Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology Flashcards
abate
to lessen, ease, decrease, or cease
abnormal
pertaining to away from the norm or rule; a condition that is considered to be not normal
ab-
away from
“norm”
rule
-al
pertaining to
abscess
localized collection of pus, which may occur in any part of the body
acute
sudden, sharp, severe; used to describe a disease that has a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
adhesion
a process of being stuck together
“adhes”
stuck to
-ion
process
afferent
carrying impulses toward a center
ambulatory
condition of being able to walk, not confided to bed
antidote
substance given to counteract poisons and their effects
antipyretic
pertaining to an agent that is used to lower an elevated body temperature (fever)
anti-
against
“pyret”
fever
-ic
pertaining to
antiseptic
pertaining to an agent that works against sepsis; a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections
“sept”
putrefaction
antitussive
pertaining to an agent that works against coughing
“tuss”
cough
-ive
nature of, quality of
apathy
condition in which one lacks feelings and emotions and is indifferent
asepsis
without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms
a-
without
-sepsis
decay
autoclave
an apparatus that sterilizes instruments and items using steam under pressure (15 pounds of pressure per square inch) to reach a heat of 250F to 254F for a specified time, such as 30 minutes for single wrapped items
autonomy
condition of being self-governed; to function independently
auto-
self
“nom”
law
-y
condition
axillary
pertaining to the armpit
“axill”
armpit
-ary
pertaining to
biopsy
surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination; used to determine a diagnosis of cancer or other disease processes in the body
“bi/o”
life
-opsy
to view
cachexia
condition of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting; it may occur in chronic diseases such as cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis
cac-
bad
-hexia
condition
centigrade
unit of temperature measurement (Celsius scale) with a boiling point of 100 degrees and a freezing point at 0 degrees; each degree of temperature chance is 0.01 (1/100) of the scale
centi-
one hundred, one hundredth
-grade
a step
centimeter
unit of measurement in the metric system; one hundredth of a meter
-meter
measure
centrifuge
device used in a laboratory to separate solids from liquids
“centr/i”
center
-fuge
to flee
chemotherapy
the use of chemical agents in the treatment of diseases, specifically drugs used in cancer treatment
“chem/o”
chemical
-therapy
treatment
chronic
pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression; the opposite of acute
diagnosis
determination of the cause and nature of a disease, which is most often determined through the process of knowledge
dia-
through
-gnosis
knowledge
diaphoresis
to carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating
-phoresis
to carry
disease
a pathological condition of the body that presents with a series of symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings peculiar to it and sets it apart from normal functioning of the body by a process that can be congenital, infectious, or the failure of normal activity to maintain and sustain health
disinfectant
chemical substance that can be applied to objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria
dis-
apart
“infect”
to infect
-ant
forming
efferent
carrying impulses away from a center
empathy
the ability to sense intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person
epidemic
pertaining to upon the people; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectious disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitted by and to humans, birds, insects, etc.
epi-
upon
“dem”
people
etiology
the study of the cause(s) of disease
“eti/o”
cause
-logy
study of
excision
process of cutting out, surgical removal
ex-
out
“cis”
to cut
-ion
process
febrile
pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature above 98.6F
gram
unit of weight in the metric system; a cubic centimeter or a milliliter of water is equal to the weight of a gram
heterogeneous
composed of unlike substances; the opposite of homogeneous
hetero-
different
“gene”
formation, produce
-ous
pertaining to
illness
state of being sick
incision
process of cutting into
in-
in, into
kilogram
unit of weight in the metric system; 1,000 grams; a kilogram is equal to 2.2lb
“kil/o”
a thousand
-gram
a weight
liter
unit of volume in the metric system; 1,000mL; a liter is equal to 33.8fl. oz. or 1.0567qt.
macroscopic
pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye
“macr/o”
large
“scop”
to examine
malaise
a general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness; often felt by a patient who has a chronic disease
malformation
a structural defect that fails to form normal shape and therefore can affect the function
mal-
bad
“format”
a shaping
malignant
growing worse, harmful, cancerous
“malign”
bad kind
-ant
forming
maximal
pertaining to the greatest possible quantity, number, or degree
“maxim”
greatest
microgram
unit of weight in the metric system; one-millionth of a gram or one-thousandth of a milligram (0.001mg)
microorganism
small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye
“organ”
organ
-ism
condition
microscope
scientific instrument designed to view small objects
-scope
instrument for examining
milligram
unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001g
milliliter
unit of volume in the metric system; 0.001L
minimal
pertaining to the least possible quantity, number, or degree
“minim”
least
multiform
occurring in or having many shapes; an object that has more than one defined shape
multi-
many, much
-form
shape
necrosis
abnormal condition of tissue death
“necr”
death
-osis
condition
neopathy
new disease
neo-
new
-pathy
disease
oncology
the study of the etiology, characteristics, treatments, etc., of cancer
“onc/o”
tumor
pallor
paleness; a lack of color
palmar
pertaining to the palm of the hand
“palm”
palm
-ar
pertaining to
paracentesis
surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal
para-
beside
-centesis
surgical puncture
prognosis
prediction of the course of a disease and the recovery rate of the affected person
pro-
before
prophylactic
pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy
“prophylact”
guarding
pyrogenic
pertaining to the production of heat; a fever
“pyr/o”
heat, fire
-genic
formation, produce
radiology
study of x-rays and other imaging modalities that use x-rays
“radi/o”
ray, x-ray
rapport
relationship of understanding between two individuals, especially between the patient and the physician
syndrome
a group of signs and symptoms occurring together that characterize a specific disease or pathological condition
syn-
together, with
-drome
that which runs together
thermometer
an instrument used to measure degree of heat, especially the temperature of a person
“therm/o”
hot, heat
topography
description of a body part in relation to the anatomic region in which it is located
“top/o”
place
-graphy
recording
triage
a system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment