Medical Terminology Flashcards
abduct
draw away from the median line of the body
abscess
localized collection of pus buried in tissues, organs, or confined spaces
acetabulum
socket in the pelvis within which the head of the femur sits
acromioclavicular joint
shoulder - collarbone junction
acute
having a short and relatively severe course
adduct
draw toward the median line of the body
allesthesia
the circumstance whereby a sensation such as pain or touch is experienced at a point remote from that at which the stimulus occurs
anastomosis
a connection between two vessels
bariatrics
the study of overweight, its causes, prevention, and treatment
basilar
pertaining to a base or basal part
benign
not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery
bicuspid
having two cusps or points; bicuspid valve of the heart; pre-molar tooth
brachial plexus
(not brachioplexus) a network of vessels and nerves in the shoulder/arm region
bronchiectasis
dilation of the bronchial tubes
bruit
sound of murmur heard in auscultation, especially an abnormal one
canines
teeth immediately lateral to the incisors
cardiology
the study of the heart and its functions
cerebrospinal
(not cerebral spinal) pertaining to the brain and spinal cord
cervical
pertaining to the part of the spine connecting the head and trunk; pertaining to a constricted part of an organ
cesarean section
(not capitalized) a surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus
cholecystectomy
excision of the gallbladder
chronic
persisting over a long period of time
creatinine
substance found in muscle and blood and excreted in the urine
cuspid
having one cusp or point; canine tooth
D & C
dilation of the cervix and curettage of the uterus
discogram
graphic record of the view of an intervertebral disk
dorsal
pertaining to the back or the position more toward the back; same as posterior in human anatomy
dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing
ecchymosis
small hemorrhagic spot on the skin - larger than a petechia
edema
presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body
encephalopathy
any degenerative disease of the brain
fasciculated
clustered together or occurring in bundles
fasciitis
inflammation of a fascia, a band of fibrous tissue that lies deep under the skin
fibrillation
a small, local, involuntary contraction of musclefibrosis: formation of fibrous tissue
fibula
the outer and smaller of the two bones in the lower leg
foramenotomy
the operation of removing the roof of the intervertebral foramina for the relief of nerve root compression
fundus
the bottom of base of anything - e.g., uterus, eye
gallbladder
small, pear-shaped muscular sac, located under the right lobe of the liver, in which bile secreted by the liver is stored until needed by the body for digestion
gastroenteritis
an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines
geriatric
pertaining to the treatment of the aged
glioblastoma
a rapidly growing tumor
gynecology
the branch of medicine which treats diseases of the genital tract in women
H & P
history and physical
humerus
the bone that extends from the shoulder to the elbow
hypotension
abnormally low blood pressure
hypoxia
reduction of sufficient oxygen in tissues in spite of adequate blood supply
ileum
a portion of the small intestine
ileus
a bowel obstruction
ilium
pelvis; part of the hipbone
incisors
the four anterior teeth in either jaw
infarction
formation of an infarct (generally, a necrosis of tissue due to an obstruction of circulation); commonly myocardial infarction or heart attack
keloid
an elevated, irregularly-shaped scar
kymograph
an instrument for recording variations or undulations, arterial or other
laminectomy
excision of the posterior arch of a vertebra
laminotomy
division of the lamina of a vertebra
laparoscopy
examination of the interior of the abdomen by means of instrument called a laparoscope
lavage
the irrigation or washing out of an organ, such as a stomach or bowel
lordosis
abnormally increased curvature of the thoracic and lumbar spine
lumbar
pertaining to the part of the back between the thorax and the pelvis
luxation
dislocation in which bone is displaced from its normal position in the joint cavity
meninges
the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord
metastasis
the transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it
molars
posterior teeth which are used for grinding food
musculoskeletal
pertaining to or comprising the skeleton and the muscles
nephrology
scientific study of the kidney, its anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology
neurology
that branch of medical science which deals with the nervous system
neuron
any of the conducting cells of the nervous system
nystagmus
involuntary, rapid movement of the eyeball
oophorectomy
the removal of any ovary or ovaries
oophorocystectomy
excision of an ovarian cyst
ophthalmology
the branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, functions and diseases of the eye
orthopedics
that branch of surgery and medical science which is specially concerned with the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulations, and associated structures
palpate
to examine by the hands; to feel
paracentesis
aspiration
patella
kneecap
perfusion
the passage of a fluid through the vessels of a specific organ
petechia, plural petechiae
a tiny red spot on the skin, but usually used in the plural
phalanges
any of the bones of the fingers or toes
pituitary
gland found at the base of the brain
plantar fasciitis
inflammation of the fascia of the sole of the foot
pulmonology
the medical science concerned with the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lungs
refraction
the deviation of light in passing obliquely from one medium to another; the process of determining the refractive errors of the eye and their correction by glasses
Raynaud’s disease
vascular disorder characterized by ischemia of the fingers or toes
sphygmomanometer
an instrument for measuring blood pressure in arteries
spondylitis
inflammation of one or more vertebrae
spondylosis
degenerative changes of vertebrae
spondylolisthesis
forward displacement of lumbar vertebra(e)
stapedectomy
surgical creation of a small opening in the stapes
sternum
the breast bone; the bone connection with the clavicles and the first seven ribs
syncope
temporary suspension of consciousness, a faint or swoon
synovial
of, or pertaining to, synovia which is a viscid fluid contained in joint cavities; also called synovial fluid
thoracic
pertaining to or affecting the chest
tibia
the inner and larger bone of the lower leg; the shin bone
triage
the sorting out and classification of casualties of war or other disaster to determine priority of need and proper place of treatment
uvula
most commonly refers to the uvula palatine, the small, fleshy mass hanging from the soft palate above the root of the tongue
venous
of or pertaining to the veins
viscid
sticky; thick
xiphoid
shaped like a sword, as in xiphoid process
PREFIX
a-
without/absence of
PREFIX
ab-
away from
PREFIX
ad-
to/toward
PREFIX
ante-
before
PREFIX
an-
without
PREFIX
bi-
two
PREFIX
brady-
slow
PREFIX
contra-
against
PREFIX
ecto-
outside
PREFIX
endo-
within
PREFIX
exo-
outside
PREFIX
glyc-
sweet
PREFIX
hyper-
above
PREFIX
hypo-
below
PREFIX
im-
not
PREFIX
infra-
under/below
PREFIX
inter-
between
PREFIX
intra-
inside
PREFIX
mal-
bad
PREFIX
macro-
large
PREFIX
meso-
middle
PREFIX
meta-
after
PREFIX
mut-
change
PREFIX
patho-
disease
PREFIX
peri-
surrounding
PREFIX
retro-
back
PREFIX
sub-
under/below
PREFIX
supra-
above
PREFIX
super-
over/above
PREFIX
tachy-
fast
PREFIX
trans-
through, across, beyond
PREFIX
ultra-
beyond, excess
SUFFIX
-algia
pain
SUFFIX
-asis
condition
SUFFIX
-asthenia
weakness
SUFFIX
-ectomy
excision, surgical removal
SUFFIX
-emia
blood condition
SUFFIX
-genic
producing, causing
SUFFIX
-itia, itis
inflammation
SUFFIX
-lysis
reduction, desstruction
SUFFIX
-megaly
enlargement
SUFFIX
-oma
tumor, swelling
SUFFIX
-oscopy, -osopy, -opsy
to view
SUFFIX
-ostomy
creation of artificial opening
SUFFIX
-pathy
disease
SUFFIX
-penia
insufficiency
SUFFIX
-plegia
paralysis
SUFFIX
-pnea
breathing
SUFFIX
-sclerosis
hardening
SUFFIX
-sepsis
infection
SUFFIX
-stasis
control/stop
SUFFIX
-tropic
influencing
ROOT WORD
bronch
windpipe
ROOT WORD
cardi
heart
ROOT WORD
carp
wrist
ROOT WORD
cutane
skin
ROOT WORD
cyst
bladder
ROOT WORD
cyt
cell
ROOT WORD
derm
skin
ROOT WORD
dors
back
ROOT WORD
encephal
brain
ROOT WORD
enter
intestines
ROOT WORD
erythr
red
ROOT WORD
gangli
swelling
ROOT WORD
gastr
stomach
ROOT WORD
hema
blood
ROOT WORD
hepat
liver
ROOT WORD
homeo
same
ROOT WORD
lact
milk
ROOT WORD
leuko
white
ROOT WORD
lip
fat
ROOT WORD
mening
membrane
ROOT WORD
morph
shape/form
ROOT WORD
myo
muscle
ROOT WORD
nephr
kidney
ROOT WORD
olfact
to smell
ROOT WORD
oo
egg, ovum
ROOT WORD
oss, oste
bone
ROOT WORD
phleb
vein
ROOT WORD
pleur
rib
ROOT WORD
pod
foot
ROOT WORD
proct
rectum
ROOT WORD
psych
mind
ROOT WORD
puber
adult
ROOT WORD
pyr
fever
ROOT WORD
ren
kidney
ROOT WORD
scler
hard
ROOT WORD
somat
body
ROOT WORD
strat
layer
ROOT WORD
thromb
clot
ROOT WORD
ven
vein
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Alzheimer’s Disease
a presenile dementia
ancillary
is a nonmedical term
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
apnea
a temporary cessation of breathing
axillary
of or relating to the armpit
cardiorrhaphy
suturing of the heart muscle
cephalography
radiography of the head
DNA
DioxyriboNucleic Acid
electrocaradiogram
ECG, EKG. The record produced by electrocardiography. A tracing representing the heart’s electrical action derived by amplification of the minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart
emphysema
any pathologic accumulation of air in tissue or organs
endocrines
secreting internally. Pertaining to internal secretions; hormonal
endoplasm
the central portion of the cytoplasm of a cell
erythrocyte
red blood cells
fracture commimuted
a fracture in which the bone is crushed or splintered
depressed
a fracture of the skull in which a fragment is depressed
impacted
a fracture in which one fragment is firmly driven into the other
open
a fracture in which a wound through the adjacent or overlying soft tissue communicates with the outside of the body; this must be considered a surgical emergency
hormones
what the endocrine system manufactures
human immunodeficiency virus
the virus which causes AIDS
insulin
a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the level of glucose in the blood
Kaposi’s sarcoma
a sarcoma that starts with purplish spots on the feet and legs and spreads from the skin to lymph nodes and internal organs; a common manifestation of AIDS
leukocyte
white blood cell
mandible
the jaw
maxillary
of or relating to the upper jaw
oncologist
specialist who studies, diagnoses, and treats cancer
ophthalmologist
specialist who studies, diagnoses, and treats diseases and conditions of the eye
orthopedist
a doctor who corrects congenital of functional abnormalities of the bones with surgery, casting, and bracing
papillary
papillary muscle: small muscles within the heart that anchor the heart valves
pivot
a joint allowing motion around a vertical axis
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura, the linings surrounding the lungs
pneumatosis
air or gas in an abnormal location in the body
podiatrist
foot specialist
presenile dementia
name given to dementia of the Alzheimer type when it occurs in persons younger than 65
rhinoplasty
surgical repair of the nose
tachygraph
a device to record the rate of blood flow
venectomy
excision of a vein, or a segment of a vein
viral pneumonitis
any of numerous pneumonias caused by a virus, such as an adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, etc.
anesthetic
a drug or agent used to abolish the sensation of pain
SUFFIX
-algia
pain
angina pectoris
this is a characteristic pain in connection with disease of the heart
arrhythmia
variation from the normal rhythm, especially of the heartbeat
COMBINING FORM
arthr/o
joint
aseptic
free from infection, a.k.a. sterile
bone(s) atlas
the first cervical vertebra, the uppermost bone of the vertebral column which supports the skull
clavicle
the collarbone
femur
the thigh bone. The largest and strongest bone of the body
frontal
the bones which form the forehead and help form the orbital cavities
occipital
the bone in the lower back part of the skull between the parietal and temporal bones
parietal
one of two bones which together form the roof and sides of the skull
patella
the kneecap
scapula
the flat triangular bone in the back of the shoulder
skull
a bone of the skeleton which is unable to regenerate if a part of it is removed
sternum
the narrow, flat bone in the median line of the thorax in front. It consists of three portions distinguished as the manubrium, the gladiolus, and the ensiform of xiphoid process. a.k.a. breastbone
temporal
a bone on both sides of the skull at its base
tibia
the inner and thicker of the two bones of the leg between the knee and the ankle
ulna
the inner and larger bone of the forearm, on the side opposite the thumb
congenital condition
a condition that exists from birth
SUFFIX
-dynia
pain
SUFFIX
-ectomy
cutting out, to excise, to remove
epiphyseal
pertaining to the end of a long bone, usually wider than the shaft
glycohemia
presence of glucose (sugar) in the blood; a.k.a. glycemia
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body
logorrhea
talk too much
manubrium
Latin: handle. In anatomy, it refers to a handlelike structure or part
orbicularis
muscles surrounding the eye
palpitation
a heartbeat that is unusually strong, rapid, or irregular enough to make the person aware of it
pediatrics
branch of medical science that treats children
placenta
the circular mass within the uterus that establishes communication between the mother and child by way of the umbilical cord
purulent
that which has the character of pus
tachycardia
abnormally rapid heartbeat
trauma
injury
Valium
the most likely source to find the meaning of the drug “Valium” would be in a drug reference book or an online prescription medicine website
vertigo
dizziness
