556 APPENDIX A• Glossary of Medical Word ElementsMedical Word Medical Word
Element Meaning Element Meaning
steth/o chest
sthen/o strength
stigmat/o point, mark
stomat/o mouth
-stomy forming an opening (mouth)
sub- under, below
sudor/o sweat
super- upper, above
super/o upper, above
supra- above; excessive; superior
sym- union, together, joined
syn- union, together, joined
synapt/o synapsis, point of contact
synov/o synovial membrane, synovial fluid
T
tachy- rapid
tax/o order, coordination
-taxia order, coordination
ten/o tendon
tend/o tendon
tendin/o tendon
-tension to stretch
test/o testis (plural, testes)
thalam/o thalamus
thalass/o sea
thec/o sheath (usually referring to the
meninges)
thel/o nipple
therapeut/o treatment
-therapy treatment
therm/o heat
thorac/o chest
-thorax chest
thromb/o blood clot
thym/o thymus gland
-thymia mind; emotion
thyr/o thyroid gland
thyroid/o thyroid gland
tibi/o tibia (larger bone of the lower leg)
-tic pertaining to
-tocia childbirth, labor
tom/o to cut, slice
-tome instrument to cut-tomy incision
ton/o tension
tonsill/o tonsils
tox/o poison
-toxic pertaining to poison
toxic/o poison
trabecul/o trabecula (supporting bundles of
fibers)
trache/o trachea (windpipe)
trans- across, through
tri- three
trich/o hair
trigon/o trigone (triangular region at the
base of the bladder)
-tripsy crushing
-trophy development, nourishment
-tropia turning
-tropin stimulate
tubercul/o a little swelling
tympan/o tympanic membrane (eardrum)
U
-ula small, minute
-ule small, minute
uln/o ulna (lower arm bone on the
opposite side of the thumb)
ultra- excess, beyond
-um structure, thing
umbilic/o umbilicus, navel
ungu/o nail
uni- one
ur/o urine, urinary tract
ureter/o ureter
urethr/o urethra
-uria urine
urin/o urine, urinary tract
-us condition; structure
uter/o uterus (womb)
uvul/o uvula
V
vagin/o vagina
valv/o valve
varic/o dilated vein
vas/o vessel; vas deferens; duct3971_App A_548-557 13/02/14 11:21 AM Page 556