ANATOMY and

PHYSIOLOGY
VOCABULARY

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary

• The study of physiology will introduce you

to a large vocabulary. It is as if you were
learning a new language and mastery of this
language is essential for your success in this
class.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary

• There are literally thousands of medical

terms. It would be very difficult to
memorize the meaning of each and every
word. Most of the terms have a Greek or
Latin origin.
• However, it is not necessary to learn each
and every word. A more efficient approach
is to learn the basic word parts and
recognize them in a word
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary

• The vocabulary will be broken down in to 3

categories:
• Prefix - word part attached to the beginning
of a word root and modifies its meaning.
• Root - contains the fundamental meaning of
the word.
• Suffix - word part attached to the end of a
word root to modify its meaning.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary 1

PREFIX/SUFFIX/ROOT WORD SAMPLE

A- Atresia
Para- Paracervical
Amnio- Amniocentesis
Ante- Anterior
Cyes- Pseudocyesis
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary 1

PREFIX/SUFFIX/ROOT WORD SAMPLE

Tendin- Tendinitis
Alb- Albino
Peri- Pericardium
Nulli- Nullipara
Alve- Alveolitis
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

1.”a”-not, without.
• Atresia: A (without)
+ tresia
(perforation).
• Not having an
opening.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

2.”para”-beside, beyond
• Paracervical: Para
beside) + cervical
(cervix).
• Next to the uterine
cervix.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

3.”amnio”-amnion or membranous fetal sac.

• Amniocentesis:
Amnio (fetal sac) +
centesis (puncture).
• The removal of a small
amount of amniotic
fluid for analysis.
• “amnio” sounds like “I
am new”.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

4. “ante”- before
• Anterior: Ante
(before) + rior
(foremost).
• The front portion of a
structure.
• “ante” sounds like
“auntie”.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

5.”cyes”- pregnancy
• Pseudocyesis: Psuedo
(false) +cyes
(pregnant) + esis
(condition).
• A condition in which a
woman believes she is
pregnant.
• “cyes” sounds like
“sighs”.
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

6.” tendin”- fibrous band.

• Tendinitis:
Tendin(tendons) +
itis (inflammation).
• The inflammation
of the tendons.
• “tend” sounds like
“ten”.
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

7.”alb”-white
• Albino: An
individual with a
lack of coloring
pigment in the skin
eyes, and hair.
• “alba” sounds like
“album”.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

8.”peri”- around
• Pericardium: Peri
(around) +
cardium(heart).
• A fibroserous sac that
surrounds the heart and
the roots of the great
vessels.
• “peri” sounds like
Perry”.
Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.
 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

9. “nulli”- none
• Nullipara: Nulli
(none) + para
(childbirth).
• A woman who has not
yet delivered an infant.
• “nulli” sounds like “no
light”.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.

 Physiology Vocabulary – Prefix #1

10.”alve”- channel, cavity

• Alveolitis: Alve
(cavity) + ol (small) +
itis (inflammation).
• An allergic
inflammation of the
alveoli.

Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier, Inc.