Basic terms commonly used in the physical therapy practice

Common disabilities
Hemiplegia – absence of muscle strength on one side/one-sided paralysis
Spinal cord injury - damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility
and/or feeling
Parkinson’s disease - neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-
producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra
Traumatic brain injury - a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a
blow, bump or jolt to the head, the head suddenly and violently hitting an object or when an
object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue
Arthritis - describe pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint or joints; isn’t a single condition and
there are several different types

Introduction to Medical Terminologies

Dissecting medical terms
Learning medical terminology is like learning new language
Take it apart - Requires knowledge of common medical roots and the prefixes and suffixes used
to modify them
Root it out
Root: essential core component of a word, holds its essential meaning, and cannot stand alone
as a complete term
Requires another element (modifier)
Can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a word
For example
Two or more roots may be combined
Cardiopulmonary/cardiovascular
O = common connector
More examples of roots used in different positions
Root at the beginning of a word angioedema (vessel)
Root in the middle of a word encephaliic (head)
Root at the end of the word scleroderma (skin)
Combination of roots phototherapy (light; treatment)

Roots Meaning Example

Abdomen(o)- abdomen Abdominopelvic (abdomen pelvis)
Acou Hearing Acoustics (science of sound)
Acr(o) Extremity, peak Acrodermatitis (inflammation of
skin the extremities)
Aden(o) gland Adenocele (cystic tumor in a gland)
Adipo fat Adipose (fatty)
Alb White Albumin (protein found in blood)
Abdr(o) male Androgen (male sex hormone)
Angi(o) Vessel Angiography (X-ray of a vessel)
Ankyl- Crooked, fusion Ankylosis (consolidation of a joint)
Bili bile Biliary (pertaining to bile or
gallbladder)
Blast – or – blast Embryonic state Blastocyte (embryonic cell)
Blephar(o) eyelid Blepharitis (inflammation of the
eyelid)
Brachi(o) arm Brachial artery (artery of the upper
arm)
Brady slow Bradycardia (slow heart rhythm)
Calc Heel Calcaneus (heel bone)
Carcin(o) Cancer Carcinoma (malignant growth)
Cardi(o) Heart Cardiac muscle (heart muscle)
Caud Tail Caudal (toward the tail)
Cerebr(o) cerebrum Cerebral embolism (occlusion of a
cerebral vessel by a blood clot)
Cervic(i)(o) neck Cervical plexus (network of cervical
nerves)
Chol(e) Bile Cholecystitis (inflammation of the
gallbladder)
Chondr(o) Cartilage Chondritis (inflammation of
cartilage)
Col(i)(o) Colon Colitis (inflammation of colon)
Cost(o) Rib Costochondral (relating to a rib
and its cartilage)
Cut Skin Cutaneous (relating to skin)
Cyan(o) Blue Cyanotic (blue colored)
Cyst(i)(o) bladder Cystitis (inflammation of the
urinary bladder)
Cyto Cell Cytology (study of cell)
Derm – or – derm Skin Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
Dors(i)(o) Black Dorsiflexion (upward bending of
hand or foot)
Enter(o) Intestine Enterocolitis (inflammation of the
intestines and coon)
Erythr(o) Red Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
Fasci Bundle Fasciae (bundle of muscle fibers)
Febr(i) fever Febrile (feverish)
Fil Theadlike Filament (fine threat)
Galact(o) Milk Galactose (sugar obtained from
milk)
Gastro Stomach Gastritis (inflammation of the
stomach)
Ger(o) – or – geront(o) Aging Gerontology (study of aging)
Gest Carry Gestation (pregnancy)
Gloss(o) Tongue Glossitis (inflammation of the
tongue
Glyc(o) – or – gluc(o) Sweet Glycogen, glucogen (forms of
sugar)
Gyn(o) Woman, particularly female Gynecology (study of women’s
reproductive organs reproductive organs)
Heme(a)(o) or Hemato Blood Hematology (study of blood)
Hepat(o) Liver Hepatitis (Inflammation of liver)
Hist(i)(o) Tissue Histography (process of describing
tissue and cell)
Hydro Water, hydrogen Hydrops (excess watery fluids)
Hyster Uterus Hysterectomy (surgical removal of
the uterus)
Ile(o) Ileum Ileostomy (surgical opening in the
ileum)
Ili(o) Ilium, flank Iliac muscle (muscle that allows
thigh movement)
Ishi(o) Hip Ischiopubic (pertaining to the
ischium and pubes)
Jejun(o) Jejunum Jejunectomy (excision of the
jejunum)
Kerat(o) Horny tissues, cornea Keratectasia (a thin, scarred
cornea)
Labio Lips Labiograph (an instrument that
records lip movement)
Lact(o) Milk Lactation (secretion of milk by the
breast)
Laryng(o) Larynx Laryngectomy (surgical removal of
 the larynx)
Latero Side Lateroflexion (flexion to one side)
Leuk(o) White Leukocytes (white blood cells)
Lip(o) Fat Lipedema (excess fat and fluid in
the subcutaneous tissue)
Lith(o) Stone Lithocystoromy (surgical removal
of bladder stones)
Mammo(o) Breast Mammogram (breast X-ray)
Mast(o) Breast Mastectomy (surgical removal of
breast tissue)
Melan(o) Black Melancholia (depression)
Meno Menses Menostaxis (prolonged menstrual
period)
Ment Mind Mental illness (psychiatric
disorder)
Mio Less, smaller Miosis (excessive contraction of
the pupil)
Mito Threadlike Mitochondria (rod-shape cellular
organelle)
My(o) Muscle Myocele (hernia of muscle)
Myc(o) Fungus Mycology (study of fungi and
fungal diseases)
Myel(o) Marrow, spinal cord Myelalgia (pain in the spinal cord)
Myx Mucus Myxoid (resembling mucus)
Nas(o) Nose Nasolabial (between the nose and
the lip)
Nephr(o) Kidney Nephritis (kidney inflammation)
Ocul(o) Eye Oculomotor (eye movement)
Ophthalm(o) Eye Ophthalmia (inflammation of the
eye)
Orchi(o) Testes Orchitis (inflammation of the
testes)
Oro Mouth Oronasal (mouth and nose)
Oss – or – oste(o) Bone Osteomyelitis (inflammation of
bone and muscle)
Ot(o) Ear Otitis (ear inflammation)
Ox(y) Oxygenation Oxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin
combined with molecular oxygen)
Path(o) Disease Pathogen (disease-causing
organism)
Ped(o) Child Pediatrics (care of children)
Pharmac(o) Medicine Pharmacotherapy (treatment with
medication)
Pharyng(o) Pharynx Pharyngitis (sore throat)
Phleb(o) Vein phlebitis (inflammation of a vein)
Phot(o) Light Phototherapy (treatment by
exposure to light)
Plasm(o) Liquid part of blood Plasminogen (protein found in
tissues and body fluids)
Pleur(o) Pleura, rib, side Pleurisy (inflammation of the
pleura)
Pneum(o) Lung Pneumonia (inflammation of the
lung)
Pod(o) Foot Podiatry (care of the foot)
Proct(o) Rectum Proctectomy (excess protein in the
blood)
Prote(o) Protein Proteinemia (excess protein in
blood)
Psych(o) Mind Psychiatry (study and treatment of
mental disorder)
Pulmo(n) Lung Pulmoaortic (pertaining to the
lungs and aorta)
Pyell(o) Kidney Pyelonephrosis (disease of the
kidney and renal pelvis)
Pyro Heat Pyrogen (an agent that causes
fever)
Ren(o) Kidney Renography (X-ray of the kidney)
Rhin(o) Nose Rhinitis (inflames mucous
membranes of the nose)
Rub(r) Red Bilirubin (bile pigment)
Sangui Blood Sanguineous drainage (bloody
drainage)
Sarc(o) Flesh Sarcoma (a highly malignant tumor
made of connective tissue cells)
Scler(o) Flesh Sarcoma (a highly malignant tumor
made of connective tissue cells)
Scolio Crooked Scoliosis (curvature of spine)
Sensi Perception, feeling Sensory (pertaining to the senses)
Sep Decay Sepsis (infection in the
bloodstream)
Soma- or – somat(o) Body Somatization (psychiatric condition
expressed through physical
symptoms)
Sten(o) Narrow Stenosis (narrowing of body
passage)
Tachy Rapid, swift Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
Therm(o) Heat Thermometer (instrument for
measuring temperature)
Thorac(o) Chest Thoracotomy (surgical opening of
the chest wall)
Thromb(o) Clot Thrombectomy (excision of a clot
from a blood vessel)
Toxi(o) Poison Toxicosis (poisoning)
Trache(o) Trachea Tracheobronchitis (inflammation id
the trachea and bronchi)
Ur(o) Urinary, urine Uropoiesis (formation of urine)
Vas(o) Vessel Vasospasm (spasm of blood vessel)
Ven(i)(o) vein Venosclerosis (sclerosis or
hardening of the veins)
Vesic(o) Bladder Vesicospinal (pertaining to the
urinary bladder and spine)

Common prefixes used in the forming medical terminology

Prefixes Meanings Examples
a(n) Absence, without Anuria (lack o urine output)
Ab Away from Abduct (move away from)
Ad Toward adduct
Ambi Both side Ambidextrous (using both hands)
Ante Before, forward Anterior (front of the body)
Anti Against Antibody (immune response to an
organism)
Apo Away from Apophysis (growth or
protuberance)
Auto Self Autoanalysis (sels-analysis)
Bi Two Bigeminy (occurring in pairs)
Diplo Double Diplopia (double version)
Dys Difficult, painful Dysuria (painful urination)
Ec Out of Ectopic (out of place)
End(o) Inward Endoscope (a device used to
examine a body cavity)
Eu Normal, health Euthyroid (normal thyroid
function)
Ex Outside Exfoliation (peeling of layers
Hetero Other, different Heterogeneous (different
characteristics)
Hyper Above, beyond Hypernatremia (excess sodium)
Hypo Below Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Infra Beneath Infra-axillary (below the axilla)
Intra Within, into Intramuscular (into the muscle)
Juxta Near Juxta-articular (near a joints0
Macr(o) Large, long Macromastia (excessive breast
size)
Mal Bad, abnormal Malformation (abnormally
formed)
Mega Great, large Megacolon (enlarged colon)
Meta Beyond, change Metaphase (second stage of cell
division)
Micr(o) Small Microbe (tiny organism)
Mono One Monochromatic (having only one
color)
Morph(o) Shape Morphology (study of the form
and structure of organisms)
Multi Many Multifocal (arising from many
locations)
Olig(o) Few, little Oliguria (too little urine)
Par(a) Near, besides, accessory to Paracentesis (puncture of a cavity
for aspiration of fluid)
Peri Around Pericecal (around the cecum)
Pico One-trillionth Picornavirus (extremely small
RNA virus)
Poly Much, many Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
Post Behind, after Postoperative (after surgery)
Pre Before, in front Preanesthesia (before anesthetic
is given)
Pro Favoring, supporting, Procoagulant (promotes
substituting for, in front of coagulation)
Pseudo False Pseudocyst (a cavity resembling a
true cyst)
Re Back, contrary Recurrent fever (fever that
returns after remission)
Retr(o) Backward Retroauricular (behind the
auricle)
Semi Half Semiflexion (position of a limb
midway between extension and
flexion
Sub Under Subclinical (without symptoms)
Super Above Supercilia (the eyebrows)
Supra Above, upon Supraorbital (above the orbit)
Tetra Four Tetralogy (group of four)
Trans Across, through Transdermal (entering through
 the skin)

Common suffixes used in forming medical terminology

Algia Pain Neuralgia (nerve pain)

Ectomy Surgical removal Splenectomy (removal of the
spleen)
Itis Inflammation Colitis (inflammation of the
colon)
Lys(i)(o) Breakdown Fibrinolysis (breakdown of a
clot)
Oma Tumor Blastoma (cancer composed
of embryonic cells)
Osis Condition Fibrosis (formation of fibrous
tissue)
Phobia Abnormal fear Agoraphobia (fear of open
spaces)
Plasia Growth Hypoplasia (incomplete
development)
Plasty Surgical repair Angioplasty (surgical repair of
blood vessel)
Plegia Paralysis Paraplegia (paralysis of lower
body)
Pnea Breathing Apnea (absence of breathing)
Poiesis Production Hematopoiesis (production
of blood cells)
Praxia Movement Apraxia (inability to perform
purposeful movement)
Rhea Fluid discharge Diarrhea (frequent soft or
liquid bowel movements)
Scope Observe Endoscope (tool for
observing the interior of
body organs)
Stomy Opening Colostomy (portion of the
colon is opened and brought
through the abdominal wall
Taxis Movement Ataxia (uncoordinated
movements)
Tommy Incision Thoracotomy (surgical
opening of the chest wall)
Tripsy Crushing Lithotripsy (crushing stones
in the bladder, kidney,
gallbladder, or other organs)
 Tropy growth Hypertrophy (overgrowth)

Forming plural words

Forming plurals of many medical terms are different from routine English words because of
their Greek and Latin roots
Greek and Latin plurals are formed by adding or substituting vowels or syllables at the end of
the word
Examples
Macula  maculae
Adenoma  adenomata
Glomerulus  glomeruli
Pelvis  pelves
Eponyms
A medical term that’s derived from the name of a person, usually the scientist who discovered
the corresponding body part or disease
Many procedures and test are also named after the persons who invented or perfected them
Examples: condition
Addison’s disease - a syndrome resulting from insufficient production of hormones from the
cortex of the adrenal gland
Alzheimer’s disease - a type of irreversible dementia
Examples: body parts
Bartholin's glands - located in the female perineum
Cowper's glands - located beneath a portion of the male urethra
Wernicke's center - a speech center in the brain
Examples: featured procedures
Allen's test - a test for occlusion of radial or ulnar arteries
Belsey Mark IV operation - a procedure to correct gastroesophageal reflux
Heimlich maneuver - a technique for removing foreign objects from the airway of a choking
victim
Examples: medical devices such as catheters
Foley catheter - an indwelling urinary catheter
Hickman catheter - a central venous catheter inserted for long-term use
Malecot catheter - a tube used for gastrostomy feedings
Swan-Ganz catheter - threaded into the pulmonary artery

The Body’s Organization

Cells: nature’s building blocks
the body's basic building block and the smallest living component of an organism
In the late 1600s, British physicist Robert Hooke first observed plant cells with a crude
microscope.
He decided that the structures reminded him of tiny prison cells
Body tissues: holding it all together
groups of similar cells that perform the same role
each tissue has at least one unique function
are classified by structure and function and are divided into four types: epithelial, connective,
muscle, and nervous
Epithelial tissue
Or epithelium is a continuous cellular sheet that covers the body's surface, lines body cavities,
and forms certain glands
ConIs classified by structure into one of the following four categories: fibrous, bone, cartilage,
or blood
Is found in or around almost every organ of the body
To support, connect, and transportnective tissue

Muscle tissue
three basic types of muscle tissue are striated, cardiac, and smooth
Striated muscle tissue - gets its name from the striped, or striated, appearance it has when
viewed under a microscope; all striated muscle tissue capable of voluntary contraction is called
skeletal muscle tissue
Cardiac muscle tissue – striated but it contracts involuntarily
Smooth muscle tissue – lacks the striped pattern of striated tissue; consists of long, spindle-
shaped cells
Nervous tissue
main function of nervous tissue is communication
primary properties are irritability (the capacity to react to various physical and chemical agents)
and conductivity (the ability to transmit the resulting reaction from one point to another)
may be neurons or neuroglia
Neurons consist of three parts: dendrites, the cell body, and axons
Like tiny antennas, dendrites receive impulses and conduct them into the cell body
Axons carry impulses away from the cell body
Neuroglia forms the support structure of nervous tissue, insulating and protecting neurons
They’re found only in the central nervous system
Organs and systems: the specialists
Organs - when a group of tissues handles a more complicated task than any one tissue could
perform alone
Systems – combination of organs, which perform a more complex function than any one organ
can manage on its own

The Integumentary System

Skin structure and function
Integumentary system – largest body system that includes the skin (integument 
integumentum  covering) and its appendages (hair, nails, and certain glands)

Skin layers
Epidermis – outermost layer
Dermis – second layer; also called the corium
Physical examination terms
The skin can provide useful information about the body's overall condition
Skin color
Cyanosis - a bluish skin color that's caused by an excess of oxygen-starved hemoglobin
molecules in the blood
Pallor – pale skin
Ecchymosis – a reddish purple skin discoloration that’s caused by hemorrhages in the dermal or
intradermal spaces
Erythema - refers to redness or inflammation of the skin resulting from congestion of the
superficial capillaries
Purpura - purple-red or brown-red discoloration on the skin due to hemorrhage in the tissues
Petechiae - Small (pinpoint) discolored areas
Jaundice – yellowing of the skin
Carotenemia – yellow-orange skin discoloration
Skin turgor
Turgor – a condition of normal tension in the skin and reflects the skin’s elasticity
Lesions
Abnormal changes in the skin
Produced by allergens, weather, injury, and various diseases
Primary lesions
Bulla - fluid-filled lesion; also called a blister or bleb
Cyst - a semisolid encapsulated mass that extends deep into the dermis
Macule - a flat, pigmented area that's less than ⅜” in diameter
Freckle - an example of a macule
Papule - a firm, raised lesion up to ¼” in diameter that may be the same color as the skin or
may be pigmented
Plaque - a flat, raised patch on the skin
Tumor - an elevated solid lesion larger than ¾” that extends into the dermal and subcutaneous
layers
Vesicle - a raised, fluid-filled lesion that's less than ¼” in diameter; chickenpox produces vesicles
Wheal - a raised, firm lesion with intense, usually temporary, swelling around the area
Urticaria/hives - are a type of wheal
Secondary lesions
Atrophy - thinning of the skin surface that may be caused by a disorder or aging
Crust - dried exudate (drainage) covering an eroded or weeping area of skin
Erosion - a lesion that's caused by loss of the epidermis
Excoriation - a linearly scratched or abraded area
Fissures - linear cracks in the skin that extend into the dermal layer; chapped skin causes
fissures
Keloid - a hypertrophied scar
Lichenification - characterized by thick, roughened skin with exaggerated skin lines
Scales - are thin, dry flakes of shedding skin
Scars - are fibrous tissue caused by trauma, deep inflammation, or a surgical incision
Ulcer - an epidermal and dermal destruction that may extend into the subcutaneous tissue