Intro to Medical Term Flashcards
terms derived from the name of a person or place. NOT BUILT FROM WORD PART
eponyms
terms formed from the first letters of a phrase that can be spoken as a whole word and usually contains a vowel. NOT BUILT FROM WORD PART
acronym
Word parts of Greek and Latin origin placed together to form terms that can be translated literally to find their meanings
term built from word parts
basic unit of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells, which vary in size and shape according to function.
cell
forms boundary of the cell
cell membrane
gel-like fluid inside cell
cytoplasm
largest structure within the cell, usually spherical and centrally located. It contains chromosomes for cellular reproduction and is the control center for cellular activity.
nucleus
located in the nucleus of the cell. There are 46 chromosomes in all normal human cells, with the exception of mature sex cells, which have 23.
chromosomes
regions within the chromosome. Each chromosome has several thousand genes that determine hereditary characteristics.
genes
comprises each gene; is a genetic material that regulates the activities of the cell. DNA abbreviates deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA
group of similar cells that performs a specific function
tissue
composed of cells that have a special ability to contract, usually producing movement
muscle tissue
similarly specialized cells united in the performance of a particular function; found in the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities.
nervous tissue
connects, supports, penetrates, and encases various body structures. Adipose (fat), osseous (bone) tissues, and blood are types of connective tissue. Fibrous tissue is a type of connective tissue that provides strength and stability such as in ligaments and tendons.
connective tissue
the major covering of the external surface of the body; forms membranes that line body cavities and organs; and is the major tissue in glands. Glandular tissue is designed to secrete substances such as digestive enzymes.
epithelial tissue
two or more types of tissues that together perform special body functions. For example, the skin is an organ composed of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
organ
large internal organs contained in the body cavities, especially in the abdominal cavity
viscera
group of organs that work together to perform complex body functions. For example, the cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its function is to transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products
system
Composed of skin, nails, and glands. Forms a protective covering for the body, regulates body temperature, and helps manufacture vitamin D.
integumentary system
Composed of nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. Performs respiration, which provides for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body.
respiratory system
Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Removes waste material (urine) from the body, regulates fluid volume, and maintains electrolyte concentration.
urinary system
Female reproductive system is composed of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands. Male reproductive system is composed of testes, urethra, penis, prostate gland, and associated tubes. Responsible for heredity and reproduction.
reproductive system
Composed of the heart and blood vessels. Pumps and transports blood throughout the body.
cardiovascular system
Composed of a network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides for defense against infection and drainage of extracellular fluid.
lymphatic/immune system
Composed of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus, plus accessory organs, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Prepares food for use by the body cells and eliminates waste.
digestive system
Composed of muscle, bones, and joints. Provides movement and framework for the body, protects vital organs such as the brain, stores calcium, and produces red blood cells.
musculoskeletal system
Composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs. Regulates specific body activities by sending and receiving messages. Sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, are also part of the nervous system.
nervous system
Composed of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate many specific body activities.
endocrine system
space inside the skull (cranium) containing the brain
cranial cavity
space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord
spinal cavity
space containing the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and mediastinal area
thoracic cavity
space containing the stomach, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters
abdominal cavity
space containing the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, parts of the small and large intestine, and the anus
pelvic cavity
both pelvic and abdominal cavities
abdominopelvic cavity
aden/o
gland
cyt/o
cell
epitheli/o
epithelium
fibr/o
fiber
hemat/o
blood
hist/o
tissue
lip/o
fat
my/o
muscle
neur/o
nerve
organ/o
organ
sarc/o
flesh/connective tissue
system/o
system
viscer/o
internal organs
aut/o
self
bi/o
life
cancer/o
cancer
carcin/o
cancer
crypt/o
hidden
necr/o
death
eti/o
cause (of disease)
gno/o
knowledge
iatr/o
physician, medicine
lei/o
smooth
onc/o
tumor/mass
path/o
disease
rhabd/o
rod-shaped, striated
somat/o
body
vir/o
virus
cyan/o
blue
erythr/o
red
leuk/o
white
melan/o
black
xanth/o
yellow
dia
through/complete
dys-
painful, abnormal, difficult, labored
hyper-
above/excessive
hypo-
below/incomplete deficient/under
meta-
after, beyond/change
mirco-
small
neo-
new
pro-
before
-al, -ic
pertaining to
-cyte
cell
-gen
substance or agent that produces or causes
-genic
producing, originating, causing
-logist
one who studies and treats
-logy
study of
-megaly
enlargement
-oid
resembling
-oma
tumor/swelling
-opsy
view of/ viewing
-osis
abnormal condition
-pathy
disease
-plasia
condition of formation/development / growth
-sarcoma
malignant tumor
-sis
state of
-stasis
control/stop/standing
producing cells
cytogenic
study of cells
cytology
abnormal development
dysplasia
pertaining to epithelium
epithelial
red (blood) cell
erythrocyte
increase in the number of red (blood) cells
erythrocytosis
study of tissue
histology
excessive development (number of cells)
hyperplasia
incomplete development (of an organ or tissues)
hypoplasia
white (blood) cell
leukocyte
increase in the number of white (blood) cells
leukocytosis
resembling fat
lipoid
disease of the muscle
myopathy
condition of cell death (cells and tissue die because of disease)
necrosis
disease of the nerves
neuropathy
enlargement of an organ
organomegaly
pertaining to the body
somatic
originating in the body (organic as opposed to originating in the mind)
somatogenic
pertaining to a (body) system (or the body as a whole)
systemic
pertaining to the internal organs
visceral
not malignant, nonrecurrent, favorable for recovery
benign
treatment of cancer with biological response modifiers (BRM) that work with the immune system (also called biotherapy or immunotherapy)
biological therapy
cancer in the early stage before invading surrounding tissue
carcinoma in situ
treatment of cancer with drugs
chemotherapy (chemo)
enclosed within a capsule, as with benign or malignant tumors that have not spread beyond the capsule of the organ in which it originated
encapsulated
provides palliative or supportive care for terminally ill patients and their families. Usually offered to those who have a prognosis of approximately 6 months or less, when curative forms of treatment are no longer possible or desired. A team-based approach delivers care in a variety of settings, most often in the patient”s home.
hospice
tending to become progressively worse and to cause death, as in cancer
malignant
providing relief but not cure. Symptom management is provided to relieve suffering in all stages of disease, and is not limited to care at the end of life. It can be given with curative or life-prolonging treatment, or with end-of-life (hospice) care. While hospice care includes palliative care, not all of palliative care is hospice care.
palliative
treatment of cancer with a radioactive substance, x-ray, or radiation (also called radiation oncology and radiotherapy)
radiation therapy (XRT)
improvement or absence of signs of disease
remission
a cancer treatment that precedes other treatment, such as administering chemotherapy or radiation therapy to a patient before surgery.
neoadjuvant therapy
the use of chemotherapy after or in combination with another form of cancer treatment such as administering chemotherapy after surgery or with radiation therapy.
adjuvant chemotherapy
the use of radiotherapy, where the source of radiation is placed within or close to the area being treated, such as implantation of radiation sources into the breast to treat cancer (as shown in the illustration).
brachytherapy
the treatment of cancer with the use of man-made biological response modifiers (BRM) that occur naturally in the body. They alter the immune system’s interaction with cancer cells to restore, direct, or boost the body’s ability to fight disease. For example, an agent called rituximab (Rituxan), a monoclonal antibody, is used to treat some lymphomas. Other biological agents are thalidomide, which is used to treat multiple myeloma, and interferon, which is used in the treatment of lymphomas.
biological therapy
view of self (postmortem examination to determine the cause of death or obtain evidence)
autopsy
view of life (the removal of living tissue from the body to be viewed under the microscope)
biopsy
study of (changes in) cells in disease
cytopathology
study of blood (branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood)
hematology
study of tissue in disease (study of tissue samples taken from patients)
histopathology
study of small life (study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites)
microbiology
study of viruses (branch of microbiology that is concerned with viruses and viral diseases)
virology
a series of tests performed on a blood sample that give information regarding multiple systems including the kidneys, liver, and lungs; these also provide glucose and protein levels. (also called comprehensive metabolic panel)
chemistry panel
laboratory test for basic blood screening that measures various aspects of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets); this automated test quickly provides a tremendous amount of information about the blood.
complete blood count with differential
test performed on a sample to determine the presence of pathogenic bacteria. The specimen is placed on a medium for growth (culture) and if pathogenic bacteria grow, is then tested for antibiotic sensitivity to identify an antibiotic that will provide the most effective treatment. C&S is used to identify the pathogen present and causing the infection.
culture and sensitivity
examines DNA, the chemical database that carries instructions for the body”s functions; can reveal changes in genes that may cause illness or disease.
genetic testing
sample of blood, urine, or body tissue that is taken for medical testing (also called collection sample)
specimen
abnormal condition of blue (bluish discoloration, especially of the skin, caused by inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood)
cyanosis
abnormal condition of yellow (discoloration)
xanthosis
physician who studies and treats (malignant) tumors
oncologist
study of tumors (a branch of medicine concerned with the study of malignant tumors)
oncology
physician who studies diseases (examines biopsies and performs autopsies to determine the cause of disease or death)
pathologist
study of disease (a branch of medicine dealing with the study of the causes of disease and death)
pathology
pertaining to cancer
cancerous
substance that causes cancer
carcinogen
producing cancer
carcinogenic
resembling cancer
carcinoid
state of complete knowledge (the art of identifying a disease based on the patient’s signs, symptoms, and test results)
diagnosis
study of causes (of diseases)
etiology
produced by a physician (the unexpected results from a treatment prescribed by a physician)
iatrogenic
causing tumors
oncogenic
producing disease
pathogenic
state of before knowledge (prediction of the outcome of disease based on the patient’s signs, symptoms, and test results)
prognosis
without fever
afebrile
redness
erythema
having a fever
febrile
localized protective response to injury or tissue destruction characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain
inflammation
localized protective response to injury or tissue destruction characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain
exacerbation
pertaining to disease of unknown origin
idiopathic
state of being diseased; incidence of illness in a population
morbidity
state of being mortal (death); incidence of the number of deaths in a population
morality
single-celled microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and may cause infection by invading body tissue
bacteria
organism that feeds by absorbing organic molecules from its surroundings and may cause infection by invading body tissue; single-celled fungi (yeast) reproduce by budding; multi-celled fungi (mold) reproduce by spore formation
fungus
invasion of pathogens in body tissue. Types of infection include bacterial, viral, and fungal. An acute infection may remain localized if the body’s defense mechanisms are effective or may persist to become subacute or chronic. A systemic infection occurs when the pathogen causing a local infection gains access to the vascular or lymphatic system and becomes disseminated throughout the body.
infection
a form of life that is too small to be seen without a microscope; includes bacteria, fungi, and viruses
microorganism
minute microorganism, much smaller than a bacterium, characterized by a lack of independent metabolism and the ability to replicate only within living host cells; these may cause infection by invading body tissue.
virus
RBC
red blood cell
WBC
white blood cell
CA
carcinoma
METS
metastases
Bx
biopsy
CBC with diff
complete blood count with differential
C&S
culture and sensitivity
chemo
chemotherapy
XRT
radiation therapy
Dx
diagnosis
Px
prognosis
