Medical Terminology & Human Anatomy – Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology to aid exam preparation.

Medical Terminology

Standardized language of healthcare built from prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combining vowels.

Word Root

Basic part of a medical term that provides its core meaning.

Combining Form

A word root plus a vowel used to ease pronunciation (e.g., cardi/o).

Prefix

Element placed before a root to modify its meaning.

Suffix

Element placed after a root indicating condition, disease, or procedure.

Osteoarthritis

Inflammation of bone and joint (oste/o + arthr/o + -itis).

Intravenous

Pertaining to within a vein (intra- + ven/o + -ous).

Cardiology

Study of the heart (cardi/o + -logy).

Neuropathy

Disease of the nerves (neur/o + -pathy).

A- / An-

Prefix meaning without or lack of (e.g., anemia).

Dys-

Prefix meaning difficult or abnormal (e.g., dyspnea).

Hyper-

Prefix meaning excessive or above normal (e.g., hypertension).

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation (e.g., arthritis).

-ectomy

Suffix meaning surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).

-logy

Suffix meaning study of (e.g., biology).

Anatomy

Branch of biology that studies structure of organisms and their parts.

Gross Anatomy

Study of body structures visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of structures requiring magnification, including cytology and histology.

Cytology

Study of individual cells and their structures.

Histology

Examination of tissues and how cells work together.

Physiology

Scientific study of body function and mechanisms.

Neurophysiology

Subfield of physiology focused on nervous system function.

Cardiovascular Physiology

Study of heart and blood-vessel function.

Regional Anatomy

Study of all structures in a specific body area.

Systemic Anatomy

Study of body systems considered separately.

Chemical Level

Atoms and molecules forming the simplest level of organization.

Cellular Level

Single cells, the basic units of life.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ Level

Structures composed of at least two tissue types.

System Level

Organs working together to perform complex functions.

Organism Level

The complete living being.

Integumentary System

Skin, hair, nails; protects body and regulates temperature.

Skeletal System

Bones and joints; supports body and enables movement.

Muscular System

Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; produces movement and heat.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves; coordinates rapid responses to stimuli.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones for slower, long-term regulation.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; transports nutrients, gases, and wastes.

Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes, vessels, and organs; returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens.

Respiratory System

Lungs and airways; gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Organs that break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.

Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; removes wastes and balances fluids.

Reproductive System

Organs involved in producing offspring.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions through dynamic equilibrium.

Receptor (Homeostasis)

Sensor that detects changes in a variable.

Control Center

Processes input from receptor and determines response.

Effector

Structure that carries out corrective action to restore balance.

Negative Feedback

Regulatory mechanism that reverses a deviation from set point.

Positive Feedback

Mechanism that amplifies a stimulus until a specific goal is reached.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

Primary energy currency of the cell.

Catabolism

Metabolic pathway that breaks molecules down to release energy.

Anabolism

Metabolic pathway that builds complex molecules from simpler ones.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference posture: standing, face forward, arms at side, palms forward.

Prone

Body lying face down.

Supine

Body lying face up.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above or toward the head.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

Proximal

Closer to point of attachment or trunk.

Distal

Farther from point of attachment or trunk.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; internal.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into left and right parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal Cavity

Posterior body cavity housing brain and spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic organs.

RUQ / LUQ / RLQ / LLQ

Four abdominal quadrants used for location reference.

Serous Membrane

Thin double-layered membrane lining body cavities and covering organs.

Parietal Layer

Outer layer of a serous membrane lining the cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

Inner layer of a serous membrane covering the organ.

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and organs.

X-ray

Imaging that uses radiation to view dense structures like bone.

CT Scan

Computed tomography providing detailed cross-sectional images.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging ideal for soft-tissue visualization without radiation.

PET Scan

Imaging that reveals metabolic and physiological activity.

Ultrasound

Imaging using high-frequency sound waves; safe and radiation-free.

Oxygen

Final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration; essential for ATP production.

Macronutrients

Nutrients needed in large amounts—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals required in small quantities for vital functions.

Atmospheric Pressure

Force exerted by air; necessary for lung ventilation.

Controlled Hypothermia

Medically induced cooling to reduce metabolic demand and protect organs.

Decompression Sickness

Disorder from rapid pressure change causing nitrogen bubbles in tissues.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

Pressurized chamber delivering high-oxygen therapy for conditions like the bends.