The root element that means kidney is ren-, reno-.
Understanding medical terminology often involves learning common root words, prefixes, and suffixes derived primarily from Greek and Latin. These components help build complex medical terms. According to the reference provided by MedlinePlus, the root part used in medical terms related to the kidney is ren-, reno-.
Common Root Elements and Their Meanings
The reference material highlights several key root elements for body parts:
| Part | Definition |
|---|---|
| ren-, reno- | kidney |
| retin- | retina (of the eye) |
| rhin-, rhino- | nose |
| salping-, salpingo- | tube |
Examples of Terms Using ren- or reno-
- Renal: Pertaining to the kidney.
- Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidney (Note:
nephro-is another common root for kidney, also derived from Greek, often used for conditions). - Renography: An imaging test of the kidney.
- Renal failure: When the kidneys stop working adequately.
Knowing root elements like ren- or reno- helps in deciphering the meaning of many medical terms related to the anatomy, function, and diseases of the kidney.
