Medical Terminology and Disease Flashcards
Word Elements
the five parts used to form medical terms; includes the word root, prefix, suffix, combining vowel, and combining form
Word Root
the body or the main element of a word
Suffix
the part of a word that is added after the word root to change its meaning
Inflammation
term for redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and heat affecting an area of the body; often a result of tissues reacting to injury
Combining Vowel
letter used to combine two word roots, or a word root and a suffix; usually an o
Combining Form
term that describes a word root and a combining vowel used to form medical terms
Acronym
words formed from the first letters or parts of other words
Body Cavities
spaces in the body that contain organs; the human body is divided into dorsal and ventral cavities
Anatomical Position
a standing position in which the feet are parallel and the arms and hands are at the sides, palms facing out
Body planes
imaginary planes, or flat surfaces, that divide the body into sections; include sagittal, coronal, and transverse
Body System
a group of organs working together to perform various functions and maintain homeostasis
Medical Specialties
specific areas of focus practiced by medical professionals , which are often named according to a body system
Carcinoma
cancerous tumor derived from epithelial cells
Body Mass Index (BMI)
weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; a method of determining caloric nutritional status
Atherosclerosis
buildup of plaque on the inner lining of an arterial wall over time
