Case Study Questions – Chapter 2: CT & MRI
DIRECTIONS: After reading the case study on page 64 of your textbook, please answer the
questions below.
1. What was the reason the woman was having the CT scan? What do you think
the purpose is for injecting the contrast through an IV line?
2. What are the differences between the two different tests? What do CT and MRI
represent?
3. Describe the challenge the woman had to deal with while having an MRI? What
methods did she use to handle it?
4. List 4 or 5 medical terms that could be associated with this case study. Provide
the definition of each term as well.
REFLECTION QUESTION: Why do you think it is important for a healthcare worker
assisting with diagnostic procedures to have good communication skills with the
patient? Provide your answer in 1-2 well-written paragraphs.
Medical Terminology
A SHORT COURSE
8TH EDITION
DAVI-ELLEN CHABNER
2
Table of Contents
Cover image
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Preface to the 8th Edition
Also Available
Acknowledgments
Reviewers
Chapter 1 Basic Word Structure
Word Analysis
Combining Forms, Suffixes, and Prefixes
In Person: Living With Type 1 Diabetes
Exercises and Answers
Pronunciation of Terms
Practical Applications
Picture Show
Review
Terminology Checkup
Chapter 2 Organization of the Body
Introduction
Body Systems
Body Cavities
Divisions of the Back
Planes of the Body
Terminology
Combining Forms
In Person: CT and MRI
Exercises and Answers
3
Pronunciation of Terms
Practical Applications
Picture Show
Review
Terminology Checkup
Chapter 3 Suffixes
Introduction
Combining Forms
Suffixes and Terminology
In Person: Gallbladder Stones
Exercises and Answers
Pronunciation of Terms
Practical Applications
Picture Show
Review
Terminology Checkup
Chapter 4 Prefixes
Introduction
Combining Forms and Suffixes
Prefixes and Terminology
In Person: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Exercises and Answers
Pronunciation of Terms
Practical Applications
Picture Show
Review
Terminology Checkup
Chapter 5 Medical Specialists and Case Reports
Introduction
Medical Specialists
Combining Forms and Vocabulary
Case Reports
In Person: Living With Crohn's
Exercises and Answers
Pronunciation of Terms
Practical Applications
Review
Terminology Checkup
4
Appendix 1 Body Systems
Cardiovascular System
Digestive System
Endocrine System
Female Reproductive System
Lymphatic System
Male Reproductive System
Musculoskeletal System
Nervous System
Respiratory System
Skin and Sense Organs
Urinary System
Appendix 2 Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
Appendix 3 Abbreviations, Acronyms, Symbols, and Eponyms
Abbreviations
Acronyms*
Symbols*
Eponyms
Appendix 4 Quick Drug Reference
Appendix 5 Allied Health Careers
Glossary 1 Mini-Dictionary
Glossary 2 Word Parts
Section I: Medical Terminology → English
Section II: English → Medical Terminology
Glossary 3 English → Spanish Terms*
Index
5
Copyright
3251 Riverport Lane
St. Louis, Missouri 63043
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: A SHORT COURSE, EIGHTH EDITION
ISBN: 978-0-323-44492-7
Copyright © 2018 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
Previous editions copyrighted © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2005, 2003, 1999, 1991.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek
permission, further information about the Publisher's permissions policies and our arrangements
with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency,
can be found at our website: www.elsevier.com/permissions.
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the
Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. Practitioners and researchers
must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information,
methods, compounds or experiments described herein. Because of rapid advances in the medical
sciences, in particular, independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. To
the fullest extent of the law, no responsibility is assumed by Elsevier, authors, editors or
contributors for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability,
negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or
ideas contained in the material herein.
ISBN: 978-0-323-44492-7
Senior Content Strategist: Linda Woodard
Senior Content Development Specialist: Diane Chatman
Senior Content Development Manager: Luke Held
Publishing Services Manager: Julie Eddy
Project Manager: Mike Sheets
Design Direction: Brian Salisbury
Printed in Canada
Last digit is the print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
6
7
Dedication
For my wonderful grandchildren whose laughter and love surround me, especially on
Nantucket.
Thank you, Ben, Louisa, Bebe, Gus, Solomon, and Amari!
8
Preface to the 8th Edition
I wrote the first edition of Medical Terminology: A Short Course almost 30 years ago with the hope
that it would fill a specific niche in the education of allied health professionals. My goal was to
present a comprehensive introduction and overview of medical terminology in a straightforward
and easy manner for students who had no previous background in biology or medicine.
It is gratifying to know that this book is now widely used in colleges, career schools, universities,
hospitals, and other medical settings in the United States and abroad, where allied health workers
use medical language and interpret it for patients and their families. There is no doubt that the
method used in Medical Terminology: A Short Course takes potentially complicated subject matter and
makes it manageable and understandable. In this eighth edition, the text has been updated and
carefully reviewed for clarity, simplicity, and practicality, but its essential elements remain. Here
are its important features:
Workbook-Text Format.
In this book, you learn by doing. On nearly every page you are writing and interacting with
medical terminology. You complete exercises (and check your answers), label diagrams, test your
understanding with review sheets, and practice pronunciation. The best path to success is to write
terms and their meanings as you test yourself. I really believe this method of learning will work for
you!
Easy to Read and Understand.
Explanations of terms are worded simply and clearly, and repetition reinforces learning throughout
the text. Answers to questions are located easily so that you can check and correct your responses
while gaining additional explanation of terminology.
Dynamic Illustrations and Photographs.
9
Medical terms come alive with images on nearly every page! Learning is reinforced by seeing
parts of the body, diseases, conditions and real medical procedures. At the end of each chapter,
“Picture Shows” highlight key images and allow you to apply your knowledge of terminology.
Introduction to Body Systems.
The Body Systems Resource, beginning on page 215, begins with the following five sections:
• Anatomy—shows full-color images of each body system, labeled for easy reference with
combining forms for each body part.
• Terminology—repeats each combining form and gives a medical term illustrating the use of the
combining form. Definitions are in the Mini-Dictionary at the end of the book.
• Pathology—presents explanations of disease conditions related to each body system.
• Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures—explains and defines common examples for each body
system.
• Matching Exercises—tests your understanding of the material, with answers included.
10
Practical Applications.
Throughout the text, and on the Student Evolve website, you will find exciting images, medical
case reports, and vignettes and exercises called Picture Shows that illustrate terminology in the
context of stories about patients and procedures.
In Person.
These compelling first-person narratives describe procedures and conditions from a uniquely
personal perspective. After reading each story, medical terms take on new meaning as you
experience intimately how it feels to be in a patient's “shoes,” living through a diagnosis, disease,
and treatment.
Terminology Checkup.
11
This interactive and enhanced feature recaps and reinforces key concepts and easily confused terms
in each chapter.
Reference Guide for Medical and Hospital Work.
This book is also a useful resource. Diagnostic Tests and Procedures (radiological, nuclear medicine,
and clinical and laboratory tests) are found in Appendix 2. Abbreviations, symbols, acronyms, and
eponyms are located in Appendix 3. NEW to this edition is a Quick Drug Reference located in
Appendix 4. The Mini-Dictionary helps you study each chapter and also will be a reference for you in
the workplace. Each definition has been crafted carefully to explain terms using plain, nontechnical
language.
12
Also Available
Student Evolve Website (access included with text
purchase)
The Evolve website included with this new edition contains additional information, images, and
video clips to test and expand your understanding. Chapter by chapter, you will find case studies,
games, and activities, as well as a wealth of images to illustrate medical terminology. In the Audio
Program section you can hear the proper pronunciation with each medical term in the book. Visit
http://evolve.elsevier.com/Chabner/medtermshort to access your resources.
Medical Language Instant Translator (for sale separately)
My Medical Language Instant Translator is a uniquely useful resource for all allied health
professionals and students of medical terminology. It is a pocket-sized medical terminology
reference with convenient information at your fingertips!
Medical Terminology: A Short Course is exactly what you need to begin your medical career—
whether in an office, hospital, or other medical setting. Use this handy book in a classroom with an
instructor, or study it on your own. The combination of visually reinforced hands-on learning plus
easily accessible reference material will mean success for you in your allied health career.
My more comprehensive workbook-text, The Language of Medicine, 11th edition, may be of interest
to you as you continue your study of medical terminology. It can also serve as a valuable reference
in the workplace.
I still experience the thrill and joy of teaching new students. I love being in the classroom and feel
privileged to continue to write this text. I am available for help at any time. Please communicate
your comments, questions, and suggestions to me at daviellenchabner@gmail.com. For technical
assistance, please contact technical.support@elsevier.com.
Most of all, I hope this book brings to you excitement and enthusiasm for the medical language. It
can ignite your imagination for new challenges and make your job more interesting. Work hard and
have fun learning medical terminology!
13
Davi-Ellen Chabner
14
Acknowledgments
It is impossible to publish another edition of this book without the assistance and hard work of my
extraordinary and exceptional editor, Maureen Pfeifer. On virtually every aspect of this edition, she
has listened, advised, and delivered the best possible solutions … with great intelligence,
thoughtfulness, and careful attention to detail. We are a TEAM! Thank you, Maureen, for not only
being a superb cross-country working partner, but my loyal friend, as well.
I appreciate the support and advocacy of Linda Woodard, Senior Content Strategist, Elsevier, Inc.
She is always responsive to my concerns and willing to find solutions! Luke Held, Content
Development Manager, continues to be a reliable resource and support for my books. Thanks, Luke,
for being “in my corner.” I am also grateful to Diane Chatman, Senior Content Development
Specialist, for her coordination and oversight of this edition.
Mike Sheets, Project Manager, facilitated the complex production of this edition. I appreciate his
hard work and flexibility in all aspects of the project. Thank you, Brian Salisbury, Designer, for
creating the layout and design for this edition. I appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Suzanne BeDell, Managing Director, Education, Reference and Continuity, took the time to
become personally connected to me and my teaching. I appreciate her continuing involvement,
insight, and vision for my work. Thanks also to other members of the Elsevier team: Michelle
Harness, Director, Book Production; Julie Eddy, Publishing Services Manager, Book Production;
and Kevin Herrin, Team Manager, Multimedia. A special thank you to the sales team for your
continued support and promotion of my projects.
Jim Perkins, assistant professor of medical illustration, Rochester Institute of Technology, was
responsible for the excellent, first-rate individual drawings that illustrate this edition. As always, he
has done an outstanding job.
I am particularly grateful to the In Person contributors who shared their personal medical stories.
Thanks so much to Ruthellen Sheldon, Cathy Ward, Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, Sidra DeKoven
Ezrahi, and Nancy J. Brandwein.
I appreciate the valuable suggestions of the instructors who reviewed Medical Terminology: A
Short Course for this new edition. They are listed with their credentials on page xv. Their helpful
comments are incorporated in this text.
My class at Partners in Career and Workforce Development (PCWD), Partners Healthcare System
has been an important resource for this edition. My students’ enthusiasm and questions to inspire
me. I appreciate them, and their commitment to beginning a career in healthcare.
Teachers and students worldwide continue to contact me with insights and questions. Thank you
to: Mary Beth Dylewski, Tamara Bohnett, Gloria Lay, Isabel Isalguez, Mary Streight, N. Lee Price,
Hani Elgendi, Robin Maddalena, Mohammed Allibaih, Kaylar Griffin, Joyce Y. Nakano, Judith
Lytle, Julie Cox, Wendy Peters, Teresa Mills, Dianna Kerr, Jared Rodriguez, Ernest Nino-Murcia,
Rori Alexander and Susan Grady.
My husband, Bruce A. Chabner, MD, and my daughter, Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, MD,
MPH, are always available for expert medical advice and consultation. I am grateful for their
availability no matter what else is going on in their busy lives and work. Special thanks for Dan L.
Longo, MD, whom I continue to rely on for his infallible medical knowledge as well as his
unwavering friendship.
Bruce and I think continuously of our friends and family who are in the throes of medical issues
... real time. Their positive attitudes and courage give deeper meaning to our daily lives.
Davi-Ellen Chabner
15
16
Reviewers
Darci Brown PAC, MSPAS
Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program
Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania
Bruce A. Chabner MD
Director of Clinical Research
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Elizabeth Chabner Thompson MD, MPH
CEO/Founder BFFL Co
Scarsdale, New York
Rosalie Griffith MSN, RN, MAEd
Nursing Success Coordinator
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, Maryland
Dan L. Longo MD
Deputy Editor
New England Journal of Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Emily L. McClung RN, MSN
Instructor
Hiram College
Hiram, Ohio
Deborah Harris O'Brien PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Associate Professor
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC
Sean F. Peck MEd, EMT-P
Associate Faculty-Allied Health
Arizona Western College
Yuma, Arizona
Constance Phillips MA, MPH
Director, Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences
Boston University School of Medicine/Metropolitan College
Boston, Massachusetts
Dona Powell BS in Education
Instructor
17
Technical Education Center, Osceola
Kissimmee, Florida
Mary M. Prorok RN, MSN
Instructor
South Hills School of Business & Technology
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Julie M. Weldon RN, MSN
Education Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty
Mercy Medical Center—Des Moines
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, Iowa
18
CHAPTER 1
19
Basic Word Structure
CHAPTER SECTIONS
Word Analysis 2
Combining Forms, Suffixes, and Prefixes 5
In Person: Living With Type 1 Diabetes 21
Exercises and Answers 23
Pronunciation of Terms 33
Practical Applications 37
Picture Show 39
Review 42
Terminology CheckUp 45
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
• To divide medical terms into component parts
• To analyze, pronounce, and spell medical terms using common combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes
20
Word Analysis
If you work in a medical setting, you use medical words every day. In addition, you hear medical
terms spoken in your doctor's office, read about health issues, and make daily decisions about your
own health care and the health care of your family. Terms such as arthritis, electrocardiogram,
hepatitis, and anemia describe conditions and tests that are familiar. Other medical words are more
complicated, but as you work in this book, you will begin to understand them even if you have
never studied biology or science.
Medical words are like individual jigsaw puzzles. Once you divide the terms into their
component parts and learn the meaning of the individual parts, you can use that knowledge to
understand many other new terms.
For example, the term HEMATOLOGY is divided into three parts:
When you analyze a medical term, begin at the end of the word. The ending is called a suffix. All
medical terms contain suffixes. The suffix in HEMATOLOGY is -LOGY, which means study of.
Next, look at the beginning of the term. HEMAT is the word root. The root gives the essential
meaning of the term. The root HEMAT means blood.
The third part of this term, which is the letter O, has no meaning of its own but is an important
connector between the root (HEMAT) and the suffix (-LOGY). It is called a combining vowel. The
letter O is the combining vowel usually found in medical terms.
Now put together the meanings of the suffix and the root: HEMATOLOGY means study of blood.
Another familiar medical term is ELECTROCARDIOGRAM. You probably know this term, often
abbreviated as ECG (or sometimes EKG). This is how you divide it into its parts:
Start with the suffix at the end of the term. The suffix -GRAM means a record.
Now look at the beginning of the term. ELECTR is a word root, and it means electricity.
This medical term has two roots. The second root is CARDI, meaning heart. Whenever you see
CARDI in other medical terms, you will know that it means heart.
Read the meaning of medical terms from the suffix, back to the beginning of the term, and
then across. Broken down this way, ELECTROCARDIOGRAM means record of the electricity in the
heart. It is the electrical current flowing within the heart that causes the heart muscle to contract,
pumping blood throughout the body. The sound made by contraction and relaxation of the heart
muscle is called the heartbeat.
Notice the two combining vowels in ELECTROCARDIOGRAM. Looking for the O in medical
terms will help you divide the term into its parts. One combining vowel (O) lies between two roots
(ELECTR and CARDI) and another between the root (CARDI) and the suffix (-GRAM).
The combining vowel plus the root is called a combining form. For example, there are two
combining forms in the word ELECTROCARDIOGRAM. These combining forms are ELECTR/O,
meaning electricity, and CARDI/O, meaning heart.
Notice how the following medical term is analyzed. Can you locate the two combining forms in
this term?
21
The two combining forms are GASTR/O and ENTER/O. The entire word (reading from the suffix,
back to the beginning of the term, and across) means study of the stomach and the intestines. Here
are other words that are divided into component parts:
In addition to roots, suffixes, combining forms, and combining vowels, many medical terms have
a word part attached to the beginning of the term. This is called a prefix, and it can change the
meaning of a term in important ways. For example, watch what happens to the meaning of the
following medical terms when the prefix changes:
22
Let's REVIEW the important word parts:
1. Root—gives the essential meaning of the term.
2. Suffix—is the word ending.
3. Prefix—is a small part added to the beginning of a term.
4. Combining vowel—connects roots to suffixes and roots to other roots.
5. Combining form—is the combination of the root and the combining vowel.
Some important rules to REMEMBER are:
1. Read the meaning of medical words from the suffix to the beginning of the word and then across.
2. Drop the combining vowel before a suffix that starts with a vowel.
3. Keep the combining vowel between word roots, even if the second root begins with a vowel.
23
Combining Forms, Suffixes, and Prefixes
Presented in this section are lists of combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes that are commonly
found in medical terms. Write the meaning of the medical term on the line that is provided. Some
terms will be more difficult to understand even after you know the meanings of individual word
parts. For these, more extensive explanations are given in italics. To check your work, see the MiniDictionary beginning on page 349, which contains meanings of all terms used in this book.
In your study of medical terminology, you will find it helpful to practice writing terms and their
meanings many times. You'll succeed when you follow these simple steps:
1. Complete Exercises beginning on page 23 for this chapter, and faithfully check your answers on
pages 31 to 32.
2. Fill in the meanings in the Pronunciation of Terms list on pages 33 to 36.
3. Apply your knowledge in the Practical Applications and Picture Show features beginning on
page 37.
4. Complete the Review of word parts beginning on page 42 and check your answers.
5. Make sure you understand the key medical terminology concepts in the Terminology CheckUp
on page 45.
Combining Forms
Notice that the combining form is in bold type, while the root in the medical term is underlined.
Combining Meaning
Form
aden/o
gland
arthr/o
bi/o
joint
life
carcin/o
cancer,
cancerous
heart
head
cardi/o
cephal/o
cerebr/o
Medical Term
Meaning
adenoma _____________________________________
-OMA means tumor or mass.
adenitis ______________________________________
-ITIS means inflammation.
arthritis ______________________________________
biology _______________________________________
-LOGY means study of.
biopsy ________________________________________
-OPSY means (process of) viewing. Living tissue is removed and viewed under a microscope.
carcinoma ____________________________________
cardiology ____________________________________
cephalic ______________________________________
-IC means pertaining to. If an infant is born with the head delivered first, it is a cephalic presentation.
cerebrum, cerebral ______________________________________
largest part -AL means pertaining to. Figure 1-1 shows the cerebrum and its functions.
of the brain
24
FIGURE 1-1
Functions of the cerebrum.
cerebrovascular accident (CVA) _________________
-VASCULAR means pertaining to blood vessels; a CVA is commonly known as a stroke.
What happens in a stroke?
Blood is prevented from reaching areas of the cerebrum, and brain cells die. Depending on the location and extent of reduced blood flow, signs and symptoms
may include loss of movement (paralysis), loss of speech (aphasia), weakness, and changes in sensation.
cyst/o
urinary
bladder
cystoscope ____________________________________
-SCOPE means instrument to visually examine. Figure 1-2 shows the urinary bladder and urinary tract in a male. Figure 1-3 shows a cystoscope
placed through the urethra into the urinary bladder of a female during cystoscopy.
FIGURE 1-2
Male urinary tract. Note that the prostate gland lies below the urinary bladder. It secretes fluid that combines with sperm to
25
form semen. Semen leaves the body through the urethra during ejaculation. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed 11,
St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
FIGURE 1-3
cyt/o
derm/o
dermat/o
electr/o
cell
skin
skin
electricity
encephal/o brain
enter/o
intestines
(often the
small
intestine)
Female urinary tract. A cystoscope is placed into the urinary bladder through the urethra. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The
Language of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
cytology ______________________________________
dermal _______________________________________
dermatitis ____________________________________
electrocardiogram (ECG) ______________________
-GRAM means record. EKG is an older abbreviation for this test.
electroencephalogram (EEG) ___________________
This record is helpful in determining whether a patient has a seizure disorder, such as epilepsy.
enteritis ______________________________________
Figure 1-4 shows the small and large intestines. ENTER/O describes the small intestine and sometimes intestines in general. COL/O and
COLON/O are combining forms for the large intestine (colon).
26
FIGURE 1-4
Location of the small and large intestines in the abdominal cavity. Note that the lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, and
esophagus are in the chest cavity, which is above the diaphragm. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis,
2017, Elsevier.)
erythr/o
red
erythrocyte ___________________________________
-CYTE means cell. Figure 1-5 shows the three major types of blood cells.
27
FIGURE 1-5 Blood cells: erythrocytes (carry oxygen), leukocytes (five different types help fight disease), and thrombocytes or
platelets (help blood to clot). (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
gastr/o
gnos/o
stomach
gastroscopy ___________________________________
-SCOPY means process of visual examination using an instrument, or “scope.”
knowledge diagnosis _____________________________________
-SIS means state of; DIA- means complete. A diagnosis is the complete knowledge gained after testing and examining the patient. The plural of
diagnosis is diagnoses. Table 1-1 shows other plural formations.
prognosis _____________________________________
PRO- means before. A prognosis is a prediction (before knowledge) that is made after the diagnosis. It forecasts the outcome of treatment.
TABLE 1-1
FORMATION OF PLURALS
Consult the Mini-Dictionary beginning on page 349 for pronunciations of all terms.
1. Words ending in a retain the a and add e:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
vertebra vertebrae Backbone
bursa
bursae
Sac of fluid near a joint
2. Words ending in is drop the is and add es:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
diagnosis diagnoses Determination of the nature and cause of a disease
psychosis psychoses Abnormal condition of the mind
3. Words ending in ex or ix drop the ex or ix and add ices:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
apex
apices
Pointed end of an organ
cortex
cortices
Outer part of an organ
varix
varices
Enlarged, swollen vein
4. Words ending in on drop the on and add a:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
ganglion ganglia
Group of nerve cells; benign cyst near a joint (such as the wrist)
5. Words ending in um drop the um and add a:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
bacterium bacteria
Type of one-celled organism
ovum
ova
Egg cell
28
6. Words ending in us drop the us and add i*:
Singular Plural
Meaning (of singular term)
bronchus bronchi
Tube leading from the windpipe to the lungs
calculus calculi
Stone
*Exceptions to this rule are viruses and sinuses.
gynec/o
hem/o,
hemat/o
hepat/o
woman,
female
blood
liver
gynecology
_________________________________
hemoglobin ___________________________________
-GLOBIN means protein. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes) that helps carry oxygen in the blood.
hematoma ____________________________________
-OMA means mass or tumor. In this term, -oma indicates a mass or swelling containing blood.
hepatitis _____________________________________
Be careful about spelling this term!
The combining form is gynec/o. A gynecologist specializes in diseases of the female reproductive organs. Gynecology involves both surgical and internal
medicine expertise, and is often practiced with obstetrics (care of pregnant women and delivery of a fetus).
Hematoma
A hematoma is a mass of blood trapped in tissues of the skin or in an organ. It often results from trauma and is commonly called a bruise or “black-and-blue”
mark. Figure 1-6 A and B shows hematomas.
FIGURE 1-6
lapar/o
abdomen
(area
between
the chest
and hip)
A, Subungual hematoma. This collection of blood under (SUB-) a nail (UNGU/O = nail) resulted from trauma to the toe. B, Hematoma from broken
ribs. (A, From Habif TP: Clinical Dermatology, ed 4, St. Louis, 2004, Mosby.)
laparotomy ___________________________________
-TOMY means cutting into. In an exploratory laparotomy the surgeon makes a large incision in the abdominal wall to inspect organs for evidence
of disease. See Figure 1-7A. Laparoscopy is visual examination of the abdomen using several small incisions for a laparoscope and other
instruments. See Figure 1-7B. Another combining form for abdomen is ABDOMIN/O, as in abdominal.
FIGURE 1-7
A, Laparotomy. This large incision was closed with surgical staples. B, Laparoscopy. The abdomen is examined
making small incisions and using a laparoscope.
29
leuk/o
white
leukocyte _____________________________________
Figure 1-5 on page 9 shows five different types of leukocytes.
nephr/o
kidney
nephrectomy _________________________________
-ECTOMY means cutting out—an excision or resection of an organ or other part of the body.
neur/o
nerve
neurology ____________________________________
onc/o
tumor
oncologist ____________________________________
(cancerous) -IST means a specialist.
ophthalm/o eye
ophthalmoscope ______________________________
Figure 1-8A is an image of ophthalmoscope. Figure 1-8B shows an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor, examining a patient's eye. Figure 1-8C
the retina, lining the back of the eye (fundus) as seen through an ophthalmoscope.
FIGURE 1-8 A, Ophthalmoscope. This instrument allows the ophthalmologist to view both the outer and inner areas of the eye. B,
Ophthalmoscopic examination. C, The inner or back area (retina) of a normal eye as seen through an ophthalmoscope. (A,
Modified from Jarvis, Physical Examination and Health Assessment, St. Louis, 2016, Saunders. B, From Jarvis C: Physical Examination and Health
Assessment, ed 3, Philadelphia, 2000, Saunders. C, Courtesy of Dr. Jay Rosen, The Eye Gallery, Scarsdale NY, and Louisa Thompson.)
oste/o
bone
osteoarthritis ________________________________
Figure 1-9 shows a normal knee joint and a knee joint with osteoarthritis. Degenerative changes with thinning and loss of cartilage occur.
Inflammation of the joint membrane occurs late in the disease.
FIGURE 1-9
path/o
disease
psych/o
mind
ren/o
kidney
rhin/o
sarc/o
nose
flesh
thromb/o
clotting
Normal knee joint and knee joint with osteoarthritis.
pathologist
______________________________
A pathologist is a medical doctor who views biopsy samples to make a diagnosis and examines dead bodies (in an autopsy) to determine the cause of
death. AUT- means self, and -OPSY means (process of) viewing. Thus, an autopsy is an opportunity to see for oneself what caused a patient's death.
psychosis ____________________________________
-OSIS means abnormal condition. In this serious mental condition, the patient loses touch with reality. Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations
(unreal sensory perceptions, such as hearing voices when none are present) and delusions (fixed, false beliefs that can't be changed by logical
reasoning).
renal ________________________________________
Sometimes there are two combining forms for the same part of the body. Often, one comes from Latin and the other from Greek. REN- is the Latin root
meaning “kidney,” and NEPHR- is the Greek root meaning “kidney.” The Greek root describes abnormal conditions and procedures, whereas the
Latin root is used with -AL, meaning “pertaining to.”
rhinitis ______________________________________
sarcoma _____________________________________
Sarcomas and carcinomas are both cancerous tumors. Sarcomas grow from the fleshy (connective) tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, bone, and
cartilage, whereas carcinomas arise from skin tissue and the linings of internal organs.
thrombocyte _________________________________
A thrombocyte (platelet) is a small cell that helps blood to clot. Platelets are shown in Figure 1-5 (see page 9).
thrombosis __________________________________
Formation of a thrombus (blood clot) occurs when thrombocytes and other clotting factors combine. Thrombosis describes the condition of forming a
30
clot (thrombus).
Pathologist/medical examiner/coroner
A medical examiner (M.E.) is a pathologist who specializes in forensic (legal) medicine related to criminal issues. A coroner, however, is an elected official
(administrator) who investigates any suspicious death. This official may or may not be a medical examiner.
Suffixes
Each suffix is in bold in the Suffix column and underlined in the Medical Term column.
Suffix
-al
Meaning
Medical Term
Meaning
pertaining to neural _______________________________________
Other suffixes meaning pertaining to are listed on page 385 in Glossary of Word Parts.
-algia condition of arthralgia ____________________________________
pain
-cyte
cell
leukocyte _____________________________________
cutting out; gastrectomy __________________________________
ectomy removal,
In a partial or subtotal gastrectomy, only a portion of the stomach is removed.
excision
-emia blood
leukemia _____________________________________
condition
Large numbers of immature, cancerous cells are found in the bloodstream and bone marrow (inner part of bone that makes blood cells).
-globin protein
hemoglobin ___________________________________
-gram record
arthrogram ___________________________________
This is an x-ray record of a joint.
-ia
condition
neuralgia _____________________________________
-IA means condition and is part of the larger suffix -ALGIA meaning condition of pain.
-ic
pertaining to gastric _______________________________________
-ism
condition,
hyperthyroidism ______________________________
process
HYPER- means excessive. The thyroid gland is in the neck. It secretes the hormone thyroxine, which helps cells burn food to release energy. See
1-10.
FIGURE 1-10
Hyperthyroidism (Graves disease). The thyroid gland produces too much hormone, which causes signs and symptoms such as
rapid pulse, nervousness, excessive sweating, and swelling of tissue behind the eyeball (resulting in exophthalmos, or “bulging” of the eyes).
Notice the enlarged thyroid gland in the neck. (Modified from Seidel H, et al: Mosby's Guide to Physical Examination, ed 4, St. Louis, 1998,
Mosby.)
-itis
-logist
-logy
-oma
-opsy
-osis
inflammation gastroenteritis ________________________________
specialist in neurologist ___________________________________
the study of
study of
nephrology ___________________________________
See Table 1-2 on page 16 for a list of other terms using -LOGY.
tumor, mass hepatoma ____________________________________
This is a cancerous (malignant) tumor, also called hepatocellular carcinoma.
to view
biopsy ________________________________________
abnormal
nephrosis _____________________________________
condition
leukocytosis __________________________________
This is an increase in numbers of normal white blood cells as a response to infection.
TABLE 1-2
31
TERMS USING -LOGY (STUDY OF)
Cardiology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Hematology
Neurology
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Pathology
Psychology
Rheumatology
Urology
-scope
instrument
to visually
examine
-scopy process of
visual
examination
Study of the heart
Study of the skin
Study of the endocrine glands
Study of the stomach and intestines
Study of women and women's diseases
Study of the blood
Study of the nerves and the brain and spinal cord
Study of tumors (cancerous or malignant diseases)
Study of the eye
Study of disease
Study of the mind and mental disorders
Study of joint diseases (RHEUMAT/O = flow or watery discharge, which was once thought to
cause aches and pains, especially in joints)
Study of the urinary tract (surgical specialty)
gastroscope ___________________________________
laparoscope ___________________________________
laparoscopy ___________________________________
Small incisions are made near the navel, and instruments are inserted into the abdomen for viewing organs and performing procedures such as tying off
the fallopian (uterine) tubes. See Figure 1-11.
FIGURE 1-11 Laparoscopy for tubal ligation (interruption of the continuity of the fallopian tubes) as a means of preventing future
pregnancy. The vaginal speculum keeps the vaginal cavity open. The uterine cannula is a tube placed into the uterus to manipulate the
uterus during the procedure. Forceps and tenaculum are used for grasping or manipulating tissue. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language
of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
arthroscopy ___________________________________
See Figure 1-12 (page 18).
32
FIGURE 1-12
-sis
-tomy
state of
process of
cutting into;
incision
Arthroscopy of the shoulder. A surgeon (orthopedist) performs an arthroscopic examination to make a diagnosis or treat disease
of the joints (courtesy of Michael J. Curtin, MD, St. Luke’s Clinic, Boise, Idaho).
prognosis _____________________________________
neurotomy ____________________________________
Prefixes
Each prefix is in bold type in the Prefix column and underlined in the Medical Term column.
Prefix Meaning
a-, an- no, not
aut-
self
Medical Term
Meaning
anemia
____________________________________
Literally, anemia means a condition of “no blood.” Actually, it is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or in hemoglobin, the protein
that helps in their ability to carry oxygen.
autopsy ______________________________________
Viewing and examining a dead body with one's own (self) eyes. Here the root OPS- (viewing) is embedded in the suffix -OPSY (process
of viewing).
Where is the root?
Some suffixes can contain roots. In the term anemia, notice that the root EM- (from HEM, meaning blood) is embedded in the suffix -EMIA.
dia-
complete, through diagnosis _____________________________________
In this term, DIA- means complete.
diameter _____________________________________
The suffix -METER means measurement. DIA- means through in this term.
dysbad, painful,
dysentery _____________________________________
difficult, abnormal The suffix -Y means condition or process.
endo- within
endocrine glands ______________________________
CRIN/O means to secrete (to form and give off). Examples of endocrine glands are the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands,
ovaries, and testes. All of these glands secrete hormones within the body and into the bloodstream.
endocardium __________________________________
The valves and chambers within the heart are lined with endocardium. The suffix -UM indicates a structure.
exooutside
exocrine glands _______________________________
Examples of exocrine glands are sweat, tear, and mammary (breast) glands, which secrete substances to the outside of the body.
hyper- excessive, more
hyperglycemia ________________________________
than normal,too
GLYC/O means sugar. Hyperglycemia may be a sign of diabetes mellitus. Mellitus means “sweet.”
much
hypo- below, lessthan
hypoglycemia _________________________________
normal,under
This condition results from too much insulin in the bloodstream. Symptoms are weakness, headache, and hunger.
peri- surrounding
pericardium __________________________________
Hyperglycemia and diabetes
People with hyperglycemia lack insulin (type 1 diabetes) or have ineffective insulin (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is a hormone normally released by the
pancreas, an endocrine gland near the stomach. Insulin allows sugar to leave the bloodstream and enter cells. When insulin is either absent or not
working, sugar remains in the blood, resulting in hyperglycemia and diabetes. See In Person: Living with Type 1 Diabetes on page 21.
pro-
before, forward
prostate gland ________________________________
This exocrine gland “stands” (-STATE) before or in front of the urinary bladder in males (see Figure 1-13).
33
FIGURE 1-13
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The resectoscope contains a light, valves for controlling
irrigating fluid, and an electrical loop that cuts tissue and seals blood vessels. (From Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine,
ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
re-
back
retro- behind
subbelow, under
trans- across, through
resection _____________________________________
-SECTION means cutting into an organ, but RESECTION means removing some or all of an organ in the sense of cutting back or away.
The Latin resectio means “a trimming or pruning.”
retrogastric ___________________________________
subhepatic ____________________________________
transdermal __________________________________
transurethral
_______________________________
The urethra is a tube that leads from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.
Transurethral resection of the prostate gland (TURP)
This is a surgical procedure to remove noncancerous (benign) growth of the prostate gland. Pieces of the enlarged gland are removed through the
urethra. See Figure 1-13.
34
In Person: Living With Type 1 Diabetes
The following first-person narrative describes the reality of living with a particular medical condition—type 1
diabetes in a teenager. In each of the subsequent chapters, you'll find other first-person accounts of diseases
and procedures that will make your study of medical terminology more relevant to real-life situations.
Jake Sheldon has type 1 diabetes, which was diagnosed when he was 8 years old. The following narrative
was written by his mother, Ruthellen Sheldon, based on his teenage years.
On school days, I wake Jake up at 6:30 AM. He tests his blood sugar by pricking his finger until it
bleeds, and then sticks a test strip into the drop of blood. Then he inserts the strip into a small handheld glucometer and waits 3 to 5 seconds for a reading of his blood sugar. If this is 120 mg/dL or
higher, he gives himself insulin 10 to 15 minutes before breakfast. He has an insulin pump, so he
types in the amount of carbohydrates he will eat, plus his current blood sugar reading. The pump
calculates how much insulin he needs to cover the carbs and any extra insulin he may need to bring
down a high blood sugar. If Jake's blood sugar is less than 120 mg/dL when he wakes up, he will
wait until he takes his first bite of food to give himself his insulin to avoid hypoglycemia.
Throughout the school day, if his blood sugar is high or low, he visits the nurse. If it's high, he
gives himself an insulin bolus, or correction, by pump. If his blood sugar is positive for ketones, he
is sent home from school. If his blood sugar is low or less than 70, he eats or drinks some fast-acting
sugar (Skittles, Smarties, or Sprite) and waits in the healthroom for his blood sugar to rise so he can
return to class.
During the night, his dad and I set an alarm to wake up around 3 hours after bedtime. If his blood
sugar is high while he sleeps, we use his pump to give him extra insulin, “a correction.” If it is low,
we wake him and have him drink Sprite or eat Smarties.
The insulin pump is connected to his body with a small cannula [tube]. It is inserted manually
through a needle into his hip region. The needle is then removed and the tiny Teflon cannula
remains in his body, delivering fast-acting insulin under the skin. His pump is always connected to
him with plastic tubing, and he carries it with him in his pants pocket. When he bathes, he can
disconnect the pump, and when he sleeps, he places it on the mattress next to his body.
When Jake is playing sports, he times his meals with the start of the activity so his blood sugar is
around 150 mg/dL. He disconnects his pump during sports, and at halftime he tests his blood sugar.
If it is low, he needs to eat. If it is high, he needs to reconnect his pump and administer more
insulin.
In general, Jake's diabetes doesn't disrupt his life other than for his nighttime checks, wearing an
insulin pump, and paying attention to how many carbs he eats. We encourage him to make good
nutritional choices and to limit certain foods (doughnuts, Slurpees, candy) to special occasions. He
also must carry a glucometer with him at all times and a sugar to take when his blood glucose is
low.
Having a child with diabetes forces me to carefully plan the preparation and timing of meals. I
always have certain foods and medical supplies in the house, and I also carry snacks and sugar
sources wherever I go. My husband and I hope that keeping Jake's blood sugar in tight control will
35
help avoid many of the complications frequently encountered later in life by people with type 1
diabetes.
Throughout high school, Jake took over all diabetes management tasks and managed his diabetes
100 percent independently before his graduation. Moving out of state to college, Jake has had to
learn how cafeteria foods, late nights, and new social situations affect his blood sugars. Jake is also
learning how to manage ordering and maintaining a vast number of diabetes supplies and
prescriptions in his dorm room. Jake will also be transitioning from his pediatric endocrinologist to
an adult endocrinologist this year.
Ruthellen Sheldon and her son, Jake, now 18 years old.
36
Exercises and Answers
These exercises give you practice writing and understanding the terms presented in the chapter. An
important part of your work is to check your answers with the Answers to Exercises beginning on page 31.
If you cannot answer a question, then please look at the answer key and copy the correct answer. You may
want to photocopy some of the exercises before you complete them so that you can practice doing them many
times. Remember the 3 “Rs”—wRite, Review, Repeat—and you will succeed!
Visit the Evolve website (http://evolve.elsevier.com/Chabner/medtermshort) for additional information,
images, games, videos, and interactive activities.
A Using slashes (/), divide the following terms into their component parts and give the meaning
for the whole term. The first term is completed as an example.
1. aden/oma _tumor of a gland___________________________________________________
2. arthritis
_____________________________________________________________________
3. biopsy
_______________________________________________________________________
4. cardiology
___________________________________________________________________
5. dermal
______________________________________________________________________
6. cytology
_____________________________________________________________________
7. cystoscope
___________________________________________________________________
8. cerebral
_____________________________________________________________________
9. cephalic
_____________________________________________________________________
10. adenitis
_____________________________________________________________________
B Complete the following sentences using the medical terms given below.
diagnosis
electrocardiogram
electroencephalogram
enteritis
erythrocyte
gynecology
37
hematoma
hemoglobin
hepatitis
prognosis
1. A mass of blood, or “black-and-blue” mark, is a/an _____________________________.
2. A red blood cell is a/an
_______________________________________________________.
3. Inflammation of the small intestine is ________________________________________.
4. The prediction about the outcome of an illness is a/an _________________________.
5. The record of electricity in the brain is a/an ___________________________________.
6. The study of women and women's diseases is
__________________________________.
7. The record of electricity in the heart is a/an ___________________________________.
8. Complete knowledge of a patient's illness on the basis of tests and other information
is a/an __________________________________________________________.
9. A protein found in red blood cells is __________________________________________.
10. Inflammation of the liver is
__________________________________________________.
C Name the tissue or part of the body contained in the following terms and give the meaning of
the entire term.
Tissue/Body Part
1. laparotomy ________________________
2. nephrectomy ______________________
3. neuritis ___________________________
4. ophthalmoscope ___________________
5. osteotomy _________________________
6. renal _____________________________
7. rhinitis ___________________________
8. sarcoma __________________________
Meaning of Term
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
D Give the meanings of the following terms.
1. oncologist
____________________________________________________________________
2. pathologist
___________________________________________________________________
3. psychosis
____________________________________________________________________
4. leukocyte
____________________________________________________________________
38
5. thrombocyte
_________________________________________________________________
6. gastritis
_____________________________________________________________________
7. adenoma
____________________________________________________________________
8. thrombosis
___________________________________________________________________
E Give the meanings of the following suffixes.
1. -cyte
________________________________________________________________________
2. -ism
_________________________________________________________________________
3. -ectomy
_____________________________________________________________________
4. -al
__________________________________________________________________________
5. -emia
_______________________________________________________________________
6. -gram
_______________________________________________________________________
7. -algia
_______________________________________________________________________
8. -itis
_________________________________________________________________________
9. -globin
______________________________________________________________________
10. -ic
__________________________________________________________________________
F Complete the following medical terms to end each sentence.
1. Nerve pain is neur__________________________________________________________.
2. Presence of large numbers of immature, cancerous white blood cells is a blood
condition known as
leuk_____________________________________________________.
3. An x-ray record of a joint is arthro___________________________________________.
4. Study of the kidney is nephro________________________________________________.
39
5. Tumor of the liver is
hepat___________________________________________________.
6. Visual examination of the abdomen is laparo_________________________________.
7. An incision of a joint is called arthro_________________________________________.
8. Abnormal condition of the skin is dermat_____________________________________.
9. Inflammation of the skin is dermat___________________________________________.
10. A specialist in the study of blood is a hemato_________________________________.
G Give the meanings of the following prefixes.
1. hyper_______________________________________________________________________
2. sub_________________________________________________________________________
3. dys_________________________________________________________________________
4. trans_______________________________________________________________________
5. retro_______________________________________________________________________
6. dia_________________________________________________________________________
7. exo_________________________________________________________________________
8. aut_________________________________________________________________________
9. hypo_______________________________________________________________________
10. endo_______________________________________________________________________
11. peri________________________________________________________________________
H Give the meanings of the following medical terms.
1. autopsy
_____________________________________________________________________
2. hyperthyroidism
_____________________________________________________________
40
3. anemia
______________________________________________________________________
4. dysentery
___________________________________________________________________
5. endocrine glands
_____________________________________________________________
6. hypoglycemia
________________________________________________________________
7. exocrine glands
______________________________________________________________
8. resection
____________________________________________________________________
9. transdermal
_________________________________________________________________
10. hyperglycemia
_______________________________________________________________
I Complete the following medical terms related to the stomach.
1. _____________________ gastric
2. gastr_______________________
3. gastr_______________________
4. _____________________ gastric
5. gastr_______________________
6. _____________________ gastric
7. gastr_______________________
8. gastr_______________________
9. gastr_______________________
10. gastr_______________________
Pertaining to under the stomach
Pain in the stomach
Inflammation of the stomach
Pertaining to across or through the stomach
Process of visually examining the stomach
Pertaining to behind the stomach
Study of the stomach and intestines
Incision of the stomach
Excision of the stomach
Instrument to visually examine the stomach
J On the line provided, give the meaning of the term in bold.
1. An oncologist treats abnormal conditions such as sarcomas and carcinomas.
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. After explaining the diagnosis, Dr. Jones outlined the treatment and assured the
patient that the prognosis was hopeful.
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Elderly Mrs. Scott has constant arthralgia in her knees and hips. Her physician
prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin to treat her osteoarthritis but
advises that joint replacement may be necessary.
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. A pathologist is a medical doctor who performs autopsies and examines biopsy
samples._____________________________________________________________________
5. Thrombosis is a serious condition that may result in blockage of blood vessels.
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. Hyperglycemia results from lack of insulin (hormone) secretion from the pancreas
41
(endocrine gland near the stomach). Without insulin, sugar cannot enter cells and
remains in the blood. ________________________________________________
7. Schizophrenia is an example of a psychosis, in which the patient loses touch with
reality and displays abnormal behavior (delusions and hallucinations may occur).
______________________________________________________________________
8. Minimally invasive surgery of the abdomen may be performed using laparoscopy.
For example, a gallbladder or appendix can be removed with instruments inserted
through small incisions.
________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism include an enlarged thyroid gland and protruding
eyeballs (exophthalmos).
________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Sally's diagnosis of dysentery was made after she returned from a trip to Mexico
with abdominal pain, fever, and severe diarrhea (loose, watery stools).
_____________________________________________________________________________
11. Mr. Smith died of a cerebrovascular accident. Confirmation at autopsy revealed a
thrombus blocking one of his cerebral arteries.
________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, which enables them to carry oxygen throughout
the body. _________________________________________________________
13. Leukemia was confirmed after a bone marrow biopsy and high white blood cell
counts.
______________________________________________________________________
14. Certain types of bleeding or clotting disorders may be caused by reduced numbers
of thrombocytes, also known as platelets. _____________________________________
15. An example of anemia is iron deficiency anemia.
________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Transdermal delivery by patch is used for administering drugs such as nicotine,
nitroglycerin, and scopolamine (for motion sickness).
________________________________________________________________________________________
17. When Bill had difficulty urinating (urinary retention), his doctor discovered that his
prostate gland was enlarged.
________________________________________________________________________________________
18. To relieve his symptoms related to urinary retention, Bill's urologist performed a
transurethral resection of his enlarged prostate gland.
________________________________________________________________________________________
19. Although the small intestine is longer (20 feet) than the large intestine (5 feet), the
diameter of the large intestine (colon) is greater.
________________________________________________________________________________________
K Refer to Table 1-1, page 10, to form the plurals of the following terms.
42
1. psychosis
____________________________________________________________________
2. ovum
________________________________________________________________________
3. vertebra
_____________________________________________________________________
4. bronchus
____________________________________________________________________
5. spermatozoon
________________________________________________________________
6. apex
________________________________________________________________________
L In the following medical vignettes, circle the bold term that best completes the meaning of the
sentences.
1. Selma ate a spicy meal at an Indian restaurant. Later that night she experienced
(osteoarthritis, dermatitis, gastroenteritis). Fortunately the cramping and diarrhea
subsided by morning.
2. Christina was feeling very sluggish, both physically and mentally. Her hair seemed
coarse, she had noticed weight gain in the past weeks, and she had hot and cold
intolerance. Her internist ordered a blood test that revealed low levels of a hormone
normally secreted from a gland in the neck. She was referred to a specialist, a/an
(gynecologist, endocrinologist, pathologist). The physician ordered a blood test that
confirmed low levels of the hormone. The diagnosis of (hypothyroidism,
hyperthyroidism, psychosis) was thus made, and proper treatment prescribed.
3. Dr. Fischer examined the lump in Bruno's thigh. An imaging technique using
magnetic waves and radio signals (MRI scan) revealed a suspicious mass in the soft
connective tissue of the thigh. Suspecting a cancerous mass of flesh tissue, or
(hematoma, carcinoma, sarcoma), Dr. Fischer ordered a/an (prognosis, biopsy,
autopsy) of the mass.
4. On her seventh birthday, Susie fell down during her birthday party. Her mother
noticed bruises on Susie's knees and elbows that seemed to “come up overnight.”
Her pediatrician ordered a blood test, which demonstrated a decreased platelet
count and an elevated (leukocyte, erythrocyte, thrombocyte) count at 40,000 cells.
Susie was referred to a/an (dermatologist, nephrologist, oncologist), who made a
diagnosis of (hepatitis, anemia, leukemia).
5. When Mr. Saluto collapsed and died while eating dinner, the family requested a/an
(laparotomy, gastroscopy, autopsy) to determine the cause of death. The
(hematologist, pathologist, gastroenterologist) discovered that Mr. Saluto had died
of a (cardiovascular accident, dysentery, cerebrovascular accident), otherwise
known as a stroke.
Answers to Exercises
43
A
1. Tumor of a gland
2. Inflammation of a joint
3. Process of viewing living tissue under a microscope
4. Study of (process of study of) the heart
5. Pertaining to the skin
6. Study of (process of study of) cells
7. Instrument to visually examine the urinary bladder
8. Pertaining to the cerebrum (largest part of the brain)
9. Pertaining to the head
10. Inflammation of a gland
B
1. hematoma
2. erythrocyte
3. enteritis
4. prognosis
5. electroencephalogram
6. gynecology
7. electrocardiogram
8. diagnosis
9. hemoglobin
10. hepatitis
C
1. abdomen: incision of the abdomen (this is also called exploratory surgery)
2. kidney: excision (removal, resection) of the kidney
3. nerve: inflammation of a nerve
4. eye: instrument to visually examine the eye
5. bone: incision (to cut into, section) of a bone
6. kidney: pertaining to the kidney
7. nose: inflammation of the nose
8. flesh tissue: tumor (cancerous or malignant) of flesh tissue
44
D
1. Specialist in the study of tumors (cancerous or malignant tumors)
2. Specialist in the study of disease (examines biopsy samples and erforms autopsies)
3. Abnormal condition of the mind
4. White blood cell
5. Clotting cell or platelet
6. Inflammation of the stomach
7. Tumor of a gland (this is a benign or harmless tumor). An adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor
(CARCIN/O means cancerous).
8. Abnormal condition of clotting (occurring in a blood vessel)
E
1. cell
2. condition, process
3. process of cutting out, excision, resection, removal
4. pertaining to
5. condition of blood (blood condition)
6. record
7. pain; condition of pain
8. inflammation
9. protein
10. pertaining to
F
1. neuralgia
2. leukemia
3. arthrogram
4. nephrology
5. hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma
6. laparoscopy
7. arthrotomy
8. dermatosis
9. dermatitis
10. hematologist
45
G
1. excessive, above, more than normal
2. under, below
3. abnormal, bad, difficult, painful
4. across, through
5. behind, back
6. complete, through
7. out, outside
8. self
9. below, deficient, less than normal
10. within, in, inner
11. surrounding
H
1. Examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death
2. Excessive activity of the thyroid gland
3. Deficiency of hemoglobin or numbers of red blood cells; literally, “no” (AN-) “blood” (-EMIA)
4. Condition of painful intestines; marked by inflammation, abdominal pain, and frequent and
bloody stools and often caused by bacteria
5. Organs that produce (secrete) hormones directly into the bloodstream
6. Blood condition of decreased sugar (lower-than-normal levels)
7. Organs that produce (secrete) chemicals to the outside of the body (through tubes or ducts)
8. Removal (excision) of an organ or structure
9. Pertaining to through the skin
10. Blood condition of increased sugar (higher than normal levels)
I
1. subgastric or hypogastric
2. gastralgia
3. gastritis
4. transgastric
5. gastroscopy
6. retrogastric
7. gastroenterology
46
8. gastrotomy
9. gastrectomy
10. gastroscope
J
1. Specialist in the study (and treatment) of tumors
2. Prediction of the outcome of an illness or treatment
3. Inflammation of bones and joints (including degeneration of joints)
4. Specialist in the study of disease
5. Abnormal condition of clotting (clot formation)
6. Blood condition of increased sugar (high blood sugar)
7. Abnormal condition of the mind
8. Visual examination of the abdomen
9. Condition of increased secretion of hormone from the thyroid gland
10. Condition of painful intestines
11. Stroke; trauma to blood vessels of the brain (cerebrum)
12. Red blood cells
13. Increase in cancerous (malignant) white blood cells in blood and bone marrow
14. Clotting cells
15. Deficiency of hemoglobin and/or decrease in number of red blood cells; results in reduced
oxygen to cells
16. Pertaining to through the skin
17. Gland in males located in front of the urinary bladder (the prostate is an exocrine gland)
18. Removal of portions of the prostate gland through the urethra (procedure is called TURP)
19. Measurement of the width across a circle
K
1. psychoses (drop -is and add -es)
2. ova (drop -um and add -a)
3. vertebrae (add -e)
4. bronchi (drop -us and add -i)
5. spermatozoa (drop -on and add -a)
6. apices (drop -ex and add -ices)
L
47
1. gastroenteritis
2. endocrinologist, hypothyroidism
3. sarcoma, biopsy
4. leukocyte, oncologist, leukemia
5. autopsy, pathologist, cerebrovascular accident
48
Pronunciation of Terms
The terms that you have learned in this chapter are presented here with their pronunciations. The capitalized
letters in BOLDFACE indicate the accented syllable. Pronounce each word out loud; then write the meaning
in the space provided. All meanings of terms are found in the Mini-Dictionary beginning on page 349, and
on the audio section of the Evolve site (http://evolve.elsevier.com/Chabner/medtermshort). After you write all
of the meanings, it is a good idea to cover the Term column and write each term from its meaning.
Term
adenitis
adenoma
anemia
arthralgia
arthritis
arthrogram
arthroscope
arthroscopy
autopsy
biology
biopsy
carcinoma
cardiac
cardiology
cephalic
cerebral
cerebrovascular accident
cystoscope
cystoscopy
cytology
dermal
dermatitis
dermatosis
diagnosis
diameter
dysentery
electrocardiogram
electroencephalogram
endocardium
endocrine glands
endocrinology
enteritis
erythrocyte
exocrine glands
gastrectomy
gastric
gastritis
gastroenteritis
gastroenterology
gastroscope
gastroscopy
gastrotomy
gynecologist
gynecology
hematoma
hemoglobin
hepatitis
hepatoma
hyperglycemia
hyperthyroidism
hypoglycemia
hypothyroidism
laparoscope
laparoscopy
laparotomy
leukemia
leukocyte
leukocytosis
nephrectomy
nephrology
Pronunciation
Meaning
ad-eh-NI-tis ____________________________________________
ah-deh-NO-mah _________________________________________
ah-NE-me-ah ___________________________________________
ar-THRAL-jah __________________________________________
ar-THRI-tis _____________________________________________
AR-thro-gram ___________________________________________
AR-thro-skope __________________________________________
ar-THROS-ko-pe ________________________________________
AW-top-se ______________________________________________
bi-OL-o-je ______________________________________________
BI-op-se ________________________________________________
kar-sih-NO-mah ________________________________________
KAR-de-ak _____________________________________________
kar-de-OL-o-je __________________________________________
seh-FAL-ik _____________________________________________
seh-RE-bral ____________________________________________
seh-re-bro-VAS-ku-lar AK-sih-dent _______________________
SIS-to-skope ____________________________________________
sis-TOS-ko-pe ___________________________________________
si-TOL-o-je _____________________________________________
DER-mal _______________________________________________
der-mah-TI-tis __________________________________________
der-mah-TO-sis _________________________________________
di-ag-NO-sis ____________________________________________
di-AM-eh-ter ____________________________________________
DIS-en-teh-re ___________________________________________
e-lek-tro-KAR-de-o-gram _________________________________
e-lek-tro-en-SEF-ah-lo-gram _____________________________
en-do-KAR-de-um _______________________________________
EN-do-krin glanz ________________________________________
en-do-krih-NOL-o-je _____________________________________
en-teh-RI-tis ____________________________________________
eh-RITH-ro-site _________________________________________
EK-so-krin glanz ________________________________________
gas-TREK-to-me ________________________________________
GAS-trik _______________________________________________
gas-TRI-tis _____________________________________________
gas-tro-en-teh-RI-tis _____________________________________
gas-tro-en-ter-OL-o-je ____________________________________
GAS-tro-skope __________________________________________
gas-TROS-ko-pe ________________________________________
gas-TROT-o-me _________________________________________
gi-neh-KOL-o-jist _______________________________________
gi-neh-KOL-o-je _________________________________________
he-mah-TO-mah ________________________________________
HE-mo-glo-bin __________________________________________
hep-ah-TI-tis ___________________________________________
hep-ah-TO-mah _________________________________________
hi-per-gli-SE-me-ah _____________________________________
hi-per-THI-royd-izm _____________________________________
hi-po-gli-SE-me-ah ______________________________________
hi-po-THI-royd-izm ______________________________________
LAP-ah-ro-skope ________________________________________
lap-ah-ROS-ko-pe _______________________________________
lap-ah-ROT-o-me _______________________________________
loo-KE-me-ah __________________________________________
LOO-ko-site ____________________________________________
loo-ko-si-TO-sis _________________________________________
neh-FREK-to-me ________________________________________
neh-FROL-o-je __________________________________________
49
nephrosis
neural
neuralgia
neuritis
neurology
neurotomy
oncologist
ophthalmoscope
osteitis
osteoarthritis
pathologist
pericardium
platelet
prognosis
prostate gland
psychosis
renal
resection
retrogastric
rhinitis
rhinotomy
sarcoma
subgastric
subhepatic
thrombocyte
thrombosis
transdermal
transgastric
transurethral
neh-FRO-sis ____________________________________________
NU-ral ________________________________________________
nu-RAL-jah _____________________________________________
nu-RI-tis _______________________________________________
nu-ROL-o-je ____________________________________________
nu-ROT-o-me ___________________________________________
ong-KOL-o-jist __________________________________________
of-THAL-mo-skope ______________________________________
os-te-I-tis _______________________________________________
os-te-o-ar-THRI-tis ______________________________________
pah-THOL-o-jist ________________________________________
peh-rih-KAR-de-um _____________________________________
PLAYT-let ______________________________________________
prog-NO-sis _____________________________________________
PROS-tayt gland _______________________________________
si-KO-sis _______________________________________________
RE-nal _________________________________________________
re-SEK-shun ____________________________________________
reh-tro-GAS-trik ________________________________________
ri-NI-tis ________________________________________________
ri-NOT-o-me ____________________________________________
sar-KO-mah ____________________________________________
sub-GAS-trik ___________________________________________
sub-heh-PAT-ik _________________________________________
THROM-bo-site _________________________________________
throm-BO-sis ___________________________________________
tranz-DER-mal _________________________________________
tranz-GAS-trik __________________________________________
tranz-u-RE-thral ________________________________________
50
Practical Applications
Medical Conditions and Specialists
Match the following physician specialists with the condition each would treat.
cardiologist
dermatologist
endocrinologist
gastroenterologist
gynecologist
hematologist
neurologist
oncologist
ophthalmologist
urologist
1. Cerebrovascular accident __________________________________
2. Skin cancer __________________________________
3. Dysentery __________________________________
4. Anemia __________________________________
5. Lung cancer __________________________________
6. Prostate gland enlargement __________________________________
7. Hyperglycemia __________________________________
8. Cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye) __________________________________
9. Heart attack __________________________________
10. Abnormal bleeding of the uterus from the vagina ___________________________
What's Your Diagnosis?
Case Study
This seven-year-old boy presents with fever, sore throat, runny nose, and persistent fatigue [feeling
of being tired all the time]. Physical examination reveals multiple bruises [contusions] of his lower
extremities and arms, an erythematous [red] pharynx [throat] with white plaques on the tonsils,
and pale gums, lips, and nailbeds. CBC [complete blood count] was performed. Increasing fever
prompted immediate admission to the children's ward of the hospital.
During the course of admission, the patient's pharyngitis was monitored and subsided. Tonsillitis
was ruled out. Fatigue and contusions on his arms and legs were noted and addressed with the
parents while taking his social history. A lab hematologist reviewed the high WBC [white blood
cell] count, and a WBC differential [percentages of the various types of these cells] shows immature
cells. A bone marrow biopsy confirms the diagnosis of WBC malignancy.
Using the information presented in this case study, what's your diagnosis?
51
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Leukemia
C. Fever
D. Contusions—arms/legs
E. Leukocytosis
Answers to Practical Applications
Medical Conditions and Specialists
1. neurologist
2. dermatologist
3. gastroenterologist
4. hematologist
5. oncologist
6. urologist
7. endocrinologist
8. ophthalmologist
9. cardiologist
10. gynecologist
What's Your Diagnosis?
Answer: B. Leukemia
52
Picture Show
Answer the questions that follow each image. Answers are found on page 41.
A
Blood smear. (Modified from Carr JH, Rodak BF: Clinical Hematology Atlas, Philadelphia, 1999, Saunders.)
1. The arrows in this photo of a blood smear are pointing to cells that are necessary in blood
clotting. These cells are:
a. leukocytes
b. thrombosis
c. platelets
d. erythrocytes
2. The other blood cells in the photo contain a protein that helps the cell carry oxygen. These cells
are:
a. leukocytes
b. thrombosis
c. platelets
d. erythrocytes
3. The protein contained in the cells is:
a. hemoglobin
b. anemia
c. sarcoma
d. carcinoma
53
B
(From Miller MD, Howard RF, Plancher KD: Surgical Atlas of Sports Medicine, Philadelphia, 2003, Saunders.)
1. The image shows a minimally invasive procedure used to visually examine the knee. This
procedure is:
a. laparotomy
b. arthroscopy
c. laparoscopy
d. arthrectomy
C
Blood smear. (Courtesy Dr. Robert W. McKenna, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas; from
Kumar V, Cotran RS, Robbins SL, editors: Basic Pathology, ed 8, Philadelphia, 2007, Saunders.)
1. In this blood smear, the arrows point to an increased number of large, immature cells (that would
normally fight infection). These cells are:
a. hepatocytes
b. erythrocytes
c. thrombocytes
d. leukocytes
2. The name of the abnormal condition in which these cells predominate is:
54
a. iron deficiency anemia
b. sickle cell anemia
c. leukemia
d. hyperglycemia
D
(From Forbes CD, Jackson WF: Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine, ed 3, London, 2003, Mosby.)
1. Notice that the left leg of the patient is swollen (edema), resulting from blood flow that is slow
and sluggish. Fluid seeps out of tiny vessels into tissue spaces. The abnormal condition often
associated with this problem is caused by a blood clot in a blood vessel. The condition is called:
a. hyperglycemia
b. deep vein thrombosis
c. cerebrovascular accident
d. hematoma
E
1. The lesion pictured in A is a/an:
a. hepatoma
55
b. sarcoma of muscle
c. adenoma
d. basal cell carcinoma
2. The lesion pictured in B is a/an:
a. hepatoma
b. sarcoma of muscle
c. adenoma
d. basal cell carcinoma
F
(Courtesy American Rheumatism Association; from Noble J: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, ed 3, St. Louis, 2001, Mosby.)
1. The image in A shows degeneration of the hip (pelvic) joint with narrowed joint spaces (see
arrow). The image in B shows a normal hip for comparison (see arrow). The patient with the hip
changes has arthralgia, stiffness, and joint tenderness. Your diagnosis?
a. osteoarthritis
b. gastroenteritis
c. hyperthyroidism
d. osteogenic sarcoma
Answers to Picture Show
A
1. c
2. d
3. a
B
1. b
56
C
1. d
2. c
D
1. b
E
1. b
2. d
F
1. a
57
Review
Here is your chance to test your understanding of all the combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes that you
have studied in this chapter. Write the meaning of each term in the space provided and check your answers
with the Answers to Review section on page 44. All of the meanings for word parts are found in Glossary of
Word Parts beginning on page 385. Remember the 3 “Rs”—wRite, Repeat, Review.
Combining Forms
Combining Form
Meaning
1. aden/o _____________________
2. arthr/o ___________________
3. bi/o ________________________
4. carcin/o ____________________
5. cardi/o _____________________
6. cephal/o ____________________
7. cerebr/o __________________
8. crin/o _____________________
9. cyst/o ___________________
10. cyt/o _______________________
11. derm/o, dermat/o ____________
12. electr/o __________________
13. encephal/o _______________
14. enter/o _________________
15. erythr/o __________________
16. gastr/o ___________________
17. glyc/o ____________________
18. gnos/o __________________________
19. gynec/o _________________________
20. hem/o, hemat/o _________________
21. hepat/o _________________________
22. lapar/o ________________________
23. leuk/o __________________________
24. nephr/o _______________________
25. neur/o _____________________
26. onc/o _________________________
27. ophthalm/o _____________________
28. oste/o ________________________
29. path/o _________________________
30. psych/o ______________________
31. ren/o _________________________
32. rhin/o __________________________
33. sarc/o _________________________
34. thromb/o _______________________
Suffixes
Suffix
Meaning
1. -al _________________________
2. -algia
3. -cyte _______________________
4. -ectomy _____________________
5. -emia _______________________
6. -globin _________________
7. -ia _________________________
8. -ic _________________________
9. -ism ________________________
10. -itis ____________________
11. -logist ______________________
12. -logy ___________________________
13. -oma ___________________________
14. -opsy ___________________________
15. -osis ___________________________
16. -scope _______________________
17. -scopy _______________________
18. -sis ___________________________
19. -tomy ______________________
58
Prefixes
Prefix
Meaning
1. a-, an- ______________________
2. aut- _______________________
3. dia- _____________________
4. dys- _____________________
5. endo- _______________________
6. exo- ___________________
7. hyper- ____________________
8. hypo- ___________________________
9. peri- _________________________
10. pro- ___________________________
11. re- ____________________________
12. retro- __________________________
13. sub- ____________________________
14. trans- ________________________
Answers to Review
Combining Forms
1. gland
2. joint
3. life
4. cancer (cancerous)
5. heart
6. head
7. cerebrum
8. secrete
9. urinary bladder
10. cell
11. skin
12. electricity
13. brain
14. intestines (often small intestine)
15. red
16. stomach
17. sugar
18. knowledge
19. woman, female
20. blood
21. liver
59
22. abdomen
23. white
24. kidney
25. nerve
26. tumor
27. eye
28. bone
29. disease
30. mind
31. kidney
32. nose
33. flesh
34. clotting
Suffixes
1. pertaining to
2. pain (condition of)
3. cell
4. cutting out; removal; excision
5. blood condition
6. protein
7. condition
8. pertaining to
9. condition; process
10. inflammation
11. specialist in the study of
12. study of
13. tumor, mass
14. to view (process of viewing)
15. abnormal condition
16. instrument to visually examine
17. process of visual examination
60
18. state of
19. cutting into; incision
Prefixes
1. no, not
2. self
3. complete, through
4. bad, painful, difficult, abnormal
5. within
6. out, outside
7. excessive, more than normal, too much
8. below, less than normal, under
9. surrounding
10. before
11. back
12. behind
13. below, under
14. across, through
61
Terminology Checkup
Before you leave this chapter, here are important concepts that you should thoroughly understand. In your
own words, write the answers on the lines provided. Confirm your answers on the next page. Check the box
next to each item when you know you've “got” it!
□ 1. What is the difference between endocrine glands and exocrine glands. Give an example of
each.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
□ 2. What is the difference between a diagnosis and a prognosis?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
□ 3. What is the difference between a carcinoma and a sarcoma? Give an example of each.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
□ 4. What is the difference between anemia, leukemia, and leukocytosis?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
□ 5. What is the difference between laparotomy and laparoscopy?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Answers to Terminology Checkup
1. Endocrine glands secrete chemicals called hormones within the body. Examples are thyroid,
pituitary, and adrenal glands.
Exocrine glands secrete chemicals to the outside of the body through ducts. Examples are sweat,
tear, and salivary glands.
2. A diagnosis is complete knowledge gained after examining and performing tests on a patient.
A prognosis is a prediction made after the diagnosis. It forecasts and describes the likely outcome of
an illness.
3. A carcinoma is a cancerous tumor arising from lining cells of internal organs. An example is an
adenocarcinoma.
A sarcoma is also a cancerous tumor, but arising from bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat (connective
tissues). An example is an osteosarcoma.
4. Anemia is deficiency of red blood cells (erythrocytes) or deficiency in hemoglobin within red
blood cells.
Leukemia is a cancerous condition of high numbers of abnormal white blood cells (leukocytes).
Leukocytosis is only a slight increase in normal white blood cells as a response to infection.
5. A laparotomy is a large incision of the abdomen to explore or remove organs and tissues.
A laparoscopy is visual examination of the abdomen using small incisions for insertion of
instruments (laparoscope) to view and remove organs and tissues.
62
63
CHAPTER 2
64
Organization of the Body
CHAPTER SECTIONS
Introduction 48
Body Systems 48
Body Cavities 51
Divisions of the Back 54
Planes of the Body 56
Terminology 59
In Person: CT and MRI 65
Exercises and Answers 66
Pronunciation of Terms 73
Practical Applications 76
Picture Show 78
Review 81
Terminology CheckUp 83
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
• To name the body systems and their functions
• To identify body cavities and specific organs within them
• To list the divisions of the back
• To identify the three planes of the body
• To analyze, pronounce, and spell new terms
• To apply medical terms in real-life situations
65
Introduction
All the parts of your body are composed of individual units called cells. Examples are muscle,
nerve, epithelial (skin, and lining of internal organs and cavities), and bone cells.
Similar cells grouped together are tissues. Groups of muscle cells are muscle tissue, and groups
of epithelial cells are epithelial tissue.
Collections of different tissues working together are organs. An organ, such as the stomach, has
specialized tissues, such as muscle, epithelial, and nerve, that help the organ function.
Groups of organs working together are the systems of the body. The digestive system, for
example, includes the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, stomach, and intestines, which bring
food into the body, break it down, and deliver it to the bloodstream.
Figure 2-1 reviews the differences between cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
FIGURE 2-1
Cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
66
Body Systems
There are 11 systems of the body, and each plays an important role in the way the body works.
The circulatory system (heart, blood, and blood vessels such as arteries, veins, and capillaries)
transports blood (containing all types of blood cells) throughout the body. The lymphatic system
includes lymph vessels, and nodes that carry a clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains white
blood cells called lymphocytes that fight against disease and play an important role in immunity.
The digestive system brings food into the body and breaks it down so that it can enter the
bloodstream. Food that cannot be broken down is then removed from the body at the end of the
system as waste. Organs in the digestive system include the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
The endocrine system, composed of glands, sends chemical messengers called hormones into the
blood to act on other glands and organs. Examples of endocrine glands are the thyroid gland,
adrenal glands, and pituitary gland.
The female and male reproductive systems produce the cells (eggs and sperm) that join to form
the embryo, which develops in the uterus of a female. Male (testes) and female (ovaries) sex organs
produce hormones as well.
The musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, joints, and other connective tissues such
as cartilage, supports the body and allows it to move.
The nervous system carries electrical messages to and from the brain and spinal cord.
The respiratory system controls breathing, a process by which air enters and leaves the body.
Organs of the respiratory system include the trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes and lungs.
The skin and sense organ system, including the skin and eyes and ears, receives messages from
the environment and sends them to the brain. The retina is a layer of sensitive receptor tissue in the
back of the eye.
The urinary system produces urine and sends it out of the body through the kidneys, ureters,
bladder, and urethra.
You can find a table of specific organs/structures and the systems to which they belong on the
Evolve site for Chapter 2 in the resources section.
In a separate section of this book, you will find useful information about each body system, with
diagrams, terminology, pathology, laboratory tests, and diagnostic and treatment procedures.
At the end of the book, you will find helpful information. Use these resources as you study:
• Appendix 1, Body Systems, page 215
• Appendix 2, Diagnostic Tests and Procedures, page 295
• Appendix 3, Abbreviations, Acronyms, Symbols, and Eponyms, page 317
• Appendix 4, Quick Drug Reference, page 335
• Appendix 5, Health Careers Information, page 339
• Mini-Dictionary, page 349
• Glossary of Word Parts, page 385
• Glossary of English–Spanish Terms, page 403
67
Body Cavities
Figure 2-2 shows the five body cavities. A body cavity is a space that contains organs. Label the
figure in the spaces provided as you read the following paragraphs.
FIGURE 2-2
Body cavities. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
The cranial cavity (1) is located in the head and surrounded by the skull (CRANI/O means skull).
The cranial cavity contains the brain and other organs, such as the pituitary gland (an endocrine
gland located below the brain).
The thoracic cavity (2), also known as the chest cavity (THORAC/O means chest), is surrounded
by the breastbone and ribs. The lungs, heart, windpipe (trachea), bronchial tubes (leading from the
trachea to the lungs), and other organs are in this cavity.
68
Figure 2-3 shows a front view of the thoracic cavity. The lungs are each surrounded by a double
membrane known as the pleura. The space between the pleural membranes is the pleural cavity.
The large area between the lungs (yellow in Figure 2-3) is the mediastinum. The heart, esophagus
(food tube), trachea, and bronchial tubes are organs within the mediastinum.
FIGURE 2-3
Thoracic cavity.
In Figure 2-2, the abdominal cavity (3) is the space below the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is
the muscle that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities. Organs in the abdomen include the
stomach, liver, gallbladder, and small and large intestines.
The organs in the abdomen are covered by a double membrane called the peritoneum (Figure 24). The peritoneum attaches the abdominal organs to the abdominal muscles and surrounds each
organ to hold it in place.
FIGURE 2-4 The peritoneum (side view) is a double membrane surrounding the organs (including the
liver, stomach, small and large intestines) in the abdomen. The peritoneal cavity is the space between
the peritoneal membranes. The retroperitoneal area is behind the peritoneum. The kidneys are in the
retroperitoneal cavity.
69
Double membranes
You can visualize the way organs are surrounded by a double membrane by imagining your fist
pushing deep into a soft balloon. The balloon is then in two layers folded over your fist, just the
way the pleura surrounds the lungs and the peritoneum surrounds the abdominal organs. Double
wrapping around organs provides protection and cushioning, as well as a site for attachment to
muscles. In the event of inflammation or disease of organs or membranes, fluid may collect in the
space between the membranes surrounding the organs. This collection of fluid in the pleural cavity
is called a pleural effusion. A collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity is called ascites (see page
63).
Turn back to Figure 2-2 and locate the pelvic cavity (4), below the abdominal cavity. The pelvic
cavity is surrounded by the pelvis (bones of the hip). The major organs located within the pelvic
cavity are the urinary bladder, ureters (tubes from the kidneys to the bladder), urethra (tube from
the bladder to the outside of the body), rectum, and anus, and the uterus (muscular organ that
nourishes the developing embryo and fetus) in females.
Label the spinal cavity (5) on Figure 2-2. This is the space surrounded by the spinal column
(backbones). The spinal cord is the nervous tissue within the spinal cavity. Nerves enter and leave
the spinal cord and carry messages to and from all parts of the body.
As a quick review of the terms presented in this section, match the term with its meaning and
write it in the space provided.
Term
Abdominal
cavity
Cranial
cavity
Diaphragm
Mediastinum
Pelvic cavity
Pelvis
Peritoneum
Pleura
Spinal cavity
Thoracic
cavity
Meaning
1. Membrane surrounding the lungs ___________________
2. Space between the lungs, containing the heart _____________________________________
3. Bones of the hip _____________________________________
4. Space containing the liver, gallbladder, and stomach; also called the abdomen ____________________________
5. Space within the backbones, containing the spinal cord _____________________________________
6. Membrane surrounding the organs in the abdomen _____________________________________
7. Space within the skull, containing the brain _____________________________________
8. Space below the abdominal cavity, containing the urinary bladder _____________________________________
9. Muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities _____________________________________
10. Entire chest cavity, containing the lungs, heart, trachea, esophagus, and bronchial tubes
___________________________________________________________________________
70
Divisions of the Back
The spinal column is a long row of bones from the neck to the tailbone. Each bone in the spinal
column is called a vertebra (backbone). Two or more bones are called vertebrae.
A piece of flexible connective tissue, called a disk (or disc), lies between each backbone. The disk,
composed of cartilage, is a cushion between the bones. If the disk slips or moves out of its place, it
can press on the nerves that enter or leave the spinal cord, causing pain. Figure 2-5 shows a side
view of vertebrae and disks.
FIGURE 2-5
Vertebrae and disks (discs).
The divisions of the spinal column are pictured in Figure 2-6. Label them according to the
following list:
71
FIGURE 2-6 A, Divisions of the back (spinal column). B, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) study
of a herniated disk at the L4-L5 level of the spinal column. (Modified from Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed
11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
Division
1. Cervical (neck) region
2. Thoracic (chest) region
3. Lumbar (loin or waist) region
4. Sacral (sacrum or lower back) region
5. Coccygeal (coccyx or tailbone) region
Bones
7 bones
12 bones
5 bones
5 fused bones
4 fused bones
Abbreviation
C1-C7
T1-T12
L1-L5
S1-S5
72
Planes of the Body
A plane is an imaginary flat surface. Organs appear in different relationships to one another
according to the plane of the body in which they are viewed.
Figure 2-7 shows three planes of the body. Label them as you read the following descriptions:
FIGURE 2-7
1. Frontal (coronal)
plane
2. Sagittal (lateral)
plane
3. Transverse (axial)
plane
Planes of the body.
A vertical plane that divides the body, or body part such as an organ, into front and back portions.
Anatomically, anterior means the front portion and posterior means the back portion.
A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides. The midsagittal plane divides the body vertically into right
and left halves.
A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into upper and lower portions, as in a cross section. (Think of cutting a long loaf
of French bread into circular sections.)
Knowing the planes of the body is helpful in looking at imaging studies such as x-ray films
(radiographs) and computed tomography (CT) scans. See Figure 2-8.
73
FIGURE 2-8 X-ray views of the chest. A, Frontal (coronal) plane. This radiographic image is an anterior-posterior view of the
chest. B, Sagittal (lateral) plane. This is a lateral (side) x-ray view of the chest. C, Transverse (axial) plane. This computed
tomography image is a snapshot of structures at a specific level of the body. (A, Modified from Black JM, Matassarin-Jacobs E: MedicalSurgical Nursing: Clinical Management for Continuity of Care, ed 5, Philadelphia, 1997, Saunders.B, Modified from Weir J, Abrahams PH: An Imaging Atlas of
Human Anatomy, ed 2, London, 2000, Mosby. C, From Chabner D-E: The Language of Medicine, ed 11, St. Louis, 2017, Elsevier.)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another technique for producing images of the body. With
MRI, magnetic waves instead of x-rays are used to create the images, which show organs and other
structures in specialized detail and in all three planes of the body (Figure 2-9). Figure 2-10 shows a
patient undergoing MRI. See In Person: CT and MRI on page 65.
74
FIGURE 2-9 Magnetic resonance images. Basic views are frontal, transverse, and sagittal. A, Frontal (coronal) plane of the
head. B, Transverse (axial) plane of the head. C, Sagittal (lateral) plane showing the head and side of the brain. (A and B, From Frank
ED, et al: Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, ed 12, St. Louis, 2012, Elsevier. C, From Reynolds PA, Abraham PH: McMinn's Interactive
Clinical Anatomy: Head and Neck, ed 2, London, 2001, Mosby Ltd.)
FIGURE 2-10 Patient entering an MRI unit surrounded by a superconducting 1.5-Tesla magnet.
Magnetic field changes are picked up by the surrounding machine and processed by a computer to create
images. For this examination, the patient must lie very still and have no metal objects on or within the
body. (Courtesy GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.)
75
76
Terminology
Write the meanings of the medical terms on the line provided. Check your answers with the MiniDictionary, page 349.
77
Combining Forms
Combining
Form
abdomin/o
anter/o
Meaning
Medical Term
abdomen
front
bronch/o
abdominal ___________________________________
anterior ___________________________________
The suffix -IOR means pertaining to.See Table 2-1 for additional useful positional and directional terms.
bronchoscopy _________________________________
Pronunciation hint: bron-KOS-ko-pe
bronchial tubes
(leading fromthe
windpipeto the
lungs)
neck of the body or cervical ___________________________________
neck (cervix) of the You must decide from the context of what you are reading whether cervical means pertaining to the neck of the body or pertaining to the
uterus
uterine cervix (lower portion of the uterus). Figure 2-11 shows the uterus and the cervix.
cervic/o
Meaning
FIGURE 2-11
chondr/o
coccyg/o
crani/o
epitheli/o
esophag/o
hepat/o
lapar/o
laryng/o
later/o
lumb/o
The uterus and cervix. The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus opening to the vagina.
cartilage
(connective tissue
attached to bones)
chondroma ___________________________________
This is a benign tumor.
chondrosarcoma ______________________________
This is a malignant tumor. The root SARC, meaning flesh, indicates that the malignant tumor arises from a type of flesh or connective
tissue.
coccyx, tailbone
coccygeal ___________________________________
-EAL means pertaining to.
skull
craniotomy ___________________________________
skin, surface tissue epithelial ___________________________________
The term epithelial was first used to describe the surface (EPI- means upon) of the breast nipple (THELI/O actually means nipple). More
correctly, it describes the cells on the outer layer (surface) of the skin as well as the lining of the internal organs that lead to the outside of the
body.
esophagus (tube
esophageal ___________________________________
from the throat to
the stomach)
liver
hepatitis ___________________________________
abdomen
laparoscopy ___________________________________
larynx (voice box) laryngeal ___________________________________
The larynx (pronounced LAR-inks) is found in the upper part of the trachea. See Figure 2-3, page 51.
laryngectomy ________________________________
side
lateral ___________________________________
loin (waist)
lumbar ___________________________________
-AR means pertaining to. A lumbar puncture (“spinal tap”) is the placement of a needle within the membranes in the lumbar region of
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