Medical Equipment and Procedures

Question 1

Appendectomy

Answer 1

Surgical removal (-ectomy) the appendix (append-).

Question 2

Arthroscopy

Answer 2

Surgical procedure where the internal structure of the joints is examined for diagnosis and/or treatment. The prefix Arthro refers to the joint, the suffix refers to the hollow, lighted instrument (scope) used to view the internal area. The replacement of the –e with a –y infers that the scope is being used to do something.

Question 3

Bone Density Scan

Answer 3

A screening and monitoring test for osteoporosis and bone density.

Question 4

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Answer 4

Procedure used to obtain the blood-forming portion (marrow) of the inner core of bone for examination in the laboratory or for transplantation.

Question 5

CAT Scan

Answer 5

Computerised Axial Tomography scan; a procedure that produces images of structures within the body created by a computer that takes data from multiple X-ray images and turns them in pictures on a screen.

Question 6

Colonoscopy

Answer 6

Procedure using a viewing tube that enables an examiner to evaluate the appearance of the inside of the colon (the part of the large intestine between the caecum and the rectum). Again the suffix refers to the instrument used, the prefix to the area being examined.

Question 7

Complete Blood Count

Answer 7

A calculation of the cellular (formed elements) of blood; generally determined by specially designed machines that analyse the different components of blood in less than a minute. Also known as a Full Blood Count or FBC.

Question 8

Coronary Angiogram

Answer 8

The most precise method for evaluating and defining coronary artery disease (CAD). Angio refers to the blood vessels, coronary to the heart.

Question 9

Autoclaving

Answer 9

This involves putting equipment inside a pressurised compartment and then sterilising by using steam (temperatures generated are above 100C) under pressure, usually for 30 min. (Note: An autoclave is in fact similar to a pressure cooker). This is one of the most common medical sterilisation methods.

Question 10

Microbiology

Answer 10

The study of small biological organisms, such as, but not limited to, bacteria.

Question 11

Virology

Answer 11

A subfield of microbiology, the study of viruses (which are generally not considered living organisms)

Question 12

Molecular biology

Answer 12

The study of the inner biochemistry of cells and microorganisms.