Medical Terminologies and Abbreviations Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core medical roots, prefixes, color terms, and standard section-specific laboratory abbreviations.

Root Word

The main part of a medical term that gives it its essential meaning; almost all medical terminologies contain at least one.

Prefix

A part included at the beginning of a medical term that usually indicates direction, location, quality, quantity, and/or type.

Galen (130-200 AD)

A Greek physician from whose teachings many medical terms, particularly regarding medical conditions, were retained.

aer

Root word originating from Greek (aĕr) meaning air.

arterio

Root word originating from Greek meaning artery.

arthro

Root word originating from Greek (árthron) meaning joint.

cardio

Root word originating from Greek (kardia) meaning heart.

colo

Root word originating from Greek (kōlon) meaning large intestine.

cranio

Root word originating from Greek (kraníon) meaning skull.

cyto

Root word originating from Greek (kútos) meaning cell/vessel on.

hemo

Root word originating from Greek (haimo) meaning blood.

hepato

Root word originating from Greek (hepat) meaning liver.

myo

Root word originating from Greek (mûs) meaning muscle.

nephro

Root word originating from Greek (nephros) meaning kidney.

osteo

Root word originating from Greek (osteon) meaning bone.

phleb

Root word originating from Greek meaning vein.

pyo

Root word originating from Greek (pus) meaning pus.

thrombo

Root word originating from Greek (thrombos) meaning clot.

uro

Root word originating from Greek (ouron) meaning urine.

ab-

Prefix meaning away from.

ad-

Prefix meaning toward.

ambi-

Prefix meaning both sides.

ante-

Prefix meaning in front.

circum-

Prefix meaning around.

dextro-

Prefix originating from Latin (dexter) meaning right.

dia-

Prefix meaning through.

ecto-

Prefix originating from Greek (ektos) meaning outside.

endo-

Prefix originating from Greek (endon) meaning inside/within.

epi-

Prefix meaning over/upon.

exo-

Prefix meaning outside.

juxta-

Prefix originating from Latin (iuxta) meaning near/beside.

levo-

Prefix originating from Latin (laevus) meaning left.

meso-

Prefix originating from Greek (mesos) meaning middle.

para-

Prefix originating from Greek meaning near/beside.

peri-

Prefix originating from Greek meaning around.

sub-

Prefix originating from Latin meaning below/under.

trans-

Prefix originating from Latin meaning across/through.

a-

Prefix originating from Greek meaning without.

brady-

Prefix originating from Greek (bradus) meaning slow.

dys-

Prefix originating from Greek (dus) meaning abnormal/difficult.

hyper-

Prefix originating from Greek (huper) meaning excessive.

hypo-

Prefix originating from Greek (hupo) meaning deficient.

macro-

Prefix originating from Greek (makros) meaning large.

megalo-

Prefix originating from Greek (megalos) meaning big.

micro-

Prefix originating from Greek (mikros) meaning small.

neo-

Prefix originating from Greek (neos) meaning new.

tachy-

Prefix originating from Greek (takhus) meaning fast.

cyan/o

Prefix originating from Greek (kuaneos) meaning blue.

erythr/o

Prefix originating from Greek (eruthros) meaning red.

leuk/o

Prefix originating from Greek (leukos) meaning white or colorless.

melan/o

Prefix originating from Greek (melas) meaning black or dark.

xanth/o

Prefix originating from Greek (xanthos) meaning yellow.

NPO

Phlebotomy section abbreviation for Nothing per orem (Latin: Nil per os = Nothing by mouth).

STAT

Phlebotomy section abbreviation for Short turn around time (Latin: Statim = Immediately).

ALT (SGPT)

Clinical Chemistry abbreviation for Alanine aminotransferase (Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase).

AST (SGOT)

Clinical Chemistry abbreviation for Aspartate aminotransferase (Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase).

Tah BSO

Histopathology section abbreviation for Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-Oophorectomy.

MDMA

Drug Testing section abbreviation for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy).

THC

Drug Testing section abbreviation for Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marijuana).

IDTOMIS

Drug Testing section abbreviation for Integrated Drug Test Operation and Management Information System.