| A | B |
|---|
| Descriptive term | terms that are used to describe something medically. |
| Abbreviation | shortened form of a word or phrase. |
| Acronym | word formed with first letters of words in a phrase. |
| Prefix | beginning of a word. |
| Root | beginning of a word. |
| Suffix | at the end of the word. |
| Anatomical position | specific body position used as a reference point for other body structures. |
| Combining form | adding “o” to end of certain medical terms. |
| Superior | the top. |
| Inferior | the bottom. |
| Cephalic | towards the head. |
| Caudal | toward the tail. |
| Anterior | the front. |
| Posterior | the back. |
| Ventral | the belly. |
| Dorsal | towards the back. |
| Medial | towards the midline |
| Lateral | on the side. |
| Median | on the midline. |
| Superficial | close to surface. |
| Deep | closer to center of body. |
| Proximal | closer. |
| Distal | farther away. |
| Plane | line that passes through the body. |
| Section | cut made along certain plane. |
| Sagittal plane | line front to back. |
| Median plane | passes through midline of body. |
| Coronal plane | passes vertically threw body side-to-side |
| Frontal plane | another name for coronal plane. |
| Transverse plane | – passes through body horizontally. |
| Horizontal plane | another name for transverse plane. |
| Sagittal section | cuts through head and/or trunk. |
| Longitudinal section | cut along the long axis. |
| Cross section | cut across the long axis. |
| Transverse section | another name for a cross section. |
| Oblique section | cut along any other angle. |
| Leukocyte | a white blood cell. |
| Endocarditis | inflammation of the lining of the heart. |
| Subclavian artery | an artery located under the clavicle. |
| Antecubital | the area in front of the elbow. |
| Adipocyte | a fat cell. |
| Mammography | an imaging technique used to assess the breasts. |
| Mammogram | an image of the breast. |
| Hysterectomy | surgical removal of the uterus. |
| Hepatomegaly | an enlarged liver. |
| Quadriplegia | paralysis of all 4 limbs. |
