A comprehensive quick-reference guide for medical students and allied health trainees. Master key terms, anatomical concepts, and clinical vocabulary.
Medical terms are built from a simple formula: Prefix + Root Word + Suffix. Mastering these building blocks unlocks the meaning of thousands of clinical terms.
Modifies meaning. Examples: Hyper (high), Brady (slow), Exo (outside)
Core meaning. Examples: Cardio (heart), Hepato (liver), Neuro (nerve)
Describes condition or procedure. Examples: -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (removal)
High / Excessive
Slow
Outside / Outer
Inside
Around
Between
Two
All
White
Suffixes define the nature of the condition, procedure, or finding. Learn these to decode any clinical term instantly.
These root words form the core of anatomical and clinical terminology. Recognise them and you can decode complex medical language with ease.
Houses viscera: organs of the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavities.
The abdominal cavity is the largest hollow space in the body.
The kidney is located in the retroperitoneal area.
The body stands vertically upright. Arms are parallel and lateral to the ribs. Hands are inferior to the elbows and fully supinated (palms facing forward). This is the universal reference position for all anatomical descriptions.
Bones provide structure, protect organs, and enable movement. Key facts every student must know:
Femur — also the strongest bone in the human body.
Stapes — tiny ossicle located in the middle ear.
Calcaneum — the heel bone, largest tarsal bone.
Hyoid bone — does not articulate with any other bone.
Tibia — the medial and larger of the two leg bones.
Clavicle — lies horizontally; considered the weakest and softest bone.
Osteomalacia (softening of bone) in adults is called Rickets in children. Both result from Vitamin D deficiency.
Receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.
Natural pacemaker. Located in the upper wall of the right heart. If it fails, AV node acts as secondary pacemaker.
The only vein that carries oxygenated blood.
Serous membrane that surrounds the heart.
Total volume in the human body: ~5 litres.
Plasma — the liquid component of blood.
IgA
Total 5 lobes: Right lung has 3, left lung has 2.
Serous membrane surrounding the lungs.
Site of gaseous exchange in the respiratory system.
Dome-shaped muscle. Flattens during inspiration. Separates thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Also called the voice box. Largest cartilage: Thyroid cartilage.
Cessation of breathing. Eupnoea = normal breathing.
Surgical incision into the eardrum.
Additional respiratory sound — commonly referred to as wheezing.
Difficulty breathing.
Absence of CO₂ in the blood.
Bleeding from the nose.
Discharge from the nose.
Pneumo / Pulmo
Hollow muscular tube. Transports food from pharynx to stomach.
First part: Duodenum. Pepsin digests protein here.
Parts: Caecum → Colon → Rectum. Root word: entero.
Largest organ by weight. Prefix: Hepato.
Cholelithiasis = gallstones. Cholecystectomy = surgical removal.
Nephron — functional unit of the kidney.
Results from deficiency of Vasopressin (ADH).
Endocrine glands are ductless glands — they secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Master gland of the endocrine system. Hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults causes Acromegaly.
Hyperthyroidism: hyperactivity with high T3 & T4, low TSH. Cretinism results from thyroid hormone deficiency.
Located superior to the kidneys. Produces Epinephrine & Norepinephrine — fight or flight hormones.
Cells that produce hormones to regulate blood sugar.
Known as the biological clock of the body.
Vasopressin (ADH) and Oxytocin.
Milk production is caused by Prolactin. Milk secretion is triggered by Oxytocin.
A form of milk produced in the first few days after giving birth.
Temporary vascular organ attaching the foetus to the uterus during pregnancy.
Rapid, regular contractions of the heart. Atrial rate: 240–400 beats per minute.
Functional and structural unit of the nervous system.
12 pairs total. Largest: Trigeminal (V). Longest: Vagus (X).
Involved in Saturday night palsy.
Causes decreased sensation in the arm.
Temporary facial paralysis or weakness on one side of the face.
10th cranial nerve. Longest cranial nerve.
Most superficial layer: Epidermis.
Cells that produce melanin — pigment responsible for skin colour.
Another name: Cuticle. Root word for nail: Onycho.
Meaning: Whole body covering — the skin and its appendages.
Mucous membrane lining the eyelid.
Choroid — vascular layer between retina and sclera.
Pupil constricts (miosis) in response to bright light.
Limbus — junction between the sclera and cornea.
Disease affecting the eardrum.
Pain in the ear.
Excision of the lacrimal sac.
Basic unit of an organism.
Powerhouse of the cell. Site of ATP production.
Sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
Process of constructing / building molecules.
Maintaining normal equilibrium of the body.
Branch of medical science: cause, origin, and nature of disease.
Break complex terms into parts to find their meaning instantly.
Pan (all) + Cyto (cell) + Penia (decrease) = Decrease in all blood cells
Thrombo (clot) + Cyto (cell) + Penia (decrease) = Low platelet count
Chole (bile) + Cysto (bladder) + Ectomy (removal) = Removal of gall bladder
Blepharo (eyelid) + Plasty (surgical repair) = Surgical repair of eyelids
Hystero (uterus) + Ectomy (removal) = Removal of uterus
Rhino (nose) + Plasty (repair) = Surgical repair of nose
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Medical Terminology & Anatomy