Medical Terminology: Root Words

• Medical terminology is built upon root words that carry specific meanings related to the body and its functions.

Root Words and Their Meanings

• Adeno: Means gland, as seen in "adenopathy," which refers to gland disease.
• Angio: Denotes vessel, evident in "angioplasty," the surgical repair of a vessel.
• Arthro: Refers to joint, illustrated by "arthritis," an inflammation in the joint.
• Bucco: Indicates cheek, as in "buccoversion," turning toward the mouth.
• Carcino: Signifies cancer, exemplified by "carcinoma," a cancerous tumor.
• Cardio: Relates to the heart, apparent in "cardiomyopathy," any disease of the heart.
• Cephalo: Pertains to the head, observed in "cephalic," relating to the head.
• Cerebro: Signifies cerebrum, as in "cerebral," pertaining to the cerebrum.
• Colo or Colono: Points to the colon, demonstrated in "colectomy," the excision of the colon.
• Cutaneo: Refers to skin, as seen in "subcutaneous," below the skin.
• Cysto: Indicates a filled sac or pouch/bladder, example provided is "cystic," pertaining to or having cysts.
• Duodeno: Relates to the duodenum, evident in "duodenostomy," the surgical creation of the opening of the duodenum.
• Entero: Pertains to the small intestine, illustrated by "enteric," relating to the small intestine.
• Esophago: Refers to the esophagus, as in "esophagitis," the inflammation of the esophagus.
• Gastro: Means stomach, exemplified by "gastrectomy," the removal of the stomach.
• Glosso: Signifies tongue, demonstrated in "glossitis," the inflammation of the tongue.
• Glyco: Denotes sugar, as seen in "glycolysis," the splitting of sugar.
• Hepato: Relates to the liver, apparent in "hepatitis," the inflammation of the liver.
• Jejuno: Pertains to the jejunum, evident in "jejunectomy," the resection of the jejunum.
• Laparo: Refers to the abdomen, illustrated by "laparoscope," an instrument to view the abdomen.
• Myo: Signifies muscle, as in "myoblast," an immature muscle cell.
• Neuro: Relates to a nerve, as seen in "neural," pertaining to a nerve.
• Nephro: Pertains to the kidney, exemplified by "nephromegaly," an enlarged kidney.
• Odonto: Relates to tooth or teeth, evident in "periodontics," a dental specialty that studies and treats tissues around the teeth.
• Onco: Signifies a tumor, as in "oncology," the study of tumors.
• Patho: Means disease, as seen in "pathology," the study of disease.
• Pharyngo: Denotes the pharynx, evident in "pharyngospasm," a spasm of the pharynx.
• Rhino: Refers to the nose, illustrated by "rhinorrhea," discharge from the nose.
• Sarco: Signifies flesh, as in "sarcoma," a flesh tumor.
• Sclero: Relates to something hard, as seen in "sclerosis," hardening of tissue.
• Sepso: Denotes infection, exemplified by "sepsis," a condition of infection.
• Stoma, Stomo: Signifies mouth, as in "xerostomia," dryness of the mouth.
• Thoraco: Relates to the chest, apparent in "thoracic," pertaining to the chest.
• Tracheo: Pertains to the trachea, as in "tracheotome," an instrument used to incise the trachea.
• Uro: Refers to urine, illustrated by "urology," the study of the urinary tract.
• Veno: Relates to a vein, as seen in "venous," pertaining to a vein.