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Medical Assistant > Medical Terminology > Flashcards

Medical Terminology Flashcards

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USMLE® Step 1 flashcards
1
Q

anterior

A

towards the front of the body

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2
Q

posterior

A

towards the back of the body

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3
Q

distal

A

further from the point of attachment

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4
Q

proximal

A

closer to the point of attachment

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5
Q

superior

A

closer to the head

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6
Q

inferior

A

closer to the feet

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7
Q

lateral

A

further from the midline

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8
Q

medial

A

towards the midline

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9
Q

saggital

A

splits the body into left and right, not equal halves

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10
Q

midsaggital

A

splits the body into left and right, EQUAL HALVES

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11
Q

appendages

A

bony projections associated with limbs, i.e. FINGERS and legs

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12
Q

deep

A

away from the surface of the body

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13
Q

superficial

A

closer to the surface of the body

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14
Q

epidermis

A

outermost layer of the skin; contains keratinocytes (makes skin waterproof) and melanocytes (produces melanin and protects from UV rays)

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15
Q

dermis

A

middle layer of the skin; houses the hair follicle and other structures

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16
Q

hypodermis

A

innermost layer of the skin; subcutaneous fat layer that protects blood vessels

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17
Q

alopecia

A

baldness

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18
Q

-itis

A

inflammation of

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19
Q

tumor

A

abnormal growth of body cells

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20
Q

malignant

A

an abnormal growth of body cells that has been diagnosed as cancerous

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21
Q

benign

A

an abnormal growth of body cells that has been diagnosed as non-cancerous

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22
Q

erythema

A

redness

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23
Q

jaundice

A

yellowing of skin and/or eyes

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24
Q

chemotherapy

A

the use of chemical drugs to treat cancer

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25
Q

radiation therapy

A

the use of radiation to treat cancer

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26
Q

humerus

A

the upper arm long bone, also known as the funny bone

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26
Q

radius

A

the bone on the forearm that is on the same side as the thumb

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27
Q

ulna

A

the other forearm bone that forms the elbow

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28
Q

carpals

A

the wrist bones; there are a total of 8

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29
Q

metacarpals

A

the hand bones

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30
Q

femur

A

the long, thigh bone

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31
Q

patella

A

a sesamoid, or small, rounded bone, which is also known as the kneecap

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32
Q

tibia

A

the bone on the medial side of the body, referred to as the shinbone

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33
Q

fibula

A

the bone on the lateral side of the body; it is thinner than the tibia

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34
Q

tarsals

A

the ankle bones

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35
Q

metatarsals

A

the foot bones

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36
Q

phalanges

A

the finger and toe bones

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37
Q

intercostal

A

between the ribs

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38
Q

sternum

A

the breastbone, which is also known as the manibrium, body, and xiphoid process

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39
Q

scapulae

A

the shoulder blades

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40
Q

joints

A

the connection point for bones, 3 types of joints are synovial, fibrous, and cartilaginous

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41
Q

osteo-

A

having to do with the bone

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42
Q

tendon

A

fibrous tissue that is a connection point for muscles and bones

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43
Q

sphincter

A

a group of muscles located at the openings of the body

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44
Q

sarco-

A

muscle or flesh

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45
Q

origin

A

point of attachment for less moveable bone

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46
Q

insertion

A

point of attachment for more moveable bone

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47
Q

flexion

A

the act of bending a body part

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48
Q

extension

A

the act of straightening a body part

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49
Q

hyper-

A

increased

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50
Q

hypo-

A

decreased

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51
Q

dorsi-

A

back or behind

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52
Q

adduction

A

the act of moving a body part toward the midline or medially; THINK OF THE EXERCISE

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53
Q

abduction

A

the act of moving a body part away from the midline or laterally

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54
Q

pronation

A

when the palms of the hand are facing down

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55
Q

supination

A

when the palms of the hand are facing up

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56
Q

-ism

A

condition

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57
Q

-osis

A

disease

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58
Q

-lysis

A

decreasing or decomposing

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59
Q

endo-

A

within

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60
Q

GIve an example of something with the prefix: endo

A

endoscopy: procedure done to look inside body
endocardium: innermost layer of heart

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61
Q

epi-

A

above

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62
Q

GIve an example of something with the prefix: epi

A

epidermis: outermost layer of skin
epicardium: outermost layer of heart

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63
Q

myo-

A

muscle

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64
Q

GIve an example of something with the prefix: myo

A

myocarditis: inflammation of heart muscle
myocardium: muscle layer of heart

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65
Q

peri-

A

around

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66
Q

Give an example of something with the prefix: peri

A

pericardium: membrane that surrounds the heart
pericarditis: inflammation of heart membrane

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67
Q

cardio-

A

related to the heart

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68
Q

Give an example of something with the prefix: cardio

A

cardiopathy: heart disease

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69
Q

artery

A

thick blood vessel that carries blood AWAY from the heart

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70
Q

vein

A

thinner blood vessel that takes blood TO the heart

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71
Q

capillary

A

a blood vessel that connects arterioles and venules

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72
Q

vaso-

A

vessel

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73
Q

tachy-

A

rapid or fast; HR is above 100

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74
Q

brady-

A

slow; HR is below 60

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75
Q

edema

A

swelling

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76
Q

diaphoresis

A

sweating

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77
Q

dilation:

A

to get bigger or widen

78
Q

constriction:

A

to get smaller or narrow

79
Q

erythro-

A

red

80
Q

hemo-

A

blood

81
Q

Give an example of something with the prefix: hemo

A

hemostasis: when bleeding in the body is stopped
hemoglobin: a protein that helps transport oxygen

82
Q

leuko-

A

white

83
Q

-cyte

A

cell

84
Q

platelets

A

cell fragments that help with clotting

85
Q

plasma

A

liquid portion of the blood

86
Q

thrombus

A

abnormal blood clot

87
Q

embolus

A

a piece of blood clot that has broken off and is traveling through bloodstream; has potential to cause damage

88
Q

antigen

A

foreign blood cells that activate antibodies and can be founnd on the surface of red blood cells; help with blood type determination

89
Q

antibody

A

protector of cells and help fight infection

90
Q

pallor

A

paleness

91
Q

fatigue

A

tiredness

92
Q

cyanosis

A

bluish appearance

93
Q

hematoma

A

bruise or swelling underneath skin

94
Q

anaphylaxis

A

a serious allergic reaction that can lead to difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in BP

95
Q

interstitial fluid

A

fluid between tissues that turns into lymph when absorbed

96
Q

lymph nodes

A

small sacs in the lymphatic system that filter waste and other particles that pass through

97
Q

immuno-

A

related to the immune system

98
Q

Give an example of something with the prefix: immuno-

A

Immunoglobulins: antibodies with different functions, ex. IgA, IgB

99
Q

autoimmune disease

A

a disease where the body attacks itself; i.e. sickle cell, lupus, celiac disease

100
Q

acute

A

short-term

101
Q

chronic

A

long-term

102
Q

anti-

A

against or opposite

103
Q

Give an example of something with the prefix: anti-

A

anticoagulants: medicine used to prevent clots
antipyretics: medicine used to alleviate fever

104
Q

-ectomy

A

removal by surgery

105
Q

thorax

A

the chest area

106
Q

inspiration

A

when you breathe in

107
Q

expiration

A

when you breathe out

108
Q

dyspnea

A

difficulty breathing

109
Q

biopsy

A

when a bodily substance or tissue is removed to be examined for a diagnosis; i.e. a skin biopsy

110
Q

thoraco-

A

chest

111
Q

-ostomy

A

surgical incision

112
Q

-centesis

A

puncture

113
Q

pneumo-

A

pertaining to the lungs

114
Q

broncho-

A

pertaining to the trachea or airway

115
Q

respiration

A

breathing

116
Q

morbidity

A

the frequency of post-surgical complications and illnesses present

117
Q

mortality

A

number of deaths

118
Q

central nervous system

A

system consisting of the brain and spinal cord; controls body movement

119
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

consists of the somatic (voluntary muscles), autonomic nervous systems (fight or flight, rest and digest), and peripheral nerves

120
Q

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A

clear fluid produced in the brain’s ventricles that protects the brain from injury, provides nutrients, and gets rid of waste

121
Q

paresthesia

A

numbing or tingly sensation in hands or feet

122
Q

paralysis

A

the inability or loss of movement in parts of the body

123
Q

quadriplegia

A

the paralysis of the limbs, sometimes can occur from the neck downward

124
Q

dyskinesia

A

the involuntary movements of the limbs; can look like muscle spasms

125
Q

dementia

A

a neurological condition that causes major changes in one’s memory and judgement; often associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

126
Q

anesthesia

A

the use of drugs to prevent one from feeling pain; usually used during surgical procedures

127
Q

cerebro-

A

brain

128
Q

urethra

A

tube structure that moves urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

129
Q

ureter

A

10-12 inch long tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder

130
Q

micturition

A

when urine is pushed to the urethra

131
Q

-uria

A

urine

132
Q

polyuria

A

frequent urination

133
Q

anuria

A

absence of urination

134
Q

hematuria

A

blood in the urine

135
Q

dysuria

A

painful urination

136
Q

febrile

A

high body temperature

137
Q

afebrile

A

low body temperature

138
Q

antidiuretic

A

medication prescribed to decrease urine production

139
Q

diuretic

A

medication prescribed to increase urine production

140
Q

testes

A

male sex organ that produces testosterone

141
Q

sperma-

A

semen

142
Q

peristalsis

A

contraction of muscle to move substances throughout the body

143
Q

hypertrophy

A

increase in size of bodily tissue or organ

144
Q

atrophy

A

degeneration of a body part

145
Q

ovaries

A

female reproductive organ that produces estrogen

146
Q

ovulation

A

when an ovum is released from the fallopian tubes into the uterus

147
Q

uterus

A

the hollow and muscular organ that houses the embryo and fetus during pregnancy

148
Q

fallopian tube

A

a tube-like canal that catches the ovum when it is released from the ovary; the end of the fallopian tube is known as the infundibulum

149
Q

menarche

A

first menstrual period

150
Q

menopause

A

when periods end due to age

151
Q

amenorrhea

A

absence of menstrual period

152
Q

dysmenorrhea

A

severe menstrual cramps

153
Q

hysterectomy

A

surgical removal of uterus

154
Q

mastectomy

A

surgical removal of a breast

155
Q

-otomy

A

incision

156
Q

fetus

A

a name of the embryo that develops from the end of the 8th week of the embryonic period until the moment of birth

157
Q

prenatal

A

before birth

158
Q

postnatal

A

after birth

159
Q

digestion

A

the process by which food is broken down in the body through the use of mechanical and chemical mechanisms

160
Q

bolus

A

a mixture of chewed food and saliva

161
Q

feces

A

excess waste, usually known as stool, that is excreted through rectum and the anus

162
Q

cholesterol

A

a type of lipid that is found in products such as meat, cheese, butter and eggs; too much cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in arteries

163
Q

gluco-

A

sugar

164
Q

glyco-

A

sugar

165
Q

lipids

A

one of the 4 major macromolecules; classified as fats and there are two types, triglycerides and cholesterol

166
Q

dysphagia

A

difficulty swallowing

167
Q

polydipsia

A

excessive thirst

168
Q

dehydration

A

occurs when there’s inadequate water supply in the body

169
Q

hernia

A

when a portion of the alimentary canal organs (such as the large intestine or the stomach) protrude into another area or cavity; usually occurs when a person is straining

170
Q

constipation

A

difficulty pooping or passing stool

171
Q

diarrhea

A

frequent and watery poop

172
Q

emesis

A

vomiting

173
Q

chole-

A

gall

174
Q

gastro-

A

stomach

175
Q

exo-

A

outside

176
Q

hormone

A

a chemical messenger that directly activates a target tissue

177
Q

hypertension

A

high BP

178
Q

hypotension

A

low BP than normal

179
Q

hyperglycemia

A

high blood sugar

180
Q

goiter

A

enlarged thyroid due to low iodine intake

181
Q

thyroidectomy

A

surgical removal of the thyroid

182
Q

exophthalmos

A

enlarged eyes

183
Q

conjunctiva

A

mucus lining that lines the eye and keeps it moist

184
Q

cornea

A

the part of the eye where light enters; also covers the inside of the eye

185
Q

iris

A

colored portion of the eye that controls how much light is entering the eye

186
Q

pupil

A

black circle in the middle of the iris

187
Q

retina

A

turns light into a chemical signal and communicates with the brain; also makes images clear

188
Q

auricle

A

part of the outer ear that contains soundwaves

189
Q

cerumen

A

ear wax; helps collect debris and bugs, also located in outer ear

190
Q

nystagmus

A

rapid eye movement

191
Q

tinnitus

A

ringing in ears

192
Q

glaucoma

A

a collection of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause vision loss

193
Q
A

Medical Assistant (3 decks)

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