7 Terminology of the Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems

How to decode medical terms

Medical terms often combine word parts that identify a body structure, describe a condition, or name a procedure. Recognizing these parts can help you infer a term’s meaning, but context matters because some word parts have more than one meaning.

A term may contain a Prefix, a Root, and a Suffix, but not every term has all three. A Combining vowel may connect parts or make the term easier to pronounce.

To decode a term, first identify the suffix and what it describes, such as inflammation or a procedure. Then locate the root or roots, check any prefix for added meaning, and combine the parts. Finally, verify that the result makes sense in context. For example, colitis combines col, meaning colon, with -itis, meaning inflammation; it means inflammation of the colon. In gastroenterology, gastr/o refers to the stomach, enter/o to the intestine, and -logy to the study of, so the term refers to the study of the digestive system.

Digestive-system terminology

The Gastrointestinal (GI) tract carries food from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, and anus. The digestive system also includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, which support digestion.

Digestive-system word parts identify structures and appear in terms for conditions and procedures:

• or/o and stomat/o refer to the mouth. Stomatitis means inflammation of the mouth.

• esophag/o refers to the esophagus. Esophageal means pertaining to the esophagus.

• gastr/o refers to the stomach. Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach.

• enter/o refers to the intestine. Enteritis means inflammation of the intestine.

• duoden/o and ile/o refer to the duodenum and ileum. Ileitis means inflammation of the ileum.

• col/o and colon/o refer to the colon. Colonoscopy means visual examination of the colon.

• proct/o refers to the anus or rectum, and rect/o refers to the rectum. Proctitis means inflammation of the rectum or anus.

• hepat/o refers to the liver. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

• cholecyst/o refers to the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy means surgical removal of the gallbladder.

• appendic/o refers to the appendix. Appendectomy means surgical removal of the appendix.

Suffixes distinguish procedures that may involve the same structure. In colostomy, col/o means colon and -stomy means creating an opening. By contrast, -otomy means making an incision, and -ectomy means removing.

Urinary-system terminology

The Urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood. Urine travels through the ureters to the bladder and leaves the body through the urethra.

Urinary-system word parts include:

• nephr/o and ren/o for kidney; nephrology means the study of the kidneys.

• pyel/o for renal pelvis; pyelitis means inflammation of the renal pelvis.

• cyst/o and vesic/o for bladder or sac; cystitis means inflammation of the bladder.

• ureter/o for ureter; ureteral means pertaining to a ureter.

• urethr/o for urethra; urethritis means inflammation of the urethra.

• ur/o and urin/o for urine or urinary tract; urinalysis means examination of urine.

• -uria for urine or a condition of urination; hematuria means blood in the urine.

The same root can combine with different suffixes to name different things. Cystitis is bladder inflammation, whereas cystoscopy is visual examination of the bladder. Nephrectomy means removal of a kidney, not removal of the bladder.

Reproductive-system terminology

Reproductive-system terms commonly name organs, tissues, or procedures. The roots below are used in terminology for reproductive anatomy and care.

• hyster/o and uter/o refer to the uterus. Hysterectomy means surgical removal of the uterus.

• cervic/o refers to the cervix, but in other contexts it can mean neck. Cervical means pertaining to the cervix when used in that context.

• salping/o refers to a uterine, or fallopian, tube. Salpingectomy means surgical removal of a uterine tube; salpingitis means inflammation of a uterine tube.

• oophor/o and ovar/i refer to the ovary. Oophorectomy means surgical removal of an ovary.

• vagin/o refers to the vagina. Vaginitis means inflammation of the vagina.

• orch/o, orchi/o, and test/o refer to a testis. Orchitis means inflammation of a testis.

• prostat/o refers to the prostate. Prostatitis means inflammation of the prostate.

• andr/o means male. Androgen is a hormone associated with male sex characteristics.

• gynec/o means woman or female and is used in terms related to women’s health. Gynecology is a medical specialty focused on the female reproductive system.

A term’s components may describe a procedure rather than a disease: salpingectomy names removal of a uterine tube, while salpingitis names inflammation of a uterine tube.

Prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations

Common prefixes include dys-, meaning difficult, painful, or abnormal; poly-, meaning many or much; intra-, meaning within; and peri-, meaning around. Dysuria means painful or difficult urination, while polyuria means excessive urination.

Common suffixes include -itis for inflammation, -ectomy for surgical removal, -scopy for visual examination, -logy for study of, and -megaly for enlargement. The suffix helps distinguish the kind of condition or procedure named by a term.

Abbreviations are shortened forms, not word-building parts. GI means gastrointestinal; GU means genitourinary, referring to urinary and reproductive organs; UTI means urinary tract infection; BPH means benign prostatic hyperplasia; and STI means sexually transmitted infection. Abbreviations can vary by setting, so use surrounding text or ask for clarification rather than guessing.