Semmelweis Uni Medical Terminology

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Written by Alexandra Bakó
Semmelweis University
2017
Medical Terminology – AOVLEK229_1A
CONTENTS
COURSE MATERIAL ................................................................................................................... 2
UNIT 1 LATIN NOUNS IN ANATOMY ........................................................................................... 3
UNIT 2 THE DICTIONARY FORM OF LATIN NOUNS ...................................................................... 13
UNIT 3 LATIN POSSESSIVE PHRASES IN ANATOMY ..................................................................... 21
UNIT 4 THE PLURAL FORM OF LATIN NOUNS............................................................................. 27
REVISION FOR MIDTERM 1 (UNITS 1-4) ................................................................................. 35
UNIT 5 LATIN ADJECTIVES IN ANATOMY................................................................................... 36
UNIT 6 THE DICTIONARY FORM OF LATIN ADJECTIVES AND THEIR AGREEMENT TO NOUNS ................ 43
UNIT 7 ANATOMICAL ADJECTIVES FROM NOUNS........................................................................ 51
UNIT 8 MUSCLE NAMES ........................................................................................................58
REVISION FOR MIDTERM 2 (UNITS 5-8) ................................................................................. 63
UNIT 9 PHARMACEUTICAL TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................ 63
UNIT 10 GREEK TERMINOLOGY (PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, PROCEDURES) ....................... 70
UNIT 11 DIAGNOSTIC PHRASES .............................................................................................. 77
REVISION FOR MIDTERM 3 (UNITS 9-11)............................................................................... 86
GRAMMAR ............................................................................................................................. 87
1. DICTIONARY FORMS ...................................................................................................... 87
2. DECLENSION OF NOUNS ................................................................................................ 90
3. FORMING POSSESSIVE PHRASES ...................................................................................... 91
4. DECLENSION AND AGREEMENT OF ADJECTIVES .................................................................. 91
5. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES .............................................................................................. 92
KEY TO PRACTICE TESTS......................................................................................................... 94
KEY TO PRACTICE TEST MIDTERM 1 (UNITS 1-4) ................................................................... 94
KEY TO PRACTICE TEST MIDTERM 2 (UNITS 5-8) ....................................................................95
KEY TO PRACTICE TEST MIDTERM 3 (UNITS 9-11) .................................................................. 96
LATIN-ENGLISH VOCABULARY .................................................................................................. 97
ENGLISH-LATIN VOCABULARY ................................................................................................ 105
GREEK COMBINING FORMS GREEK-ENGLISH ............................................................................ 113
GREEK COMBINING FORMS ENGLISH-GREEK ............................................................................ 116
DECLENSION TABLES ............................................................................................................ 120
1
COURSE MATERIAL
Medical Terminology is a course designed for medical students to ease their everyday
studies by providing them with linguistic and terminological knowledge. The material is
closely built on the terminology of Anatomy, Physiology, clinical and pathological
diagnoses, and Pharmacology. Students get familiarized with the most sufficient
grammatical rules governing medical terminology and become able to formulate both Latin
and Greek medical phrases. By learning the ca. 700 Latin terms and the ca. 200 Greek
combining forms covered by the material, a solid foundation is provided for students’
medical studies.
Learning tips:
Learn the new terms weekly – the more words you know, the more effectively you
can work in class.
Learn the words with their full dictionary forms. This helps you in working with
them.
When learning words, link them to anatomical areas. Check them with the help of
the internet at http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
Do the tasks for practice between classes to make sure you understand the
material.
If you feel confused about the material, consult the “Grammar” section, where you
are presented with the grammatical explanations of the discussed phenomena.
Devote time for revising the newly learnt terms.
Feel free to consult your teacher for help.
Tests to expect:
Test’s weight
Test material
in the final grade
vocab test 1 nouns of Unit 1 10 %
vocab test 2 nouns of Unit 2 10 %
Midterm 1 The plural and possessive forms of nouns
20 %
(Units 1-4)
vocab test 3 adjectives of Units 5-6 10 %
Midterm 2 Adjectival anatomical terms and muscle names
20 %
(Units 5-8)
vocab test 4 Greek combining forms (Greek list – pp.113-115) 10 %
Midterm 3 Diagnostic and pharmaceutical terminology
20 %
(Units 9-11)
2
UNIT 1
LATIN NOUNS IN ANATOMY
The language of anatomy is mostly of Latin origin. All the anatomical terms (of human gross
anatomical structures) are compiled in the Terminologia Anatomica (TA), which is an
international standard on human anatomical terminology. Fundamentally it is a Latin
compilation, which serves as a solid ground for vernacular translations. Consequently,
anatomical terminology in any language is mainly a converted version of the original and
official Latin terms. Furthermore, some of the terms are even conserved in their original
Latin format in English as well, and sometimes you will see that no Latin term is used to
mark an anatomical structure, but it is already translated to English.
Let’s look at a few examples of how the Terminologia Anatomica works in English.
LATIN ENGLISH
noun vertebra vertebra (plur: vertebrae)
ligamentum ligament
tibia tibia/shinbone
cor heart
possessive noun phrase chorda tympani chorda tympani
symphysis pubis symphysis pubis / pubic symphysis
caput femoris femoral head
adjectival phrase vena cava vena cava (plur: venae cavae)
facies articularis articular surface
In this unit we get acquainted with Latin nouns that kept their original form to some extent
in English anatomical terminology. By memorizing their meanings, you develop a solid
ground for your future anatomical studies.
Task 1
a. Match the numbers of body parts and organs to their picture.
b. Mark those Latin names which are used in English as well.
1) abdomen
2) caput
3) cerebrum
4) cor
5) digitus
6) gaster
7) hallux
8) hepar
9) index
10) nasus
11) oculus
12) os (oris)
13) pes
14) pollex
15) thorax
16) umbilicus
3
Task 2
a. Group the nouns to the body systems they belong to.
b. The nouns in italics are not used in English in this Latin form. Write down their
English equivalents next to them.
alveolus chorion ovarium testis
anus duodenum palatum ureter
aorta esophagus penis uterus
arteria faux pleura vas
atrium fetus saliva vena
bronchus glottis scrotum ventriculus
colon larynx
Cardiovascular Digestive/Gastrointestinal (and urinary)
Respiratory Reproductive
As you could see, there are 3 groups of Latin medical terms:

- certain Latin nouns exist in English medical language in their original form
e.g., aorta, ureter, thorax
- some Latin nouns are used in a converted form in English
e.g., ovarium – ovary, arteria – artery, vena – vein
- some Latin medical terms have not been conserved in English, so you have to make
special effort to memorize them (but you will see that knowing them will help you in
the long run)
e.g., hepar – liver (-> hepatic artery), cor – heart (-> cor pulmonale),
os (oris) – mouth (-> oral herpes)
When a Latin term is conserved in its original form in English medical language, most of the
time there still exists another equivalent for it, usually an expression that can be understood
by lay (non-medical) people as well. In Task 3 you can practice such equivalents.
4
Task 3
Match the bone names in Latin to their names in English.
calcaneus 1) skull (bone)

carpus 2) upper jaw bone
clavicula 3) shoulder blade
costa 4) breastbone
cranium 5) collar bone
femur 6) rib
fibula 7) backbone
humerus 8) hipbone
maxilla 9) upper arm bone
metacarpus 10) fingerbone
patella 11) thighbone
pelvis 12) kneecap
phalanx 13) shinbone
scapula 14) calfbone
sternum 15) ankle bone
talus 16) heel bone
tibia 17) wrist
vertebra 18) hand bones (between wrist & fingers)
When only the Latin term is used for a body part/organ, you still have to be able to explain it
shortly what it is. In Task 4 you have to find the proper explanations of such terms.
Task 4
Write the Latin medical term to their explanations.
ulna radius ischium axis acromion

sacrum pubis ilium atlas
“sitting bone” on the pelvis: ……………………………………………..

C1 vertebra: ……………………………………………..
C2 vertebra: ……………………………………………..
highest point of shoulder: ……………………………………………..
inner forearm bone (little finger side) : ……………………………………………..
outer forearm bone (thumb side) : ……………………………………………..
the bone at the frontal part of the pelvis: ……………………………………………..
the lateral part of the pelvis: ……………………………………………..
triangular backbone: ……………………………………………..
5
Task 5
Slight difference bw Latin and English. Figure out the English equivalents (converted forms)
of these Latin terms.
SHORTENING (ending cut off)
ligamentum ligament WITH CHANGE IN THE ROOT
recessus cornu horn
processus crista crest
ductus arcus
linea chorda
ELONGATING (with an extra –n)
articulatio articulation
impressio
tendo tendon
Add further –ion ending medical terms you know.
CHANGING THE ENDING (to an –e)

-O INTO -E -UM INTO -E
cartilago vestibulum
-ULUS/ULA/ULUM INTO -LE (!root change!) spatium
angulus
clavicula
tuberculum
-US INTO -E -A INTO -E
nervus spina
conus sutura
nodus membrana
SELF-STUDY TIME
a. Recall the meanings of the Latin terms that have come up so far. (If unsure, use the
Latin-English dictionary at the back of the book, on pages 97-104) For now, do not
care about the full dictionary forms of the nouns, just their meaning in italics. We will
learn how to interpret and use the full Latin dictionary forms in the next unit.
b. Use 2 highlighters with different colours, and mark these terms:
- colour 1: Latin terms that are not used in English medical language (e.g., hepar)
- colour 2: Latin terms that are used in a converted form in English (e.g., ovarium)
abdomen clavicula
acromion conus
angulus cor
arcus cornu
articulatio costa
atlas cranium
axis crista
calcaneus digitus
caput ductus
carpus femur
cartilago fibula
chorda gaster
6
glandula phalanx
hallux pollex
hepar processus
humerus pubis
ilium radius
impressio recessus
index sacrum
ischium scapula
ligamentum spatium
linea spina
maxilla sternum
membrana sutura
metacarpus talus
nasus tendo
nervus thorax
nodus tibia
oculus tuberculum
os (oris) ulna
patella umbilicus
pelvis vertebra
pes vestibulum
When memorizing new vocabulary, it is very useful to learn new terms in groups based on
some organizing principle or logic. It is also recommended to link new terms to
something, like to a word in another language that is similar, or to another Latin term that
is similar either in form or meaning, and linking them to etymological notes may be also of
great help. In the last part of the unit, you can practice such methods and at the same time
memorize a great deal of anatomical terminology.
Vocab tip 1 – Etymological notes

Look at the table and examine how etymological notes can help you in memorizing new
terms.
etymology meaning
kyphosis kyphos – crooked hunchback (posteriorly convex spine)
lordosis lordos – bent backward hollow back (anteriorly convex spine)
symphysis syn+physis – growing together uniting joint (fibrocartilaginous joint)
syndesmosis desmo – ligament joint with ligamentous links
synchondrosis chondro - cartilage joint with cartilaginous links
meniscus meniscos – lunar crescent crescentic cartilage (in the knee)
Now following the logic, add the meanings listed to the table below.
1) core of the cell 3) nerve cell body
2) nerve cell aggregation 4) sensory nerve bundle
etymology meaning
ganglion ganglion – something gathered in a ball [“gang”]
lemniscus lemniskos – woolen ribbon
perikaryon peri – around + karyon – nut, kernel
nucleus nux/nucis – nut <- nucleus – “little nut”, kernel
7
Vocab tip 2 – Use drawings

In anatomy you are going to study several depressions on the surfaces of organs and bones.
Based on the etymological notes and the meanings, create a small drawing to each term
while memorizing it.
term+drawing etymology meaning

acetabulum acetabulum – vinegar cup cup-shaped depression
(on the pelvis)
fossa terra fossa – dug earth hollow, depressed area

fossa – trench, ditch (more or less longitudinal
in shape)
fovea fovea – small pit pit-like depression
impressio in + pressio – a pushed in part, a mark impression

produced by pressure
recessus recessus (<- recedere) – going back, retreat recess, a small hollow or
indentation, an empty
space or cavity
Vocab tip 3 – Use your anatomical knowledge

Holes and openings can have various names, mainly depending on their structure or
function. After looking at the meanings and etymological notes of the terms, match the
names of the anatomical structures to their definitions.
etymology meaning
foramen think of: perforated (appendix) hole
hiatus yawning, standing open opening, gap
hilum small thing, trifle, the eye of a bean pit for vessels and nerves to exit/enter
porta gate entrance (of an organ)
ostium doorway (mouth-like) opening, orifice
vestibulum forecourt, lobby vestibule, entrance
foramen magnum 1) a depression on the spleen for the nerves and vessels
esophageal hiatus 2) the external opening of the cervix (of the womb) into the vagina
splenic hilum 3) large hole on the skull where the spinal cord passes through
porta hepatis 4) the forepart of the mouth cavity
ostium uteri 5) a gap on the diaphragm, a passage for the gullet
oral vestibule 6) the entrance of the liver for the portal vein, hepatic artery and
ducts
Connections and meeting points are easier to memorize if you match them to the structure
or structures they typically connect. [etymological notes are given]
anastomosis [open, discharge into] communication bw tubes
diastema [interval] space between 2 teeth
glabella [hairless area] between eyebrows
sutura [suture, stitch] bony surfaces united by fibrous tissue
pons [bridge] slip of tissue connecting two parts of an organ
8
Vocab tip 4 – Group similar concepts and learn their differences

Processes and projections come in all sizes and shapes, so you really need an organizing
principle in order to group them into smaller chunks. Some larger groups are given, but you
need to make up some new ones. The meanings and sometimes etymological notes [in
brackets] are provided.
ala wing(-like process) specificly shaped processes/projections

appendix outgrowth
cauda tail
cilium eyelash, hair
cornu horn
hair/thread-like structures
crista crest [of a cock]
dens tooth(-like process)
filum thread
fimbrium hair(-like projection)
wall-like structures
labium lip
limbus border, margin
limen threshold, ridge
linea line
mitochondrion threadlike organelle [mitos-thread] …
mons eminence, (mountain-like)
rima cleft, crack
ruga ridge, wrinkle, fold
septum dividing wall …
spina spine, thorn
tuber protuberance [edible root; lump]
tuberculum tubercle (small tuber)
uncus hooklike process
villus small projection (of membrane) [wool, fleece]
Vocab tip 5 – Read up on it. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)

Match and learn the diverse names of networks with the help of an online medical
dictionary. See what type of definitions it provides and if there is a list of anatomical
structures, look at them, discover their similarities.
plexus 1) framework, intercellular network
rete 2) small network, (a protoplasmic network in cells)
reticulum 3) network (vessels/nerves)
matrix 4) tissue framework of an organ [bed covering]
stroma 5) network (plur: reta/retia)-Gr plexus
9
Vocab tip 6 – Use those vocab tips that are the most effective for you.
Here is a list of names of various anatomical structures with their meanings. Try out some of
the vocab tips above, and see which ones are the most effective for you.
angulus angle; corner (of the mouth) fornix archlike structure [domed brick oven]
annulus ring(like structure) gallus cock (see: crista galli)
apex tip, pointed end genu knee; flexed-knee-like structure
arbor tree(-like structure) glans glandlike body
arcus arch manubrium handle-like structure [manus-
brachium (upper) arm, arm-like stucture hand]
cingulum girdle (encircling structure) ramus branch
[swordbelt] scala ladder-like structure
concha shell-shaped structure sella chair (see: sella turcica)
conus cone [peak of a helmet] sustentaculum support(ing structure)
corona crown tenia bandlike structure
corpus body trabecula (supporting) beam
crus leg, leglike structure, shaft
Vocab tip 7 – Recall the meaning after learning a group of terms.

Memorize the list containing the names of anatomical layers.
membrana membrane fasciculus fascicle, small bundle
stratum layer lamina thin, flat plate/layer
velum covering structure [veil] meninx brain & spinal cord covering
cortex outer layer [bark] plica fold
epithelium cellular covering, lining omentum omentum (fold of peritoneum)
decidua the endometrial lining falling off frenulum small mucous fold (to limit
fascia fascia (fibrous sheet or band) movement)
Now recall the meaning of these Latin anatomical layer names. (Without looking at the
previous list.)
cortex membrana
decidua meninx
epithelium omentum
fascia plica
fasciculus stratum
frenulum velum
lamina
10
Vocab tip 8 – Check if the term is in your active vocabulary

Memorize the names of cavities and passages.
cavum cavity
sinus cavity, channel [bend, bent surface]
calyx cup-shaped cavity
bursa small fluid-filled sac

nodus node
glandula gland
ductus duct
meatus passage to a body surface
vas duct, canal, vessel
isthmus constriction [between 2 seas]
sulcus groove [a furrow, the result of plowing]
stria thin, narrow groove/channel
Recall the Latin terms without looking at the previous list. If you can’t remember some,
revise the list and try to fill in the missing terms for the second time.
cavity, channel [bend, bent surface]
constriction [between 2 seas]
cavity
cup-shaped cavity
duct
duct, canal, vessel
gland
groove [a furrow, the result of plowing]
node
passage to a body surface
small fluid-filled sac
thin, narrow groove/channel
Vocab tip 9 – Revise-revise-revise

Check your knowledge. After learning the terms in the Vocab tips part of Unit 1, recall their
meanings in English.
acetabulum cilium epithelium
ala cingulum fascia
anastomosis concha fasciculus
angulus conus filum
annulus cornu fimbrium
apex corona foramen
appendix corpus fornix
arbor cortex fossa
arcus crista fovea
brachium crus frenulum
bursa decidua gallus
calyx dens ganglion
cauda diastema genu
cavum ductus glabella
11
glandula mitochondrion sinus

glans mons spina
hiatus nodus stratum
hilum nucleus stria
impressio omentum stroma
isthmus ostium sulcus
kyphosis perikaryon sustentaculum
labium plexus sutura
lamina plica symphysis
lemniscus pons synchondrosis
limbus porta syndesmosis
limen ramus tenia
linea recessus trabecula
lordosis rete tuber
manubrium reticulum tuberculum
matrix rima uncus
meatus ruga vas
membrana scala velum
meninx sella vestibulum
meniscus septum villus
12
UNIT 2
THE DICTIONARY FORM OF LATIN NOUNS
So far you have learnt the meaning of a large collection of medical (mainly anatomical)
nouns. In order to use these (for example to put them into plural or possessive forms), you
need to know their full Latin dictionary form, which contains the most important
information you are going to need.
Task 1
With the help of the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book (pp. 97-104), finish the
dictionary forms of these nouns:
nodus
meatus
sutura
hilum
limen
femur
phalanx
cor
thorax
What does a Latin dictionary form look like?

The dictionary form of a Latin noun is built up this way:
e.g., costa, -ae (f)
nominative case genitive (ending) gender

(=possessive)
costa, -ae (f)
translation: translation: there are 3 genders:

“rib” “… of the rib” (m) – male
(f) – female
(n) – neutral
in many cases the nominative very important: (!) certain declensions are
ending helps to decide what we decide the declension split according to the gender
the full dictionary form is based on the genitive of the noun
ending of the noun
5 gen. endings
=> 5 declensions:
I. –ae
II. –i
III. –is
IV. –us
V. –ei
13
Task 2
Look at the dictionary forms and with the help of the table below decide to which
declension they belong to.
abdomen, -minis (n) abdomen, belly
articulatio, -onis (f) joint, articulation
bacterium, -i (n) bacterium
colon, -i (n) colon, large intestine
dens, -ntis (m) tooth(-like process)
dorsum , -i (n) back, posterior surface
genu, -us (n) knee; flexed-knee-like structure
index, -icis (m) index(=pointing) finger
phalanx, -ngis (f) fingerbone
thorax, -acis (m) chest
I. II. III. IV. V.

f m n m f n m n f
-a, -ae (f) -us, -i (m) -um, -i (n) -es, - -o,-nis (f) -ma, -matis (n) -us, -us -u, -us (n) -es, -ei (f)
-on, -i (n) edis/etis -io, -ionis -us, -ris (n) (m)
(m) -o, -inis -us, -oris (n)
-or, -oris -is, -idis (f) -us, -eris (n)
(m) -us, -uris (n)
-is, -is (m/f)
-ns, -ntis (m)/-ndis (f) -men, -minis (n)
-nx, -ngis (m/f)
-x, -cis (m/f) !!!
-ix, -icis (f)
-yx, -ycis (m)
-ex, -icis (m)
-ax, -acis (m)
-ux, -ucis (m/f)
-r, -ris (m/f/n)
-AE -I -IS -US -EI
Reading out Latin dictionary forms is very easy if you know typical dictionary forms listed
in the table above. The genitive ending replaces the nominative ending.
Task 3
There are some word endings which are tricky because simply the nominative ending does
not tell you the declension. You need to put more effort into memorizing these dictionary
forms, but if you know what the options are, you are making it easier. This table below can
help you a lot in finding your way. Add the number of the declension for each typical
dictionary form.
14
tricky ending typical dictionary form declension samples

-a, -ae (f)
-a -ma, -matis (n)
-us, -i (m)
-us, -ris (n)
-us, -oris (n)
-us -us, -eris (n)
-us, -uris (n)
-us, -us (m)
-es, -edis/etis (m)
-es -es, -ei (f)
-is, -is (m/f)
–is -is, -idis (f)
-o,-inis (f)
-o -io, -onis (f)
-o, -inis (f)
-nx, -ngis (m/f)
-x, -cis (m/f) !!!
-ix, -icis (f)
-x -yx, -ycis (m)
-ex, -icis (m)
-ax, -acis (m)
-ux, -ucis (m/f)
Task 4
Group the dictionary forms into the “samples” column of the table in Task 3
carpus, -i (m) glottis, -idis (f) pelvis, -is (f)
cartilago, -inis (f) hallux, -ucis (m) pes, pedis (m)
corpus, -oris (n) impressio, -onis (f) processus, -us (m)
diastema, -matis (n) larynx, -ngis (m) radius, -i (m)
facies, -ei (f) matrix, -icis (f) sinus, -us (m)
fossa, -ae (f) maxilla, -ae (f) talus, -i (m)
Task 5
Decide what the declension of each term is AND finish the dictionary form (if unsure, use
the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 97-104).
anastomosis, hepar,
aorta, iris,
arcus, limen,
atrium, linea,
calyx, meninx,
chorion, metacarpus,
concha, ostium,
cor, palatum,
crus, penis,
femur, pollex,
fornix, pons,
ganglion, recessus,
glandula, spatium,
gyrus, stroma,
15
Task 6
Without looking at the tables above, finish the typical dictionary form endings AND add the
number of the declension.
typical ending dictionary form(s) WITH GENDER declension
number
-a
-us
-is
-o
-x
-es
-um
-on
-men
-u
Task 7
Most of the terms have typical dictionary forms. There are only a few ones, which are more
challenging to memorize. Now devote a few minutes to learning these dictionary forms.
os, ossis (n) bone

os, oris (n) mouth; orifice, opening
atlas, atlantis (m) atlas, C1 vertebra
caput, capitis (n) head
cor, cordis (n) heart
hepar, hepatis (n) liver
occiput, occipitis (n) occiput (back of head)
rete, retis (n) network (plur: reta/retia)-Gr plexus
pars, partis (f) part
vas, vasis (n) duct, canal, vessel
vasa, vasorum (n) vessels (plur.only, declension II.)
Task 8
Give the Latin dictionary form of the English nouns. (If unsure, use the English-Latin
dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 105-112.)
air sac; tooth socket duct, canal, vessel

appendage, outgrowth eardrum
artery eminence, (mountain-like)
backbone entrance (of an organ)
bone eye
16
eyebrow protuberance
glandlike body pubic bone
head shinbone
hole shoulder blade
hooklike process skin
horn skull (bone)
ligament support(ing structure)
line through the body; C2 vertebra temple (temporal part)
lip tendon
membrane throat
mouth; orifice, opening tip, pointed end
multicellular animal tree(-like structure)
nerve cell body upper arm bone
network ureter (urinary duct)
network (vessels/nerves) water
passage to a body surface womb
pit for vessels to exit/enter
Task 9
Group the nouns according to gender. (First try to do it off by heart, and if unsure, use the
Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 97-104.)
acervulus cervix dorsum limen sternum

acetabulum cilium ductus nasus sura
acromion cornu fetus nucha sutura
carcinoma corpus fovea nucleus testis
cartilago cortex kyphosis ramus umbilicus
male female neutral
17
Task 10
Group the nouns according to the declension table. (If unsure, use the Latin-English
angulus epithelium hiatus sacrum varix
articulatio esophagus lamina sulcus
atlas fibula mitochondrion symphysis
cavum gaster occiput trabecula
crista genu pars unguis
I. II. III. IV. V.

f m n m f n m n f
SELF-STUDY TIME
a. Recall the the full dictionary forms of the Latin terms that have come up in this
unit. (If unsure, use the English- Latin dictionary at the back of the book, on pages
105-112)
b. Use highlighters with different colours to mark:
- either the declensions (5 colours)
- or the genders of the nouns (3 colours)
(The gender of a noun is always set in the dictionary form, and most of the time it is
predicted by the typical ending of that noun and has nothing to do with the concept
itself. e.g., only women have womb, still in Latin it is uterus, -i (m))
abdomen, belly backbone

acromion bacterium
air sac; tooth socket beam, supporting structure
angle; corner (of the mouth) big toe
ankle bone body
aorta bone
appendage, outgrowth brain & spinal cord covering
arch brain sand
archlike structure branch
artery breastbone
atlas, C1 vertebra bridge
atrium (upper chamber of the heart) calf
back, posterior surface calfbone
18
carpus, wrist line

cartilage line through the body; C2 vertebra
cavity lip
cavity, channel liver
cellular covering, lining malignant tumor
chest membrane
chorion (fetal membrane) metacarpus (hand bones bw wrist & fingers)
colon, large intestine mouth; orifice, opening
communication bw tubes mouth-like opening, orifice
convolution of brain surface multicellular animal
core of the cell nail
crest nape, back of the neck
cup-shaped cavity navel, belly button
cup-shaped depression neck (of uterus)
duct nerve cell aggregation
duct, canal, vessel nerve cell body
eardrum network (plur: reta/retia)
eminence, (mountain-like) network (vessels/nerves)
enlarged, tortuous vessel node
entrance (of an organ) nose
esophagus, gullet occiput, back of head
eye opening, gap
eyebrow outer (thumb-side) forearm bone
eyelash, hair outer layer, bark
f(o)etus palate
fingerbone part
foot passage to a body surface
framework, intercellular network penis
gland pit for vessels to exit/enter
glandlike body process
glottis (vocal app. of larynx) protuberance
groove pubic bone
head recess
heart sacrum, triangular backbone
hipbone shell-shaped structure
hole shinbone
hollow area shoulder blade
hooklike process skin
horn skull (bone)
hunchback, rearward curvature of the spine small pit, depression
impression space
index(=pointing) finger space between 2 teeth
iris (of the eye) stomach
joint, articulation support(ing structure)
knee; flexed-knee-like structure surface
leg, leglike structure, shaft suture, stitch
ligament temple (temporal part)
19
tendon tooth(-like process)

testicle tree(-like structure)
thighbone uniting joint
thin plate (bone layer) upper arm bone
threadlike organelle upper jaw bone
threshold, ridge ureter (urinary duct)
throat vessels (plur.only, declension II.)
thumb voice box
tip, pointed end water
tissue framework of an organ womb
20
UNIT 3
LATIN POSSESSIVE PHRASES IN ANATOMY
You already know the dictionary form of several Latin nouns. Recall what pieces of
information each dictionary form contains.
it contains the basic form of the noun (the ……………………………….. case)
it contains the possessive form of the noun (the ……………………………….. case)
it contains the gender of the noun, which can be: …………/……………../………………
Why is it important to know the dictionary forms?
the ending of the nominative gives a hint on the full dictionary form
the genitive identifies the declension of the noun
the gender can further narrow it down, to which subgroup of a declension the noun
belongs to
Why is the declension important? You will only be able to write the plural or possessive
forms of the nouns if you know the declension. In this unit we learn how to create Latin
possessive phrases, for example ‘the fracture of the rib’.
genitive (ending) gender

nominative case
(=possessive)
costa, -ae (f)
translation: translation:
“rib” “… of the rib”
This is how it is done: the Latin possessive phrase follows the logic of English possessive
phrases. First we write the thing possessed and then the thing that possesses:
fracture of the rib = fractura costae
nominative genitive nominative genitive
However, in English this diagnosis can be written in 3 different ways. While in Latin, it is
always written in the true possessive phrase (nom + gen).
English Latin
fracture of the rib
rib fracture fractura costae
costal fracture
Converting the phrase in English into the of-structure helps you the most, as it shows the
right order of the Latin words as well.
Task 1
Translate the phrases to Latin with the help of the bone’s dictionary form.
translation dictionary form
fracture of the heel bone calcaneus, -i (m)
fracture of the clavicle clavicula, -ae (f)
fracture of the ischium ischium, -i (n)
21
Task 2
Translate the phrases to Latin after recalling the dictionary form of the bones. (If unsure,
use the English- Latin dictionary at the back of the book, on pages 105-112)
fracture of the rib
fracture of the ilium
fracture of the fingerbone
fracture of the breastbone
fracture of the thighbone
fracture of the upper arm bone
kneecap fracture
skull fracture
ulnar fracture
pelvic fracture
Task 3
What is the possessive form of the following terms? (If unsure, use the Latin-English
Lat.possessive + Eng meaning Lat.possessive + Eng meaning
apex lordosis
arcus medulla
area meninx
calyx mentum
collum mons
cornu nervus
corpus septum
digitus stroma
ductus syndesmosis
duodenum vena
facies zonula
Many times you can meet names of anatomical structures which are Latin possessive
phrases. If you are aware of this, you can make sure you always say them with proper word-
endings. Furthermore, if you can translate them word for word, it will be easier for you to
learn their position or function.
Task 4
a. Translate the possessive phrases to English.
chorda tympani
manubrium sterni
tenia coli
dens axis
apex dentis
arbor vitae
vasa vasorum
isthmus faucium*
*faux, faucis (f) means throat in plural: fauces, and its plural possessive is faucium
22
b. Write the Latin anatomical names to the definitions/explanations from the first part
of the task.
band-like structure (of muscular fiber) of the colon
cord of the eardrum (nerve branch of the facial nerve)
vessels of vessels (in the walls of larger blood vessels)
tip of the dens (axis)
toothlike process of C2 vertebra
tree of life (white nerve tissue in the cerebellum)
handle-like structure of the breastbone (upper segment)
Task 5
Give the missing Singular Genitive endings to the possessive phrases AND translate them.
dorsum sell______
fovea de______ atla______
glans pen______
porta hepa______
tuber calcane______
uncus corp______
Task 6
Translate the possessive phrases into Latin.
eminence of the symphysis pubis mons ………………….
network (of seminiferous tubules) of the testicle rete ………………….
cleft of glottis (vocal apparatus of the larynx) rima ………………….
ladderlike structure of the eardrum (passage of the cochlea) scala ………………….
layer of sensory nerve bundle stratum ………………….
a support of/for the ankle bone (on the calcaneus) sustentaculum ………………
uniting joint of the pubic bones (pubis) symphysis ………………….
bandlike structure of/to an archlike structure (in the brain) tenia ………………….
Task 7
Translate the terms back to Latin. (If unsure, use the vocabulary list below the task.)
Latin term
tip of the kneecap
arm-like structure of the (brain) bridge (cerebellum)
“cockscomb”: crest of the “cock” (ethmoid bone, skull)
ladder-like structure of the vestibule (entrance of the ear)
cavity/channel of the nail
ligament of the nape (back of the neck)
threshold/ridge of the nose
median partition of the testicle
apex, -icis (m) ligamentum, -i (n) nucha, -ae (f) sinus, -us (m)
brachium, -i (n) limen, -minis (n) patella, -ae (f) testis, -is (m)
crista, -ae (f) mediastinum, -i (n) pons, -ntis (m) unguis, -is (m)
gallus, -i (m) nasus, -i (m) scala, -ae (f) vestibulum, -i (n)
23
SELF-STUDY TIME
Practice the words in this unit by saying them in possessive form. (If unsure, use the English-
Latin dictionary at the back of the book, on pages 105-112)
How to say a possessive form? Recall the full dictionary form, and the 2nd part of it, the
genitive case is the possessive form. For example, costa, -ae (f) – you read out the 2nd part:
costae, and there you have it.
(bone) marrow ilium

(upper) arm; arm-like structure ischium
ankle bone joint with ligamentous links
arch kneecap
archlike structure ladder-like structure
area layer
atlas, C1 vertebra life
axis, C2 vertebra ligament
back, posterior surface liver
bandlike structure median partition
body nail
brain & spinal cord covering nape, back of the neck
breastbone neck
bridge nerve
cavity, channel network (Greek)
chair nose
chin penis
cleft protuberance
cock pubic bone
collar bone, clavicle rib
colon, large intestine sensory nerve bundle
constriction skull
cord small pit, depression
crest small zone
cup-shaped cavity support(ing structure)
dividing wall surface
duct testicle
duodenum thighbone
eardrum threshold, ridge
eminence, (mountain-like) throat (in plural)
entrance (of an organ) tip, pointed end
finger tissue framework of an organ
fingerbone tooth(-like process)
glandlike body tree(-like structure)
glottis (vocal app. of larynx) ulna
handle-like structure uniting joint
heel bone upper arm bone
hipbone vein
hollow back (anteriorly convex spine) vessels (plur.only)
hooklike process vestibule, entrance
horn
24
Now, to practice terms you have learnt earlier but didn’t come up in this unit, you have to
formulate their genitive case (possessive form).
All you need to do is:
- recall the dictionary form (If you are unsure of their dictionary forms, use the Latin-
English dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 97-104.)
- write down the 2nd part of the dictionary form (genitive)
- recall the meaning of the word by translating it as a possessive (at least in your head,
you don’t have to write it down)
abdomen fetus os (bone)

acervulus fibula os (mouth)
acetabulum foramen ostium
acromion fossa palatum
alveolus ganglion palpebra
anastomosis gaster pars
angulus genu perikaryon
aorta glandula pes
appendix gyrus plexus
aqua hallux pollex
arteria hiatus processus
articulatio hilum radius
atlas hilum ramus
atrium impressio recessus
bacterium index sacrum
caput iris, scapula
carcinoma kyphosis spatium
carpus labium sulcus
cartilago lamina sura
cavum larynx sutura
cervix linea tempus
chorion matrix tendo
cilium maxilla thorax
colon meatus tibia
concha membrana trabecula
cor metacarpus umbilicus
cortex metazoon ureter
crus mitochondrion uterus
cutis nodus varix
diastema nucleus vas
epithelium occiput vertebra
esophagus oculus
25
These terms you have only met in Unit 1, so you still have to learn their dictionary forms in
order to formulate their possessives.
- find and write down the dictionary form (Use the Latin-English dictionary at the end
of the book – pp. 97-104.)
- make sure you write out the 2nd part of the dictionary form (genitive) this time
- recall the meaning of the word by translating the written out genitive as a possessive
(at least in your head, you don’t have to write it down)
ala neonatus
annulus nodus
anus omentum
bronchus ovarium
bursa pleura
cauda plica
cingulum reticulum
conus ruga
corona saliva
decidua scrotum
fascia spina
fasciculus stria
filum tuberculum
fimbrium velum
frenulum ventriculus
glabella villus
limbus zonula
meniscus
26
UNIT 4
THE PLURAL FORM OF LATIN NOUNS
Those Latin nouns that exist in their original form in English, also use their Latin form when
you want to say it in plural (in 90% of the cases). You have probably met these plurals
already:
singular plural Problematic pronunciations
vertebra vertebrae
Latin English
sulcus sulci
bacterium bacteria -ae e: i:/ei
phalanx phalanges -i i: ai
foramen foramina -es es i:z
In order to be able to formulate the plural form of any Latin noun, you need to know what
the declension (and many times gender) of that noun is.
As you already know, we select the declension of a noun based on the genitive ending given
in the dictionary form.
Remember: 5 gen. endings => 5 declensions:
I. –ae
II. –i
III. –is
IV. –us
V. –ei
The table below shows you the plural endings, which we put instead of the genitive ending
(found in the 2nd part of the dictionary form).
Plural nominatives of nouns
Sing. Gen. -ae -i -is -us -ei
declension I. II. III. IV. V.
gender f m n mf n m n f
Plur. Nom. -ae -i -a -es -a -us -ua -es
Let’s examine those words above in detail:

singular nominative dictionary form declension sing. genitive plural nom.
vertebra vertebra, -ae (f) I. vertebrae vertebrae
sulcus sulcus, -i (m) II. m sulci sulci
bacterium bacterium, -i (n) II. n bacterii bacteria
phalanx phalanx, -ngis (f) III. f phalangis phalanges
foramen foramen, -minis (n) III. n foraminis foramina
Task 1
Now you should formulate the plural (nominative) forms of the nouns in the table.
tibia humerus labium tendo caput sinus* cornu facies
Sing. Gen. -ae -i -is -us -ei
tibiae humeri labii tendinis capitis sinus cornus faciei
declension I. II. III. IV. V.
gender f m n mf n m n f
Plur. Nom.
*In the case of declension IV male nouns, since the latin plural is the same as singular nominative, in English
we use the English plural e.g., sinuses. So you need to know very well, which –us ended nouns are in
declension IV.
27
Task 2 Practice the steps of formulating a plural nominative of a Latin noun. (If you are
unsure of the dictionary form, use the Latin-English dictionary – pp. 97-104)
singular nominative dictionary form declension sing. genitive plural nom.
carcinoma
cavum
dies
fascia
fimbrium
impressio
index
nodus
os (bone)
pes
recessus
tempus
ventriculus
zonula
Task 3 Here is the list of typical Latin noun endings and their dictionary forms. If you
know the plural nominative of the typical dictionary forms, you will be able to formulate
Latin plurals in 90% of the cases easily.
singular
plural nominative ending (instead of the
nominative typical dictionary form declension
singular nominative ending)
ending
-a, -ae (f)
-a
-ma, -matis (n)
-us, -i (m)
-us, -ris (n)
-us, -oris (n)
-us
-us, -eris (n)
-us, -uris (n)
-us, -us (m)
-es, -edis/etis (m)
-es
-es, -ei (f)
-is, -is (m/f)
–is
-is, -idis (f)
-o,-inis (f)
-o -io, -onis
-o, -inis
-nx, -ngis (m/f)
-x, -cis (m/f) !!!
-ix, -icis (f)
-x -yx, -ycis (m)
-ex, -icis (m)
-ax, -acis (m)
-ux, -ucis (m/f)
-um –um, -i (n)
-on –on, -i (n)
-men –men, -minis (n)
-u –u, -us (n)
28
Task 4
After identifying the declension of each term, add the Latin and English plural forms. (If you
are unsure of the dictionary form, use the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book –
pp. 97-104.)
decl. Latin plural English plural
calcaneus
crista
femur
metacarpus
lamella
omentum
perikaryon
ramus
scrotum
symphysis
tibia
uncus
varix
Task 5
Add the plural nominative endings to the nouns. (If you are unsure of the dictionary form,
use the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 97-104.)
communications between tubes anastomos_______
tips, pointed ends (of an organ) ap_______
upper chambers of the heart atri_______
leglike parts (of an organ, structure) cru_______
knees, flexed knee-like structures gen_______
convolutions of brain surface gyr_______
pits where vessels enter and exit an organ hil_______
irises (of the eyes) ir_______
thin, flat plates, layers lamin_______
multicellular animals metazo_______
finger bones phalan_______
outer lower arm bones (thumb side) radi_______
ridges, wrinkles, folds (stomach, palate, vagina) rug_______
dividing walls (nose, heart,etc.) sept_______
cavities, channels sin_______
tissue frameworks of an organ strom_______
testicles test_______
beams (supporting structure e.g. in bones) trabecul_______
ureters uret_______
small projections (threadlike protrusions) vill_______
29
Task 6
Translate the definitions by formulating a Latin plural nominative form. . (If you are unsure
of the dictionary form, use the English-Latin dictionary at the end of the book – pp. 105-
112.)
appendages, outgrowths
lines through the center of a body
bacterium
airways
horns
outer layers, barks
cellular coverings/linings
holes
aggregations of nerve cell bodies
rearward curvatures of the spine (hunchbacks)
passages (to the body surface)
brain & spinal cord coverings
crescent-shaped cartilage disks (knee)
orifices, openings, (mouths)
kneecaps
lung coverings
Task 7
Decide whether the terms are in singular or plural AND give the missing form (sing/plur). (If
you are unsure of the dictionary form, use the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the
book – pp. 97-104.)
Singular <- ??? -> Plural
mucosa
alveolus
genua
stria
acromia
fetus
acetabula
fauces
nuclei
mitochondrion
30
SELF-STUDY TIME
By now you can make use of all the pieces of information of the Latin dictionary forms you
have memorized.
- based on the ending of the noun, you know most of the time the possible dictionary
forms,
- if you know the dictionary form, you know the genitive and the gender of the noun:
o with the help of the genitive ending you know the declension,
o with the help of the gender you know the subgroup within the declension,
- if you know the declension (and the subgroup), you know what the plural nominative
ending of the noun is,
- you put the plural nominative ending instead of the genitive ending (ae/i/is/us/ei),
and you can say the noun in plural.
In Task 3 we have formulated the plural endings of the typical dictionary forms. We even
wrote it down how to replace the singular nominative ending with the plural nominative
ending. The next table collects the nouns you already know according to typical endings. All
you need to do is to recall the right dictionary form, and based on that formulate the plural
nominative form. (If you are unsure of the dictionary form, use the Latin-English dictionary
at the end of the book – pp. 97-104.) It is also recommended to recall the meaning of each
term at least in your head, without writing it down.
-a -a, -ae (f) / -ma, -matis (n)

arteria lamina scapula
carcinoma linea stria
concha maxilla stroma
crista membrana sura
diastema mucosa sutura
fibula palpebra tibia
fossa patella trabecula
glandula pleura vertebra
lamella ruga
-us -us, -i (m) / -us, -ris (n) [-us, -oris (n) -us, -eris (n) -us, -uris (n)] / -us, -us (m)
acervulus meatus ramus
alveolus meniscus recessus
angulus metacarpus sinus
bronchus nodus sulcus
calcaneus nucleus tempus
carpus oculus umbilicus
crus plexus uncus
fetus processus uterus
gyrus radius villus
hiatus
-es -es, -edis/etis (m) / -es, -ei (f)
dies
paries
pes
facies
–is -is, -is (m/f) / -is, -idis (f)
anastomosis iris symphysis
31
axis kyphosis testis

cutis
-o -io, -onis (f) / -o, -inis (f)
articulatio
cartilago
impressio
regio
tendo
-x -nx, -ngis (m/f) / -x, -cis (m/f) [-ix, -icis (f), -yx, -ycis (m), -ex, -icis (m), -ax, -acis (m), -ux, -ucis (m/f)]
apex hallux phalanx
appendix index pollex
cervix larynx thorax
cortex matrix varix
faux meninx
-um –um, -i (n)
acetabulum epithelium palatum
atrium hilum sacrum
bacterium labium scrotum
cavum omentum septum
cilium ostium spatium
-on –on, -i (n)
acromion ganglion mitochondrion
colon metazoon perikaryon
chorion
-men –men, -minis (n)
abdomen
foramen
limen
-u –u, -us (n)
cornu
genu
Now that you can confidently formulate plural forms of any Latin noun, practice your
knowledge on terms you learnt earlier in this book but were not included in this unit. (If you
are unsure of the dictionary form, use the Latin-English dictionary at the end of the book –
pp. 97-104.) It is also recommended to recall the meaning of each term at least in your head,
without writing it down.
Latin singular nominative full Latin dictionary form Latin plural nominative
ala
arbor
arcus
area
brachium
bursa
cauda
calyx
32
caput
chorda
cingulum
clavicula
collum
conus
corpus
costa
decidua
dens
digitus
dorsum
ductus
fasciculus
femur
filum
fornix
fovea
frenulum
glans
glottis
humerus
ilium
ischium
isthmus
lemniscus
ligamentum
limbus
lordosis
manubrium
mediastinum
medulla
meniscus
mons
neonatus
nervus
os (bone)
os (mouth)
ovarium
pars
pelvis
pleura
plica
porta
pubis
rete
reticulum
rima
33
scala
stratum
sustentaculum
syndesmosis
talus
tenia
tuber
tympanum
ulna
unguis
vena
vestibulum
zonula
34
REVISION FOR MIDTERM 1

(UNITS 1-4)
(KEY to the practice test is on page 94)
Task 1
What is the English meaning of the term? (20 p)
ventriculus fossa
cor ostium
cranium glabella
talus dens
costa linea
digitus plexus
hallux sustentaculum
sutura cortex
syndesmosis meninx
lemniscus calyx
Task 2
What is the Latin dictionary form of the term? (10 p)
breastbone tendon
cleft liver
duct groove
fingerbone mouth
crest nerve cell aggregation
Task 3
Is it singular or plural? Give the missing form (singular or plural). (14 p)
singular plural
sample: nodi nodus
trabecula
pes
recessus
iris
impressio
axes
index
labia
metazoa
cornua
arcus
ossa
plicae
corpus
Task 4
Translate the phrases to English. (16 p)
sinus unguis porta hepatis
apex patellae uncus corporis
mons pubis manubrium sterni
tenia fornicis isthmus faucium
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
grade fail (1) pass (2) fair (3) good (4) very good (5)
35
UNIT 5
LATIN ADJECTIVES IN ANATOMY
So far we have only met with anatomical nouns. Revise what you know about them.
1) They belong to ………. declensions.
A) 3 B) 4 C) 5
2) They have ………. genders.
A) 2 (male/female) B) 3 (male/female/neutral) C) 4 (male/female/neutral/mixed)
3) Their dictionary form is built up as:
A) nominative, genitive, gender B) nominative, plural, gender C) nominative, gender
NOUNS ADJECTIVES
They can stand alone. no
They change their ending in plural. yes
They can stand in possessive phrases. yes
Adjectives can only stand together with a noun they characterize. They can tell
o what the noun is like (ductus deferens, os pisiforme, processus mastoideus)
o where the noun is (musculus tibialis anterior, chorda dorsalis, sulcus terminalis)
Adjectives always follow the noun they belong to.
Adjectives exist in all the 3 genders, and their dictionary form always contains the 3
gender endings (which are sometimes different, sometimes the same). – In this unit we
only learn the male endings (which is always the 1st in the dictionary form), and we
study complete adjectival dictionary forms in unit 6.
Task 1
Match the opposites AND translate them.
anterior 1) internus
inferior 2) minor
dexter 3) medialis
externus 4) superior
profundus 5) superficialis
lateralis 6) posterior
longus 7) brevis
maior 8) sinister
Task 2
Match the explanations/meanings to the adjectives.
centralis 1) toward the midline
medius 2) close to or in the midpoint
intermedius 3) in the midline
medianus 4) the middle one
medialis 5) farther from the midline
lateralis 6) interposed
36
Task 3
Write in the adjectives to the right cells of the table after reading the explanations in it.
latissimus longissimus magnus maximus minor
latus longus maior minimus parvus
basic adjective comparative superlative

only a characteristic of when 2 anatomical when the anatomical
the anatomical structure structures make up a structures make up a
e.g. adductor magnus pair, one is group of 3 or 5, the
bigger/larger, the other largest and the smallest
is smaller/lesser are in superlative
e.g. e.g.gluteus
pectoralis maior/minor minimus/medius/maximus
large, big
small
Similarly, you can meet two more superlatives in anatomy when learning about the back
muscles. The longest and the widest muscles: longissimus cervicis/thoracis…, latissimus dorsi
long -
wide -
Knowing the meaning of Latin anatomical adjectives is a great aid when memorizing the
form, position, or function of anatomical structures.
Task 4
After examining the pictures and their Latin names, translate the adjectives describing
shapes and forms.
sartor
pecten spongia
zygon pisum
serra splenium pirum luna

cuneus
cuneatus/cuneiformis serratus
pectineus splenius
piriformis spongiosus
pisiformis trapezius
sartorius zygomaticus
semilunaris
37
All the adjectives above (except for zygomaticus) were Latin. In anatomy there also are
Greek adjectives with the “oid” particle in it. The “oid” means the same as the “form” in the
Latin adjectives describing shapes and forms.
Task 5
Examine the Greek nouns and their meanings. Then look at the anatomical structures, and
write down what you can predict from their adjectives.
arachne spider ethmos sieve sigma (S)
arytaina ladle/jug hy upsilon (U) sphen wedge
chorion “afterbirth” lambda (L) stylos pen
membrane mastos breast thyreos shield
corax raven/crow pterux wing xiphos sword
cricos ring scaphe boat, bowl
cubos cube sesamon sesame seed
Latin adjective Anatomical name Explanation of the anatomical name

scaphoideus scaphoid bone
sphenoidalis sphenoid bone
mastoideus mastoid process
cuboideus cuboid bone
arytenoideus arytenoid cartilage
lambdoideus lambdoid suture
choroideus choroid plexus
styloideus styloid process
coracoideus coracoid process
cricoideus cricoid cartilage
sesamoideus sesamoid bone
thyroideus thyroid cartilage
ethmoidalis ethmoid bone
arachnoideus arachnoidea mater
sigmoideus sigmoid colon
xiphoideus xiphoid process
hyoideus hyoid bone
pterygoideus pterygoid process
Task 6
Write the adjective to the picture of the animal it refers to.
anserinus
equinus
lumbricalis
……………………………….. ……………………………….. ………………………………..

38
Task 7
Make drawings to the adjectives.
orbicularis circular
quadratus square-shaped
dentatus tooth-shaped
digitatus having finger-like branches
frondosus bearing leaflike projections
laevis without villi
Task 8
Based on the converting table of adjectival endings between English and Latin create the
Latin adjectival forms. English ending Latin ending
accessory ………………………………….. -al* -alis

coronary ………………………………….. -ar -aris
deferent ………………………………….. -ate(d) -atus
elastic ………………………………….. -ic -icus
flaccid …………………………………..
-id -idus
oval …………………………………..
-ory -orius
prominent (vertebraC7/C6/T1) …………………………………..
pyramidal ………………………………….. -ary -arius
radiate ………………………………….. -nt -ns
synovial (fluid) ………………………………….. *exc. external-externus, internal-internus
tribasilar (having 3 bases) …………………………………..
Task 9
Find the Latin root noun of the Latin adjectives after identifying the root of the Latin
adjectives.
Latin adjective English meaning/form Latin root noun
arcuatus arched
cartilagineus cartilaginous
tendineus tendinous
cutaneus cutaneous
fibrosus fibrous fibra (fiber)
mucosus mucous
cavernosus cavernous, filled with cavities caverna (cave)
cavus having a cavity
39
Task 10
Match the Latin and English colour names.
albus A. yellow, blond, gold
flavus B. saffron-yellow
luteus C. white
Task 11
Add the prefixes to the Latin adjectives and give the meaning of the prefix.
ad- con- multi- oc- trans- tri-
Latin adjective English meaning meaning of the PREFIX

……………….fidus divided into many segments
……………….junctivus connective
……………….cludens “closing up” (~tight junctions)
……………….herens sticking to, hanging on
……………….quetrus three-cornered
……………….versus crosswise
……………….plex manifold
Task 12
Use the following vocab learning techniques to explore and memorize the adjectives listed
here.
- mark those words that are familiar to you either in Latin or in any other language
- guess the meaning of the familiar adjectives then check them in the Latin-English
vocabulary at the back of the book- – pp. 97-104
- check the meaning of the unfamiliar words and memorize them with the help of
some vocab learning technique.
Latin adjective English meaning Aid in memorizing the word

adiposus
arenaceus
carneus
cinereus
gemellus
gracilis
obliquus
oblongatus
procerus
proprius
rectus
risorius
transversarius
40
SELF-STUDY TIME
a. Recall the meanings of the Latin adjectives that have come up so far. (If unsure, use
the English- Latin dictionary at the back of the book, on pages 105-112)
b. Use 2 highlighters with different colours, and mark these adjectives:
- colour 1: Latin adjectives with an –us ending
- colour 2: Latin adjectives with an –is ending
c. Form groups of adjectives that have an ending different from –us or –is.
accessorius intermedius
adherens internus
adiposus laevis
albus lambdoideus
anserinus lateralis
anterior latissimus
arachnoideus latus
arcuatus longissimus
arenaceus longus
arytenoideus lumbricalis
brevis luteus
carneus magnus
cartilagineus maior
cavernosus mastoideus
cavus maximus
centralis medialis
cinereus medianus
conjunctivus medius
coracoideus minimus
coronarius minor
cricoideus mucosus
cuboideus multifidus
cuneatus multiplex
cuneiformis obliquus
choroideus oblongatus
deferens occludens
dentatus orbicularis
dexter ovalis
digitatus parvus
elasticus pectineus
equinus piriformis
ethmoidalis pisiformis
externus posterior
fibrosus procerus
flaccidus profundus
flavus prominens
frondosus proprius
gemellus pterygoideus
gracilis pyramidalis
hyoideus quadratus
inferior radiatus
41
rectus superficialis
risorius superior
sartorius synovialis
scaphoideus tendineus
semilunaris thyroideus
serratus transversalis
sesamoideus transversus
sigmoideus trapezius
sinister tribasilaris
sphenoidalis triquetrus
splenius xiphoideus
spongiosus zygomaticus
styloideus
42
UNIT 6
THE DICTIONARY FORM OF LATIN ADJECTIVES
AND THEIR AGREEMENT TO NOUNS
As you could see, there are typical adjectival endings in Latin.

Finish these adjectives, and you will discover the typical adjectival endings.
synovial.......... sesamoide.......... promine..........
super.......... sinist..........
Similarly to nouns, we can predict the dictionary form of adjectives easily. You will need
complete dictionary forms because they contain the forms of the adjective in the 3 genders
(male/female/neutral). The 3 endings will be needed any time you would like to add an
adjective to a noun. (And since adjectives never stand alone, you will always need this
knowledge.)
Here are the possible dictionary forms of Latin adjectives.

Gender-endings
Typical adjectival ending Dictionary form genitive
m f n
m/f/n
-us -us, -a, -um -us -a -um -
-er -er, -ra, -rum -er -ra -rum -
-is -is, -e -is -is -e -
-ior -ior, -ius -ior -ior -ius -
-ns -ns, (-ntis) -ns -ns -ns -ntis
-plex -plex, (-plicis) -plex -plex -plex - plicis
Task 1
Write out the full Latin dictionary form of the adjectives.
anterior, ......................... internus, .........................
maior, ......................... thyroideus, .........................
minimus, ......................... dentatus, .........................
sinister, ......................... occludens, .........................
superficialis, ......................... prominens, .........................
brevis, ......................... gracilis, .........................
Task 2
Recall the adjective in Latin, then give the right gender-form.
Latin male Latin female Latin neutral
large long external
lateral right posterior
coracoid smaller serrated
adherent pisiform orbicular
radiate accessory deferent
43
Task 3
Recall/check the gender of the nouns and agree the adjective to it in the right gender.
gender of noun dict.form of adjective
gyrus dentat________ (hippocampus)
cauda equin________ (spinal cord)
chorda dorsal________ (embryo)
brachium conjunctiv________ (cerebellum)
chorion frondos________ (with villi)
ductus arterios________ (fetal)
corpus albica________ (ovary)
foramen magn________ (skull)
os tribasilar________ (skull base)
labium ma________ (female genitalia)
pars flaccid________ (tympanic membrane)
Task 4
Now do the same as in Task 3, but now do it without writing down the gender of the noun or
the dictionary form of the adjective.
linea alb________ (abdomen)
chorion laev________ (without villi)
ductus defere________ (testis, =vas deferens)
corpus lute________ (ovary)
nucleus cuneat________ accessori________ (cerebellum)
arteria coronari________ dextr________ (heart)
Task 5
Formulate adjectival phrases in Latin.
elastic cone (larynx)
pisiform bone (carpus)
radiate crown (follicle cell; cerebral cortex)
oval foramen (fetal)
elongated medulla (hindbrain)
three-cornered bone (hand)
“goose foot” (facial nerve; tibial tuberosity)
terminal groove (tongue, atrium)
ash-like protuberance (forebrain)
prominent vertebra (cervicothoracic region C7, C6, T1)
trabecular reticulum (eye, sclera)
44
PLURAL FORM OF LATIN ADJECTIVES

Just like Latin nouns, adjectives also get the plural nominative ending if they are agreed to a
noun which is already in plural.
In other words: If the noun is plural nominative, the adjective must follow the noun not only
in gender, but also in its number and case – i.e. plural nominative.
In order to decide what the plural nominative of an adjective is, you can use the declension
table below. If you examine this table, you can see that adjectives have the same declension
endings as nouns do.
Declension of adjectives
II. m I. f II. n III.m/f III.n III.m/f III.n III.m/f III.n
Sing.
-us/-er -a -um -ior -ius -is -e -ns/-plex
Nom.
Sing.
-i -ae -i -ioris -is -ntis/-plicis
Gen.
Plur.
-i -ae -a -iores -iora -es -ia -ntes/-plices -ntia/-plicia
Nom.
Task 6
With the help of the table above formulate the plural nominative of the adjectives
zygomatica pectineus cuboidea
trapezius mucosum cricoideum
transversalis media centralis
superior mediale cava
spongiosum inferius cavernosum
splenius hyoideum cartilaginea
semilunare gemellus carneum
sartorius fibrosum maius
recta ethmoidale arytenoidea
pyramidalis minor arenaceus
profunda cutaneus arachnoidea
Task 7
Based on this rule, fill in the missing endings of the adjectives with the help of the table
above AND translate the phrases.
plicae synovial________ (joint)
chordae tendine________ (heart)
corpora adipos________ (fat-pad, adipose tissue)
fasciculi propri________ (spinal cord, =ground bundles)
venae cardiac________ anterior________
impressiones digitat________ (skull, cerebral gyri)
ligamenta flav________ (vertebral column)
ora serrat________ (eye, bw retina & ciliary body)
zonulae occludent________ (tight junctions) (epithelial cells)
glandulae salivari________ maior________
cristae arcuat________ (larynx, arytenoid cartilage)
plexus choroide________ (brain)
45
SELF-STUDY TIME
a. Recall the dictionary forms of the Latin adjectives that have come up so far. (If
unsure, use the Latin-English dictionary at the back of the book, on pages 97-104)
b. Fill in the table with the male, female, and neutral endings of the adjective in both
singular and plural nominative.
Latin forms
English meaning
male female neutral
accessory, supplementary Sing.
Plur.
adhering, [sticking to, hanging Sing.
on] Plur.
anterior, ventral Sing.
Plur.
arachnoid (spider’s web) Sing.
Plur.
arched Sing.
Plur.
arytenoid (jug-like) Sing.
Plur.
ash-like Sing.
Plur.
bearing leaflike projections Sing.
Plur.
cartilaginous Sing.
Plur.
cavernous, filled with cavities Sing.
Plur.
central, close to or in the Sing.
midpoint Plur.
choroid (membrane-like) Sing.
Plur.
occludent “closing up” Sing.
Plur.
comb-like Sing.
Plur.
connective Sing.
Plur.
coracoid (like crow’s beak) Sing.
Plur.
coronary Sing.
Plur.
cricoid (ring-like) Sing.
Plur.
cuboid (cube-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
cutaneous (skin) Sing.
Plur.
deep, profound Sing.
Plur.
deferent, down-going Sing.
Plur.
46
dentate, tooth-shaped Sing.

Plur.
digitate, having finger-like Sing.
branches Plur.
divided into many segments Sing.
Plur.
elastic Sing.
Plur.
elongated Sing.
Plur.
ethmoid, sieve-like Sing.
Plur.
external Sing.
Plur.
fatty Sing.
Plur.
fibrous Sing.
Plur.
flaccid Sing.
Plur.
fleshy Sing.
Plur.
goose-like (~goose footed) Sing.
Plur.
half-moon-shaped Sing.
Plur.
having a cavity Sing.
Plur.
horse-like, relating to a horse Sing.
Plur.
hyoid (U-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
inferior, lower Sing.
Plur.
internal Sing.
Plur.
interposed Sing.
Plur.
lambdoid (L-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
large, big Sing.
Plur.
larger, big(ger) Sing.
Plur.
largest, biggest Sing.
Plur.
lateral, farther from the midline Sing.
Plur.
laughing, (used for laughing) Sing.
Plur.
left Sing.
Plur.
47
long Sing.
Plur.
longest Sing.
Plur.
multiple, manifold Sing.
Plur.
mastoid (breast-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
medial, toward the midline Sing.
Plur.
median, in the midline Sing.
Plur.
middle one Sing.
Plur.
small(er), lesser Sing.
Plur.
mucous Sing.
Plur.
oblique Sing.
Plur.
orbicular, circular Sing.
Plur.
oval Sing.
Plur.
own, ground Sing.
Plur.
piriform, pear-shaped Sing.
Plur.
pisiform, pea-shaped Sing.
Plur.
posterior, dorsal Sing.
Plur.
prominent (vertebraC7/C6/T1) Sing.
Plur.
pterygoid (wing-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
pyramidal Sing.
Plur.
radiate Sing.
Plur.
right Sing.
Plur.
saffron-yellow Sing.
Plur.
sandy (~brain sand) Sing.
Plur.
scaphoid (boat-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
serrated, saw-like Sing.
Plur.
sesamoid (sesame seed- Sing.
shaped) Plur.
48
short Sing.
Plur.
sigmoid (S-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
slender Sing.
Plur.
small Sing.
Plur.
smallest Sing.
Plur.
sponge-like Sing.
Plur.
square-shaped Sing.
Plur.
straight Sing.
Plur.
strap-like Sing.
Plur.
stretched Sing.
Plur.
styloid (pen-like) Sing.
Plur.
superficial Sing.
Plur.
superior, upper Sing.
Plur.
synovial (fluid) Sing.
Plur.
tailor (crossed-leg-like) Sing.
Plur.
tendinous Sing.
Plur.
terminal Sing.
Plur.
three-cornered Sing.
Plur.
thyroid (shield/door-like) Sing.
Plur.
transversal Sing.
Plur.
transverse Sing.
Plur.
trapezium-shaped Sing.
Plur.
tribasilar (having 3 bases) Sing.
Plur.
twin Sing.
Plur.
wedge-shaped 1 (sphenoid) Sing.
Plur.
wedge-shaped 2 Sing.
Plur.
49
wedge-shaped 3 Sing.
Plur.
white Sing.
Plur.
wide, broad Sing.
Plur.
widest, broadest Sing.
Plur.
without villi Sing.
Plur.
worm-shaped Sing.
Plur.
xiphoid (sword-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
yellow, blond, gold Sing.
Plur.
zygomatic (yoke-shaped) Sing.
Plur.
50
UNIT 7
ANATOMICAL ADJECTIVES FROM NOUNS
Adjectives we have learnt so far belong to 3 main groups based on their meaning. Group the
adjectives here to these 3 groups.
accessorius, -a, -um SHAPE
adherens, -ntis
albus, -a, -um
lateralis, -e CHARACTERISTIC
internus, -a, -um
maior, -ius
mastoideus, -a, -um
cuneiformis, -e LOCATION
multifidus, -a, -um
obliquus, -a, -um
There is a 4th type of adjective, which expresses location by indicating where the noun can
be found: close to, on the surface of, within which anatomical structure. These adjectives
are often used in a converted form: as an English adjective, but they always have a
Latin/Greek origin, because they are always built from a Latin/Greek anatomical noun. But
sometimes you find them in a Latin adjectival phrase, so you need to be able to convert
between the two languages.
So you need to learn
the adjectival form of anatomical nouns,
the correct English adjectival endings,
the correct Latin adjectival endings and full dictionary forms (us/a/um or is/e).
Task 1
Where can you find these anatomical structures?
thoracic duct duct in the _____________________________

meningeal plexus nerve plexus at/on the _____________________________
maxillary sinus sinus at the _____________________________
costal cartilage cartilage on the _____________________________
mandibular fossa fossa for/at the _____________________________
Task 2
Give the Latin noun (with full dictionary form) the adjective is derived from.
adjectival phrase root noun (Latin dictionary form)

coccygeal body
iliac spine
uterine wall
salivary gland
patellar ligament
brachial artery
51
Task 3
Examine the rules of anatomical adjective formation.
ROOT + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root-ending)
root-ending English Latin

Latin root al (exc. pulmonary) -alis, -ale
Latin root –L Lar Laris, -are
Latin root –LL LLary (exc. patellar) LLaris, -are
Latin root –G Geal Geus, -ea, -eum
Greek root –OID OID-- OIDeus, -ea, -eum; OIDalis, -ale
Greek root ic -icus, -ica, -icum
Greek root –I ac (exc. acromial) iacus, -aca, -acum
Task 4
Based on the rules in Task 3 create English and Latin adjectives from the nouns.
Latin dict.form ROOT English adjective Latin adjective
scapula, -ae (f)
larynx, -ngis (m)
medulla, -ae (f)
humerus, -i (m)
colon, -i (n)
cervix, -icis (f)
esophagus, -i (m)
Task 5
Explain the place of the anatomical units by translating their adjectives into plain English.
acromial angle
mental protuberance
temporal bone
clavicular notch
axillary fascia
palatine foramen
ischial tuberosity
pharyngeal isthmus
ovarian veins
gastric impression
52
Task 6
Explain the place of the anatomical units by providing the 2 structures involved. A sample is
given.
STRUCTURE 1 STRUCTURE 2
atlantoaxial joint atlas (C1) axis (C2)
cricoarytenoid ligament
temporozygomatic suture
sacroiliac ligament
femoropatellar joint
gastroduodenal artery
radioulnar syndesmosis
cricothyroid membrane
coracoacromial arch
ROOT 1 + O + ROOT 2 + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root2-ending)
Task 7
With the help of the rule, create anatomical phrases in English.
ligament between liver and kidney
ligament between rib and transverse process
joint between acromion and clavicle
ligament between ulna and carpus
recess between vertebra and mediastinum
ligament between stomach and diaphragm
joint between calcaneus and cuboid bone
If the 2 structure involved have the same name, the rule of Task 6 does not apply. But the
prefix inter- is used. Examine the examples.
costa + vertebra costovertebral
vertebra + vertebra intervertebral
Task 8
Formulate the adjectives or give which structures are involved in the adjective (location).
location anatomical adjective
ilium + femur iliofemoral
radius + ulna
metacarpus + phalanx
intercostal
cricotracheal
lobus + lobus
carpus + metacarpus
maxilla + maxilla
stylomandibular
costa + clavicula
53
Task 9
Explain the place of the anatomical units by translating their adjectives into plain English.
subhepatic recess
interventricular sulcus
intraoccipital synchondrosis
supraclavicular fossa
hypoglossal nerve
PREFIX + ROOT + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root-ending)
Task 10
List of prefixes – match them to their meanings.
above around between next to
across behind inside outside
under, below
English meaning LATIN GREEK

inter- -
circum- peri-
intra- endo-
extra- ecto-
supra- epi-, hyper-
sub-, infra- hypo-
retro- -
ad-, iuxta- para-
per- dia-
Task 11
Create anatomical terms in English.
matrix outside the cell
nerve under the orbit (of the eye)
space behind the pharynx
artery next to the colon
fossa next to the rectum
veins above the stomach
duct inside the lymph nodes (nodus lymphaticus)
54
Now let’s practice CONVERTING ANATOMICAL PHRASES BETWEEN ENGLISH AND LATIN.
You will need your
knowledge of anatomical nouns (even their genders from the dictionary form)
knowledge of typical adjectival endings and their equivalent ending in the other
language (use the table below, and the comprehensive tables on the upcoming
pages)
knowledge of agreeing adjectives to nouns in Latin
root-ending English Latin
Latin root al (exc. pulmonary) -alis, -ale
Latin root –L Lar Laris, -are
Latin root –LL LLary (exc. patellar) LLaris, -are
Latin root –G Geal Geus, -ea, -eum
Greek root –OID OID-- OIDeus, -ea, -eum; OIDalis, -ale
Greek root ic -icus, -ica, -icum
Greek root –I ac (exc. acromial) iacus, -aca, -acum
ary -arius, -aria, -arium
Latin extra ine -inus, -ina, -inum
an -anus, -ana, -anum
Task 12
Convert the anatomical phrases from Latin to English. (Beware: some are in plural.)
angulus infrasternalis
crista supraepicondylaris
cavum subarachnoideum
arteriae intercostales
ganglia intracranialia
foramen ischiadicum (!)
nervus laryngeus
vena iliaca
conus medullaris
glandulae salivariae
tuba uterina
arteria subclavia
Task 13
Convert the anatomical phrases from English to Latin. (Beware: some are in plural.)
bronchial artery
palatine foramen
cutaneous nerve
pelvic fascia
nasopharyngeal meatus
thyroid vein
malleolar branch
thoracic vertebrae
ulnar collateral ligament
coronary arteries
frontal angle
55
SELF-STUDY TIME
Memorize the Latin and English adjectival forms of anatomical nouns.
ADJECTIVAL FORMS OF NOUNS (ANATOMY)
NOUN LATIN ADJECTIVE ENGLISH ADJECTIVE

Latin -ALIS, -ALE -AL
acromion, -i (n) acromion acromialis, -e acromial
axis, -is (f) axis axialis, -e axial
brachium, -i (n) upper arm brachialis,-e brachial
bronchus, -i (m) airway bronchialis, -e bronchial
carpus, -i (m) carpus carpalis, -e carpal
cervix, -icis (f) cervix, neck cervicalis, -e cervical
costa, -ae (f) rib costalis, -e costal
cranium, -i (n) skull cranialis, -e / cranius, -a, -um !!! cranial
dorsum, -i (n) back dorsalis, -e dorsal
duodenum, -i (n) duodenum duodenalis, -e duodenal
femur, -oris (n) thighbone femoralis, -e femoral
frons, -ntis (f) forehead frontalis, -e frontal
humerus, -i (m) upper arm bone humeralis, -e humeral
mediastinum, -i (n) mediastinum mediastinalis, -e mediastinal
mentum, -i (n) chin mentalis, -e mental
metacarpus, -i (m) metacarpus metacarpalis, -e metacarpal
nasus, -i (m) nose nasalis, -e nasal
occiput, -itis (n) back of head occipitalis, -e occipital
orbita, -ae (f) orbit orbitalis, -e orbital
paries, -etis (m) wall parietalis, -e parietal
perineum, -i (n) perineum perinealis, -e perineal
radius, -i (m) radius radialis, -e radial
rectum, -i (n) rectum rectalis, -e rectal
ren, renis (m) kidney renalis, -e renal
spina, -ae (f) spine spinalis, -e spinal
sternum, -i (n) breastbone sternalis, -e sternal
tempus, -oris (n) temple temporalis, -e temporal
trachea, -ae (f) windpipe trachealis, -e tracheal
vertebra, -ae (f) backbone vertebralis, -e vertebral
Latin with L root -ARIS, -ARE -AR
articulatio, -onis (f) joint articularis, -e ! articular
cellula, -ae (f) cell cellularis, -e cellular
clavicula, -ae (f) clavicularis, -e clavicular
clavicle, collar bone clavius, -a, -um !!! (sub~) clavian (sub~)
epicondylus, -i (m) epicondyle epicondylaris, -e epicondylar
lobus, -i (m) lobe lobaris, -e (lobularis, -e) lobar (lobular)
malleolus, -i (m) ankle bone malleolaris, -e malleolar
mandibula, -ae (f) mandible mandibularis,-e mandibular
planta, -ae (f) sole plantaris, -e plantar
scapula, -ae (f) shoulder blade scapularis, -e scapular
trabecula, -ae (f) beam trabecularis, -e trabecular
ulna, -ae (f) ulna ulnaris, -e ulnar
ventriculus, -i (m) ventricle ventricularis, -e ventricular
56

Latin with LL root -ARIS, -ARE -ARY
axilla, -ae (f) armpit axillaris, -e axillary
maxilla, -ae (f) upper jaw maxillaris, -e maxillary
medulla, -ae (f) marrow medullaris, -e medullary
patella, -ae (f) kneecap patellaris, -e patellar !!!!
Latin -ARIUS, -ARIA, -ORIUM -ARY
saliva, -ae (f) saliva salivarius, -a, -um salivary
corona, -ae (f) crown coronarius, -a, -um coronary
processus transversus transversarius, -a, -um transverse (!)
Latin -INUS, -INA, -INUM -INE
palatum, -i (n) palate palatinus, -a, -um palatine
uterus, -i (m) womb uterinus, -a, -um uterine
Latin -US, -A, -UM …
spina scapulae (infra-/supra) spinatus, -a, -um (below/above) scapular spine
os, ossis (n) bone osseus, -a, -um osseous
cutis, -is m skin cutaneus, -a, -um cutaneous
tendo, -inis f tendon tendineus, -a, -um tendinous
arteria, -ae (f) artery arteriosus, -a, -um arterial !!!
Greek (translation) -US, -A, -UM -AL
(elbow) anconeus, -a, -um anconeal
(calf) gastrocnemius, -a, -um gastrocnemial
(tongue) glossus, -a, -um glossal
(ham/back of knee) popliteus, -a, -um popliteal
(sole) soleus, -a, -um soleal
stapes, -edis (m) stapes (ear) stapedius, -a, -um stapedial (stapes /in ear/)
Greek with G root -GEUS, -GEA, -GEUM -GEAL
coccyx, -ygis (m) tailbone coccygeus, -a, -um coccygeal
esophagus, -i (m) esophagus esophageus, -a, -um esophageal
larynx, -yngis (m) voicebox laryngeus, -a, -um laryngeal
meninx, -ingis (f) brain cover meningeus, -a, -um meningeal
phalanx, -angis (f) fingerbone phalangeus, -a, -um phalangeal
pharynx, -yngis (m) throat pharyngeus, -a, -um pharyngeal
Greek with I root -IACUS, -IACA, -IACUM -IAC
cardi(o)- heart cardiacus, -a, -um cardiac
ilium, -i (n) ilium (on hipbone) iliacus, -a, -um iliac
ovarium, -i (n) ovary ovaricus, -a, -um ovarian (!)
Greek -ICUS, -ICA, -ICUM -IC
colon, -i (n) colon colicus, -a, -um colic
diaphragma, -atis (n) diaphragmaticus, -a, -um diaphragmatic/phrenic
diaphragm /phrenicus, -a, -um
gaster, -tris (f) stomach gastricus, -a, -um gastric
hepar, -atis (n) liver hepaticus, -a, -um hepatic
ischium, -i (n) ischium ischiadicus, -a, -um sciatic, ischial !!!
lympha, -ae (f) lymph lymphaticus, -a, -um lymphatic
thorax, -acis (m) chest thoracicus, -a, -um thoracic
57
UNIT 8
MUSCLE NAMES
Most of muscle names in English anatomical terminology are used in their original Latin
form without saying the word musculus. Sometimes one can put the word muscle at the end
of the name, but it is suffice to say the Latin name without musculus.
Muscle names can appear in various types of phrases (adjectival, possessive, and the
combination of these).
Match the phrases to these 3 groups of phrases. In the first column you can see phrases we
have already learnt, in the second you can see muscle names.
isthmus faucium adductor hallucis
ADJECTIVAL
limen nasi iliacus
pes anserinus longissimus thoracis
POSSESSIVE
plicae synoviales lumbricales
scala tympani pyramidalis
ADJECTIVAL + POSSESSIVE
vena iliaca rectus abdominis
In the case of function muscle names,

- like expressing what movement a muscle makes - e.g., abductor, adductor, flexor,
extensor, etc.
- or the type of the muscle – e.g., biceps, triceps, quadriceps, diaphragma, etc.
most commonly a possessive form is used. – For example adductor hallucis is the muscle
that adducts (=brings closer) the great toe (hallux).
These function and type words were originally adjectives to the noun muscle/musculus, but they can act like
standalone nouns. Hence, their dictionary forms are given as male nouns.
Task 1
Match the opposites AND write down their meaning/function on the dotted lines.
……………………………….. abductor extensor ………………………………..
……………………………….. pronator levator ………………………………..
……………………………….. flexor adductor ………………………………..
……………………………….. depressor tensor ………………………………..
……………………………….. corrugator supinator………………………………..
Task 2
Match the meaning/function of the muscle name to the Latin words.
quadriceps 1) floor, partition wall m.
platysma 2) broad, platelike muscle
triceps 3) opposing muscle
diaphragma 4) erecting/extending muscle
biceps 5) two-headed muscle
erector 6) three-headed muscle
opponens 7) four-headed muscle
58
Task 3
Explain the function/type of these muscles.
depressor supercilii
biceps brachii
diaphragma oris
erector spinae
extensor indicis
tensor tympani
levator anguli oris
levatores costarum*
quadriceps femoris
Task 4
Fill in the gaps with muscle function/type names.
…………………………….. surae three-headed muscle of the calf
…………………………….. ani m elevating the anus (supporting the pelvic floor)
…………………………….. pollicis m straightening the thumb
…………………………….. femoris two-headed m of the thighbone
…………………………….. brachii three-headed m of the (upper) arm
…………………………….. hallucis m bending the great toe
…………………………….. supercilii m wrinkling the eyebrow
…………………………….. anguli oris m lowering the corner of the mouth
…………………………….. digitorum* m straightening the fingers
Task 5
Put the muscle function/type names into plural nominative.
Sing.Nom. (m) -us -or -ceps -ns -is
flexor ……..............………………… Sing.Gen. (m) -i -oris -cipitis -ntis -is
triceps ……..............………………… Plur.Nom. (m)
opponens ……..............…………………
levator ……..............…………………
biceps ……..............…………………
What is the plural of the word musculus? …………..............…………………
Task 6
Translate the names of the muscles
latissimus dorsi
orbicularis oculi
quadratus plantae
rectus femoris
transversus abdominis
quadratus lumborum*
longus colli
*costarum, digitorum, and lumborum are plural genitive forms
59
Task 7
Create muscle names based on their description.
encircling muscle of the mouth
square muscle of the thighbone
straight muscle of the abdomen
transverse muscle of the chin
long muscle of the head
Task 8
Many times, only a simple adjective follows the noun musculus, describing some
distinguishing feature of the muscle.
musculus multifidus
musculus occipitofrontalis
In English anatomical terminology, it is suffice to say the adjective only.
multifidus
occipitofrontalis
By translating the names of muscles, look at what you can know about the place of the
muscle.
brachioradialis
epicranius
iliacus
infraspinatus
palatopharyngeus
puborectalis
stapedius
anconeus
gastrocnemius
genioglossus
By finding the meanings of the muscle names, look at what you can tell about the
characteristic feature of the muscle:
gracilis 1) pear-shaped
pectineus 2) straplike
piriformis 3) thin, slender
pyramidalis 4) laughing muscle
risorius 5) pyramid-shaped
sartorius 6) stretched
trapezius 7) tailor (crossed-legged sitting)
splenius 8) small table-like
procerus 9) comb-like
teres 10) rounded
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Task 9
Give the missing singular or plural forms of muscle names.
Singular Plural
gemelli
iliocostalis
interosseous
platysma !
lumbricalis
intertransversarii
interspinales
Task 10
Formulate muscle names. Beware: some of them are in plural.
muscle at the ham/back of the knee (Gr) popliteus
muscles of starting from the sole (on the calf) (Gr) solei
muscle of the upper arm
muscle between the coracoid process and the upper arm
muscle of the chin
muscles of the nose
muscle between the palate and the tongue (Gr)
muscles of the sole of the foot (Lat)
muscle between the pubis and the perineum
muscle at the spinous process (of vertebra)
muscles between the spinous and transverse processes
muscles between the styloid process and the tongue (Gr)
muscle at the tempus/temporal bone
muscles between the temporal and parietal bones
Task 11
The muscles which go along the back are usually divided into different parts – depending on
which region of the trunk they are found. The regions are used in genitive case.
Give the nominative cases of the genitives in each line.
singular nominative
longissimus capitis
iliocostalis cervicis1
interspinales thoracis
intertransversarii lumborum
Task 12
Translate the names of the back muscles.
iliocostalis lumborum
splenius capitis
interspinales cervicis
longissimi thoracis
semispinalis capitis
spinales cervicis
1
If the muscle belongs only to the neck, colli is used. If the muscle runs longer on the back, for the cervical
region cervicis is used.
61
Task 13
Create the names of back muscles.
m bw the ilium and the ribs in the chest region
m.s bw the spinous processes in the lumbar region/loin
m.s bw the transverse processes in the neck region
the longest m in the neck region
m. conn. to spinous process with 1 end in the chest region
strap-like m in the neck region
Task 14
Underline the adjectives and circle the genitives in the anatomical terms AND translate
them.
flexor hallucis longus
rectus capitis anterior
obliquus capitis inferior
extensor carpi ulnaris
flexor digitorum brevis
extensor carpi radialis brevis
rectus capitis posterior major
Task 15
Put the muscle names into plural.
extensor carpi radialis longus
flexor carpi ulnaris
flexor digitorum profundus
flexor digitorum superficialis
rectus capitis posterior minor
Task 16
Create muscle names. (Some are in plural.)
the long straightener m.s of the fingers
the bending m of the wrist on the side of the radius
the long bending m of the fingers
the superior oblique m.s of the head
62

(UNITS 5-8)
Task 1
flavus flaccidus gracilis
digitatus prominens serratus
rectus procerus sinister
medianus adherens xiphoideus
carneus latus triquetrus
Task 2
twin pear-shaped
superficial middle one
sponge-like longest
saffron-yellow goose-
radiate accessory
Task 3
Agree the adjectives to the nouns. (10 p)
hiatus semilunar_________ fasciculi propri________
arteria iliac________ conus elastic_________
os pisiform_________ ductus defere_________
chorion frondos________ chorion laev_________
tuberculum infer_________ zonulae adherent_________
Task 4
Explain the phrases in plain English. (5 p)
linea alba
medulla oblongata
tuber cinereum
chordae tendineae
corpora adiposa
Task 5
Create anatomical names in English. (5 p)
duct in the chest
ligament between the sacrum and ilium
hole at the ischium
nerve at the skin
space behind the pharynx
Task 6
Formulate the names of the muscles. (10 p)
the tensing muscle of the wide fascia
small rounded muscle
strap-like muscle of the head
the widest muscle of the back
the extending/straightening m of the wrist on the side of the radius
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
63
UNIT 9
PHARMACEUTICAL TERMINOLOGY
Task 1
a.Match the Latin and English names pharmaceutical preparations.
b.Finish the Latin dictionary forms.
English Latin
solution (chemicals dissolved in water) 1) sparsorium, -………… (…….)
suspension (undissolved drug in liquid) 2) pulvis, -………… (…….)
suppository (plug of medication) 3) pasta, -………… (…….)
powder 4) suppositorium, -………… (…….)
tea (mixture of dried plants) 5) emulsio, -………… (…….)
cream (semisolid emulsion from oil+water) 6) infusum, -………… (…….)
ointment (semisolid preparation) 7) sapo, -………… (…….)
talcum powder 8) tabletta, -…..…… (…….)
spirit (alcoholic solution) 9) solutio, -………… (…….)
pill 10) decoctum, -………… (…….)
tablet 11) tinctura, -………… (…….)
emulsion (mixture of 2 immiscible liquids) 12) mixtura, -………… (…….)
decoction (boiled herbal preparation) 13) sirupus, -………… (…….)
infusion 14) unguentum, -………… (…….)
mixture 15) pilula, -………… (…….)
soap 16) suspensio, -………… (…….)
syrup 17) spiritus, -………… (…….)
tincture (/hydro/alcoholic solution) 18) species, -………… (…….)
Task 2
Create the Latin adjectival forms of drug agents.
ENGLISH ADJECTIVE LATIN ADJECTIVE

analgesic
antimycotic
antipyretic
roborant
antirheumatic
antiseborrheic
antacid
antiseptic
antispasmodic
diuretic
urodesinficiens
antiphlogistic
64
Task 3
Finish the adjectives with special attention to agreeing them in gender with the nouns. AND
Match them with the medical condition they can be used for.
solutio antimyc…………………… 1) weakness (loss of vigor)
suspensio antiseborrh……………… 2) pain
suppositorium antipyr…………… 3) fungal infection
pulvis robor…………………… 4) excessive sweating
species diure…………………… 5) stomach acidity
pasta antiphlogi…………………… 6) greasy skin
unguentum antisep……………… 7) epileptic seizures
sparsorium sic…………………… 8) fever
spiritus antirheuma………………… 9) rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune d.s
pulvis analg…………………… 10) excess water/urine accumulation
pilula antispasmo…………………… 11) germs, contaminated surface
pulvis antac…………………… 12) muscle spasm
tabletta antiepilep………………… 13) inflammation and fever
Task 4
Match the synonymous terms.
bronchodilatator 1) antifebrile
expectorans 2) nasogutta, unguentum nasale
antipyreticum 3) antiasthmaticum
rhinologicum 4) purgativum
laxativum 5) mucolyticum
Task 5
What do you use these medicines for?
antibioticum
antitussicum
digestivum
emeticum
antiemeticum
antidiarrhoicum
cholagogum
urodesinficiens
diureticum
65
Task 6
How should these medicines be given to the patient? (Translate the instructions.)
sub linguam
intra musculum
per os
per bronchos
trans nasum
bis in die
Prepositional phrases mainly go with accusative and ablative cases

.
In Latin (just like in English and many other languages) prepositions stand before the nouns
they refer to. However, the nouns need to put either in accusative or ablative so that the
meaning of the preposition could be expressed along with the noun. We do not use
accusative or ablative alone in medical Latin, so they can only have meaning with the
preposition together.
For example:
cum medicamento – with medicine; post partum – after birth.
To know which case (acc. or abl.) should be used with the preposition must be memorized.
The list below includes the prepositions that most commonly appear in medical Latin with
the cases they require.
List of prepositions
with either Acc. or Abl.
with Accusative with Ablative
Acc. (direction) Abl. (place)
ante – before, in front of in – into, onto in – inside, on a(b)* - from
ad – to, until super – above super - above cum – with
post – after sub – below sub - below de – about
per/trans – through e(x)* - out of, from
propter – due to sine – without
contra – against pro – for
intra – into
inter - inter
*we use the consonant in the brackets if the noun starts with a vowel
The noun following the preposition can be put in the acc. or abl. case in its own declension
that can be selected based on the dictionary form (in the tables the gen. ending is given
which helps finding the right declension of nouns). See next page.
66
Accusative case-endings
Declensions of nouns – accusative cases (objects & certain prepositions)

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing. Gen. -ae -i -i -is -is -us -us -ei
Sing. Acc. -am -um -um/on -em/-im (=nom) -um -u -em
Plur. Acc. -as -os -a -es -a -us -ua -es
adjectives also take the acc. cases in their own declensions

Declension of adjectives – accusative cases (objects & certain prepositions)
Sing.
Nom.
Sing. -ntem/-plicem/-
-um -am -um -iorem -ius -em -e -ns/-plex
Acc. cipitem
Plur. -ntes/-plices/-
-os -as -a -iores -iora -es -ia -ntia/-plicia
Acc. cipites
Ablative case-endings
Declensions of nouns – ablative cases (with certain prepositions)

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing. Abl. -a -o -o -e/(-i) -e/(-i) -u -u -e
Plur. Abl. -is -is -is -ibus -ibus -ibus -ibus -ebus
adjectives also take the abl. cases in their own declensions

Declension of adjectives – ablative cases (with certain prepositions)
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
-o -a -o -iore -i -nti/-plici
Abl.
Plur.
-is -is -is -ioribus -ibus -ntibus/-plicibus
Abl.
Task 6
Finish the expressions indicating the ways of administration of drugs AND translate them.
per coniunctiv...................
per rect...................
intra arteri...................
intra articulati...................
per cut...................
intra ven...................
per pulmon....................(!)
ter in di...................
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Task 7
Translate the prescriptions to Latin.
medicine for fever through the rectum
intraarterial medicine against diarrhoea
medicine against asthma and against cough through the bronchi
peroral medicine for making the patient vomit
nasal drops through the nose
diuretic medicine intravenously
SELF-STUDY TIME
Fill in the tables with the missing forms to revise pharmaceutical terminology.
FORMS OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION
ENGLISH ADJECTIVE LATIN PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

intraarterial (IA)
intraarticular
intramuscular (IM)
intravenous (IV)
perbronchial
perconjunctival
percutaneous
peroral (PO)
rectal
sublingual
transnasal
DRUG AGENTS AND THEIR EFFECTS
LATIN DICTIONARY FORM ENGLISH ADJECTIVE DRUG EFFECT

adstringens, -ntis astringent contraction
anaestheticus, -a, -um no sensation
analgeticus, -a, -um analgesic
antacid gastric acidity
antiasthmatic asthma
antibioticus, -a, -um infection
antidiarrhoicus, -a, -um antidiarrhoic
antiemeticus, -a, -um antiemetic
68
antiepilepticus, -a, -um anticonvulsant seizure

antifebrilis, -e antifebrile
antihemorrhagic bleeding
antimycoticus, -a, -um antimycotic
antiphlogistic inflammation,fever
antipyreticus, -a, -um fever
antirheumaticus, -a, -um rheumatism
antiseborrhoic fatty skin
antisepticus, -a, -um infection
antispasmodicus, -a, -um antispasmodic
antitussicus, -a, -um cough medicine
antiviralis, -e antiviral
bronchodilatator, -oris (m) bronchodilator
cholagogue promoting bile flow
dermatologicus, -a, -um dermatological
digestivus, -a, -um digestive promoting digestion
diureticus, -a, -um excess water
emetic promotes vomiting
expectorans, -ntis sputum to get out
laxativus, -a, -um promotes diarrhoea
mucolytic dissolves mucus
nasogutta, -ae (f) nasal drop
ophthalmicus, -a, -um ophthalmic eye
otologicus, -a, -um otologic ear
pectoralis, -e pectoral chest
purgativus, -a, -um cleaning the bowels,
promotes diarrhoea
rhinologic flu
roborant strengthening
siccans, -antis siccant
urine disinfectant disinfecting urine/urinary
system
vasodilatator, -oris (m) vasodilator dilating vessels
69
UNIT 10
GREEK TERMINOLOGY
(PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, PROCEDURES)
Task 1
Find the Latin and Greek names of the organs.
English Latin dictionary form Greek root
heart cor, cordis (n) cardi(o)
liver hepar, -atis (n)
brain encephal(o)
lung pneum/on/(o)
stomach gaster, -tris (f)
intestine enter(o)
colon col(o)
bladder vesica, -ae (f)
foot pod(o)
ear ot(o)
nose nasus, -i (m)
throat pharyng(o)
vein phleb(o)
mouth stomat(o)
eye oculus, -i (m)
head caput, -itis (n)
skin derm/at/(o)
nerve nervus, -i (m)
bone oste(o)
Task 2
Create Greek terms with the help of the roots and suffixes given.
-phobia metr(o) splen(o) haem(o) -megalia
cardi(o) -rrhagia my(o) myel(o) -ectomia
chol(e) oste(o) -pathia -lith arthr(o)
-pathia -oma -malacia gastr(o)
softening of bones
disease of the heart muscle
surgical removal of the spleen
profuse bleeding of the womb
diseased condition of the joints
tumor of the spinal cord
abnormal fear of blood
enlargement of the stomach
gallstone
Formation of Greek terms: (PREFIX) + ROOT (o) + SUFFIX
70
Task 3
Translate the Greek terms into English.
urocystitis leukocyta
splenectopia tracheostoma
pyothorax gynecopathia
phleborrhexis gastrectasia
pericardiocentesis colostomia
otorrhea cholecystotomia
oophorectomia arthralgia
omphalocele adenocarcinoma
Task 4
Examine the difference between the suffixes:
stethograph ophthalmoscop
hysterosalpingographia metroscopia
cystourethrogram
Task 5
Cut off the suffixes, and explore how different their meanings are.
thoracolaparotomia pancreatoduodenostomia mastectomia
Task 6
Conditions – translate them.
thrombosis pyelonephritis
spondylosis poliomyelitis
eutrichosis neuromyositis!
colpomycosis
cyanosis
OSIS = non-inflammatory condition ITIS = inflammation
polydactylia hyperptyalismus
oliguria anorchismus
microdontia ISMUS = condition
macronychia
hypogalactia hydrocephalus
glycosuria
diplopia hepatolithiasis
cacogeusia nephrolith
IA = condition
Task 7
Prefixes – separate the prefixes from the terms.
achondroplasia endocarditis
antihypnotic erythrocytopenia
autointoxication megacolon
71
Task 8
Types of tumors – what do the names tell about the tumor?
rhinoscleroma 1) a tumor mimicking a malignant connective tissue tumor
pseudosarcoma 2) a benign fatty tumor composed of mature fat cells
osteosteatoma 3) the chromosome pair (!) that is is different in the two sexes
lipoma 4) granulomatous disease of the nose (Klebsiella infection)
heterosoma 5) a benign fatty tumor with bony elements
Task 9
Compare the terms next to each other.
proctoparalysis proctoparesis
hemiplegia paraplegia
cheiropodalgia esophagodynia
dacryohemorrhea enterorrhagia
Task 10
Create Greek terms.
the study of tumors
narrowing of arteries
formation of mucus
softening of the larynx
physician-originated
dissolution of tissue
prolapse of the tongue
study of the elderly/old
surgical removal of a disc
graphic recording (X-ray) of the bile ducts
slow breathing
hernia of a lymph node
Task 11
Greek nouns with Latin adjectives – translate the expressions.
ureterocele ectopica
tachycardia orthostatica
encephalitis neonatorum
cheilitis exfoliativa
carcinoma scirrhosum
atrophia cyanotica
dermatitis nodosa
72
Task 12
Examine the meaning of the anatomical terms with Greek prefixes AND write the meaning
of the prefixes in the headings.
DIA - META -
diaphysis (bone shaft) metacarpus (bw wrist & fingers)
diarthrosis (free joint bw bones) metatarsus (bw ankle & toes)
diastema (gap bw 2 teeth) metaphysis (growing part of bone)
diencephalon (interbrain)
ENDO - MESO –
endocardium (inner lining of heart) mesencephalon (midbrain)
endometrium (inner lining of uterus) mesocolon (mesentery attaching the colon
endorrhachis (dura mater, inner lining of to the back wall of abdomen)
spine)
EPI - PERI -
ependyma (lining on the sp.cord&ventricles) pericardium (sac around the heart)
epicanthus (fold covering the canthus-angle perichondrium (membrane around
of eyelid) cartilage)
epicardium (layer on the heart) pericranium (periosteum of the skull)
epicranius (muscle on the skull) perikaryon (cytoplasm around the nucleus)
epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) perimetrium (serous coat around the uterus)
epididymis (a stucture on the testis) perineurium (sheath around nerve fibers)
epigastrium (region above the stomach) periosteum (covering layer of bone)
epineurium (peripheral nerve sheath) peritoneum (sac covering the viscera)
eponychium (cuticle)
HYPO – PARA –
hypoglossus (muscle below the tongue) paracervix (tissue next to the cervix)
hyponychium (nail bed) paracolpium (tissue next to the vagina)
hypophysis (“attachment underneath”) parametrium (tissue next to the uterus)
hypothalamus (below the thalamus)
SYN/M-
symphysis (joint uniting bones)
synapsis (contact of nerve cells)
synarthrosis (rigid joint bw bones)
syndesmosis (joint with ligamentous links)
Task 13
Fill in the gaps with prefixes based on the descriptions.
____________ villi tiny, hairlike projections (of epithelium)
____________ cardium the muscular layer of the heart
____________ metrium the muscular layer of the uterus
____________ zygos vein unpaired vein (without a pair)
____________ azygos vein looks life the bottom half of the azygos vein
____________ membranosus a muscle that is in half a membrane (Latin)
____________ tendinosus a muscle that is in half a tendon (Latin)
____________ gastric muscle having two bellies
73
Task 14 Match the literal meaning with the term.
hippocampus (brain) 1) pointed/conical head
nystagmus (=oscillation of eye) 2) boatlike head
oxycephalus (congenital) 3) seahorse
scaphocephalus (congenital) 4) false foot
prosencephalon 5) forebrain
pseudopodia (protoplasmic projection) 6) nodding
Task 15 What does the prefix/1st root say about the anatomical unit?
epipharynx = nasopharynx
mesopharynx= oropharynx
hypopharynx= laryngopharynx
chondrocranium
desmocranium
neurocranium
viscerocranium
allocortex
paleocortex
arche/iocortex
periallocortex
mesocortex = juxtallocortex
isocortex= neocortex
koniocortex
SELF-STUDY TIME - Fill in the tables with the missing forms to revise Greek combining
forms. ROOTS
aden(o)- copr(o)-
all(o)- different cry(o)- cold
andr(o)- blue
duct, vessel cycl(o)- circle, ciliary body
anthrop(o) cyst(o)-
arche(o)- ancient cell
joint dacry(o)-
aut(o)- dactyl(o)-
slow skin
cac(o)- desm(o)-
carcin(o)- di-
heart diplo- double
head disc(o)-
ch(e)ir(o)- encephalon
cheil(o)- enter(o)-
green red
bile, gall- esophagus, gullet
cholecyst(o)- (a)esth- sense
cartilage galact(o)-
col/on/(o)- stomach
colp(o)- geront(o)-
74
geus(o) ovary
glauc(o)- greyish blue eye
gloss(o)-, orchi/d/(o)-
glott(o)- orth(o)-
sugar, sweet bone
woman ear
blood oxy(o)- pointed, conic, acute
hemi- paed(o)-
liver pale(o)- ancient, prehistoric
heter(o)- other pan-, pant(o)-
water, sweat pancreas
hist(o)- path(o)-
hol(o)- whole pharynx, throat
hom(o)- same, similar phleb(o)-
hypn(o)- dream phot(o)- light
hyster(o)- lung; air
iatr(o)- physician pod(o)-
is(o)- same, equal poli(o)- grey
kin(o) movement poly-
koni(o)- dust proct(o)-
lapar(o)- pseudo- false
larynx psych(o)-
leuc(o)- ptyal(o)-
lip(o)- pus
lith(o)- pelvis
lymph(atic) pyret(o)- fever
big, large nose
mast(o) rhode(o)- rose, pink
mega- big, large uterine tube, oviduct
melan(o)- black sarc(o)- flesh
metr(o) scaph(o)- boat(-like)
micr(o)- scirrh(o)-
morph(o)- scler(o)-
muscle si/yal(o)-
fungus body
bone marrow splanchn(o)- viscera
mucus spleen
ne(o)- spondyl(o)-
kidney steat(o)- fat
nerve sten(o)- narrow
odont(o)- stere(o)-
oligo- steth(o)- chest
om(o)- shoulder stoma/t(o)/
omphal(o)- belly button fast
onc(o)- tetra-
onych(o)- therm(o)-
75
chest ur/in/(o)-
blood clot ureter
top(o)- place urethra
tox(o)- urocyst(o)-
traumat(o)- trauma xen(o)- stranger
trich(o)-
SUFFIXES
pain -osis
-aemia mild, incomplete paralysis
-cele -patha patient
puncturing to drain -pathia
-cid killer deficiency
-cyta -phage eater, destroyer
pain -phil having an attraction to sg
-ectasia abnormal fear
surgical removal -plasia
abnormal position paralysis
-emesis -pnea
1. -origanated; 2. causing- -poiesis
-gramm(a) prolapse
-graph graphic recording device excessive bleeding
graphic recording rupture
-ismus state, condition discharge
inflammation -sclerosis
-logia -scope
-lith -scopia
presence of stone(s) narrowing
-lysis surgical creating of an
softening opening
-mania mania surgical incision
enlargement -trophia
-oma -uria
-opia
PREFIXES
a- /an- endo- pro-
amph(i)- around on together
an(a)- again eu-
against ex-/ ec- out of
ap(o)- exo-
cat(a)- low, below
di(a)- through high, above
abnormal, meso-
painful met(a)-
out(side) par(a)-
en-/em- around
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UNIT 11
DIAGNOSTIC PHRASES
Task 1
Group the endings of Greek nouns according to gender with full dictionary forms.
-ema,; -ia; -iasis; -ismus; -itis; -oma; -osis; -thorax; -(t)io
m f n
Task 2
Finish the dictionary form of the Greek nouns and translate them.
rhinitis dermatitis
tachycardia candidiasis
myeloma laparotomia
appendicitis erythema
carcinoma coniunctivitis
neuralgia sarcoma
spondylosis retinopathia
cholangiographia otitis
cheilitis intoxicatio
Task 3
Form the Latin adjectives and agree them with their nouns.
(allergic) rhinitis allergica
(supraventricular) tachycardia …… ……………………………..
(multiple) myeloma ……… ……………………………..
(perforated) appendicitis …… ……………………………….. English Latin ending
(colorectal) carcinoma …… ……………………………….. ending m f n
(glossopharyngeal) neuralgia … ………………………………….. -al -alis -alis -ale
(cervical) spondylosis …… ……………………………….. -geal -geus -gea -geum
(intraoperative) cholangiographia …… ………………………………..-ar -aris -aris -are
(chronic) cheilitis …… ……………………………….. -ate(d) -atus -ata -atum
(exfoliative) dermatitis …… ……………………………….. -eous -eus -ea -eum
(mucocutaneous) candidiasis …… ……………………………….. -ous -osus -osa -osum
(explorative) laparotomia …… ……………………………….. -ic -icus -ica -icum
(toxic) erythema …… ……………………………….. -ive -ivus -iva -ivum
(bacterial) coniunctivitis …… ……………………………….. -ple -plex -plex -plex
(osteogenic) sarcoma …… ………………………………..
(diabetic) retinopathia …… ………………………………..
(external!!!) otitis …… ………………………………..
exception: (ulcerative) colitis ulcerosa
77
Task 4
Match the diagnostic adjectives to their meanings.
cholemicus, -a, -um 1) long-term, persistent
arterioscleroticus, -a, -um 2) due to medication
calculosus, -a, -um 3) with mucus flow/production
chronicus, -a, -um 4) right (sided)
catarrhalis, -e 5) due to bile in the blood
acutus, -a, -um 6) filled with cavities
medicamentosus, -a, -um 7) poisonous
calcificatus, -a, -um 8) short course with severe symptoms
toxicus, -a, -um 9) due to arterial hardening
dexter, dextra, dextrum 10) left (sided)
multiplex, (-plicis) 11) hardened by calcium deposits
cavernosus, -a, -um 12) manifold
sinister, sinistra, sinistrum 13) stony, full of stones
Task 5 Give endings to the adjectives.

nephrosis cholemic______
nephrosclerosis arteriosclerotic______
cholecystitis calculos______ chronic______
bronchitis catarrhal______ acut______
intoxicatio medicamentos______
fibromyomata calcificat______ uteri
erythema toxic______ manus dextrae
fracturae multiplic______ femoris sinistri
haemangioma cavernos______ lobi dextri hepatis
Task 6
Translating longer diagnoses is easy if you can see the structure of them.
1. Find the nouns.
2. See the relationship between the nouns (mainly possessive or “and”(et) phrases)
3. Find the adjectives and connect them to the nouns they belong to.
4. Start translating phrases one by one, always translating 1 noun and their adjectives.
bronchitis catarrhalis acuta = acute catarrhal airway inflammation
fibromyomata calcificata uteri = calcified fibrous tissue tumors /of the uterus
haemangioma cavernosum lobi dextri hepatis = cavernous blood vessel tumor

/of the right lobe /of the liver
emphysema et oedema lobi sinistri pulmonis = air accumulation and fluid accumulation
/of the left lobe /of the lung
78
When adding the affected side of the body, instead of simply using right/left as an
adjective, one can refer to the side (latus, -eris(n) ) or use abbreviations.
lobi dextri* lobi lateris dextri lobi l.d. of the right lobe
lobi sinistri* lobi lateris sinistri lobi l.s. of the left lobe
lobi utriusque lobi lateris utriusque lobi l.u. of both lobes
*in case the noun in genitive is female it is dextrae/sinistrae
Task 7
Translate the diagnoses back to Latin. – The logic you should follow is the same as when
you are translagting from Latin to English.
Translating longer diagnoses is easy if you can see the structure of them.
1. Find the nouns.
2. See the relationship between the nouns (mainly possessive or “and”(et) phrases)
3. Find the adjectives and connect them to the nouns they belong to.
4. Start translating phrases one by one, always translating 1 noun and their adjectives.
(Whenever you can say something in a shorter way with the help of a Greek combined noun,
do it. For example, urinary bladder inflammation = urocystitis)
sarcoma /of the right thighbone
overgrowth (in size) and dilatation of the right ventricle of the heart
recent bleeding infarction of the upper lobe of the right lung
metastases of the lung, liver, wall of the stomach, spleen
purulent ear inflammation of the left side
cor, cordis (n) hypertrophia , -ae (f) pulmo, -onis (m)

dexter, -tra, -trum infarctus, -us (m) purulens, -ntis
dilatatio, -onis (f) latus, -eris (n) recens, -ntis
et and lien, lienis (m) sarcoma, -matis (n)
femur, -oris (n) lobus, -i (m) sinister, -tra, -trum
haemorrhagicus, -a, -um metastasis, -is (f) superior, -ius (G-ioris)
hepar, -atis (n) paries, -etis (m) ventriculus, -i (m)
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Task 8
When an ADJECTIVAL PHRASE must stand IN THE POSSESSIVE, not only the noun but
its adjective takes a genitive case as well.
Examine the samples:
NOMINATIVE GENITIVE (POSSESSIVE)
right lobe lobus dexter of the right lobe lobi dextri
urinary bladder vesica urinaria of the urinary bladder vesicae urinariae
bicuspid valve valvula bicuspidalis of the bicuspid valve valvulae bicuspidalis
chronic urinary bladder inflammation and overgrowth of the wall of the urinary bladder
urocystitis chronica et hypertrophia parietis vesicae urinariae
chronic inflammation of the endocardium and calcification of the bicuspid valve
endocarditis chronica et calcificatio valvulae bicuspidalis
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
Gen.
Plur.
Nom.
Plur.
-orum -arum -orum -iorum -ium -ntium/-plicium
Gen.
NOMINATIVE GENITIVE (POSSESSIVE)

sacral region of the sacral region
coccygeal region of the coccygeal region
choroid plexus of the choroid plexus
suprarenal gland of the suprarenal gland
bed sores of the sacral region
bed sores of the coccygeal region
malignant papilloma of the choroid plexus
nodular overgrowth (in number) of the bark of the suprarenal gland of the left side
chronicus, -a, -um urinarius, -a, -um suprarenalis, -e malignus, -a, -um
calcificatio, -onis (f) vesica, -ae (f) decubitus, -us (m) choroideus, -a, -um
valvula, -ae (f) hyperplasia, -ae (f) regio, -onis (f) plexus, -us (m)
bicuspidalis, -e nodosus, -a, -um sacralis, -e
hypertrophia , -ae (f) cortex, -icis (m) coccygeus, -a, -um
paries, -etis (m) glandula, -ae (f) papilloma, -matis (n)
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Task 9
When a PLURAL ADJECTIVAL PHRASE must stand IN THE POSSESSIVE, not only the
noun but its adjective takes a plural genitive case as well.
Examine the sample:
plural NOMINATIVE plural GENITIVE (POSSESSIVE)
suprarenal glands glandulae suprarenales of the suprarenal glands glandularum
suprarenalium
shrinking of the suprarenal glands
atrophia glandularum suprarenalium
Declensions of nouns
I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing. Nom. -a -us -um/on (…) (…) -us -u -es
Plur. Gen. -arum -orum -orum -(i)um* -(i)um* -uum -uum -erum
*dens – dentium, pars – partium, os – ossium
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
Gen.
Plur.
Nom.
Plur.
Gen.
plural NOMINATIVE plural GENITIVE (POSSESSIVE)

periprostatic veins of the periprostatic veins
lower lobes of the lower lobes
metacarpal bones of the metacarpal bones
clot formation of the periprostatic veins
lung infection of the lower lobes of the lungs of both sides
fractures of the metacarpal bones and the second phalanx of the thumb of the right hand
pneumonia, -ae (f) os, ossis (n) pollex, -icis (m) suprarenalis, -e
lobus, -i (m) metacarpalis, -e thrombosis, -is (f) glandula, -ae (f)
inferior, -ius phalanx, -ngis (f) vena, -ae (f)
pulmo, -onis (m) secundus, -a, um periprostaticus, -a, -um
fractura, -ae (f) manus, -us (f) atrophia, -ae (f)
81
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES can be found IN DIAGNOSES as well. (We have already met
them in pharmaceutical phrases.)
post – after sub – below sub - below de – about
intra – into
inter - inter
Task 10 – PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH ACCUSATIVE

Examine the prepositional phrases in bold AND translate the diagnoses.
status post hysterectomiam state (of the patient) after the removal of the uterus
St. p. amputationem femoralem extremitatis inferioris l. u. propter arteriosclerosim
state after femoral amputation of both lower limb due to arterial hardening

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f

Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
-um -am -um -iorem -ius -em -e -ntem/-plicem -ns/-plex
Acc.
Plur.
-os -as -a -iores -iora -es -ia -ntes/-plices -ntia/-plicia
Acc.
Task 11
Examine how the preposition post effects Latin phrases.
surgical removal of the uterine tube salpingectomia
status post salpingectomiam
measles morbilli
status post morbillos
infarction of the myocardium infarctus myocardii
status post infarctum myocardii
traumatic amputation of the right leg amputatio traumatica cruris dextri
status post amputationem traumaticam cruris dextri
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Task 12
Translate the diagnosis, then put them in a phrase with “status post…”.
removal of embolus of the pulmonary artery ……………………………………………………………

status post ……………………………………………………………
ruptures of the vessels of the brain ……………………………………………………………
status post ……………………………………………………………
chronic infarction of the wall of the left ventricle of the heart ……………………………….………
status post ……………………………………………………………
arteria, -ae (f) infarctus, -us (m) vasa, -orum (n) (plural only!)
cerebrum, -i paries, -etis (m) ventriculus, -i (m)
chronicus, -a, -um pulmonalis, -e
cor, cordis (n) ruptura, -ae (f)
Task 13
Create the prepositional phrases in the brackets to finish the diagnoses.
(It is useful to first create the diagnosis without the preposition, and then change the
nominative endings to accusative. – Like in Task 11 above.)
POST
infectio (after childbirth) ……………………………………………………………
haemorrhagia (after tooth extraction) ……………………………………………………………
status (after the traumatic amputation of the left thighbone)
……………………………………………………………
PROPTER
gastrectomia (due to carcinoma of the stomach) …………………………………………………………
ablatio retinae (due to shortsightedness) ……………………………………………………………
pancreatectomia (due to cancerous tumor of the pancreas) …………………………………………
amputatio, -onis (f) femur, -oris (n) traumaticus, -a, -um

carcinoma, -matis (n) myopia, -ae (f) ventriculus, -i (m)
dens, -ntis (m) pancreas, -atis (n)
extractio, -onis (f) partus, -us (m)
83
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH ABLATIVE mainly appear with the prepositions in bold.
post – after sub – below sub – below, de – about
during
intra – into
inter - inter
Task 14 – PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH ABLATIVE

Examine the prepositional phrases in bold AND translate the diagnoses.
corpus alienum in broncho principali lateris sinistri foreign body in the left main bronchus
foetor ex ore bad smell from the mouth
ischaemia in territorio arteriae vertebralis ischemia in the territory of the vertebral artery
hypoxia foeti sub partu oxygen deficiency of the fetus during childbirth
intoxicatio cum medicamento self-poisoning with medication/drug
sine morbo gynecologico without gynecological disease

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f

Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
-o -a -o -iore -i -nti/-plici
Abl.
Plur.
Abl.
84
Task 15
Fill in the missing prepositional phrases by translating the phrases in the brackets.
IN
corpora aliena (in the trachea) ……………………………………………………………
corpus alienum (in the right eyeball) ……………………………………………………………
infiltratio tumorosa ossis femoris (in the neighborhood of the tumor) ……………………………
CUM
abortus incipiens (with abruption of placenta) ……………………………………………………………
cystae sinuum paranasalium (with sphenoid sinusitis) …………………………………………………
aneurysma acutum ventriculi sinistri (with recent infarction) …………………………………………
contusiones (with superficial wounds) (in the left knee) …………………………………………………
SINE
hepatitis (with yellowness) ……………………………………………………………
(without respiratory and cardiovascular disease) …………………………………………………………
abruptio, -onis (f) placenta, -ae (f) superficialis, -e

bulbus, -i (m) (oculi) recens, -ntis trachea, -ae (f)
dexter, -tra, -trum sinister, -tra, -trum tumor, -oris (m)
genu, -us (n) sinusitis, sinusitidis (f) vicinitas, -atis (f)
infarctus, -us (m) sphenoidalis, -e vulnus, -eris (n)
85

(UNITS 9-11)
Task 1 Create Greek terms. (15 p) Task 2 Translate the terms in English. (15 p)
joint pain oophorectomia
liver bleeding cyanosis
heart enlargement otoscop
cutting of the abdomen gastrectasia
fast breathing phleborrhexis
prolapse of uterus mesopharynx
dissolution of tissue oxycephalus
umbilical hernia azygos
clot formation perimetrium
double vision endocardium
midbrain heterosoma
region above the stomach hemiplegia
nail bed iatrogen
false foot diaphysis
red blood cell deficiency desmocranium connective
Task 3 Translate the pharmacological phrases (10 p)

cream for disinfection
powder to clean the gastrointestinal system
solution against fever 3 times a day
pill to induce vomiting through the mouth
Task 4 Create diagnoses in Latin. – The number of terms you should use is given. (20 p)
muscle tissue tumors of the womb and cervix (3)
simple fracture of the left shinbone (4/5)
peeling lip inflammation and tongue pain (3)
state after the chronic infarction of the myocardium (5)
cysts of the paranasal sinuses with sphenoid sinusitis (5)
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
86
GRAMMAR2
1. DICTIONARY FORMS
On the classes of Medical Terminology we deal with Latin nouns and adjectives. We can
only use these terms (i.e. to form their plural or possessive forms etc.) if we know their FULL
DICTIONARY FORMS along their meanings.
The dictionary form of a Latin noun is built up this way:

e.g., costa, -ae (f)
nominative case genitive (ending) gender

(possessive)
costa, -ae (f)
translation: translation: there are 3 genders:

“rib” “… of the rib” (m) – male
(f) – female
(n) – neutral
in many cases the nominative very important: (!) certain declensions are
ending helps to decide what we decide the declension split according to the gender
the full dictionary form is based on the genitive of the noun (see: Declension
(see: Typical dictionary forms) ending of the noun of nouns)
(see: Declension of nouns)
+ the gender of the noun is
the starter point to decide
5 gen. endings
how an adjective follows the
=> 5 declensions:
noun
VI. –ae
(see: Declension and
VII. –i
agreement of adjectives)
VIII. –is
IX. –us
X. –ei
If we cut off the gen.
ending, we get the ROOT
of the noun
=> all the other case-
endings are put instead of
the gen. ending
To summarise: if I want to use a Latin noun, I need to follow the following steps to decide
how the noun can be put into other cases:
1. I check/recall the full dictionary form;
2. based on the genitive ending I select the declension of the noun;
3. if there are more genders within the same declension, I select the right gender
according to the dictionary form of the word.
Typical dictionary forms
2
The section is in parts based on Bakó, A. & Somodi, B. (2015). Egészségügyi terminológia. Semmelweis
Egyetem Egészségtudományi Kar, Budapest. pp. 46-57.
87
By memorising these typical endings (along with the genders), both learning vocabulary and
declining words become much easier.
decl. NOUN ADJECTIVE

nominative, genitive (gender) nominative gen.
(m) (f) (n) (m,f,n)
I. -a, -ae (f)
II. -us, -i (m)
-us -a -um
-er, -i (m)
-er -ra -rum
-um, -i (n)
-on, -i (n)
III. -or, -oris (m) -(t)io, -onis (f)
-ex, -icis (m) -tas, -tatis (f) -ior -ius
-yx, -ycis (m) -is, -idis (f) -is -e
-ix, -icis (f)
-men, -minis (n)
-ns -ntis
-ma, -matis (n)
-plex -plicis
-us, -oris/-eris/-uris (n)
IV. -us, -us (m)
-u, -us (n) -
V. -es, -ei (f)
The dictionary form of a Latin adjective can be built up in various ways:

Since we agree adjectives with the nouns they refer to in gender, adjectives exist in all the
three genders (m,f,n). However, in the case of some adjectives there is no difference in the
declension of certain genders. Consequently, the dictionary forms of adjective can have
various structures, but one thing is for sure: the nominative case of all the three genders
(m,f,n) can be found in a dictionary form of a Latin adjective.
1.1.1. Adjectives with 3 endings (the ending of each gender is different):

-us, -a, -um
e.g., benignus, -a, -um (– These adjectives are sometimes abbreviated as benignus 3)
-er, -ra, -rum
e.g., dexter, -ra, -rum
(m) - male (f) - female (n) – neutral

Singular (Sing.) Singular (Sing.) Singular (Sing.)
nominative (nom.) nominative (nom.) nominative (nom.)
-us, -a, -um = -us, -a, -um
-er, -ra, -rum = -er, -ra, -rum
we put the other

nominative gender
endings in the place of
this ending
read out: benignus benigna benignum
dexter dextra dextrum
declension: II. declension (m) I. declension (f) II. declension (n)
88
1.1.2. Adjectives with 2 endings (the endings of male and female are the same)
-is, -e
e.g., costalis, -e
(m) & (f) – male & female (n) – neutral
Singular (Sing.) Singular (Sing.)
nominative (nom.) nominative (nom.)
-is, -e = -is -e
we put the neutral ending in the

place of this ending
read out: costalis costale
declension: III. declension – with i (m+f) III. declension – with i (n)
-ior, -ius*
e.g., superior, -ius
*exception: minor, minus: here the 2 endings of the dictionary form are -or, -us
(m) & (f) – male & female (n) – neutral
nominative (nom.) nominative (nom.)
-ior, -ius = -ior -ius
we put the neutral ending in the

place of this ending
read out: superior superius
declension: III. declension (m+f) III. declension (n)
1.1.3. Adjectives with 1 ending – which have 2 endings in their dictionary form!
We say these adjectives have 1 ending because their nominative is the same in all the three
genders. However, we need the genitive form as well so that we could decline them
(similarly to nouns).
-ns, (-ntis) -plex, (-plicis)
e.g., ascendens, (-ntis) e.g., simplex, (-plicis)
(m), (f), and (n) – male, female, (m), (f), and (n) – male, female,
neutral neutral
nominative (nom.) genitive (gen.)
-ns, (-ntis) = -ns (-ntis)
-plex, (-plicis) = -plex (-plicis)
read out: ascendens ascendentis
simplex simplicis
declension: III. declension – with i (m+f+n) we put other case endings instead
of the –is here (except for the
nominative case, which keeps the
form given in the dict. form)
89
2. DECLENSION OF NOUNS
As was mentioned above, we select the declension of a noun based on the genitive ending
given in the dictionary form.
Remember: 5 gen. endings => 5 declensions:
VI. –ae
VII. –i
VIII. –is
IX. –us
X. –ei
If we cut off the genitive ending, we can see the root of the word. This is important because
all the other case endings (to be found in the table below) are put instead of the genitive
case ending.
e.g., if I want to put the word muscle into plural – i.e., I want to say muscles,
1. I take the dictionary form: musculus, -i (m)
2. I check its gen. ending: -i => it tells me that it belongs to the II. declension
3. since within the II. declension I can find both (m) and (n) columns => I select (m)
based on the dictionary form
4. I can see that in the place of the –i gen. ending also an –i should be put in the Plur.
Nom., therefore, muscles in Latin is said as musculi
Let’s look at another example. How would I say joints in Latin?
1. articulatio, -onis (f) joint
2. gen: -is => III. declension
3. (f) => III. declension (f)
4. in the place of gen. –is: Plur. Nom.–es => articulationes
NB: In the case of nouns in the III. declension we must pay special attention to the root! The case
endings in the table must always be put instead of the gen. –is ending.
Declension of nouns (nominative and genitive cases)

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing. Nom. -a -us/-er -um/on (…) (…) -us -u -es
*dens-dentium, pars-partium, os-ossium
As we could see, Latin words can be put into:

- singular and plural
- in nominative case they are to be translated as
pl. rib – costa (sing. nom.) and ribs- costae (plur. nom.)
Latin marks genitive (possessive) cases with different endings.

Genitive (possessive) cases can be translated as:
e.g., costae (sing. gen.) – ’… of the rib’ and costarum (plur. gen.) – ’… of the ribs’
There are three more cases in Latin (accusative, dative, and ablative), out of which we are going to meet
accusative cases in Prescriptions, as well as accusative and ablative cases in prepositional phrases. Datives are
only used with verbs in sentences, and since they are rarely used in modern medical Latin, we are not going to
learn them.
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3. FORMING POSSESSIVE PHRASES

In English possessive phrases are usually expressed with “of” phrases or with compound
phrases (two words put together).
Let’s look at an example:
- “of” phrase: the fracture of the rib, the fracture of a rib
- compound phrase: rib fracture
In Latin it can be said in one way only: fractura costae
The part which can be said as “of the…” goes into genitive case.
It can be both in singular and plural. For example, if more ribs are fractured we say:
fracturae (plur. nom.) costarum (plur. gen.)
4. DECLENSION AND AGREEMENT OF ADJECTIVES

As was mentioned above,
- adjectives are always used together with nouns;
- adjectives always follow nouns;
- adjectives always agree in gender (m/f/n) with the noun they refer to;
- adjectives always agree in number and case (e.g., sing. and gen.) with the noun they
refer to;
- the declension of adjectives can be chosen based on their dictionary form.
Let’s look at an example:
The adjectival form of rib (costal in English) is costalis, -e in Latin.
It is an adjective with two endings -is, -e: following the III. declension.
Being an adjective, it cannot stand alone, and can be connected to several nouns.
arcus costalis (arcus, -us (m)) cartilago costalis (cartilago, -inis (f)) os costale (os, ossis (n))
“costal arch” “costal cartilage” “costal bone”
As we can see, its sing. nom. ending is changing according to the gender of the noun it
refers t (-is: m and f, -e: n).
If we want to say these expressions in plural (nominative), not only the noun, but the
adjective also takes its plural nominative form:
arcus costales cartilagines costales ossa costalia
“costal arches” “costal cartilages” “costal bones”
As we decline the nouns according to their own declension – based on their dictionary forms
(arcus IV., cartilago III.f, os III.n), we also decline the adjectives according to their own
declensions – based on their dictionary forms (costalis, -e III.).
The same happens if they are put in genitive (or any other case):
the rupture of the costal cartilage – ruptura cartilaginis costalis
the fractures of the costal bones – fracturae ossium costalium
Similarly, other adjectives follow the same logic:

e.g., inflammatio chronica (sing.nom.) – inflammationes chronicae (plur. nom.)
tumor benignus (sing.nom.) – tumores benigni (plur.nom.)
Most of the time the adjective closely follows the noun it belongs to:
fractura simplex ossis costalis (the simple fracture of the costal bone),
and one noun can have several adjectives: musculi tibiales anteriores
To sum it up: adjectives take up these characteristics of the nouns the refer to:
- gender (m/f/n)
- number (sing/plur)
- case (nom/gen. + the other cases: acc., abl., dat.)
91
Declension of adjectives (nominative and genitive cases)

Sing.
-us/-er -a -um -ior -ius -is -e -ns /-plex
Nom.
Sing.
-i -ae -i -ioris -is -ntis /-plicis
Gen.
Plur.
-i -ae -a -iores -iora -es -ia -ntes /-plices -ntia /-plicia
Nom.
Plur.
-orum -arum -orum -iorum -ium -entium /-plicium
Gen.
5. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
Prepositional phrases mainly go with accusative and ablative cases.
In Latin (just like in English and many other languages) prepositions stand before the nouns
they refer to. However, the nouns need to put either in accusative or ablative so that the
meaning of the preposition could be expressed along with the noun.
For example:
cum medicamento – with medicine; post partum – after birth.
To know which case (acc. or abl.) should be used with the preposition must be memorized.
The list below includes the prepositions that most commonly appear in medical Latin with
the cases they require. (The prepositions in bold and highlighted are the ones we learnt.)
followed by either acc. or

followed by accusative abl. followed by ablative
Acc. Abl.
in – (in)to in – (with)in
super– above super - above
sub – below sub – below,
during
ante – before, in front of a(b)* - by, from
ad – to these these cum – with
post – after express express de – about
per/trans – through direction place e(x)* - out of, from
propter – because of sine – without
intra – into
inter - between
*the letter in the bracket is needed if the noun following the preposition starts with a vowel
The noun following the preposition can be put in the acc. or abl. case in its own declension
that can be selected based on the dictionary form (in the tables the gen. ending is given
which helps finding the right declension of nouns).
92
Accusative case-endings

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
adjectives also take the acc. cases in their own declensions

Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
Acc.
Plur.
Acc.
Ablative case-endings

I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
adjectives also take the abl. cases in their own declensions

Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
-o -a -o -iore -i -nti/-plici/
Abl.
Plur.
Abl.
93
KEY TO PRACTICE TESTS

KEY TO PRACTICE TEST MIDTERM 1 (UNITS 1-4)
Task 1
ventriculus ventricle, stomach fossa hollow area
cor heart ostium mouth-like opening
cranium skull glabella hairless area between eyebrows
talus ankle bone dens tooth(-like process)
costa rib linea line
digitus finger plexus network (vessles/nerves)
hallux big toe sustentaculum support(ing structure)
sutura suture cortex outer layer, bark
syndesmosis joint with ligamentous links meninx brain & spinal cord covering
lemniscus sensory nerve bundle calyx cup-shaped cavity
Task 2
breastbone sternum, -i n tendon tendo, -inis f
cleft rima, -ae f liver hepar, -atis n
duct ductus, -us m groove sulcus, -i m
fingerbone phalanx, -ngis f mouth os, oris n
crest crista, -ae f nerve cell aggregation ganglion, -i n
Task 3
Is it singular or plural? Give the missing form (singular or plural). (14 p)
singular plural
sample: nodi nodus
trabecula trabeculae
pes pedes
recessus
iris irides
impressio impressiones
axes axis
index indices
labia labium
metazoa metazoan
cornua cornu
arcus
ossa os
plicae plica
corpus corpora
Task 4
Translate the phrases to English. (16 p)
sinus unguis nail cavity/channel porta hepatis entrance of liver
apex patellae tip of kneecap uncus corporis hooklike process of (vertebral) body
mons pubis eminence of pubic bone manubrium sterni handle of breastbone
tenia fornicis band of an arch-like structure isthmus faucium constriction of throat
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
94

Task 1
What is the English meaning and gender of the term? (15 p)
flavus yellow (blond, gold) flaccidus flaccid gracilis slender
digitatus digitate (finger-projections) prominens prominent serratus saw-like, serrated
rectus straight procerus stretched sinister left
medianus median (on midline) adherens sticking to xiphoideus sword-shaped
carneus fleshy latus wide, broad triquetrus three-cornered
Task 2
twin gemellus, -a, -um pear-shaped piriformis, -e
superficial superficialis, -e middle one medius, -a, -um
sponge-like spongiosus, -a, -um longest longissimus, -a, -um
saffron-yellow luteus, -a, -um goose- anserinus, -a, -um
radiate radiatus, -a, -um accessory accessorius, -a, -um
Task 3
Agree the adjectives to the nouns. (10 p)
hiatus semilunar____is_____ fasciculi propri____i_____
arteria iliac___a______ conus elastic____us_____
os pisiform___e______ ductus defere____ns_____
chorion frondos__um_______ chorion laev____e_____
tuberculum infer____ius_____ zonulae adherent____es_____
Task 4
Explain the phrases in plain English. (10 p)
linea alba white line (on the abdomen)
medulla oblongata elongated marrow (in the hindbrain)
tuber cinereum ash-like protuberance
chordae tendineae tendinous chords (in the heart)
corpora adiposa adipose/fatty bodies
Task 5
Create anatomical names in English. (5 p)
duct in the chest thoracic duct
ligament between the sacrum and ilium sacroiliac ligament
hole at the ischium sciatic foramen
nerve at the skin cutaneous nerve
space behind the pharynx retropharyngeal space
Task 6
Formulate the names of the muscles. (10 p)
the tensing muscle of the wide fascia tensor fasciae latae
small rounded muscle teres minor
trap-like muscle of the head splenius capitis
the widest muscle of the back latissimus dorsi
the extending/straightening m of the wrist on the side of the radius extensor carpi radialis
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
95
Task 1 Create Greek terms. (15 p) Task 3 Translate the terms in English. (15 p)
joint pain arthralgia oophorectomia surgical removal of ovary
liver bleeding hepatorrhagia cyanosis bluishness, oxygen deficiency
heart enlargement cardiomegalia otoscop instrument to look into the ear
cutting of the abdomen laparotomia gastrectasia stomach dilation
fast breathing tachypnea phleborrhexis vein rupture
prolapse of uterus metro/hysteroptosis mesopharynx middle part of pharynx
dissolution of tissue histolysis oxycephalus pointed, conical head
umbilical hernia omphalocele azygos without pair (vein)
clot formation thrombosis perimetrium layer around the uterus
double vision diplopia endocardium inner layer of heart
midbrain mesencephalon heterosoma different chromosome pair
region above the stomach epigastrium hemiplegia paralysis of half of the body (L/R)
nail bed hyponychium iatrogen physician-origniated [infection]
false foot pseudopodia diaphysis bone shaft
red blood cell deficiency erythrocytopenia desmocranium connective tissue part of skull
Task 3 Translate the pharmacological phrases (10 p)

cream for disinfection pasta antiseptica
powder to clean the gastrointestinal system pulvis purgativus
solution against fever 3 times a day solutio antipyretica/antifebrilis ter in die
pill to induce vomiting through the mouth pilula emetica per os
Task 4 Create diagnoses in Latin. – The number of terms you should use is given. (20 p)
muscle tissue tumors of the womb and cervix (3)
fibromyomata uteri et cervicis

simple fracture of the left shinbone (4/5)
fractura simplex tibiae sinistrae/l.s.=lateris sinistri
peeling lip inflammation and tongue pain (3)

cheilitis exfoliativa et glossodynia
state after the chronic infarction of the myocardium (5)

status post infarctum chronicum myocardii
cysts of the paranasal sinuses with sphenoid sinusitis (5)

cystae sinuum paranasalium cum sinusitide sphenoidali
Grading:
points 0-31 32-37 38-45 46-53 54-60
96
LATIN-ENGLISH VOCABULARY
A antimycoticus, -a, -um antimycotic (against
abdomen, -minis (n) abdomen, belly fungus)
abductor, -oris (m) muscle moving farther/away antiphlogisticus, -a, -um antiphlogistic, anti-
ablatio, -onis (f) ablation, detachment inflammatory
abortus, -us (m) abortion antipyreticus, -a, -um antipyretic (against fever)
abruptio, -onis (f) abruption, separation antirheumaticus , -a, -um antirheumatic (against
accessorius, -a, -um accessory, supplementary rheumatism)
acervulus, -i (m) brain sand antiseborrhoicus, -a, -um antiseborrheic (against
acetabulum, -i (n) cup-shaped depression greasy skin)
acromialis, -e acromial (acromion) antisepticus, -a, -um antiseptic (against germs)
acromioclavicularis, -e acromioclavicular antispasmodicus, -a, -um antispasmodic (against
(acromion+clavicle) muscle spasm)
acromion, -i (n) acromion antitussicus, -a, -um antitussic (against cough)
acutus, -a, -um acute, short course with severe antiviralis, -e antiviral (againt virus, viral
symptoms infection)
adductor, -oris (m) muscle moving closer anus, -i (m) anus
adherens, (-ntis) adhering, sticking to aorta, -ae (f) aorta
adiposus, -a, -um adipose, fatty apex, -icis (m) tip, pointed end
adstringens, (-ntis) astringent (promotes appendix, -icis (f) appendix, appendage,
contraction) outgrowth
ala, -ae (f) wing(-like process) aqua, -ae (f) water
albicans, (-ntis) white arbor, -oris (m) tree(-like structure)
alienus, -a, -um foreign arcuatus, -a, -um arched
allergicus, -a, -um allergic arcus, -us (m) arch
alveolus, -i (m) air sac; tooth socket area, -ae (f) area
amputatio, -onis (f) amputation, surgical removal arenaceus, -a, -um sandy (~brain sand)
anaestheticus, -a, -um anesthetic (make sleep, no arteria, -ae (f) artery
sensation) arterioscleroticus, -a, -um due to arteriosclerosis
analgeticus, -a, -um analgesic, painkiller (arterial hardening)
anastomosis, -is (f) anastomosis, communication arteriosus, -a, -um arterial
bw tubes articularis, -e articular (joint)
anconeus, -a, -um elbow-, at the elbow articulatio, -onis (f) joint, articulation
aneurysma, -matis (n) aneurysm (artery dilation) arytenoideus, -a, -um jug-like
angulus, -i (m) angle; corner (of the mouth) ascendens, (-ntis) ascending, up-going
annulus, -i (m) ring(like structure) atlantoaxialis, -e atlantoaxial (atlas+axis)
anserinus, -a, -um “goose-like” (~goose footed) atlas, -antis (m) atlas, C1 vertebra
antacidus, -a, -um antacid (against acidity) atrioventricularis, -e atrioventricular
anterior, -ius anterior, ventral (to the front) (atrium+ventricle)
antiasthmaticus, -a, -um antiasthmaticum atrium, -i (n) atrium (upper chamber of the heart)
(against asthma) atrophia, -ae (f) atrophy (decrease in size)
antibioticus, -a, -um antibiotic (against infection) auris, -is (f) ear
antidiarrhoicus, -a, -um antidiarrhoic (against axialis, -e axial (axis)
diarrhea) axilla, -ae (f) armpit
antiemeticus, -a, -um antiemetic (against axillaris, -e axillary (axilla – armpit)
vomiting) axis, -is (f) line through the center of a body; axis,
antiepilepticus, -a, -um anticonvulsant (against C2 vertebra
seizure) B
antifebrilis, -e antifebrile, antipyretic (against bacterialis, -e bacterial
fever) bacterium, -i (n) bacterium
antihaemorrhagicus, -a, -um antihemorrhagic biceps, -cipitis (m) two-headed muscle
(against bleeding) bicuspidalis, -e bicuspid (with 2 cusps)
97
bis twice cingulum, -i (n) girdle (encircling structure)

brachialis,-e brachial (upper/arm) clavicula, -ae f collar bone, clavicle
brachioradialis, -e brachioradial (upper clavicularis, -e clavicular (clavicle)
arm+radius) coccygeus, -a, -um coccygeal (coccyx)
brachium, -i (n) (upper) arm; arm-like structure coccyx, -ygis (m) coccyx, tailbone
brevis, -e short colicus, -a, -um colic (colon)
bronchialis, -e bronchial (bronchus) collum, -i (n) neck
bronchodilatator, -oris (m) agent dilating the colon, -i (n) colon, large intestine
bronchi colorectalis, -e colorectal (colon+rectum)
bronchus, -i (m) bronchus, airway columna, -ae (f) column
bulbus, -i (m) bulb, eyeball (b.oculi) concha, -ae (f) concha, shell-shaped structure
bursa, -ae (f) small fluid-filled sac coniunctiva, -ae (f) conjunctiva
C conjunctivus, -a, -um connective
calcanocuboideus, -a, -um calcaneocuboid contusio, -onis (f) contusion, bruise
(calcaneus+ cuboid bone) conus, -i (m) cone
calcaneus, -i (m) calcaneus, heel bone cor, cordis (n) heart
calcificatio, -onis (f) calcification coracoacromialis, -e coracoacromial (coracoid
calcificatus, -a, -um calcified process+acromion)
calculosus, -a, -um stony, full of stones coracobrachialis, -e coracobrachial (coracoid
calyx, -ycis (m) cup-shaped cavity process+upper arm)
caput, -itis (n) head coracoideus, -a, -um coracoid [crow’s beak]
carcinoma, -atis (n) carcinoma, malignant tumor cornu, -us (n) horn
cardiacus, -a, -um cardiac (heart) corona, -ae (f) crown
cardiovascularis, -e cardiovascular (heart+vessel) coronarius, -a, -um coronary
carneus, -a, -um fleshy corpus, -oris (n) body
carpalis, -e carpal (carpus) corrugator, -oris (m) wrinkling muscle
carpometacarpalis, -e carpometacarpal cortex, -icis (m) outer layer, bark
(carpus+metacarpus) costa, -ae (f) rib
carpus, -i (m) carpus, wrist costalis, -e costal (rib)
cartilagineus, -a, -um cartilaginous costoclavicularis, -e costoclavicular (rib+clavicle)
cartilago, -inis (f) cartilage costovertebralis, -e costovertebral (rib+vertebra)
catarrhalis, -e catarrhal, with mucus flow cranialis, -e cranial (skull)
cauda, -ae (f) tail cranium, -i (n) skull (bone)
cavernosus, -a, -um cavernous, filled with cavities cricoarytenoideus, -a, -um cricoarytenoid (cricoid
cavum, -i (n) cavity + arytenoid cartilage)
cavus, -a, -um having a cavity cricoideus, -a, -um cricoid [ring-like]
cellula, -ae (f) cell cricothyroideus, -a, -um cricothyroid
cellularis, -e cellular (cell) (cricoid+thyroid cartilage)
centralis, -e close to or in the midpoint cricotrachealis, -e cricotracheal (cricoid cartilage
cerebrum, -i (n) brain + trachea)
cervicalis, -e cervical (cervix) crista, -ae (f) crest
cervix, -icis (f) cervix, neck, neck of uterus crus, cruris (n) leg, leglike structure, shaft
cholagogus, -a, -um cholagogue (promoting bile cubitalis, -e cubital (elbow)
flow) cubitus, -i (m) elbow
cholemicus, -a, -um due to cholemia (bile in the cuboideus, -a, -um cuboid, cube-shaped
blood) cum+abl with
chorda, -ae (f) cord cuneatus, -a, -um wedge-shaped
chorion, -i (n) chorion (fetal membrane) cuneiformis, -e wedge-shaped
choroideus, -a, -um choroid [membrane-like] cutaneus, -a, -um cutaneous (skin)
chronicus, -a, -um chronic, long-term, persistent cutis, -is (f) skin
cilium, -i (n) eyelash, hair cyanoticus, -a, -um cyanotic (bluish)
cinereus, -a, -um ash-like cysta, -ae (f) cyst
98
D esophageus, -ea, -eum esophageal (esophagus)

decidua, -ae (f) decidua, the endometrial lining esophagus, -i (m) esophagus, gullet
falling off et and
decoctum, -i (n) decoction (boiled herbal drug) ethmoidalis, -e ethmoid, sieve-like
decubitus, -us (m) decubitus, bed sore exfoliativus, -a, -um exfoliative, peeling-off
deferens, (-ntis) deferent, down-going expectorans, (-ntis) expectorant (causing sputum
dens, -ntis (m) tooth(-like process) to get out by coughing)
dentatus, -a, -um dentate, tooth-shaped explorativus, -a, -um explorative
depressor, -oris (m) muscle pushing down extensor, -oris (m) straightening muscle
dermatologicus, -a, -um dermatological (for skin externus, -a, -um external
conditions) extracellularis, -e extracellular (outside the cell)
dexter, dextra, dextrum right extractio, -onis (f) extraction, pulling out
diabeticus, -a, -um diabetic, (due to diabetes) F
diagnosis, -is (f) diganosis facies, -ei (f) surface
diaphragma , -matis (n) diaphragma; floor, fascia, -ae (f) fascia (fibrous sheet or band)
partition wall m. fasciculus, -i (m) fascicle, small bundle
diaphragmaticus, -a, -um diaphragmatic faux, faucis (f) throat (in plural)
(diaphragma) febris, -is (f) fever
diastema, -matis (n) space between 2 teeth femoralis, -e femoral (thighbone)
dies, -ei (m) day femoropatellaris, -e femoropatellar (femur +
digestivus, -a, -um digestive patella)
digitatus, -a, -um digitate, having finger-like femur, -oris (n) femur, thighbone
branches fetus, -i (m)/ fetus, -us (m) f(o)etus
digitus, -i (m) finger (postembryonic developing baby)
dilatatio, -onis (f) dilatation fibromyoma, -matis (n) fibrous tissue tumor
diureticus, -a, -um diuretic (against excess water) fibrosus, -a, -um fibrous
dorsalis, -e dorsal (back) fibula, -ae (f) fibula, calfbone
dorsum , -i (n) back, posterior surface filum, -i (n) thread
ductus, -us (m) duct fimbrium, -i (n) hair(-like projection)
duodenalis, -e duodenal (duodenum) flaccidus, -a, -um flaccid
duodenum, -i (n) duodenum (1st segment of the flavus, -a, -um yellow
small intestine) flexor, -oris (m) bending muscle
E foetor, -oris (m) bad smell, stink
e(x)+abl from, out of foramen, -minis (n) hole, foramen
ectopicus, -a, -um ectopic, abnormally positioned fornix, -icis (f) archlike structure
elasticus, -a, -um elastic fossa, -ae (f) fossa, hollow area
emeticus, -a, -um emetic (causing vomiting) fovea, -ae (f) small pit, depression
emphysema, -matis (n) distention, air fractura, -ae (f) break, fracture
accumulation frenulum, -i (n) small mucous fold
emulsio, -onis (f) emulsion frondosus, -a, -um bearing leaflike projections
(mixture of two immiscible liquids) frons, -ntis (f) forehead
endolymphaticus, -a, -um endolymphatic (inside frontalis, -e frontal (forehead)
a lymph node) G
epicondylaris, -e epicondylar (epicondyle) gallus, -i (m) cock (see: crista galli)
epicondylus, -i (m) epicondyle (bone eminence) ganglion, -i (n) ganglion, nerve cell aggregation
epicranius, -a, -um epicranial (on the skull) gaster, -tris (f) stomach
epigastricus, -a, -um epigastric (over the gastricus, -a, -um gastric (stomach)
stomach) gastrocnemius, -a, -um calf-, at the calf
epithelium, -i (n) cellular covering, lining gastroduodenalis, -e gastroduodenal
equinus, -a, -um horse-like, relating to a horse (stomach+duodenum)
erector, -oris (m) erecting/extending muscle gastrophrenicus, -a, -um gastrophrenic
erythema, -matis (n) redness of skin (stomach+diaphragma)
99
gemellus, -a, -um twin infraorbitalis, -e infraorbital (below orbit)

genioglossus, -a, -um genioglossal (chin + infrapatellaris, -e infrapatellar (below patella)
tongue) infraspinatus, -a, -um infraspinate (below the
genu, -us (n) knee; flexed-knee-like structure scapular spine)
glabella, -ae (f) glabella, “hairless area” – infrasternalis, -e infrasternal (below sternum)
between eyebrows infusio, -onis (f) infusion
glandula, -ae (f) gland infusum, -i (n) infusion
glans, -ndis (f) glandlike body interclavicularis, -e interclavicular (between
glossopharyngeus, -a, -um glossopharyngeal clavicles)
(tongue+pharynx) intercostalis, -e intercostal (between ribs)
glottis, -idis (f) glottis (vocal app. of larynx) interlobaris, -e interlobar (between lobes)
gracilis, -e slender intermaxillaris, -e intermaxillary (between
gynecologicus, -a, -um gynecological (women’s maxillae)
disease) intermedius, -a, -um interposed
gyrus, -i (m) gyrus, convolution of brain surface internus, -a, -um internal
H interosseus, -a, -um interosseous (between
haemorrhagia, -ae (f) hemorrhage, bleeding bones)
haemorrhagicus, -a, -um bleeding interspinalis, -e interspinal (between spinous
hallux, -ucis (m) big toe processes)
hemispherium, -i (n) hemisphere intertransversarius, -a, -um intertransverse
hepar, -atis (n) liver (between transverse processes)
hepaticus, -a, -um hepatic (liver) interventricularis, -e interventricular (between
hepatorenalis, -e hepatorenal (liver+kidney) ventricles)
hiatus, -us (m) opening, gap intervertebralis, -e intervertebral (between
hilum, -i (n) pit for vessels to exit/enter vertebrae)
(sometimes: hilus, -i (m)) intestinum, -i (n) intestine
humeralis, -e humeral (upper arm bone) intoxicatio, -onis (f) intoxication, poisoning
humeroradialis, -e humeroradial intra+acc into
(humerus+radius) intracranialis, -e intracranial (inside skull)
humerus, -i (m) upper arm bone intraoccipitalis, -e intraoccipital (inside occiput)
hyoideus , -a, -um hyoid, U-shaped intraoperativus, -a, -um intraoperative (during
hyperplasia, -ae (f) overgrowth (increase in operation)
number of cells) iris, -idis (f) iris (of the eye)
hypertrophia, -ae (f) overgrowth (increase in size) isch(a)emia, -ae (f) local anaemia
hypoglossus, -a, -um hypoglossal (below tongue) ischiadicus, -a, -um sciatic, ischial
hypoxia, -ae (f) oxygen deficiency ischium, -i (n) ischium (“sitting bone”)
I isthmus, -i (m) constriction
icterus, -i (m) yellowness of skin J
iliacus, -a, -um iliac (ilium) juxtacolicus, -a, -um juxtacolic (next to colon)
iliocostalis, -e iliocostal (ilium+rib) K
iliofemoralis, -e iliofemoral (ilium+femur) kyphosis, -is (f) hunchback, rearward curvature of
ilium, -i (n) ilium (on the pelvis) the spine
impressio, -onis (f) impression L
in +abl inside, within labium, -i (n) lip
incipiens, (-ntis) beginning laevis, -e without villi
index, -icis (m) index(=pointing) finger lambdoideus, -a, -um lambdoid, L(lambda)-
infans, -ntis (m) child shaped
infarctus, -us (m) infarction lamella, -ae (f) thin plate (bone layer)
infectio, -onis (f) infection lamina, -ae (f) plate
inferior, -ius inferior, lower laryngeus, -ea, -eum laryngeal (larynx)
infiltratio, -onis (f) infiltration larynx, -ngis (m) larynx, voice box
inflammatio, -onis (f) inflammation lateralis, -e lateral, farther from the midline
100
latissimus, -a, -um widest, broadest mentalis, -e mental (chin)

latus, -a, -um wide, broad mentum, -i (n) chin
latus, -eris (n) side metacarpalis, -e metacarpal (metacarpus)
laxativus, -a, -um laxative (promoting diarrhea) metacarpophalangeus, -a, -um
lemniscus, -i (m) sensory nerve bundle metacarpophalangeal (metacarpus+phalanx)
levator, -oris (m) elevating muscle metacarpus, -i (m) metacarpus (between wrist &
lien, -enis (m) spleen fingers)
ligamentum, -i (n) ligament metastasis, -is (f) metastasis (transfer of disease
limbus, -i (m) border, margin from one body part to another)
limen, -minis (n) threshold, ridge metazoon, -i (n) multicellular animal
linea, -ae (f) line minimus, -a, -um smallest
lingua, -ae (f) tongue minor, minus minor, small(er), lesser
lobaris, -e lobar (lobe) mitochondrion, -i (n) threadlike organelle
lobus, -i (m) lobe mixtura, -ae (f) mixture
longissimus, -a, -um longest mons, -ntis (m) eminence, (mountain-like)
longus, -a, -um long morbilli, -orum (m) measles (plural only)
lordosis, -is (f) hollow back (anteriorly convex morbus, -i (m) disease
spine) mucocutaneus, -a, -um mucocutaneous (mucous
lumbricalis, -e worm-shaped membrane + skin)
lumbus, -i (m) loin, lumbar part mucolyticus, -a, -um mucolytic (dissolving mucus)
luteus, -a, -um saffron-yellow mucosus, -a, -um mucous
lymphaticus, -a, -um lymphatic multifidus, -a, -um divided into many segments
M multiplex, (-plicis) multiple, manifold
magnus, -a, -um large, big musculus, -i (m) muscle
maior, maius major, big(ger) myocardium, -i (n) heart muscle
malignus, -a, -um malignant myopia, -ae (f) short-sightedness
malleolaris, -e malleolar (malleolus) N
malleolus, -i (m) ankle bone (side) nasalis, -e nasal (nose)
mandibula, -ae (f) mandible (jaw, lower jaw bone) nasogutta, -ae (f) nasal drop
mandibularis,-e mandibular (mandible) nasopharyngeus, -a, -um nasopharyngeal
manubrium, -i (n) handle-like structure (nose+pharynx)
manus, -us (f) hand nasus, -i (m) nose
mastoideus, -a, -um mastoid, breast-shaped neonatus, -i (m) newborn
matrix, -icis (f) framework, intercellular network nervus, -i m nerve
maxilla, -ae (f) upper jaw bone nodosus, -a, -um nodular
maxillaris, -e maxillary (maxilla) nodus, -i (m) node
meatus, -us (m) passage to a body surface nucha, -ae (f) nape, back of the neck
medialis, -e medial, toward the midline nucleus, -i (m) core of the cell
medianus, -a, -um median, in the midline O
mediastinalis, -e mediastinal (mediastinum) obliquus, -a, -um oblique, [slanting, sloping]
mediastinum, -i (n) mediastinum, median oblongatus, -a, -um elongated
partition obstructio, -onis (f) obstruction, clogging
medicamentosus, -a, -um due to medication occipitalis, -e occipital (occiput)
medicamentum, -i (n) drug, medicine occipitofrontalis, -e occipitofrontal
medius, -a, -um middle, the middle one (occiput+forehead)
medulla, -ae (f) (bone) marrow occiput, -itis (n) occiput, back of head
medullaris, -e medullary (medulla) occludens, (-ntis) occludent, “closing up” (~tight
membrana, -ae (f) membrane junctions)
meningeus, -a, -um meningeal (meninx) oculus, -i (m) eye
meninx, -ingis (f) brain & spinal cord covering oedema, -matis (n) oedema, fluid accumulation
(meninges – plur) omentum, -i (n) omentum (fold of peritoneum)
meniscus, -i (m) crescentic cartilage (knee) operatio, -onis (f) operation, surgery
101
ophthalmicus, -a, -um ophthalmic (eye) pisiformis, -e pisiform, pea-shaped

opponens, -ntis (m) opposing muscle placenta, -ae (f) placenta
orbicularis, -e orbicular, circular planta, -ae (f) sole
orbita, -ae (f) orbit (eyeball cavity) plantaris, -e plantar (sole)
orbitalis, -e orbital (orbit) platysma, -matis (n) broad, platelike muscle
orthostaticus, -a, -um orthostatic, by standing up pleura, -ae (f) lung covering
os, oris (n) orifice, opening; mouth plexus, -us (m) plexus, network (vessels/nerves)
os, ossis (n) bone plica, -ae (f) fold
osteogenicus, -a, -um osteogenic (of bony origin) pneumonia, -ae (f) lung infection
ostium, -i (n) (mouth-like) opening, orifice pollex, -icis (m) thumb
otologicus, -a, -um otologic (for ear conditions) pons, -ntis (m) bridge
ovalis, -e oval popliteus, -a, -um popliteal (ham/back of knee)
ovaricus, -a, -um ovarian (ovary) porta, -ae (f) entrance (of an organ)
ovarium, -i (n) ovary post+acc after
P posterior, -ius posterior, dorsal
palatinus, -a, -um palatine (palate) principalis, -e principal, main
palatoglossus, -a, -um palatoglossal procerus, -a, -um stretched
(palate+tongue) processus, -us (m) process
palatopharyngeus, -a, -um palatopharyngeal profundus,-a, -um deep, profound
(palate+pharynx) prominens, (-ntis) prominent (vertebraC7/C6/T1)
palatum, -i (n) palate pronator, -oris (m) muscle turning the palm down
pancreas, -atis (f) pancreas proprius, -a, -um own, ground
papilloma, -matis (n) papilloma(epithelial tumor) propter+acc because of
paranasalis, -e paranasal (next to nose) pterygoideus, -a, -um pterygoid, wing-shaped
pararectalis, -e pararectal (next to rectum) pubis, -is (f) pubic bone
paries, -etis (m) wall puboperinealis, -e puboperineal (pubis+perineum)
parietalis, -e parietal (wall) puborectalis, -e puborectal (pubis+rectum)
pars, partis (f) part pulmo, -onis (m) lung
partus, -us (m) (child)birth pulmonalis, -e pulmonary (lung)
pasta, -ae (f) cream pulvis, -eris (m) powder
patella, -ae (f) patella, kneecap purgativus, -a, -um cleaning, purging (bowels)
patellaris, -e patellar (kneecap) purulens, (-ntis) purulent, containing pus
pectineus, -a, -um comb-like, at the pecten purulentus, -a, -um purulent, containing pus
pectoralis, -e pectoral (breast, chest) pyramidalis, -e pyramidal
pectus, -oris (n) breast, chest Q
pelvicus, -a, -um pelvic (pelvis) quadratus, -a, -um square-shaped
pelvis, -is (f) hipbone quadriceps, -cipitis (m) four-headed muscle
penis, -is (m) penis R
per+acc through radialis, -e radial (radius)
perforatus, -a, -um perforated radiatus, -a, -um radiate
perniealis, -e perineal (perineum) radioulnaris, -e radioulnaris (radius + ulna)
perikaryon, -i (n) nerve cell body radius, -i (m) radius, outer (thumb-side) forearm
periprostaticus, -a, -um periprostatic (around the bone
prostate) radix, -icis (f) root
pes, pedis (m) foot ramus, -i (m) branch
phalangeus, -a, -um phalangeal (phalanx) recens, (-ntis) recent
phalanx, -ngis (f) fingerbone recessus, -us (m) recess (a small hollow or
pharyngeus, -a, -um pharyngeal (pharynx) indentation, an empty space or cavity)
pharynx, -ngis (m) pharynx, throat rectalis, -e rectal (rectum)
phrenicus, -a, -um phrenic (diaphragma) rectum, -i (n) rectum
pilula, -ae (f) pill rectus, -a, -um straight
piriformis, -e piriform, pear-shaped regio, -onis (f) region
102
ren, renis (m) kidney sphenoidalis, -e sphenoid, wedge-shaped

renalis, -e renal (kidney) spina, -ae (f) spine; vertebral column
respiratorius, -a, -um respitatory, breathing spinalis, -e spinal (spine; vertebral column)
rete, -is (n) network (plur: reta/retia) spinotransversalis, -e spinotransversal
reticulum, -i (n) small network, (a protoplasmic (spinous+transverse processes)
network in cells) spiritus, -us (m) spirit (alcoholic solution)
retina, -ae (f) retina (eye) splenius, -a, -um strap-like
retropharyngeus, -a, -um retropharyngeal spongiosus, -a, -um sponge-like
(behind pharynx) stapedius, -a, -um stapedial, (stapes/in ear)
rhinologicus, -a, -um rhinologic (for nose status, -us (m) status, state
conditions) sternalis, -e sternal (breastbone)
rima, -ae (f) cleft sternoclavicularis, -e sternoclavicular
risorius, -a, -um laughing (used for laughing) (sternum+clavicle)
roborans, (-ntis) roborant, strengthening sternum, -i (n) sternum, breastbone
ruga, -ae (f) ridge, wrinkle, fold stratum, -i (n) layer
ruptura, -ae (f) rupture stria,-ae (f) thin, narrow groove/channel
S stroma, -atis (n) tissue framework of an organ
sacralis, -e sacral (sacrum) [bed covering]
sacroiliacus, -a, -um sacroiliac (sacrum + ilium) styloglossus, -a, -um styloglossal (styloid
sacrum, -i (n) sacrum, triangular backbone process+tongue)
saliva, -ae (f) saliva stylomandibularis, -e stylomandibular (styloid
salivarius, -a, -um salivary (saliva) process+mandible)
sapo, -onis (m) soap sub+acc below (direction) +abl below (space)
sartorius, -a, -um tailor (crossed-leg-like) subarachnoideus, -a, -um subarachnoid (below
scala, -ae (f) ladder-like structure arachnoid)
scaphoideus, -a, -um scaphoid, boat-like subclavius, -a, -um subclavian (below clavicle)
scapula, -ae (f) shoulder blade subhepaticus, -a, -um subhepatic (below liver)
scapularis, -e scapular (scapula) subscapularis, -e subscapular (below scapula)
scirrhosus, -a, -um scirrhous, hard, indurated sulcus, -i (m) groove
sclerosis, -is (f) hardening supercilium, -i (n) eyebrow
scrotum, -i (n) scrotum (testicle sac) superficialis, -e superficial
secundus, -a, -um second (2.) superior, -ius superior, upper
sella, -ae (f) chair (see: sella turcica) supinator, -oris (m) muscle turning the palm up
semilunaris, -e semilunar, half-moon-shaped suppositorium, -i (n) suppository (plug of
semispinalis, -e semispinal (half-attached to medication)
spinous process) supraclavicularis, -e supraclavicular (above
septum, -i (n) dividing wall clavicle)
serratus, -a, -um serrated, saw-like supraepicondylaris, -e supraepicondylar (above
sesamoideus, -a, -um sesamoid, sesame seed- epicondyle)
shaped suprarenalis, -e suprarenal (above kidney)
siccans, (-ntis) drier supraventricularis, -e supraventricular (above
sigmoideus, -a, -um sigmoid, S(sigma)-shaped ventricle)
simplex, (-plicis) simple sura, -ae (f) calf
sine+abl without suspensio, -onis (f) suspension (dispersed solid in
sinister, sinistra, sinistrum left liquid)
sinus, -us (m) cavity, channel sustentaculum, -i (n) support(ing structure)
sirupus, -i (m) syrup sutura, -ae (f) suture
soleus, -a, -um soleal, related to the sole symphysis, -is (f) uniting joint
solutio, -onis (f) solution (homogenous mixture) synchondrosis, -is (f) joint with cartilaginous links
sparsorium, -i (n) talcum powder syndesmosis, -is (f) joint with ligamentous links
spatium, -i (n) space synovialis, -e synovial (~fluid)
species, -ei (f) tea/herb mixture T
103
tabletta, -ae (f) tablet, pill U

talaris, -e talar (talus) ulcerosus, -a, -um ulcerative
talus, -i (m) ankle bone ulna, -ae (f) ulna, inner (little-finger-side) forearm
tela, -ae (f) tissue bone
temporalis, -e temporal (temple) ulnaris, -e ulnar (ulna)
temporoparietalis, -e temporoparietal ulnocarpalis, -e ulnocarpal (ulna+carpus)
(temple+parietal bone) umbilicus, -i (m) navel, belly button
temporozygomaticus, -a, -um uncus, -i (m) hooklike process
temporozygomatic (temple + zygoma/tic bone) unguentum, -i (n) ointment
tempus, -oris (n) temple unguis, -is (m) nail
tendineus, -a, -um tendinous (tendon) universalis, -e universal
tendo, -inis (f) tendon ureter, -teris (m) ureter (urinary duct)
tenia, -ae (f) bandlike structure urinarius, -a, -um urinary
tensor, -oris (m) tensing muscle urodesinficiens, (-ntis) disinfecting urine
ter thrice (3 times) uterinus, -a, -um uterine (uterus)
teres, -etis rounded uterus, -i (m) womb, uterus
terminalis, -e terminal utriusque of both
territorium, -i (n) territory V
testis, -is (m) testicle valvula, -ae (f) valve
thoracicus, -a, -um thoracic (chest) varix, -icis (f) enlarged, tortuous vessel
thorax, -acis (m) chest vas, vasis (n) duct, canal, vessel
thrombosis, -is (f) clot formation vasa, -orum (n) vessels (plur.only)
thyroideus, -a, -um thyroid (shield-like) vasodilatator, -oris (m) vasodilator (dilating
tibia, -ae (f) shinbone vessels)
tinctura, -ae (f) tincture (hidro/alcoholic solution velum, -i (n) covering structure
of herbal drugs) vena, -ae (f) vein
toxicus, -a, -um toxic, poisonous ventricularis, -e ventricular (ventricle)
trabecula, -ae (f) beam, supporting structure ventriculus, -i (m) stomach; ventricle
trabecularis, -e trabecular (beam) vertebra, -ae (f) vertebra, backbone
trachea, -ae (f) trachea, windpipe vertebralis, -e vertebral (vertebra)
trachealis, -e tracheal (trachea) vertebromediastinalis, -e vertebromediastinal
trans+acc through (vertebra+mediastinum)
transversarius, -a, -um transverse (process) vesica, -ae (f) bladder
transversus, -a, -um transverse [crosswise] vestibulum, -i (n) vestibule, entrance
trapezius, -a, -um trapezium-shaped vicinitas, -atis (f) neighbourhood
traumaticus, -a, -um traumatic (by accident) villus, -i (m) small projection
tribasilaris, -e tribasilar (having 3 bases) vita, -ae (f) life
triceps, -cipitis (m) three-headed muscle vulnus, -eris (n) wound
triquetrus, -a, -um three-cornered X
tuber, -eris (n) protuberance xiphoideus, -a, -um xiphoid, sword-shaped
tuberculum, -i (n) tubercle (small protuberance) Z
tumor, -oris (m) tumor, swelling zonula, -ae (f) small zone
tumorosus, -a, -um tumorous zygomaticus, -a, -um zygomatic (zygoma/tic
tympanum, -i (n) eardrum bone)
104
ENGLISH-LATIN VOCABULARY
A antiseborrheic (against greasy skin)
abdomen, belly abdomen, -minis (n) antiseborrhoicus, -a, -um
ablation, detachment ablatio, -onis (f) antiseptic (against germs) antisepticus, -a, -um
abortion abortus, -us (m) antispasmodic (against muscle spasm)
abruption, separation abruptio, -onis (f) antispasmodicus, -a, -um
accessory, supplementary accessorius, -a, -um antitussic (against cough) antitussicus, -a, -um
acromial (acromion) acromialis, -e antiviral (againt virus, viral infection) antiviralis, -
acromioclavicular (acromion+clavicle) e
acromioclavicularis, -e anus anus, -i (m)
acromion acromion, -i (n) aorta aorta, -ae (f)
acute, short course with severe symptoms appendage, outgrowth appendix, -icis (f)
acutus, -a, -um appendix, appendage, outgrowth appendix, -icis
adhering, sticking to adherens, (-ntis) (f)
adipose, fatty adiposus, -a, -um arch arcus, -us (m)
after post+acc arched arcuatus, -a, -um
air accumulation, distention emphysema, -matis archlike structure fornix, -icis (f)
(n) area area, -ae (f)
air sac; tooth socket alveolus, -i (m) arm; arm-like structure brachium, -i (n)
allergic allergicus, -a, -um armpit axilla, -ae (f)
amputation, surgical removal amputatio, -onis (f) armpit axilla, -ae (f)
analgesic, painkiller analgeticus, -a, -um arterial arteriosus, -a, -um
and et artery arteria, -ae (f)
anesthetic (make sleep, no sensation) articular (joint) articularis, -e
anaestheticus, -a, -um ascending, up-going ascendens, (-ntis)
aneurysm (artery dilation) aneurysma, -matis (n) ash-like cinereus, -a, -um
angle; corner (of the mouth) angulus, -i (m) astringent (promotes contraction) adstringens, -
ankle bone talus, -i (m) ntis
ankle bone (side) malleolus, -i (m) atlantoaxial (atlas+axis) atlantoaxialis, -e
antacid (against acidity) antacidus, -a, -um atlas, C1 vertebra atlas, -antis (m)
anterior, ventral (to the front) anterior, -ius atrioventricular (atrium+ventricle)
antiasthmaticum (against asthma) atrioventricularis, -e
antiasthmaticus, -a, -um atrium (upper chamber of the heart) atrium, -i
antibiotic (against infection) antibioticus, -a, -um (n)
anticonvulsant (against seizure) antiepilepticus, - atrophy (decrease in size) atrophia, -ae (f)
a, -um axial (axis) axialis, -e
antidiarrhoic (against diarrhea) antidiarrhoicus, - axillary (axilla – armpit) axillaris, -e
a, -um B
antiemetic (against vomiting) antiemeticus, -a, - back of head occiput, -itis (n)
um back, posterior surface dorsum , -i (n)
antifebrile, antipyretic (against fever) bacterial bacterialis, -e
antifebrilis, -e bacterium bacterium, -i (n)
antihemorrhagic (against bleeding) bad smell, stink foetor, -oris (m)
antihaemorrhagicus, -a, -um bandlike structure tenia, -ae (f)
antimycotic (against fungus) antimycoticus, -a, - beam, supporting structure trabecula, -ae (f)
um bearing leaflike projections frondosus, -a, -um
antiphlogistic, anti-inflammatory because of propter+acc
antiphlogisticus, -a, -um bed sore decubitus, -us (m)
antipyretic (against fever) antipyreticus, -a, -um beginning incipiens, (-ntis)
antirheumatic (against rheumatism) belly button, navel umbilicus, -i (m)
antirheumaticus , -a, -um below (direction) +abl below (space) sub+acc
bending muscle flexor, -oris (m)
105
bicuspid (with 2 cusps) bicuspidalis, -e chair (see: sella turcica) sella, -ae (f)
big toe hallux, -ucis (m) chest thorax, -acis (m)
birth partus, -us (m) child infans, -ntis (m)
bladder vesica, -ae (f) childbirth partus, -us (m)
bleeding haemorrhagicus, -a, -um chin mentum, -i (n)
bleeding, hemorrhage haemorrhagia, -ae (f) cholagogue (promoting bile flow) cholagogus, -
body corpus, -oris (n) a, -um
bone os, ossis (n) chorion (fetal membrane) chorion, -i (n)
bone marrow medulla, -ae (f) choroid [membrane-like] choroideus, -a, -um
bony origin osteogenicus, -a, -um chronic, long-term, persistent chronicus, -a, -um
border, margin limbus, -i (m) circular, orbicular orbicularis, -e
both (of both) utriusque clavicular (clavicle) clavicularis, -e
brachial (upper/arm) brachialis,-e cleaning, purging (bowels) purgativus, -a, -um
brachioradial (upper arm+radius) brachioradialis, cleft rima, -ae (f)
-e close to or in the midpoint centralis, -e
brain cerebrum, -i (n) clot formation thrombosis, -is (f)
brain & spinal cord covering (meninges – plur) coccygeal (coccyx) coccygeus, -a, -um
meninx, -ingis (f) coccyx, tailbone coccyx, -ygis (m)
brain sand acervulus, -i (m) cock (see: crista galli) gallus, -i (m)
branch ramus, -i (m) colic (colon) colicus, -a, -um
break, fracture fractura, -ae (f) collar bone, clavicle clavicula, -ae f
breast, chest pectus, -oris (n) colon, large intestine colon, -i (n)
breastbone sternum, -i (n) colorectal (colon+rectum) colorectalis, -e
bridge pons, -ntis (m) column columna, -ae (f)
broad, platelike muscle platysma, -matis (n) comb-like, at the pecten pectineus, -a, -um
bronchial (bronchus) bronchialis, -e communication bw tubes anastomosis, -is (f)
bronchus, airway bronchus, -i (m) cone conus, -i (m)
by standing up orthostaticus, -a, -um conjunctiva coniunctiva, -ae (f)
C connective conjunctivus, -a, -um
calcaneocuboid (calcaneus+ cuboid bone) constriction isthmus, -i (m)
calcanocuboideus, -a, -um contusion, bruise contusio, -onis (f)
calcification calcificatio, -onis (f) convolution of brain surface gyrus, -i (m)
calcified calcificatus, -a, -um coracoacromial (coracoid process+acromion)
calf sura, -ae (f) coracoacromialis, -e
calf-, at the calf gastrocnemius, -a, -um coracobrachial (coracoid process+upper arm)
calfbone fibula, -ae (f) coracobrachialis, -e
carcinoma, malignant tumor carcinoma, -atis (n) coracoid [crow’s beak] coracoideus, -a, -um
cardiac (heart) cardiacus, -a, -um cord chorda, -ae (f)
cardiovascular (heart+vessel) cardiovascularis, -e core of the cell nucleus, -i (m)
carpal (carpus) carpalis, -e coronary coronarius, -a, -um
carpometacarpal (carpus+metacarpus) costal (rib) costalis, -e
carpometacarpalis, -e costoclavicular (rib+clavicle) costoclavicularis, -e
carpus, wrist carpus, -i (m) costovertebral (rib+vertebra) costovertebralis, -e
cartilage cartilago, -inis (f) covering structure velum, -i (n)
cartilaginous cartilagineus, -a, -um cranial (skull) cranialis, -e
catarrhal, with mucus flow catarrhalis, -e cream pasta, -ae (f)
cavernous, filled with cavities cavernosus, -a, - crescentic cartilage (knee) meniscus, -i (m)
um crest crista, -ae (f)
cavity cavum, -i (n) cricoarytenoid (cricoid + arytenoid cartilage)
cavity, channel sinus, -us (m) cricoarytenoideus, -a, -um
cell cellula, -ae (f) cricoid [ring-like] cricoideus, -a, -um
cellular (cell) cellularis, -e cricothyroid (cricoid+thyroid cartilage)
cellular covering, lining epithelium, -i (n) cricothyroideus, -a, -um
cervical (cervix) cervicalis, -e
106
cricotracheal (cricoid cartilage + trachea) elastic elasticus, -a, -um
cricotrachealis, -e elbow cubitus, -i (m)
crown corona, -ae (f) elbow-, at the elbow anconeus, -a, -um
cubital (elbow) cubitalis, -e elevating muscle levator, -oris (m)
cuboid, cube-shaped cuboideus, -a, -um elongated oblongatus, -a, -um
cup-shaped cavity calyx, -ycis (m) emetic (causing vomiting) emeticus, -a, -um
cup-shaped depression acetabulum, -i (n) eminence, (mountain-like) mons, -ntis (m)
cutaneous (skin) cutaneus, -a, -um emulsion (mixture of two immiscible liquids)
cyanotic (bluish) cyanoticus, -a, -um emulsio, -onis (f)
cyst cysta, -ae (f) endolymphatic (inside a lymph node)
D endolymphaticus, -a, -um
day dies, -ei (m) endometrial lining falling off decidua, -ae (f)
decidua, the endometrial lining falling off enlarged, tortuous vessel varix, -icis (f)
decidua, -ae (f) entrance (of an organ) porta, -ae (f)
decoction (boiled herbal drug) decoctum, -i (n) epicondylar (epicondyle) epicondylaris, -e
deep, profound profundus,-a, -um epicondyle (bone eminence) epicondylus, -i (m)
deferent, down-going deferens, (-ntis) epicranial (on the skull) epicranius, -a, -um
dentate, tooth-shaped dentatus, -a, -um epigastric (over the stomach) epigastricus, -a, -
dermatological (for skin conditions) um
dermatologicus, -a, -um erecting/extending muscle erector, -oris (m)
diabetic (due to diabetes) diabeticus, -a, -um esophageal (esophagus) esophageus, -ea, -eum
diaphragma; floor, partition wall m. diaphragma esophagus, gullet esophagus, -i (m)
, -matis (n) ethmoid, sieve-like ethmoidalis, -e
diaphragmatic (diaphragma) diaphragmaticus, - exfoliative, peeling-off exfoliativus, -a, -um
a, -um expectorant (causing sputum to get out by
diganosis diagnosis, -is (f) coughing) expectorans, (-ntis)
digestive digestivus, -a, -um explorative explorativus, -a, -um
digitate, having finger-like branches digitatus, - external externus, -a, -um
a, -um extracellular (outside the cell) extracellularis, -e
dilatation dilatatio, -onis (f) extraction, pulling out extractio, -onis (f)
dilating the bronchi bronchodilatator, -oris (m) eye oculus, -i (m)
disease morbus, -i (m) eyeball, bulb (b.oculi) bulbus, -i (m)
disinfecting urine urodesinficiens, (-ntis) eyebrow supercilium, -i (n)
diuretic (against excess water) diureticus, -a, -um eyelash, hair cilium, -i (n)
divided into many segments multifidus, -a, -um F
dividing wall septum, -i (n) fascia (fibrous sheet or band) fascia, -ae (f)
dorsal (back) dorsalis, -e fascicle, small bundle fasciculus, -i (m)
drier siccans, (-ntis) fatty, adipose adiposus, -a, -um
drug, medicine medicamentum, -i (n) femoral (thighbone) femoralis, -e
duct ductus, -us (m) femoropatellar (femur + patella)
duct, canal, vessel vas, vasis (n) femoropatellaris, -e
due to arteriosclerosis (arterial hardening) f(o)etus (postembryonic developing baby) fetus,
arterioscleroticus, -a, -um -i (m)/ fetus, -us (m)
due to cholemia (bile in the blood) cholemicus, - fever febris, -is (f)
a, -um fibrous fibrosus, -a, -um
due to medication medicamentosus, -a, -um fibrous tissue tumor fibromyoma, -matis (n)
duodenal (duodenum) duodenalis, -e filled with cavities cavernosus, -a, -um
duodenum (1st segment of the small intestine) finger digitus, -i (m)
duodenum, -i (n) fingerbone phalanx, -ngis (f)
E flaccid flaccidus, -a, -um
ear auris, -is (f) fleshy carneus, -a, -um
eardrum tympanum, -i (n) fluid accumulation oedema, -matis (n)
ectopic, abnormally positioned ectopicus, -a, - fluid-filled sac bursa, -ae (f)
um fold plica, -ae (f)
107
foot pes, pedis (m) hunchback, rearward curvature of the spine
forehead frons, -ntis (f) kyphosis, -is (f)
foreign alienus, -a, -um hyoid, U-shaped hyoideus , -a, -um
four-headed muscle quadriceps, -cipitis (m) hypoglossal (below tongue) hypoglossus, -a, -um
framework, intercellular network matrix, -icis (f) I
from, out of e(x)+abl iliac (ilium) iliacus, -a, -um
frontal (forehead) frontalis, -e iliocostal (ilium+rib) iliocostalis, -e
G iliofemoral (ilium+femur) iliofemoralis, -e
gap, opening hiatus, -us (m) ilium (on the pelvis) ilium, -i (n)
gastric (stomach) gastricus, -a, -um impression impressio, -onis (f)
gastroduodenal (stomach+duodenum) index(=pointing) finger index, -icis (m)
gastroduodenalis, -e infarction infarctus, -us (m)
gastrophrenic (stomach+diaphragma) infection infectio, -onis (f)
gastrophrenicus, -a, -um inferior, lower inferior, -ius
genioglossal (chin + tongue) genioglossus, -a, - infiltration infiltratio, -onis (f)
um inflammation inflammatio, -onis (f)
girdle (encircling structure) cingulum, -i (n) infraorbital (below orbit) infraorbitalis, -e
glabella, “hairless area” – between eyebrows infrapatellar (below patella) infrapatellaris, -e
glabella, -ae (f) infraspinate (below the scapular spine)
gland glandula, -ae (f) infraspinatus, -a, -um
glandlike body glans, -ndis (f) infrasternal (below sternum) infrasternalis, -e
glossopharyngeal (tongue+pharynx) infusion infusio, -onis (f); infusum, -i (n)
glossopharyngeus, -a, -um inner (little-finger-side) forearm bone ulna, -ae
glottis (vocal app. of larynx) glottis, -idis (f) (f)
goose-like (~goose footed) anserinus, -a, -um inside, within in +abl
groove sulcus, -i (m) interclavicular (between clavicles)
gynecological (women’s disease) gynecologicus, interclavicularis, -e
-a, -um intercostal (between ribs) intercostalis, -e
H interlobar (between lobes) interlobaris, -e
hair(-like projection) fimbrium, -i (n) intermaxillary (between maxillae) intermaxillaris,
ham/back of knee, popliteal popliteus, -a, -um -e
hand manus, -us (f) internal internus, -a, -um
handle-like structure manubrium, -i (n) interosseous (between bones) interosseus, -a, -
hard, indurated, scirrhous scirrhosus, -a, -um um
hardening sclerosis, -is (f) interposed intermedius, -a, -um
having a cavity cavus, -a, -um interspinal (between spinous processes)
head caput, -itis (n) interspinalis, -e
heart cor, cordis (n) intertransverse (between transverse processes)
heart muscle myocardium, -i (n) intertransversarius, -a, -um
heel bone calcaneus, -i (m) interventricular (between ventricles)
hemisphere hemispherium, -i (n) interventricularis, -e
hepatic (liver) hepaticus, -a, -um intervertebral (between vertebrae)
hepatorenal (liver+kidney) hepatorenalis, -e intervertebralis, -e
hipbone pelvis, -is (f) intestine intestinum, -i (n)
hole foramen, -minis (n) into intra+acc
hollow area fossa, -ae (f) intoxication, poisoning intoxicatio, -onis (f)
hollow back (anteriorly convex spine) lordosis, -is intracranial (inside skull) intracranialis, -e
(f) intraoccipital (inside occiput) intraoccipitalis, -e
hooklike process uncus, -i (m) intraoperative (during operation)
horn cornu, -us (n) intraoperativus, -a, -um
horse-like, relating to a horse equinus, -a, -um iris (of the eye) iris, -idis (f)
humeral (upper arm bone) humeralis, -e ischial, sciatic ischiadicus, -a, -um
humeroradial (humerus+radius) humeroradialis, ischium (“sitting bone”) ischium, -i (n)
-e
108
J median partition mediastinum, -i (n)
joint with cartilaginous links synchondrosis, -is (f) medullary (medulla) medullaris, -e
joint with ligamentous links syndesmosis, -is (f) membrane membrana, -ae (f)
joint, articulation articulatio, -onis (f) meningeal (meninx) meningeus, -a, -um
jug-like arytenoideus, -a, -um mental (chin) mentalis, -e
juxtacolic (next to colon) juxtacolicus, -a, -um metacarpal (metacarpus) metacarpalis, -e
K metacarpophalangeal (metacarpus+phalanx)
kidney ren, renis (m) metacarpophalangeus, -a, -um
knee; flexed-knee-like structure genu, -us (n) metacarpus (between wrist & fingers)
kneecap patella, -ae (f) metacarpus, -i (m)
L metastasis (transfer of disease from one body
ladder-like structure scala, -ae (f) part to another) metastasis, -is (f)
lambdoid, L(lambda)-shaped lambdoideus, -a, - middle, the middle one medius, -a, -um
um small(er), lesser minor, minus
large, big magnus, -a, -um mixture mixtura, -ae (f)
laryngeal (larynx) laryngeus, -ea, -eum mouth; orifice, opening os, oris (n)
lateral, farther from the midline lateralis, -e mouth-like opening, orifice ostium, -i (n)
laughing (used for laughing) risorius, -a, -um moving closer (muscle) adductor, -oris (m)
laxative (promoting diarrhea) laxativus, -a, -um moving farther/away (muscle) abductor, -oris (m)
layer stratum, -i (n) mucocutaneous (mucous membrane + skin)
left sinister, sinistra, sinistrum mucocutaneus, -a, -um
leg, leglike structure, shaft crus, cruris (n) mucolytic (dissolving mucus) mucolyticus, -a, -
life vita, -ae (f) um
ligament ligamentum, -i (n) mucous mucosus, -a, -um
line linea, -ae (f) mucous fold frenulum, -i (n)
line through the center of a body; axis, C2 multicellular animal metazoon, -i (n)
vertebra axis, -is (f) multiple, manifold multiplex, (-plicis)
lip labium, -i (n) muscle musculus, -i (m)
liver hepar, -atis (n) N
lobar (lobe) lobaris, -e nail unguis, -is (m)
lobe lobus, -i (m) nape, back of the neck nucha, -ae (f)
local anaemia isch(a)emia, -ae (f) nasal (nose) nasalis, -e
loin, lumbar part lumbus, -i (m) nasal drop nasogutta, -ae (f)
long longus, -a, -um nasopharyngeal (nose+pharynx)
longest longissimus, -a, -um nasopharyngeus, -a, -um
lung pulmo, -onis (m) navel, belly button umbilicus, -i (m)
lung covering pleura, -ae (f) neck collum, -i (n)
lung infection pneumonia, -ae (f) neck, neck of uterus cervix, -icis (f)
lymphatic lymphaticus, -a, -um neighbourhood vicinitas, -atis (f)
larger, big(ger) maior, maius nerve nervus, -i m
M nerve cell aggregation ganglion, -i (n)
malignant malignus, -a, -um nerve cell body perikaryon, -i (n)
malignant tumor carcinoma, -atis (n) network (plur: reta/retia) rete, -is (n)
malleolar (malleolus) malleolaris, -e network (vessels/nerves) plexus, -us (m)
mandible (jaw, lower jaw bone) mandibula, -ae newborn neonatus, -i (m)
(f) node nodus, -i (m)
mandibular (mandible) mandibularis,-e nodular nodosus, -a, -um
marrow medulla, -ae (f) nose nasus, -i (m)
mastoid, breast-shaped mastoideus, -a, -um O
maxillary (maxilla) maxillaris, -e oblique, [slanting, sloping] obliquus, -a, -um
measles (plural only) morbilli, -orum (m) obstruction, clogging obstructio, -onis (f)
medial, toward the midline medialis, -e occipital (occiput) occipitalis, -e
median, in the midline medianus, -a, -um occipitofrontal (occiput+forehead)
mediastinal (mediastinum) mediastinalis, -e occipitofrontalis, -e
109
occiput, back of head occiput, -itis (n) phalangeal (phalanx) phalangeus, -a, -um
occludent, “closing up” (~tight junctions) pharyngeal (pharynx) pharyngeus, -a, -um
occludens, (-ntis) pharynx, throat pharynx, -ngis (m)
of both utriusque phrenic (diaphragma) phrenicus, -a, -um
ointment unguentum, -i (n) pill pilula, -ae (f)
omentum (fold of peritoneum) omentum, -i (n) pit for vessels to exit/enter hilum, -i (n)
opening, gap hiatus, -us (m) (sometimes: hilus, -i (m))
operation, surgery operatio, -onis (f) placenta placenta, -ae (f)
ophthalmic (eye) ophthalmicus, -a, -um plantar (sole) plantaris, -e
opposing muscle opponens, -ntis (m) plate lamina, -ae (f)
orbicular, circular orbicularis, -e poisonous, toxic toxicus, -a, -um
orbit (eyeball cavity) orbita, -ae (f) popliteal (ham/back of knee) popliteus, -a, -um
orbital (orbit) orbitalis, -e posterior, dorsal posterior, -ius
orifice, opening; mouth os, oris (n) powder pulvis, -eris (m)
orthostatic, by standing up orthostaticus, -a, -um principal, main principalis, -e
osteogenic (of bony origin) osteogenicus, -a, -um process processus, -us (m)
otologic (for ear conditions) otologicus, -a, -um prominent (vertebraC7/C6/T1) prominens, (-ntis)
outer layer, bark cortex, -icis (m) protuberance tuber, -eris (n)
outer (thumb-side) forearm bone radius, -i (m) pterygoid, wing-shaped pterygoideus, -a, -um
outgrowth, appendage appendix, -icis (f) pubic bone pubis, -is (f)
oval ovalis, -e puboperineal (pubis+perineum) puboperinealis, -
ovarian (ovary) ovaricus, -a, -um e
ovary ovarium, -i (n) puborectal (pubis+rectum) puborectalis, -e
overgrowth (increase in number of cells) pulmonary (lung) pulmonalis, -e
hyperplasia, -ae (f) purulent, containing pus purulens, (-ntis) /
overgrowth (increase in size) hypertrophia, -ae purulentus, -a, -um
(f) pushing down (muscle) depressor, -oris (m)
own, ground proprius, -a, -um pyramidal pyramidalis, -e
oxygen deficiency hypoxia, -ae (f) R
P radial (radius) radialis, -e
painkiller, analgesic analgeticus, -a, -um radiate radiatus, -a, -um
palate palatum, -i (n) radioulnaris (radius + ulna) radioulnaris, -e
palatine (palate) palatinus, -a, -um recent recens, (-ntis)
palatoglossal (palate+tongue) palatoglossus, -a, recess (a small hollow or indentation, an empty
-um space or cavity) recessus, -us (m)
palatopharyngeal (palate+pharynx) rectal (rectum) rectalis, -e
palatopharyngeus, -a, -um rectum rectum, -i (n)
pancreas pancreas, -atis (f) redness of skin erythema, -matis (n)
papilloma(epithelial tumor) papilloma, -matis (n) region regio, -onis (f)
paranasal (next to nose) paranasalis, -e renal (kidney) renalis, -e
pararectal (next to rectum) pararectalis, -e respitatory, breathing respiratorius, -a, -um
parietal (wall) parietalis, -e retina (eye) retina, -ae (f)
part pars, partis (f) retropharyngeal (behind pharynx)
passage to a body surface meatus, -us (m) retropharyngeus, -a, -um
patellar (kneecap) patellaris, -e rhinologic (for nose conditions) rhinologicus, -a, -
piriform, pear-shaped piriformis, -e um
pisiform, pea-shaped pisiformis, -e rib costa, -ae (f)
pectoral (breast, chest) pectoralis, -e ridge, wrinkle, fold ruga, -ae (f)
pelvic (pelvis) pelvicus, -a, -um right dexter, dextra, dextrum
penis penis, -is (m) ring(like structure) annulus, -i (m)
perforated perforatus, -a, -um root radix, -icis (f)
perineal (perineum) perniealis, -e rounded teres, -etis
periprostatic (around the prostate) rupture ruptura, -ae (f)
periprostaticus, -a, -um S
110
sacral (sacrum) sacralis, -e state status, -us (m)
sacroiliac (sacrum + ilium) sacroiliacus, -a, -um sternal (breastbone) sternalis, -e
sacrum, triangular backbone sacrum, -i (n) sternoclavicular (sternum+clavicle)
saffron-yellow luteus, -a, -um sternoclavicularis, -e
saliva saliva, -ae (f) stomach gaster, -tris (f)
salivary (saliva) salivarius, -a, -um stony, full of stones calculosus, -a, -um
sandy (~brain sand) arenaceus, -a, -um straight rectus, -a, -um
scaphoid, boat-like scaphoideus, -a, -um straightening muscle extensor, -oris (m)
scapular (scapula) scapularis, -e strap-like splenius, -a, -um
sciatic, ischial ischiadicus, -a, -um strengthening, roborant roborans, (-ntis)
scrotum (testicle sac) scrotum, -i (n) stretched procerus, -a, -um
second (2.) secundus, -a, -um styloglossal (styloid process+tongue)
semilunar, half-moon-shaped semilunaris, -e styloglossus, -a, -um
semispinal (half-attached to spinous process) stylomandibular (styloid process+mandible)
semispinalis, -e stylomandibularis, -e
sensory nerve bundle lemniscus, -i (m) subarachnoid (below arachnoid)
serrated, saw-like serratus, -a, -um subarachnoideus, -a, -um
sesamoid, sesame seed-shaped sesamoideus, -a, subclavian (below clavicle) subclavius, -a, -um
-um subhepatic (below liver) subhepaticus, -a, -um
shell-shaped structure concha, -ae (f) subscapular (below scapula) subscapularis, -e
shinbone tibia, -ae (f) superficial superficialis, -e
short brevis, -e superior, upper superior, -ius
short-sightedness myopia, -ae (f) support(ing structure) sustentaculum, -i (n)
shoulder blade scapula, -ae (f) suppository (plug of medication) suppositorium,
side latus, -eris (n) -i (n)
sigmoid, S(sigma)-shaped sigmoideus, -a, -um supraclavicular (above clavicle) supraclavicularis,
simple simplex, (-plicis) -e
skin cutis, -is (f) supraepicondylar (above epicondyle)
skull (bone) cranium, -i (n) supraepicondylaris, -e
slender gracilis, -e suprarenal (above kidney) suprarenalis, -e
small fluid-filled sac bursa, -ae (f) supraventricular (above ventricle)
small mucous fold frenulum, -i (n) supraventricularis, -e
small network (a protoplasmic network in cells) surface facies, -ei (f)
reticulum, -i (n) suspension (dispersed solid in liquid) suspensio, -
small pit, depression fovea, -ae (f) onis (f)
small projection villus, -i (m) suture sutura, -ae (f)
small zone zonula, -ae (f) synovial (~fluid) synovialis, -e
smallest minimus, -a, -um syrup sirupus, -i (m)
soap sapo, -onis (m) T
sole planta, -ae (f) tablet, pill tabletta, -ae (f)
soleal, related to the sole soleus, -a, -um tail cauda, -ae (f)
solution (homogenous mixture) solutio, -onis (f) tailor (crossed-leg-like) sartorius, -a, -um
space spatium, -i (n) talar (talus) talaris, -e
space between 2 teeth diastema, -matis (n) talcum powder sparsorium, -i (n)
sphenoid, wedge-shaped sphenoidalis, -e tea/herb mixture species, -ei (f)
spinal (spine; vertebral column) spinalis, -e temple tempus, -oris (n)
spine; vertebral column spina, -ae (f) temporal (temple) temporalis, -e
spinotransversal (spinous+transverse processes) temporoparietal (temple+parietal bone)
spinotransversalis, -e temporoparietalis, -e
spirit (alcoholic solution) spiritus, -us (m) temporozygomatic (temple + zygoma/tic bone)
spleen lien, -enis (m) temporozygomaticus, -a, -um
sponge-like spongiosus, -a, -um tendinous (tendon) tendineus, -a, -um
square-shaped quadratus, -a, -um tendon tendo, -inis (f)
stapedial, (stapes/in ear) stapedius, -a, -um tensing muscle tensor, -oris (m)
111
terminal terminalis, -e ulnocarpal (ulna+carpus) ulnocarpalis, -e
territory territorium, -i (n) uniting joint symphysis, -is (f)
testicle testis, -is (m) universal universalis, -e
thighbone femur, -oris (n) upper arm bone humerus, -i (m)
thin plate (bone layer) lamella, -ae (f) upper arm; arm-like structure brachium, -i (n)
thin, narrow groove/channel stria,-ae (f) upper jaw bone maxilla, -ae (f)
thoracic (chest) thoracicus, -a, -um ureter (urinary duct) ureter, -teris (m)
thread filum, -i (n) urinary urinarius, -a, -um
threadlike organelle mitochondrion, -i (n) uterine (uterus) uterinus, -a, -um
three-cornered triquetrus, -a, -um V
three-headed muscle triceps, -cipitis (m) valve valvula, -ae (f)
threshold, ridge limen, -minis (n) vasodilator (dilating vessels) vasodilatator, -oris
thrice (3 times) ter (m)
throat (in plural) faux, faucis (f) vein vena, -ae (f)
through per+acc / trans+acc ventricle; stomach ventriculus, -i (m)
thumb pollex, -icis (m) ventricular (ventricle) ventricularis, -e
thyroid (shield-like) thyroideus, -a, -um backbone vertebra, -ae (f)
tincture (hidro/alcoholic solution of herbal vertebral (vertebra) vertebralis, -e
drugs) tinctura, -ae (f) vertebromediastinal (vertebra+mediastinum)
tip, pointed end apex, -icis (m) vertebromediastinalis, -e
tissue tela, -ae (f) vessels (plur.only) vasa, -orum (n)
tissue framework of an organ [bed covering] vestibule, entrance vestibulum, -i (n)
stroma, -atis (n) voice box larynx, -ngis (m)
tongue lingua, -ae (f) W
tooth socket; air sac alveolus, -i (m) wall paries, -etis (m)
tooth(-like process) dens, -ntis (m) water aqua, -ae (f)
toxic, poisonous toxicus, -a, -um wedge-shaped cuneatus, -a, -um / cuneiformis, -e
trabecular (beam) trabecularis, -e white albicans, (-ntis)
trachea, windpipe trachea, -ae (f) wide, broad latus, -a, -um
tracheal (trachea) trachealis, -e widest, broadest latissimus, -a, -um
transverse (process) transversarius, -a, -um wing(-like process) ala, -ae (f)
transverse [crosswise] transversus, -a, -um with cum+abl
trapezium-shaped trapezius, -a, -um with mucus flow catarrhalis, -e
traumatic (by accident) traumaticus, -a, -um without sine+abl
tree(-like structure) arbor, -oris (m) without villi laevis, -e
tribasilar (having 3 bases) tribasilaris, -e womb uterus, -i (m)
tubercle (small protuberance) tuberculum, -i (n) worm-shaped lumbricalis, -e
tumor, swelling tumor, -oris (m) wound vulnus, -eris (n)
tumorous tumorosus, -a, -um wrinkling muscle corrugator, -oris (m)
turning the palm down (muscle) pronator, -oris X
(m) xiphoid, sword-shaped xiphoideus, -a, -um
turning the palm up (muscle) supinator, -oris (m) Y
twice bis yellow flavus, -a, -um
twin gemellus, -a, -um yellowness of skin icterus, -i (m)
two-headed muscle biceps, -cipitis (m) Z
U zygomatic (zygoma/tic bone) zygomaticus, -a, -
ulcerative ulcerosus, -a, -um um
ulnar (ulna) ulnaris, -e
112
GREEK COMBINING FORMS
GREEK-ENGLISH
ROOTS
aden(o)- gland, node geront(o)- old
all(o)- different geus(o) taste
andr(o)- man glauc(o)- greyish blue
angi(o)- duct, vessel gloss(o)-, tongue
anthrop(o) human glott(o)-
arche(o)- ancient glyco- sugar, sweet
arthr(o)- joint gynaec(o)- woman
aut(o)- self haem/at/(o)- blood
brady- slow hemi- half
cac(o)- bad hepat(o)- liver
carcin(o)- cancer heter(o)- other
cardi(o)- heart hi/ydr(o)- water, sweat
cephal(o)- head hist(o)- tissue
ch(e)ir(o)- hand hol(o)- whole
cheil(o)- lip hom(o)- same, similar
chlor(o)- green hypn(o)- dream
chol(e)- bile, gall- hyster(o)- womb
cholecyst(o)- gallbladder iatr(o)- physician
chondr(o)- cartilage is(o)- same, equal
cleid(o)- clavicle kin(o) movement
col/on/(o)- colon, large intestine koni(o)- dust
colp(o)- vagina lapar(o)- abdomen
copr(o)- stool laryng(o)- larynx
cry(o)- cold leuc(o)- white
cyan/e/(o)- blue lip(o)- fat
cycl(o)- circle, ciliary body lith(o)- stone
cyst(o)- bladder lymph(o)- lymph(atic)
cyt(o)- cell macr(o)- big, large
dacry(o)- tear mast(o) breast
dactyl(o)- finger mega- big, large
derm/at/(o)- skin melan(o)- black
desm(o)- ligament metr(o) womb
di- two, twice micr(o)- small
diplo- double morph(o)- form
disc(o)- disc my(o)- muscle
encephal(o)- encephalon myc(o)- fungus
enter(o)- (small) intestine myel(o)- bone marrow
erythr(o)- red myx(o)- mucus
esophag(o)- esophagus, gullet ne(o)- new
esth- sense nephr(o)- kidney
galact(o)- milk neur(o)- nerve
gastr(o)- stomach odont(o)- tooth
113
oligo- little, few, scanty rhin(o)- nose
om(o)- shoulder rhode(o)- rose, pink
omphal(o)- belly button salping(o)- uterine tube, oviduct
onc(o)- tumor sarc(o)- flesh
onych(o)- nail scaph(o)- boat(-like)
oophor(o)- ovary scirrh(o)- hard
ophthalm(o)- eye scler(o)- hard
orchi/d/(o)- testis si/yal(o)- saliva
orth(o)- straight somat(o)- body
oste(o)- bone splanchn(o)- viscera
ot(o)- ear splen(o)- spleen
oxy(o)- pointed, conic, acute spondyl(o)- vertebra
paed(o)- child steat(o)- fat
pale(o)- ancient, prehistoric sten(o)- narrow
pan-, pant(o)- whole stere(o)- hard
pancreat(o)- pancreas steth(o)- chest
path(o)- disease stoma/t(o)/ mouth, opening
pharyng(o)- pharynx, throat tachy- fast
phleb(o)- vein tetra- four (times)
phot(o)- light therm(o)- heat
pneum/on/(o)- lung; air thorac(o) chest
pod(o)- foot thromb(o)- blood clot
poli(o)- grey top(o)- place
poly- lot, more tox(o)- poison
proct(o)- rectum traumat(o)- trauma
pseudo- false trich(o)- hair
psych(o)- soul, mind ur/in/(o)- urine, urination
ptyal(o)- saliva ureter(o)- ureter
py(o)- pus urethr(o)- urethra
pyel(o)- pelvis urocyst(o)- urinary bladder
pyret(o)- fever xen(o)- stranger
SUFFIXES
-algia pain -graphia graphic recording
-aemia blood condition -ismus state, condition
-cele hernia -itis inflammation
-centesis puncturing to drain -logia science
-cid killer -lith stone
-cyta cell -lithiasis presence of stone(s)
-dynia pain -lysis dissolution
-ectasia dilation -malacia softening
-ectomia surgical removal -mania mania
-ectopia abnormal position -megalia enlargement
-emesis vomiting -oma swelling, tumor
-genic 1. -origanated; 2. causing- -opia vision
-gramm(a) graphic record degenerative, non-
-osis
-graph graphic recording device inflammatory condition
114
-paresis mild, incomplete paralysis -rrhagia excessive bleeding

-patha patient -rrhexis rupture
-pathia disease -rrhoea discharge
-penia deficiency -sclerosis hardening
-phage eater, destroyer -scope tool for visual exam
-phil having an attraction to sg -scopia visual examination
-phobia abnormal fear -stenosis narrowing
-plasia formation surgical creating of an
-stomia
-plegia paralysis opening
-pnea breathing -tomia surgical incision
-poiesis formation -trophia growth
-ptosis prolapse -uria urination
PREFIXES
a- /an- without eu- good
amph(i)- around ex-/ ec- out of
an(a)- again exo- outer
ant(i)- against hyp(o)- low, below
ap(o)- away hyper- high, above
cat(a)- down(wards) meso- middle
di(a)- through met(a)- beyond, over
dys- abnormal, painful par(a)- next to; abnormal
ecto- out(side) peri- around
en-/em- in(side) pro- before
endo- in(side) syn-/sym- together
ep(i)- on
LATIN PREFIXES (anatomy)

a/ab- away ob- against, opposite to
ad- close to, next to per- through
ante- before, in front of prae- before
circum- around praeter- next to
con-/com- together pro- instead of
contra- against re- back, again
de- out of, lack of retro- behind
dis- away from each other semi- half
e-/ex- out of, outside sub- below
extra- out(side) super- above
in-/im- non-, lack of; into trans- through, over
infra- below
ultra- beyond
inter- between
intra in(side)
intro- into
iuxta- next to
115
GREEK COMBINING FORMS

ENGLISH-GREEK
(small) intestine enter(o)- clavicle cleid(o)-

1. -origanated; 2. -genic cold cry(o)-
causing- colon, large intestine col/on/(o)-
abdomen lapar(o)- deficiency -penia
abnormal fear -phobia degenerative, non- -osis
abnormal position -ectopia inflammatory condition
abnormal, painful dys- different all(o)-
again an(a)- dilation -ectasia
against ant(i)- disc disc(o)-
ancient arche(o)- discharge -rrhoea
ancient, prehistoric pale(o)- disease path(o)-
around amph(i)- disease -pathia
around peri- dissolution -lysis
away ap(o)- double diplo-
bad cac(o)- down(wards) cat(a)-
before pro- dream hypn(o)-
belly button omphal(o)- duct, vessel angi(o)-
beyond, over met(a)- dust koni(o)-
big, large macr(o)- ear ot(o)-
big, large mega- eater, destroyer -phage
bile, gall- chol(e)- encephalon encephal(o)-
black melan(o)- enlargement -megalia
bladder cyst(o)- esophagus, gullet esophag(o)-
blood haem/at/(o)- excessive bleeding -rrhagia
blood clot thromb(o)- eye ophthalm(o)-
blood condition -aemia false pseudo-
blue cyan/e/(o)- fast tachy-
boat(-like) scaph(o)- fat lip(o)-
body somat(o)- fat steat(o)-
bone oste(o)- fever pyret(o)-
bone marrow myel(o)- finger dactyl(o)-
breast mast(o) flesh sarc(o)-
breathing -pnea foot pod(o)-
cancer carcin(o)- form morph(o)-
cartilage chondr(o)- formation -plasia
cell cyt(o)- formation -poiesis
cell -cyta four (times) tetra-
chest steth(o)- fungus myc(o)-
chest thorac(o) gallbladder cholecyst(o)-
child paed(o)- gland, node aden(o)-
circle, ciliary body cycl(o)- good eu-
116
graphic record -gramm(a) mouth, opening stoma/t(o)/

graphic recording -graphia movement kin(o)
graphic recording -graph mucus myx(o)-
device muscle my(o)-
green chlor(o)- nail onych(o)-
grey poli(o)- narrow sten(o)-
greyish blue glauc(o)- narrowing -stenosis
growth -trophia nerve neur(o)-
hair trich(o)- new ne(o)-
half hemi- next to; abnormal par(a)-
hand ch(e)ir(o)- nose rhin(o)-
hard scirrh(o)- old geront(o)-
hard scler(o)- on ep(i)-
hard stere(o)- other heter(o)-
hardening -sclerosis out of ex-/ ec-
having an attraction to -phil out(side) ecto-
sg outer exo-
head cephal(o)- ovary oophor(o)-
heart cardi(o)- pain -algia
heat therm(o)- pain -dynia
hernia -cele pancreas pancreat(o)-
high, above hyper- paralysis -plegia
human anthrop(o) patient -patha
in(side) en-/em- pelvis pyel(o)-
in(side) endo- pharynx, throat pharyng(o)-
inflammation -itis physician iatr(o)-
joint arthr(o)- place top(o)-
kidney nephr(o)- pointed, conic, acute oxy(o)-
killer -cid poison tox(o)-
larynx laryng(o)- presence of stone(s) -lithiasis
ligament desm(o)- prolapse -ptosis
light phot(o)- puncturing to drain -centesis
lip cheil(o)- pus py(o)-
little, few, scanty oligo- rectum proct(o)-
liver hepat(o)- red erythr(o)-
lot, more poly- rose, pink rhode(o)-
low, below hyp(o)- rupture -rrhexis
lung; air pneum/on/(o)- saliva ptyal(o)-
lymph(atic) lymph(o)- saliva si/yal(o)-
man andr(o)- same, equal is(o)-
mania -mania same, similar hom(o)-
middle meso- science -logia
mild, incomplete -paresis self aut(o)-
paralysis sense esth-
milk galact(o)- shoulder om(o)-
117
skin derm/at/(o)- tool for visual exam -scope

slow brady- tooth odont(o)-
small micr(o)- trauma traumat(o)-
softening -malacia tumor onc(o)-
soul, mind psych(o)- two, twice di-
spleen splen(o)- ureter ureter(o)-
state, condition -ismus urethra urethr(o)-
stomach gastr(o)- urinary bladder urocyst(o)-
stone lith(o)- urination -uria
stone -lith urine, urination ur/in/(o)-
stool copr(o)- uterine tube, oviduct salping(o)-
straight orth(o)- vagina colp(o)-
stranger xen(o)- vein phleb(o)-
sugar, sweet glyco- vertebra spondyl(o)-
surgical creating of an -stomia viscera splanchn(o)-
opening vision -opia
surgical incision -tomia visual examination -scopia
surgical removal -ectomia vomiting -emesis
swelling, tumor -oma water, sweat hi/ydr(o)-
taste geus(o) white leuc(o)-
tear dacry(o)- whole hol(o)-
testis orchi/d/(o)- whole pan-, pant(o)-
through di(a)- without a- /an-
tissue hist(o)- woman gynaec(o)-
together syn-/sym- womb hyster(o)-
tongue gloss(o)-, glott(o)- womb metr(o)
118
Sources
BAKO, Alexandra & SOMODI, Brigitta. Egészségügyi terminológia. Semmelweis Egyetem
Egészségtudományi Kar, Budapest, 2015.
BATHORY Orsolya – SOMODI Brigitta. Bevezetés az egészségügyi terminológiába. Semmelweis
Egyetem Egészségtudományi Kar, Budapest, 2013.
BELAK Erzsébet. Medical Latin. Semmelweis Kiadó, Budapest, 2005.
FRITSCH, Helga and KUEHNEL, Wolfgang. Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 2. Internal
Organs. 5th Edition. Thieme, 2008.
KAHLE, Werner and FROTSCHER, Michael. Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 3. Nervous
System and Sensory Organs. 6th Edition. Thieme, 2010.
PLATZER, Werner. Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 1. Locomotor System. 6th Edition.
Thieme, 2009.
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
119
DECLENSION TABLES
Declensions of nouns – nominative & genitive cases
I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing. Nom. -a -us -um/on (…) (…) -us -u -es
*dens – dentium, pars – partium, os – ossium
Declension of adjectives – nominative & genitive cases
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
Gen.
Plur.
Nom.
Plur.
Gen.
I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
Acc.
Plur.
Acc.
I. II. III. IV. V.
f m n mf n m n f
Sing.
Nom.
Sing.
-o -a -o -iore -i -nti/-plici/
Abl.
Plur.
Abl.
120

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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Written by Alexandra Bakó

Cardiovascular Digestive/Gastrointestinal (and urinary)

As you could see, there are 3 groups of Latin medical terms:

calcaneus 1) skull (bone)

ulna radius ischium axis acromion

“sitting bone” on the pelvis: ……………………………………………..

CHANGING THE ENDING (to an –e)

Vocab tip 1 – Etymological notes

Vocab tip 2 – Use drawings

term+drawing etymology meaning

fossa terra fossa – dug earth hollow, depressed area

impressio in + pressio – a pushed in part, a mark impression

Vocab tip 3 – Use your anatomical knowledge

Vocab tip 4 – Group similar concepts and learn their differences

ala wing(-like process) specificly shaped processes/projections

Vocab tip 5 – Read up on it. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)

Vocab tip 7 – Recall the meaning after learning a group of terms.

Vocab tip 8 – Check if the term is in your active vocabulary

bursa small fluid-filled sac

Vocab tip 9 – Revise-revise-revise

glandula mitochondrion sinus

What does a Latin dictionary form look like?

nominative case genitive (ending) gender

translation: translation: there are 3 genders:

I. II. III. IV. V.

-AE -I -IS -US -EI

tricky ending typical dictionary form declension samples

os, ossis (n) bone

air sac; tooth socket duct, canal, vessel

acervulus cervix dorsum limen sternum

male female neutral

I. II. III. IV. V.

abdomen, belly backbone

carpus, wrist line

tendon tooth(-like process)

genitive (ending) gender

(bone) marrow ilium

abdomen fetus os (bone)

Let’s examine those words above in detail:

-a -a, -ae (f) / -ma, -matis (n)

axis kyphosis testis

REVISION FOR MIDTERM 1

basic adjective comparative superlative

serra splenium pirum luna

Latin adjective Anatomical name Explanation of the anatomical name

……………………………….. ……………………………….. ………………………………..

digitatus having finger-like branches

frondosus bearing leaflike projections

laevis without villi

accessory ………………………………….. -al* -alis

tribasilar (having 3 bases) …………………………………..

Latin adjective English meaning meaning of the PREFIX

Latin adjective English meaning Aid in memorizing the word

As you could see, there are typical adjectival endings in Latin.

Here are the possible dictionary forms of Latin adjectives.

PLURAL FORM OF LATIN ADJECTIVES

dentate, tooth-shaped Sing.

thoracic duct duct in the _____________________________

adjectival phrase root noun (Latin dictionary form)

ROOT + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root-ending)

root-ending English Latin

ROOT 1 + O + ROOT 2 + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root2-ending)

PREFIX + ROOT + ADJECTIVAL ENDING (based on the root-ending)