Medical Terminology Flashcards
-itis
- inflammation
* tonsillitis, appendicitis
-osis
- abnormal condition
* cyanosis
-ectomy
- to cut out; remove
* appendectomy
-otomy
- to cut into
- temporary opening
- tracheotomy
-ostomy
- to make a permanent opening (“mouth”)
* colostomy
-a/an
- without
- none
- anemia
-micro
- small
* microstomia- small opening (mouth)
-macro
- large
* macrostomia
-mega/megaly
- enlarged
* megacolon (abnormally large colon)
-scopy/scopic
- to look; observe
* endoscopy
-graphy/graph
- recording an image
* mammography
-gram
- the image/x-ray
* mammogram
stomato
•mouth
dento
•teeth
glosso/linguo
- tongue
* lingual nerve
gingivo
•gums
encephalo
•brain
gastro
•stomach
entero
•intestine
colo
•large intestine
procto
•anus/rectum
hepato
•liver
nephro/rene
•kidney
orchido, test
•testes
oophoro
•ovaries
hystero/metro
•uterus
salpingo/-salpinx
•uterine tubes
dermo
•skin
masto/mammo
•breast
osteo
•bone
cardio
•heart
cysto
•bladder
rhino
- nose
* rhinitis- runny nose
phlebo/veno
•veins
pneumo/pulmo
•lungs
hemo/emia
•blood
leuk/o
- white
* leukemia- abundance WBC
melan/o
- black
* melanoma- black tumor of skin
cyan/o
•blue
xanth/o
•yellow
aden/o
•gland
lip/o
•fat
my/o
•muscle
lymph/o
•lymphatic tissue
carcin/o
•malignant
endo
•within; inside of
endoscopy
•use of a flexible fiberoptic instrument attached to a video camera that can be used to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach and large bowel
peri
- around
* perianal- around anus
circum
- cut around
* circumcise
retro
- behind
* retrosternal- behind sternum
epi
- upon; on top
* epidermis
trans
- through
* transurethral- through urethra
intra
- within
* intravenous
sub
- below
* subclavian- below clavicle
endocarditis
•inflammation of inner heart lining
myocarditis
- inflammation of heart muscle layer (myocardium)
* middle layer
pericarditis
•inflammation around heart (outer layer)
bradycardia
- slow HR
* <60 BPM
tachycardia
- fast HR
* >100 BPM
angi/o
•vessel
angiogram
•x-ray of artery
venogram
•x-ray of veins
phlebitis
•inflammation of veins
stasis
•to stop
hemostasis
•to stop bleeding
hemostat
•clamp-like instrument
-cyte
- cell
* erythrocyte; leukocyte
hypoxemia
•low blood oxygen
hematosalpinx
•blood in uterine tubes
atherosclerosis
- hardening of arteries
* fatty plaques lining blood vessels
myocardial infarction (MI)
- heart attack
- due to blocked artery
- results in permanent damage to the heart
mitral valve
- aka atrioventricular valve
- separate L atrium and ventricle
- bicuspid
mitral prolapse
- flaps of mitral valve tear away as a result of disease
* leads to regurgitation of blood
regurgitation
•back flow
stenosis
- narrowing of heart valve passageway
- partial obstruction
- constricting blood flow
angina pectoris
- pain in chest accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea
- indicates that insufficient amount of blood getting to heart muscle
nitroglycerine
- increases blood flow to heart muscle
* relieves pain of angina pectoris
arrhythmia/dysrhythmia
•abnormal heart rate and rhythm
dysrhythmia
•no heart rhythm
ischemia
- hear muscle not getting enough blood
- O2 and glucose carried by the blood not sufficient enough for heart’s high metabolic rate and O2 demands
- caused by blockage of coronary arteries
- often leads to angina pectoris
electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
•recording of the electrical activity of the heart
echocardiography
- using ultra high frequency sound waves to create an image of the heart
- can indicate valve damage, congenital defects, etc
congenital defect
•occur before birth
cardiac catheterization
- catheter threaded into an artery and up into the heart
- used to apply contrast and x-rays to get details of coronary arteries
- used to locate blockage
phlebotomist/venipuncturist
- nurse/technician that draws blood for labs and starts IVs
* “cuts veins”
pericarditis
•inflammation of pericardium (sac around heart)
cardiologist
•physician who specializes in diagnoses and diseases of the heart
murmor
- abnormal heart sound
* caused by stenosis
hemangioma
•tumor of blood vessel
gingivitis
•bleeding gums
colostomy
- surgical removal of the colon
* results in permanent hole in abdomen, which is necessary for drainage
hepatomegaly
•enlarged liver
nephritis
- inflammation of kidneys
- severe lower back pain
- blood in urine
cardiomegaly
- enlarged heart
* normal in athlete
oophorectomy
•removal of uterus and ovaries
salpingitis
- inflammation of fallopian tubes
- results from frequent infection with STDs
- leads to female becoming sterile
electroencephalography
- records brain electrical activity
* routine on epileptic
mammogram
•x-ray of breasts
cephalo
•head
cephalgia
•headache
encephalo
•inside the head
encephalitis
•inflammation of the brain
anencephalic
•born without a brain
meninges
- membrane surrounding brain and spinal cord
* meningitis = inflammation of meninges
myelo
- spinal cord
* bone marrow
myelogram
•x-ray of spinal cord
neuro
- nerve
- neuroma- tumor
- neuritis- inflammation
dys
- difficult
- painful
- abnormal
dyslexia
•difficulty reading
-cele
•swelling or hernia
hernia
•a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and abnormally protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it
meningomyelocele
•profusion of membranes and spinal cord
-pathy
- disease
* abnormality
encephalopathy
•disease of the brain
neuropathy
•disease of nerves
-plasia
•development, formation, growth
aplasia
•no development
hyperplasia
•excessive development
-plegia
•paralysis
hemiplegia
•paralysis of one side of the body
quadriplegia
•paralysis of all four limbs
multiple sclerosis
- progressive disease involving damage to the myelin sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord
- symptoms of numbness, impairment of speech and muscle coordination, blurred vision, severe fatigue
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
- stroke
- thrombus
- embolus
- may result in paralysis, loss of speech/vision
stroke
- blood vessel in brain bursts and causes internal bleeding
* symptoms of loss of speech and arm weakness
thrombus
- stationary clot formed in vessel
* deprives tissue of oxygen
embolus
- traveling clot gets stuck in a blood vessel
* deprives tissue of oxygen
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- short period of insufficient blood supply to the brain
- similar symptoms of stroke that subside after 24 hrs
- increased risk of stroke in future
epilepsy
- disease characterized by intense, long lasting, and frequent seizures
- treated with drugs/surgery
causes of seizures
- epilepsy
- fever
- stress
aphasia
- loss of speech
* result of CVA or injury on L side of brain
non-fluent (Broca) aphasia
- due to lesion in Broca area (motor)
- slow speech
- difficulty choosing words
- use of words that only approximate the actual (tssair=chair)
fluent (Wernike) aphasia
- due to lesion in Wernicke area (sensory)
- person speaks normally and excessively
- use jargon and invented words (choss=chair)
- can’t comprehend written and spoken words
anomic aphasia
- person can speak normally and understands speech
- cannot identify written words or pictures
- say they know what pic is, but can’t find name for it
lumbar (spinal) puncture or tap (LP)
- the procedure of taking CSF from the spine in the lower back through a hollow needle
- needle b/t lumbar vertebrae
- usually done for diagnostic purposes (meningitis, MS, bacteria, etc)
electroencephalography (EEG)
- recording of brain’s electrical activity
* used to diagnose epilepsy, brain tumors, sleep disorders
computed tomography (CT)
- specialized x-ray machine that take pics of multiple angles and integrates them into slices
- better tissue differentiation than x rays
- lower radiation than x rays
- better resolution than x rays
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- like a CT scan but uses magnets and atoms composing tissues instead of x rays
- high resolution and tissue differentiation
neuropathy
•noninflammatory disease of nerves
meningomyelocele
- herniation of protective membrane and spinal cord
- type of spin bifid a
- neural tube defect
brain scan
- imaging after injecting radioactive contrast into patient
* utilized for tumor identification
myelodysplasia
•abnormal or lack of development of part of spinal cord
emes/o
•vomit
emesis
•vomiting
emetic
•stimulating vomiting
antiemetic
•stopping vomiting
lith/o
•stone
cholelithotomy
•removal of gall stones
lapar/o
•abdominal wall
laparotomy
•cutting into abdominal wall
-centesis
•to puncture
abdominocentesis
•puncturing and draining abdomen
-tripsy
•to crush
Cholelithotripsy
- to crush gallstones with sound waves
* no longer practiced
-rrhea
- flow
* discharge
-iasis/osis
•abnormal condition
cholelithiasis
•presence of gallstones causing symptoms
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- weakness of the esophageal sphincter
- stomach acids refluxes into esophagus
- causes irritation/inflammation of esophageal lining
- symptoms are chest pain (can mimic angina)
jaundice
- yellowing of skin and eyes resulting from back-up of bile
- may result from blockage of bile ducts
- can also result from excessive Hgb breakdown
diverticulosis/diverticulitis
- diverticuli (small pouches) form along walls of large intestine
- diverticulosis- discomfort
- diverticulitis- insufficient emptying of fecal material causes inflammation
cirrhosis
•degenerative disease of the liver that is common in alcoholics
portal hypertension
- complication of alcoholics resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous flow through liver
- rising BP of veins between liver and GI tract causes vein enlargement around umbilicus
esophageal varices
- bulging veins in walls of esophagus resulting from portal hypertension
- common in alcoholics
- risk for fatal bleeding
dysphagia
- difficulty swallowing
* GERD, esophageal tumor, etc
Crohn’s disease
- chronic inflammatory disease of bowel
* symptoms- abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, rectal bleeding (anemia)
peritonitis
- inflammation of abdominal cavity lining
* indicated by peritoneal signs
peritoneal signs
•tenderness in abdomen
•rebound pain- pain when applied pressure released
•no bowel sounds
•rigidity of abdomen
*caused by contact w/ blood, bile, urine, pus
proctologist
•physician specializing in diseases of rectum and anus
guaiac test (hemoccult, fecult)
•chemical test to identify blood in feces
upper GI series
- series of x rays of esophagus, stomach, and sm. intestine after swallowing barium
- shows stomach ulcers, tumors, intestine twist, etc
barium
- opaque
* blocks x rays
lower GI series
- series of x rays following barium enema
- shows lg. intestine and rectum
- shows diverticulitis
ultrasonagraphy (ultrasound)
•use of high frequency sound waves to visualize internal organs
laryg/o
- larynx (voice box)
- laryngotomy- cutting into larynx
- laryngectomy- removing larynx
tracheo
•trachea (windpipe)
tachypena
•accelerated breathing
dyspnea
•difficult/painful breathing
apnea
•cessation of breathing
-ptysis
•spitting (coughing)
hemoptysis
•spitting/coughing up blood
-plasty
- reconstruction
* rhinoplasty= surgical reconstruction of nose
pneumoconiosis
- generic term for when toxic particles become trapped in lungs
- black lung, miner’s lung
epistaxis
•nose bleed
cystic fibrosis
- disease affecting pucks producing tissues, such as lungs and GI tract
- frequent lung infections/digestive issues
- fibrosis of lungs
fibrosis
•scarring
emphysema (COPD)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- progressive destruction of alveoli
- loss of reps. membrane for air exchange
atelectasis
•collapsed lung
pulmonologist
•physician specializing in diseases of lungs
respiratory therapist
•technician that administers respiratory therapy
pulmonary angiography
•x ray of vessels of lungs
endotracheal intubation
•passing a special air-tube into the trachea so oxygen can be reliably supplied directly to the lungs without risk of inhaling vomit from the stomach
hydro
•water
hydronephrosis
•back-up of urine into kidney
pyelo
•renal collecting ducts
uro/-uria
•urine
oligo
- less than normal
* oliguria- reduced urine formation
-pexy
- to surgically reattach in normal position
* nephropexy- surgically reattach kidney
nephrosis
•non inflammatory disease of kidney
nephrolith
•kidney stone
urethritis
•inflammation of urethra
nocturia
•frequently waking and urinating throughout night
enuresis
- involuntary urination
* “bed wetting”
nephrologist
•physician specializing in kidney diseases
urologist
- physician specializing in lower urinary tract (bladder & urethra)
- male gynecologist
intravenous pyelogram
- special x rays showing drainage pattern of kidneys, ureter, and bladder
- requires administering contrast
retrograde pylogram
•dye flushed up urethra and bladder and into ureter and kidneys
voiding cystourethrogram
•x ray displaying urethra and bladder while urinating
dialysis
- procedure used in those lacking kidney
* cleansing blood of waste
lithotripsy
- crushing kidney stones with sound waves
* stones end up in sludge and exit body through urethra
balano
•head of penis
andro
- male
* androgenic- stimulating male hormones
androgynous
•characteristic of male and female appearance
prostat/o
•prostate
vas/o
- vessel
* duct
vas deferens
•duct carrying semen from testes
-rrhaphy
•to suture
herniorrhaphy
•surgical correction of inguinal hernia
hypospadias
•condition where the external urinary meatus (opening) opens at location other than tip of penis
hydrocele
•fluid-filled sac partially surrounding the testes
varicocele
- dilated/twisted veins of testes
- “hemorrhoids” of testes
- may cause pain and reduced sperm count b/c of slow vascular flow
cryptochidism
•lack of descent of one or both testes into scrotum
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
- swelling of the prostate gland, which surrounds base of male bladder and urethra
- causes difficulty urinating, nocturia, and dribbling
transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
•surgical care of BPH by inserting instrument through penile urethra and cutting away urinary obstruction
prostate specific antigen (PSA)
- marker protein for prostate cell secretions
* rising levels may indicate prostate cancer
endometritis
•inflammation of uterine lining
endometriosis
- endometrial tissue found outside uterus
* causes pain/discomfort
endometrium
- mucus membrane lining uterus
* thickens during menstruation to prep for potential embryo implantation
hematosalpinx
•blood in uterine tube
colp/o
•vagina
colporrhaphy
•suturing a tear of vagina
colpoplasty
•surgical reconstruction of vagina
oophoropexy
•surgically reattaching ovary
meno
•menstruation
menarche
•first menstruation
dysmenorrhea
•painful menstruation
-pareunia, coitus
- intercourse
* dyspareunia- painful
pre/postcoital
•before/after intercourse
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- bacteria travels up vagina into uterus and then uterine tubes, which open into the abdominal cavity
- leads to inflammation of the peritoneum
peritoneum
•abdominal cavity lining
cervix
•neck region of uterus
prolapsed uterus
- ligaments holding uterus in place become weak and uterus prolapses (herniates) into the vagina
- severe prolapse results in cervix protruding from vagina opening
obstetrician
•physician specializing in the diagnosis and management of pregnancy and delivering babies
gynecologist
•physician specializing in diseases and surgeries of female reproductive system
*most are OB/GYN
episiotomy
•cutting into perineal in order to prevent tearing of tissues when baby head transverses thru vaginal opening
perineum
•between vagina (or scrotum) and anus
hysterosalpingogram
•x ray of uterus and uterine tubes
colposcopy
•inspecting interior of vagina/cervix
dilatation and curettage (D&C)
- dilating cervix and scraping off superficial layers of endometrium
- abortion, miscarriage, diagnostic
pudendal block
- anesthetic administered to block sensation around vaginal and perineum
- performed before episiotomy
-gravida
- pregnancy
- nullgravida- never preggo
- primigravida- first preggo
- multigravida- many preggo
-para
- live birth
* null (none) or multipara
parto, toco
- labor
- birth
- delivery
pre/postpartum
•before/after delivery
dystocia
•difficult delivery
abrupito placentae
•premature separation of normally implanted placenta
placenta previa
- placenta implanted over cervical region of uterus, blocking passage to birth canal
- rare
- causes bleeding and dystocia
eclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy)
- life threatening condition during pregnancy
- convulsions, hypertension, and coma
- begins as preeclampsia, which can be treated
ectopic pregnancy
- implantation outside of uterus
- most often in fallopian tubes
- requires immediate surgical removal
hemorrhage
•profuse loss of blood from ruptured vessel
chrondro
•cartilage
arthro
•joint
teno/tendino
- tendon
* muscle to bone
ligamento
- ligament
* bone to bone
burso
- bursa
* shock absorber between bones and tendons
-malacia
•softening
-porosis
•porous
-asthenia
- weakness
- loss of strength
- myasthenia gravis
-trophy
- development
- stimulation
- maintenance
atrophy
•shriveling of muscles
hypertrophy
•increase in size/strength of muscle
-algia/-algesia
•pain
analgesia
•to take away pain
arthritis
- joints become less resilient to wear and tear and start to degenerate
- swelling, pain, loss of mobility
oseoarthritis
•arthritis of both joint tissue and opposing bones
rheumatoid arthritis
- autoimmune disease where body produces antibodies against joint tissue
- chronic inflammation
- severe joint damage, pain, and immobility
osteoporosis
- bones lose density and are easily fractured
- due to lack of calcium or bone replacement
- due to lack of estrogen b/c estrogen maintains Ca++ levels
osteomalacia
- not enough Ca++ deposited on bones during childhood
- bones rubbery
- “ricketts”- bow legs
carpal tunnel syndrome
- tingling, pain, weakness of thumb and fingers, esp. when grasping
- caused by repetitive flexing of ligament over reticular formation and tunnel from wrist to hand
- puts pressure on median nerve
tendonitis
- repetitive strain on a tendon, causing inflammation
* takes long time to heal b/c tendons have poor vascular supply
muscular dystrophy
- muscle that control movement progressively weaken
* inherited disease
myasthenia gravis
- muscle weakening
- autoimmune disease where antibodies disrupt nerves controlling muscles
- face and neck muscle most impacted
lupus erythematosus
- AI disease where body produces antibodies against various organs
- major impact on connective tissue of skin and joints
- mild version characterized by butterfly rash on face
- may have myalgia or arthralgia (muscle/joint pain)
systemic (severe) lupus erythematosus (SLE)
•involves inflammation of multiple organ systems like heart, lungs, kidney
orthopaedist
- physician that specializes in treating children with spine and limb deformities
- also treat adults with complicated bone fractures, damaged ligaments/tendons, or those needing joint repair
rheumatologist
•treat joint diseases, osteoporosis, tendonitis, gout, lupus, and other musculoskeletal disorders
osteopath/osteopathic physician (D.O)
- emphasize musculoskeletal system and its relationship to other body systems
- utilize bone, ligament, joint manipulation in addition to medication/surgery
- emphasize preventative care
podiatrist
- diseases and structural problems of feet
* often specialize in sports medicine and diabetic foot care as well
physical therapist
- rehabilitation specialist that treats joint surgery, limb amputation, a stroke, heart attack and suffering with chronic neuromuscular diseases
- teach exercises to strengthen/enhance mobility
arthroscopy
•entering though a joint and visualizing bone surfaces looking for tears/inflammation
bone scan
•radioactive element administered and accumulates in bone providing info regarding tumors and other bone abnormalities
electromyography
- recording of muscle electrical activity
- needles placed in muscles
- utilized for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders
biopsy
•cutting out small tissue sample in order to view under scope
malignant tumor
- invasive- spread to surrounding tissue
* metastasize- travel and form tumors in other areas
carcinoma
- most common form of cancer
* develops from epithelial cells
sarcoma
•rare form of cancer that arises from supportive and connective tissues (bone, fat, muscle)
caput madusae
•characteristic radiating pattern of veins
invasiveness
- spreading into surrounding tissue
- results in penetration, compression, and destruction
- leads to loss of organ fxn
