Regardless of the source, you should be comfortable with the basics.
As some general rules (there is always a variance, with any language) Latin is used for the most part, with leniency in regards to Greek for the anatomical anomalies (IE: Teratoma)
Medical terms are predominantly generalized into three terms:
1. Prefix (Attached to the front of the word)
For example: Ect(O) - outside
2.Root words (the origin, they can stand alone, it is not uncommon to have more than one root word for medical terms)
For example: Thermae - hot
3.Suffixes (Attached at the end of the word)
For example: Emia-blood
To put this all together:
Appendectomy.
Root Word: append/o (meaning appendix)
Suffix: -ectomy (meaning removal)
Definition: Removal of the appendix
Learning how to dissect the Latin/Greek terminology can assist in comprehension.
Whenever you're in doubt, please consult with your doctor/health professional.
Positions relating to the body & it’s position in space
Anatomical position : Set anatomical pose universally used in reference to the human body due to its ever changing position (think Lionardo De Vinchi's "rebirth of anatomy").
Anterior: Towards the front of the body.
Deep: Closer to the centre of the body.
Inferior: Below.
Lateral: Towards the side of the body.
Medial: Towards to the centre of the body.
Posterior: Towards the back of the body.
Prone: Face down.
Superficial: Towards to the surface of the body.
Supine: Face up.
Superior: Above.
Arterial: Relating to the artery, a supply of fresh blood.
Carpals: Referencing the eight bones in the wrist.
Cauda Equina: Lain for "horses tail" A bundle of spinal nerves that innervate the lower body.
Cerebral: Referencing the brain.
Cervical: Pertaining to the neck (bone or muscle).
Coccyx: Vestigial tail ("tail bone") composed of five fused bones, attached to the base of the sacrum.
Ilium/Iliac: Uppermost or largest part of the pelvis.
Innervate: Supply a part of the body.
Ligament: Affixes bone to bone.
Lumbar: Pertaining to the low back (bone or muscle).
Nervous: Relating to the nervous system.
Phalanges: Referencing the bones of the toes and fingers.
Sacral/Sacrum: Bone/location comprised of five fused vertebrae that help form the pelvic girdle or "SacralIliac (SI) joint", which is the main point of exit for the cauda equina.
Scapula: Floating bone on the posterior of the thoracic spine "Shoulder blade".
Tarsals: Referencing the seven bones in the ankle.
Tendon: Affixes a muscle to the bone.
Thoracic: Pertaining to the back (bone or muscle).
Venous: Relating to the veins, a return of deoxygenated blood.
In relation to muscle:
Abduction: Movement away from the body.
Action: What movement that specific muscle facilitates.
Adduction: Movement towards to body.
Fibre direction: The order in which the human body aligns the muscle fibers in order to allow optimum vector of force to the area.
Hyperemia: Excessive blood in the area of the body (pinking of the skin with the application on heat)
Insertion: Where the muscle terminates.
Neurological innervation: What nerve(s) supply the muscle with a signal.
Origin: Where the muscle starts.
Vasoconstriction: Closing of the blood flow to the surrounding area.
Vasodilation: Opening of the blood flow to the surrounding area.