Anatomical Terms Flashcards
Anatomical Features
Anatomical Position
Body Position, feet are flat on the floor, arms hanging at the side of the body, palms facing forward, thumbs pointed away from the body.
Superior
Towards the head or upper part of the body e.g. the femur is superior to the patella.
Inferior
Towards the lower part of the body e.g. the patella is inferior to the femur.
Anterior (Ventral)
Towards or at the front of the body e.g. the sternum is anterior to the spine.
Posterior (Dorsal)
Towards the back of the body e.g. the heart is posterior to the sternum.
Medial
Towards or at the midline of the body. The midline is the imaginary vertical line that divides the body in right and left sides equally. E.g. The tibia is medial to the fibula.
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body e.g. the fibula is lateral to the tibia.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body e.g. the left leg and left arm are ipsilateral.
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body e.g. the left leg and the right arm are contralateral.
Proximal
Closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body e.g. the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Distal
Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body e.g. the ankle is distal to the hip.
Superficial
Towards or at the surface of the body e.g. the skin is superficial to the skeleton.
Deep
Away from the body surface, internal e.g. The lungs are deep to the ribs.
∆
Change, diagnosis
↓
Deceased or decreased
↔
Back and forth, alternating, from here to there
@
At
>
Greater than
<
Less than
=
Equals
+
Plus or positive
#
Number e.g. #1
/
Per
~
Approximately
→
Results lead to
↑
Up, upturn, increase
Check or flexion.
Ab- (Prefix)
Away from
Abnormal
Aberrant - deviating from the usual or natural type.
Ad-
Toward
Adduction - movement of a limb or other part towards the midline of the body or towards another part.
Adhesion
Acro- or Acr-
Extremities
Acrophobia - xtreme or irrational fear of heights.
Cardio- or Cardi-
Heart
Cardiac
Myocarditis (myocardium) - inflammation of the heart muscle
Cephal-
Head
Cephalic - of or relating to the head. In the cephalic presentation, the baby is head down, chin tucked to chest, facing their mother’s back. This position typically allows for the smoothest delivery.
Cephalgia - more commonly known as a headache, includes any type of pain affecting the head, face, or neck
Cervi-
Neck, or neck of an organ
Cervix - the muscular channel or opening that runs between your uterus (also known as the womb) and your vagina.
Cyto- or Cyt-
Cell
Cytology - the exam of a single cell type, as often found in fluid specimens.
Dermat/o or derm-
Skin
Dermis - a connective tissue layer sandwiched between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue. The dermis is a fibrous structure composed of collagen, elastic tissue, and other extracellular components that includes vasculature, nerve endings, hair follicles, and glands.
En- endo-
Inside
Encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.
Endoderm - The innermost of the three primary germ layers of an embryo that is the source of the epithelium of the digestive tract and its derivatives and of the lower respiratory tract.
A tissue (such as esophageal or pancreatic tissue) derived from this germ layer.
Ex- exo- or ecto-
Outside
Fore-
In front
Forehead, forearm
Gastro- or gastr-
Stomach
Gastric
Gingiv/o-
Gum
Gingivitis - the earliest stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It develops when plaque, tartar and bacteria build up on your teeth, causing red, swollen, bleeding gums.
Gloss/o-
Tongue
Glossitis - inflammation of the tongue.
Hema- or hemo-
Blood
Haemophilia - an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.
Haemorrhage - loss of blood from a damaged blood vessel. The bleeding can be inside or outside the body, and blood loss can be minor or major.
Hepati-
Liver
Hepatitis -inflammation of the liver
Hepatic - The term “hepatic” refers to the liver. For example, the hepatic duct drains bile from the liver. A hepatic condition is liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. I
Inter-
Between
Intercostal - Intercostal muscles are muscles that present within the rib cage. Consist of three layers of muscles external, internal, and innermost layer they combine to fill the space between the ribs.
Interferon - proteins that are part of your natural defenses. They tell your immune system that germs or cancer cells are in your body. And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders.
Kerato-
Cornea
Keratitis - inflammation of the cornea
Keratoconus - an eye condition in which your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front of your eye — gets thinner and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.
Juxta
Near or close
Juxtaspinal - near the spinal column
Juxtavesicular - near the bladder
Labia-
Lips (of mouth or vulva)
Labial - relating to, or situated near the lips or labia
Media-
Middle (or nearest the centre of the body)
Medial - toward the middle or center. It is the opposite of lateral. The term is used to describe general positions of body parts. For example, the chest is medial to the arm.
Mediastinum - a space in your chest that holds your heart and other important structures. It’s the middle section of your thoracic cavity, between your left and right pleural cavities (which hold your lungs).
Stomat/o-
Mouth
Stomatisis - sore or inflammation inside of the mouth.
Naso-
Nose
Nasopharynx - represents the most superior portion of the pharynx, bounded superiorly by the skull base and inferiorly by the soft palate. The nasopharynx connects the nasal cavity to the oropharynx and contains the Eustachian tube openings and adenoids.
Nasogastric - a thin, soft tube that goes in through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach. They’re used to feed formula to a child who can’t get nutrition by mouth.
Neuro-
Nerves
Neurotoxin - substance that alters the structure or function of the nervous system.
Neuropathy - Peripheral neuropathy refers to any condition that affects the nerves outside your brain or spinal cord. A common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also result from injuries, infections and exposure to toxins.
Ocul-
Eye
Oculist - a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses. An opthamlmolotist or optician.
Odont-
Tooth
Odontiod - Odontoid process, also known as the dens, is a part of the neck that when injured, can alter your life significantly. Is a superior projecting bony element from the second cervical vertebrae (C2, or the axis).
Oo-
Related to the female gamete (egg)
Oocyte - a cell in an ovary which may undergo meiotic division to form an ovum. An oocyte or ovocyte is a female gametocyte or germ cell involved in reproduction. In other words, it is an immature ovum, or egg cell.
Oophorectomy - surgical removal of one or both ovaries and can be done laparoscopically unless otherwise indicated.
Opthal-
Eye
Opthalmology - practitioners medically trained to diagnose and treat all eye and visual problems including vision services (glasses and contacts) and provide treatment and prevention of medical disorders of the eye including surgery.
Oto-
Ear -
Otology - the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the ear and its diseases.
Otoscope - an otoscope is a tool which shines a beam of light to help visualize and examine the condition of the ear canal and eardrum.
Peri
Around or about
Periaortic - relating to, occurring in, or being the tissues surrounding the aorta.
Pericardial -
Pericardium
A fibrous sac called the pericardium surrounds the heart. This sac consists of two thin layers. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid between them. The fluid reduces friction between the two layers as they rub against each other during each heartbeat.
Pericardial Effusion
A pericardial effusion is excess fluid between the heart and the sac surrounding the heart, known as the pericardium.
Rhin
Nose
Rhinitis
when a reaction occurs that causes nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Most types of rhinitis are caused by an inflammation and are associated with symptoms in the eyes, ears, or throat.
Rhinophyma
A disfiguring nasal deformity due to the proliferation of sebaceous glands and underlying connective tissue. The name itself is broken down into “rhis,” derived from Greek meaning nose, and “phyma,” also Greek, for skin tumor.
Sub-
Below (in terms of physical location)
Subcutaneous
Means under the skin
Sublingual Administration
Means ‘under the tongue”, refers to the pharmacological route of administration by which substances diffuse into the blood through tissues under the tongue.
Prefix
Meaning or pertaining to
Application in a Word
Ab-
Away from
Abnormal, aberrant
Ad-
Toward
Adduction, adhesion
Acro- or Acr-
Extremities
Acrophobia
Cardio- or Cardi-
Heart
Cardiac, cardio myelitis
Cephal-
Head
Cephalic, cephalgia
Cervi-
Neck, or neck of an organ
Cervix
Cyto- or Cyt-
Cell
Cytology
Dermat/o or derm-
Skin
Dermis
En- endo-
inside
Encephalitis, endoderm
Ex- exo- or ecto-
outside
Exoskeleton, ectoplasm
Fore-
In front
Forehead, forearm
Gastro- or gastr-
stomach
gastric
Gingiv/o-
gum
gingivitis
Gloss/o-
tongue
glossitis
Hema- or hemo-
blood
Haemophilia, haemorrhage
Hepati-
liver
Hepatitis, hepatic
Inter-
between
Intercostal, interferon
Kerato-
cornea
Keratitis, keratoconus
Juxta-
Near or close
Juxtaspinal, juxtavesicular
Labia-
Lips (of mouth or vulva)
Labial
Media-
Middle (or nearest the centre of the body)
Medial, mediastinum
Stomat/o-
mouth
Stomatisis
Naso-
nose
Nasopharynx, nasogastric
Neuro-
nerves
Neurotoxin, neuropathy
Ocul-
Eye
oculist
Odont-
tooth
odontiod
Oo-
Related to the female gamete (egg)
Oocyte, oophorectomy
Opthal-
Eye
Opthalmology
Oto-
Ear
Otology, otoscope
Peri
Around or about
Periaortic, pericardial
Rhin
Nose
Rhinitis, rhinophyma
Sub-
Below (in terms of physical location)
Subcutaneous, sublingual
Supra-
Prefix
Meaning or pertaining to
Application in a Word
Ab-
Away from
Abnormal, aberrant
Ad-
Toward
Adduction, adhesion
Acro- or Acr-
Extremities
Acrophobia
Cardio- or Cardi-
Heart
Cardiac, cardio myelitis
Cephal-
Head
Cephalic, cephalgia
Cervi-
Neck, or neck of an organ
Cervix
Cyto- or Cyt-
Cell
Cytology
Dermat/o or derm-
Skin
Dermis
En- endo-
inside
Encephalitis, endoderm
Ex- exo- or ecto-
outside
Exoskeleton, ectoplasm
Fore-
In front
Forehead, forearm
Gastro- or gastr-
stomach
gastric
Gingiv/o-
gum
gingivitis
Gloss/o-
tongue
glossitis
Hema- or hemo-
blood
Haemophilia, haemorrhage
Hepati-
liver
Hepatitis, hepatic
Inter-
between
Intercostal, interferon
Kerato-
cornea
Keratitis, keratoconus
Juxta-
Near or close
Juxtaspinal, juxtavesicular
Labia-
Lips (of mouth or vulva)
Labial
Media-
Middle (or nearest the centre of the body)
Medial, mediastinum
Stomat/o-
mouth
Stomatisis
Naso-
nose
Nasopharynx, nasogastric
Neuro-
nerves
Neurotoxin, neuropathy
Ocul-
Eye
oculist
Odont-
tooth
odontiod
Oo-
Related to the female gamete (egg)
Oocyte, oophorectomy
Opthal-
Eye
Opthalmology
Oto-
Ear
Otology, otoscope
Peri
Around or about
Periaortic, pericardial
Rhin
Nose
Rhinitis, rhinophyma
Sub-
Below (in terms of physical location)
Subcutaneous, sublingual
Supra-
Supra
Above
Supraglottal
The supraglottis is the part of the larynx above the true vocal cords. The supraglottis itself can be broken down into 4 regions.
The epiglottis (either above or below the hyoid bone): The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage in the throat that prevents food from entering the trachea, or windpipe. This flap closes during swallowing, forcing food down the esophagus and into the stomach.
The aryepiglottic folds: The aryepiglottic folds are folds in the lining (mucosa) of the larynx that connect the epiglottis and the arytenoids at the entrance of the airway.
The arytenoids: The arytenoids are a pair of pyramid-shaped pieces of cartilage that form part of the larynx. They help form a joint that allows the vocal cords to move, and are therefore involved in speech.
The false vocal cords: The false vocal cords are thick folds of mucous membrane just above the true vocal cords. They function as an added layer of protection for the vocal cords and the airway while swallowing.
suprarenal
Adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys.
Tempor
Relating to the temple areas of the head
Temporomandibular
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the 2 joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. More specifically, they are the joints that slide and rotate in front of each ear, and consist of the mandible (the lower jaw) and the temporal bone (the side and base of the skull).
Temporal
Pertaining to the temple region of the head. The temporal lobe of the brain is located beneath the temple.
Thora-
Chest area
Thoracic
What is the thoracic area?
The thoracic spine is located in the upper and middle part of the back. Twelve vertebrae are located in the thoracic spine and are numbered T-1 to T-12. Each number corresponds with the nerves in that section of the spinal cord: T-1 through T-5 nerves affect muscles, upper chest, mid-back and abdominal muscles.
Thoracentesis
A procedure that is performed to remove fluid or air from the thoracic cavity for both diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. [1][2] Thoracentesis is also known as thoracocentesis, pleural tap, needle thoracostomy, or needle decompression.
Tracheo-
Relating to the trachea (windpipe)
Tracheostomy
A procedure to help air and oxygen reach the lungs by creating an opening into the trachea (windpipe) from outside the neck. A person with a tracheostomy breathes through a tracheostomy tube inserted in the opening.
Ure/i- or urethr-
Relating to the urine and the urinary tract (from the constituent of urine, urea).
Urethritis
When the tube that carries pee from the bladder out of the body (urethra) becomes swollen and sore. It’s often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Urinary
Your urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urinary system removes waste from the body through urine.
Ureter
The ureters are bilateral thin (3 to 4 mm) tubular structures that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder, transporting urine from the renal pelvis into the bladder. The muscular layers are responsible for the peristaltic activity that the ureter uses to move the urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
-al or -ar
Pertaining to.
Renal - Relating to the kidneys
Lingual
Relating to, near, or on the side towards the tongue.
Relating to speech or language.
Lumbar
The lower back comprises the lumbar spine, which is formed by vertebral bones, intervertebral discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and blood vessels.
-Able or -ible
Is capable of.
Flexible - capable of bending easily without breaking.
-cyte
Pertaining to cells
Lymphocyte - a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. There are three main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The B cells produce antibodies that are used to attack invading bacteria, viruses, and toxins. The T cells destroy the body’s own cells that have themselves been taken over by viruses or become cancerous.
-derma
Of the skin
Leukoderma
Also called achromoderma, is a clinical sign describing a localised area of white depigmented skin due to total loss of epidermal melanin. It is not a diagnosis in itself and has many causes. Leukoderma must be distinguished from hypopigmentation, which is pallor due to reduced pigmentation.
-ic
Pertaining to
Hypodermic - relating to the region immediately beneath the skin.
-megaly
Oversized, larger than normal
Cephalomegaly - enlargement of the head; enlarged head; too large of a head.
Acromegaly
A rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly. Over time, this leads to abnormally large hands and feet, and a wide range of other symptoms.
-itis
Inflammation of
Gastritis - inflammation (irritation) of the stomach lining
Periocarditis
Swelling and irritation of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart (pericardium).
-oid
Resembling or like
Lipoid - relating to or resembling fat.
Ovoid
The meaning of OVOID is resembling an egg in shape
-oma
Tumour
Melanoma -
Carcinoma
Cancer that forms in epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue lines most of your organs, the internal passageways in your body (like your esophagus), and your skin.
-osis Also –a or -y
Abnormal condition of
Cyanosis - medical term for when your skin, lips or nails turn blue due to a lack of oxygen in your blood.
-stasis
State or condition of equilibrium, can also refer to a slowed or stopped flow of fluid.
Homeostasis - any self-regulating process by which an organism tends to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are best for its survival. If homeostasis is successful, life continues; if it’s unsuccessful, it results in a disaster or death of the organism.
Metastasis
The process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis
Venous stasis
If you have venous stasis, your veins can’t send the blood from your legs back to your heart. Blood pools in the lower legs and creates swelling, pressure and skin problems.
-static
In the condition or state of, stable
Homeostatic - the regulation of body temperature, and the balance between acidity and alkalinity. It is a process that maintains the stability of the organism’s internal environment in response to fluctuations in external environmental conditions.
-trophy
Pertaining to cells, tissue or organs their state or development
Dystrophy - Dystrophy is defined as the process and consequences of hereditary progressive affections of specific cells in one or more tissues that initially show a normal function. Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.
Atrophy
The meaning of ATROPHY is decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
Hypertrophy
An increase and growth of muscle cells
