cardiac
UK: ˈkɑːdiæk | US: ˈkɑːrdiæk
adj. relating to the heart
adj. (medicine) pertaining to the cardiac region or heart function
The word "cardiac" traces back to the Greek "kardia" (heart), which passed into Latin as "cardiacus." The morpheme "cardi" preserves the original Greek root meaning "heart," while the suffix "-ac" (from Greek "-akos") forms adjectives. This structure vividly links the term to its physiological focus, reflecting how ancient anatomical knowledge shaped modern medical vocabulary.
The patient underwent cardiac surgery to repair a valve.
Regular exercise strengthens cardiac muscles.
The doctor detected an irregular cardiac rhythm.
Cardiac arrest requires immediate medical attention.
She specializes in cardiac rehabilitation programs.