Module 2

The vocabulary of Modules 2 and 3 contains a limited number of roots and terminations, since in
these two modules you are being provided with the full lists of clinical and grammatical suffixes
(in Module 2) and prefixes (Module 3) for the course. The vocabulary lists for Modules 4 12
contain roots and terminations only.
An asterisk next to a term indicates that there is another and (usually) disparate meaning for this
term; the references in square bracketssuch as [See Mod. 7, cervic-]indicate where you will
later encounter this alternate meaning. The asterisk is provided as a cross-reference, so do not be
concerned if later modules are referred to which you have not yet seen.
NB: You must learn each term with its appropriately-placed dash (for example, bucc-). You
need to know where the dash is placed for the purposes of tutorial quizzes.
Brackets: Round brackets indicate words which will be filled in by other parts of a term. For
example, for cele = protrusion filled with (a substance), the brackets indicate that a substance,
such as mucus, is needed to complete the meaning and will be indicated by a root in another part
of the term. Square brackets provide clarifying information, such as unusual plural forms.
Roots: External Anatomy
brachibucccaudcelicellaparabdominventr-*
cephalcervic-*
trachel-*
cheillabicheirchircrurdactyldermdermatgnathinguinlaterlumb-

arm
cheek
tail
abdomen
[See Mod. 9, ventr-]

head
neck [any neck within the body structure]
[See Mod. 7, cervic-, trachel-]
lip; labium [pl. labia]
hand
leg; leg-like structure; thigh
digit; finger; toe
skin
jaw
groin
the side [i.e., of the body, or of an organ or structure]
loin

ment-*
omomphalumbilicpathpodped-*
sarcsomasomatthoracstethpector-

chin
[See Mod. 5, ment-]
shoulder
navel; umbilicus
disease
foot
[See Mod. 4, ped-]
flesh
body
chest; thorax

Clinical Suffixes
-ad

-ate

-ics

-ist
-itis
-oid
-osis
-ism
-iasis

moving in a direction towards

[When two roots are used, the first root denotes the origin and the second
the direction, e.g. cephalocaudad means moving in a direction from the
head toward the tail. The order of the roots must be properly reflected
in the definition.]
having; having the form of
[The first is more common and should be used; the second meaning
should be used only if there is a context to support it.]
study (of a subject)
[The termination -logy is more commonly used and should be used,
unless one is directed to use the suffix ics.]
a specialist (in a subject)
inflammation
resembling; like
These suffixes form a noun and indicate a state of being, one which is
usually (but not necessarily) negative or abnormal in character.
Most usually, use or expect to see either:
a. disorder (of an organ, structure, function, characteristic); or
b. condition characterised by/caused by (a substance)

-ous*

Frequently, however, these phrases will not be appropriate to the

context (condition may be an appropriate rendering in some contexts).
Note also that -osis is the most commonly used of these three suffixes;
you must use -osis when creating a term using these meanings,
unless directed otherwise.
containing
[see -ous below, in Grammatical Suffixes]

Grammatical Suffixes
-ia
-y

Suffixes which create a noun.

Very often the suffix does not need a specific translation;
if context requires, however, it could be rendered as either
condition or condition characterized by, but the
translation will depend upon the context.

-ic
-tic
-al
-ical
-ac
-ar
-ary
-eal
-ine
-ile
-ous*
-ize (-ise)

No single definition is possible.

Suffixes which create an adjective.
Most usually the meaning is pertaining to or located
in, but it will depend upon context; in many instances
neither of these phrases can be used. This is particularly
true when the adjective is modifying a noun in a phrase.
[See above Clinical Suffixes, for -ous]

Suffix which creates a verb, as in to (do something).

Some possible renderings, depending on the context,
include to make, to become, to cause to be, to
subject to, or to engage in.

Terminations
-algia

-cele
-ectome
-ectomize
-ectomy
-gram
-graph
-graphy
-logist
-logical
-logy
-megaly

pain
[For any termination indicating pain in a body part, English
requires the preposition in to follow.]
protrusion (from an organ or other structure);
protrusion filled with (a substance)
instrument used to excise [i.e., to cut out]
to excise; to cut out; to remove
excision; surgical removal
record
instrument used to record
process of recording
a specialist in the study (of a subject)
pertaining to the study (of a subject)
study (of a subject)
enlargement (of an organ or structure)

-meter
-metry
-ostomy

-pathic
-pathy
-plasty
-scope

-scopy
-tome
-tomy

26.7.16

instrument used to measure

measurement (of an organ, structure, function,
characteristic)
creation of a passage into (an organ or structure);
creation of a passage between (organ or structure X) and
(organ or structure Y)
pertaining to disease; diseased
disease
surgical repair
instrument used to make a visual examination
[On rare occasion the instrument does not refer to visual
examination but to examination by other means.]
visual examination
instrument used to cut (into)
incision (in, or into)