Medical Terminology: Symbols, Word Roots, Combining Forms, and Prefixes

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical terminology symbols, common word roots, combining forms, and prefixes from Chapter 5.

$$\mu$$

micro

$$\alpha$$

alpha

$$\beta$$

beta

$$\Delta$$

change

Medical Communication Symbols Caution

Some sources caution that certain symbols may be associated with errors when used in medical communications; it is suggested that words be used instead of symbols.

AAA

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm)

abdomin/o

abdomen

acou/o

hear

aden/o

gland

adip/o

fat

alb/o

white

alges/o

pain

andr/o

man, male

angi/o

vessel

ankyl/o

fused, stiff

anter/o

front

aort/o

aorta

append/o

appendix

arteri/o

artery

arthr/o

joint

asthen/o

weak

atel/o

incomplete

ather/o

fat

atri/o

atrium

audi/o

to hear

aur/o

ear

aut/o

self

bacteri/o

bacteria

bi/o

life

bil/i

bile

blast/o

germ, bud, developing cell

blephar/o

eyelid

brachi/o

arm

bronch/i

airway, bronchus

bucc/o

cheek

burs/o

pouch or sac

calc/i

calcium

capn/o

carbon dioxide

carcin/o

cancer

cardi/o

heart

carp/o

wrist

cartil/o

cartilage, gristle

caud/o

tail

cec/o

blind intestine, cecum

cel/o

hernia, protrusion

cent/e

to puncture (a body cavity)

cent/i

one-hundredth or 100

cephal/o

head

cerebr/o

brain, cerebrum

cervic/o

neck

chol/e

bile

chondr/o

cartilage

chrom/o

color

chron/o

time

cirrh/o

yellow-orange

cleid/o

clavicle

col/o

colon

colp/o

vagina

condyl/o

knuckle of a joint

cor/o

pupil

corne/o

cornea

cost/o

rib

crani/o

cranium, skull

cubitus

elbow

cutane/o

skin

cyan/o

blue

cycl/o

circle or cycle

cyst/o

bladder

cyt/o

cell

derm(at)/o

skin

digit

finger or toe

dipl/o

two, double

dips/o

thirst

disk/o

flat shape, intervertebral disk

dist/o

distant, away

diverticul/o

diverticulum, a small blind pouch

dors/o

back

duct/o

lead, move

duoden/o

duodenum

ech/o

to bounce, sound

ede

swelling

elast/o

change shape

electr/o

electricity

embol/o

a plug

embry/o

embryo

emesis

vomit

emmetr/o

according to measure

encephal/o

brain

enter/o

small intestine

episi/o

vulva

erythr/o

red

esthesi

sensation or perception

febr

fever

flex

bend

foramen

opening

fract

break

gastr/o

stomach

ger(ont)/o

older adult

gest

carry, produce, congestion

glyc/o

sugar, sweet