Medical terminology for anatomical pathology

techniciansAn overview

A.Gharib,MD,AP&CP August 2008

What does a histopathology technician do?

• Prepares grossing area and specimens • Prepares and performs routine biological staining techniques;• Assists Pathologist with setting up surgical specimens, gross

description, etc.;• Prepares tissue specimens for routine and special procedures • Embeds, cuts and stains tissue for histologic examination;• Prepares frozen sections;• Maintains and operates equipment and instruments;• Records and files findings as directed;• Maintains all records, updates, standard operating procedures, etc. • Enters information such as demographics, order numbers, etc. into

automated systems;• Attends pertinent seminars to remain abreast of methodology and

instrumentation in the field;• May use computer applications or other automated systems such as

spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments;

• May perform other incidental tasks, as needed.

To perform all of the above tasks, a histopathologytechnician requires a vocabulary of words that describevery specific concepts unique to this field. Most of thisvocabulary is related to surgical procedures and specimens.So in this section, we will begin with a generaldescription of the most common terms used insurgical pathology section, and then proceed to specificorgan systems, explaining the specific terminology for eachpart.

Introduction to anatomy

Planes of the body:

-Vertical (frontal, coronal) plane: divides the body to create a posterior (back) and an anterior (front) portion.

-Mid-sagittal (median) plane: passes through the center of head, chest and pelvis, dividing the body into two equal right and left portions.

-Transverse (horizontal) plane: divides the body horizontally into an upper and a lower portion.

Planes of the body

Cavities of the body

-Cranial cavity: contains the brain

-Thoracic cavity (including the pleural cavity and the mediastinum): contains the heart, lungs and large blood vessels.

-Abdominal cavity: contains the stomach, intestine, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen.

-Pelvic cavity: contains the urinary bladder, rectum, and internal parts of the reproductive system.

Cavities of the body

Terms describing orientation

Anterior (ventral)Toward the front of body

Posterior(dorsal)Toward the back of body

Superior(cephalic)Toward the head

Inferior(caudal)Toward the feet

MedialToward the median plane of body

LateralAway from median plane of body

ProximalNearest to the trunk

DistalFarthest from the trunk

SuperficialNearest to the skin surface

DeepFarthest from the skin surface

Terms describing consistency

SoftGelatinousBrittleElasticFirmHardStonyBony

Common Prefixes

PrefixMeaningExample

Contra-AgainstContralateral

Ex-Out, away fromExcise

Inter-BetweenIntermuscular

Intra-WithinIntra-abdominal

Peri-About, aroundPericardium

Retro-BackwardRetroperitoneum

Sub-Under, belowsubpleural

Common Suffixes

SuffixMeaningExample-ectomyExcision, surgical

removalTonsillectomy, appendectomy

-stomySurgical creation of an opening

Colostomy

-tomyIncision, to cut intoLaparatomy:surgical incision of the abdomen

-pexySurgical fixationOrchiopexy

-tomeInstrument for cuttingMicrotome

-rrhaphySurgical repair, sutureHerniorraphy

-tripsyCrushingLithotripsy: crushing of a stone

-celeProtrusion of an organcystocele

-centesisPuncture,tapThoracocentesis

Surgical terms

Excisional biopsy

Complete removal of lesion

Incisional biopsy

Removal of a fragment of tumor to establish a diagnosis

En bloc resection

Tumor and organ are completely removed along with a large area of surrounding tissue

AnastomosisA passage or a communication between two vessels or organs, mostly used in gastrointestinal surgeries

CatheterizationIntroduction of a tube into a passage

DebridementRemoval of dead or damaged tissue

Gross pathological description of tumors

CysticForming large spaces filled with fluid

SolidOpposed to cystic

FungatingMushrooming pattern of growth

PolypoidGrowths that are like projections extending outward from a base into a hollow space

Ulcerating

verrucousResembling a wart-like growth

Gastrointestinal system,Combining forms, suffixes, and terminology

Parts of the body, Combining forms

MeaningExample

An/oanusperianal

Append/oAppendixAppendectomy

Appendic/oAppendixAppendicitis

Bucc/oCheekBuccal mucosa

Cec/oCecumCecal

Celi/oAbdomenCeliac

Cheil/olipCheilosis

Gastrointestinal system,Combining forms,cont.

Parts of the body

MeaningExample

Cholecyst/oGallbladderCholecystectomy

Choledoch/oCommon bile ductCholedochotomy

Col/oLarge intestineColostomy

Colon/oLarge intestineColonoscopy

Dent/iToothDentibuccal

Duoden/oDuodenumDuodenal

Enter/oIntestine, usually small intestine

enterocolitis

Gastrointestinal system,Combining forms,cont.

Parts of the body

MeaningExample

Esophag/oEsophagusesophagectomy

Gastr/oStomachGastrectomy

Gingiv/oGumsGingivitis

Ile/oIleumIleocecal valve

Jejun/oJejunungastrojejunostomy

Labi/olipLabial

Lapar/oabdomenlaparoscopy

Gastrointestinal system,Combining forms,cont

Parts of bodyMeaningExample

Lingu/oTonguesublingual

Or/oMouthOral

Palat/oPalatePalatoplasty

Pancreat/oPancreasPancreatectomy

Pharyng/oThroatPharyngeal

Peritone/oPeritoneumPeritoneal washing

Proct/oAnus& rectum

Proctocolitis

Gastrointestinal system,substances,Combining forms,cont

substances, Combining forms

MeaningExample

Amyl/oStarchamylase

Bil/IBileBiliary

Gluc/o-glyc/oSugarHyperglycemia

Lip/oFatLipoma

Lith/oStoneCholelithiasis

Prote/oProteinProteinaceous

Steat/ofatsteatorrhea

Pathology of the digestive system

AscitesAbnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

AchalasiaFailure of the LES to relax

Anal fistulaAbnormal tube-like passageway near the anus

Colonic polyposisMultiple polyps in colon

Colorectal cancerAdenocarcinoma of colon &rectum

Diverticula (singular,diverticulum)

Abnormal outpouchings in the intestinal wall

Pathology of the digestive system

HemorroidsSwollen,tortuous veins in the anorectal region

HerniaProtrusion of an organ through the weakened muscle or fascia

OmphaloceleHernia of the navel

IntussusceptionTelescoping of the intestines

VolvulusTwisting of the intestine upon itself

CirrhosisChronic disease of liver with fibrosis

Intussusception

Intussusception

Volvulus

Procedures

• Esophagoscopy/esophageal biopsy

• Endoscopy/gastric biopsy,duodenal biopsy

• Colonoscopy/biopsy of colon,rectum

• Liver biopsy

• Cholecystectomy

• Splenectomy

• Intestinal resection

Total gastrectomy

Total colectomy

Respiratory tract Combining forms, suffixes,and terminology

Combining formsMeaningExample

Adenoid/oadenoidsAdenoidectomy

Alveol/oAir sacAlveolar

Bronch/o, Bronchi/o

Bronchial tube,bronchus

Bronchial

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiol/oBronchioleBronchiolitis

Epiglott/oEpiglottisEpiglotitis

Laryng/olarynxlaryngectomy

Respiratory tract. Combining forms, cont

Combining formsMeaningExample

Lob/oLobe of lunglobectomy

Mediastin/omediastinumMediastinoscopy

Nas/onoseParanasal sinuses

Pleur/opleuraPleural effusion

Pneum/oLung,airPneumothorax

Rhin/onoseRhinoplasty

Tonsill/oTonsilsTonsillectomy

Trache/oTracheatracheostomy

Thorac/ochestthoracotomy

Pathological terminology of the respiratory system

BronchiectasisDilation of bronchus secondary to infection

Bronchogenic carcinomaLung cancer

AtelectasisIncomplete expansion of alveoli

EmphysemaHyperinflation of air sacs

pulmonary abscessCollection of pus in lungs

MesotheliomaMalignant tumor of pleura

Pleural effusionEscape of fluid into pleural cavity

Procedures

• Bronchoscopy/bronchial biopsy• Laryngoscopy/laryngeal biopsy• Mediastinoscopy• Thoracentesis:obtaining fluid from the pleural

cavity• Thoracoscopy• Thoracotomy/lung biopsy. lung lobectomy,lung

resection• Tracheostomy• Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB)

Urinary system Combining forms, suffixes,and terminology

Structures, Combining forms

MeaningExample

Cali/o.calic/ocalyxCaliceal

Cyst/oUrinary bladderCystectomy, cystostomy

Glomerul/oglomerulusGlomerular

Meat/omeatusMeatal stenosis

Nephr/okidneynephrectomy

Pyel/oRenal pelvisPyelocaliceal

Ren/okidneyRenal transplantation

Urinary system Combining forms, suffixes, and terminology

Structures, Combining forms

MeaningExample

Trigon/oTrigone region of bladder

Trigonitis

Ureter/oureterUreteroplasty

Urethr/ourethraUrethral stricture

Vesic/oUrinary bladderperivesical

Pathological terminology of the urinary system

glomerulonephritisInflammation of glomerulus

nephrolithiasisRenal calculi

Polycystic kidneys

PyelonephritisInflammation of the renal pelvis

Renal cell carcinoma

Wilms tumor

Bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma)

Pathological terminology of the urinary system,cont.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO)

Ureterovesical junction obstruction(UVJO)

Procedures

• Cystoscopy

• Cystectomy:resection of urinary bladder

• Renal biopsy (open/needle)

• Renal transplantation

• Nephrectomy (radical/partial)

Female reproductive system Combining forms, suffixes, and terminology

Combining formsMeaningExample

Amni/oamnionAmniocentesis

Cervic/ocervixCervicitis

Colp/oVaginaColposcopy

Gynec/oFemaleGynecomastia

Hyster/oUterusHysterectomy

Mast/oBreastLactation

mamm/oBreastmammoplasty

Female reproductive system Combining forms,suffixes

Combining forms

MeaningExample

My/omuscleMyometrium

Myom/omuscle tumorMyomectomy

Oophor/oovaryOophorectomy

Ovari/oOvaryovarian

Perine/operineumPerineorrhaphy

Salping/oFallopian tubesSalpingectomy

Uter/outerusUterine prolapse

Vagin/ovaginavaginoplasty

Vulv/oVulvavulvectomy

Pathological terminology of the female genital tract

Carcinoma of the cervixSCC/Adenocarcinoma

CervicitisInflammation of cervix

FibroidsUterine leiomyoma

Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Ovarian carcinoma

Ovarian cystsCystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma

Carcinoma of the breast

Pathological terminology of the female genital tract,cont.

Fibrocystic disease

Choriocarcinoma

Ectopic pregnancyImplantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterus

Upper outer quadrant, Upper Inner quadrant, Lower outer quadrant, Lower inner quadrant, Areolar

Sections of the breast

Ectopic pregnancyImplantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterus

Procedures• Colposcopy:visual examination of vagina &cervix• Conization/cone biopsy: Removal of a cone-shaped section of

cervix• Culdocentesis:needle aspiration of fluid from cul-de-sac• Dilatation and curettage(D&C)• Endocervical & endometrial curettage• Tubal ligation• Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, Bilateral salpingo-

oophorectomy (TAH-BSO)• Amniocentesis: surgical puncture of the amniotic sac to obtain

amniotic fluid• Chorionic villous sampling• Mastectomy(radical/simple)• Quadrantectomy• Lumpectomy• Core needle Biopsy of breast• FNA (fine needle aspiration) of breast

Cone biopsy of cervix

TAH-BSO

Male reproductive systemCombining forms

MeaningExample

Andr/omaleandrogen

Balan/oGlans penisBalanitis

Crypt/ohiddenCryptorchidism

Epididym/oepididymisEpididymitis

Orch/o,orchi/o, orchid/o

testisOrchiectomy, anorchism

Prostat/oprostateProstatitis

Semin/isemenSeminiferous tubules

Male reproductive system

Combining forms,suffixes

MeaningExample

Sperm/o,spermat/o

spermatozoaSpermatocele

Test/otestisTesticular

Vas/oreferring to vasa deferens

Vasectomy

Varic/oVaricose veinsvaricocele

-pexyfixationOrchiopexy

-stomyNew openingvasovasostomy

Pathological conditions

Carcinoma of the testis/prostate

Seminoma/ adenocarcinoma

CryptorchidismUndescended testis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

HydroceleSac of fluid in the scrotum

Testicular torsionTwisting of spermatic cord

varicocele

Hypo/epispadiasCongenial opening of the urethra on the undersurface of penis

Procedures

• Transurethral resection of prostate(TURP)

• Orchiectomy

• Vasectomy:Excision of a segment of vasa deferens

• Needle biopsy of prostate

• prostatectomy

Central Nervous system

Organs, combining form

MeaningExample

Cerebell/ocerebellumCerebellar

Cerebr/ocerebrumCerebrospinal fluid

Dur/oDura matterSubdural/epidural hematoma

Encephal/obrainEncephalocele

Gli/oGlue,supporting cells

Glioma

Central Nervous system

Organs, combining form

MeaningExample

Lept/oThin(pia &arachnoid membrains)

leptomeninges

Mening/o, meningi/o

meningesMeningioma, meningomyelocele

My/omuscleMyotomy

Myel/oSpinal cordMyelomeningocele

Neur/onerveneuropathy

Central Nervous system

Organs, combining form

MeaningExample

Pont/oPonscerebellopontine

Radicul/oNerve rootRadiculopathy

Thalam/othalamusThalamic

Thec/osheathintrathecal

Vag/oVagus nervevagal

Pathological conditions

HydrocephalusAbnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain

Spina bifidaCongenital defect in spinal column due to imperfect union of vertebrae

GliomaTumor of glial cells,general term

astrocytomaTumor of glial cells

Glioblastoma

Ependymoma

meningioma

Procedure

• CSF analysis

• Lumbar puncture

• Stereotactic brain biopsy: use of a

stereotactic instrument that when fixed onto

the skull, can locate a target by 3D

Measurement.

Stereotactic brain biopsy

SkinCombining forms & suffixes

combining forms

MeaningExample

Cauter/oHeat,burnElectrocautery

Cutane/oskinSubcutaneous

Derm/oskinDermatitis

Ichthy/oScaly,dryIchthyosis

Melan/opigmentedMelanoma

Myc/ofungusDermatomycosis

Onych/onailonychomycosis

Combining forms & suffixes

combining forms

MeaningExample

Pil/ohairpilosebaceous

Seb/osebumSabaceous gland

Squam/osquamousSquamous

trich/ohairTrichoepithelioma

Ungu/onailSubungual

Xanth/oyellowXanthoma

Pathological conditions

maculeA discolored flat lesion

papuleA small elevated lesion

pustuleA small abscess

vesicleBlister

petechiaA pinpoint hemorrhage

psoriasisChronic disease of skin

Nevus (plural:nevi)Pigmented lesion of skin

Pathological conditions

keloidHypertrophied scar occuring after trauma or surgery

VerrucaWart

SLE/DLESystemic lupus erythematosus

Basal cell carcinoma(BCC)

Malignant tumor of skin

MelanomaMalignant tumor of melanocytes

Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)

Malignant tumor of skin

Kaposi sarcoma

Procedures

• Skin biopsy: usually in the form of an ellipse of skin

• Skin punch biopsy: obtaining a core of tissue

• Skin shave biopsy.

• Mohs surgery: Thin layers of a malignant growth are removed and examined under microscope

Skin punch biopsy

Skin,excisional biopsy