Health Science 60

Concepts of Medical Terminology
Chapter 1

Root – Foundation of term, establishes meaning.

Suffix – short word part or series of parts added at the end of a root to modify meaning. Word ending.

Prefix
– short word part added before a root to modify its meaning. Word beginning.

Suffixes
Chapter2

A. Suffixes that mean “condition of”

-ia Anemia: deficiency of hemoglobin or RBC

-ism Alcoholism

-sis Stenosis: narrowing

-y Tetany: sustained muscle contraction

B. Suffixes for Medical Specialist

-ian specialist in the field of study Physician

-iatrics medical specialty Geriatrics

-iatry medical specialty Psychiatry

-ics medical specialty Obstetrics

-ist specialist in the field of study Nephrologists

-logy study of Dermatology

C. Adjective suffixes that are descriptive/pertaining to

-ac cardiac: pertains to the heart

-al skeletal: pertains to the skeleton

-ar muscular: pertains to the muscles

-ary dietary: pertains to diet

-form muciform: pertains to mucus

-ic cephalic: pertains to the head

-ical anatomical: pertains to anatomy

-ile febrile: pertains to fever

-ous venous: pertains to the veins

D. Plural Endings

	Singular	Plural
-en, -ina:	foramen	foramina
-is, -es:	psychosis	psychoses
-um, -a:	ovum	ova

Prefixes
Chapter 3

Prefix: short word part added before to modify meaning. Word beginning.

A. Prefixes for numbers

prim/i- first

mon/o- one

uni- one

hemi- half; one sided

semi- half; partial

bi- two, twice

di- two, twice

dipl/o- double

tri- three

quadr/i- four

tetra- four

multi- many

poly- many, much

B. Prefixes for colors

cyan/o – blue

erythr/o – red

leuk/o – white, colorless

C. Negative prefixes

	Definition	Example
anti-	against	Antiperspirant
de-	down, without	Oxygen deficit
in-, im-	not	Insignificant
un-	not	Unconscious

D. Pertaining to direction

	Definition	Example
ad-	Toward, Near	Adhere
per-	Through	Percutaneous

E. Prefix for degree

	Definition	Example
Hypo-	Under, below	hypoglycemia
Pan-	All	panacea

F. Prefixes for size and comparison

	Definition	Example
Hetero-	Other, different	Heterosexual
Iso-	Equal, same	Isometric
Mega-	Large	Megabladder
Neo-	New	Neonate
Ortho-	Straight, correct, upright	Orthotic
Re-	Back, behind, again	Repeat

G. Pertaining to time and/or position

	Definition	Example
Pre-	Before	Prenatal
Post	After, behind	Posterior

 

Cells, Tissues, Organs
Chapter 4

A. Suffixes and Roots for Body Chemistry

Part	Meaning	Example	Definition
-ase	Enzyme	Lipase	Enzyme that digests fat (lipid)
(roots)
Gluc/o-	Glucose	Glucogenesis	Formation of glucose
Sacchar/o-	Sugar	Polysaccharide	Compound containing many sugars
Lip/o-	Lipid, fat	Lipogenesis	Formation of fat
Steat/o-	Fatty	Steatorrhea	Fatty stools

B. Key Terms

ATP- energy compound of the cell; stores energy for cell activities

Atrophy- wasting away, decrease in

Carbohydrate- organic compound that includes sugar and starch

Celia- hair like process attached to free surface of cells, helps with movement

Cell- basic unit of tissue

Chromosome- threadlike body in the nucleus of the cell containing genetic material

Cytoplasm- fluid filling cell

DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid: genetic compound that makes up genes

Enzyme- organic substance that speeds the rate of metabolic reactions

Gene- heredity unit composed of DNA

Genesis- beginning; generation of

Glucose- simple sugar, energy source of metabolism

Homeostasis- a steady state, condition of internal stability; balance

Histology- study of tissue

Lipid- category of organic compounds that includes fats

Metabolism-
Sum of all physical and chemical reactions that occur within an organism

Mitosis- cell division

Mucous- thick fluid secreted by cells in membranes and glands that lubricate and protect tissues.

Nucleus- control center of the cell

Organ- group of tissues that work together for a specific function

Protein- category of organic compounds that includes structural materials, enzymes and some hormones

RNA- ribonucleic acid: organic compound that manufactures protein

Tissue- a group of cells working together for a specific purpose

C. Supplementary Terms

Amino Acids- nitrogen containing compounds that make compounds up

Anabolism- building phase of metabolism

Catabolism- the type of metabolism in which substances are broken down for energy and simple sugars

Collagen- fibrous protein forming connective tissue

Cortex- the outer portion of an organ

Cytology- study of the cells

Dehydrate- to remove water

Extracellular- outside of a cell

Glycogen- complex sugar compound stored in liver and muscle, broken down into glucose when needed for energy

Hyperglycemia- high blood sugar

Hypoglycemia- low blood sugar

Hypertrophy- enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part

Intracellular- within a cell

Interstitial- between parts, such as space between cells in a tissue

Morphology- study of the form and structure of living beings

Medulla- inner region of an organ

Parietal- pertaining to the cells of a cavity

Visceral- pertains to internal organs

Body Structure
Chapter 5

A. Anatomical Directions

Anterior (ventral)- nearer to or toward the front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)- nearer to or toward the back of the body

Medial- toward the middle of the body

Lateral- toward the side of the body

Proximal- near the origin or point of attachment

Distal- far or distant from the origin or point of attachment

Superior- above, uppermost

Inferior- below, lowermost

Cephalad (cranial)- toward the head

Caudal- toward the (tail) lower end of the spine

B. Prefixes Pertaining to Position and Direction

Circum- around

Peri- around

Intra- within

Epi- on/upon

Extra- outside of

Infra- beneath

Sub- under

Inter- between

Para- near, beside, beyond

Retro- behind/backward

Supra- above

C. Body Regions

LUQ- Left Upper Quadrant of abdomen

RUQ – Right Upper Quadrant of abdomen

LLQ – Left Lower Quadrant of abdomen

RLQ – Right Lower Quadrant of abdomen

D. Key Terms

Axillary- pertaining to the armpit

Cephalic – pertaining to the head

Digit- finger or toe

Epigastric- middle region of the abdomen

Fundus- base or body of hallow organ

Intra-abdominal- within abdomen

Lumen- central opening within a tube or vessel

Meatus- a passage or opening

Orifice- opening of a cavity

Phalangeal- pertaining to the finger or toe

Recumbent- lying down

Septum- a wall diving two cavities

Sinus- a cavity, as within a bone

Sphincter- a circular muscle that regulates an opening

Superficial- pertaining to the surface

Ventral- pertaining to the abdomen

Cervic/o- pertaining to the neck

E. Body Positions

Lateral- pertaining to a side

Prone- laying with face downward

Supine- laying on back face upward

F. Key Terms

Infra- beneath

Inter- between

Ped/o- pertaining to the feet

Lapar/o- pertaining to flank, sometimes abdomen

Lumb/o- pertaining to the loin, back between the thorax and the pelvis

Disease
Chapter 6

Abscess- localized collection of pus

Acute- disease having a SHORT and relatively severe course

Adhesion- pertaining to STICKING together

Benign- not malignant, not recurring

Chronic- a disease pertaining over a long period of time

Cyanosis- blue discoloration of the skin

Cyst- fluid-filled sac or pouch

Dilation- widening

Dysfunction- abnormality in the function of an organ or part

Dysplasia- abnormal development of tissue

Edema- swelling in the tissue, retention of fluid and salt

Etiology- study of the cause of disease

Febrile- pertaining to fever

Fistula- abnormal passage between two organs

Fracture- break/rapture in the bone

Hernia- abnormal protrusion of an organ

Idiopathic- CAUSE UNKNOWN

Inflammation- reaction to injury; results in heat, pain, redness, swelling

Lesion- any deformity of the tissue

Lithiasis- condition of having a stone

Lysis- separation, destruction

Malacia- softening

Malignant- tending to become progressively worse, RESULTING IN DEATH

Megaly-ENLARGEMENT of tissue or part

Metastasis-spread of tumor to other body parts

Necrosis- DEATH OF TISSUE

Neoplasm- tumor

Nosocomial- an infection acquired in a HEALTH CARE FACILITY

Opportunistic-organism infecting when body defenses are low

Parasite-organism living in or obtaining nourishment from another organism

Pathogen-any microorganism capable of producing disease

Polyp-A tumor attached by a thin stalk

Prolapse- dropping, downward displacement, ptosis

Purulent- forming or containing pus

Pyrogen- substance producing fever; HEAT

Pus- A product of inflammation consisting of fluid and white blood cells

Sclerosis- hardening of tissue

Sepsis- the presence of harmful microorganisms or their toxins in the blood or other tissues

Spasm- sudden contraction, cramp

Stasis- suppression, stoppage

Sequelae- lasting effect of the disease

Stenosis- narrowing, constriction

Symptom-Any evidence of disease

Syndrom-set of signs and symptoms that occur together to indicate a disease or condition

Systematic-affecting the body as a whole

Toxin-poison

Trauma-wound or injury

B. Prefixes for Disease

Brady-slow

Dys- abnormal, painful

Mal- bad, poor

Tachy- fast

Baterio- bacterium

Cele- hernia, localized dilation

Rhage- bursting forth, profuse flow

Rhea-flow, discharge

Viro- virus

Carcin/o- pertaining to cancer

C. Added Words

myc/o: pertaining to fungus

oma: tumor or neoplasm

pathy: denotes a morbid condition or disease

py/o: denotes pus

pyr/o: pertaining to heat

sclera/o: hard

tox/o: pertaining to toxin or poison

vir/o: pertaining to viruses

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: SURGERY
Chapter 7

A. Surgical Terms: Suffixes

Centesis- puncture, tap; puncture to remove fluids from cavity

Ectomy- excision of organ or part; surgical removal

Pexy- surgical fixation

Plasty- plastic repair, plastic surgery, reconstruction

Rhaphy- surgical repair, suture; suturing to repair structure or defect

Stomy- surgical creation of an opening

Tomy- incision, cutting; to cut into

Tripsy- surgical crushing

B. Equipment:

Cathether- tubular instrument for withdrawing fluids from a cavity of the body

Drain- device for allowing matter to escape from around a cavity; appliance that allows for drainage of a wound

Endoscope- An instrument for examining the interior of a hallow structure

Ligature- A tie or bandage; thread or wire for tying a vessel

Opthalmoscope- an instrument for examining the interior of the eye

Stethoscope – instrument used to listen to body sounds

Suture – to stitch

Thermometer – instrument of measuring temperature

C. Assessment Techniques

Ausculation- listening for sounds within the body, usually within the chest or abdomen

Diagnosis- the process of determining the cause and nature of an illness

Observation/inspection- usual examination of the body; look

Palpation- to feel with the hands or fingers

Percussion- to tap the body lightly with the hand or instrument

Prognosis- prediction of the outcome of the disease

Sign- an objective evidence of disease that can be observed or tested

Staging- periods distinct phase in the course of the disease

Symptom- any evidence of disease

Syndrom- a group of signs and symptoms that together characterize a disease or condition

D. Procedural Terms

Biopsy- removal of tissue for microscopic examination for purpose of diagnosis

Cautery- destruction of tissue by discharging agent, such as a harmful chemical, host, or electric current;

Computed tomography (Cat Scan)- a diagnostic imaging method in which x-ray measurements from many angles are combined in an image. (3D)

Excision- removal by cutting

Fluoroscopy- use of x-rays to examine deep structures; the shadows cast by x-rays passes through the body are observed on a fluorescent screen; device used is fluoroscope

Incision- to cut open, to cut through

Magnetic resonance (MRI)- production of images through the use of a magnetic field and radio waves

Radiography- use of x-rays to produce a picture (radiograph) on sensitized film

Resection- partial excision of a structure or organ

Stapling- in surgery, the joining of tissue by using wire staples that are pushed through the tissue then bent

E. Procedures (Examples)

Arthroplasty- Partial or total replacement of a joint with a prosthesis

Colostomy- creation of an opening into the colon

Cystoscopy- looking into the bladder through a scope

Gastrectomy- surgical removal of the stomach

Laparatomy- cutting or incision through the abdominal wall; to examine and operate into the organs

Pericentesis- puncture of abdominal wall to remove fluid

Thoracentesis- Surgical puncture of the chest for removal of air or fluids, such as may accumulate after surgery or as a result of injury, infection, or cardiovascular problems.

F. Treatment

Chemotherapy- the use of chemicals to treat a disease, frequently cancer

Gavage- process of feeding through a nasogastric tube into the stomach

Laser (Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation)- A device that transfers light into a beam of intense heat and power; used for surgery and diagnosis

Lavage- washing out a cavity; irrigation

Palliative treatment- provides relief, but is not a cure

Prophylaxis- prevention of disease

Radionuclide (radioisotope)- process of radioactive decay with the emission of energy that may be measured with a detector

G. Accepted Abbreviations: Must use the accepted abbreviations for specific place of employment

ā- before

ADL- Activities of daily living

BP- Blood Pressure

č- with

c/o- complains of

CC-Chief complaint

cath- cathether, catherization

ht. height

NPO- nothing by mouth

p- post; after

Psych. Psychology

Post after

Post op postoperative

Pre- before

Preop- preoperative

pt. patient

PRN – whenever necessary

R- rectal

R-respiratory

Rx- drug, prescription, therapy

s- without

spec – specimen

Stat – immediately, right now (usually in 15mins)

Surg- surgery

T – temperature

TPR/Pain – temperature, pulse, respiration

VS – vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration, B/P, and pain

Wt. weight

WNL – within normal limits

ACCEPTED ABBREVIATIONS

Ax – axilla

AC – before meals

Ad lib – as desired

Abd - abdomen

AK – above knee

BK – below knee

BRP – bathroom privileges

BM – bowel movement

B/P – blood pressure

CD – communicable disease

NPO – nothing by mouth

Noc – nocturnal

NS – normal saline

Cath – catheter

c/o – complains of

CC – chief complain

AD – right eye

OS – left eye

OU – both eyes

Q – every

QS – quantity sufficient

QNS – quantity not sufficient