Root word meaning Flashcards
memory
abdomin/o
Abdominal (pertaining to the abdomen).
anter/o
Anterior (toward the front of the body).
cardi/o
Heart - Example: Cardiologist (a doctor specializing in heart diseases).
brachi/o
Brachial (pertaining to the arm).
caud/o
Tail - Example: Caudal (toward the tail or posterior part of the body).
cephal/o
Head - Example: Cephalic (pertaining to the head).
chondr/i
Cartilage - Example: Chondritis (inflammation of cartilage).
cervic/o
Neck - Example: Cervical (pertaining to the neck or the cervix).
cran/o, crani/o
Skull - Example: Craniotomy (a surgical operation on the skull).
inguin/o
Inguinal” refers to the groin area. An “inguinal hernia” is when tissue, like part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles in the groin.
infer/o
means “to bring in” or “to carry in.” In modern usage, it means to draw a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning
ili/o
Ilium (part of the pelvic bone) - Example: Iliac (pertaining to the ilium).
glute/o
Buttock - Example: Gluteal (pertaining to the buttocks).
hom/o, home/o
Same - Example: Homeostasis (the body’s state of internal balance).
gastr/o
Stomach - Example: Gastric (pertaining to the stomach).
femor/o
Femur (thigh bone) - Example: Femoral (pertaining to the thigh or femur).
dors/o
Back - Example: Dorsal (toward the back of the body).
dist/o
Far, distant - Example: Distal (away from the point of attachment or center of the body).
cyt/o
Cell - Example: Cytology (the study of cells).
super/o
above” or “upper– “superior,” which means higher or above.
Distal
dist/al
a position farther from the point of attachment or from the trunk of the body.
Example: The fingers are distal to the elbow.
chron/o
Chronic condition, which means a condition that persists over a long period of time.
path/o
Refers to disease.
Example: Pathology, the study of diseases.
Proximal
proxim/al
position closer to the point of attachment or to the trunk of the body.
Example: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Deep
a position away from the surface, further into the body.
Example: The bones are deep to the skin.
Superficial
super/ficial
a position close to or on the surface of the body.
Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles.
Lateral
later/al
a position away from the midline of the body.
Example: The ears are lateral to the eyes.
Medial
medi/al
Refers to a position toward the midline of the body.
Example: The nose is medial to the eyes.
Inferior
position below or lower than another part of the body.
Superior
super/ior
position above or higher than another part of the body.
Example: The head is superior to the chest.
