Exam Flashcards
Root: trophy
development, nourishment
ex: hypertrophy - enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or tissue due to an increase in size of its cells
ex: atrophy - wasting away or decrease in size of an organ or tissue
Root: vascul
blood vessel
ex: vasculitis - inflammation of blood vessels
ex: vasculgenesis - the process by which new blood vessels are formed during embryonic development
Root: pector
chest
ex: pectoral - related to the chest
ex: pectoralgia - pain in the chest, particularly the region of the pectoral muscles
Root: my/o
muscle
ex: myalgia - muscle pain or discomfort
ex: myogram - a graphical record of the electrical activity occurring within muscle tissue during contraction and relaxation
Root: physic
body
ex: physician - medical doctor who practices medicine, diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries and diseases
Prefix: hyper
above normal, excessive
ex: hyperglycemia - high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood
ex: hypercalcemia - condition characterized by abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood
Prefix: de
without, out of, removal
ex: dehydration - condition where the body loses more fluids than it takes in, resulting in an imbalance of water and electrolytes
ex: debridement - medical procedure used to remove dead, damaged, or infected tissue from a wound or injury site
Prefix: a
without, not
ex: aseptic - condition that is free from disease-causing microorganisms or pathogens
ex: aphasia - a language disorder characterized by difficulty understanding or producing spoken or written language
Prefix: end
inside, within
ex: endoscope - medical instrument used for visual examination of the interior of a hollow organ or body cavity
ex: endometrium - inner lining of the uterus, which thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for potential embryo implantation
Prefix: media
middle
ex: medial: position or structure that is situated toward the midline
Suffix: algia
pain, painful condition
ex: neuralgia - sharp, stabbing or burning pain that follows the path of a nerve
ex: odontalgia - known as toothache and is pain in or around a tooth or teeth
Suffix: lysis
destruction, dissolve
ex: hemolysis - breakdown or destruction or red blood cells, leading to the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream
ex: cytolysis - destruction or lysis of cells, leading to the rupture and release of intracellular contents
Suffix: plasty
surgical repair
ex: rhinoplasty - surgical procedure to reshape or reconstruct the nose
Suffix: ion
action, condition, state
ex: infection - invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, within the body
ex: depression - mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings or sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest…
Suffix: ary
pertaining to
ex: coronary - related to the coronary arteries, which supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
ex: pulmonary - relates to the lungs and pulmonary system
Root: alveol
alveolous, air sac
ex: alveolus/alveoli - small air sac in the lungs where gas exchange occurs
Root: bronch/i
bronchus
ex: bronchitis - inflammation of the bronchial tubes
Root: pnea
breathe
ex: apnea - a temporary cessation of breathing, often during sleep
ex: dyspnea - difficulty or discomfort in breathing, often associated with conditions affecting the lungs or heart
ex: tachypnea - abnomrally rapid breathing
Root: or/o
mouth
ex: oral - relating to the mouth or administered through or affecting the mouth
Root: pleur
pleura (membrane surrounding the lungs and lining of the chest)
ex: pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura
ex: pleurcentesis - medical procedure involving the removal of fluid from the pleural cavity
Prefix: hypo
below, deficiency
ex: hypoglycemia - abnormally low level of sugar in the blood, often associated with symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and sweating
ex: hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure
Prefix: per
through, throughout
ex: permeate - to spread throughout or penetrate something
ex: persevere - to persist or continue in a course of action despite difficulties or obstables
ex: permeable - allowing liquids or gasses to pass through
Prefix: epi
above, upon
ex: epidermis - outermost layer of the skin, covering the body’s surface
ex: epidemic - a widespread occurrence of a disease in a particular community or region at a particular time
Prefix: ana
away from, excessive
ex: anaphylaxis - life-threatening allergic reaction when exposed to an allergen, leading to difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and shock
Prefix: dys
bad, difficult, painful
ex: dysfunction - abnormal or impaired function of an organ
ex: dysphagia - difficulty or discomfort in swallowing
ex: dysuria - painful or difficult urination
Suffix: crit
to separate or choose
ex: hemotocrit - the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume, measured in a blood sample
Suffix: oid
resembling
ex: android - resembling a human
ex: asteroid - resembling a sta
Suffix: ole
small
ex: arteriole - a small branch of an artery that leads to capillaries
ex: bronchiole - a small branch of the bronchial tubes within the lungs
Suffix: eal
pertaining to
ex: corporeal - relating to the body or physical existence
ex: meningeal - relating to the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Suffix: tomy
surgical incision
ex: tracheotomy - surgical procedure involving an incision into the trachea to provide an airway for breathing
Root: diagnost
decision
ex: diagnosis - the identification of a disease or condition based on signs, symptoms, and diagnostic tests
Root: lapar/o
abdomen in general
ex: laparotomy - a surgical incision made into the abdominal wall to gain access to the abdominal cavity
ex: laparocentesis - a procedure involving the insertion of a needy into the abdominal cavity
Root: hallucin
imagination
ex: hallucination
Root: gastr/o
stomach
ex: gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines
ex: gastrectomy - surgical removal of all or part of the stomach, often performed to treat stomach cancer
Root: aliment
nourishment, food
ex: alimentation - the process of providing or receiving nourishment or food
ex: alimentary tract - digestive tract
Prefix: re
again, back, backward
ex: reassess - to assess or evaluate again
ex: recur - to occur again
Prefix: sub
below, under
ex: subconscious - below the level of consciousness, relating to thoughts, feelings not fully conscious
ex: substandard - below the usual or required standard
Prefix: com
with, together
ex: community - a group of people living in the same area
ex: compatibility - the quality of being able to exist or work together
Prefix: quadri
four
ex: quadriplegia - paralysis of all four limbs
ex: quadrennial - occurring every four years (election)
Prefix: de
without, out of, removal
ex: detoxity - remove toxins or harmful substances from the body, often through metabolic processes
Suffix: cele
cave, hernia, swelling
ex: cystocele - a herniation of the bladder into the vagina
ex: myelocele - a type of spina bifida in which the spinal cord is exposed through a defect in the vertebral column
ex: hydrocele - a fluid-filled sac around the testicle
Suffix: stomy
new opening
ex: colostomy - surgical creation of an opening in the trachea, typically through the neck
ex: urostomy - surgical creation of an opening in the urinary tract, typically diverting urine flow to the outside of the body
Suffix: ase
enzyme
ex: lactase - an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of lactose into glucise and galactose
ex: lipase - an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of fats into fatty accids and glycerol
Suffix: iatry
treatment, field of medicine
psychiatry - branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of medical disorders
Suffix: rrhoid
flow
ex: hemorrhoid - swollen veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus that become inflamed and swollen
Root: bi/o
life or living organism
ex: biology - the study of living organisms
Root: uret
ureter (muscular ducts that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder)
ex: ureterectomy - surgical removal of a ureter, often performed in cases of severe blockage or cancer
Root: phot/o
light
ex: photoreceptor - cells in the retina that respond to light
ex: phototherapy - a medical treatment that involves exposure to light
Root: crine
secretion or separation
ex: endocrine - glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
Root: surg
surgery
ex: surgical - pertaining to or involving surgery
Root: nitr/o
nitrogen or nitrogen-containing compounds
ex: nitrogenous waste - referring to waste products containing nitrogen that are excreted from the body, particularly in urine
Root: didymis
refers to the testes, which are the male repoductive glands responsible for producing sperm and hormones such as testosterone
ex: didymitis - inflammation of the testes, often caused by infection or injury
Root: cyst
sac or bladder, often containing fluid
ex: cystectomy - surgical removal of a cyst
Root: vas
vessel or duct
ex: vasectomy - surgical procedure for male sterilization
Root: acid/o
acidity or sourness
ex: acidosis - a medical condition characterized by an excessive acidity of body fluids
Prefix: in
not, without
ex: inactive - not active or functioning
ex: inability - the state of being unable to do something
Prefix: bi
two, double
ex: bilateral - pertaining to both sides
Prefix: para
beside, beyond
ex: parathyroid - pertaining to glands located near or adjacent to the thyroid gland
Prefix: anti
against, opposed to
ex: antibiotic - a substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms like bacteria
Prefix: supra
above, beyond
ex: supraventricular - pertaining to a region or activity occurring above the ventricles of the heart
Suffix: logy
the study of
ex: biology - the study of living organisms and their interactions with each other
Suffix: genesis
origin, formation
ex: oncogensis - the process of tumor formation or the development of cancer
Suffix: opia
vision, visual condition
ex: presbyopia - a common age-related condition in which the lens of the eye loses its flexibility, resulting in difficulty focusing on close objects
Suffix: ose
full of, pertaining to
ex: glucose - a simple sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for the body’s cells
Suffix: oma
tumor, mass
ex: melanoma - a type of skin cancer that arises from the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin
Root: cervic
neck
ex: cervical - relating to the neck
ex: cervicalgia - pain in the neck
Root: vestibul/o
vestibule, entrance
ex: vestibulocochlear - relating to both the vesibular and auditory systems, as in the vertibulococohlear nerve, which carries sensory information from the inner ear to the brain
ex: vestibulitis - inflammation of the vestibule
Root: drome
running (pathway)
ex: syndrome - a group of symptoms that consistently occur together and indicate a particular disease
Root: menstr/u
menses, occurring monthly
ex: menstrual - relating to or associated with menstruation
ex: premenstrual - occurring or experienced before menstruation, often referring to symptoms such as mood changes or bloating
Root: gestat
gestation, pregnancy, to bear
ex: gestational - relating to or occurring before pregnancy
ex: gestational age - the age of a fetus or newborn infant, usually expressed in weeks from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period
Prefix: post
after
ex: postpartum - after childbirth, the period after delivery
ex: postoperative - after surgery; the period following a surgical procedure
Prefix: syn
together
ex: synthesis - the combination of parts or elements to form a whole
ex: synapse - the junction between two nerve cells, where electrical or chemical signals are transmitted
Prefix: endo
inside, within
ex: endocrine: relating to glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
ex: endogenous - originating from within the body or produced internally
Prefix: ab
away from
ex: abnormal - deviating from what is normal or usual
Prefix: retro
backward
ex: retrograde - moving or tending backward or in the opposite direction
ex: retrograde amnesia - loss of memory for events that occurred before a traumatic injury
Suffix: sis
condition, state of
Ex: diagnosis - the identification of a disease or condition by analyzing signs, symptoms, and test results
Suffix: ate
to become, to cause to become
ex: oxidate - to undergo oxidation or to cause something to undergo oxidation
Suffix: ity
state, condition, quality
ex: mortality - the state of being subject to death; the quality or condition of being mortal
Suffix: ectomy
surgical removal or excision or a specific part of the body
ex: appendectomy - surgical removal of the appendix
Suffix: scopy
use of a scope or an instrument for viewing
ex: endoscopy - a medical procedure that involves the insertion of a flexible tube with a light and camer into the body to view internal organs or tissues
Suffix: ar
pertaining to
ex: vascular - pertaining to the blood vessels
Suffix: centesis
to puncture
ex: pericardiocentesis - a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the pericardial sac surrounding the heart to remove excess fluid
Suffix: ment
action, state
ex: movement - the act or process of changing position or location
ex: treatment: the act or manner of dealing with or handling a person or thing
Suffix: gen
create, produce, form
ex: carcinogen - a substance or agent that can cause cancer
ex: mutagen - a physical or chemical agent that causes genetic mutation
Suffix: ive
nature of, quality of, pertaining to
ex: digestive - relating to the process of digestion
ex: sedative - having a calming or tranquilizing effect
Define prefix
A prefix is an element added to the beginning of a root or
combining form. Prefixes continue to expand the meaning
of medical terms
Prefixes never require a combining vowel
Not every term has a prefix
Define suffix
A suffix is an element added to the end of a root or
combining form to give it a new meaning
If the suffix begins with a consonant, it must follow a
combining vowel
If the suffix begins with a vowel, no combining vowel is
needed
Define combining vowel
Roots are often joined to other elements of a medical term
by placing a combining vowel on the end of the root
A root plus a combining vowel creates a combining form
“o” is the most common
Define superior
Situated above
Also known as upper and cephalic. Opposite of inferior/lower/caudal
Define histology
study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs
Define prone
Lying face down, flat on your belly
Opposite to supine
Define posterior
Pertaining to the back surface of the body; situated behind
Opposite to anterior. Also known as dorsal
Define dorsal
Pertaining to the back or situated behind. The same as posterior and opposite to ventral/frontal/anterior
A root plus a _____ make a combining form
combining vowel
The core of any element is _____
root
Do all medical terms have all three elements? (root, suffix, prefix)
No, they don’t always have a prefix
Is the foundation of the word that provide its meaning is known as?
root
The front surface of the body is the _____ surface
anterior/ventral
Posterior means _____ and is opposite to _____
dorsal/back and anterior/ventral/front
What is another word for frontal?
coronal plane
The frontal plane divides the body into _____ and _____ portions
frontal/coronal plane is a vertical plane that divides the body into front/anterior/ventral and back/posterior/dorsal portions
The transverse plane is the same as _____
transverse or horizontal plane: a plane passing across the body parallel to the floor and perpendicular to the body’s long axis. It divides the body into an upper/superior/cephalic portion and a lower/inferior/caudal portion
Root: respir
breathe
Root: pneum/o
air/lung
Root: cardi/o
heart
Root: nucle/o
nucleus
Root gynec/o
female/woman
Root: hist/o
tissue
Root: axill
armpit
Root: home/o
the same
Root: neur/o
nerve
Root: ribo
from ribose, a sugar
Prefix: pre
before, in front of
Prefix: intra
inside, within
Prefix: dia
complete
Prefix: peri
around
Prefix: endo
inside, within
Prefix: hyper
above normal, excessive
Prefix: hypo
below normal, deficient
Prefix: pro
before, project forward
Suffix: pathy
disease
Suffix: ist
specialist, agent
Suffix: logy
study of
Suffix: ation
a process
Suffix: ary
pertaining to
Suffix: edema
swelling
Suffix: genesis
creation, origin, formation
Suffix: ician
expert
Suffix: logist
specialist, one who studies
Suffix: stasis
standstill control
Root: melan
black pigment
Root: integument
covering the body
Root: derm
skin
Root: paill/p
pimple
Root: malign
harmful, bad
Root: stat
stationary
Root: chir/o
hand
Root: orth/o
straight
Root: cry/o
icy, cold
Root: stasis
stagnant, stay in one place
Prefix: meta
after, beyond
Prefix: trans
across, through
Prefix: para
adjacent to
Prefix: ex
away from, out of
Prefix: re
again, back, backward
Prefix: peri
around
Prefix: mal
bad, difficult
Prefix: anti
against
Prefix: de
from, out of
Suffix: ed
pertaining to
Suffix: ic
pertaining to
Suffix: itis
inflammation
Suffix: ment
action, state
Suffix: tic
pertaining to
Suffix: ation
a process
Suffix: pathy
disease
Suffix: um
tissue, structure
Suffix: gen
produce
Root: noct
night
Root: supra
above
Root: crypt
hidden
Root: retro
backward
Root: brachy
short
