Comprehensive Medical Terminology Flashcards by Teresita Ruiz

A/An ____________________ is a mature red blood cell.
Group of answer choices

erythrocyte

Erythrocyte

erythrocyte

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The term ____________________ describes an examination technique using the examiner’s hands.

Palpation

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The rupture of a muscle is known as ____________________.

Myorrhexis

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hypertension

higher-than-normal blood pressure

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hypotension

lower-than-normal blood pressure

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inflammation

localized response to a tissue injury

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laceration

torn and jagged wound

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lesion

pathologic tissue change caused by disease or injury

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The abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries is known as ____________________.

Arteriosclerosis

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The surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid is known as ____________________.

Abdominocentesis

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A/An ____________________ is the surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface.

Colostomy

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The term ____________________ describes discomfort due to the regurgitation of stomach acid upward into the esophagus.

Pyrosis

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A/An ____________________, such as laser, is a word formed from the initial letter or letters of the major parts of a compound term.

Acronym

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The ____________________ are the bones of the fingers and toes.

Phalanges

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The medical term ____________________ describes any abnormal condition or disease caused by a fungus.

Mycosis

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The medical term ____________________ describes any pathologic change or disease in the spinal cord.

Myelopathy

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A/An ____________________ is the invasion of the body by a disease-producing organism.

Infection

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The study of disorders of the newborn is known as ____________________.

Neonatology

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dys-

bad, difficult, painful

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-itis

inflammation

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-ostomy

creation of an artificial opening

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-otomy

surgical incision

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gastr-

stomach

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-sclerosis

abnormal hardening

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The act of rotating the arm so that the palm of the hand is forward or upward is known as ____________________.

Supination

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A suffix usually, but not always, indicates the

procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.

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-itis means

inflammation

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hyper- means

excessive or increased.

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Myel/o

Spinal cord

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Oste/o

Bone

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my/o

muscle

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nuer/o

nerve

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arthr/o

nerve

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cyan/o

means blue

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Cyanosis (sigh-ah-NOH-sis)

is blue discoloration of the skin caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood

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-osis means

abnormal condition or disease

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erythr/o means

red

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erythrocyte (eh-RITH-roh-sight)

is a mature red blood cell

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-cyte

cell

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leuk/o

means white

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A leukocyte (LOO-koh-sight)

is a white blood cell

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poli/o

means gray

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Poliomyelitis (poh-lee-oh-my-eh-LYE-tis) i

s a viral infection of the gray nerve tissue of the spinal cord

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itis

means inflammation

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Gastroenteritis (gas-troh-en-ter-EYE-tis) i

s an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.

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enter means

(small intestine)

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plasty

(surgical repair)

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rrhaphy

(surgical suturing)

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Neuroplasty (NEW-roh-plas-tee)

is the surgical repair of a nerve.

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Neurorrhaphy (new-ROR-ah-fee)

is suturing together the ends of a severed nerve.

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-ectomy

(surgical removal)

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Tonsillitis (ton-sih-LYE-tis)

is an inflammation of the tonsils.

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A tonsillectomy (ton-sih-LECK-toh-mee)

is the surgical removal of the tonsils.

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crani

means skull

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cranium (KRAY-nee-um)

is the portion of the skull that encloses the brain

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-ac suffix means

pertaining to

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-al suffix means

pertaining to

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-ar suffix means

pertaining to

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-an suffix means

pertaining to

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-ary suffix means

pertaining to

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-eal suffix means

pertaining to

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-ical suffix means

pertaining to

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-ial suffix means

pertaining to

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-ic suffix means

pertaining to

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-ine suffix means

pertaining to

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-ior suffix means

pertaining to

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-ory suffix means

pertaining to

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-tic suffix means

pertaining to

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-ous suffix means

pertaining to

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cardiac (KAR-dee-ack)

an adjective that means pertaining to the heart.

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cardi

means heart

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gastrosis (gas-TROH-sis)

means any disease of the stomach

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-ago suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-esis suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-ism suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-ia suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-iasis suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-ion suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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-osis suffix means

Abnormal Condition or Disease

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Pathology (pah-THOL-oh-jee)

is the study of all aspects of diseases

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path

disease

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ology

study of

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Algia

pain and suffering

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Gastralgia

Stomachache

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dynia

pain

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gastrodynia

pain in the stoamch

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Gastritis

inflammation in the stomach

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megaly

enlargement

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hepat/o

liver

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Malachia

abnormal softening

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hepatomegaly

abnormal enlargement in the liver

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arteriomalacia

abnormal softening of the walls of an artery or arteries

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necrosis

tissue death

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arterionecrosis

tissue death of an artery or artieries

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sclerosis

abnormal hardening

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arteriosclerosis

abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries

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stenosis

abnormal narrowing

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arteriostenosis

abnormal narrowing of an artery or arteries

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-centesis

a surgical puncture to remove fluid for diagnostic purposes or to remove excess fluid.

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Abdominocentesis (ab-dom-ih-noh-sen-TEE-sis)

he surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid

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abdomin/o

abdomen

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-graphy

means the process of producing a picture or record.

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Angiography (an-jee-OG-rah-fee)

process of producing a radiographic (x-ray) study of blood vessels after the injection of a contrast medium to make these blood vessels visible

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angi/o

blood vessel,

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-gram

means a picture or record.

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angiogram (AN-jee-oh-gram)

the resulting film that is produced by angiography

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Myoplasty (MY-oh-plas-tee)

is the surgical repair of a muscle

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-scopy means

visual examination.

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Arthroscopy (ar-THROS-koh-pee)

is the visual examination of the internal structure of a joint

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-rrhage and -rrhagia mean

mean bleeding; however, they are most often used to describe sudden, severe bleeding

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hemorrhage (HEM-or-idj)

is the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time

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hem/o

blood

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-rrhage

means abnormal excessive fluid discharge

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-rrhaphy

means surgical suturing to close a wound and includes the use of sutures, staples, or surgical glue.

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Myorrhaphy (my-OR-ah-fee)

is the surgical suturing of a muscle wound

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-rrhea means

flow or discharge and refers to the flow of most body fluids.

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Diarrhea (dye-ah-REE-ah)

is the frequent flow of loose or watery stools

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dia-

means through

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rrhea

means flow or discharge

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-rrhexis

means rupture.

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Myorrhexis (my-oh-RECK-sis)

is the rupture of a muscle

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natal (NAY-tal)

means pertaining to birth

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nat

means birth,

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ab-

away from, negative, absent

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ad-

toward, to, in the direction of

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dextr/o

right side

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sinistr/o

left side

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ex-

out of, outside, away from

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in-

in, into, not, without

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macro-

large, abnormal size, or long

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micr/o, micro-

small

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mega- , megal/o

large, great

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olig/o

scanty, few

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pre-

before

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post-

after, behind

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Prenatal

means the time and events before birth

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Perinatal

refers to the time and events surrounding birth

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peri-

surrounding

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Postnatal

refers to the time and events after birth

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means away from

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abnormal

not normal or away from normal

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dys

bad, difficult, or painful

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dysfunctional

organ or body part that is not working properly

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hyper

excessive or increased

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hypertension

higher than normal blood pressure

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inter

between or among

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interstitial

between, but not within, the parts of a tissue

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sub

under, less, or below

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subcostal

below a rib or ribs

toward or in the direction of

addicition

being drawn toward or having a strong dependence on a drug or substance

good, normal, well, or. easy

Eupnea

easy or normal breathing

hypo

deficient or decreased

hypotension

lower than normal blood pressure

intra

within or inside

intramuscular

within the muscle

super, supra

above or excessive

supracostal

above or outside the ribs

laryng

larynx or throat.

rhin/o

nose

ot/o

ear

Laryng/o

larynx

ENT

ears, nose, throat

otolaryngology

study of the ears and larynx or throat

edema

is swelling caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues, or cavities of the body.

lithotomy

surgical incision for the removal of a stone

lith

stone

phalanges

the bones of the fingers and toes

appendic

means appendix

appendicitis

means an inflammation of the appendix

If the singular term ends in the suffix -a , the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to

If the singular term ends in the suffix -ex or -ix , the plural is usually formed by changing these endings to

ices

If the singular term ends in the suffix -is , the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to

If the singular term ends in the suffix -itis , the plural is usually formed by changing the -is ending to

ides

If the singular term ends in the suffix -nx , the plural is usually formed by changing the -x ending to

ges

If the singular term ends in the suffix -on , the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to

If the singular term ends in the suffix -us , the plural is usually formed by changing the ending to

sign

objective evidence of disease, such as a fever.

is the identification of a disease

diagnosis

acute

condition has a rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration

disease

is a condition in which one or more body parts are not functioning normally. Some diseases are named for their signs and symptoms. For example, chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent, overwhelming fatigue of unknown origin

is subjective evidence of a disease, such as pain or a headache. Subjective means that it can be evaluated or measured only by the patient.

symptom

also known as a rule out (R/O), is an attempt to determine which one of several possible diseases is causing the signs and symptoms that are present.

differential diagnosis

condition is of long duration. Although such diseases can be controlled, they are rarely cured.

chronic

is a disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who discovered or described it first. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is named for German neurologist Alois Alzheimer

eponym

is a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process.

syndrome

is a prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease

prognosis

s the temporary, partial, or complete disappearance of the symptoms of a disease without having achieved a cure.

Remission

is a word formed from the initial letter of the major parts of a compound term. For example, the acronym laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

acronym

means pertaining to the interior or lining of an artery

Endarterial

end

within

ather/o

plaque or fatty substance

atheroma

fatty deposit within the wall of an artery

oma

tumor

arthralgia

pain in a joint or joins

appendectomy

the surgical removal of the appendix

col

colon

colotomy

surgical incision

is a groove or crack-like sore of the skin

fissure

is an abnormal passage, usually between two internal organs or leading from an organ to the surface of the body

fistula

is the last and longest portion of the small intestine.

ileum

ilium

is part of the hip bone.

mening

meninges

meningitis

in which the cause of the inflammation is an infection.

tendinitis

caused by overuse rather than infection.

tendin

tendon

is the invasion of the body by a pathogenic (disease-producing) organism.

infection

is a word of French origin referring to a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness that is often the first indication of an infection or other disease.

malaise

is a fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound.

exudate

hyperthermia

heat

erythema

redness

is a torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut.

laceration

is a pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury.

lesion

describes the specialized membranes that line the body cavities.

mucous

is the name of the fluid secreted by these mucous membranes.

mucus

myc/o

fungus

mycosis

describes any abnormal condition or disease caused by a fungus

myelopathy

describes any pathologic change or disease in the spinal cord

my/o

muscle

myopathy

describes any pathologic change or disease of muscle tissue

-ologist

means specialist

is an examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts.

Palpation

is a pounding or racing heart.

pyel/o, py/o, and pyr/o

palpatation

pyel/o

renal pelvis, which is part of the kidney.

py/o

pus

Pyelitis

is an inflammation of the renal pelvis

Pyoderma

is any acute, inflammatory, pus-forming bacterial skin infection such as impetigo

pyr/o

fever or fire

supimation

is the act of rotating the arm so that the palm of the hand is forward or upward.

is the formation or discharge of pus.

suppuration

triage

is the medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and the proper place of treatment

trauma

means wound or injury. These are the types of injuries that might occur in an accident, shooting, natural disaster, or fire.

Terms used to describe the location of body planes, directions, and cavities.

Anatomic Reference Systems

The cells, tissues, and glands that form the body systems that work together to enable the body to function properly.

Structures of the Body

The genetic components that transfer characteristics from parents to their child.

Genetics

A group of similarly specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions.

Tissues

A group of specialized cells that is capable of producing secretions.

Glands

Organs are somewhat independent parts of the body that perform specific functions. Organs with related functions are organized into body systems.

Body Systems and Related Organs

The study of the nature and cause of disease that involve changes in structure and function.

Pathology

aden/o

gland

adip/o

fat

anter/o

before, front

caud/o

lower part of body, tail

cephal/o

head

tissue

hist/o

plas/i, plas/o, plasia

development, growth, formation

abdominal cavity

The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion.

adenectomy

The surgical removal of a gland

A malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue.

adenocarcinoma

adenomalacia

Abnormal softening of a gland.

A benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue.

adenoma

Abnormal hardening of a gland.

adenosclerosis

A change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other.

anaplasia

anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

A deviation from what is regarded as normal.

anomaly

Situated in front.

aplasia

The defective development or congenital absence of an organ or tissue.

blood borne transmission

The spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood.

caudal

Toward the lower part of the body.

cephalic

towards the head

A genetic structure is located within the nucleus of each cell.

chromosome

Any disease transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects.

communicable disease

An abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth.

congenital disorder

The material located within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus.

cytoplasam

distal

Situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure.

dorsal

Back of the body or organ.

Abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs.

dysplasia

Referring to the ongoing presence of a disease, such as the common cold, within a population, group, or area.

endemic

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

endocrine glands

epidemic

A sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area.

epigastric region

The region located above the stomach.

The study of the causes of diseases.

etiology

exocrine glands

Glands that secrete chemical substances into ducts leading either to other organs or out of the body.

Produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified.

functional disorder

A pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene.

genetic disorder

A physician who specializes in the care of older people.

geriatrician

A group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood-clotting factor is missing.

hemophilia

The microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues.

histology

homeostasis

The processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment.

The enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues.

hyperplasia

A general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size, but not in the number, of the cells in the tissues.

hypertrophy

hypogastric region

The region of the abdomen that is located below the stomach.

The incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells.

hypoplasia

Unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment.

iatrogenic illness

An illness without known cause.

idiopathic disorder

Illness caused by a living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses.

infectious disease

Relating to the groin; refers to the entire lower portion of the abdomen including the groin.

inguinal

The direction toward or nearer the midline.

medial

The fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall.

messentery

The vertical plane that divides the body, from top to bottom, into equal left and right halves.

midsagittal plane

A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting.

nosocomial infection

A disease outbreak occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide.

pandemic

The space formed by the hip bones that contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

pelvic cavity

The multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity.

peritoneum

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

peritonitis

A genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing.

phenylketonuria

The study of the functions of the body structures.

physiology

posterior

Situated in back or on the back part of an organ.

Situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure.

proximal

Located behind the peritoneum.

retroperitoneal

Unspecialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division.

stem cells

The cavity that surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs; also known as the chest cavity.

thoracic cavity

The cavity that surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs; also known as the chest cavity.

transverse plane

The pit in the center of the abdominal wall that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before birth.

umbillcus

The spread of a disease due to the bite of a vector capable of transmitting that disease.

vector-borne transmission

Refers to the front or belly side of the body or organ.

ventral

is the study of the functions of the structures of the body

Physiology

The ________ ________describes the body standing in the standard position. This includes:

Standing up straight so that the body is erect and facing forward.

Holding the arms at the sides with the hands turned, the palms face toward the front.

anatomic posotion

imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes

body planes

A _____ ______ is an up-and-down plane that is at a right angle to the horizon.

vertical plane

A _______ _______ is a vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

sagittal plane

The ________ ________ also known as the midline, is the sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves

midsagittal plane

A ______ ______is a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. Also known as the coronal plane, it is located at right angles to the sagittal plane

frontal plane

A _______ _______ is a flat, crosswise plane, such as the horizon.

horizontal plane

refers to the front, or belly side, of the organ or body

ventral

ventr

belly side of the body

means situated in the front. It also means on the front or forward part of an organ

dors

back of the body

anter

means front or before,

posterior

means situated in the back. It also means on the back part of an organ

poster

means back or toward the back

superior

means uppermost, above, or toward the head. For example, the lungs are located superior to (above) the diaphragm.

inferior

means lowermost, below, or toward the feet. For example, the stomach is located inferior to (below) the diaphragm.

CEPHALIC

means toward the head

head

cephal

means toward the lower part of the body

caudal

caud

tail or lower part of the body

means situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure. For example, the proximal end of the humerus (bone of the upper arm) forms part of the shoulder.

Proximal

means situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure. For example, the distal end of the humerus forms part of the elbow

Distal

means the direction toward, or nearer, the midline. For example, the medial ligament of the knee is near the inner surface of the leg

medial

means the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline. For example, the lateral ligament of the knee is near the side of the leg.

lateral

The two major _____ _______ which are the dorsal (back) and the ventral (front) cavities, are spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs

body cavities,

The _____ _______, which is located along the back of the body and head, contains organs of the nervous system that coordinate body functions and is divided into two portions

dorsal cavity

The _____ _________, which is located within the skull, surrounds and protects the brain.

cranial cavity

cranial

pertaining to the skull

The _____ _______ which is located within the spinal column, surrounds and protects the spinal cord.

spinal cavity,

The ______ ______which is located along the front of the body, contains the body organs that sustain homeostasis.

ventral cavity,

Is the processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

Homeostasis

home/o

constant

stasis

control

The ______ _______ , also known as the chest cavity or thorax, surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs.

Thoracic Cavity

The _________ is a muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

diaphragm

The ______ ________ contains the major organs of digestion.

abdominal cavity

the ______ _______ is the space formed by the hip bones and contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

pelvic cavity

is there a physical division between the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

The term ___________ ________refers to these two cavities as a single unit

abdominopelvic cavity

abdomin/o

abdomen

pelv

pelvis

The term ________which means relating to the groin, refers to the entire lower area of the abdomen. This includes the groin, which is the crease at the junction of the trunk with the upper end of the thigh.

inguinal

_________ of the _______ and ________ comprise a descriptive system that divides the abdomen and lower portion of the thorax into nine parts

Regions of the thorax and abdomen

The _____ and ____ ________ ____________are covered by the lower ribs

The left and right hypochondriac regions

chondr/i

cartilage

hypochondriac

below the ribs

located above the stomach

epigastric region

epi

above

surrounds the play audio umbilicu

umbilical region

are located near the hip bones

right and left iliac regions

ili

hip

is located below the stomach

hypogastric region

What are the four quadrants of the abdomen?

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

is a multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity.

peritoneum

is a thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ.

membrane

is the outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall.

parietal peritoneum

Parietal

cavity wall

is a fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall.

mesentery

is the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity.

visceral peritoneum

relating to the internal organs.

visceral

means located behind the peritoneum

Retroperitoneal

retro

behind

periton

peritoneum

inflammation of the peritoneum.

Peritonitis

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Comprehensive Medical Terminology Flashcards

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