Medical Terminology - Week 1 Flashcards
Acronym
Abbreviation from first letter of each word
Eponym
Comes from person place or thing associated with word
Why are eponyms used ?
To honor scientists who created an innovative device or researched a new disease
BP
Blood pressure
CBC
Complete blood count
CC
Chief complaint
HTN
Hypertension
Ca
Cancer
HA
Headache
PT
Physical therapy
ACE
Angiotensin converting enzyme
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ARDS
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
HIPAA
Health insurance portability and accountability act
LASER
Light amplification by stimulated emmision of radiation
Symbols
S = without
P = after
A = before
^ = increase
Arrow down = decrease
Triangle = change
RICE
Rest, ice, compression, elevation
SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome
Prefix
Word part at beginning of the word
Listed with a hyphen such as bi- & mal-
Suffix
Word part found at end of word
Following a hyphen such as -is and -tic
Root
Word part that is the foundation of the term
Combining vowel
Vowel that links the root to the suffix or a root to a root. Typically vowel is “o”
Combining form
When root is added to combining vowel. Can be given by stating root word followed by a slash and the vowel
Ex. Oste/o and arthr/o
A - , an -
Prefix
Without, no, not
Ab-
Prefix
Away from
Ad-
Prefix
Near, toward
Af-
Prefix
Toward
Ana-
Prefix
Up, apart
Ante-
Prefix
Before, forward, in front of
Anti-
Prefix
Against
Bi-
Prefix
Two, both
Brady-
Prefix
Slow
Con-
Prefix
Together, with
Contra-
Prefix
Opposite
Dia-
Prefix
Complete, through
Dys-
Prefix
Difficult, painful, abnormal, bad
Ec-
Prefix
Outside, out
Echo-
Prefix
Using ultrasonic waves
Ef-
Prefix
Away from
Electro-
Prefix
Using electricity
End-, endo-
Prefix
In, inner, within
Epi-
Prefix
Above, upon
Ex-
Prefix
Out
Extra-
Prefix
Outside of
Hemi-
Prefix
Half
Hyper-
Prefix
Excessive, too much, above
Hypo-
Prefix
Deficit, too little, below
In-
Prefix
Into, in
Inter-
Prefix
Between
Intra-
Prefix
Within
Ipsi-
Prefix
Same
Macro-
Prefix
Very large
Mal-
Prefix
Bad
Megalo-
Prefix
Large
Meta-
Prefix
Change, beyond
Micro-
Prefix
Small
Neo-
Prefix
New
Par-
Prefix
Near, beside
Para-
Prefix
Near, abnormal, beside
Per-
Prefix
Through
Peri-
Prefix
Surrounding, around
Poly-
Prefix
Many, much, excessive, frequent
Post-
Prefix
After, behind
Pre-
Prefix
Before, in front of
Pro- , pros-
Prefix
Forward, before
Quadri-
Prefix
Four
Re- , retro-
Prefix
Behind, back
Sub-
Prefix
Under, less than
Supra-
Prefix
Upward, above
Syn-
Prefix
Together, with
Tachy-
Prefix
Fast
Trans-
Prefix
Through, across
Tri-
Prefix
Three
Ultra-
Prefix
Beyond
Uni-
Prefix
One
Location or positions
Peri (surrounding, around)
Endo (within, in, inner)
Numbers
Bi (2)
Tri (3)
State or problems
Mal (bad)
An- (without, no, not)
Size
Macro (very large)
Micro (small)
Speed or level
Hyper (above normal)
Hypo (below normal)
Cardiovascular system
Transports materials thru body using blood. Blood transports oxygen & nutrients & collects waste thru body. Components in body also fight infections & form clots.
Includes heart, arteries, arterioles, veins, venules & blood.
Angi/o
Vessel, blood vessel
Aort/o
Aorta
Apic/o
Apex
Arteri/o
Artery
Cardi/o , corn/o
Heart
Hemat/o
Blood
Phleb/o , ven/o
Vein
Plasm/o
Plasma
Val/o
Valve
Ventricul/o
Ventricle
Digestive system
Called the gastrointestinal system.
Breaks down, digests & absorbs nutrients.
Includes : mouth, tongue, teeth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small & large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and appendix
Suffixes
Adjectives
-ac
-al
-ar
-sry
-eal
-ent
-ic
-one
-ous
-tic
Pertaining to
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-crine
Secretion
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-dipsia
Thirst
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-gen
To produce
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-is
Structure
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-lapse
Fall, slide
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-partum
Birth
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-phagia
Eat, swallow
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-phasia
Speak
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-plasm
Formation
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-stasis
Stand, place, stop, control
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-tension
Pressure
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-trophy
Nourishment, development
Suffixes
Body structure and function
-um
Structure, membrane
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-algia
Pain
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-ation
Process, condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-cele
Herniation
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-emia
Blood condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-ia
Diseased or abnormal condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-ism
Condition, process
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-itis
Inflammation
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-lysis
Loosening, breakdown, desperation, destruction
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-malacia
Softening
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-megaly
Enlargement
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-oma
Tumor, mass
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-osis
Abnormal condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-pathy
Disease condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-plegia
Paralysis
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-pnea
Breathing
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-rrhagia
Rapid flow of blood
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-rrhea
Flow, discharge
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-sclerosis
Abnormal condition of hardening
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-stenosis
Abnormal condition of narrowing
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-thesis
Put, place
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-uria
Urine condition
Suffixes
Conditions & diseases
-y
Process of, condition
Suffixes
Instruments / recording
-graph
Instrument to record
Suffixes
Instruments / recording
-gram
Record or recording
Suffixes
Instruments / recording
-meter
Instrument to measure
Suffixes
Instruments / recording
-scope
Instrument to view
Suffixes
Noun ending
-icle
-ole
-use
Small or tiny structure
Suffixes
Procedures
-cision
Process of cutting
Suffixes
Procedures
-centesis
Surgical puncture and aspiration of fluid
Suffixes
Procedures
-ectomy
Surgical removal, excision, resection
Suffixes
Procedures
-graphy
Process of recording
Suffixes
Procedures
-metry
Process of measuring
Suffixes
Procedures
-opsy
Process of viewing
Suffixes
Procedures
-pexy
Surgical fixation
Suffixes
Procedures
-plasty
Surgical repair
Suffixes
Procedures
-rrhaphy
Suture repair
Suffixes
Procedures
-scopic
Pertaining to visual examination
Suffixes
Procedures
-scopy
Process of visual examination
Suffixes
Procedures
-section
To cut
Suffixes
Procedures
-stomy
Surgical creation of artificial opening
Suffixes
Procedures
-tomy
Incision, cut into
Suffixes
Procedures
-tripsy
Crushing
Suffixes
Specialty
-ist
One who specializes
Suffixes
Specialty
-logist
One who specializes in the study of
Suffixes
Specialty
-logy
Study of
Suffixes
Specialty
-ad
Toward
Combining form
Anter/o
Front
Combining form
Caud/o
Tail
Combining form
Cephal/o
Head
Combining form
Cubit/o
Elbow
Combining form
Dextr/o
Right
Combining form
Dist/o
Far
Combining form
Dors/o
Back
Combining form
Fer/o
To carry
Combining form
Front/o
Front
Combining form
Glute/o
Buttocks
Combining form
Infer/o
Downward
Combining form
Later/o
Side
Combining form
Medi/o
Middle
Combining form
Poplit/o
Back of knee
Combining form
Poster/o
Back
Combining form
Proxim/o
Near
Combining form
Sinistr/o
Left
Combining form
Super/o
Upward
Combining form
Ventr/o
Belly
Digestive system
Abdomin/o
Abdomen
Digestive system
An/o
Anus
Digestive system
Append/o, appendic/o
Appendix
Digestive system
Chol/e
Gall, bile
Digestive system
Col/o, colon/o
Colon
Digestive system
Corpor/o, som/o, somat/o
Corposis, body
Digestive system
Enter/o
Small intestine
Digestive system
Esophag/o
Esophagus
Digestive system
Gastr/o
Stomach
Digestive system
Gingiv/o
Gum
Digestive system
Hepat/o
Liver
Digestive system
Lumin/o
Lumen
Digestive system
Or/o, stomat/o
Mouth
Digestive system
Pancreat/o
Pancreas
Digestive system
Pharyng/o
Pharynx
Digestive system
Rect/o
Rectum
Endocrine System
Produces hormones that circulate in the blood which go to target tissues and stimulate a particular action.
Pituitary gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal cortex, medulla, parathyroid gland, thymus gland, ovaries and testes.
Endocrine system
Adren/o
Adrenal gland
Endocrine system
Hypophys/o
Pituitary gland
Endocrine system
Oophor/o, ovari/o
Ovary
Endocrine system
Orch/o, orchi/o
Testis
Endocrine system
Pancreat/o
Pancreas
Endocrine system
Parathyroid/o
Parathyroid gland
Endocrine system
Pituitary/o
Pituitary gland
Endocrine system
Thyroid/o
Thyroid gland
Integumentary system
Barrier that protects body and acts as a sense organ.
Helps retain body fluids, protects against infection and regulates body temp.
Skin, subcutaneous tissue, sweat & sebaceous glands, hair, nails and sense receptors.
Integumentary system
Cutane/o, derm/o, dermato/o
Skin
Integumentary system
Hidr/o
Sweat
Integumentary system
Myc/o
Fungus
Integumentary system
Necr/o
Death - cells, body
Integumentary system
Onych/o, ungu/o
Nail
Integumentary system
Pachy/o
Thick
Integumentary system
Pil/o, trich/o
Hair
Integumentary system
Seb/o
Sebum, oil
Integumentary system
Xer/o
Dry
Lympathic and immune systems
(Lim FAT tick)
Maintains fluid balance
Provides immunity to some diseases
Protects internal environment of body
Lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, thymus, tonsils, spleen lymphocytes & antibodies.
Lympathic and immune systems
Lymph/o
Lymph
Lympathic and immune systems
Lymphaden/o
Lymph node
Lympathic and immune systems
Lymphangi/o
Lymph vessel
Lympathic and immune systems
Myel/o
Bone marrow, spinal cord
Lympathic and immune systems
Splen/o
Spleen
Lympathic and immune systems
Thym/o
Thymus
Musculoskeletal system
Movement, heat production, support & protection of the body.
Bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments & cartilage
Musculoskeletal system
Acromi/o - acromion
Ankyl/o - stiff, bent
Arthr/o - joint
Carp/o - carpals
Chrondr/o - cartilage
Cost/o - rib
Ambulatory care
Medical services provided by healthcare professionals in an outpatient setting without admission to the facility
Conscientious
Meticulous, careful
Integrity
Adhering to ethical standards or right conduct standards
Patient centered care
Also called person centered care, partnering with patients and their families
Adherence
The act of sticking to something
Liaison
To interact and communicate btwn diff groups
Reconcile
To compare (an account or log) so that it’s consistent or compatible with another
Care coordination
Provides personalized patient snd family centered care in a team environment
Patient navigator
Aka patient advocate
Person who identifies patients barriers, works closely with healthcare team and patients and guides them thru healthcare system
Scribes
Person who enters provider dictated info into electronic health record (EHR) during patients visit
Telemedicine
Allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance
Scope of practice
Defines procedures, actions, and processes that individuals in a specific occupation are permitted to perform
Courtesy
Having good manners or being polite
Respect
Show consideration or appreciation for another person
Dignity
The inherent worth or state of being worthy of respect
Empathy
The ability to understand another persons perspective, experiences or motivations
Sympathy
Feeling sorrow or concern for what the other person has gone thru
Compassion
Having a deep awareness of the suffering of another and wish to ease it
Tactful
Being acutely sensitive to what is proper and appropriate when interacting with others. Has the ability to speak or act without offending others
Diplomatic
Using tact and sensitivity when interacting with others
3 good traits to have
Honesty, dependability & responsible
Important team member traits
Work ethic, punctuality, cooperation and willingness to help
Interprofessional collaborative practice
Healthcare professionals from a variety of different disciplines work together to provide the highest level of care for patients, their fam, and community
Prioritizing tasks using code system
M - must be done that day
S - should be done that day
C- could be done if time permits
Inpatient
Admitted to a health care facility that requires at least one overnight stay
Outpatient
Person who receives healthcare services at a facility but is not admitted for an overnight stay
Acute care
Delivery of healthcare services includes hospital, inpatient surgery, and emergency department
Emergency admit
Patients admitted to hospital
Direct admit
Patient who is admitted to hospital by provider w/o going to emergency dept
Scheduled admit
Patient who’s admitted to hospital for scheduled surgery or procedure
Ambulatory care
Medical services provided by healthcare professionals in outpatient setting without admission to facility
Primary care providers (PCP)
Provider who manages a persons healthcare. Performs routine physicals, screening, immunizations, treats minor illnesses, manages chronic disease conditions.
Work in pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology can also be reddened to as PCP.
Patient centered medical home
(PCMH)
PCP coordinates patients treatment and necessary care. The goal of this is to improve patient care and reduce costs. Includes a team of pcp, medical assistant(s), rn, pharmacist, behavioral health specialist & receptionist
Triage
Sort out and classify the injured, used in military and emergency settings to determine the priority of a patient to be treated
Patient aligned care team
(PACT)
The VA designed pact to focus on veterans healthcare goals
Extended care
& examples of places
Provides care in non hospital setting
Skilled nursing facility (SNF) wide range of health and personal care (rehab, physical, speech and occupational therapy)
Home healthcare (wound care, med administration, monitoring serious illnesses)
Hospice care (end of life care)
Less than 6 months left to live
In hospital, nursing facility or home
Respite care (short term relief for primary caregivers)
Population health
Improving health outcomes of population while controlling the cost of healthcare
Solo practice
Aka private or independent practice
One provider owns and manages practice giving them the most flexibility
Group practice
Involves 2 or more providers practicing in the same facility
Single specialty
Providers practice in the same field or see the same type of patients
Multi specialty
Providers see different types of patients
Association
Legal agreement btwn providers on how the expenses are shared. May include rent, supplies, equipment and staff. Each provider is responsible for the financial and legal aspects of their own practice
Partnership
Two or more doctors who co own the practice and has equal rights and responsibility’s for managing the practice. They equally share income and are responsible for legal and financial risks
Employed provider practice
Provider is hired as an employee. Either hired by hospitals, integrated delivery system (multiple providers, specialties, clinics, least 1 hospital) & healthcare corporations
Facilities provide staff to provider w/o concerns of “managing business”
Complementary providers
Healthcare practices are used together with conventional medicine
Alternative providers
Don’t use conventional medicine
Examples
Acupressurist, accupuncturist, chiropractor and massage therapist
G.I.V.E. With patient
Greet, identify yourself and MA, verify patients name and date of birth, explain what you’ll be doing
Speech disorders
Examples
Oral and laryngeal cancer, ALS, stroke, dementia, huntingtons disease, adhd, autism, tbi
Cox/o
Muscular system
Hip
Crani/o
Muscular system
Skull
Digit/o
Muscular system
Finger/ toe
Femor/o
Muscular system
Thigh
Acromi/o
Muscular system
Acromion
Ankyl/o
Muscular system
Stiff, bent
Arthr/o
Muscular system
Joint
Carp/o
Muscular system
Carpals
Chondr/o
Muscular system
Cartilage
Cost/o
Muscular system
Rib
Ligament/o
Muscular system
Ligament
Lumb/o
Muscular system
Lumbar
Muscul/o, my/o, myos/o
Muscular system
Muscle
Oste/o
Muscular system
Bone
Patell/o, patell/a
Muscular system
Kneecap
Pelv/i, pelv/o
Muscular system
Pelvis
Pub/o
Muscular system
Pubis
Sacr/o
Muscular system
Sacral
Scapul/o
Muscular system
Scapula
Scoli/o
Muscular system
Crooked, curved spine
Stern/o
Muscular system
Sternum
Ten/o, tendin/o
Tendon
Thorac/o
Muscular system
Chest
Vertebr/o
Muscular system
Vertebra
Nervous system
Controls body structures to maintain homeostasis. Receives and processes info from other body structures. Includes brain, spinal cord, neurons, neuroglical cells, peripheral nerves, and autonomic nerves .
Cerebell/o
Nervous system
Cerebellum
Cerebr/o
Nervous system
Cerebrum
Dur/o
Nervous system
Dura mater
Encephal/o
Nervous system
Brain
Gangli/o, ganglion/o
Nervous system
Ganglion
Gli/o
Nervous system
Glia
Mening/o, meningi/o
Nervous system
Meninges
Myel/o
Nervous system
Spinal cord, bone marrow
Neur/o
Nervous system
Nerve
Homeostasis
Internal environment of the body that is compatible with life. Steady state that is created by all the body systems working together to provide a consistent and unvarying internal environment
Reproductive System
Produces hormones and is involved with reproduction
Female reproductive system includes
Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva, mammary glands, ovum, estrogen and progesterone
Male reproductive system includes
Epididymis vas deferens, prostate gland, testes, scrotum, penis, urethra, sperm & testosterone
Cervic/o
Reproductive system
Cervix
Colp/o, vagin/o
Reproductive system
Vagina
Fund/o
Reproductive system
Fundus
Mamm/o, mast/o
Reproductive system
Breast
Men/o
Reproductive system
Menstruation
Oophor/o, ovari/o
Reproductive system
Ovary
Orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o, test/o, testicul/o
Reproductive system
Testis
Prostat/o
Reproductive system
Prostate gland
Salping/o
Reproductive system
Fallopian tube
Scrot/o
Reproductive system
Scrotum
Umbilic/o
Reproductive system
Umbilical
Uter/o, hyster/o, metri/o, metr/o
Reproductive system
Uterus
Respiratory system
Delivers oxygen to the cells and removes carbon dioxide from body
Respiratory system includes
Nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, bronchioles and alveoli
Alveol/o
Respiratory system
Alveolus, air sac
Bronch/o, bronchi/o
Respiratory system
Bronchial tube
Cyan/o
Respiratory system
Blue
Epiglott/o
Respiratory system
Epiglottis
Laryng/o
Respiratory system
Larynx
Nas/o, rhin/o
Respiratory system
Nose
Pector/o, steth/o, thorac/o
Respiratory system
Chest
Pharyng/o
Respiratory system
Pharynx
Phren/o
Respiratory system
Diaphragm
Pneumon/o, pulmon/o
Respiratory system
Lung
Sin/o, sinus/o
Respiratory system
Sinus
Trache/o
Respiratory system
Trachea
Sensory system
Gathers information through the senses of vision, hearing, balance, taste & smell
Sensory system includes
Eyes, ears, taste buds, olfactory receptors and sensory receptors
Audi/o
Sensory system
Hearing
Aur/i, aur/o
Sensory system
Ear
Blephar/o
Sensory system
Eyelid
Cochle/o
Sensory system
Cochlea
Conjunctiv/o
Sensory system
Conjunctiva
Corne/o
Sensory system
Cornea
Dipl/o
Sensory system
Two, double
Ir/o, irid/o
Sensory system
Iris
Myring/o
Sensory system
Tympanic membrane, eardrum
Ocul/o, ophthalm/o
Sensory system
Eye
Opt/o
Sensory system
Vision
Ot/o
Sensory system
Ear
Retin/o
Sensory system
Retina
Scler/o
Sensory system
Sclera
Vestibul/o
Sensory system
Vestibule
Urinary system
Eliminates nitrogenous waste and maintains the electrolyte, water and acid base balances
Urinary system includes
Nephron unit, kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
Cyst/o, vesic/o
Urinary system
Urinary bladder
Glyc/o, glycos/o
Urinary system
Sugar
Hil/o
Urinary system
Hilum
Hydr/o
Urinary system
Water
Lith/o
Urinary system
Stone
Noct/i
Urinary system
Night
Nephr/o
Urinary system
Kidney
Olig/o
Urinary system
Scanty
Pyel/o
Urinary system
Renal pelvis
Ren/o
Urinary system
Kidney
Ureter/o
Urinary system
Ureter
Urethr/o
Urinary system
Urethra
Urin/o, ur/o
Urinary system
Urinary
Combining vowels
When suffix begins with a consonant …
Combining vowel is used
Example - arteri / o / sclerosis
Combining form, cv, suffix
Artery, abnormal condition of hardening
Combining vowels
When suffix begins with a vowel…
Combing vowel is not added !
Example - sept/ al = septal
Septum, pertaining to
Combining vowels
When the suffix begins with a vowel and the root ends in the same vowel…
One of the vowels is dropped !
Example - cardi/ itis = carditis
Heart inflammation
Making words plural
Most can be made plural with adding “s”
Add what to make terms that end in -s, -x, -ch, or -sh
Add -es
Example - stitch
Plural - stitches
Add what to make terms that end in -y after a consonant plural
Drop -y and add -ies
Example - artery
Plural - arteries
Add what to terms that end in -o after a consonant
Add -nes
Example - comedo
Plural - comedones
Singular to plural
-a
Add -e
Singular to plural
-ax
Change x to a c and add es
Singular to plural
-ex , -ix
Drop -ex or -ix and add -ices
Singular to plural
-is
Drop -is and add -es
Singular to plural
-ma
Add -ta
Singular to plural
-nx
Change x to a g and add es
Singular to plural
-on
Drop the -on and add -a
Singular to plural
-um
Drop -um, add -a
Singular to plural
-us
Drop -us, add -i
Singular to plural
-yx
Change -x to “c” and add es
