Chapter 5 Medical Terminology Flashcards
Word Root
The main part of a term that contains the primary meaning
Prefix
Part of a term that appears before a word root, changing the meaning of the term
Suffix
The part of a term that comes after the root word, at the end of the term
Combining Vowels
The vowel used to combine two word roots or a word root and a suffix
Superior
Above a body part or nearer to the head
Lateral
Parts of the body that lie farther from the midline; also called outer structures
Medial
Parts of the body that lie closer to the midline; also called inner structures
Proximal
Closer to the trunk
Distal
Further from the trunk or nearer to the free end of the extremity
Superficial
Closer to or on the skin
Deep
Farther inside the body and away from the skin
Ventral
The anterior surface of the body
Dorsal
The posterior surface of the body, including the back of the hand
Anterior
The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position
Posterior
The back surface of the body; the side away from you in the standard anatomic position
Palmar
The forward facing part of the hand in the anatomic position
Plantar
The bottom surface of the foot
Apex (plural apices)
The pointed extremity of a conical structure
Flexion
The bending of a joint
Extensionx
The bending of a joint
Adduction
Motion of a limb toward the midline
Abduction
Motion of the limb away from the midline
Bilateral
A body part of condition that appears on both sides of the midline
Prone
Lying face down
