Medical Terminology

arteri/o-

arteries

ather/o-

plaque or fatty substance

athr/o-

joint

-ectomy

surgical removal

-ostomy

surgical creation of an artificial opening to the body surface

-otomy

cutting or surgical incision

fissure-

groove or crack like sore of the skin

fistula-

an abnormal passage, usually between two internal organs or leading from an organ to the surface of the body

lleum

the last and longest portion of the small intestine

llium

part of the hip bone

infection

invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism (disease-producing)

inflammation

localized response due to an injury or to the destruction of tissues

laceration

torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut

lesion

pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury.

mucous

the specialized membranes that line the body cavities.

mucus

fluid secreted by these mucous membranes

myc/

means fungus

myel/o

bone marrow or spinal cord

my/o

muscle

-ologist

specialist

-ology

means study of

palpation

is an examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts.

palpitation

pounding or racing heart

pyel/o

renal pelvis (part of kidney)

py/o

any acute, inflammatory, pus-forming bacterial skin infection

pyr/o

fever or fire

supination

the act of rotating the arm so that the palm of the hand is forward or upward

suppuration

the formation of pus

triage

the medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and the proper place of treatment.

trauma

wound or injury

viral

pertaining to a virus

virile

having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male