An
Introduction
to
Medical
Terminology
I.
Greek
and
Latin
Derivations*
By
GEORGE
L.
BANAY,
Ph.D.,
Librarian,
Worcester
State
Hospital,
Worcester,
Mass.
HERE
is
hardly
any
other
aspect
of
medicine
that
is
so
discouraging
for
the
beginning
student
as
medical
terminology.
The
first
impact
of
the
long,
unfamiliar
words
is
decidedly
depressing.
A
French
essayist
of
the
i6th
Century
made
the
apt
remark
that
"The
language
of
medicine
is
an
idiom
foreign
to
the
general
speech
and
of
discordant
sound."'
The
same
criticism
could
very
well
apply
to
present-day
medi-
cal
language,
which
sounds
just
as
"discordant"
to
the
u?hinitiated.
Although
medical
terms
have
been
drawn
from
many
languages,
a
large
majority
are
from
Greek
and
Latin.
Some
familiarity
with
the
meaning
of
the
most
frequently
used
roots,
prefixes,
and
suffixes
will
clarify
the
whole
field.
With
a
little
study,
it
will
be
found
that
the
long
and
formidable
sounding
medical
terms
are
a
combihation
of
words
which
describe
parts
of
the
body,
a
function,
or
a
condition.
The
basic
terms
occur
over
and
over
again
in
various
combinations.
A
knowledge
of
the
meaning
of
the
roots,
prefixes,
and
suffixes
enables
the
student
to
analyze
the
medical
terms
into
component
parts.
This
is
of
the
greatest
aid
in
learning
to
understand
the
vocabulary
of
medicine.
Some
names
of
diseases
given
by
the
ancients
and
still
used
to-day
are,
in
many
in-
stances,
simply
descriptions
of
the
outstanding
symptoms;
for
example,
hydro-phobia-fear
of
water-for
rabies,
because
the
inability
to
drink
is
an
early,
characteristic
sign
of
the
disease.
I.
GREEK
IN
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
It
is
estimated
that
about
three-fourths
of
our
medical
terminology
is
of
Greek
origin.
The
main
reason
for
this
is
that
the
Greeks
were
the
founders
of
rational
medicine
in
the
golden
age
of
Greek
civilization
in
Abbreviations:
AS-Anglo-Saxon;
E.-English;
Fr.-French;
G.-German;
Gr.-
Greek;
L.-Latin.
1
Quoted
without
source
by
Stedman,
T.
L.,
Practical
medical
dictionary,
x3th
ed.,
Baltimore,
Wood,
1936.
p.v.
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
the
5th
Century
B.C.
The
Hippocratic
School
and,
later
on,
Galen
(the
Greek
from
Asia
Minor
who
lived
in
Rome
in
the
2nd
century
A.D.)
formulated
the
theories
which
dominated
medicine
up
to
the
beginning
of
the
i8th
Century.2
The
Hippocratics
were
the
first
to
describe
dis-
eases
based
on
observation,
and
the
names
given
by
them
to
many
con-
ditions
are
still
used
today,
for
example,
arthritis,
nephritis,
pleuritis
(pleurisy).
A
second
reason
for
the
large
number
of
Greek
medical
terms
is
that
the
Greek
language
lends
itself
easily
to
the
building
of
compounds.
When
new
terms
were
needed,
v$ith
the
rapid
expansion
of
medical
science
during
the
last
century,
Greek
words
or
Latin
words
with
Greek
endings
were
used
to
express
the
new
ideas,
conditions,
or
instru-
ments.
The
new
words
follow
the
older
models
so
closely
that
it
is
im-
possible
to
distinguish
the
two
by
their
forms.
Such
recent
words
as
ap-
pendicitis,
creatinine,
cystoscope,
epinephrine,
streptococcus,
and
many
others
do
not
appear
different
from
the
classical
terms.
The
fact
is
that
about
one-half
of
our
medical
terminology
is
less
than
a
century
old.
A
third
reason
for
using
the
classical
roots
is
that
they
form
an
inter-
national
language,
easily
understood
by
anyone
familiar
with
the
subject
matter.
Whoe*er
has
had
to
struggle
with
such
German
terms
as
Keil-
bein,
Milz,
Stickstofl
instead
of
the
familiar
sphenoid,
lien,
and
nitrogen
will
appreciate
this.
Orthography
The
Greek
terms
came
into
the
English
language
through
the
Latin.
In
adapting
the
Greek
words
the
Romans
used
the
Latin
alphabet.
This
generally
corresponds
to
the
Greek
but
there
are
a
few
exceptions.
The
Romans
did
not
have
a
k,
so
the
Gr.
k
is
regularly
represented
by
c
Gr.
kranion,
L.
and
E.
cranium
Gr.
kleptomania,
L.
and
E.
cleptomania
The
Greeks
had
two
letters
for
the
short
and
long
sounds
of
e
and
o;
the
Romans
had
only
one
letter
for
each
whether
the
sound
was
short
or
long.4
The
Greek
u,
when
standing
by
itself,
is
transcribed
in
the
L.
and
E.
as
y
Gr.
kruptos-hidden,
secret,
L.
and
E.
cryptos;
thet
X
in
the
Gr.
2
The
best
concise
summary
of
the
achievements
of
the
early
Greek
physicians
is
Charles
Singer,
Greek
Medicine
(in
the
Legacy
of
Greece,
R.
W.
Livingstone,
ed.,
Oxford,
Claren-
don
Press,
1924,
pp.
201-249).
3
For.
an
all
round
introduction
to
linguistics
and
the
influence
of
Greek
on
English
see
Bodmer
Frederick,
The
loom
of
language,
N.
Y.,
Norton,
1944,
pp.
246-249
and
657-682.
To
avoid
the
use
of
Greek
letters
the
long
sounds
of
e
and
o
are
indicated
with
a
line
over
the
letter.
The
long
e
in
Gr.
is
pronounced
as
a
in
E.,
as in
ache,
age,
etc.
2
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
diphthongs
(two
vowels
united
in
one
sound)
when
combined
with
a,
e
or
o
retains
the
u
form
in
transcription:
au,
eu,
ou.
The
diphthongs
ai
and
oi
become
ae
and
oe
in
L.
and
E.
or
in
the
latter,
simply
e,
as
in
Gr.
diaita-regimen,
L.
diaeta,
E.
diet
Gr.
amoiba-L.
amoeba,
E.
ameba
The
Gr.
ei
becomes
i:
Gr.
cheir-hand,
L.
and
E.
chir,
as
in
chiropodist
The
Gr.
endings
of
-os
and
-on
usually
become
-us
and
-urn
in
L.
Gr.
ton-os-L.
ton-us,
E.
tonicity
Gr.
bakteri-on-L.
and
E.
bacteri-um
i.
Some
Greek
root
words
Scores
of
simple
Gr.
root
words
are
used
in
our
every-day
English
without
our
realizing
their
origin.
To
quote
just
a
few:
acme,
basis,
chaos,
character,
criterion,
dogma,
drama,
echo,
enigma,
horizon,
phantatia,
stigma,
thema,
etc.
Here
is
a
short
list
of
some
basic
words
used
in
medical
terminology:
aden-gland
aort&-aorta
bronchos-gullet
cheir-hand
chole-bile
derma-skin
gastEr-belly
haima-blood
hepar-liver
hygieia-health
hymen-membrane
kardia-heart
kephal&-head
kranion-skull
larynx-voice
box
mania-madness,
frenzy
nausea-seasickness
neuron-tendon,
nerve
osteon-bone
ophthalmos-eye
pepsis-digestion
pharmakon-drug
pharynx-throat
pleura-side,
rib
pneuma-air,
breath
psyche-soul
pyon-pus
pyr-fire,
fever
sarx-flesh
soma-body
spasmos-spasm
splen-spleen
stoma-mouth
stomachos-stomach
tracheia-windpipe
trauma-wound
2.
Prefixes
Among
the
most
frequently
used
elements
in
the
formation
of
words
are
prefixes.
These
consist
of
one
or
more
syllables
(orginally
preposi-
tions
or
adverbs)
placed
before
the
words
to
show
various
kinds
of
rela-
tionships.
In
joining
the
stem,
the
final
letter
of
the
prefix
undergoes
cer-
tain
changes.
If
a
prefix
ends
in
a
vowel
and
the
stem
begins
with
one,
the
final
vowel
of
the
prefix
is
usually
dropped,
e.g.
epi-encephalon
becomes
ep-encephalon
para-otid
becomes
par-otid.
The
final
n
of
a
prefix
becomes
I
before
following
1,
as
in
syl-logism
from
syn-logism;
3
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
it
becomes
m
before
b,
m,
p,
ph,
as
in
em-phasis
from
en-phasis,
whereas
before
s
the
final
n
is
dropped,
as
in
sy-stem
from
syn-stema.
The
most
important
prefixes
are
listed
below
with
their
meanings
and
a
few
examples
of
their
use.
a-,
an-
(before
a
vowel)-a
privative
or
a
negative
conveying
defi-
ciency,
lack
or
weakness
a-pathy-lack
of
feeling5
a-tom-indivisible
an-emia-lack
of
blood
an-esthesia-lack
of
sensation
amphi-,
ampho-on
both
sides,
double
amphi-bious-living
on
both
sides
(land
and
water)
amphi-theatre-a
place
for
seeing
around,
an
operating
room
ampho-diplopia-double
vision
in
both
eyes
ampho-phil-fond
of
both,
a
cell
which
stains
with
either
acid
or
dyes
ana-,
an-up,
upward,
again
ana-lysis-dissolution,
breaking
up
(of
chemical
compounds)
ana-mnesis-recollection,
medical
history
ana-tomy-cutting
up,
dissection
an-a-phylaxis-renewed
loss
of
protection
anti-against,
opposed
to,
opposite
of
anti-dote-against
a
given
thing
(poison)
anti-pyretic-against
fever
anti-septic-against
infection
ant-acid-against
an
acid,
neutralizing
an
acid
apo-off,
away
from
apo-physis-a
growth
away,
a
projection
(from
a
bone)
apo-plexy-a
stroke
away,
a
sudden
stroke
apo-staxis-a
trickling
down,
a
slight
hemorrhage
apo-thecary-a
pharmacist
(apotheke-a
repository)
cata-down,
downward
cata-menia-according
to
month,
menses
cata-rrh-a
flowing
down,
inflammation
of
the
mucous
mem-
brane
cata-tonia-a
downward
tone,
stupor
cat-hod-downward
way,
the
return
goal
of
an
electron
5
Most
of
the
definitions
of
medical
terms
are
taken
from
Stedman's
Practical
medical
dictionary,
I6th
revised
edition,
Baltimore,
Williams,
I946.
For
difficult
terms
the
well-
known
standard
medical
dictionaries
in
English
(Black,
Dorland,
Gould)
were
consulted
occasionally.
4
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
dia-through,
across,
completely
dia-betes-a
going
through,
syphon,
syphon
disease
dia-gnosis-knowing
completely,
determination
of the
nature
of
a
disease
dia-rrhea-flowing
through,
fluid
discharge
dia-thermy-heat
going
through,
elevation
of
temperature
by
means
of
a
current
dys-bad,
difficult,
defective
dys-entery-bad
intestine
dys-pepsia-bad
digestion
dys-pnea-difficult
breathing
dys-trophy-bad
nourishment
ec-,
ex-out,
out
of,
outward
ec-topic-out
of
place
ec-zema-a
boiling
out,
an
inflammation
of
the
skin
ex-ophthalmos-eye
(bulging)
out
ex-ostosis-bone
outside,
a
bony
tumor
en-,
em-in,
within
en-cephalon-in
the
head,
the
brain
en-demic-in
the
people,
present
in
a
community
em-bolism-thrown
in,
a
plugging
of
a
vessel
em-bryo-grown
in,
fetus
hyper-over,
above,
-excessive
hyper-emia-excessive
blood
hyper-thyroidism-symptoms
caused
by
excessive
activity
of
the
thyroid
hyper-tonic-excessive
in
tension
hyper-trophy-excessive
nourishment,
overgrowth
hypo-under,
below,
insufficient
hypo-chondriac-under
the
cartilage,
an
imaginary
disease
hypo-dermic-under
the
skin
hypo-glyc-emia-low
proportion
of
sugar
in
the
blood
hypo-physis-a
growth
under
(the
brain),
pituitary
body
meta-after,
behind,
beyond,
change
meta-bolism-change
in
throwing,
tissue
change
meta-morphosis-change
in
form
meta-stasis--change
in
position
met-encephalon-after
the
brain,
hindbrain
para-near,
alongside,
apart
from,
abnormal
para-noia-abnormal
in
mind
para-plegia-near
stroke,
paralysis
of
the
extremities
par-esthesia-abnormal
perception
5
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
par-otid-beside
the
ear
peri-about,
around
peri-cardium-around
the
heart,
membrane
covering
the
heart
peri-osteum-around
the
bone,
membrane
covering
the
bone
peri-stalsis-contraction
around,
contraction
of
the
intestines
peri-toneum-(membrane)
stretching
around,
lining
of
the
ab-
dominal
cavity
pro-before,
forward,
in
advance
pro-drome-running
before,
an
early
symptom
pro-geria-before
old
age,
premature
aging
pro-gnosis-knowing
before,
forecast
pro-phylaxis-advance
protection
syn-,
sym-with,
together,
union
syn-drome-running
together,
an
aggregate
of
symptoms
sy-stole
(from
syn-stole)-contraction,
the
rhythmic
contraction
of
the
heart
sym-biosis-living
together
of
two
or
more
organisms
sym-ptom-a
falling
together,
a
sign
3.
Suffixes
A
suffix
is
a
terminal
letter
or
syllable
added
to
the
stem
to
modify
or
amplify
its
meaning.
If
a
suffix
begins
with
a
consonant
and
it
is
joined
to
a
stem
ending
in
a
consonant,
a
connecting
vovel,
mostly
o
is
added
to
make
the
junction.
The
most
common
suffixes
are:
-ia,
Fr.
-ie,
E.
-y-denotes
a
pathological
state
or
condition
agon-ia-contest,
suffering
hyster-ia-a
chronic
neurosis
formerly
thought
to
be
of
uterine
causation
(hystera-womb)
man-ia-madness
ophthalm-ia-inflammation
of
the
eye
-iasis-signifies
a
pathological
state,
condition,
or
its
causation
lith-iasis-formation
of
calculi
(lithos-stone)
psor-iasis-a
skin
disease
(ps6ra-itch)
trichin-iasis-a
disease
caused
by
trichinae
infestation
-ikos,
L.
-icus,
E.
-ic-an
adjectival
termination
an-esthetic-pertaining
to
anesthesia,
a
drug
producing
anesthesia
epilept-ic-pertaining
to
epilepsy
hect-ic-irregularly
feverish
(hexis-habit;
orig.
meaning
ha-
bitual)
patholog-ic-pertaining
to
pathology
6
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
-ismos,
L.
-ismus,
E.
-ism-denotes
a
condition
embol-ism-the
plugging
of
an
artery
or
vein
(embolos-wedge)
hypnot-ism-a
condition
of
artificially
induced
sleep
(hypnos-
sleep)
metabol-ism-tissue
change
(metabol&-change)
rheumat-ism-rheumatic
fever
(rheuma-flux)
-istis,
E.
-ist-signifies
an
agent
or
doer
of
the
action
indicated
by
the
root
anatom-ist--one
who
cuts
up
anesthet-ist-one
who
takes
awaX
sensation
orthodont-ist--one
who
straightens
teeth
urolog-ist--one
who
treats
urological
disorders
-itis-originally
the
adjectival
ending
-itis
used
with
nosos-disease;
it
is
now
used
alone
and
has
acquired
the
significance
of
inflam-
matory
disease
appendic-itis1
arthrit-is
brochritis
inflammation
of
the
part
named
in
the
stem
bronch-itis
ot-itis
-ize,
Gr.
-izein-a
verbal
suffix
indicating
treatment
by
means
of
a
special
instrument
or
drug
an-esthet'ize-to
take
away
sensation
catheter-ize-to
use
a
catheter
hypnot-ize-to
put
to
sleep
-ma,
-ema,
-oma-designates
a
concrete
pathological
condition
ec-zema-a
boiling
out,
inflammation
of
the
skin
ex-anth-ema-a
skin
flower,
a
skin
eruption
Words
ending
in
-oma
are
so
numerous,
referring
usually
to
swell-
ing
or
tumor,
that
this
ending
is
considered
equivalent
to
tumor,
e.g.
carcin-oma-a
cancerous
tumor,
a
malignant
growth
granul-oma-a
tumor
of
granulation
tissue
neur-oma-a
tumor
formed
of
nerve
cells
sarc-oma-a
fleshy
thing,
a
fleshy
tumor
-oid;
originally
-oeid,
from
Gr.
eidos-form,
appearance;
denotes
a resemblance
to
the
object
designated
in
the
main
word
sphen-oid-wedge-shaped
(sphen-wedge)
typh-oid-like
typhus
fever
(typhos-stupor)
thyr-oid-the
shieldlike
gland
(thyreos-shield)
xiph-oid-sword-shaped
(xiphos-sword)
-sis,
-osis-denotes
any
production
or
increase
(physiological
or
pa-
thological);
secondarily
an
invasion
and
increase
of
parasites
within
7
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
the
organism.
It
is
often
interchangeable
with
-iasis
as
trichin-osis
or
trichin-iasis
adip-osis-an
excessive
accumulation
of
fat
rhe-xis
(from
rheg-sis)-a
breaking,
a
rupture
sep-sis-a
rotting,
putrefaction
tubercul-osis-an
invasion
by
the
tubercle
bacilli
Chemical
suffixes
-ase
(asis-slime)-denotes
a
colloid
enzyme
amyl-ase-a
starch
splitting
enzyme
(amylon-starch)
lip-ase-a
fat
splitting
enzyme
(lipos-fat)
-ate-indicates
a
salt
of
a
base
phosph-ate-a
salt
of
phosphoric
acid
sulph-ate-a
salt
of
sulphuric
acid
-ide-a
name
for
a
binary
compound
containing
a
non-metallic
ele-
ment
chlor-ide-a
compound
of
chlorine
with
another
element
sulph-ide-a
compound
of
sulphur
with
a
base
-in-a
termination
noting
a
glucoside
fibr-in
(L.
fibra-fiber)
gelat-in
(L.
gelatum-congealed)
prote-in
(Gr.
pr6tos-first)
-ine-an
ending
used
in
the
names
of
alkaloids
hero-ine-alkaloidal
ester
of
morphine
morph-ine-alkaloid
of
opium
-ite-a
terminal
indicating
a
salt
of
an
acid
ending
in
-ous
phosph-ite-a
salt
of
phosphorous
acid
sulph-ite-a
salt
of
sulphurous
acid
Compound
words
In
addition
to
the
words
made
up
of
a
stem
combined
with
one
or
more
prefixes
and
suffixes,
there
are
terms
which
have
a
second
stem
as
a
component
part.
Some-
Gr.
terms
may
have
as
many
as
three
stems
joined,
e.g.
leuco-cyt-hemia-leucemia.
Nouns,
adjectives,
and
adverbs
may
be
used
in
various
combinations.
The
first
part
of
a
compound
word
generally
indicates
its
essential
meaning
which
is
modified
or
amplified
by
the
second
part.
If
the
second
part
begins
with
a
consonant,
the
con-
necting
vowel
o
is
usually
inserted
for
the
sake
of
euphony.
If
two
vowels
are
juxtaposed
by
the
combination,
the
first
is
generally
dropped.
A
list
of
nouns
regularly
appearing
as
first
part
of
a
compound.
(Many
of
these
are
names
of
parts
of
the
body.)
8
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
anthrop-
(anthropos-man)
anthropo-genesis--origin
of
man
anthropo-metry-measurement
of
man
bio-
(bios-life)
bio-logy-the
science
of
living
organisms
bi-opsy-examination
of
a
tissue
excised
from
the
living
body
broncho-
(bronchos-gullet)
broncho-cele-windpipe
tumor,
goiter
broncho-pneumonia-inflammation
of
the
bronchi
cardi-,
cardio-
(kardia-heart)
cardi-a-taxia-irregularity
in
the
action
of
the
heart
cardio-gram-recording
of
the
movements
of
the
heart
cheir-,
chir-
(cheir-hand)
ch(e)iro-practor-a
practitioner
of
manipulation
chiro-gnomy-physiognomy
of
the
hand
cyto-
(kytos-cell)
cyto-architecture-the
order
of
arrangement
of
cells
in
a
tissue
cyto-zoic-living
in
a
cell
derma-,
dermat-
(derma-skin)
dema-graph-an
instrument
for
writing
on
the skin
dermato-logy-study
of
the
skin
entero-
(enteron-the
intestine)
enter-ectomy-resection
of
a
segment
of
the
intestine
entero-lith-an
intestinal
calculus
gastr-
(gaster,
stem,
gastr-stomach)
gastro-enterology-the
medical
specialty
dealing
with
diseases
of
the
stomach
and
intestines
gastr-odynia-pain
in
the
stomach
gynec-
(gyne,
gynec-female)
gyneco-mastia-female
breast
in
the
male
gyneco-plastics-reparative
surgery
of
the
female
organs
hem-,
hemnat-
(haima,
haimat-blood)
hemat-emesis-vomiting
of
blood
hemo-rrhage-bleeding
hepat-,
(hepar,
hepat-liver)
hepat-a-trophy-atrophy
of
the
liver
hepato-melanosis--dark
pigmentation
of
the
liver
hydr-
(hydor,
hydr-water)
hydro-cephalus-water
head,
a
congenital
deformation
hydro-gen-a
gas
which
forms
water
when
combined
with
oxygen
hydro-therapy-treatment
by
the
use
of
water
9
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
hypno-
(hypnos-sleep)
hypn-agogue-inducer
of
sleep
hypno-lepsy-uncontrollable
sleepiness
hyster-
(hystera-uterus)
hyster-ectomy-excision
of
the
uterus
hystero-ptosis-prolapse
of
the
uterus
litho-
(lithos-stone)
litho-nephria-stone
in
the
kidney
litho-tomy-cutting
for
stone
morph-
(morph8-form)
morpho-logy-the
science
of
structure
morpho-genesis-the
evolution
of
form
my-
(mys-muscle)
my-asthenia-muscular
weakness
myo-carditis-inflammation
of
the
muscular
wall
of
the
heart
narc-
(nark&-numbness,
stupor)
narco-lepsy-numbing
seizure,
petit
mal
narco-mania-craving
for
narcotics.
nephro-
(nephros-kidney)
nephro-py-osis-suppuration
of
the
kidney
nephro-scler-osis--hardening
of
the
kidney
neuro-
(neuron-cord,
tendon,
nerve)
neur-algia-nerve
pain
neur-asthenia-nerve
weakness
odont-
(odys,
odont-tooth)
odonto-clasis-breaking
of
tooth
odont-orthrosis-straightening
of
teeth
ophthalmo-
(ophthalmos-eye)
ophthalmo-gyric-causing
eye
movements
ophthalmo-scope-an
instrument
to
view
the
eye
osteo-
(osteon-bone)
osteo-malacia-softening
of
the
bone
osteo-necrosis-killing,
decay
of
the
bone
ot-
(us,
ot-ear)
oto-myc-osis-a
fungus-caused
inflammation
of
the
ear
oto-rrhea--discharge
from
the
ear
pod-
(pus,
pod-foot)
pod-agra-seizure
in
the
foot,
gout
pod-iatrist-foot
practitioner
pyo-
(pyon-pus)
pyo-genic-pus
forming
pyo-periton-itis-suppurative
inflammation
of
the
peritoneum
IO
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
pyr-,
pyret-
(pyr-fire,
heat,
inflammation)
pyr-exia-an
acute
inflammation
pyreto-mania-an
uncontrollable
desire
to
incendiarism
sphygmo-
(sphygmos-pulse)
sphygmo-graph-an
instrument
to
record
pulse
beat
sphygmo-mano-meter-an
instrument
for
measuring
the
blood
pressure
zoo-
(zoon-a
living thing,
an
animal)
zo6-logy-study
of
animals
zo6-parasite-an
animal
parasite
List
of
adjectives
which
regularly
appear
as
first
part
of
compounded
words.
allo-
(allos-other)
allo-cinesis-passive
movement,
reflex
movement
all-ergy-a
clinical
change
in
the
capacity
of
the
organism
to
re-
act
to
an
infection,
hypersensitiveness
auto-
(autos-.-self)
auto-matism-a
condition
in
which
movements
are
made
with-
out
conscious
exercise
of
the
will
aut-opsy-seeing
with
one's
own
eyes,
post-mortem
examination
brady-
(bradys-slow)
brady-cardia-abnormal
slowness
of the
heart
beat
brady-pnea-abnormal
slowness
of
respiration
caco-
(kakos-bad)
cac-hexia-bad
habit,
lack
of
nutrition,
and
wasting
cac-idrosis-morbid
sweating
crypto-
(cryptos-secret,
hidden)
crypto-genic-of
hidden,
obscure
origin
crypt-orchid-hidden,
undescended
testis
ecto-
(ektos-outside)
ecto-derm-outer
side
of
the
skin
ecto-plasm-moulded
on
the
outer
side,
the
outer
side
of
the
cytoplasm
erythro-
(erythros-red)
erythro-cyte-red
cell,
red
corpuscle
erythr-edema-red
swelling
hemi-
(one
half)
hemi-atrophy-atrophy
of
one
lateral
half
of
a
part
or
organ
hemi-plegia-half
stroke,
paralysis
of
one
side
of
the
body
hetero-
(heteros-other,
different,
opposite)
hetero-plasty-surgical
grafting
with
tissue
derived
from
another
individual
II
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
hetero-tonia-different,
variable
tension
homeo-
(homoios-similar)
homeo-pathy-a
special
system
of
therapeutics
homeo-stasis--condition
of
bodily
equilibrium;
literally
"stand-
ing
still"
homo-
(homos-the
same)
homo-lateral-on
or
relatiftg
to
the
same
side
homo-sexual-having
attraction
for
the
same
sex
idio-
(idios-one's
own,
private)
idio-pathic-noting
a
primary
disease,
one
originating
without
apparent
extrinsic
cause
idio-syncrasy-one's
own
mixing,
peculiarities
of
a
person
iso-
(isos-equal,
like)
iso-thermal-having
the
same
temperature
iso-tonia-tonic
equality
leuco-
(leukos-white)
leuco-cyte-white
cell,
white
blood
corpuscle
leuco-rrhea-white
discharge
macro-
(makros-long,
large)
macro-cephalic-having
a
large
head
macro-glossia-enlargement
of
the
tongue
mega-,
megal-
(megas,
megal-great,
large)
mega-colon-dilatation
of
the
large
intestine
megalo-mania-delusion
of
grandeur
melan-
(melas,
melan-black)
melan-cholia-black
bile,
a
depressed
emotional
state
melano-sarcoma-a
deeply
pigmented
sarcoma
,meso-
(mesos-middle)
mes-encephalon-midbrain
mes-entery-middle
intestine
micro-
(mikros-small)
micro-be
(mikros+bios)-small
living
thing
micro-scope-a
viewer
of
small
things
mono-
(monos-alone,
single)
mono-nuclear-having
a
single
nucleus
mono-plegia-paralysis
of
one
limb
neo-
(neos-new,
recent,
young)
neo-natal-relating
to
the
period
immediately
succeeding
birth
neo-plasm-new
growth
oligo-
(oligos-little,
few)
oligo-phrenia-mental
weakness,
feeblemindedness
oligo-pnea-infrequent
respiration
12
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
ortho-
(orthos-straight,
correct)
ortho-dontia-straightening
of
the
teeth
ortho-pedics-correction
of
deformities
oxy-
(oxys-sharp,
acid)
oxy-gen-a
gaseous
element
present
in
acids
oxy-lallia-rapid
speech
paleo-
(palaios-ancient)
paleo-genesis-hereditary
transmission
of
peculiarities
paleo-pathology-study
of
diseases
of
the
prehistoric
times
pan-
(pas,
pan-all,
entire)
pan-creas-all
flesh,
the
pancreas
gland
pan-demic-a
disease
attacking
all
polio-
(polios-grey)
polio-encephalitis-inflammation
of
the
grey
matter
of
the
brain
polio-myelitis-inflammation
of
the
grey
matter
of
the
spinal
cord
poly-
(polys-much,
many)
poly-pus-many
feet
poly-uria-excessive
urination
prota-
(protos-first)
proto-plasm-first
formed,
living
matter
proto-type-first
form,
primitive
form
pseudo-
(pseudes-false,
spurious)
pseudo-cele-false
cavity,
the
5th
ventricle
of
the
brain
pseudo-cyesis-false
pregnancy
tachy-
(tachys-fast)
-
tachy-cardia---quick
heart,
rapid
action
of
the
heart
tachy-pnea-rapid
breathing
xantho-
(xanthos-yellow)
xantho-derm-yellow
skin
xanth-opsia-yellow
vision
Some
adverbs
regularly
appearing
as
first
part
of
a
compound.
di-
(dis-twice)
di-hydric-a
chemical
compound
with
two
hydrogen
atoms
di-morphism---existing
in
two
forms
endo-
(endon-within)
endo-crine-secretion
within,
internal
secretion
endo-metrium-within
the
uterus,
membrane
lining
the
uterus
eu-
(eu-well,
easy)
eu-phoria-bearing
oneself
well,
good
health
eu-thanasia-easy
death
I
1-
-3
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
exo-outside,
outward
exo-genous--originating
outside
exo-gnathion-outside
jaw,
maxilla
opisth-
(opisth&-behind)
opisth-encephalon-brain
behind,
the
cerebellum
opistho-tonos-stretching
backward,
a
tetanic
spasm
palin-back,
backward,
again
palin-dromia-a
running
back,
a
relapse
palin-esthesia-a
return
of
sensation
tele-distant
tele-neuron-the
end
neuron
tele-pathy-minding-reading
from
afar
Some
nouns
regularly
appearing
as
second
part
of,
a
compound.
-agogue
(agogos-leader)
galact-agogue-an
agent
promoting
the
secretion
of
milk
hypn-agogue-inducer
of
sleep,
hypnotic
-agra-seizure
cardi-agra-heart
seizure,
angina
pectoris
pod-agra-foot
seizure,
gout
-algia
(algos-pain)
gastr-algia-stomach
ache
neur-algia-nerve
pain
-asthenia
(asthenes-weak)
mny-asthenia-muscular
weakness
neur-asthenia-nerve
weakness,
nervous
exhaustion
-cele
(kele-protrusion,
tumor,
hernia)
hemato-cele-blood
cyst
hydro-cele-water
hernia
-cinesia
(kinesis-movement)
cardio-cinesia-movement,
action
of
the
heart
entero-cinesia-movement
of
the
intestine,
peristalsis
-clasia,
-clasis-breaking
arthro-clasia-breaking
of
a
joint,
breaking
up
of
adhesions
hemo-clasis-breaking
up
of
the
red
blood
corpuscles
-cyte
(kytos-cell)
erythro-cyte-red
blood
corpuscle
lympho-cyte-lymph
corpuscle
-ectomy
(ektome&-excision)
hyster-ectomy-excision
of
the
uterus
thyroid-ectomy-excision
of
the
thyroid
-gland
14
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
-ectopia
(ek
+
topos-out
of
place)
nephr-ectopia-abnormal
mobility
of
the
kidney
splen-ectopia-abnormal
mobility
of
the
spleen
-emia
(haima-blood)
an-emia-lack
of
blood
ur-emia-an
excess
of
urea
in
the
blood
-esthesia
(aisthesis-feeling,
sensibility)
an-esthesia-lack
of
feeling
par-esthesia-an
abnormal
spontarneous
sensation
(like
itching)
-genesis,
E.
-geny-generation,
origin
patho-genesis-the
origin
or
development
of
a
disease
spermato-genesis-production
of
spermatozoa
onto-geny-the
development
of
the
individual
-gram
(gramma-writing,
drawing)
cardio-gram-the
record
of
the
movement
of
the
heart
encephalo-gram-a
roentgenogram
of
the
brain
-graph,
-graphy
(graphein-to
write)
dermo-graph-an
instrument
for
marking
or
writing
on
the
skin
ventriculo-graphy-radiography
of
the
cerebral
ventricles
-lith
(lithos-stone,
calculus)
entero-lith-an
intestinal
calculus
hemato-lith-a
concretion
in
the
wall
of
a
blood
vessel
Jogia,
Fr.
-logie,
E.
-logy
(Gr.
logos-word,
discourse,
treatise)
physio-logy-the
science
which
deals
with
life
processes
uro-logy-the
specialty
dealing
with
the
diseases
of
the
urinary
organs
-ysis-dissolution,
loosening,
breaking
down
hemo-lysis--destruction
of
the
red
blood
cells
para-lysis-loss
of
voluntary
movement
in
a
muscle
-malacia
(malakia-softening)
myo-malacia-softening
of
muscular
tissues
osteo-malacia-softening
of
the
bones
-mania-madness,
uncontrollable
impulse
klepto-mania-a
pathological
impulse
to
steal
megalo-mania-delusion
of
grandeur
-megalia,
E.
-megaly
(megas,
megal-large)
acro-megalia
or
acromegaly-enlargement
of
the
extremities
spleno-megalia-enlargement
of
the
spleen
-meter,
Gr.
metron,
L.
metrum-measure,
an
instrument
for
meas-
uring
pulsi-meter-instrument
to
measure
the
pulse
I5
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
thermo-meter-instrument
to
measure
heat
-odynia
(odyn&-pain)
acr-odynia-pain
in
the
extremities
ot-odynia-pain
in
the
ear
-opia
(6ps-vision)
ambly-opia-dimness
of
vision
(amblys-dull)
my-opia-winking
vision,
shortsightedness
(myein-to
wink)
-pathy
(pathos-suffering)
adeno-pathy-glandular
disease
psycho-pathy-i
disorder
of
the
mind,
insanity
-philia
(philein-to
like)
hemo-philia-"liking
of
blood",
a
disorder
marked
with
hemor-
rhages
-phobia
(phobos-fear)
claustro-phobia-a
morbid
fear
of
being
in
any
closed
place
hydro-phobia-fear
of
water,
rabies
-plasty
(plassein-to
form;
cf.
"plastic"
surgeon)
entero-plasty-plastic
surgery
of
the
intestines
rhino-plasty-plastic
surgery
of
the
nose
(rhis,
rhin-nose)
-plegia
(pleg-stroke)
hemi-plegia-half
stroke,
paralysis
of
one
side
of
the
body
para-plegia-paralysis
of
the
lower
part
of
the
body
-poiesis-making,
formation
hemato-poiesis-formation
of
blood
-ptosis-falling,
displacement
hystero-ptosis-prolapse
of
the
uterus
viscero-ptosis-displacement
of
the
internal
organs
-pyosis
(pyon-pus)
arthro-pyosis-suppuration
in
a
joint
nephro-pyosis-suppuration
of
the
kidney
-rrhagia,
-rrhage
(rhegnymi-break
forth)
hemo-rrhage-bleeding
metro-rrhagia-bleeding
from
the
uterus
(metra-uterus)
-rrhaphy
(rrhaph&-stitch)
perineo-rrhaphy-suturing
of
the
perineum
urethro-rrhaphy-suture
of
the
urethra
-rrhea
(rrhoia-flow)
gono-rrhea-a
discharge
caused
by
gonococcus
infection
leuco-rrhea-white
discharge
-sclerosis-hardening,
induration
arterio-sclerosis-hardening
of
the
arteries
arthro-sclerosis-stiffness
of
the
joints
i6
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
17
-scope,
-scopy
(skopein-to
view)
cysto-scope-an
instrument
to
view
the
bladder
(kystis-bladder)
ophthalmo-scope-an
instrument
to
view
the
fundus
of
the
eye
-spasm
(spasmos-convulsion,
cramp)
entero-spasm-intestinal
colic
pyloro-spasm-painful
contraction
of
the
pylorus
-stasis-stoppage,
checking
hemo-stasis-arrest
of
bleeding
homeo-stasis-standing
still,
bodily
equilibrium
-staxis-dripping,
oozing,
slow
hemorrhage
entero-staxis-bleeding
from
the
intestines
epi-staxis-nose
bleed
-stenoszs-narrowing
cardio-stenosis-narrowing
of
the
heart
entero-stenosis-narrowing
of
the
intestines
-stomy
(stoma-mouth)
colo-stomy-forming
an
opening
into
the
colon
cysto-stomy-forming
an
opening.
into
the
bladder
-therapy
(therapeia-treatment)
hydro-therapy-treatment
by
water
physio-therapy-treatment
by
natural
means
(air,
water,
massage)
-thermy
(therm&-heat)
dia-thermy-elevation
of
temperature
by
electric
current
electro-thermy-applying
heat
by
electricity
-tomy
(tom&-incision)
laparo-tomy-incision
into
the
doin
(lapara-loin)
lobo-tomy--operation
on
the
frontal
lobe
-trophy
(trephein;
stem,
troph-to
nourish)
a-trophy-lack
of
nourishment,
wasting
of
the
tissues
of
the
body
hyper-trophy-excessive
nourishment,
overgrowth
-uria
(iirein-u7rinate)
hemat-uria-blood
in
the
urine
py-uria-pus
in
the
urine
Chemical
compound
words
Chemical
compound
words
are
formed
very
irregularly.
They
are
hybrid
(using
Gr.
and
L.
stems
combined
in
one
word)
and
in
most
cases
they
are
greatly
abbreviated,
e.g.
am-yl
from
am
(ylon-starch)
+
(h)
yl
(e)-material
formaldehyde
from
form
(ic
acid)
+
al
(cohol)
+
dehyd
(rogenatum),
etc.
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
II.
LATIN
IN
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
As
the
Romans
conquered
the
then
known
world,
Latin
became
the
universal
language
of
Italy
and
the
provinces.
Many
centuries
after
the
fall
of
Rome,
Latin
still
ruled
supreme.
To
this
very
day,
Latin
is
the
language
of the
Catholic
Church,
and
during
the
formative
period
of
the
western
European
languages
it
was
incorporated
in
every
one
of
them.
The
Romance
languages,
and
especially
French,
is
modern
Latin,
pre-
serving
most
of
the
form
and
spirit
of
the
ancient
language.
English
is
to
some
extent
Germanic
in
form
and
part of
its
vocabulary
is
Germanic,
but
a
considerable
section
is
of
Latin
ancestry
borrowed
from
the
French.
Most
of
the
common
roots
of
speech
are
Anglo-Saxon,
but
the
moment
we
leave
primitive
life
and
advance
to
more
civilized
living,
our
words
im-
mediately
become
Latin.
We
walk,
start,
stop,
breathe,
sleep,
wake,
talk,
live
and
lie
in
Anglo-Saxon
but
we
advance,
retreat,
approach,
retire,
in-
spire,
confer,
discuss,
compare,
refute,
debate,
perish,
survive
in
Latin,
and
the
predominant
part
of
the
vocabulary
of
business,
commerce,
fi-
nance,
government,
diplomacy,
and
the
sciences
is
Latin.
Greek
medicine
migrated
to
Rome
at
an
early
date,
and
many
Latin
terms
crept
into
its
terminology.
Latin
was
the
language
of
science
up
to
the
beginning
of
the
i8th
Century,
so
all
medical
texts
were
written
in
Latin.
Under
the
influence
of
the
great
anatomical
work
of
Andreas
Vesalius,
De
humani
corporis
fabrica
(1543),
the
terminology
of
anatomy
is
almost
exclusively
Latin.
i.
Some
Latin
root
words.
The
number
of
Latin
root
words
ire
medicine
is
legion.
We
shall
quote
just
a
few
as
examples:
anus-ring
dens-tooth
aqua-water
facies-face
bacillus-little
rod
fascia-land
bucca-cheek
febris-fever
cancer-.crab
femur-thigh,
thigh
caput-head
bone
caries-decay
fetus-embryo
cella-chamber
foramen-perforation
cerebrum-brain
fornix-arch
cervix-neck
fossa-ditch
cor-heart
frons-forehead
corpus-body
fundus-base,
bottom
cortex-bark
glans-gland
cutis-skin
hernia-rupture
ilium-flank
labium-lip
latius-side
lens-lentil
ligamentum-binding
lingua-tongue
lues-plague
lupus-wolf
manus-hand
meatus-opening
mens-mind
mensis-month
morbus-disease
nodus-knot
I8
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
oculus-eye
os-mouth
ovum-egg
patellM-shallow
pan
pectus-chest
pelvis-basin
placenta-flat
cake
pons-bridge
pulmo-lung
pupilla-little
girl
ren-kidney
retina-net
ruga-wrinkle,
furrow
saliva-spittle
scrotum-pouch
sella-chair
semen-seed
spina-thorn
stimulus-goad
succus-juice
sudor-sweat
tabes-wasting
talus-ankle
tergum-back
tonsilla-pointed
pole
tunica-garment
tussis-cough
ulcus-ulcer
uterus-womb
vagina-sheath
valva-valve
vas-vessel
vena-vein
venter-belly
vermis-worm
vesica-bladder
virus-poison
2.
Prefixes
When
prefixes
are
joined
with
a
stem,
some
changes
take
place,
which
are
essentially
the
same
as
the
ones
outlined
in
the
introduction
to
the
Gr.
prefixes.
In
addition
to
these,
it
is
to
be
noted
that
the
final
consonant
of
the
L.
prefixes
ad-,
con-
and
ob-
are
usually
changed
to
duplicate
the
let-
ter
which
follows,
for
example:
ad-cept
becomes
ac-cept
ad-ferens
becomes
af-ferens
ad-sume
becomes
as-sume
con-lapse
becomes
col-lapse
con-lateral
becomes
col-lateral
ob-ciput
becomes
oc-ciput
ob-press
becomes
op-press,
etc.
The
most
important
Latin
prefixes
are
listed
below
with
their
mean-
ings
and
a
few
examples
of
their
use:
a-,
ab-,
abs-away
from,
off
a-vulsion-tearing
away
ab-ductor-leading
away
ab-oral-away
from
the
mouth
abs-tract-a
condensation
ad-to,
toward
ad-hesion-sticking
to
ad-renal-near
the
kidney,
adrenal
gland
ac-cretion-accumulation
ap-pendix-hanging
upon
ambi-,
ambo-both,
on
both
sides
ambi-dextrous-able
to
use
both
hands
ambi-valent-having
power
in
both
directions
ambo-ceptor-accepting
both,
a
substance
in
the
blood
ambo-sexual-bisexual,
affecting
both
sexes
19
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
ante-before
(in
time
or
space),
in
front
of,
forward
ante-cubital-before
the
elbow
ante-flexion-bending
forward
ante-natal-before
birth
ante-version-tipping
forward
bi-,
bis-twice,
double
bi-carbonate-a
salt
having
two
elements
of
carbonic
acid
bi-cuspid-having
two
points
bi-lateral-pertaining
to
both
sides
bis-axillary-pertaining
to
both
armpits
(axilla)
circum-around,
about
circum-cision-cutting
around
circum-flex-bent
around
circum-ocular-around
the
eye
circum-oral-around
the
mouth
co>,
con-
(from
L.
cum)-with,
together
co-agulation-changing
into
a
clot
con-cussion-a
violent
shock
col-lapse-extreme
prostration
com-press-pressed
together,
a
compressed
pad
contra-against,
opposed
contra-ception-against
conception
contra-indication-rendering
a
particular
treatment
undesirable
contra-stimulant-opposing
stimulation
contra-toxin-against
toxin
de-down,
downward;
sometimes
a
privative
de-ciduous-not
permanent,
temporary
de-composition-decay,
putrefaction
de-mentia-without
mind,
mental
deterioriation
de-odorant-taking
odor
away
di-,
dis-an
inseparable
preposition
denoting
sundering,
apart;
some-
times
negative
di-gestion-carrying
(food)
away,
digestion
dis-infectant-freeing
from
infection,
an
agent
that
disinfects
dis-location-displacement
(of
a
bone)
dis-sect-cut
apart,
cut
up
e-,
ec-,
ex-out,
out
of,
off,
removal
e-jection-act
of
throwing
out
e-nucleate-to
remove
whole
ex-tract-something
drawn
out,
extracted
ex-udate
(from
ec+sudate)-sweat
out,
sweat
21)
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
extra-,
extro-outside
-of,
outer
side
extra-cellular-outside
the
cell
extra-cranial-outside
the
skull
extra-vasation-a
discharge
of
blood
from
a
vessel
into
the
tissues
extro-vert-a
person
whose
interest
is
turned
outward
in-,
im-in,
into,
inside
in-cision-cutting
in,
a
cut
in-cubation-lying
in,
the
latent
stage
of
an
infectious
disease
im-mersion-placing
a
body
under
water
im-pacted-pressed
closely
together,
immovable
in-,
im-an
inseparable
prefix
indicating
a
negation;
a
privative
in-curable-not
curable
in-sane-without
mind,
of
unsound
mind
im-maculate-without
a
spot
ir-reducible-not
reducible,
incapable
of
being
made
smaller
infra-below,
beneath,
downward,
lower
infra-inguinal-below
the
groin
infra-maxillary-below
the
maxilla
infra-orbital-below
the
orbit
(eye
socket)
infra-red-beyond
the
red
end
of
the
spectrum
inter-between
inter-cellular--between
cells
inter-digital-between
the
fingers
or
toes
inter-mittent-marked
by
intervals
inter,vertebral-situated
between
two
vertebrae
intra-within,
inside
of
intra-cellular-within
the
cell
intra-rectal-within
the
rectum
intra-uterine-within
the
uterus
intra-venous-in,
into,
within
a
vein
intro-into,
inward,
within
intro-duction-leading
into
intro-flexion-bending
inward
intro-mission-insertion
intro-vert-turned
within,
a
person
given
to
introspection
juxta-beside,
near
juxta-articular-situated
near
a
joint
juxta-position-an
adjacent
position
juxta-spinal-close
to
the
spinal
column
ob-in
front
of,
against,
near
(space
or
time)
ob-literation--complete
removal
ob-stetrics-to
stand
in
front
(of
a
woman),
midwifery
21
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
ob-struction-the
act
of
blocking
or
clogging
oc-clusion
(from
ob-clusion)-the
act
of
closure
or
state
of
being
closed
per-through,
thorough,
excessive,
very
per-cutaneous-through
the
skin
(cutis)
per-forate-to
pierce,
bore
through
per-meable-permitting
the
passage
through
per-oxide-the
oxide
that
contains
the
greatest
number
of
oxygen'
atoms
post-behind,
following,
after
(time
or
space),
posterior
post-encephalitis-following
or
a
sequel
of
encephalitis
post-febrile-after
fever
(febris)
post-ocular-behind
the
eye
post-partum-after
birth
prae-,
E.
pre-before
(in
time
or
space),
in
front
of,
anterior
pre-frontal-the
anterior
portion
of
the
frontal
lobe
pre-gnancy-before
birth,
gestation
pre-mature-unripe,
undeveloped,
occurring
before
the
appointed
time
pre-oral-in
front
of
the
mouth
pro-before,
in
front
of,
forward
pro-cess-an
advance
or
progress
pro-ductive-leading
forward,
capable
of
producing
pro-lapse-to
fall,
sink
forward
pro-sector-one
who
prosects,
demonstrator
of
anatomy
re-,
red
(before
a
vowel)-back,
again
re-current-running
back,
returned
re-duce-lead
back,
replace
re-flex-bent
back,
reacting,
reaction
red-integration-renewal,
restoration
of
lost
or
injured
parts
retro-back,
backward,
behind
retro-flexion-bending
backward
retro-grade-going
backward,
moving
backward
retro-nasal-posterior
nasal
retro-version-turning
backward
se-an
inseparable
prefix
meaning
apart,
sundering
se-cretion-separation
(esp.
of
various
substances
from
the
blood)
se-gregation-removal
of
certain
parts
from
a
mass
se-junction-breaking
of
continuity
sub-,
sup-under
(in
position
or
degree),
beneath,
downward,
nearly
sub-acute-not
definitely
acute
sub-cutaneous-under
the
skin
22
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
23
sub-liminal-below
the
threshold
(of
sensation)
sup-puration
(from
sub-puration)-the
formation
of
pus
super-above
(in
position
or
degree),
over,
upper
part,
extreme
super-acute-excessively
sharp
or
acute
super-ciliary-above
the
eyebrow
super-numerary-in
excess
of
the
regular
or
normal
number
super-tension-extreme
tension
supra-above,
upon,
over,
upper
supra-costal-above
the
rib
(costa)
supra-pubic-above
the
pubic
arch
supra-renal-above
the
kidney
(ren)
supra-sternal-above
the
breast
(sternum)
trans-across,
through,
beyond
trans-ference--carry
across,
displacement
of
symptoms
or
effect
trans-fusion-pouring
across,
transfer
of
blood
trans-plantation-grafting
of
tissues
trans-urethral-through
the
urethra
ultra-beyond,
in
excess
ultra-filtration-extra
fine
filtration
ultra-ligation-ligation
of
a
vessel
beyond
the
origin
of
a
branch
ultra-violet-rays
beyond
the
violet
end
of
the
spectrum
ultra-virus-extra
virus,
filtrable
virus
3.
Suffixes
-ago,
-igo
(from
L.
ago-to
drive)-gives
an
idea
of
activity
lumb-ago-rheumatism
of
the
lumbar
region
(lumbus-loin)
prur-igo-itch
(prurire-to
itch)
vert-igo--dizziness,
giddiness
(vertere-to
turn
around)
-alis,
E.
-al-an
adjectival
termination
cruci-al-decisive
(crux-cross)
digit-al-relating
or
resembling
a
digit
dors-al-relating
to
the
back
(dorsum)
or-al-relating
to
the
mouth
(os,
stem
or-)
-culum,
E.
-cle-a
diminutive
corpus-cle-little
body
folli-cle-little
bag
(follis)
ventri-cle-little
belly,
ventricle
(venter)
vesi-cle-little
bladder
(vesica)
-or-denotes
a
state
or
an
agent
don-or-giver
(donare-to
give)
levat-or-one
that
lifts
(levare-to
lift)
rub-or-redness
(ruber-red)
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
tum-or-swelling
(tumescere-to
swell)
-orium,
Gr.
-tErion---designates
a
place
sanat-orium-a
place
for
treatment
(sanare-to
heal)
sens-orium-the
seat
of
sensation
(sensus-sense)
tent-orium-tent,
an
anatomical
part
resembling
a
tent
or cov-
ering
-osus,
E.
-ous
or
-ose-an
adjectival
suffix
aque-ous-watery
(aqua)
adip-ose-fatty
(adeps,
stem;
adip-fat)
pil-ose--hairy
(pilus-hair)
rug-ose-wrinkled
(ruga-wrinkle)
-tas,
E.
-ty--denotes
an
abstract
quality
or
idea
acidi-ty-the
state
of
being
acid
(acidum)
immuni-ty-a
state
resistant
to
disease
(immunis-free
from
service)
in-sani-ty-unsoundness
of
mind
(insanus)
senili-ty-old
age
(senex-old)
-tio,
Fr.
and
E.
-tion-a
suffix
of
verbal
roots
signifying
an
action
or
function
bi-furca-tion-a
forking,
division
into
branches
(furca-fork)
in-flamma-tion-a
morbid
change
in
the
tissues
(flamma-flame)
palpa-tion-an
examination
by
the
hands
(palpare-to
feel)
4.
Compound
words
Latin
is,
comparatively
speaking,
poor
in
compound
words.
Instead
of
doubling
up
words
in
Latin,
significant
prefixes
or
suffixes
are
added,
or
the
words-retaining
their
proper
syntactical
relations-are
simply
written
together
as
one
word
(jurisdictio,
paterfamilias,
etc.).
Still,
the
language
contains
many
genuine
compounds
of
all
parts
of
speech:
substantives,
verbs,
and
adverbs.
Some
nouns
regularly
appearing
as
first
part
of
compounded
words.
ilio-
(ilium-flank)
ilio-costal-relating
to
the
ilium
and
ribs
(costa)
ilio-femoral-relating
to
the
ilium
and
thigh
bone
(femur)
ilio-lumbar-relating
to
the
iliac
and
lumbar
region
(lumbus-
loin)
ilio-sacral-relating
to
the
ilium
and
sacrum
latero-
(latus,
stem
later-side)
latero-abdominal-pertaining
to
the
side
and
abdomen
latero-flexion-a
bending
or
curvature
to
one
side
(flectere-to
bend)
2A
T
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
latero-torsion-twisting
to
one
side
(torquere-to
twist)
latero-version-turning
to
one
side
(vertere-to
turn)
Some
adjectives
regularly
appearing
as
first
part
of
a
compound.
albo-(albus-white)
albo-cinereous--ashen
white
(cinus,
ciner-ash)
albo-ferrin-a
light
brown
powder
with
an
iron
compound
(ferrum)
albu-lactin-trade
name
of
a
soluble
lactalbumin
(lac-milk)
anter-
(anterior-before,
in
front
of)
antero-grade-moving
forward
(gradior-to
step)
antero-lateral-in
front
and
to
the
side
(latus)
antero-posterior-relating
to
both
front
and
rear.
dextro-(dexter,
dextr-right)
.
dextro-ocular-right
eyed
(oculus)
dextro-manual-right
handed
(manus)
dextro-pedal-right
footed
(pes,
stem,
ped-)
mal-
(malus-bad,
evil)
mal-adjustment-poor
adjustment
mal-aria-bad
air
(aria)
mal-formation-congenital
deformity
mal-practice-mistreatment
of
a
disease
medio-
(medius-middle)
medio-carpal-relating
to
the
central
part
of
the
wrist
(carpus)
medio-lateral-relating
to
the
middle
and
one
side
medio-tarsal-relating
to
the
middle
of
the
instep
(tarsus)
multi-
(multus-many)
multi-form-occurring
in
many
forms
multi-gravida-a
woman
who
has
been
pregnant
many
times
multi-lobar-having
several
lobes
multi-nuclear-having
two
or
more
nuclei
pluri-
(plus,
plur-more)
pluri-glandular-noting
several
glands
or
their
secretion
pluri-gravida-a
synonym
for
multi-gravida
pluri-para-a
woman
who
has
given
birth
to
three
or
more
children
primi-
(primus-first)
primi-para-a
woman
giving
birth
the
first
time
prim-ordial-primitive
(ordire-to
begin)
postero-
(posterior-behind)
postero-lateral-behind
and
to
one
side
25
GEORGE
L.
BANAY
postero-parietal-relating
to
the
posterior
portion
of
the
parietal
lobe
semi-half,
in
part,
somewhat
semi-comatose-in
a
condition
of
mild
coma
semi-flexion-midway
between
extension
and
flexion
semi-lunar-half-moon
shaped
(luna)
semi-luxation-a
partial
dislocation
(luxatio)
sesqui-one
and
a
half,
one
half
more
sesqui-basic-a
salt
with
3
equivalents
of
the
acid
for
2
of
the
base
sesqui-hora-an
hour
anid
a
half
sinistro-
(sinister,
sinistr-left)
sinistro-cerebral-relating
to
the
left
cerebral
hemisphere
sinistro-lateral-relating
to
the
left
side
sinistro-torsion-turning
or
twisting
to
the
left
uni-
(unus-one)
uni-axial-having
one
axis
uni-lateral-having
one
side,
confined
to
one
side
only
uni-nuclear-having
one
nucleus
Some
nouns
usully
appearing
as
second
part of
a
compound
word.
-form
from
L.
forma-shape,
form-indicating
a
resemblance
to
the
stem
word
cunei-form-wedge
shaped
(cuneus)
funi-form-rope
like
(funis)
fusi-form-spindle
shaped
(fusus)
-fuge
from
L.
fugare-to
expel,
drive
away
centri-fuge-an
apparatus
driving
particles
to
the
center
febri-fuge-reducing
fever
(febris)
vermi-fuge-an
agent
causing
expulsion
of
intestinal
worms
(vermis)
5.
Hybrid
terms
-
Many
medical
terms
are
a
mixture
of
Greek
and
Latin.
Such
terms
are
called
hybrid
terms.
They
may
be
Gr.
words
with
L.
endings,
such
as
bacterni-al
de-hydr-ation
derm-al
peri-card-ium
hem-al
or
L.
words
with
Gr.
endings,
as
appendic-itis
fibr-oma
tonsill-itis
granul-oma,
etc.
26
MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
or
a
mixture
of
Gr.
and
L.
in
one
compound
such
as
cancer-ology
para-sacral
colori-meter
post-hepatic
mono-nuclear
veno-tomy
oculo-gyric
viscero-ptosis
and
many
others.-
As
a
rule
such
terms
should
be
avoided
as
contrary
to
the
spirit
of
the
language,
although
many
of
them
are
so
well
entrenched
that
it
would
be
rather
diflicwlt,
if
not
impossible,
to
replace
them
(for
example,
ap-
pendicitis,
bacterial,
dehydration,
colorimeter,
visceroptosis,
etc.).*
References
From
the
voluminous
literature
on
medical
terminology
I
wish
to
mention
only
a
few
important
works
that
could
be
consulted
with
profit:
Agard,
Walter
R.,
Medical
Greek
and
Latin
at
a
glance,
2nd
ed.,
N.Y.,
Hoeber,
I937.
A
short,
concise
presentation
of
the
subject
with
good
classified
lists.
Spilman,
Mignonette,
Medical
Latin
and
Greek,
Ann
Arbor,
Ed-
wards
Bros.,
i946.
Arranged
somewhat
differently-
from
Agard's
work,
it
starts
with
the
Latin,
being
the
more
familiar
language
and
leads
slowly
to.
the
more
difficult
Greek.
Has
two
good
lists
of
the
Latin
and
Greek
roots
in
medical
terminology.
Andrews,
Edmund,
Medical
terminology,
Annals
of
Medical
His-
tory,
io
:I80-I98,
i928.
A
good
introduction
to
medical
terminol-
ogy;
it
is
not
a
systematic
presentation
but
a
short
bird's-eye
view
of
the
whole
field,
stressing
the
historical
principles.
Andrews,
Edmund,
A
history
of
scientific
English.
The
story
of
its
evolution
based
on
a
study
of
bio-medical
terminology,
N-.Y.,
Smith,
I947.
A
posthumous
work
Qf
the
same
author,
elaborating
on
the
above-mentioned
article,
studying
all
linguistic
elements
in
medical
terminology
against
their
historical
background.
A
real
store-house
of
valuable
data
for
the
philologically
minded.
Jaeger,
Edmund
C.,
A
source
book
of
biological
names
anid
terms,
Springfield,
Ill.,
Thomas,
i944.
An
alphabetical
dictionary
of
biological
names
and
terms
with
good
derivations.
To
be
concluded.
27
