15.1 – Introduction to the Sensory Systems
Learning Objectives
- Identify the anatomy of the sensory systems and describe the main functions of the sensory systems
- Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of the sensory systems
- Practice the spelling and pronunciation of sensory systems terminology
- Identify the medical specialties associated with the sensory systems and explore common diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests and procedures related to the sensory systems
Sensory Systems Word Parts
Click on prefixes, combining forms, and suffixes to reveal a list of word parts to memorize for the sensory systems.
Prefix
- bi- (two)
- bin- (two)
- a- (absence of, without, no, not, negates meaning)
- an- (absence of, without, no, not negates meaning)
- endo- (within, in)
Combining Form
- audi/o (hearing)
- aur/o (ear)
- aur/i (ear)
- blephar/o (eyelid)
- cochle/o (cochlea)
- conjunctiv/o (conjunctiva)
- cor/o (pupil)
- corne/o (cornea)
- core/o (pupil)
- cry/o (cold)
- dacry/o (tear, tear duct)
- dipl/o (two, double)
- ir/o (iris)
- irid/o (iris)
- is/o (equal)
- kerat/o (cornea)
- labyrith/o (labyrinth, inner ear)
- lacrim/o (tear, tear duct)
- mastoid/o (mastoid bone)
- myring/o (tympanic membrane, eardrum)
- ocul/o (eye)
- ophthalm/o (eye)
- opt/o (vision)
- ot/o (ear)
- phac/o (lens)
- phak/o (lens)
- phot/o (light)
- pupill/o (pupil)
- retin/o (retina)
- scler/o (sclera)
- staped/o (stapes, middle ear)
- ton/o (tension, pressure)
- tympan/o (tympanic membrane, middle ear)
- vestibul/o (vestibule)
Suffix
- -al (pertaining to)
- -algia (pain)
- -ar (pertaining to)
- -ary (pertaining to)
- -ectomy (excision or surgical removal)
- -eal (pertaining to)
- -gram (record, radiographic image)
- -graphy (process of recording)
- -ia (condition of, diseased or abnormal state)
- -ic (pertaining to)
- -itis (inflammation)
- -logist (specialist or physician who studies and treats)
- -logy (study of)
- -malacia (softening)
- -meter (instrument used to measure)
- -metry (process of measuring)
- -oma (tumour, swelling)
- -opia (vision as it relates to condition)
- -plegia (paralysis)
- -ptosis (prolapse, drooping, sagging)
- -stomy (creation of artificial opening)
- -pathy (disease)
- -pexy (surgical fixation)
- -phobia (abnormal fear, aversion to specific things)
- -plasty (surgical repair)
- -plegia (paralysis)
- -rrhea (flow, discharge)
- -sclerosis (hardening)
- -scope (instrument used to view)
- -scopy (process of viewing)
- -sis (abnormal condition)
- -tomy (incision, cut into)
Activity source: Sensory Systems Word Parts by Kimberlee Carter, from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY- 4.0. /Text version added.
Introduction to the Sensory Systems
Ask anyone what the senses are, and they are likely to list the five major senses as taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight. However, these are not all of the senses. The most obvious omission from this list is balance