The body or main element of a word
Word Root
A position in which a patient lies face down
Prone Position
Letter used to combine two word roots, or a word root and a suffix, usually an "O"
Spaces in the body that contain organs; the human body is divided into the dorsal and ventral cavities
Body Cavities
Parts that are used to form medical terms; include word root, prefix, suffix, combining vowel, and combining form (word root plus combining vowel)
Word Element
The part of the word that is added after the word root to change its meaning
A position in which a patient lies face up
Supine Position
A position in which a patient lies in bed with head of bed elevated 30 degrees
Semi-Fowler's Position
The part of a word that comes before the word root; changes the meaning of the word root
Prefix
A position in which a patient lies on his or her side
Lateral Position
The four divisions of the large abdominal area
Abdominal Quadrants
Words formed from the first letters or parts of other words
Acronyms
Term that describes a word root and a combining vowel together, used to form medical terms
Combining Form
A position in which a patient lies in bed with head of bed elevated 45 degrees
Fowler's Position
Imaginary planes, or flat surfaces, that divide the body into sections; include sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes
A standing position in which the feet are parallel and the arms and hands are at the sides, palms facing out
Anatomical Position
A position in which a patient lies on his or her left side, with the right leg drawn up high and forward, left arm along the back, and the check forward resting on the bed
Sims' Position
A position in which a patient lies flat on his or her back with the head of the table lowered at a 45 degree angle
Trendelenburg Position