Medical Terminology Chapter 8: The Digestive System

Medical Terminology: The Digestive System

• Or/o, Stomat/o, Stom, Stomat: Refers to the mouth, the entry point of the digestive system.
• Pharyng/o: Denotes the pharynx, a crucial pathway for food and air.
• Esophag/o: Pertains to the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach.
• Gastr/o: Relates to the stomach, where food is mixed with gastric juices.
• Enter/o: Refers to the small intestine, responsible for nutrient absorption.
• Col/o, Colon/o: Indicates the large intestine, vital for water absorption and feces formation.
• An/o, Proct/o, Rect/o: Encompass the rectum and anus, key structures in waste elimination.
• Hepat/o, Hepat: Refers to the liver, crucial for metabolism and detoxification.
• Cholecyst/o, Cholecyst: Denotes the gallbladder, which stores bile produced by the liver.
• Pancreat/o: Pertains to the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes and insulin.
• Chol/e: Refers to bile or gall, essential for lipid digestion.
• -Emesis, Emet: Indicates vomiting, a significant symptom in various conditions.
• -Lithiasis, Lith: Refers to the presence of stones, often in the gallbladder or kidneys.
• -Pepsia: Denotes digestion; involved in breaking down food into usable forms.
• -Phagia: Refers to eating or swallowing, a fundamental digestive function.
• Proct/o: Covers the anus and rectum, involved in defecation.
• Rect/o, Rect: Specifically relates to the rectum, final part of the digestive tract.
• Sigmoid/o: Refers to the sigmoid colon, the S-shaped last section of the colon.
• Odonti, Odont: Pertains to teeth, which play a vital role in mechanical digestion.
• Peri-: Indicates surrounding or encircling, often used in anatomical terms.
• Myc: Refers to fungus, relevant in discussions of infections.
• Xer/o: Denotes dryness, pertinent to conditions affecting mucous membranes.
• Gingiv: Relates to the gums, important for oral health and structure support.
• Dys-: Indicates difficulty, commonly used in medical conditions (e.g., dysphagia).
• -Rrhea: Refers to flow or discharge, often used in describing gastrointestinal conditions.
• Mal-: Denotes something bad or poor, commonly used in medical terminology (e.g., malabsorption).
• -Cele: Describes a hernia, a condition where an organ protrudes through a wall.
• Steat/o: Indicates fat, relevant in conditions like steatosis (fatty liver).
• Cirrh: Refers to yellow or orange, often associated with liver disease.
• Cholang/o: Relates to the bile duct, essential for bile transport.
• -Graphy: Describes the process of recording or imaging, often used in diagnostics.
• -Scopy: Refers to visual examination techniques, essential for endoscopic procedures.
• -Ectomy: Indicates surgical removal, common in terms related to organ or tissue excision.
• Re-: Denotes back or again, often used to indicate repeated actions in procedures.