Chapter 1 Medical Terms, Word Parts, Abbreviations - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical terms, word parts, prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations from Chapter 1.

abdominocentesis

Surgical puncture of the abdomen to remove fluid.

abnormal

Deviating from what is normal or usual; atypical.

acronym

A pronounceable abbreviation formed from initial letters of a phrase.

acute

Of rapid onset; severe but short in duration.

angiography(ies)

Imaging test of blood vessels using contrast

appendectomy(ies)/APPY

Surgical removal of the appendix

arteriosclerosis(es)

Hardening of arterial walls

arthralgia(s)

Joint pain

chronic

Long-lasting; persistent over a long period.

colostomy

Surgical creation of an opening from the colon to the body surface.

combining form/CF

Base form of a word shown with a combining vowel to connect elements.

combining vowel/CV

A vowel (often o) used to join word parts.

cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen.

dermatologist

Medical specialist who studies and treats the skin.

diagnosis(es)

Identification of a disease or condition; Dx is the common abbreviation.

diarrhea(ae)

Frequent, watery stools

differential diagnosis(es)/DDx

List of possible diseases to consider; used to distinguish among possibilities.

disease

Any abnormal condition affecting the body or mind.

edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in tissues.

endarterial

Relating to the inner lining of an artery; located within an artery.

eponym

Term named after a person.

erythrocyte

Red blood cell.

exudate

Fluid and cells that seep out of vessels during inflammation.

fissure

A narrow crack or split in tissue.

fistula(ae)

Abnormal passage between organs or vessels; plural fistulae or fistulas.

gastralgia

Pain in the stomach.

gastritis(ides)

Inflammation of the stomach; plural gastritides (gastritises).

gastroenteritis(ides)

Inflammation of the stomach and intestines; plural gastroenteritides.

gastrosis(es)

Stomach disease; plural gastroses.

hemorrhage

Escape of blood from vessels; bleeding.

hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver.

hypertension

High blood pressure.

hypotension

Low blood pressure.

ileum(a)

Final portion of the small intestine; ileum.

ilium(a)

Hip bone

infection

Invasion by pathogens causing disease.

inflammation

Tissue reaction to injury with redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

interstitial

Between cells or tissue spaces.

intramuscular/IM

Within a muscle; IM abbreviation.

laceration

A deep cut or tear in tissue.

lesion

Any abnormal tissue change; wound or injury.

malaise

General discomfort or uneasiness.

melanosis

Abnormal dark pigmentation of skin or tissues.

mycosis(es)

Fungal infection

myelopathy

Disease of the spinal cord.

myopathy

Disease of muscle tissue or weakness.

myorrhexis

Rupture of a muscle.

myorrhaphy

Suturing of a muscle.

natal

Pertaining to birth.

neonatology

Study of newborns and their medical care.

neurorrhaphy

Suturing of a nerve.

neuroplasty

Surgical repair of a nerve.

otorhinolaryngology

ENT; study of ear, nose, and throat.

palpation

Examination by touch.

palpitation

Sensation of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

pathology/path

Study of disease; disease itself.

phalanx (phalanges)

Bone of finger or toe; plural phalanges.

poliomyelitis(ides)/polio

Inflammation of spinal cord gray matter causing paralysis; poliomyelitis (polio).

prefix(es)

Word part added to the beginning of a word.

prognosis(es)/prog

Forecast of the likely course or outcome of a disease.

pyoderma(ae)

Bacterial skin infection; plural pyodermata or pyodermas.

pyrosis(es)

Heartburn; burning sensation in the esophagus; plural pyroses.

remission

Temporary or permanent improvement or disappearance of symptoms.

sign

Objective evidence of disease observed by a clinician.

suffix(es)

Word endings added to a root.

supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces up or forward.

suppuration

Formation or discharge of pus.

supracostal

Located above the ribs.

symptom

Subjective evidence of disease reported by the patient.

syndrome

A group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a condition.

tenorrhaphy

Suturing of a tendon.

tonsillitis(ides)

Inflammation of the tonsils; tonsillitides (plural).

trauma

Injury or wound.

triage

Process of prioritizing treatment based on severity.

viral

Caused by a virus; pertaining to viruses.

virile

Having male characteristics; masculine; vigorous.

word root/WR

The base part of a word carrying its core meaning.

-algia, -dynia

Suffixes meaning pain.

-centesis

Surgical puncture to withdraw fluid.

-ectomy

Surgical removal.

-gram/graph

Record or instrument that records; graph.

-graphy

Process of recording.

-itis(ides)

Inflammation; plural -itides.

-lysis

breakdown, seperation, setting-free, destruction, loosening

-malacia

Softening of tissue.

-megaly

Enlargement.

-necrosis(es)

Death of tissue; necrosis.

-ologist/-ology

Specialist or study of a field.

-ostomy

Creation of an opening.

-otomy

Incision; cutting into.

-pexy

Surgical fixation.

-plasty

Surgical repair or reshaping.

-rrhage, -rrhagia

Bleeding or excessive discharge.

-rrhaphy

Suturing or stitching.

-rrhea

Discharge or flow.

-rrhexis

Rupture.

-sclerosis

Hardening of tissue or an organ.

-scope/scopy

Instrument for viewing; process of viewing.

-stenosis

Narrowing of a vessel or passageway.

-ago, -esis, -ia, -iasis, -ion, -ism, -osis

Common suffixes indicating various meanings.