Medical Terminology Simplified

(Grace) #1
2–3 Recall that cyt/oand -cyteare used to form words that refer to
a _______________.

2–4 A cyt/o/logist is usually a biologist who specializes in the study of cells, espe-
cially one who uses cyt/o/log/ic techniques to diagnose neoplasms.
Using cyt/o,build a word that means study of cells:__________ / _____ /
__________.

2–5 Use cyt/oto form words that mean
specialist in the study of cells:__________ / _____ / ____________________
dissolution or destruction of a cell:__________ / _____ / ____________________

2–6 At the tissue level, the structural organization of the human body consists
of groups of cells working together to carry out a specialized activity. (See Fig. 2–1.)
The medical scientist who specializes in the study of microscopic structures of tissues
is called a hist/o/logist.
Identify word elements in hist/o/logistthat mean
specialist in the study of:____________________
tissue:__________ / _____

When defining a medical word, first define the suffix. Second, define the beginning of the word; finally, define
the middle of the word. Here is an example of the term
super/medi/al
(2) (3) (1)


  1. Define the suffix first: -almeans pertaining to.

  2. Define the beginning of the word: super-means upper,above.

  3. Define the middle of the word: medimeans middle.


Directional Terms


The following frames introduce terms that describe regions of the body. Included are directional terms that describe
a structure in relation to some defined center or reference point.


2–7 The suffixes -ac, -al, -ar, -iac, -ic, and-ior are adjective endings that mean
pertaining to.You will find them used throughout this book. These suffixes help
describe position, direction, body divisions, and body structures.
Use the adjective ending -al to form words that mean pertaining to the
back (of body):dors / __________
side, to one side:later / __________
belly, belly side:ventr / __________

Boldfaceindicates a word root or combining form. Blueindicates a suffix. Pinkindicates a prefix.


32 CHAPTER 2• Body Structure


cell

cyt/o/logy
sī-TŎL-ō-jē

-logist

hist/o

dors/al
DŌR-săl

later/al
LĂT-ĕr-ăl

ventr/al
VĔN-trăl

cyt/o/logist
sī-TŎL-ō-jĭst

cyt/o/lysis
sī-TŎL-ĭ-sĭs

!

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