Download Basic Root Words by Body System

Basic Root Words by Body System
Root Words by Body Systems
Includes Organs, Specialities and Specialists
Integumentary system (Organs: skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands)
Specialty: Dermatology
Specialist: Dermatologist
dermo, dermato = skin
muco = mucous membrane
Musculoskeletal system (Muscular system organs: muscles, tendons, ligaments; Skeletal
system organs: bones, joints)
Specialty: Physiatry
Specialist: Physiatrist
myo = muscle
osteo = bone
chondro = cartilage
cranio = skull
ilio = hipbone, illium
Respiratory system (Organs: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs)
Specialty: Pulmonary medicine
Specialist: Pulmonary specialist
aero = air
naso, rhino = nose
pharyngo = throat
tracheo = windpipe
thoraco = bronchus
pneumo = lung
Circulatory system (Organs: heart, blood, arteries, veins, capillaries, spleen, lymph
nodes, lymph vessels)
Specialty: Cardiology, Vascular Medicine
Specialist: Cardiologist, Cardiac surgeon, Vascular surgeon
hema, hemato, hemo = blood
vaso = blood vessel
arterio = artery
phlebo = vein
lympho = lymphatic system
erythro = red
leuko = white
cyano = blue
Digestive System also known as Gastrointestinal system (Organs: mouth, teeth,
tongue, esophagus, salivary glands, stomach, duodenum, intestines, liver, gallbladder,
ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, rectum, anus, appendix)
Specialty: Gastroenterology
Specialist: Gastroenterologist
stomat/o = mouth
denti = teeth
glosso = tongue
esophago = esophagus, food pipe
gastro = stomach
entero = small intestine
hepa, hepato = liver
cholecysto = gallbladder
chole = bile, gall
lipo = fat
colo = large intestine
append = appendix
procto = rectum
ano = anus
laparo = abdomen
**Note** Do not confuse stomat/o with stoma, which means opening.
Nervous system (Organs: brain, spinal cord, nerves)
Specialty: Neurology
Specialist: Neurologist, Neurosurgeon
encephalo = brain
myelo = spinal cord
neuro = nerve
oculo, ophthalmo = eye
oto = ear
Endocrine system (Organs: thyroid and parathyroid glands, pineal gland, adrenal glands,
testes, ovaries, thymus, pancreas, pituitary gland)
Specialty: Endocrinology
Specialist: Endocrinologist
adeno = gland
thyro = thyroid
glyco, gluco = sugar
Urinary system also known as Excretory System (Organs: kidneys, ureters, bladder,
urethra)
Specialty: Urology
Specialist: Urologist
nephro, renal = kidney
pyelo = kidney pelvis
hydro = water
uro = urine
uretero = ureter
cysto = urinary bladder
Reproductive system (Organs: Male = testes, scrotum, penis, prostate glands; Female =
ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, breasts)
Specialty: Obstetrics, Gynecology
Specialist: Obstetrician, Gynecologist
andro = man
gyne = woman
orchi, orchido = testicles
oophor = ovary
hyster, metro = uterus, womb
salpingo = oviduct
colpo = vagina
mast = breasts
prostato = prostate
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