Medical Terminiolgy

-itis

inflammation

-ectomy

surgical removal

-otomy

surgical incision

-ostomy

creation og a new opening

-ology

study of

-pathy

disease

-emia

blood condition

hyper-

excessive, above normal

hypo-

deficient, below normal

brady-

slow

tachy-

fast

-algia

pain

a-/an-

without, absence of

peri-

around

sub-

under, below

Anterior

towards the front

Posterior

towards the back

Superior

Above, towards the head

Inferior

Below, towards the feet

Medial

towards the midline

Lateral

away from the midline

Proximal

Closer from the point of orign

Distal

Farther from the point of orgin

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left/right

Coronal plane

Divides the body into front/back

Transverse plane

Divides the body into upper/lower

Supine

lying face up

Prone

Lying face down

Cytology

Study of cells

Histology

Study of tissues

Dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

Epidermis

outer layer of skin

Subcutaneous

beneath the skin

Erythema

redness of the skin

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration from low oxygen

Jaundice

yellowing of skin/eyes

Pruritus

itching

Urticaria

hives

Necrosis

tissue death

Lesion

abnormal tissue area

Dermatologist

physician specializing in skin

Onychomycosis

fungal infection of the nail

Alopecia

hair loss

Sebaceous gland

oil-secreting gland

Diaphoresis

profuse sweating

Osteoporosis

porous, weakened bone

Arthritis

joint inflammation

Fracture

broken bone

Osteomyelitis

bone infection

Kyphosis

abnormal outward spine curvature

Scoliosis

abnormal sideways spine curvature

Osteoarthritis

degenerative joint disease

Cranium

skull

Vertebrae

spinal bones

Articulation

joint

Osteoblast

bone-forming cell

Osteoclast

bone-resorbing cell

Costochondritis

inflammation of rib cartilage

Orthopedist

physician treating bones/joints

Rheumatoid arthritis

autoimmune joint disease

Myalgia

muscle pain

Myopathy

muscle disease

Myositis

muscle inflammation

Atrophy

muscle wasting

Hypertrophy

muscle enlargement

Hypertrophy

muscle enlargement

Fibromyalgia

chronic widespread muscle pain

Tendinitis

tendon inflammation

Fasciitis

inflammation of fascia

Electromyography (EMG)

muscle electrical activity test

Flexion

bending a joint

Extension

straightening a joint

Abduction

moving away from midline

Adduction

moving toward midline

Contracture

permanent muscle shortening

Myasthenia gravis

autoimmune muscle weakness disorder

Tachycardia

fast heart rate

Bradycardia

slow heart rate

Arrhythmia

irregular heart rhythm

Myocardial infarction

heart attack

Angina pectoris

chest pain from reduced blood flow

Atherosclerosis

arterial plaque buildup

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Cardiomegaly

enlarged heart

Thrombosis

blood clot formation

Embolism

blocking clot/particle in vessel

Ischemia

reduced blood supply

Cardiomyopathy

heart muscle disease

Vasoconstriction

narrowing of blood vessels

Vasodilation

widening of blood vessels