H. Then there are Greek words so deeply engrained
in medical terminology that a different original meaning does
not seem to have ever existed.
The following are examples of terms that were already used by Hippocrates:
| Greek (in
Latin transliteration*) |
Stem of Term |
Meaning |
Examples of Usage |
| gaster |
gastr- |
stomach |
gastrotomy |
| hepar |
hepat- |
liver |
hepatitis |
| kardia |
cardi- |
heart |
cardiac arrest |
| nephros |
nephr- |
kidney |
nephrectomy |
| brachion |
brachi- |
arm |
brachial (adj.) |
| bronchos |
bronch- |
air duct in lungs |
bronchitis |
| tracheia |
trache- |
windpipe |
tracheotomy |
| kephale |
cephal- |
head |
cephalic (adj.) |
| enkephalon |
encephal- |
brain |
encephalitis |
| arthron |
arthr- |
joint |
arthritis |
| pharyngx |
pharyng- |
throat |
pharyngitis |
| laryngx |
laryng- |
voice box |
laryngotomy |
| meningx |
mening- |
coverings of brain and spinal
cord |
meningitis |
| neuron |
neur- |
nerve (except in misnomers:
"neurosis" and "aponeurosis") |
neuropathy |
* Not required to memorize
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Understanding the Language of Medicine
© Copyright 1999, 2000 Edith S. Mardiat RRA