Prefixes/Suffixes, Directional Terms, Diagnostic Imaging Flashcards
What are the four elements of a medical term?
Word root
Combining form
Prefix
Suffix
Word Root
Basic meaning
Usually a body part
2 examples of word roots
Cardi (heart)
Gastr (stomach)
Combining Form
Word root + combining vowel
Will almost always be “o”
2 examples of combining forms
Cardio
Gastro
Prefix
Comes before the combining form
Usually meaning time, location, or number of
What does a prefix not require?
A combining vowel
Prefix = Pre-
Before
Prefix = Pro-
Before
Prefix = Peri-
Around
Prefix = Circum-
Around
Prefix = Post-
After
Prefix = Intra-
In
Within
Prefix = Endo-
In
Within
Prefix = Hyper-
Above
Increased
Prefix = Hypo-
Below
Decreased
Prefix = Iso-
Equal to
Same
Prefix = Homo/Homeo-
Same
Prefix = A-/An-
Without
Not
Prefix = Dia-
Through
Across
Prefix = Trans-
Through
Across
Prefix = Macro-
Large
Prefix = Retro-
Backward
Behind
Prefix = Micro-
Small
Prefix = Super-
Upper
Above
Prefix = Bi-
2
Prefix = Di-
2
Prefix = Hemi-
Half
Prefix = Mono-
One
Prefix = Uni-
One
Prefix = Nulli-
None
Prefix = Multi-
Many
Prefix = Poly-
Many
Prefix = Quad-
Four
Prefix = Tri-
Three
Prefix = Semi-
Partial
Half
Prefix = Primi-
First
Prefix = Dipl-/Diplo-
Double
Suffix
Added to the end of a term
Usually indicated procedure, condition, disorder, or disease
What suffixes change the word into an adjective?
-ac
What suffixes change the word into a noun?
-um
What are the three types of common suffixes?
Surgical
Diagnostic
Pathological
Surgical Suffix = -centesis
Surgical puncture or removal of fluid with a needle
Surgical Suffix = -clast
Surgically break
‘To break’
Surgical Suffix = -desis
Binding/fixation (usually with a bone or joint)
Surgical Suffix = -ectomy
Surgical removal
Surgical Suffix = -lysis
Separation
Destruction
Loosening
Surgical Suffix = -pexy
Fixation (of an organ)
Surgical Suffix = -plasty
Surgical repair
Surgical Suffix = -rrhaphy/-rraphy
Suture
Surgical Suffix = -stomy
Forming an opening
Surgical Suffix = -tome
Cut or surgically break (usually with a bone or joint)
Surgical Suffix = -tomy
Incision
Surgical Suffix = -tripsy
Crushing
Diagnostic Suffix = -gram
Record/picture
Diagnostic Suffix = -graph
Instrument for recording
Diagnostic Suffix = -graphy
Process of recording
Diagnostic Suffix = -meter
Instrument for measuring
Diagnostic Suffix = -metry
Process of measuring
Diagnostic Suffix = -scope
Instrument for examining and visualizing
Diagnostic Suffix = -scopy
Visual examination
Diagnostic Suffix = -logy
The study of
Pathological Suffix = -algia
Pain
Pathological Suffix = -dynia
Pain
Pathological Suffix = -cele
Hernia
Swelling
Pathological Suffix = -ectasis
Dialation
Expansion
Pathological Suffix = -edema
Swelling from fluid
Pathological Suffix = -emesis
Vomiting
Pathological Suffix = -emia
Blood condition
Pathological Suffix = -iasis
Abnormal condition
Pathological Suffix = -itis
Inflammation
Pathological Suffix = -lith
Stone
Calculus
Pathological Suffix = -malacia
Softening
Pathological Suffix = -necrosis
Tissue death
Pathological Suffix = -oma
Tumor
Pathological Suffix = -osis
Abnormal condition/disease
Pathological Suffix = -pathy
Disease
Pathological Suffix = -penia
Decrease
Deficiency
Pathological Suffix = -phobia
Fear
Pathological Suffix = -plegia
Paralysis
Pathological Suffix = -rrhage/-rrhagia
‘Bursting of’
Rhinorrhagia
Nosebleed
Another term for nosebleed
Epistaxis
Pathological Suffix = -rrhea/-rrheic
Discharge
Flow
Pathological Suffix = -rrhexis
Rupture
Pathological Suffix = -stenosis
Narrowing
Stricture
Pathological Suffix = -toxic
Poison
Pathological Suffix = -trophy
Nourishment
Development
Cell
Smallest unit of life
Tissue
Group of cells working to perform a similar function
Organ
Group of tissues working to perform a similar function
Organ System
Group of organs working to perform a similar function
Organism
Group of organ systems maintaining homeostasis
Plasma Membrane
Double layer of phospholipids embedded with proteins
Nucleus
Contains DNA
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA
Genes
Region of chromosomes that code for proteins
Ribosomes
Read genetic code and manufacture proteins
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Modify proteins from ribosomes
Golgi Body
Package proteins into vesicles
Mitochondria
Power-plants of cells that make ATP
ATP
Adenosine Triphosphate
How many types of tissues are there?
5
Epithelial Tissue
Makes up surfaces and linings
Muscle Tissue (4)
Smooth (Organs)
Cardiac (Heart)
Skeletal (Everywhere else)
Capable of contraction
Connective Tissue (5)
Bone Tendons Ligaments Blood Cartilage
Neural Tissue
Conducts electrical signals in body and allows for communication between brain and body
Gland Tissue
Make and secrete products
Anatomical Position
Facing forward with palms up and feet flat on floor
Planes of the body (3)
Coronal
Sagittal
Transverse
Coronal Plane
Front/back division
Sagittal Plane
Left/right division
Transverse Plane
Upper/lower division
Anterior/ventral
Front of body
Posterior/dorsal
Back of body
Lateral
Away from midline of body
Medial
Toward midline of body
Proximal
Nearest the point of attachment (extremities)
Distal
Far from point of attachment (extremities)
Superior/cephalad
Toward the head
Inferior/caudad
Toward the tail
Superficial
Toward the surface of the body
Deep
Away from the surface of the body
Unilateral
One side affected
Bilateral
Both sides affected
Contralateral
Opposite side affected
Body Cavities
House organs
Dorsal
Ventral
Dorsal Body Cavity
CNS
Cranial cavity
Spinal cavity
Cranial Cavity
Part of dorsal body cavity
Houses brain
Spinal Cavity
Part of dorsal body cavity
Houses spinal cord
Ventral Body Cavity
Thoracic Cavity
Abdominal Cavity
Pelvic Cavity
What separates the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity?
Diaphragm
Abdominopelvic cavity contains what?
4 quadrants
9 regions
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Right upper quadrant
Right lower quadrant
Left upper quadrant
Left lower quadrant
Abdominopelvic Regions
Right hypochondriac Left hypochondriac Epigastric Right lumbar Left lumbar Umbilical Right inguinal Left inguinal Pubic/Hypogastric
