This Page Contains: Anatomical Regions Anatomical Prefixes

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A strong knowledge of anatomy is important in the study of radiography. Here is a list of body regions that you need to become familiar with:

Anatomical Regions: Abdominal: Region between the thorax and pelvis. Acromial: The top of the shoulder. Antebrachial: The forearm. Antecubital: The space in front of the elbow. Axillary: The armpit. Brachial: The arm. Buccal: The cheek. Calcaneal: The heel. Carpal: The wrist. Celiac: The abdomen. Cephalic: The head. Cervical: The neck. Costal: The ribs. Coxal: The hips. Cranial: The skull. Crural: The (lower) leg. Cubital: The elbow. Digital: The fingers (and less commonly, the toes). Dorsal: The back. Facial: The face. Femoral: The thighs. Frontal: The forehead. Genital: The external reproductive organs. Gluteal: The buttocks. Inguinal: The depressed area in the groin. Lumbar: The lower back. Mammary: The breast. Manual: The hand. Mental: The chin. Nasal: The nose. Occipital: The back of the head. Ocular: The eye. Olecranal: The back of the elbow. Oral: The mouth. Orbital: The eye cavity. Otic: The ear. Palmar: The palm of the hand. Patellar: The front of the knee. Pectoral: The chest. Pedal: The foot. Pelvic: The pelvis. Perineal: The region between the anus and the external genitalia. Plantar: The sole of the foot. Popliteal: The back of the knee. Pubic: The region anterior to the pubis bones in the pelvis. Sacral: The posterior region between the hips. Sternal: The region above the breastbone. Sural: The calf. Tarsal: The ankles. Thoracic: The chest. Umbilical: The navel. Vertebral: The spinal column.

Anatomical Prefixes

• a– “absence” [Arrhythmia refers to absence of rhythm in the heartbeat.]
• –able “capable” [A fetus is viable if it is capable of surviving outside of its mother’s body.]
• acetabul– “vinegar cup” [The acetabulum is a cup-shaped depression in the hip into which the head of the femur bone fits.]
• adip– “fat” [Adipose tissue stores fat.]
• agglutin– “to glue together” [Agglutination is the clumping-together of blood cells.]
• alb– “white” [An albino has white skin and hair.]
• –algia “pain” [Neuralgia is a painful disorder of the cranial nerves.]
• aliment– “food” [The alimentary canal contains and transports food.]
• allant– “sausage-shaped” [The allantois is a membrane that surrounds a developing fetus.]
• alveoli– “small cavity” [The alveoli are small sacs within the lungs.]
• ambi– “both” [One who is ambidextrous can use both hands equally well.]
• an– “without” [Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen.]
• ana– “up” [Anabolic steroids cause buildup of muscle tissues.]
• andr– “man” [Androgens are steroids that promote development of male characteristics.
• ante– “in front of” [The antecubital region is the front of the elbow.]
• anti– “against” [An anticoagulant prevents blood from coagulating.]
• append– “to hang” [The appendix hangs off the intestinal wall.]
• arthr– “joint” [Arthritis is inflammation of a joint.]
• auto– “self” [An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks its own tissues.]
• ax– “axis” [The axial skeleton makes up the framework of the midline of the body.]
• bil– “bile” [Bilirubin is a chemical that is used to produce bile.
• –blast “to create or grow” [Osteoblasts are cells that create new bone matrix.]
• brachi– “arm” [The brachialis is a muscle in the arm.]
• brady– “slow” [Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate.]
• bronch– “the windpipe” [The bronchial tubes connect the windpipe and the lungs.
• calat– “something inserted” [Intercalated disks are found between the cells of the heart muscle.]
• calc– “stone” [A kidney stone is properly known as a calculus.]
• calyc– “small cup” [Urine passes from the kidney into the ureter through small, cuplike structures called calyces.]
• carcin– “cancer” [A carcinogen can cause cancer to occur.]
• cardi– “heart” [The heart lies within the pericardial cavity.]
• carp– “wrist” [The carpal bones are found in the wrist.]
• cata– “down” [A catatonic person has much lower life functions than normal.]
• cerebro– “brain” [The brain is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid.]
• chondr– “cartilage” [The living cells within cartilage are known as chondrocytes.]
• –cide “destroy” [A germicide kills germs.]
• –clast “break” [Osteoclasts are cells that break down old or damaged bone.]
• condyl– “knob” [Condyles are enlarged, knob-like portions at the ends of certain bones.]
• corac– “beaklike” [The coracoid process is a beaklike projection from the scapula bone.]
• cort– “covering” [The cortex of the kidney is the outer portion.]
• cric– “ring” [Cricoid cartilage forms ring-like structures surrounding the windpipe and holding it open.]
• crin– “to secrete” [Endocrine glands secrete hormones.]
• crypt– “hidden” [Cryptorchidism occurs when a male’s testes fail to descend into the scrotum and are “hidden” inside the body cavity.]
• cyan– “blue” [Cyanosis occurs when lack of oxygen causes the skin to turn blue.]
• cyt– “cell” [Osteocytes are bone cells.]
• de– “to undo” [Deamination is the removal of an amine group from a molecule.]
• decidu– “falling off” [The deciduous teeth are shed during childhood.]
• dendr– “tree” [The dendrites of a nerve cell look like the branches of a tree.]
• derm– “skin” [A hypodermic needle passes through the skin to deliver drugs directly into the blood.]
• di– “two” [A disaccharide is a sugar molecule made of two smaller sugar molecules.]
• dis– “apart” [A joint is disarticulated when the bones are pulled away from each other.]
• –ectomy “surgical removal” [Surgical removal of the appendix is an appendectomy.]
• ede– “swelling” [Edema is swelling of body tissues because of excess fluid volume.]
• ejacul– “to shoot forth” [Ejaculation occurs when semen is ejected from the male’s reproductive system.]
• embol– “stopper or plug” [An embolism occurs when a blood clot prevents blood flow through a vessel.]
• –emia “relating to the blood” [Anemia occurs when there are insufficient numbers of red blood cells in circulation.]
• endo– “within” [The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus.]
• enter– “the intestine” [Enteritis is inflammation of the intestine.]
• epi– “above or upon” [The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin.]
• erythro– “red” [“Red blood cells” are properly known as erythrocytes.]
• follic– “small bag” [Hairs grow out of structures known as follicles.]
• fenestr– “window” [A fenestra is a relatively large opening in a bone, like a window.]
• –ferent “to carry” [Afferent nerve fibers carry impulses toward the central nervous system.]
• for– “opening” [A foramen is an opening in a bone through which blood vessels or nerves pass.]
• –form “shaped” [The vermiform appendix is worm-shaped.]
• foss– “to dig” [A fossa is a depression in a bone that looks as if it has been excavated.]
• gangli– “swelling” [A ganglion is a cluster of nerve cells.]
• gastr– “stomach” [Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.]
• –gen “to produce” [An allergen causes an allergic reaction.]
• genesis– “origin” [Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm production.]
• glom– “little ball” [Glomeruli are tangled masses of blood vessels in the kidneys that look like little balls.]
• gloss– “tongue” [The glossopharyngeal nerve services the tongue.]
• glyco– “sweet or sugar” [Glycolysis is the chemical breakdown of the sugar glucose for energy.]
• gyn– “female” [Gynecology literally means “the study of women.”]
• hem(at) – “blood” [Hemoglobin is a blood protein that transports oxygen, and haematopoiesis is the process by which blood cells are produced.]
• hepat– “liver” [Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.]
• homeo– “the same” [Homeostasis is the process in which living organisms maintain near-constant internal environments.
• hyper– “above” [Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure.]
• hypo– “below” [Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure.]
• ia– “abnormal state” [Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood sugar levels.]
• im– “not” [An imbalance means that things are not in balance.]
• infra– “below” [The infraorbital region is that region of the face just beneath the eye sockets.]
• inter– “between” [The interclavicular notch is the depression in your throat between the two clavicle bones.]
• intra– “inside” [Intramembranous bones form inside membranes.]
• iso– “equal” [An isotonic saline solution has the same salt concentration as your body tissues.]
• –itis “inflammation” [Meningitis is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain.]
• kerat– “horn” [Keratin is the protein that makes up the horns of goats – and your hair and fingernails.]
• labi– “lip” [The labia are lip-like structures covering the external opening into the female reproductive tract.]
• lacri– “tears” [Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands.]
• lacun– “pool” [The cells in cartilage and bone are found in fluid-filled spaces called lacunae.]
• leuko– “white” [“White blood cells” are properly known as leukocytes.]
• lingu– “tongue” [The lingual tonsils are located at the root of the tongue.]
• lip– “fat” [Lipases are enzymes that break down fat molecules.]
• –logy “study of” [Biology is the study of life.]
• –lysis “to dissolve or break down” [The venom of some snakes can cause hemolysis the breakdown of blood cells.]
• –lyte “dissolvable” [Electrolytes dissolve in water and form electrically-charged subunits.]
• macro– “large” [Macrophages are large white blood cells.]
• mal– “bad” [A malignant tumor is rather bad for you.]
• meat– “passage” [The auditory meatus is an passage in the skull which contains the internal portions of the ear.]
• melan– “black” [Melanin is a dark pigment produced in the skin.]
• mening– “membrane” [The meninges are membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.]
• mens– “month” [The menstrual cycle takes roughly one month.]
• meta– “change” [Metabolism involves lots of chemical changes.]
• meta– “beyond” (Yeah, sometimes the same prefix has more than one meaning.) [The metacarpal bones are distal to the carpal bones.]
• micro– “small” [A microscope can help you see very small things.]
• mono– “one” [A monomer is a small molecule from which larger molecules can be constructed.]
• mons– “mountain” [Mons pubis literally means “mountain of the groin.”]
• morph– “shape or form” [An organism’s morphology is its body form.]
• multi– “many” [A multinucleated cell has many nuclei.]
• mut– “change” [A mutagen can cause genetic changes to occur.]
• myo– “muscle” [Myosin is a protein found in muscle fibers.]
• narc– “numbness or stupor” [Narcotics cause numbness.]
• nat– “to be born” [Your natal day is the day you were born.]
• necro– “dead or death” [Necrosis is the death of body tissue from injury or infection.]
• neo– “new” [A neonate is a newborn.]
• nephr– “kidney” [Nephritis is inflammation of the kidney.]
• neuro– “nerve” [Neurons are nerve cells.]
• nutri– “nourish” [Nutrients are quite nourishing.]
• odont– “tooth” [The odontoid process is a tooth-shaped projection on the second cervical vertebra.]
• oid– “shaped like” [The odontoid process is shaped like a tooth.]
• olfact– “to smell” [Your olfactory nerves allow you to smell.]
• –oma “tumor” [Lymphoma is cancer of lymphatic tissues.]
• oo– “egg” [Oocytes are cells that develop into eggs.]
• orchi– “testis” [Polyorchidism occurs when a man has more than two testes.]
• oss– “bone” [Bone is sometimes referred to as osseous tissue.]
• osteo– “bone” [Loss of bone mass can cause osteoporosis.]
• oto– “ear” [An otolaryngologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ailments of the ear, nose, and throat.]
• ovo– “egg” [Ovolactovegetarians eat eggs and dairy products, but not meat.]
• papill– “nipple” [Whoever decided that the small bumps on the tongue looked like nipples and decided to name them papillae had an interesting way of thinking.]
• para– “beside” [The parathyroid glands are beside the thyroid glands.]
• pariet– “wall” [Parietal membranes wall off body cavities.]
• patho– “disease” [Pathogens are disease-causing agents.]
• pelv– “basin” [The pelvis forms a basin of sorts that supports some of the internal organs.]
• peri– “around” [Pericardial membranes surround the heart.]
• phag– “to eat” [Phagocytes are cells that engulf and destroy bacteria and other invaders.]
• pleur– “rib” [The pleural cavities lie within the ribcage.]
• poly– “many” [A polysaccharide is a large carbohydrate molecule made by linking together many smaller carbohydrate molecules.]
• post– “after” [Postnatal care occurs after birth.]
• pre– “before” [Prenatal care occurs before birth.]
• pseudo– “false” [Pseudostratified tissues look as if they’re laid down in layers at first glance, but they aren’t.]
• puber– “adult” [Our bodies begin to acquire adult characteristics at puberty.]
• pylor– “gatekeeper” [The pyloric sphincter prevents food from leaving the stomach too soon.]
• rect– “straight” [The rectus abdominis is a straight, strap-like muscle in the abdomen.]
• ren- “kidney” [Renal failure is when the kidneys stop functioning.]
• retro– “behind or backward” [The kidneys are located in the retroabdominal cavity, behind the main portion of the abdominal cavity.]
• rhino– “nose” [Rhinoviruses infect tissues in the nose and throat.]
• –rrhea “flowing” [Rhinorrhea is a runny nose.]
• sacchar– “sugar” [Sucrose is a well-known disaccharide.]
• seb– “grease” [The sebaceous glands produce skin oil.]
• squam– “flat or scale-like” [Squamous epithelium is made of flattened cells.]
• –stasis “standing still” [Homeostasis involves keeping more or less constant body conditions.]
• strat– “layer” [Stratified epithelium is layered.]
• sub– “below” [Subcutaneous tissues lie beneath the outer layer of skin.]
• super– supra– “above” [Superficial tissues lie above deep tissues.]
• tachy– “fast” [Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat.]
• tetan– “stiff” [Tetanus refers to stiffening of muscle fibers.]
• thorac– “chest” [The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs.]
• thrombo– “lump or clot” [Thrombocytes are cells that initiate clotting of the blood.]
• –tropic “influencing” [Adrenocorticotropic hormone influences the adrenal cortex.]
• tympan– “drum” [The tympanic membrane is also known as the eardrum.]
• umbil– “navel” [The navel is where the umbilical cord joined the body.]
• ur(o) – “urine” [The ureters transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.]
• vas– “vessel” [The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and various blood vessels.]
• viscer– “organ” [Visceral peritoneum surrounds the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity.]
• vit– “life” [Vitamins are essential for life.]
• zyg– “joining” [A zygote is formed when a sperm and an ovum join at conception.]

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