Match These Prefixes Suffixes And Roots To Their Meanings. Anatomy

Anatomy, the study of the structure of living organisms, relies heavily on precise terminology. Understanding the prefixes, suffixes, and roots that form anatomical terms is crucial for comprehending the language of anatomy and mastering the subject. This article will delve into the common prefixes, suffixes, and roots used in anatomical nomenclature, equipping you with the tools to decipher the meaning of complex anatomical terms.

Common Prefixes in Anatomy

Prefixes are word elements added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning. In anatomy, prefixes often indicate location, direction, quantity, or relationship.

• a-, an-: These prefixes mean "without" or "absence of."

  • Example: Avascular (without blood vessels), Anemia (deficiency of red blood cells).

• ab-: This prefix means "away from."

  • Example: Abduction (movement away from the midline of the body).

• ad-: This prefix means "toward" or "near."

  • Example: Adduction (movement toward the midline of the body), Adrenal gland (located near the kidney).

• ambi-: This prefix means "both" or "around."

  • Example: Ambidextrous (able to use both hands equally well).

• ana-: This prefix means "up," "back," or "again." It can also mean "apart" or "throughout."

  • Example: Anabolism (building up complex molecules from simpler ones), Anatomy (cutting apart).

• ante-: This prefix means "before" or "in front."

  • Example: Antebrachium (forearm, located in front of the brachium or upper arm).

• anti-, contra-: These prefixes mean "against" or "opposed."

  • Example: Antidiuretic (opposing diuresis or urine production), Contralateral (on the opposite side of the body).

• circum-, peri-: These prefixes mean "around" or "surrounding."

  • Example: Circumduction (circular movement of a limb), Pericardium (membrane surrounding the heart).

• co-, con-, sym-, syn-: These prefixes mean "together" or "with."

  • Example: Cooperate (work together), Congenital (present at birth, existing with one from birth), Symphysis (a joint where bones are joined together), Synergy (working together).

• de-: This prefix means "down," "away," or "reversal."

  • Example: Dehydration (removal of water).

• dia-, trans-: These prefixes mean "through," "across," or "apart."

  • Example: Diaphragm (muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities), Transverse (extending across).

• dis-: This prefix means "apart" or "away from." It can also indicate negation.

  • Example: Dissection (cutting apart), Dislocation (displacement of a bone from its joint).

• ecto-, exo-, extra-: These prefixes mean "outside," "outer," or "external."

  • Example: Ectoderm (outer layer of embryonic tissue), Exocrine (secreting externally), Extracellular (outside the cell).

• endo-, ento-, intra-: These prefixes mean "inside," "inner," or "internal."

  • Example: Endocrine (secreting internally), Entoderm (inner layer of embryonic tissue), Intracellular (inside the cell).

• epi-: This prefix means "upon," "over," or "above."

  • Example: Epidermis (outer layer of skin, located above the dermis).

• ex-: This prefix means "out," "away from," or "completely."

  • Example: Excision (surgical removal).

• hemi-, semi-: These prefixes mean "half."

  • Example: Hemisphere (half of a sphere), Semicircular (half of a circle).

• hyper-: This prefix means "above," "excessive," or "more than normal."

  • Example: Hypertension (high blood pressure), Hypertrophy (increase in size of a tissue or organ).

• hypo-, infra-, sub-: These prefixes mean "below," "under," or "less than normal."

  • Example: Hypotension (low blood pressure), Infraorbital (below the orbit of the eye), Subcutaneous (below the skin).

• inter-: This prefix means "between."

  • Example: Intercostal (between the ribs).

• meta-: This prefix means "after," "beyond," or "change."

  • Example: Metacarpals (bones beyond the carpals or wrist bones), Metabolism (the sum of all chemical processes in the body).

• oligo-: This prefix means "few" or "scanty."

  • Example: Oliguria (scanty urine production).

• ortho-: This prefix means "straight," "correct," or "normal."

  • Example: Orthopedics (branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities of bones or muscles).

• para-: This prefix means "beside," "near," or "abnormal."

  • Example: Parathyroid (located near the thyroid gland), Paralysis (abnormal loss of muscle function).

• per-: This prefix means "through" or "excessive."

  • Example: Percutaneous (through the skin), Peracute (excessively acute).

• poly-, multi-: These prefixes mean "many" or "much."

  • Example: Polyuria (excessive urine production), Multinucleated (having many nuclei).

• post-: This prefix means "after" or "behind."

  • Example: Postnatal (after birth), Posterior (located behind).

• pre-, pro-: These prefixes mean "before" or "in front of."

  • Example: Prenatal (before birth), Prognosis (forecast of the likely course of a disease).

• re-: This prefix means "again" or "back."

  • Example: Reabsorption (absorbing again).

• retro-: This prefix means "behind" or "backward."

  • Example: Retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum).

• super-, supra-: These prefixes mean "above," "superior," or "excessive."

  • Example: Superficial (located near the surface), Supraorbital (above the orbit of the eye).

• uni-, mono-: These prefixes mean "one" or "single."

  • Example: Unilateral (affecting one side), Mononucleated (having one nucleus).

Common Suffixes in Anatomy

Suffixes are word elements added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning. In anatomy, suffixes often indicate a condition, process, structure, or relationship.

• -algia: This suffix means "pain."

  • Example: Neuralgia (nerve pain), Myalgia (muscle pain).

• -blast: This suffix means "immature cell" or "precursor."

  • Example: Osteoblast (immature bone-forming cell), Fibroblast (immature fiber-forming cell).

• -cele: This suffix means "hernia" or "swelling."

  • Example: Cystocele (hernia of the bladder).

• -centesis: This suffix means "surgical puncture to remove fluid."

  • Example: Thoracentesis (surgical puncture of the chest to remove fluid).

• -clast: This suffix means "to break" or "destroy."

  • Example: Osteoclast (cell that breaks down bone).

• -cyte: This suffix means "cell."

  • Example: Osteocyte (bone cell), Erythrocyte (red blood cell).

• -ectomy: This suffix means "surgical removal."

  • Example: Appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix).

• -emia: This suffix means "condition of blood."

  • Example: Anemia (deficiency of red blood cells in the blood), Leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming tissues).

• -genesis: This suffix means "origin" or "production."

  • Example: Osteogenesis (bone formation).

• -gram: This suffix means "record" or "picture."

  • Example: Electrocardiogram (ECG, a record of the electrical activity of the heart).

• -graph: This suffix means "instrument for recording."

  • Example: Electrocardiograph (instrument for recording the electrical activity of the heart).

• -graphy: This suffix means "process of recording."

  • Example: Electrocardiography (the process of recording the electrical activity of the heart).

• -itis: This suffix means "inflammation."

  • Example: Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), Arthritis (inflammation of the joints).

• -logy: This suffix means "study of."

  • Example: Biology (study of life), Physiology (study of the function of living organisms).

• -lysis: This suffix means "destruction," "breakdown," or "separation."

  • Example: Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells).

• -malacia: This suffix means "softening."

  • Example: Osteomalacia (softening of the bones).

• -megaly: This suffix means "enlargement."

  • Example: Cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart), Hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver).

• -oma: This suffix means "tumor."

  • Example: Osteoma (bone tumor), Carcinoma (cancerous tumor).

• -osis: This suffix means "condition" or "process." It can also indicate a disease.

  • Example: Osteoporosis (condition of porous bones), Fibrosis (the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue).

• -ostomy: This suffix means "surgical creation of an opening."

  • Example: Colostomy (surgical creation of an opening in the colon).

• -otomy: This suffix means "surgical incision."

  • Example: Tracheotomy (surgical incision of the trachea).

• -pathy: This suffix means "disease."

  • Example: Neuropathy (disease of the nerves), Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle).

• -penia: This suffix means "deficiency" or "reduction."

  • Example: Leukopenia (deficiency of white blood cells).

• -plasty: This suffix means "surgical repair."

  • Example: Rhinoplasty (surgical repair of the nose).

• -plegia: This suffix means "paralysis."

  • Example: Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body), Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).

• -rrhea: This suffix means "discharge" or "flow."

  • Example: Rhinorrhea (nasal discharge), Diarrhea (frequent discharge of liquid feces).

• -sclerosis: This suffix means "hardening."

  • Example: Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), Multiple sclerosis (disease characterized by hardening of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers).

• -scope: This suffix means "instrument for viewing."

  • Example: Endoscope (instrument for viewing the inside of the body).

• -scopy: This suffix means "process of viewing with an instrument."

  • Example: Endoscopy (the process of viewing the inside of the body with an endoscope).

• -stasis: This suffix means "stopping" or "controlling."

  • Example: Hemostasis (stopping of blood flow).

• -trophy: This suffix means "nourishment" or "development."

  • Example: Hypertrophy (increase in size of a tissue or organ), Atrophy (decrease in size of a tissue or organ).

Common Roots in Anatomy

Roots are the core of a word, providing the fundamental meaning. In anatomy, roots often refer to specific body parts, tissues, or functions.

• aden/o: gland

  • Example: Adenoma (tumor of a gland), Adenitis (inflammation of a gland).

• angi/o: vessel (usually blood vessel)

  • Example: Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), Angiogram (X-ray of blood vessels).

• arthr/o: joint

  • Example: Arthritis (inflammation of the joints), Arthroplasty (surgical repair of a joint).

• cardi/o: heart

  • Example: Cardiology (study of the heart), Cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart).

• cephal/o: head

  • Example: Cephalic (pertaining to the head), Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

• cerebr/o: cerebrum (the main part of the brain)

  • Example: Cerebral (pertaining to the cerebrum), Cerebrospinal fluid (fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

• chole/o: bile, gall

  • Example: Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), Cholelithiasis (presence of gallstones).

• chondr/o: cartilage

  • Example: Chondrocyte (cartilage cell), Chondritis (inflammation of cartilage).

• col/o, colon/o: colon (large intestine)

  • Example: Colitis (inflammation of the colon), Colonoscopy (examination of the colon with a scope).

• cyst/o: bladder, sac

  • Example: Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), Cystoscope (instrument for viewing the inside of the bladder).

• derm/o, dermat/o: skin

  • Example: Dermatology (study of the skin), Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).

• enter/o: intestine (usually small intestine)

  • Example: Enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), Enterectomy (surgical removal of part of the intestine).

• gastr/o: stomach

  • Example: Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), Gastrectomy (surgical removal of part of the stomach).

• gloss/o: tongue

  • Example: Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), Hypoglossal (underneath the tongue).

• hem/o, hemat/o: blood

  • Example: Hematology (study of blood), Hematoma (collection of blood outside of a blood vessel).

• hepat/o: liver

  • Example: Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), Hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver).

• hyster/o: uterus

  • Example: Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), Hysterosalpingogram (X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes).

• laryng/o: larynx (voice box)

  • Example: Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), Laryngoscopy (examination of the larynx with a scope).

• my/o: muscle

  • Example: Myalgia (muscle pain), Myositis (inflammation of muscle).

• nephr/o, ren/o: kidney

  • Example: Nephritis (inflammation of the kidney), Renal (pertaining to the kidney).

• neur/o: nerve

  • Example: Neurology (study of the nervous system), Neuralgia (nerve pain).

• ophthalm/o: eye

  • Example: Ophthalmology (study of the eye), Ophthalmoscope (instrument for examining the eye).

• oste/o: bone

  • Example: Osteoporosis (condition of porous bones), Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease).

• ot/o: ear

  • Example: Otitis (inflammation of the ear), Otolaryngology (study of the ear, nose, and throat).

• path/o: disease

  • Example: Pathology (study of disease), Pathogen (disease-causing organism).

• pneum/o, pulmon/o: lung

  • Example: Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), Pulmonary (pertaining to the lungs).

• rhin/o: nose

  • Example: Rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), Rhinoplasty (surgical repair of the nose).

• sarc/o: flesh, connective tissue

  • Example: Sarcoma (tumor of connective tissue), Sarcoplasm (cytoplasm of a muscle cell).

• splen/o: spleen

  • Example: Splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen).

• thorac/o: chest

  • Example: Thoracic (pertaining to the chest), Thoracentesis (surgical puncture of the chest to remove fluid).

Putting It All Together: Examples of Anatomical Terms

Now, let's see how these prefixes, suffixes, and roots combine to form anatomical terms:

• Subcutaneous: Sub- (below) + cutane- (skin) + -ous (pertaining to) = pertaining to below the skin.
• Hypertension: Hyper- (above, excessive) + tens- (pressure) + -ion (condition) = condition of high blood pressure.
• Arthritis: Arthr- (joint) + -itis (inflammation) = inflammation of the joints.
• Hepatomegaly: Hepat/o- (liver) + -megaly (enlargement) = enlargement of the liver.
• Electrocardiogram: Electro- (electricity) + cardio- (heart) + -gram (record) = a record of the electrical activity of the heart.

Tips for Learning Anatomical Terminology

• Break down the words: When encountering a new term, dissect it into its component parts (prefix, suffix, and root) and try to determine the meaning of each part.
• Use flashcards: Create flashcards with the prefix, suffix, or root on one side and its meaning on the other.
• Practice regularly: The more you use anatomical terms, the more familiar you will become with them.
• Relate terms to anatomy: Visualize the structures and processes being described by the terms.
• Use mnemonics: Create memory aids to help you remember the meanings of prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
• Consult a medical dictionary: Keep a medical dictionary handy for reference.
• Online Resources: Utilize online resources such as medical terminology websites, apps, and interactive exercises. These platforms often provide quizzes, games, and visual aids to enhance your learning experience.

Conclusion

Mastering anatomical terminology is fundamental to understanding the structure and function of the human body. By learning the common prefixes, suffixes, and roots used in anatomical nomenclature, you can unlock the meaning of complex anatomical terms and enhance your comprehension of anatomy. Consistent practice and application of these principles will pave the way for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate world of anatomy. Understanding anatomical terminology empowers healthcare professionals, students, and anyone interested in the human body to communicate effectively and accurately about anatomical structures and functions.