Basic Medical Terminology Flashcards
What are prefixes?
Often denote time, location and status
Examples of root words
Abdomin(o) → abdomen
Aden(o) → gland
Adip(o) → fat
Brachi(o) → arm
What are suffixes?
Indicate procedure, disorder, or disease
Example of suffixes
Itis → inflammation
Ectomy → removal
Scope → viewing instrument
Opsy→ inspection or examination
Algia → pain
Oma → swelling or tumour
Emesis → vomiting
Common formations
Root word + suffix
Prefix+ root word
Prefix + root word+ suffix
Root word + root word
Root word + root word + suffix
Blooding blocks → example
Haemat + emesis → vomiting blood
Building blocks → example
Micro + bio+ ology → study of microscopic organisms
What is myocardium
Heart muscle
What is myocardia’s
Inflammation of the heart muscle
What is at otorhinolaryngology ?
The study of cars, nose and throat (ENT)
Colour word part → terminology
Erytyth → red
Cyan → blue
Leuk → white
Jaunt → yellow
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells
Cyanosis
Blue discolouration of skin
Leukoplakia
White patches in the mouth
Jaundice
Yellowing of skin
Difference between inflammation (-itis) and infection (infectious/bacterial)
Inflammation of the bladder lining = cystitis
Infection of the bladder lining causing inflammation = bacterial cystitis
Inflammation of the appendix = appendicitis
Infection of the appendix causing inflammation = infected appendicitis (often referred to as appendicitis)
Common terms in RT
Cachexia → weakness & weight loss due to cancer
Dysphasia → difficulty swallowing
Dyspepsia → indigestion
Dyspnoea → difficulty breathing
Dysuria → painful or difficult urination
Haemoptysis → coughing up blood
Haematemesis → vomiting blood
Haematuria → blood in urine
Erythema → reddening of skin
Radiotherapy abbreviations
RIP → patient has died
DOB → date of birth
UKP → unknown primary (location of original tumour is unknown)
TLD → thermoluminescent dosimeter ( device used for some personal dose monitoring and patient dose)
Tbs - BT → patient needs to be seen before treatment by doctor
TITA → to ill to attend
