assignment 2.1 word structure of medical terminology

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1.1 Introduction to Identifying Word Parts

Learning objectives.

• Apply the basic rules for analyzing and building medical terms
• Identify four components of medical terms
• Define  common prefixes, word roots, and suffixes
• Pronounce medical terms
• Apply the rules of medical language
• Identify meanings of key word components

Have you ever visited a health care professional and heard long, unfamiliar medical terms used to describe your condition? Many people feel as if medical professionals use a different language when talking about medical issues that can be difficult to understand. A medical term describes a word or condition that under normal circumstances would take several words to describe. Medical terminology facilitates effective and efficient communication by health care professionals by conveying a great quantity of information with precision in the fewest number of words.

This chapter will describe the components of medical terms, including common prefixes, word roots, and suffixes. By understanding the meaning of common components included in a medical term, you can easily construct the meaning of the term based on the meanings of its components. Specific medical terms related to body systems will be further discussed in the remaining chapters of this book.

Medical Terminology - 2e Copyright © by Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN). All Rights Reserved.

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1.2: Medical Language Related to the Body as a Whole

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• Page ID 64951

• Stacey Grimm, Coleen Allee, Elaine Strachota, Laurie Zielinski, Traci Gotz, Micheal Randolph, and Heidi Belitz
• Nicolet College via Wisconsin Technical College System

Learning Objectives

• Use the anatomic reference system to identify the anatomic position of the body
• Use the anatomic reference system to identify the body planes
• Use the anatomic reference system to identify the body cavities
• Use the anatomic reference system to identify the directional terms
• Use the anatomic reference system to identify the divisions of the body
• Describe the structural organization of the body
• Apply the rules of medical language
• Identify meanings of key word components

As you memorize the language components of medical terminology it is important to support that learning within the context of anatomy and physiology. Proceeding through the body system chapters you will learn word parts, whole medical terms, and common abbreviations. It is important to put into context where in the body the medical term is referencing, and then consider how it works within the body.

Anatomy focuses on structure and physiology focuses on function. Much of the study of physiology centers on the body’s tendency toward homeostasis .

Consider the structures of the body in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, and biosphere (Figure 2.1).

The Levels of Organization

All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements , familiar examples are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron.

• Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron, and neutron.
• Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.
• Even bacteria, which are extremely small, independently-living organisms, have a cellular structure. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells
• A human cell typically consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm, a water-based cellular fluid, together with a variety of tiny functioning units called organelles . In humans, as in all organisms, cells perform all functions of life.
• A tissue is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function.
• An organ is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each organ performs one or more specific physiological functions.

An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet the physiological needs of the body .

Did you know?

• Organs are very collaborative and work with multiple body systems.
• F or example, the heart (cardiovascular system) and lungs (respiratory system) work together to deliver oxygen throughout the body and remove carbon dioxide from the body.

Consider the breakdown into eleven distinct organ systems in the human body (Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3). Assigning organs to organ systems can be imprecise since organs that “belong” to one system can also have functions integral to another system. In fact, most organs contribute to more than one system.

The organism level is the highest level of organization. An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multicellular organisms, including humans, all cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.

Watch this video:

A YouTube element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: https://pb.libretexts.org/med/?p=37

Media 2.1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Crash Course A&P #1 [Online video]. Copyright 2015 by CrashCourse.

Terminology is used for the purpose of precision and reduction of medical error.

Anatomical Position

Health care providers use terminology for the purpose of precision and to reduce medical errors. For example, is a scar “above the wrist” located on the forearm two or three inches away from the hand? Or is it at the base of the hand? Is it on the palm-side or back-side? By using precise anatomical terminology, we eliminate ambiguity. Anatomical terms derive from ancient Greek and Latin words.

To further increase precision, anatomists standardize the way in which they view the body. Just as maps are normally oriented with north at the top, the standard body “map,” or anatomical position, is that of the body standing upright, with the feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward as illustrated.

Using this standard position reduces confusion. It does not matter how the body being described is oriented, the terms are used as if it is in anatomical position. For example, a scar in the “anterior (front) carpal (wrist) region” would be present on the palm side of the wrist. The term “anterior” would be used even if the hand were palm down on a table.

A body that is lying down is described as either prone or supine. These terms are sometimes used in describing the position of the body during specific physical examinations or surgical procedures.

Regional Terms

The human body’s numerous regions have specific terms to help increase precision. Notice that the term “brachium” or “arm” is reserved for the “upper arm” and “antebrachium” or “forearm” is used rather than “lower arm.” Similarly, “femur” or “thigh” is correct, and “leg” or “crus” is reserved for the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle. You will be able to describe the body’s regions using the terms from the anatomical position.

Directional Terms

Directional terms are essential for describing the relative locations of different body structures. For instance, an anatomist might describe one band of tissue as “inferior to” another or a physician might describe a tumor as “superficial to” a deeper body structure. Commit these terms to memory to avoid confusion when you are studying or describing the locations of particular body parts.

• Anterior (or ventral ) describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.
• Posterior (or dorsal ) describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.
• Superior (or cranial ) describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.
• Inferior (or caudal ) describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
• Lateral describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.
• Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.
• Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.
• Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.
• Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.
• Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.

Practice these directional terms.

Query \(\pageindex{1}\), concept check.

• Find a partner and take turns choosing two body parts on your or your partner’s body.
• Using directional terms, describe the location of those body parts relative to one another.

Body Planes

A section is a two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional structure that has been cut. Modern medical imaging devices enable clinicians to obtain “virtual sections” of living bodies. We call these scans. Body sections and scans can be correctly interpreted, however, only if the viewer understands the plane along which the section was made. A plane is an imaginary two-dimensional surface that passes through the body. There are three planes commonly referred to in anatomy and medicine:

• The sagittal plane is the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane. If it divides the body into unequal right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or less commonly a longitudinal section.
• The frontal plane is the plane that divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane. (“Corona” is Latin for “crown.”)
• The transverse plane is the plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections.

Can you locate the planes?

Query \(\pageindex{2}\), body cavities and serous membranes.

The body maintains its internal organization by means of membranes, sheaths, and other structures that separate compartments. The dorsal (posterior) cavity and the ventral (anterior) cavity are the largest body compartments (Figure 2.6). These cavities contain and protect delicate internal organs, and the ventral cavity allows for significant changes in the size and shape of the organs as they perform their functions. The lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines, for example, can expand and contract without distorting other tissues or disrupting the activity of nearby organs.

Subdivisions of the Posterior (Dorsal) and Anterior (Ventral) Cavities

The posterior (dorsal) and anterior (ventral) cavities are each subdivided into smaller cavities:

The posterior (dorsal) cavity has two main subdivisions:

• Protected by the bones of the skulls and cerebrospinal fluid
• Protected by the vertebral column and cerebrospinal fluid

The anterior (ventral) cavity has two main subdivisions:

• The thoracic cavity contains the lungs and the heart, which is located in the mediastinum.
• The diaphragm forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and separates it from the more inferior abdominopelvic cavity.
• No membrane physically divides the abdominopelvic cavity.
• The abdominal cavity houses the digestive organs, the pelvic cavity, and the reproductive organs.

Practice locating cavities.

Query \(\pageindex{3}\), abdominal regions and quadrants.

To promote clear communication, for instance about the location of a patient’s abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, health care providers typically divide up the cavity into either nine regions or four quadrants.

Practice locating the quadrants.

Query \(\pageindex{4}\), tissue membranes.

A tissue membrane is a thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body (for example, skin), the organs (for example, pericardium), internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body (for example, abdominal mesenteries), and the lining of the movable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes: connective tissue and epithelial membranes (Figure 2.7).

Synovial membranes line cavities which hold synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid lubricates the joints for movement.

Connective Tissue Membranes

• These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints.
• For example, synovial membranes surround the joints of the shoulder, elbow, and knee.

Epithelial Membranes

• For example, your skin.
• Sometimes called mucosa, these epithelial membranes line the body cavities and hollow passageways that open to the external environment, and include the digestive, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive tracts.
• Mucus, produced by the epithelial exocrine glands, covers the epithelial layer.
• The underlying connective tissue, called the lamina propria (literally “own layer”), help support the fragile epithelial layer.
• It is a stratified squamous epithelial membrane resting on top of connective tissue. The apical surface of this membrane is exposed to the external environment and is covered with dead, keratinized cells that help protect the body from desiccation and pathogens.

Membranes of the Anterior (Ventral) Body Cavity

• Parietal layers: line the walls of the body cavity.
• Visceral layer: covers the organs (the viscera).
• Between the parietal and visceral layers is a very thin, fluid-filled serous space.

There are three serous cavities and their associated membranes. Serous membranes provide additional protection to the viscera they enclose by reducing friction that could lead to inflammation of the organs.

• Pleura : surrounds the lungs in the pleural cavity and reduces friction between the lungs and the body wall.
• Pericardium: surrounds the heart in the pericardial cavity and reduces friction between the heart and the wall of the pericardium.
• Peritoneum: surrounds several organs in the abdominopelvic cavity. The peritoneal cavity reduces friction between the abdominal and pelvic organs and the body wall.

Test Yourself

Query \(\pageindex{5}\).

[CrashCourse]. (2015, January 6). Introduction to anatomy & physiology: Crash course A&P #1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/uBGl2BujkPQ

Unless otherwise indicated, this chapter contains material adapted from Anatomy and Physiology (on OpenStax ), by Betts, et al. and is used under a a CC BY 4.0 international license . Download and access this book for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction .

Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions

(8 reviews)

Andrea M. Nelson, University of West Florida

Katherine Greene, University of West Florida

Copyright Year: 2021

Publisher: University of West Florida Pressbooks

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Wendy Schuh, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University Mankato on 2/8/24

This book is clearly laid out with 18 different chapters covering all of the body systems + obstetrics. There are interactive figures, flash cards, and end of chapter quizzes. Vocabulary words have a linked definition within the text. It would be... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is clearly laid out with 18 different chapters covering all of the body systems + obstetrics. There are interactive figures, flash cards, and end of chapter quizzes. Vocabulary words have a linked definition within the text. It would be an added benefit to include pronunciation, which is an important component of medical terminology. Videos have a captioning option.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

No concerns with accuracy.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

References are included with each chapter. Publication date is 2021, and most references are within the last five years. In addition, this content is mostly stable over the years. CrashCourse videos are a little older (2015) but many students are familiar with Hank Green in this format. Information is relevant and easy to process.

Clarity rating: 5

Clear chapter content, sections, and headings.

Consistency rating: 5

Consistent style of writing, activities, page layout, etc. throughout the book.

Modularity rating: 5

Chapters organized in a logical manner. Flashcards and interactive body part activities are wonderful tools, even better since they can be completed multiple times.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The structure of the textbook is sound and consistent with other medical terminology textbooks. A more thorough Table of Contents would allow for easier navigation. It has a good balance of technical and non-technical writing that makes it easy to read and comprehend.

Interface rating: 3

Appealing and interactive. I attempted to take advantage of the “re-use” option below each activity but could not figure it out. Search function does not work well. I tried searching phrases directly from the text, and it would not pull up. The labeling activities were difficult to complete as the drag and drop feature would not scroll. Therefore, it would be useful to have a correct answer option to see the completed figure. It would be helpful to have descriptions included with different e-book options that explain interactive functions with each format.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Very clean and proofed!

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Appeared to be culturally inclusive, although it is difficult to assess in this type of resource. No diverse representation of skin color on diagrams.

This is a great textbook that mimics other medical terminology textbooks costing $100+ that don’t have interactive components. There could be some great additions to more effectively use this for a course textbook, such as a question bank, study guides, and suggestions for worksheets and projects to incorporate points into a course framework.

Reviewed by Sharon Schaeffer, Associate Clinical Professor, Bowling Green State University on 4/16/23

Covers major body systems . read more

Covers major body systems .

I did not see any errors during my review.

Medical terminology is a pretty static topic. When students learn how to correctly combine forms, they will be ready to decipher new vocabulary that comes with progress in health care.

Easy to understand.

The depth of content is consistent.

I will allow students to choose their topic of the week after the first 3 chapters are complete. The module system will work well for this design. This design allows students taking A & P or similar courses the opportunity to learn med term at the same time as they are learning in other courses.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Well organized.

Interface rating: 5

I had no challenges linking to and using the added features.

No problems noted.

Inclusive content.

This book will help my students learn the basics of medical terminology as a foundation for building a strong professional vocabulary. I like the interactive activities in this book as it helps learners of different styles. It would be a bonus if there were quiz question banks available. It is not enough of a deal breaker to stop me from using this in my course next Spring semester.

Reviewed by Kristin Meyer, Professor, Drake University on 12/15/22

The text comprehensively covers medical terms in each body system, with a couple of introductory chapters. It covers the span of life with a dedicated obstetrics chapter, which I have not seen in other texts. read more

The text comprehensively covers medical terms in each body system, with a couple of introductory chapters. It covers the span of life with a dedicated obstetrics chapter, which I have not seen in other texts.

No inaccuracies identified.

Medical terminology does not easily or often change, but the text could be easily updated from time to time to include new disease states or terms.

No issues with clarity identified.

Each chapter has a consistent format with link to video overview and active learning activities interspersed throughout.

The organization by body system allows an instructor to assign the appropriate amount of content to correspond with course credit hours.

The online version is easy to navigate. The search function doesn't work as I would expect it to.

Interface rating: 4

The online version is easy to navigate. The pdf download has none of the interactive features. It would be nice if the pdf version could somehow include the active learning exercises in each chapter, with an answer key appendix.

No grammatical errors identified.

Does not appear to be culturally insensitive.

I could easily adopt this text for my web-instructed undergraduate medical terminology class. The interactive features are helpful to engage students. A summary quiz at the end of each chapter would be a nice added feature.

Reviewed by Nancy Bouchard, Adjunct Professor, North Shore Community College on 11/14/22

Very well done. read more

Very well done.

Very accurate and not biased.

If updates are needed, they could be added with ease.

Well written text.

Very consistent.

Very user friendly. Easy to read and assign chapters.

Very organized.

I did not encounter any issues.

None noticed.

Not insensitive or offensive.

My only concern is for the student who has no prior exposure to medical terminology, healthcare training or will not have a clinical role in healthcare. I would not want them to get overwhelmed by the depth of detail in each chapter. I would suggest a section in each chapter that contains exercises for students to test their understanding of the subject matter read, practice correctly writing the terms and the like. Visual learning is only one way for students to absorb content. I would have to create ways to test their understanding to be graded using quizzes, a research project, midterm and final exam. I'm on the fence if the content in the textbook is too deep for only needing a basic understanding of medical terms.

Reviewed by Martha Fabian-Krause, Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Rogue Community College on 9/1/22

Systematic flow of each body system to include root word, prefix, suffix, anatomy, physiology, video and practice in each section. Logical to follow. read more

Systematic flow of each body system to include root word, prefix, suffix, anatomy, physiology, video and practice in each section. Logical to follow.

No issues noted. Very accurate.

Timeless interpretation of terminology would make the on line text need updating only if new medical information becomes available.

Detailed explanations of terminology, anatomy and physiology with pertinent examples and word practice at the end of each body system.

Each section is consistent by acknowledging medical diseases, disorders, and procedures related to the root words. Good follow through in each body system.

This on line book can be assigned in a particular order relevant to other class material and does not need to be completed in any particular time frame. Pleasurable reading.

The format of each section (body system) is in a progressive fashion and is put together with a video near the beginning and word games at the end of each section. Good sequencing noted throughout.

Charts are easy to navigate. There is an identical format what is easy to assimilate.

None noted.

No diversive issues noted. Represents the full spectrum of human anatomy and physiology.

Marvelous understanding of the root words, prefix, suffix and detailed anatomy and physiology. The videos and word matches at the end of each section put the meaning crystal clear.

Reviewed by Carla Tobin, Faculty, Century College on 6/17/22

This textbook covers all of the body systems, the word parts and rules, and prefixes and suffixes. read more

This textbook covers all of the body systems, the word parts and rules, and prefixes and suffixes.

This book is very accurate. No discrepancies or errors were noted in the textbook.

Medical terminology is a subject that does not change over the years. As new diseases and technologies arise, they can easily be incorporated into the content.

The language used in the book is clear and pronunciations of the terminology is provided throughout the e-book. This is an easy to read book for high school or college level students.

The chapters are consistent in there format and organization throughout the textbook. It is easy to follow for the student.

The chapters are broken down into sections which make it easy to read. The videos are shown within the textbook, so the user is not taken to another site. One suggestion would be to have a link to the next chapter at the bottom of the page rather than scrolling up to the top to choose the next chapter from the left side menu.

The organization of this textbook is exactly what you would expect for a Medical Terminology textbook. It is divided into chapters by body system.

There are no apparent issues with the interface. As noted above, the videos are shown within the textbook window, so the user is not taken to another site.

I did not note any grammatical errors in this textbook.

Cultural sensitivity is not really relevant with medical terminology. This language is used in many countries in order to be able to communicate in the same language.

I agree that the best use of this book in the online internet version. This is a very comprehensive medical terminology book. It covers all of the body systems and word building of medical terminology. The chapters provide many opportunities to practice what the student has learned. I liked that each chapter has the learning objectives listed at the beginning. I would have liked to see chapter summaries for the students to study. I think that this book could easily be incorporated into an online class, however, some work would be involved making PowerPoints, homework and quizzes. Overall, this is an excellent Medical Terminology book.

Reviewed by Renee Eaton, Advanced Instructor, Undergraduate Director, Virginia Tech on 5/17/22

Systems-based organization and includes all body systems. read more

Systems-based organization and includes all body systems.

No errors or issues noted

Medical terminology is something that rarely changes. Context activities may change over time, as does disease prevalence and knowledge, but new terms or different terms are not common.

Clear descriptions and use of technical and non-technical language.

The organization is the same across each chapter making the book easy to access and navigate. Language and flow are consistent.

Text is easy to navigate. It may be helpful to provide some in-chapter navigation on the lower menu bar. For example, the previous and next chapters are linked on the left and right margins of the bottom, and chapter components such as diseases / anatomy / etc. could be added to the center. It may not all fit, but even having a couple of navigation points within the chapter would be helpful.

Good organization and order of chapters.

This is one of my greatest difficulties. Navigation within chapters would be helpful. The incorporation of activities, particularly the labeling activities and Medical Terms in Context, are difficult with a regular laptop screen. The text and answer selections are often not on the same screen, making the activity more tedious to complete. Some of the labeling activities also have large images that put the image and answer selections on different screens. The "Did You Know", "Objectives" and colored boxes contain wasted space. They're excessively large especially in the header, and when viewing on a laptop is often half the screen if not more. The PDF version often has issues of inconsistent font size and misalignment of tables.

No grammatical errors found. I appreciated the bold and linked words, with the ability to see definitions with one click. It might be helpful to have a sidebar with the important words and definitions / information in the section, but that might not be feasible with formatting.

Hard to assess for medical terminology.

The best way to use this text is online with solid internet. The PDF version is frustrating as there are no activities or practice opportunities, and there are issues with the organization and appearance such as misaligned tables and font size differences. When internet is good but not great, none of the videos are viewable. The activities and practice opportunities in the online book are very helpful and enjoyable. Their length is appropriate to encourage use and they are strategically placed throughout the chapters. I did have trouble with the search tool, as things I entered went to the glossary but always included the beginning of the glossary. For example, a search for "diplopia" showed the following:

Abdominal Pertaining to the abdomen (National Cancer Institute, n.d.) Abdominoplasty Surgical repair of the abdomen (National Library of Medicine, 2021) Abduction Moving the limb or hand laterally away from the body, or spreading the fingers or toes (Betts et al., 2013) Abductor Moves the bone away from the midline (Betts et al., 2013) Ablation The Read more » Sensory Systems

Learning Objectives Examine the anatomy of the sensory systems Determine the main functions of the sensory systems Differentiate the medical terms of the sensory systems and common abbreviations Discover the medical specialties associated with the sensory systems Recognize common diseases, disorders, and procedures related to the sensory systems Sensory Systems Word Parts Click on prefixes, Read more »

Overall, the authors did a wonderful job of developing a thorough and practical text. I appreciate the thought that went into the interactive nature of the book and the availability to exercises to practice knowledge.

Reviewed by Debra Minzola, Associate Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on 3/18/22

This textbook is very inclusive in the content area. It not only discusses the word but breaks down medical terminology to help learners to easily decipher the meaning of a medical term . read more

This textbook is very inclusive in the content area. It not only discusses the word but breaks down medical terminology to help learners to easily decipher the meaning of a medical term .

There was no inaccuracies detected throughout the text.

This text is very relevant and will easily be updated if needed.

This is an easy to read text and would be a valuable resource for new learners. The ebook offers videos and learning activities throughout.

The text is internally consistent with an easy to follow framework.

The modules in this text are easy to navigate and locate specialty sections.

This text is clearly organized and easy to navigate.

There is no significant navigation problems or confusing features.

There is clear grammar throughout the text.

There is no offensive content in this textbook or language that can be viewed as culturally insensitive.

Learning objectives are listed at the introduction of each section followed by a guide on how to break down each system's medical terms. Throughout each section there are diagrams, charts, and additional videos in the ebook which reinforces the content. The book is organized and easy to navigate.

Table of Contents

• 1. Word Parts and Rules
• 2. Prefixes and Suffixes
• 3. Body Terminology
• 4. Sensory Systems
• 5. Integumentary System
• 6. Skeletal System
• 7. Muscular System
• 8. Nervous System
• 9. Cardiovascular System
• 10. Blood Vessels and Blood
• 11. Lymphatic and Immune Systems
• 12. Respiratory System
• 13. Digestive System
• 14. Endocrine System
• 15. Urinary System
• 16. Male Reproductive System
• 17. Female Reproductive System
• 18. Obstetrics

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that focuses on breaking down, pronouncing, and learning the meaning of medical terms within the context of anatomy and physiology. This resource is targeted for Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences, and Pre-Professional students.

About the Contributors

Andrea M. Nelson , PT, DPT, GCS, CLT, University of West Florida

Katherine Greene , MPH, University of West Florida

Contribute to this Page

1.4 Anatomical Terminology

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Use appropriate anatomical terminology to identify key body structures, body regions, and directions in the body
• Demonstrate the anatomical position
• Describe the human body using directional and regional terms
• Identify three planes most commonly used in the study of anatomy
• Distinguish between major body cavities

Anatomists and health care providers use terminology that can be bewildering to the uninitiated; however, the purpose of this language is not to confuse, but rather to increase precision and reduce medical errors. For example, is a scar “above the wrist” located on the forearm two or three inches away from the hand? Or is it at the base of the hand? Is it on the palm-side or back-side? By using precise anatomical terminology, we eliminate ambiguity. For example, you might say a scar “on the anterior antebrachium 3 inches proximal to the carpus”. Anatomical terms are derived from ancient Greek and Latin words. Because these languages are no longer used in everyday conversation, the meaning of their words do not change.

Anatomical terms are made up of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The root of a term often refers to an organ, tissue, or condition, whereas the prefix or suffix often describes the root. For example, in the disorder hypertension, the prefix “hyper-” means “high” or “over,” and the root word “tension” refers to pressure, so the word “hypertension” refers to abnormally high blood pressure.

Anatomical Position

To further increase precision, anatomists standardize the way in which they view the body. Just as maps are normally oriented with north at the top, the standard body “map,” or anatomical position , is that of the body standing upright, with the feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward as illustrated in Figure 1.4.1 . Using this standard position reduces confusion. It does not matter how the body being described is oriented, the terms are used as if it is in anatomical position. For example, a scar in the “anterior (front) carpal (wrist) region” would be present on the palm side of the wrist. The term “anterior” would be used even if the hand were palm down on a table.

A body that is lying down is described as either prone or supine. Prone describes a face-down orientation, and supine describes a face up orientation. These terms are sometimes used in describing the position of the body during specific physical examinations or surgical procedures.

Regional Terms

The human body’s numerous regions have specific terms to help increase precision (see Figure 1.4.1 ). Notice that the term “brachium” or “arm” is reserved for the “upper arm” and “antebrachium” or “forearm” is used rather than “lower arm.” Similarly, “femur” or “thigh” is correct, and “leg” or “crus” is reserved for the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle. You will be able to describe the body’s regions using the terms from the figure.

Directional Terms

Certain directional anatomical terms appear throughout this and any other anatomy textbook ( Figure 1.4.2 ). These terms are essential for describing the relative locations of different body structures. For instance, an anatomist might describe one band of tissue as “inferior to” another or a physician might describe a tumor as “superficial to” a deeper body structure. Commit these terms to memory to avoid confusion when you are studying or describing the locations of particular body parts.

• Anterior (or ventral ) describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.
• Posterior (or dorsal ) describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.
• Superior (or cranial ) describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.
• Inferior (or caudal ) describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
• Lateral describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.
• Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.
• Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.
• Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.
• Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.
• Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.

Body Planes

A section is a two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional structure that has been cut. Modern medical imaging devices enable clinicians to obtain “virtual sections” of living bodies. We call these scans. Body sections and scans can be correctly interpreted, only if the viewer understands the plane along which the section was made. A plane is an imaginary, two-dimensional surface that passes through the body. There are three planes commonly referred to in anatomy and medicine, as illustrated in Figure 1.4.3 .

• The sagittal plane divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane. If it divides the body into unequal right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or less commonly a longitudinal section.
• The frontal plane divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane. (“Corona” is Latin for “crown.”)
• The transverse (or horizontal) plane divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections.

Body Cavities

The body maintains its internal organization by means of membranes, sheaths, and other structures that separate compartments. The main cavities of the body include the cranial, thoracic and abdominopelvic (also known as the peritoneal) cavities. The cranial bones create the cranial cavity where the brain sits. The thoracic cavity is enclosed by the rib cage and contains the lungs and the heart, which is located in the mediastinum. The diaphragm forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and separates it from the more inferior abdominopelvic/peritoneal cavity. The abdominopelvic/peritoneal cavity is the largest cavity in the body. Although no membrane physically divides the abdominopelvic cavity, it can be useful to distinguish between the abdominal cavity, (the division that houses the digestive organs), and the pelvic cavity, (the division that houses the organs of reproduction).

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient’s abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, health care providers typically divide up the cavity into either nine regions or four quadrants ( Figure 1.4.4 ).

The more detailed regional approach subdivides the cavity with one horizontal line immediately inferior to the ribs and one immediately superior to the pelvis, and two vertical lines drawn as if dropped from the midpoint of each clavicle (collarbone). There are nine resulting regions. The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersect at the patient’s umbilicus (navel).

Chapter Review

Ancient Greek and Latin words are used to build anatomical terms. A standard reference position for mapping the body’s structures is the normal anatomical position. Regions of the body are identified using terms such as “occipital” that are more precise than common words and phrases such as “the back of the head.” Directional terms such as anterior and posterior are essential for accurately describing the relative locations of body structures. Images of the body’s interior commonly align along one of three planes: the sagittal, frontal, or transverse.

Review Questions

Critical thinking questions.

In which direction would an MRI scanner move to produce sequential images of the body in the frontal plane, and in which direction would an MRI scanner move to produce sequential images of the body in the sagittal plane?

If the body were supine or prone, the MRI scanner would move from top to bottom to produce frontal sections, which would divide the body into anterior and posterior portions, as in “cutting” a deck of cards. Again, if the body were supine or prone, to produce sagittal sections, the scanner would move from left to right or from right to left to divide the body lengthwise into left and right portions.

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Anatomy & Physiology Copyright © 2019 by Lindsay M. Biga, Staci Bronson, Sierra Dawson, Amy Harwell, Robin Hopkins, Joel Kaufmann, Mike LeMaster, Philip Matern, Katie Morrison-Graham, Kristen Oja, Devon Quick, Jon Runyeon, OSU OERU, and OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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3.1 Introduction to Prefixes

Learning objectives.

By the end of this chapter you should be able to

• Define the term “prefix” and list common prefixes
• List common prefixes related to location
• List common prefixes related to diagnostic tests and patient symptoms
• List common prefixes related to numbers and size
• Identify key medical concepts discussed in this chapter
• Define common medical terms related to prefixes discussed in this chapter

Chapter Overview

Although prefixes are not present in all medical terms, their use is important in medical terminology because they provide an added layer of detail when discussing aspects of health care. We will explore the use of prefixes in terms that describe patient symptoms, diagnostic procedures, numbers, size, location, and other medical concepts. As has been done in the previous chapters, examples and explanations will be provided throughout. The exercises and review activities are designed to strengthen your knowledge of prefixes and medical terminology as a whole. Extra review of combining forms and suffixes that were introduced earlier in the book will also be provided. A solid foundation of knowledge concerning prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms is needed before we go on to other chapters and more detail about body systems, tests and procedures, and hospital-specific content.

Attribution

Unless otherwise indicated, material on this page has been adapted from the following resource:

Carter, K. & Rutherford, M. (2020). Building a Medical Terminology Foundation. eCampus Ontario. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/medicalterminology/ licensed under  CC BY 4.0

The Language of Medical Terminology Copyright © 2022 by Lisa Sturdy and Susanne Erickson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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