Unit-I: Fundamentals of Medical Terminology (10 Hrs)

1. Word Roots, Prefix, Suffix, Abbreviations & Symbols

• Word Roots: The base part of a word that typically refers to a body part or system
(e.g., cardio refers to the heart).
• Prefixes: Added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning (e.g., hyper- means
over or excessive, as in hypertension).
• Suffixes: Added to the end of a word to indicate a procedure, condition, disease, or part
of speech (e.g., -itis means inflammation, as in bronchitis).
• Abbreviations & Symbols: Commonly used shorthand in medical documentation
(e.g., BP for blood pressure, ECG for electrocardiogram).

1. Word Roots:

Word roots are the foundation of medical terms, usually indicating the involved body part or
system. Here are more examples:

Word Root Meaning Example

Cardi/o Heart Cardiologist (heart specialist)
Gastr/o Stomach Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
Hepat/o Liver Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
Neur/o Nerve Neurology (study of the nervous system)
Oste/o Bone Osteoporosis (weakening of bones)
Ren/o Kidney Renal (pertaining to the kidney)
Derm/o Skin Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
Pulmon/o Lung Pulmonology (study of the lungs)
Cerebr/o Brain Cerebrospinal (relating to the brain and spinal cord)
My/o Muscle Myopathy (disease of the muscle)
Arthr/o Joint Arthritis (inflammation of the joint)
Cyt/o Cell Cytology (study of cells)
Hem/o Blood Hematology (study of blood)
Col/o Colon Colitis (inflammation of the colon)

2. Prefixes:

Prefixes are attached to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. They can describe
location, time, number, or status. Here are more examples:

Prefix Meaning Example

Hypo- Below, deficient Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Hyper- Excessive, above normal Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Tachy- Fast Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
Brady- Slow Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Prefix Meaning Example
Dys- Difficult, painful, abnormal Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Poly- Many Polyuria (excessive urination)
Oligo- Few, deficient Oliguria (low urine output)
Pre- Before Prenatal (before birth)
Post- After Postoperative (after surgery)
A-/An- Without, not Anemia (lack of red blood cells)
Sub- Below, under Subcutaneous (under the skin)
Endo- Inside, within Endoscopy (visual examination inside the body)
Peri- Around Pericardium (membrane around the heart)

3. Suffixes:

Suffixes are added to the end of a word to indicate procedures, conditions, or diseases. Here
are more examples:

Suffix Meaning Example

-itis Inflammation Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
-ectomy Surgical removal Tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils)
-algia Pain Neuralgia (nerve pain)
-pathy Disease Neuropathy (nerve disease)
-megaly Enlargement Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
-logy Study of Cardiology (study of the heart)
-oma Tumor, mass Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system)
-stomy Creating an opening Colostomy (opening of the colon)
-scopy Visual examination Endoscopy (visual examination inside the body)
-emia Blood condition Anemia (low red blood cells)
-lysis Breakdown, destruction Hemolysis (destruction of blood cells)
-genic Producing, causing Carcinogenic (causing cancer)
-graphy Recording Angiography (imaging of blood vessels)
-phobia Fear Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces)

4. Abbreviations & Symbols:

Abbreviations and symbols are widely used in medical records to save time and space. Below
are more commonly used abbreviations and symbols:

Abbreviation Meaning
BP Blood Pressure
HR Heart Rate
ECG/EKG Electrocardiogram
Abbreviation Meaning
CBC Complete Blood Count
CT Computed Tomography
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Rx Prescription
Tx Treatment
Dx Diagnosis
Fx Fracture
H&P History and Physical
q.d. Every day
b.i.d. Twice a day
t.i.d. Three times a day
PRN As needed
NPO Nothing by mouth
SOB Shortness of breath
O2 Oxygen
DM Diabetes Mellitus
WBC White Blood Cell
RBC Red Blood Cell
IV Intravenous
BPM Beats Per Minute
CXR Chest X-ray
U/A Urinalysis
q.h. Every hour

2. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy refers to the study of the structure of the body and its parts, while Physiology is the
study of how these parts function and work together to sustain life. Together, anatomy and
physiology provide a comprehensive understanding of how the body is structured and how it
operates. Below is a breakdown of major systems in the human body, with their anatomical
structures and physiological functions.

• Organs & Systems Overview:

o Gastrointestinal System: Involves the digestion and absorption of food.
Includes the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs like
the liver and pancreas.
o Intestinal System: Focuses on the processing and absorption of nutrients
through the small and large intestines.
o Respiratory System: Responsible for gas exchange, including structures like
the lungs, bronchi, trachea, and diaphragm.
o Circulatory System: Comprises the heart, blood vessels, and blood, facilitating
oxygen and nutrient transport.
 o Renal System: Involves kidney function and the regulation of fluids and
electrolytes, including the elimination of waste.
o Reproductive System: Male and female reproductive organs responsible for
producing and supporting offspring.
o Nervous System: Controls body functions and responds to stimuli. Divided into
the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems.

1. Gastrointestinal (GI) System

Anatomy:

• Mouth: Starting point of digestion; contains teeth, tongue, and salivary glands.
• Esophagus: A muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach through
peristalsis.
• Stomach: A muscular organ where mechanical digestion occurs, along with the
secretion of gastric juices for protein digestion.
• Small Intestine (Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum): The primary site for nutrient
absorption. It has villi and microvilli to increase surface area for absorption.
• Large Intestine (Colon): Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and stores feces.
• Accessory Organs:
o Liver: Produces bile, which is crucial for fat digestion.
o Pancreas: Secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach
acid.
o Gallbladder: Stores and releases bile into the small intestine.

Physiology:

• Digestion: The process of breaking down food into small, absorbable components
(carbohydrates, proteins, fats).
• Absorption: Nutrients from digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream via the
small intestine.
• Excretion: Waste products are excreted as feces through the large intestine and anus.

2. Respiratory System

Anatomy:

• Nose and Nasal Cavity: Air enters through the nostrils, where it is filtered, warmed,
and moistened.
• Pharynx and Larynx: The pharynx is a passage for air and food, while the larynx
(voice box) is involved in sound production.
• Trachea: A tube reinforced with cartilage, carrying air to the bronchi.
• Bronchi and Bronchioles: Branching tubes leading into the lungs, dividing into
smaller bronchioles that end in alveoli.
• Lungs: Spongy organs where gas exchange occurs.
 • Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon
dioxide is expelled.

Physiology:

• Ventilation: The mechanical process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
• Gas Exchange: Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide
diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
• Regulation of Blood pH: The respiratory system helps maintain acid-base balance by
regulating the level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

3. Circulatory System

Anatomy:

• Heart: A four-chambered organ (two atria and two ventricles) that pumps blood
throughout the body.
• Blood Vessels:
o Arteries: Carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
o Veins: Carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
o Capillaries: Microscopic vessels where nutrient and gas exchange occurs
between blood and tissues.
• Blood: Composed of red blood cells (transport oxygen), white blood cells (fight
infection), platelets (clot blood), and plasma (fluid component).

Physiology:

• Circulation: The process of blood being pumped by the heart through the body. It
includes two loops:
o Systemic Circulation: Blood flows from the heart to the rest of the body.
o Pulmonary Circulation: Blood flows from the heart to the lungs for
oxygenation.
• Transportation of Nutrients and Waste: The circulatory system delivers oxygen and
nutrients to cells and removes waste products like carbon dioxide and urea.
• Thermoregulation: Blood vessels help regulate body temperature by dilating or
constricting.

4. Renal (Urinary) System

Anatomy:

• Kidneys: Bean-shaped organs that filter blood to form urine. Each kidney contains
functional units called nephrons.
• Ureters: Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Bladder: A hollow organ that stores urine until it is excreted.
• Urethra: A tube through which urine is expelled from the bladder out of the body.
Physiology:

• Filtration: Blood is filtered in the kidneys, where waste products and excess substances
are removed to form urine.
• Reabsorption: Water, electrolytes, and essential nutrients are reabsorbed back into the
bloodstream.
• Excretion: Urine is excreted, which contains waste products like urea, creatinine, and
excess ions.
• Regulation of Blood Pressure: The kidneys regulate blood volume and pressure by
adjusting water and salt retention through the renin-angiotensin system.

5. Reproductive System

Anatomy:

• Female:
o Ovaries: Produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
o Fallopian Tubes: Transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
o Uterus: A muscular organ where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a
fetus.
o Vagina: A canal that connects the external genitals to the uterus.
• Male:
o Testes: Produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.
o Epididymis: A tube where sperm mature and are stored.
o Vas Deferens: A duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
o Prostate Gland: Produces a fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
o Penis: The organ responsible for delivering sperm into the female reproductive
system.

Physiology:

• Gamete Production: Ovaries produce eggs, and testes produce sperm, which are
essential for reproduction.
• Fertilization: The fusion of an egg and sperm, typically occurring in the fallopian
tubes, leads to the formation of a zygote.
• Hormonal Regulation: The reproductive system is regulated by hormones (estrogen,
progesterone, testosterone) that control sexual development, reproduction, and
secondary sexual characteristics.

6. Nervous System
Anatomy:

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Comprises all the nerves outside the CNS,
including sensory and motor neurons.
• Neurons: Specialized cells that transmit nerve impulses. Each neuron has a cell body,
dendrites (receive signals), and an axon (transmits signals).
• Synapses: Junctions where signals are transmitted between neurons or between
neurons and muscles.

Physiology:

• Sensory Input: The nervous system detects stimuli from the environment (both
external and internal) and sends this information to the CNS.
• Integration: The CNS processes and interprets sensory information, deciding on a
response.
• Motor Output: The CNS sends signals to muscles and glands, triggering appropriate
actions, such as movement or secretion.
• Homeostasis: The nervous system plays a key role in maintaining internal balance,
regulating processes like heart rate, digestion, and temperature control.

Conclusion:

Anatomy and Physiology are foundational for understanding how the human body operates as
an integrated system. Each system has a unique role but works in coordination with others to
maintain homeostasis, enable growth, and respond to the environment. Whether it’s the
intricate process of digestion, the complex communication within the nervous system, or the
life-sustaining function of the circulatory system, each part of the body has a vital contribution
to overall health and function.