Medical Terminology Flashcards
anterior
towards the front of the body
posterior
towards the back of the body
distal
further from the point of attachment
proximal
closer to the point of attachment
superior
closer to the head
inferior
closer to the feet
lateral
further from the midline
medial
towards the midline
saggital
splits the body into left and right, not equal halves
midsaggital
splits the body into left and right, EQUAL HALVES
appendages
bony projections associated with limbs, i.e. FINGERS and legs
deep
away from the surface of the body
superficial
closer to the surface of the body
epidermis
outermost layer of the skin; contains keratinocytes (makes skin waterproof) and melanocytes (produces melanin and protects from UV rays)
dermis
middle layer of the skin; houses the hair follicle and other structures
hypodermis
innermost layer of the skin; subcutaneous fat layer that protects blood vessels
alopecia
baldness
-itis
inflammation of
tumor
abnormal growth of body cells
malignant
an abnormal growth of body cells that has been diagnosed as cancerous
benign
an abnormal growth of body cells that has been diagnosed as non-cancerous
erythema
redness
jaundice
yellowing of skin and/or eyes
chemotherapy
the use of chemical drugs to treat cancer
radiation therapy
the use of radiation to treat cancer
humerus
the upper arm long bone, also known as the funny bone
radius
the bone on the forearm that is on the same side as the thumb
ulna
the other forearm bone that forms the elbow
carpals
the wrist bones; there are a total of 8
metacarpals
the hand bones
femur
the long, thigh bone
patella
a sesamoid, or small, rounded bone, which is also known as the kneecap
tibia
the bone on the medial side of the body, referred to as the shinbone
fibula
the bone on the lateral side of the body; it is thinner than the tibia
tarsals
the ankle bones
metatarsals
the foot bones
phalanges
the finger and toe bones
intercostal
between the ribs
sternum
the breastbone, which is also known as the manibrium, body, and xiphoid process
scapulae
the shoulder blades
joints
the connection point for bones, 3 types of joints are synovial, fibrous, and cartilaginous
osteo-
having to do with the bone
tendon
fibrous tissue that is a connection point for muscles and bones
sphincter
a group of muscles located at the openings of the body
sarco-
muscle or flesh
origin
point of attachment for less moveable bone
insertion
point of attachment for more moveable bone
flexion
the act of bending a body part
extension
the act of straightening a body part
hyper-
increased
hypo-
decreased
dorsi-
back or behind
adduction
the act of moving a body part toward the midline or medially; THINK OF THE EXERCISE
abduction
the act of moving a body part away from the midline or laterally
pronation
when the palms of the hand are facing down
supination
when the palms of the hand are facing up
-ism
condition
-osis
disease
-lysis
decreasing or decomposing
endo-
within
GIve an example of something with the prefix: endo
endoscopy: procedure done to look inside body
endocardium: innermost layer of heart
epi-
above
GIve an example of something with the prefix: epi
epidermis: outermost layer of skin
epicardium: outermost layer of heart
myo-
muscle
GIve an example of something with the prefix: myo
myocarditis: inflammation of heart muscle
myocardium: muscle layer of heart
peri-
around
Give an example of something with the prefix: peri
pericardium: membrane that surrounds the heart
pericarditis: inflammation of heart membrane
cardio-
related to the heart
Give an example of something with the prefix: cardio
cardiopathy: heart disease
artery
thick blood vessel that carries blood AWAY from the heart
vein
thinner blood vessel that takes blood TO the heart
capillary
a blood vessel that connects arterioles and venules
vaso-
vessel
tachy-
rapid or fast; HR is above 100
brady-
slow; HR is below 60
edema
swelling
diaphoresis
sweating
dilation:
to get bigger or widen
constriction:
to get smaller or narrow
erythro-
red
hemo-
blood
Give an example of something with the prefix: hemo
hemostasis: when bleeding in the body is stopped
hemoglobin: a protein that helps transport oxygen
leuko-
white
-cyte
cell
platelets
cell fragments that help with clotting
plasma
liquid portion of the blood
thrombus
abnormal blood clot
embolus
a piece of blood clot that has broken off and is traveling through bloodstream; has potential to cause damage
antigen
foreign blood cells that activate antibodies and can be founnd on the surface of red blood cells; help with blood type determination
antibody
protector of cells and help fight infection
pallor
paleness
fatigue
tiredness
cyanosis
bluish appearance
hematoma
bruise or swelling underneath skin
anaphylaxis
a serious allergic reaction that can lead to difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in BP
interstitial fluid
fluid between tissues that turns into lymph when absorbed
lymph nodes
small sacs in the lymphatic system that filter waste and other particles that pass through
immuno-
related to the immune system
Give an example of something with the prefix: immuno-
Immunoglobulins: antibodies with different functions, ex. IgA, IgB
autoimmune disease
a disease where the body attacks itself; i.e. sickle cell, lupus, celiac disease
acute
short-term
chronic
long-term
anti-
against or opposite
Give an example of something with the prefix: anti-
anticoagulants: medicine used to prevent clots
antipyretics: medicine used to alleviate fever
-ectomy
removal by surgery
thorax
the chest area
inspiration
when you breathe in
expiration
when you breathe out
dyspnea
difficulty breathing
biopsy
when a bodily substance or tissue is removed to be examined for a diagnosis; i.e. a skin biopsy
thoraco-
chest
-ostomy
surgical incision
-centesis
puncture
pneumo-
pertaining to the lungs
broncho-
pertaining to the trachea or airway
respiration
breathing
morbidity
the frequency of post-surgical complications and illnesses present
mortality
number of deaths
central nervous system
system consisting of the brain and spinal cord; controls body movement
peripheral nervous system
consists of the somatic (voluntary muscles), autonomic nervous systems (fight or flight, rest and digest), and peripheral nerves
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
clear fluid produced in the brain’s ventricles that protects the brain from injury, provides nutrients, and gets rid of waste
paresthesia
numbing or tingly sensation in hands or feet
paralysis
the inability or loss of movement in parts of the body
quadriplegia
the paralysis of the limbs, sometimes can occur from the neck downward
dyskinesia
the involuntary movements of the limbs; can look like muscle spasms
dementia
a neurological condition that causes major changes in one’s memory and judgement; often associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
anesthesia
the use of drugs to prevent one from feeling pain; usually used during surgical procedures
cerebro-
brain
urethra
tube structure that moves urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
ureter
10-12 inch long tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
micturition
when urine is pushed to the urethra
-uria
urine
polyuria
frequent urination
anuria
absence of urination
hematuria
blood in the urine
dysuria
painful urination
febrile
high body temperature
afebrile
low body temperature
antidiuretic
medication prescribed to decrease urine production
diuretic
medication prescribed to increase urine production
testes
male sex organ that produces testosterone
sperma-
semen
peristalsis
contraction of muscle to move substances throughout the body
hypertrophy
increase in size of bodily tissue or organ
atrophy
degeneration of a body part
ovaries
female reproductive organ that produces estrogen
ovulation
when an ovum is released from the fallopian tubes into the uterus
uterus
the hollow and muscular organ that houses the embryo and fetus during pregnancy
fallopian tube
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
menarche
first menstrual period
menopause
when periods end due to age
amenorrhea
absence of menstrual period
dysmenorrhea
severe menstrual cramps
hysterectomy
surgical removal of uterus
mastectomy
surgical removal of a breast
-otomy
incision
fetus
a name of the embryo that develops from the end of the 8th week of the embryonic period until the moment of birth
prenatal
before birth
postnatal
after birth
digestion
the process by which food is broken down in the body through the use of mechanical and chemical mechanisms
bolus
a mixture of chewed food and saliva
feces
excess waste, usually known as stool, that is excreted through rectum and the anus
cholesterol
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
gluco-
sugar
glyco-
sugar
lipids
one of the 4 major macromolecules; classified as fats and there are two types, triglycerides and cholesterol
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
polydipsia
excessive thirst
dehydration
occurs when there’s inadequate water supply in the body
hernia
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
constipation
difficulty pooping or passing stool
diarrhea
frequent and watery poop
emesis
vomiting
chole-
gall
gastro-
stomach
exo-
outside
hormone
a chemical messenger that directly activates a target tissue
hypertension
high BP
hypotension
low BP than normal
hyperglycemia
high blood sugar
goiter
enlarged thyroid due to low iodine intake
thyroidectomy
surgical removal of the thyroid
exophthalmos
enlarged eyes
conjunctiva
mucus lining that lines the eye and keeps it moist
cornea
the part of the eye where light enters; also covers the inside of the eye
iris
colored portion of the eye that controls how much light is entering the eye
pupil
black circle in the middle of the iris
retina
turns light into a chemical signal and communicates with the brain; also makes images clear
auricle
part of the outer ear that contains soundwaves
cerumen
ear wax; helps collect debris and bugs, also located in outer ear
nystagmus
rapid eye movement
tinnitus
ringing in ears
glaucoma
a collection of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause vision loss
