Medical Terminology Simplified

7–35 A hernia is a protrusion of an anatomical structure through the wall that

normally contains it. Hernias may develop in several parts of the body. Examples of

hernias are cyst/o/cele and rect/o/cele. (See Fig. 7–5.)

A cyst/o/cele is a herniation of part of the urin/ary bladder through the vagin/al wall

caused by weakened pelv/ic muscles. A rect/o/cele is a herniation of a portion of the

rectum toward the vagina through weakened vagin/al muscles.

Define the following word elements in this frame:

cyst/o:____________________

-cele:____________________, ____________________

rect/o:____________________

7–36 Cyst/o/cele develops over years as vaginal muscles weaken and can no

longer support the weight of urine in the urinary bladder. This condition usually

occurs after a woman has delivered several infants. It also occurs in elderly people

because of weakened pelvic muscles resulting from the aging process.

When the physician diagnoses herniation of the bladder, you know the Dx will be

charted as a __________ / _____ / __________.

7–37 Can you determine the Dx of a patient with a herniation of the rectum into

the vagina?

__________ / _____ / __________

Frame 7–30to Frame 7–37

Macroscopic Structures • CHAPTER 7 291291

bladder

hernia, swelling

rectum

RĔK-tŭm

cyst/o/cele

SĬS-tō-sēl

rect/o/cele

RĔK-tō-sēl

Uterus

Rectum

Urinary bladder

Vagina

Cystocele Rectocele

Uterus

Rectum

Urinary bladder

Vagina

Figure 7-5Herniations. (A)Cystocele. (B)Rectocele.

AB