What it means
The beginning of words about the self. An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues; autonomyaw-TON-uh-meeA person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.Full entry is self-rule; the autonomic nervous systemaw-tuh-NOM-ik NUR-vus SIS-tumThe part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.auto- selfnom/o law, control-ic relating toFull entry runs on its own; an autograft uses the person's own tissue; an autopsy is an exam of a body after death.
At a glance
| Also written | aut/o, aut- |
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Related terms
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
immun/o
A word root that means immune, or protection from disease.