Medical Terminology: Chapters 1 & 2 - Word Structure, Oncology, and Laboratory Procedures

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the foundations of medical terminology, word root analysis rules, combining vowels, body structure, oncology, diagnostic procedures, and laboratory testing.

Word Root (WR)

The core foundation that contains the fundamental meaning of a medical word; every term built from word parts contains at least one.

Prefix (P)

A word part attached to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning, indicating location, position, number, direction, or time.

Suffix (S)

A word part attached to the end of a word root to modify its meaning, indicating a pathology, symptom, surgical or diagnostic procedure, or adjectival form.

Combining Vowel (CV)

A vowel, usually "o", used to connect word parts and ease pronunciation between consonant sounds.

Combining Form (CF)

The combination of a word root with a combining vowel separated by a slash (root/vowel); it is not considered a distinct fifth word part.

Terms Built from Word Parts

Medical terms formed from Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining vowels that can be translated literally.

Terms NOT Built from Word Parts

Medical words such as eponyms, acronyms, modern English terms, and obscure historical words that cannot be translated literally from word parts and must be memorized.

Eponym

A term named after a person or place (such as Alzheimer disease, Apgar score, or West Nile virus).

Non-possessive Standard

The eponym convention where the possessive form is omitted (for example, Alzheimer disease is preferred over Alzheimer's disease).

Apgar score

An evaluation system for newborns developed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar; an example of an eponym.

Rule 1: Connecting Root to a Consonant Suffix

Use a combining vowel when connecting a word root to a suffix that begins with a consonant (e.g., arthr/o/pathy).

Rule 2: Connecting Root to a Vowel Suffix

Do not use a combining vowel when connecting a word root to a suffix that begins with a vowel (e.g., hepat/ic).

Rule 3: Connecting Two Word Roots

Always use a combining vowel between two word roots, even if the second word root begins with a vowel (e.g., oste/o/arthr/itis).

Rule 4: Connecting Prefix to Root

Do not place a combining vowel between a prefix and a word root (e.g., sub/hepat/ic).

Method of Medical Term Translation

The clinical standard of translating a term by starting with the suffix first, then shifting to the beginning of the word (e.g., oste/o/arthr/itis is defined starting from -itis).

Three-Step Term Analysis Method

A standardized clinical process: 1) Divide the term with slashes, 2) Label each part (WR, CV, P, S), and 3) Underline combining forms and label CF underneath.

osteoarthritis

Inflammation of the bone and joint (analyzed as oste/o/arthr/itis).

osteoarthropathy

Disease of the bone and joint (analyzed as oste/o/arthr/o/pathy).

hepatomegaly

Abnormal increase in size or enlargement of the liver (analyzed as hepat/o/megaly).

subhepatic

Pertaining to located under or below the liver (analyzed as sub/hepat/ic).

intravenous

Pertaining to within the vein (analyzed as intra/ven/ous).

aden/o

Combining form meaning gland.

epitheli/o

Combining form meaning epithelium, the tissue covering body surfaces and lining organs.

eti/o

Combining form meaning cause.

fibr/o

Combining form meaning fiber or fibrous tissue.

hist/o

Combining form meaning tissue.

iatr/o

Combining form meaning physician or medical treatment.

lei/o

Combining form meaning smooth.

rhabd/o

Combining form meaning rod-shaped or striated.

sarc/o

Combining form meaning flesh or connective tissue.

somat/o

Combining form meaning body.

viscer/o

Combining form meaning internal organs.

xanth/o

Combining form meaning yellow.

meta-

Prefix meaning beyond or change.

neo-

Prefix meaning new.

-plasia

Suffix meaning formation, development, or growth.

-sarcoma

Suffix meaning malignant tumor of connective tissue.

-stasis

Suffix meaning stopping or controlling.

cytogenic

Producing cells or originating in cells.

dysplasia

Abnormal development, formation, or growth of cells or tissue.

hyperplasia

Excessive increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.

hypoplasia

Incomplete or below-normal development of a tissue or organ.

erythrocyte (RBC)

Red blood cell that transports oxygen.

erythrocytosis

Abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.

leukocyte (WBC)

White blood cell involved in immune defense.

leukocytosis

Abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells.

necrosis

Death of cells or tissue.

organomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of one or more organs.

systemic

Pertaining to or affecting the entire body or a body system.

visceral

Pertaining to the internal organs.

adenocarcinoma

Malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial tissue.

adenoma

Usually benign tumor of glandular tissue.

carcinoma (CA)

Malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissue.

epithelioma

Tumor arising from epithelial tissue.

fibrosarcoma

Malignant tumor of fibrous connective tissue.

leiomyoma

Benign tumor of smooth muscle, commonly called a fibroid.

leiomyosarcoma

Malignant tumor of smooth muscle.

rhabdomyoma

Benign tumor of striated muscle.

rhabdomyosarcoma

Malignant tumor of striated skeletal muscle.

sarcoma

Malignant tumor arising from connective or supportive tissue.

melanoma

Malignant tumor of pigment-producing melanocytes.

metastasis

Spread of cancer from its original location to another part of the body (plural: metastases; abbreviation: METS).

neoplasm

New, abnormal growth of tissue; a tumor.

benign

Noncancerous; does not invade nearby tissue or spread to distant sites.

malignant

Cancerous; able to invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.

carcinoma in situ

Cancer confined to the original epithelial location that has not invaded neighboring tissue.

biological therapy

Treatment that uses living organisms, biological substances, or the immune system to fight disease.

chemotherapy (chemo)

Use of drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.

radiation therapy (XRT)

Treatment using high-energy radiation to destroy or damage cancer cells.

palliative

Intended to relieve symptoms and improve comfort rather than cure the disease.

remission

Partial or complete disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease.

autopsy

Examination of a body after death to determine disease or cause of death.

biopsy

Removal and examination of living tissue to determine whether disease is present.

cytopathology

Study of disease by examining abnormal changes in cells.

histopathology

Study of diseased tissue under a microscope.

prognosis (Px)

Prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease.

diagnosis (Dx)

Identification of a disease or condition.

etiology

Study or cause of a disease.

iatrogenic

Caused by medical treatment, a medical procedure, or a healthcare professional.

cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, often caused by reduced oxygen in the blood.

xanthosis

Abnormal yellow discoloration of the skin or other tissue.

chemistry panel

Group of blood tests measuring substances such as glucose, electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins.

complete blood count with differential (CBC with diff)

Blood test measuring red cells, white cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and the different types of white blood cells.

culture and sensitivity (C&S)

Test that grows microorganisms from a specimen and determines which medication will best treat them.

acute

Beginning suddenly, progressing rapidly, or lasting a relatively short time.

chronic

Developing slowly or continuing for a long period.

exacerbation

Worsening or increase in the severity of a disease or its symptoms.

idiopathic

Occurring without a known cause.

inflammation

Protective tissue response that may include redness, heat, swelling, pain, or loss of function.