Lesson 1 Reading (Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology) Flashcards
Word Root
Basic meaning of the term.
Combining Form
A word root with a combining vowel added to the end.
Suffix
Usually, but not always, indicates the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.
A suffix always comes at the end of the word.
Prefix
Usually, but not always, indicates location, time, number, or status.
A prefix always comes at the beginning of a word.
Word Part Guidelines
- A word root cannot stand alone. A suffix must always be added at the end of the word to complete the term.
- The rules for creating a combining form by adding a vowel apply when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added to a word root.
- If a prefix is added, it is always placed at the beginning of the word.
Cyan/o
Blue
Erythr/o
Red
Leuk/o
White
Melan/o
Black
Poli/o
Gray
Combining Forms and Vowels
A combining form includes a vowel, usually the letter o, added to the end of a word root. The rules for the use of a combining vowel are as follows:
When two word roots are joined, a combining vowel is always added to the first word root. A combining vowel is used at the end of the second word root only if the suffix begins with a consonant.
A combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant.
Suffixes as Noun Endings
Commonly used a noun endings: -a, -um, -y, -e, -us
Suffixes Meaning “Pertaining to”
An adjective is a word that defines or describes. In medical terminology, many suffixes meaning “pertaining to” are used to change the meaning of a word root into an adjective.
-ac, -eal, -ior, -al, -ical, -ory, -an, -ial, -ous, -ar, -ic, -tic, -ary, -ine
Suffixes Meaning “Abnormal Condition or Disease”
In medical terminology, many suffixes mean “abnormal condition or disease.” -ago, -iasis, -osis, -esis, -ion, -pathy, -ia, -ism
-algia
Pain, suffering
-dynia
Pain
-itis
Inflamation
-megaly
Enlargement
-malacia
Abnormal softening
-necrosis
Tissue death
-sclerosis
Abnormal hardening
-stenosis
Abnormal narrowing
-centesis
A surgical puncture to remove fluid for diagnostic purposes or to remove excess fluid.
-graphy
The process of producing a picture or record.
-gram
A picture or record.
-plasty
Surgical repair
-scopy
Visual examination
-rrhage
Bleeding; however, they are most often used to describe sudden, severe bleeding.
Suffix
Usually, but not always, indicated a procedure, condition, disorder or disease. Always comes at the end of the word
Suffix
Usually, but not always, indicated a procedure, condition, disorder or disease. Always comes at the end of the word
-rrhaphy
Surgical suturing to close a wound and includes the use of sutures, staples, or surgical glue.
-rrhea
Flow or discharge and refers to the flow of most body fluids.
Ab-
Away from. negative, absent
Ad-
Toward, to, in the direction of
Dextro-
Right side
Sinistro-
Left side
Ex-
Out of, outside, away from
In-
In, into, not, without
Macro-
Large, abnormal size, long
Micro-
Small
Mega-, Megalo-
Large, great
Oligo-
Scanty, few
Pre-
Before, in front of
Post-
After, behind
Peri-
Surrounding
Dys-
Bad, difficult, or painful
Eu-
Good, normal, well, or easy
Hyper-
Excessive or increased
Hypo-
Deficient or decreased
Inter-
Between or among
Intra-
Within or inside
Sub-
Under, less, or below
Super-, supra-
Above or excessive
If the singular term ends in the suffix -a, the plural is usually formed by:
Changing the ending to -ae
If the singular term ends in the suffix -ex or -ix, the plural is usually formed by:
Changing the endings to -ices.
If the singular term ends in the suffix -is, the plural is usually formed by:
Changing the endings to -es.
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 -a
If the singular term ends in the suffix -um, the plural usually is formed by:
Changing the ending to -a
If the singular term ends in the suffix -us, the plural is usually formed by:
Changing the ending to -i
Sign
Objective evidence of disease, such as a fever. Objective means the sign can be evaluated or measured by the patient or others.
Symptom
Subjective evidence of a disease, such as pain or a headache. Subjective means that it can be evaluated or measured only by the patient.
Syndrome
A set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process.
Diagnosis (DX)
The identification of a disease (plural, diagnoses). To diagnose is the process of reaching a diagnosis.
Differential Diagnosis (D/DX)
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.
Prognosis
A prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease (plural, prognoses).
Acute
A condition has a rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration.
Chronic
A condition is of long duration. Although such diseases can be controlled, they are rarely cured.
Remission
The temporary, partial, or complete disappearance of the symptoms of a disease without having achieved a cure.
Disease
A condition in which one or more body parts are not functioning normally. Some diseases are named for their signs and symptoms.
Eponym
A disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who discovered or described it first.
Acronym
A word formed from the initial letter of the major parts of a compound term.
Arteri/o
Artery
Ather/o
Plaque or fatty substance
Arthr/o
Joint
-ectomy
Surgical removal
-ostomy
The surgical creation of an artificial opening to the body surface.
-otomy
Cutting or surgical incision
Fissure
A groove or crack-like sore of the skin. This term also describes normal folds in the contours of the brain.
Fistula
An abnormal passage, usually between two internal organs or leading from an organ to the surface of the body. A fistula may be due to surgery, injury, or the draining of an abscess.
Ileum
The last and longest portion of the small intestine. Memory aid: Ileum is spelled with an e as in intestine.
Ilium
Part of the hip bone. Memory aid: Ilium is spelled with an i as in h i p
Infection
The invasion of the body by a pathogenic (disease-producing) organism. The infection can remain localized (near the point of entry) or can be systemic (affecting the entire body). Signs and symptoms of infection include malaise, chills and fever, redness, heat and swelling, or exudate from a wound.
hypo-
Deficient, decreased
Malaise
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.
Exudate
Any fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound.
Inflammation
A localized response to an injury or to the destruction of tissues. The key indicators of inflammation are
(1) erythema (redness),
(2) hyperthermia (heat),
(3) edema (swelling), and
(4) pain.
These are caused by extra blood flowing into the area as part of the healing process.
Laceration
A torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut.
Lesion
A pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury.
Mucous
The specialized membranes that line the body cavities.
Mucus
The fluid secreted by these mucous membranes.
Myc/o
Any abnormal condition or disease caused by a fungus.
Myel/o
Describes any injury, degeneration or disease in the spinal cord.
My/o
Any pathologic change or disease of muscle tissue.
-ologist
Specialist
-ology
The study of
Palpation
An examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts.
Palpitation
A pounding or racing heart
Pyel/o
Renal pelvis, which is part of the kidney.
Py/o
Pus
Pyr/o
Fever or fire
Supination
The act of rotating the arm so that the palm of the hand is forward or upward.
Suppuration
The formation of pus.
Triage
The medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and the proper place of treatment
Trauma
Wound or injury
Viral
Pertaining to a virus
Virile
Having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male.
