Cutaneous Terminology Flashcards

Medical Root Words and Their Meanings

• Cyte/Cyt: Refers to cells, the basic building blocks of all living organisms.
• Derm/o: Pertains to the skin, the largest organ in the human body.
• Onych/o: Relates to nails, which protect the tips of fingers and toes.
• Pil/o: Indicates hair, an integral part of the body's integumentary system.
• Seb/o: Refers to sebum or oil produced by sebaceous glands in the skin.
• Sudor/i: Pertains to sweat, a key component in thermoregulation.
• Albin/o: Relates to white, often used in medical terms relating to pigmentation.
• Cirrh, Jaund, Xanth: Refers to yellow; jaundice is a condition causing yellowing of skin and eyes.
• Cyan/o: Relates to blue, often indicating a lack of oxygen in tissues.
• Epi: Means upon or over, commonly used in anatomical terms.
• Erythr/o: Refers to red, often associated with blood or red blood cells.
• Fero: Means to carry, indicating transport within biological contexts.
• Ichthy/o: Relates to dry or scaly skin conditions.
• Kerat/o: Refers to hornlike, often in relation to the outer layer of skin or associated structures.
• Melan/o: Pertains to black, commonly relating to melanin pigmentation.
• Myc/o: Relates to fungus, important in discussions about fungal infections.
• Scler/o: Refers to hardening, often in relation to tissues or organs.
• Sub: Means below, commonly used in anatomical descriptions.
• Xer/o: Indicates dryness, often in relation to skin or mucous membranes.
• -algia: Refers to pain, generally used to denote various types of pain.
• Amphi: Means both sides, often used in anatomical terms.
• Ankyl/o: Indicates stiffness or fusion of joints.
• Arthr/o: Refers to joints, key in discussions about movement and mobility.
• Brachi/o: Pertains to the arm, often used in descriptions of upper limb anatomy.
• Calcane/o: Refers to the calcaneus or heel bone, key in foot anatomy.
• Carp/o: Pertains to the wrist bones, important in hand movements.
• Cervic/o: Refers to the neck, a significant area for numerous vital structures.
• Cheir/o: Relates to the hand, critical for functional anatomy of the upper limb.
• Chondr/o: Pertains to cartilage, important in joint and skeletal structure.
• Cost/o: Refers to ribs, significant in protecting thoracic organs.
• Crani/o: Pertains to the cranium, the skull protecting the brain.
• Dactyl/o: Refers to fingers and toes, key in digit anatomy.
• -desis: Indicates stabilization or fusion, often of joints or bones.
• -ectomy: Refers to excision or removal, commonly used in surgical terminology.
• Electro/o: Pertains to electricity, often relevant in neurological contexts.
• Femur/o: Indicates the femur or thigh bone, the longest bone in the body.
• -gram: Refers to a written record, commonly seen in medical imaging.
• Humer/o: Pertains to the humerus, the bone of the upper arm.
• -itis: Indicates inflammation, a common response to injury or infection.
• Kinesi/o: Refers to movement, critical in understanding locomotion and function.
• Kyph/o: Indicates a hump or curvature, often associated with spinal conditions.
• -logy: Denotes the study of, commonly used in naming scientific disciplines.
• Lord/o: Refers to a forward curve, often discussing spinal curvature.
• Lumb/o: Pertains to the lower back, a crucial area for support and mobility.
• -malacia: Indicates softening, often in terms of tissues or organs.
• My/o: Refers to muscle, central to discussions of movement and strength.
• Myel/o: Pertains to bone marrow, significant in blood cell production.
• -oma: Refers to tumors, benign or malignant growths.
• Orth/o: Indicates correction or straightening, commonly related to bones and joints.
• Os/te/o: Refers to bone, fundamental element of the skeleton.
• Ped/o: Indicates child or foot, used in pediatric and podiatric contexts.
• Pelv/o: Pertains to the pelvis, significant in anatomy and reproductive health.
• Phalang/o: Refers to the bones of fingers and toes, integral in dexterity.
• -physis: Means to grow, often in terms of bone growth.
• -plasty: Refers to surgical repair, often of tissues or organs.
• -porosis: Indicates porosity, often used when discussing bone density.
• -scopy: Means visual examination, commonly used in diagnostic procedures.
• Spondyl/o, Vertebr/o: Refers to vertebrae, essential for spinal support and flexibility.
• Syn-: Means joined together, often refers to fusion in anatomy.
• Thorac/o: Pertains to the thorax or chest, an area housing vital organs.
• Zygo-: Means joined together, often used in anatomical contexts.
• Fasci/o: Refers to fibrous membranes, important in supporting muscles.
• Fibr/o: Indicates fiber, important in connective tissue discussions.
• Hemi: Means half, often used in terms like hemiplegia.
• Ligament/o: Refers to ligaments, key in joint stability.
• Muscul/o: Pertains to muscles, vital for movement and support.
• Para-: Means beside or beyond, often indicating relationships in anatomy.
• -paresis: Indicates partial paralysis, critical in neurology discussions.
• -plegia: Refers to paralysis, often used to describe conditions affecting movement.
• Quadri-: Refers to four, used in terms describing limb function.
• Sthen/o: Means strength, often in musculoskeletal discussions.
• Tend/o: Refers to tendons, connecting muscle to bone.
• Ton/o: Indicates tone, often in discussions pertaining to muscle tension.
• Arachnid/o: Refers to spiders, relevant in discussions of certain diseases.
• Cephal/o: Pertains to the head, integral in neurology and anatomy.
• Cerebell/o: Refers to the cerebellum, key in motor control.
• Cerebr/o: Pertains to the cerebrum, responsible for higher brain functions.
• Cortic/o: Indicates outer layer, often in references to organs like the adrenal glands.
• Encephal/o: Refers to the brain, central to the nervous system.
• Gangli/o, Ganglion/o: Pertains to ganglia, involved in nerve signal transmission.
• Gli/o: Refers to glue, specifically the supportive tissue in the nervous system.
• Hydro/o: Indicates water, often referenced in bodily fluids and hydration.
• Latro/o: Refers to physician or treatment, key in medical professions.
• -Mania: Indicates a morbid attraction to something, often used in psychological terms.
• Meningi/o: Refers to membranes, particularly those surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Ment/o: Pertains to the mind, significant in psychology and neuroscience.
• -mnesia: Refers to memory, often discussed in cognitive science.
• Myel/o (Nervous System): Refers specifically to the spinal cord, crucial for nervous system function.
• Neur/o: Pertains to nerves or nervous system, fundamental in neurology.
• -oid: Indicates similarity, often found in naming related structures or conditions.
• -phasia: Relates to speech, important in language and communication disorders.
• Phobia: Refers to unreasonable fear, significant in psychology.
• Psych/o: Pertains to the mind, central to mental health discussions.
• Schiz/o: Means to split, often used in discussions of mental health conditions.
• Spin/o: Refers to the spinal cord, critical in understanding neurological function.
• Angi/o: Pertains to vessels, essential in discussions about circulation.
• Aort/o: Refers to the aorta, the main artery supplying blood to the body.
• Arteri/o: Pertains to arteries, the vessels carrying blood away from the heart.
• Ather/o: Indicates fatty deposits, relevant in discussions of cardiovascular health.
• Atri/o: Relates to the atrium, one of the heart's chambers.