In the following three/four weeks, we are going to focus more on clinical terminology that is largely based on Greek rather than Latin words and often includes the so-called compound words (i.e. the words that combine 2 or more roots/stems).  Compound terms also exist in anatomical nomenclature, but they are usually based on Latin stems, e.g. articulatio talocruralis (tal- + -o- + crur- + -alis). For the basic rules of compounding, see section 6.1 of BMT II_handouts.

Clinical terms for pathologies and medical procedures are, however, mostly consisting of a Greek root referring to the afflicted body part, connecting vowel -o-, and a Greek root specifying the condition/procedure. In this way, we can combine more than two roots, as well.

For example: The clinical term we use for the surgical removal of gall bladder is NOT based on the terms vesica fellea and excisio you know from Latin, but chole-, cyst-, and -ectomia, the Greek roots referring to bile, bladder, and cutting out; thus, the correct term is CHOLECYSTECTOMIA. Although based on Greek roots, this term has been Latinized for its use in a sentence - it falls under the vena paradigm among other -a ending females, therefore, the dictionary entry would be cholecystectomia, ae, f. Notice that the English term is almost completely the same as the Latinized term based on Greek roots, i.e. cholecystectomy.

Due to the abovementioned, you should become familiar with all basic Greek roots used in clinical terminology and be aware of the Latin equivalents to these.

First, you should learn the Greek roots referring to basic body parts, organs, liquids, and substances. See sections 6.2 and 6.3 of BMT II_handouts, make sure you understand all examples given in the tables and for each Greek root, add the Latin equivalent.