostomy = an artificial opening in the colon that has been brought to
the surface of the abdomen
Sub = under, beneath (Latin)
Sub-lingual = under the tongue
Subcutaneous = beneath the skin
Super = above (Latin)
Superior = situated uppermost in the body related to another structure
or surface
Superficial = situated at or close to a surface
Supine = lying on the back (often a term used to describe lazy
people) (Latin)
Supra = above (Latin)
Suprapubic region = area found above the pubic region (N.B. also known
as the hypogastric region.)
Suprarenal = above the kidney
-thermic = relating to temperature (Latin)
Exothermic = a reaction in which heat is given out
Thermoreceptor = a sensory nerve ending that responds to hot and cold
-tomy = cutting
Lobotomy = incising a lobe of a organ
Gastrotomy = a surgical incision into the stomach
Topo- = prefix denoting place, position and location
Topical = local, used for the route of administration of a drug that is
applied directly to the part being treated
Topography = study of the different regions of the body including how
the parts relate to surrounding structures (N.B. do not confuse with either, tropic = related to direction, or
trophic = related to nutrition e.g. trophotropic = turning towards food
Toxi- = prefix denoting poisonous, toxic
Toxin = poison produced by a living organism, usually a bacterium
Toxaemia = blood poisoning that is caused by toxins formed by bacteria
growing in a local site of infection
Trans = across (Latin)
Transverse = In anatomy, situated at right angles to the long axis of
the body
Transverse plane (horizontal plane) = plane dividing organ into top and
bottom halves
Tri- = prefix denoting three (Latin)
Tricuspid valve = valve in heart between right atrium and right
ventricle, made up of three cusps
Triceps = a muscle with three heads of origin
-trophic, -trophy = relating to nutrition (Greek)
Dystrophy = disordered nutrition
Atrophy = wasting, reduction in size
Hypertrophy = over-development
-tropic, -tropy, etc. = attracted to, turning towards, or affecting. (Greek)
Neurotropic virus = one targetting nerves
Phototropism = orienting to light
Uni- = prefix denoting one
Unilateral = in anatomy, relating to or affecting one side of the body
or one side of an organ or other part
-uresis = relating to or appearing in the urine
proteinuresis = protein in the urine
diuresis = extra urine
Vaso- =relating to a vessel, usually a blood vessel (Latin)
Vasectomy = removal of part of vas deferens
Vasoactive = affecting the diameter of blood vessels
Ventral = front (venter = stomach, abdomen Latin)
ventro-medial = direction towards the front and the midline
ventricle = fluid filled chamber in the heart/brain ('small belly')