Exploring Medical Language, 11th edition

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Language, including word parts, combining forms, prefixes, suffixes, and examples of term types.

Medical terminology

Specialized vocabulary used for communication among healthcare professionals.

Word roots

Fundamental meaning of a medical term.

Prefix

Attached to the beginning of a medical term to modify its meaning.

Suffix

Attached to the end of a medical term to modify its meaning.

Combining vowel

Used to ease pronunciation; usually an “o”.

Combining form

Word root with its combining vowel attached.

arthr/o

Combining form meaning joint.

arthr

Word root meaning joint.

WR (Word Root)

Abbreviation for the word root; provides the fundamental meaning of the term.

CV (Combining Vowel)

Abbreviation for the combining vowel used to ease pronunciation.

P (Prefix)

Abbreviation for the prefix in a medical term.

S (Suffix)

Abbreviation for the suffix in a medical term.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-ic

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-ous

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-pathy

Suffix meaning disease.

-megaly

Suffix meaning enlargement.

intra-

Prefix meaning within.

sub-

Prefix meaning under.

arthro/pathy (arthr/o/pathy)

A combining form and suffix indicating disease of the joint.

arthropathy

Disease of the joint.

hepat

Word root meaning liver.

ven

Word root meaning vein.

oste

Word root meaning bone.

Complete blood count with differential

A modern-language term not easily translated or built from word parts.

Orthopedics

A term from Greek/Latin that is not easily translated and not built from word parts.

Alzheimer disease

An eponym; a disease named after a person.

AIDS

Acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Origins of medical language

Greek/Latin word parts plus eponyms, acronyms, and modern English terms.