BIO Word Roots Davis

absence or lack; acardia, lack of a heart, anaerobic, in the absence of oxygen

departing from, away from; abnormal, departing from normal

hearing; acoustics, the science of sound

extreme or extremity, peak; acrodermatitis, inflammation of the skin of the extremities

to or toward; adorbital, toward the orbit

gland; adeniform, resembling a gland in shape

toward the kidney; adrenal gland, adjacent to the kidney

air; aerobic respiration, oxygen-requiring metabolism

toward; afferent neurons, which carry impulses to the central nervous system

contest; agonistic and antagonistic muscles, which oppose each other

white; corpus albicans of the ovary, a white scar tissue

nourish; alimentary canal, or digestive tract

of one another; alleles, alternative expressions of a gene

on both sides, of both kinds; amphibian, an organism capable of living in water and on land

apart, up, again; anaphase of mitosis, when the chromosomes separate

come together; arteriovenous anastomosis, a connection between an artery and a vein

a widening; aortic aneurysm, a weak spot that causes enlargement of the blood vessel

vessel; angiitis, inflammation of a lymph vessel or blood vessel

choked; angina pectoris, a choked feeling in the chest due to dysfunction of the heart

opposed to, preventing or inhibiting; anticoagulant, a substance that prevents blood coagulation

preceding, before; antecubital, in front of the elbow

great artery; aorta

tip, extremity; apex of the heart

hang to; appendicular skeleton

water; aqueous solutions

tree; arbor vitae of the cerebellum, the treelike pattern of white matter

open space; areolar connective tissue, a loose connective tissue

upright; arrector pili muscles of the skin, which make the hairs stand erect

joint; arthropathy, any joint disease

joint; articular surfaces of bones, the points of connection

vestibule; artia, upper chambers of the heart

listen; auscultatory method for measing blood pressure

self; autogenous, self-generated

axis, axle; axial skeleton, axis of vertebral column

unpaired; axygous vein, an unpaired vessel

pressure; baroreceptors for monitoring blood pressure

base; basal lamina of the epithelial basement membrane

two; bicuspid, having two cusps

bile; bilirubin, a bile pigment

life; biology, the study of life and living organisms

bud or germ; blastocyte, undifferentiated embryonic cell

arm; brachial plexus of the peripheral nervous system supplies the arm

slow; bradycardia, abnormally slow heart rate

short; peroneus brevis, a short leg muscle

bronchus; bronchospasm, spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscle

cheek; buccolabial, pertaining to the cheek and lip

heat; calories, a measure of energy

hair; blood and lymph capillaries

head; decapitate, remove the head

cancer; carcinogen, a cancer-causing agent

heart; cardiotoxic, harmful to the heart

flesh; trabeculae carneae, ridges of muscle in the ventricles of the heart

• (1) carrot, (2) stupor;
• (1) carotene, an organge pigment,
• (2) carotid arteries in the neck, blockage causes fainting

down; catabolism, chemical breakdown

tail; caudal (directional term)

blind; cecum of large intestine, a blind-ended pouch

abdominal; celiac artery, in the abdomen

head; cephalometer, an instrument for measuring the head

brain, especially the cerebrum; cerebrospinal, pertaining to the brain and spinal cord

neck; cervix of the uterus

crossing; optic chiasma, where optic nerves cross

bile; cholesterol, cholecystokinin, a bile-secreting hormone

cartilage; chondrogenic, giving rise to cartilage

colored; chromosome, so named because they stain darkly

small hair; ciliated epithelium

around; circumnuclear, surrounding the nucleus

key; clavicle, a "skeleton key"

together; concentric, common center, together in the center

cuckoo; coccyx, which is beak-shaped

snail shell; the chchlea of the inner ear, which is coiled like a snail shell

hollow; coelom, the ventral body cavity

united; gray commissure of the spinal cord connects the two columns of gray matter

shell; nasal conchae, coiled shelves of bone in the nasal cavity

against; contraceptive, agent preventing conception

horn; stratum corneum, outer layer of the skin composed of (horny) cells

crown; coronal suture of the skull

body; corpse, corpus luteum, hormone-secreting body in the ovary

bark; cortex, the outer layer of the brain, kidney, adrenal glands, and lymph nodes

rib; intercostal, between the ribs

skull; craniotomy, a skull operation

hidden; cryptomenorrhea, a condition in which menstrual symptoms are experienced but no external loss of blood occurs

pointed; bicuspid, tricuspid valves of the heart

skin; cuticle of the nail

blue; cyanosis, blue color of the skin due to lack of oxygen

sac, bladder; cystitis, inflammation of the urinary bladder

cell; cytology, the study of cells

undoing, reversal, loss, removal; deactivation, becoming inactive

falling off; deciduous (milk) teeth

triangular; deltoid muscle, roughly triangular in shape

tooth; dentin of the tooth

tree, branch; dendrites, telodendria, both branches of a neuron

skin; dermis, deep layer of the skin

bond; desmosome, which binds adjacent epithelial cells

twice, double; dimorphism, having two forms

through, between; diaphragm, the wall through or between two areas

separate, break apart; kidney dialysis, in which waste products are removed from the blood

stand apart; cardiac diastole, between successive contractions of the heart

urinate; diuretic, a drug that increases urine output

the back; dorsal, dorsum, dorsiflexion

lead, draw; ductus deferns which carries sperm from the epididymis into the urethra during ejaculation

hard; dura mater, tough outer meninx

difficult, faulty, painful; dyspspsia, disturbed digestion

out, outside, away from; excrete, to remove materials from the body

displaced; ectopic pregnancy, ectopic focus for initiation of heart contraction

swelling; edema, accumulation of water in body tissues

away; efferent nerve fibers, which carry impulses away from the central nervous system

to shoot forth; ejaculation of semen

wedge; embolus, an obstructive object traveling in the bloodstream

in, inside; encysted, enclosed in a cyst or capsule

brain; encephalitis, inflammation of the brain

within, inner; endocytosis, taking particles into a cell

intestine; enterologist, one who specializes in the study of intestinal disorders

over, above; epidermis, outer layer of skin

red; erythema, redness of the skin, erythrocyte, red blood cell

within; esophagus

well; euesthesia, a normal state of the senses

separate; excretory system

outside, outer layer; exophthalmos, an abnormal protrusion of the eye from the orbit

outside, beyond; extracellular, outside the body cells of an organism

from the outside; extrinsic regulation of the heart

bundle, band; superficial and deep fascia

window; fenestrated capillaries

iron; transferrin, ferritin, both iron-storage proteins

whip; flagellum, the tail of a sperm cell

blow, blown; flatulence

bag, bellows; hair follicle

fountain; fontanelles of the fetal skull

opening; foamen magnum of the skull

ditch; fossa ovalis of the heart, mandibular fossa of the skull

married, spouse; gametes, the sex cells

swelling, or knot; dorsal root ganglia of the spinal nerves

somach; gastrin, a hormone that influences gastric acid secretion

beginning, origin; genetics

grow; germinal epithelium of the gonads

old main; gerontology, the study of aging

carried; gestation, the period from conception to birth

gray; glaucoma, which causes gradual blindness

ball; glomeruli, clusters of capillaries in the kidneys

tongue; glossopathy, any disease of the tongue

gluconeogenesis, the production of glucose fron noncarbohydrate molecules

buttock; gluteus maximus, largest muscle of the buttock

knowing; the gnostic sense, a sense of awareness of self

nail; gomphosis, the term applied to the joint between tooth and jaw

seed, offspring; gonads, the sex organs

taste; gustatory sense, the sense of taste

fasten, grasp; hapten, a partial antigen

blood; hematocyst, a cyst containing blood

half; hemiglossal, pertaining to one-half of the tongue

liver; hepatitis, inflammation of the liver

different or other; heterosexuality, sexual desire for a person of the opposite sex

gap; the hiatus of the diaphragm, the opening through which the esophagus passes

horse; hippocampus of the brain, shaped like a seahorse

hairy; hirsutism, excessive body hair

tissue; histology, the study of tissues

whole; holocrine glands, whose secretions are whole cells

same; homeoplasia, formation of tissue similar to normal tissue; homocentric, having the same center

to excite; hormones

a fluid; humoral immunity, which involves antibodies circulating in the blood

clear; hyaline cartilage, which has no visible fibers

water; dehydration, loss of body water

excess; hypertension; excessive tension

sleep; hypnosis, a sleeplike state

below, deficient; hypodermic, beneath the skin, hypokalemia, deficiency of potassium

uterus or womb; hysterectomy, removal of the uterus, hysterodynia, pain in the womb

intestine; ileum, the last portion of the small intestine

not; impermeable, not permitting passage, not permeable

between; intercellular, between the cells

insert; intercalated discs, the end membranes between adjacent cardiac muscle cells

within, inside; intracellular, inside the cell

equal, same; isothermal, equal, or same, temperature

throat; jugular veins, prominent vessels in the neck

near, close to; juxtaglomerular apparatus, a cell cluster next to a glomerulus in the kidneys

kernel, nucleus; karyotype, the assemblage of the nuclear chromosomes

horn; keratin, the water-repellent protein of the skin

thousand; kilocalories, equal to 1000 calories

move; kinetic energy, the energy of motion

lip; labial frenulum, the membrane which joins the lip to the gum

milk; lactose, milk sugar

space, cavity, lake; lacunae, the spaces occupied by cells of cartilage and bone tissue

small plate; concentic lamellae, rings of bone matrix in compact bone

layer, sheet; basal lamina, part of the epithelial basement membrane

wide; latissimus dorsi, a broad muscle of the back

hidden; latent period of a muscle twitch

side; lateral (directional term)

white; leukocyte, white blood cell

raise, elevate; levator labii superioris, muscle that elevates upper lip

tongue; lingual tonsil, adjacent to the tongue

fat, lipid; lipophage, a cell that has taken up fat in its cytoplasm

stone; cholelithiasis, gallstones

clear; stratum lucidum, clear layer of the epidermis

light; lumen, center of a hollow structure

yellow; corpus luteum, a yellow, hormone-secreting structure in the ovary

water; lymphatic circulation, return of clear fluid to the bloodstream

large; macromolecule, large molecule

spot; macula lutea, yellow spot on the retina

large; foramen magnum, largest opening of the skull

bad, abnormal; malfunction, abnormal functioning of an organ

breast; mammary gland, breast

breast; mastectomy, removal of a mammary gland

mother; dura matter, pia mater, membranes that envelop the brain

passage; external acoustic meatus, the ear canal

middle; medial (directional term)

marrow; medulla, the middle portion of the kidney, adrenal gland, and lymph node

large; megakaryocyte, large precursor cell of platelets

less; meiosis, nuclear division that halves the chromosome number

black; melanocytes, which secrete the black pigment melanin

month; menses, the cyclic menstrual flow

membrane; meningitis, inflammation of the membranes of the brain

a part; merocrine glands, the secretions of which do not include the cell

middle; mesoderm, middle germ layer

beyond, between, transition; metatarsus, the part of the foot between the tarsus and the phalanges

uterus; endometrium, the linning of the uterus

small; micoscope, an instrument used to make small objects appear larger

urinate; micturition, the act of voiding the bladder

thread, filament; mitochondria, small, filament-like structures located in cells

memory; amnesia

single; monospasm, spasm of a single limb

form; morphology, the study of form and structure or orgnisms

many; multinuclear, having several nuclei

wall; intramural ganglion, a nerve junction within an organ

change; mutation, change in the base sequence of DNA

spinal cord, marrow; myeloblasts, cells of the bone marrow

muscle; myocardium, heart muscle

dwarf; nanometer, one-billionth of a meter

numbness; narcotic, a drug producing stupor or numbed sensations

sodium; atrial natriuretic peptide, a sodium-regulating hormone

death; necrosis, tissue death

new; neoplasm, an abnormal growth

kidney; nephritis, inflammation of the kidney

nerve; neurophysiology, the physiology of the nervous system

harmful; nociceptors, receptors for pain

name; innominate artery, innominate bone

back; notochord, the embryonic structure that precedes the vertebral column

pit, kernel, little nut; nucleus

feed, nourish; nutrition

before, against; obstruction, impending or blocking up

eye; monocular, pertaining to one eye

teeth; orthodontist, one who specializes in proper positioning of the teeth in relation to each other

smell; olfactory nerves

few; oligodendrocytes, neuroglial cells with few branches

a mass; oncology, study of cancer

egg; oocyte, precursor of female gamete

eye; ophthalmology, the study of the eyes and related disease

circular; orbicularis oculi, muscle that encircles the eye

testis; cryptorchidism, failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum

living; organism

straight, direct; orthopedic, correction of deformities of the musculoskeletal system

smell; anosmia, loss of sense of smell

pushing; osmosis

bone; osteodermia, bony formations in the skin

ear; otoscope, a device for examining the ear

egg; ovum, oviduct

oxygen; oxygenation, the saturation of a substance with oxygen

all, universal; panacea, a cure-all

nipple; dermal papillae, projections of the dermis into the epidermal area

beside, near; paranuclear, beside the nucleus

breast; pectoralis major, a large chest muscle

a basin; pelvic girdle, which cradles the pelvic organs

a tail; penis; penile urethra

feather; unipennate, bipennate muscles, whose fascicles have a feathered appearance

five; pentose, a 5-carbon sugar

digest; pepsin, a digestive enzyme of the stomach; peptic ulcer

through; permeate, permeable

around; perianal, situated around the anus

eat; phagocyte, a cell that engulfs and digests particles or cells

show, appear; phenotype, the physical appearance of an individual

vein; phlebitis, inflammation of the veins

tender; pia mater, delicate inner membrane around the brain and spinal cord

hair; arrector pili muscles of the skin, which make the hairs stand erect

drink; pinocytosis, the engulfing of small particles by a cell

flat, broad; platysma, broad, flat muscle of the neck

side, rib; pleural serosa, the membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and covers the lungs

net, network; brachial plexus, the network of nerves that supplies the arm

air, wind; pneumothorax, air in the thoracic cavity

foot; podiatry, the treatment of foot disorders

multiple; polymorphism, multiple forms

after, behind; posterior, places behind (a specific) part

before, ahead of; prenatal, before birth

rectum, anus; proctoscope, an instrument for examining the rectum

bent forward; prone, pronate

one's own; proprioception, awareness of the body parts and movement

false; pseudotumor, a false tumor

mind, psyche; psychogram, a chart of personality traits

fall; renal ptosis, a condition in which the kidneys drift below their normal position

of the pubis; puberty

lung; pulmonary artery, which brings blood to the lungs

pus; pyocyst, a cyst that contains pus

fire; pyrogen, a substance that induces fever

four-sided; quadratus lumborum, a muscle with a square shape

back, again; reinfect

straight; rectus abdominis, rectum

kidney; renal, renin, an enzyme secreted by the kidney

net, network; endoplasmic reticulum, a network of membranous sacs within a cell

backward, behind; retrogression, to move backward in development

watery flow, change, or flux; rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever

nose; rhinitis, inflammation of the nose

fold, wrinkle; rugae, the folds of the stomach, gallbladder, and urinary bladder

arrow; sagittal (directional term)

leap; saltatory conduction, the rapid conduction of impulses along myelinated neurons

blood; consanguineous, indicative of genetic relationship between individuals

flesh; sarcomere, unit of contraction in skeletal muscle

visible, clear; great saphenous vein, superficial vein of the thigh and leg

hard; sclerodermatitis, inflammatory thickening and hardening of the skin

grease; sebum, the oil of the skin

seed, sperm; semen, the discharge of the male reproductive system

half; semicircular, having the form of a half circle

feeling; sensation, sensory

rotten; sepsis, infection, antiseptic

fence; nasal septum

serum; serological tests, which assess blood conditions

saw; serratus anterior, a muscle of the chest wall that has a jagged edge

a hollow; sinuses of the skull

body; somatic nervous system

sleep; insomnia, inability to sleep

squeeze; sphincter

organ; splanchnic nerve, autonomic supply to abdominal viscera

vertebra; ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine

scale, flat; squamous epithelium, squamous suture of the skull

narrow; stenocoriasis, narrowing of the pupil

layer; strata of the epidermis, stratified epithelium

furrow, streak; striations of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue

spread out; stroma, the connective tissue framework of some organs

beneath, under; sublingual, beneath the tongue

sweet; sucrose, table sugar

sweat; sudoriferous glands, the sweat glands

above, upon; superior, quality or state of being above others or a part

above, upon; supracondylar, above a condyle

together, with; synapse, the region of communication between two neurons

work together; synergism

contraction; systole, contraction of the heart

rapid; tachycardia, abnormally rapid heartbeat

touch; tactile sense

the end; telophase, the end of mitosis

time; temporal summation of nerve impulses

stretched; muscle tension

third; fibularis tertius, one of three fibularis muscles

rigid, tense; tetanus of muscles

heat; thermometer, an instrucment used to measure heat

clot; thrombocyte, thrombus

a shield; thyroid gland

woven; tussue

tension; tonicity, hypertonic

poison; toxicology, study of poisons

beam, timber; trabeculae, spicules of bone in spongy bone tissue

across, through; transpleural, through the pleura

table; trapezius, the four-sided muscle of the upper back

three; trifurcation, division into three branches

turn, change; tropic hormones, whose targets are endocrine glands

nourish; trophoblast, from which develops the fetal portion of the placenta

swelling; tuberosity, a bump on a bone

covering; tunica albuginea, the covering of the testis

drum; tympanic membrane, the eardrum

beyond; ultraviolet radiation, beyond the band of visible light

cow; vaccine

a sheath; vagina

wanderer; the vagus nerve, which starts at the brain and travels into the abdominopelvic cavity

strength; valence shells of atoms

abdomen, belly; ventral (directional term), ventricle

the wind; pulmonary ventilation

turn; vertebral column

a porch; vestibule, the anterior entryway to the mouth and nose

shake, quiver; vibrissae, hairs of the nasal vestibule

shaggy hair; microvilli, which have the appearance of hair in light microscopy

organ, viscera; visceroinhibitory, inhibiting the movements of the viscera

sticky; viscosity, resistance to flow

life; vitamin

glass; vitreous humor, the clear jelly of the eye

live; in vivo

a covering; vulva, the female external genitalia

a yoke, twin; zygote

able to, capable of; viable, ability to live or exist

referring to; cardiac, referring to the heart

pain in a certain part; neuralgia, pain along the course of a nerve

juncture; synapse, where two neurons communicate

associated with, relating to; coronary, associated with the heart

weakness; myasthenia gravis, a disease involving paralysis

swollen; embryo

destroy or kill; germicide, an agent that kills germs

head; occipital

break; osteoclast, a cell that dissolves bone matrix

separate; endocrine organs, which secrete hormones into the blood

thirst, dry; polydipsia, excessive thirst associated with diabetes

cutting out, surgical removal; appendectomy, cutting out of the appendix

small; organelle

condition of the blood; anemia, deficiency of red blood cells

sensation; anesthesia, lack of sensation

carry; efferent nerves, nerves carrying impulses away from the CNS

shape; cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone

driving out; vermifuge, a substance that expels worms of the intestine

an agent that initiates; pathogen, any agent that produces disease

glue; neuroglia, the connective tissue of the nervous system

data that are systematically recorded, a record; electrocardiogram, a recording showing action of the heart

an instrument used for recording data or writing; electrocardiograph, an instrument used to make an electrocardiogram

condition; insomnia, condidion of not being able to sleep

medical specialty; geriatrics, the branch of medicine dealing with disease associated with old age

condition; hyperthyroidism

inflammation; gastritis, inflammation of the stomach

sheath, husk; sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of a muscle cell

the study of; pathology, the study of changes in structure and structure and function brough on by disease

loosening or breaking down; hydrolysis, chemical decomposition of a compound into other compounds as a result of taking up water

soft; osteomalacia, a process leading to bone softening

obsession, compulsion; erotomania, exaggeration of the sexual passions

birth; prenatal development

govern; autonomic nervous system

pain; coccygodynia, pain in the region of the coccyx

like, resembling; cuboid, shaped as a cube

tumor; lymphoma, a tumor of the lymphatic tissues

defect of the eye; myopia, nearsightedness

referring to, of; audiroty, referring to hearing

disease; osteopathy, any disease of bone

speech; aphasia, lack of ability to speak

like, love; hydrophilic, water-attracting molecules

fear; acrophobia, fear of heights

partition; diaphragm, which separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

guard, preserve; prophylaxis, to guard in advance, as in preventive treatment

grow; neoplasia, an abnormal growth

form, shape; cytoplasm

reconstruction of a part, plastic surgery; rhinoplasty, reconstruction of the nose through surgery

paralysis; paraplagia, paralysis of the lower half of the body or lower limbs

abnormal or excessive discharge; metrorrhagia, uterine hemorrhage

flow or discharge; diarrhea, abnormal emptying of the bowels

instrument used for examination; stethoscope, instrument used to listen to sounds of parts of the body

body; chromosome

suck in; absorb

compression; peristalsis, muscular contractions that propel food along the digestive tract

arrest, fixation; hemostasis, arrest of bleeding

come to stand; interstitial fluid, between the cells

establishment of an artificial opening; enterostomy, the formation of an artificial opening into the intestine through the abdominal wall

cover; integument

to cut; appendectomy, surgical removal of the appendix

thrust; protrude, detrusor muscle

condition of, state; immunity, condition of being resistant to infection or disease

urine; polyuria, passage of an excessive amount of urine

ferment; enzyme