* * * Check out the tabs below for terms associated with specific body systems * * *
Often, medical terminology is very technical in nature and requires extra effort to understand. When learning scientific words, you can generally divide terms into discrete parts. Once you become familiar with the meaning of word parts, you can understand the meaning of complex terms.
For example, consider the following word:
This word can be divided into smaller parts:
To understand the meaning of the word, first define the suffix, then the beginning of the word (prefix or root word), and finally the middle of the word (root word). In this case, hypothermia means (3) the condition of having (1) an abnormally low (2) body temperature. As you can see, once you become familiar with the meaning of word parts, it becomes much easier to decipher medical terminology.
Also, keep in mind that while many medical terms contain all three word parts, others will contain varying combinations such as root/suffix, prefix/root, prefix/suffix, etc. Some words will even contain two roots, such as osteoarthritis (osteo = bone, arthr = joint).
Let's look at another example:
As you can see, even if you have never heard of the word “antibacterial,” the word parts provide clues that it is something that protects against bacteria. Therefore, it can be helpful to take into consideration the meaning of word parts, in addition to the context of the sentence or paragraph that the word is in, to decipher an unfamiliar word’s meaning.
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf
The body is organized by cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example Terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which protects the body from various kinds of damage, includes the skin, hair, nails, and sebaceous and sudoriferous glands.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example Term:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
The skeleton, which includes all the bones and joints, is the basic structure of our body.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which is responsible for movement, posture, and control of certain circulatory functions, is made up of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. 
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins..
This system, which is made up of the central and peripheral nervous system, coordinates the body’s involuntary and voluntary actions. 
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which consists of glands that produce hormones, works with the nervous system to maintain the body’s homeostasis.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which carries oxygen and nutrients through the blood, includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
The lymphatic system is responsible for protecting the body from infection, maintaining a balance of fluids, and absorbing fats. It also consists of organs, tissues, and vessels.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which supplies oxygen to the cells and removes carbon dioxide, consists of the nose, pharynx, larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which allows the body to absorb nutrients from food and fluids, consists of the tract from the oral cavity to the anus.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which removes wastes and toxins from the body, consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
This system, which allows us to perpetuate life, includes the reproductive organs.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Certain root words are associated with the organs that process sight and sound.
Note: There are additional roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are not included within the tables; however, the examples will demonstrate how the word parts can be analyzed to determine the meaning of a word.
Example terms:
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf. Charts adapted from Collins, C. E. (2014) A short course in medical terminology (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
On this site, nursing students can use flashcards to learn medical terms and abbreviations organized by body systems.
This site can help you learn nursing terminology root words using a variety of methods including flashcards, matching games, crossword puzzles, and quizzes.
This video simplifies breaking up medical terminology by prefixes, roots, and suffixes, and provides visual aids, along with the explanations.
Students can click on selected medical terminology to hear the correct pronunciation.
Germanna Community College Academic Center for Excellence. (2020, December). Guide to Common Medical Terminology. https://www.germanna.edu/wp-content/uploads/guide_to_common_medical_terminology_010722.pdf