Prefixes
hypo
This prefix means below normal or deficient, as in hypoglycemia.
-itis
This suffix means inflammation, as in bronchitis.
cardi-
This root refers to the heart, as in cardiac.
anterior
This term means toward the front of the body.
anatomical position
In this standard position, a patient stands upright, faces forward, and has palms facing forward.
hyper
This prefix means above normal or excessive, as in hypertension.
-ectomy
This suffix means surgical removal, as in appendectomy.
hepat-
This root refers to the liver, as in hepatic.
posterior
This term means toward the back of the body.
supine
This position describes a patient lying on the back, face upward.
tachy
This prefix means fast, as in tachycardia.
-ology
This suffix means the study of, as in cardiology.
nephr-
This root refers to the kidney, as in nephrology.
proximal
This term describes a body part closer to the trunk or point of attachment.
prone
This position describes a patient lying face downward.
brady
This prefix means slow, as in bradypnea.
-algia
This suffix means pain, as in neuralgia.
gastr-
This root refers to the stomach, as in gastritis.
distal
This term describes a body part farther from the trunk or point of attachment.
sagittal plane
This plane divides the body into left and right portions
peri
This prefix means around or surrounding, as in pericardium.
-emia
This suffix means the condition of blood, as in anemia.
pneumon-
This root refers to the lung, as in pulmonary terminology using the root pneumon-.
medial
This term means toward the midline of the body; the opposite is lateral.
transverse plane
This plane divides the body into upper and lower portions.