Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is integr al to the study and practice of academic and clinical nursing. Medical terminology includes words that define diseases, locations, diagnostic, surgical methods, pathology, measurement, position, movement, and direction. This self-learning module is intended to familiarize you with basic medical terminology to facilitate effective learning from the beginning of your nursing program.

For the root/combining word of angie/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Vessel

Example: Angiolysis

Example Meaning: breaking down of vessels

For the root/combining word of arteri/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Artery

Example: Ateriospasm

Example Meaning: Arterial Spasm

For the root/combining word of arthr/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Joint

Example: Arthoplasty

Example Meaning: formation of a new joint

For the root/combining word of brady/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Slow

Example: Bradycardia

Example Meaning: slow heart rate

For the root/combining word of broncho/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Brochi, Bronchus

Example: Bronchospasm

Example Meaning: spasm of the bronchi

For the root/combining word of carcino/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Carcinoma

Example: Carcinogen

Example Meaning: substance that causes cancer

For the root/combining word of cardi/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Heart

Example: Cardiology

Example Meaning: study of the heart

For the root/combining word of cephal/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Head

Example: Cephalic

Example Meaning: pertaining to the head

For the root/combining word of cerebral or cerebr/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: pertaining to the brain

Example: Cerebrospinal

Example Meaning: area around cerebrum & spinal cord

For the root/combining word of chole/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Bile or Gail

Example: Cholecyst

Example Meaning: gall bladder

For the root/combining word of col/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Colon

Example: Colostomy, Colonoscopy

Example Meaning: pertaining to colon or large intestine

For the root/combining word of cost/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Rib

Example: Intercostal

Example Meaning: between the ribs

For the root/combining word of crani/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Cranium

Example: Cranioplasty

Example Meaning: surgical repair of skull

For the root/combining word of cyan/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Blue

Example: Cyanosis

Example Meaning: condition of blueness

For the root/combining word of cyst/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Bladder, Sac

Example: Cholecyst

Example Meaning: gall bladder

For the root/combining word of cyt/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Cell

Example: Cytoscopy

Example Meaning: Examination of cells

For the root/combining word of derm/a/at; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Skin

Example: Cyanoderm

Example Meaning: Bluish discoloration of the skin

For the root/combining word of emesis; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Vomiting

Example: Hyperemesis

Example Meaning: Excessive Vomiting

For the root/combining word of encephal/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Brain

Example: Encephalitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the brain

For the root/combining word of enter/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Intestine

Example: Enteritis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the intestine

For the root/combining word of erythro/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Red

Example: Erythrocyte

Example Meaning: red blood cell

For the root/combining word of gastr/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Stomach

Example: Gastrotomy

Example Meaning: incision into the stomach

For the root/combining word of glyc/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Sugar

Example: Hyperglycemia

Example Meaning: condition of high blood sugar

For the root/combining word of hem/o/aat/ato; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Blood or Blood Cells

Example: Hemolysis

Example Meaning: destruction of blood cells

For the root/combining word of hepat/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Liver

Example: Hepatitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the liver

For the root/combining word of heter/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Different

Example: Heteromorphous

Example Meaning: different form, shape, structure

For the root/combining word of home/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Same, alike

Example: Homeostasis

Example Meaning: stable internal environment

For the root/combining word of hyster/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Uterus

Example: Hysterectomy

Example Meaning: surgical removal of the uterus

For the root/combining word of lapar/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Abdominal wall or abdominal

Example: Laparotomy

Example Meaning: incision into abdominal wall

For the root/combining word of later/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Side

Example: Lateral

Example Meaning: pertaining to the side

For the root/combining word of leuk/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: White

Example: Leukocyte

Example Meaning: white blood cell

For the root/combining word of lip/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Fat

Example: Lipocyte

Example Meaning: fat cell

For the root/combining word of lith/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Stone

Example: Cystolithotomy

Example Meaning: incision (into the bladder) for the purpose of removing a stone

For the root/combining word of lumb/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Lower back

Example: Lumbar

Example Meaning: pertaining to the lower back

For the root/combining word of mast/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Breast

Example: Mastitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the breast

For the root/combining word of mammo/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Breast

Example: Mammoplasty

Example Meaning: plastic surgery of the breast

For the root/combining word of myel/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Bone Marrow/Spinal Cord

Example: Myelogram

Example Meaning: x-ray of the spinal cord

For the root/combining word of my/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Muscle

Example: Myocardia

Example Meaning: heart muscle

For the root/combining word of naso; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Nose

Example: Nasoseptitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the nasal septum

For the root/combining word of neo; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: New

Example: Neonate

Example Meaning: newborn

For the root/combining word of nephro/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Kidney

Example: Nephrostomy

Example Meaning: formation of an opening into the kidney

For the root/combining word of neuro/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Nerve

Example: Neuritis

Example Meaning: inflammation of a nerve

For the root/combining word of norm/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Normal

Example: Normochromic

Example Meaning: normal in colour especially in relation to hemoglobin

For the root/combining word of ocul/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Eye

Example: Ocular

Example Meaning: concerning the eye

For the root/combining word of opthalm/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Eye

Example: Opthalmitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the eye

For the root/combining word of oste/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Bone

Example: Osteoma

Example Meaning: tumor of the bone

For the root/combining word of pne/a/ic; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Air, breathe

Example: Tachypnea

Example Meaning: rapid breathing

For the root/combining word of pneum/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Lungs, presence of air

Example: Pneumonia

Example Meaning: disease of the lungs

For the root/combining word of pyel/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Renal Pelvis

Example: Pyelitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the renal pelvis

For the root/combining word of pylor/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Pylorus

Example: Pyloroplasty

Example Meaning: repair of the pylorus

For the root/combining word of py/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Pus

Example: Pyogenic

Example Meaning: producing pus

For the root/combining word of phleb/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Vein

Example: Phlebotomy

Example Meaning: opening a vein

For the root/combining word of rect/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Rectum

Example: Rectitis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the rectum

For the root/combining word of rhin/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Nose

Example: Rhinoplaty

Example Meaning: disease of the nose

For the root/combining word of therm/o/ia/ie; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Heat, temperature

Example: Hypothermia

Example Meaning: below normal temperature

For the root/combining word of thromb/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Clot

Example: Thrombosis

Example Meaning: formation of a blood clot

For the root/combining word of trach/eo; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Trachea

Example: Tracheostomy

Example Meaning: new opening created into the trachea

For the root/combining word of ureter/eo; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Ureter

Example: Ureteroplasty

Example Meaning: plastic surgery of the ureter

For the root/combining word of urethro; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Urethra

Example: Urethritis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the urethra

For the root/combining word of vas/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Vessel

Example: Vasoconstriction

Example Meaning: constriction of the blood vessels

For the root/combining word of ven/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Vein

Example: Venous

Example Meaning: pertaining to veins or blood passing through them

For the root/combining word of viscer/o; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Internal organs enclosed in a cavity

Example: Visceral

Example Meaning: pertaining to internal organs

For the prefix of ab-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: From, away from

Example: Abduction

Example Meaning: movement away from the midline

For the prefix of a-, an-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Not, Without, Absence of

Example: Apnea

Example Meaning: Without breathing

For the prefix of ad-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: To, Toward

Example: Adduction

Example Meaning: movement toward a midline

For the prefix of ante-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Before: in time or space

Example: Antenatal

Example Meaning: before birth

For the prefix of anti-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Against

Example: Anti-infective

Example Meaning: drug working against an infection

For the prefix of bi-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Two, Twice

Example: Bilateral

Example Meaning: two sides

For the prefix of co-, con-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Together, with

Example: Congenital

Example Meaning: born with

For the prefix of de-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Down from, Taken from

Example: Dehydration

Example Meaning: remove water from a substance

For the prefix of dys-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Difficult, Bad, Pain

Example: Dyspnea

Example Meaning: difficult breathing

For the prefix of end-, endo-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Within

Example: Endocarditis

Example Meaning: inflammation of the lining of the heart

For the prefix of epi-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Upon, on

Example: Epigastric

Example Meaning: over the stomach area

For the prefix of eu-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Normal

Example: Eupnea

Example Meaning: normal respirations

For the prefix of ex-, exo-, extra-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Out, Away From

Example: Exhale

Example Meaning: breathe out waste material from the body

For the prefix of hyper-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Abnormally, Increased, Excessive

Example: Hyperthermia

Example Meaning: increased temperature

For the prefix of hypo-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Abnormally deceased, deficient

Example: Hypodermic

Example Meaning: under the skin

For the prefix of inter-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Between

Example: Intercellular

Example Meaning: between the cells

For the prefix of intra-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Within

Example: Intravenous

Example Meaning: within a vein

For the prefix of multi-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Many

Example: Multicapsular

Example Meaning: many capsules

For the prefix of para-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Along side of, beside

Example: Paraappendicitis

Example Meaning: inflammation around the appendix

For the prefix of peri-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Around, Near

Example: Pericolic

Example Meaning: around the colon

For the prefix of poly-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Many, Much

Example: Polypnea

Example Meaning: very rapid breathing

For the prefix of post-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: After

Example: Postpartum

Example Meaning: after childbirth

For the prefix of pre-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Before (in time & space)

Example: Prenatal

Example Meaning: before birth

For the prefix of re-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Again

Example: Relapse

Example Meaning: return of disease apart apparent cessation

For the prefix of retro-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Behind, Posterior to

Example: Retrosternal

Example Meaning: behind the sternum

For the prefix of semi-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Half

Example: Semiconscious

Example Meaning: half conscious

For the prefix of sub-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Under, Below

Example: Substernal

Example Meaning: below the sternum

For the prefix of super-, supra-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Above, positional

Example: Suprapubic

Example Meaning: above the pubis

For the prefix of tachy-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Fast

Example: Tachycardia

Example Meaning: fast heart beat

For the prefix of trans-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Across, Through

Example: Transurethral

Example Meaning: through the urethra

For the prefix of tri-; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Three

Example: Trilateral

Example Meaning: Three sides

For the suffix of -algia; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Pain

Example: Gastralgia

Example Meaning: pain in the stomach

For the suffix of -cele; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Hernia, Protrusion

Example: Encephalocele

Example Meaning: herniation of brain tissue

For the suffix of -centesis; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Puncture & aspiration of a cavity

Example: Abdomincentesis

Example Meaning: puncturing & aspiration of the abdomen

For the suffix of -cyte; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Cell

Example: Leukocyte

Example Meaning: white blood cell

For the suffix of -ectasis (ia); what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Expansion, Dilatation

Example: Gastrectasia

Example Meaning: dilation of the stomach

For the suffix of -ectomy; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Surgical Removal

Example: Gastrectomy

Example Meaning: removal of all or part of the stomach

For the suffix of -emia; what is the definition, example, & example meaning?

Definition: Blood Condition

Example: Bacteremia

Example Meaning: condition of bacteria in the blood