Combining Forms and Terminology Sections Flashcards
1
Q
adenoma
A
Tumor of a gland
2
Q
adenitis
A
Inflammation of a gland.
3
Q
arthritis
A
Inflammation of a joint.
4
Q
biology
A
Study of life.
5
Q
biopsy
A
Removal of living tissue and examination under a microscope.
6
Q
carcinoma
A
Cancerous tumor.
7
Q
cardiology
A
Study of the heart.
8
Q
cephalic
A
Pertaining to the head.
9
Q
cerebral
A
Pertaining to the brain.
10
Q
incision
A
Process of cutting into. Scissors cut.
11
Q
excision
A
Process of cutting out.
12
Q
endocrine glands
A
Glands that secrete hormones within the body.
13
Q
cystoscopy
A
Process of visual examination of the urinary bladder.
14
Q
cytology
A
Study of cells
15
Q
dermatitis
A
Inflammation of the skin.
16
Q
hypodermic
A
Pertaining to under the skin.
17
Q
electrocardiogram
A
Record of the electricity in the heart.
18
Q
electroencephalogram
A
Record of the electricity of the brain.
19
Q
enteritis
A
Inflammation of the intestines.
20
Q
erythrocyte
A
A red blood cell.
21
Q
gastrectomy
A
Removal of the stomach.
22
Q
gastrotomy
A
Incision of the stomach.
23
Q
hyperglycemia
A
Condition of increased blood sugar.
24
Q
diagnosis
A
State of complete knowledge; information gathered about a patient’s illness
(dia- = complete; gnos/o = knowledge; -sis = state of).
25
prognosis
State of before knowledge; prediction about the outcome of an illness.
An agnostic is a person who professes no (a-) knowledge of God.
26
gynecology
Study of females and female diseases.
27
hematology
Study of blood.
28
hematoma
Collection (mass) of blood.
29
hemoglobin
Blood protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells
from the lungs and carbon dioxide away from cells to the lungs.
30
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver.
31
iatrogenic
Pertaining to being produced by treatment. A rash occurring after
treatment with a drug, such as penicillin, is an iatrogenic condition.
A related term, nosocomial, refers to any infection acquired in a hospital
(nos/o means disease and -comial comes from the Greek “I take care of”).
32
leukocyte
White blood cell.
33
dermatology
Study of skin.
34
nephritis
Inflammation of the kidney
35
nephrology
Study of the kidney.
36
neurology
Study of nerves.
37
oncology
Study of tumors.
38
oncologist
Specialist in the study of tumors.
39
osteitis
Inflammation of bone.
40
osteoarthritis
Inflammation of bone and joints (actually degeneration of joint tissue).
41
pathology
Study of disease.
42
pathologist
One who studies diseases, performs autopsies, and examines biopsy samples.
43
pediatric
Pertaining to treatment of children.
44
psychology
Study of the mind.
45
psychiatrist
Specialist in the treatment of the mind.
46
radiology
Study of x-rays.
47
renal
Pertaining to the kidney. Ren/o (Latin) is used with -al (Latin), and nephr/o
(Greek) is used with -ic (Greek).
48
rhinitis
Inflammation of the nose.
49
sarcoma
Tumor of flesh tissue (cancerous tumor of connective tissues, such as bone,
muscle, cartilage, fat). Sarcasm is an utterance intended to “cut into the flesh”
and a sarcophagus is a box or container (Egyptian coffin) intended to “swallow
flesh.” Phag/o means to eat or swallow.
50
resection
Process of cutting out; removal.
51
thrombocyte
A clotting cell.
52
urologist
Specialist in the study of diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary tract.
53
cardiac
Pertaining to the heart.
54
neural
Pertaining to nerves.
55
arthralgia
Pain of a joint.
56
neuralgia
Nerve pain.
57
erythrocyte
Red blood cell.
58
nephrectomy
Removal (resection) of a kidney.
59
leukemia
Blood condition of white cells; malignant (cancerous) condition
60
carcinogenic
Pertaining to producing cancer. From the Greek gennao meaning “I produce.”
Other words to help remember -genic are gene and genesis.
61
pathogenic
Pertaining to producing disease.
62
osteogenic sarcoma
Cancerous (malignant) tumor produced in bone; osteocarcoma
63
hemoglobin
Literally, blood (hem/o) protein (-globin). Hemoglobin is a protein found in red
blood cells. It helps erythrocytes carry oxygen.
64
electroencephalogram
Record of the electricity in the brain.
65
gastric
Pertaining to the stomach.
66
neurologic
Pertaining to the study of nerves.
67
excision
Process of cutting out; removal.
68
ophthalmologist
Specialist in the study of diagnosing and treating disorders of the eye.
69
cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
70
endocrinology
Study of the endocrine glands.
71
hepatoma
Tumor (malignant) of the liver
72
nephrosis
Abnormal condition of the kidney.
73
biopsy
Process of viewing life; removal of living tissue for microscopic examination.
74
Leukocytosis
Abnormal condition (slight increase) of normal white blood cells.
75
Encephalopathy
Disease of the brain
76
adenopathy
Disease of glands, actually refers to disease of lymph nodes; lymphadenopathy.
77
endoscope
Instrument to visually examine within (the body).
78
endoscopy
Process of visually examining within (the body).
79
prognosis
Pro/gno/sis
State of before knowledge; prediction about the outcome of treatment
80
osteotomy
Incision of a bone.
81
gastroenterology
Process of study of the stomach and intestines.
82
anemia
A decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin
83
autopsy
“Self-view”—examination of a dead body, understand its function.
84
diagnosis
State of complete knowledge; information gathered about a patient’s illness.
85
endocrinologist
One who specializes in endocrine glands.
86
epigastric
Pertaining to above the stomach.
87
epidermis
Outer layer of skin; above the dermis layer
88
excision
Ex/cis/ion
Process of cutting out; to resection.
89
exocrine glands
Glands that secrete chemicals to the outside of the body.
90
hyperthyroidism
Condition of too much secretion of hormone (thyroxine) from the thyroid gland.
91
hypogastric
Pertaining to below the stomach.
92
hypoglycemia
Condition of low blood sugar.
93
incision
Process of cutting into; to section.
94
pericardium
Structure (membrane) surrounding the heart.
95
prostate gland
Exocrine gland in front of (before) the urinary bladder in males.
96
resection
Removal; excision. From the Latin “resecare” meaning “to cut back, trim or
curtail.” Thus a resection is an operation wherein an organ is “cut back”
or removed.
97
retrocardiac
Pertaining to behind the heart.
98
subhepatic
Pertaining to below the liver
99
transhepatic
Pertaining to across or through the liver
100
abdominal
Pertaining to the abdomen
101
adipose
Pertaining to fat
102
anterior
Pertaining to the front.
103
cervical
Pertaining to the neck.
104
chondroma
Tumor of cartilage
105
chondrosarcoma
Flesh tumor (malignant) of cartilage (tissue). All sarcomas are malignant (cancerous) tumors
106
chromosomes
“Color bodies”; contain genetic material and are located in the nucleus of cell.
107
coccygeal
Pertaining to the tailbone.
108
craniotomy
Incision of the skull.
109
cytoplasm
Contents (formation) of the cell (apart from the nucleus and cell membrane).
110
distal
Pertaining to far (from the beginning of a structure).
111
dorsal
Pertaining to the back.
112
histology
Study of tissues.
113
iliac
Pertaining to the ilium (upper part of the hip bone)
114
inguinal
Pertaining to the groin.
115
karyotype
Picture (classification) of the nucleus (and its chromosomes).
116
lateral
Pertaining to the side.
117
lumbosacral
Lumb/o/sacr/al
Pertaining to the lumbar and sacral regions.
118
medial
Pertaining to the middle.
119
nucleic
Pertaining to the nucleus.
120
pelvic
Pertaining to the pelvis (bones in the region of the hip).
121
pharyngeal
Pertaining to the pharynx (throat)
122
posterior
Pertaining to the back, behind
123
proximal
Pertaining to near the beginning of a structure.
124
sacral
Pertaining to the sacrum (lower back).
125
sarcoma
Tumor (malignant) of flesh tissue .
126
spinal
Pertaining to the spine, backbone.
127
epithelial cell
Cell covering the surface of the skin and inner lining of body cavities and tubes.
128
thoracic
Pertaining to the chest.
129
thoracotomy
Incision of the chest
130
tracheal
Pertaining to the windpipe.
131
umbilical
Pertaining to the navel (belly button).
132
ventral
Pertaining to the belly side of the body
133
vertebral
Pertaining to vertebrae (backbones)
134
visceral
Pertaining to internal organs
135
anabolism
Process of casting up (building up or synthesizing process in a cell). (amino acid --> small protein)
136
catabolism
Process of casting down; breaking down material in the cell to release energy (Big --> small nutrients)
137
epinephrine
Epi/nephr/ine
Hormone secreted by the adrenal gland; adrenaline
138
hypochondriac region
Pertaining to under the rib cartilages (area of the abdomen).
139
intervertebral
Pertaining to between the vertebrae.
140
intravenous
Intra/veno/us
Within a vein
141
metabolism
State of building up (anabolism) and breaking down (catabolism); processes in a cell (All chemical process)
142
Superior
above a certain structure or location of the body
143
Inferior
below a certain structure or location of the body
144
Ventral
toward the belly or front of the body or structure
145
Dorsal
toward the back or the body or structure
146
Medial
toward the middle, body midline or in the center of the body
147
Lateral
on the side of the body, or structureInterme
148
Intermediate
between two organs, objects, or points of the body
149
Ipsilateral
on the same side of the body or structure
150
Contralateral
on opposite sides of the body or structure
151
Proximal
toward an origin of a structure or the body midline
152
Distal
farther away from an origin of a structure or the body midline
153
Superficial
toward the surface of a structure or body
154
Deep
away from the surface of a structure or body
155
Anterior
toward the front of a structure or body
156
Posterior
toward the rear of a structure or body
157
Supine
lying on the back
158
Prone
lying on the belly
159
arthralgia
Pain in a joint
160
otalgia
Pain in the ear
161
neuralgia
Pain of nerves
162
myalgia
Pain of muscles
163
rectocele
Hernia of the rectum
164
cystocele
Hernia of the urinary bladder
165
thoracentesis
puncture to remove fluid from the chest
166
amniocentesis
puncture of the amnion
167
abdominocentesis
puncture of the abdomen
168
streptococcus
Berry-shaped (spheroidal) bacterium found in twisted chains
169
staphylococci
Berry-shaped (spheroidal) bacteria in clusters
170
erythrocyte
Red blood cell
171
leukocyte
White blood cell
172
thrombocyte
Clotting cell
173
pleurodynia
Pain in the chest wall muscles that is aggravated by breathing (literally: pain of the pleura)
174
laryngectomy
Removal of the larynx
175
mastectomy
Removal of a breast
176
anemia
Decrease in erythrocytes or hemoglobin
177
ischemia
To hold back blood from an area of the body
178
carcinogenesis
Condition of producing cancer
179
pathogenesis
Condition of producing disease
180
angiogenesis
Formation of blood vessels
181
electroencephalogram
Record of the electricity in the brain
182
mammogram
Record (x-ray) of the breast
183
electroencephalograph
Instrument for recording the electricity in the brain
184
electroencephalography
Process of recording the electricity in the brain
185
angiography
Process of recording (x-ray imaging) blood vessels.
186
bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi.
187
myelitis
inflammation of the spinal cord. Neuromyelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord that primarily affects the nerves of the eyes (optica)
188
tonsillitis
Inflammation of the tonsils.
189
thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of a vein with clot formation.
190
ophthalmology
Study of the eye
191
morphology
Study of shape or form
192
hemolysis
Destruction of blood (breakdown of red blood cells with release of hemoglobin).
193
osteomalacia
Softening of bone
194
chondromalacia
Softening of cartilage
195
acromegaly
Enlargement of extremities
196
splenomegaly
Enlargement of the spleen
197
myoma
Tumor (benign) of muscle
198
myosarcoma
Tumor (malignant) of muscle—a type of flesh (sarc/o) tissue
199
multiple myeloma
Tumor (malignant) of bone marrow
200
hematoma
Collection of blood; a bruise
201
biopsy
To view life; microscopic examination of living tissue
202
necropsy
Autopsy or postmortem examination. This term is used in veterinary medicine; an autopsy is a necropsy performed on humans.
203
necrosis
Condition of death (of cells).
204
hydronephrosis
Abnormal condition of water (found) in the kidney.
205
leukocytosis
Abnormal condition (slight increase in numbers) of normal white blood cells.
206
cardiomyopathy
Disease of heart muscle
207
erythropenia
Deficiency of red blood cells.
208
neutropenia
Deficiency in neutrophils
209
thrombocytopenia
Deficiency of clotting cells.
210
acrophobia
Fear of heights
211
agoraphobia
Fear of being in open, crowded spaces (marketplace)
212
achondroplasia
No (improper) development of cartilage
213
angioplasty
Surgical repair of blood vessels
214
blepharoptosis
Prolapse, sagging of an eyelid
215
rhinorrhea
Flow or discharge from the nose
216
arteriosclerosis
Hardening of arteries.
217
laparoscope
Instrument to visually examine the abdomen
218
laparoscopy
Process of visual examination of the abdomen
219
metastasis
Beyond control; spreading of a cancerous tumor
220
hemostasis
Stopping the flow of blood (naturally by clotting or artificially by compression)
221
colostomy
New opening of the colon (to the outside of the body)
222
tracheostomy
New opening of the windpipe (to the outside of the body)
223
hydrotherapy
Treatment with water.
224
chemotherapy
Treatment with drugs
225
radiotherapy
Treatment with x-rays
226
laparotomy
Incision into the abdomen. Often referred to as a “lap,” this exploratory
procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
227
phlebotomy
Incision of a vein
228
tracheotomy
Incision of the trachea
229
hypertrophy
Excessive development.
Hint: You can earn a trophy for a new stage in development!
230
atrophy
No development; wasting away of tissue.
231
radiographer
One who records x-rays; radiologic technologist—a professional who, under
the supervision of a physician, operates radiologic equipment and assists
radiologists.
232
leukemia
Condition of increase in white blood cells (malignancy)
233
pneumonia
Condition (abnormal) of lungs.
234
nephrologist
Specialist in the study of the kidney.
235
opioid
substance derived from opium
236
adenoids
collections of lymphatic tissue resembling (-oid) glands (-aden) in the throat, near the mose
237
arteriole
Small artery
238
venule
Small vein.
239
pericardium
structure surrounding the heart
240
mucus
Sticky secretion from mucous membrane.
241
esophagus
Muscular tube carrying food from the throat to the stomach
242
nephropathy
Disease of the kidney
243
cardiac
Pertaining to the heart
244
peritoneal
Pertaining to the peritoneum
245
inguinal
Pertaining to the groin
246
myocardial
pertaining to the heart muscle
247
pleural
Pertaining to the pleura
248
tonsillar
Pertaining to tonsils.
249
pulmonary
Pertaining to the lungs
250
axillary
Pertaining to the armpit
251
laryngeal
Pertaining to the voice box
252
carcinogenic
Pertaining to producing cancer.
253
osteogenic
Pertaining to produced within bone
254
chronic
Long-term; over a long period.
255
pathologic
Pertaining to the study of disease
256
adipose
Pertaining to fat.
257
mucous membrane
A lining that secretes mucus.
258
necrotic
Pertaining to death (of cells)
259
apnea
Not breathing
260
anoxia
Without oxygen (decrease in tissues)
261
abnormal
Pertaining to away from the norm (rule); not regular.
262
abductor
One who (muscle which) leads away from the body. To abduct means to carry away
by force; kidnap
263
adductor
One who (muscle which) leads toward the body. To admit means to send toward or
permit entrance
264
adrenal glands
Endocrine glands located above (toward) the kidneys
265
anabolism
Process of casting (building) up materials (proteins) within cells
266
analysis
To separate (apart). Psychoanalysis is a psychiatric treatment that explores the
mind. Urinalysis (urin/o + [an]alysis) is a laboratory examination of urine to aid
in diagnosis.
267
ante cibum
Before meals.
268
anteflexion
Bending forward
269
antepartum
Before birth.
270
antibiotic
Pertaining to against life (germ life).
271
antibody
Protein substance made in the body to destroy foreign antigens.
272
antigen
A substance (usually foreign) that stimulates the production of antibodies.
273
antisepsis
Condition against infection.
274
antitoxin
A substance (antibody) produced in response to and capable of neutralizing a toxin
(such as those causing diphtheria or tetanus). Antivenin contains antitoxin
specific for an animal or insect venom.
275
autoimmune disease
A condition related to making antibodies (immune substances) against one’s own
(auto-) cells and tissues.
276
bifurcation
Forking (branching) into two; as the trachea bifurcates into two individual tubes
277
bilateral
Pertaining to two sides.
278
bradycardia
Condition of slow heartbeat.
279
catabolism
Process of casting down materials (sugar) to release energy in cells.
280
congenital anomaly
Irregularity at birth
281
connective
To tie (bind) together. A conference (fer-means to carry or bring) is where people
gather together or meet
282
contraindication
To point out against; as reasons why a drug should not be taken.
283
contralateral
Pertaining to the opposite side. Ipsilateral means pertaining to the same side
284
dehydration
Condition of lack of water.
285
diameter
To measure through; as the diameter of a circle
286
diarrhea
To flow through; water is not properly absorbed through the walls of the colon.
287
dialysis
Complete separation; two types are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
288
dyspnea
Difficult breathing
289
dysentery
Abnormal and painful condition of the intestines
290
dysplasia
Abnormal (“bad”) development or formation
291
ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy out of the normal place (usually in the fallopian tubes).
292
endocardium
Inner lining (membrane) of the heart.
293
endoscope
Instrument to view within the body; gastroscope, bronchoscope, laparoscope.
294
endotracheal
Pertaining to within the trachea
295
epithelium
Skin cell; literally, “upon a nipple.”
296
euphoria
Good feeling, “high.” A eulogy is a speech saying good things about a person after
his/her death
297
euthyroid
Normal thyroid function
298
exophthalmos
Eyeballs that protrude
299
hemiglossectomy
Removal of half the tongue
300
hyperglycemia
Increase in blood sugar.
301
hyperplasia
Condition of increased formation (increase in number of cells)
302
hypertension
high blood pressure
303
hypertrophy
Increase in development; increase in size of cells.
304
hypodermic injection
Use of a needle and syringe to force liquid under the skin.
305
hypoglycemia
Decrease in blood sugar.
306
insomniac
Pertaining to inability to sleep.
307
incision
Process of cutting into; sectioning.
308
infracostal
Pertaining to below ribs
309
intercostal
Pertaining to between the ribs
310
intravenous
Pertaining to within a vein
311
macrocephaly
Pertaining to an enlarged head; a congenital anomaly
312
malaise
Feeling of discomfort; “bad feeling.”
313
malignant
Harmful, bad; cancerous condition.
314
metacarpal bones
Five hand bones (beyond the wrist).
315
metamorphosis
Condition of change of shape or form. A worm-like larva undergoes a change in
shape to become a butterfly. This is an example of metamorphosis
316
metastasis
Beyond control; spreading of a malignant tumor.
317
microscope
Instrument to view small objects.
318
microcephaly
condition of smaller than normal head; a congenital anomaly
319
neonatal
Pertaining to a newborn (infant)
320
neoplasm
New growth; new formation (tumor)
321
pancytopenia
Condition of decrease in all cells (blood cells)
322
paralysis
Abnormal destruction (of nerves) leading to loss of muscle function.
323
parathyroid glands
Endocrine glands located near (on the dorsal side of) the thyroid gland. A paramedic works beside and assists a doctor; also called an emergency medical technician (EMT). a parasite (-site means grain or food) is an organism that feeds and lives an or within another organism. Lice, ticks, and fleas are examples of parasites.
324
percutaneous
Pertaining to through the skin.
325
pericardium
Membrane surrounding the heart.
326
polymorphonuclear
Pertaining to a many-shaped nucleus; a type of white blood cell.
327
polyneuritis
Inflammation of many nerves
328
postmortem
After death
329
postpartum
After childbirth; this most often refers to the mother
330
precancerous
Pertaining to before cancer; a lesion that may become cancerous
331
prenatal
Pertaining to before birth.
332
prodrome
Signs and symptoms that appear before the onset of a more severe illness.
333
prolapse
Sliding forward or downward
334
prosthesis
Artificial limb or part of the body (literally, to put or place forward)
335
relapse
A sliding back; recurrence of symptoms of disease
336
remission
To send back; disappearance of symptoms of disease
337
recombinant DNA
Inserting a gene (region of DNA) from one organism into the DNA of another organism.
338
retroperitoneal
Pertaining to behind the peritoneum.
339
retroflexion
Bending backward.
340
subcutaneous
Pertaining to under the skin
341
suprapubic
Pertaining to above the pubic bone (part of the pelvis).
342
syndactyly
Condition of webbed (held together) fingers or toes; a congenital anomaly.
343
synthesis
To put or place together, as in protein synthesis or photosynthesis.
344
syndrome
A group of symptoms that run (occur) together. In synchrony means timed
(chron/o) together.
345
symbiosis
Condition or state of “life together”; two organisms living together for mutual
benefit or not (parasitism)
346
symmetry
State of “measurement together”; equality of parts; mirror images.
347
symphysis
To grow together; bones that grow together at the joint
348
symptom
A subjective change in condition as perceived by the patient.
349
tachypnea
Rapid breathing.
350
transfusion
To pour across, as in transferring blood from one person to another
351
transurethral
Pertaining to through the urethra
352
ultrasonography
Process of recording ultrasound (beyond the normal range) waves.
353
unilateral
Pertaining to one side.
