Medical Terminology

-algia

Pain, suffering

-dynia

Pain

-ectomy

Surgical removal

-gram

Picture or record

Hyper-

Excessive or increased

Hypo-

Deficient or decreased

-itis

Inflammation

-osis

Abnormal condition

-ostomy

Surgical creation of an artificial opening to the body surface

Pre-

Before

-plasty

Surgical repair

-rrhage

Bleeding

-sclerosis

Abnormal hardening

Abdominocentesis

Surgical puncture of the abdomen by a needle to withdraw fluid

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of the major parts of a compound team

Acute

condition or symptom that has a sudden onset and typically lasts for a short time.

Angiography

a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and a special contrast dye to look inside your blood vessels, arteries, and veins

Appendectomy

surgical removal of the vermiform appendix.

Arteriosclerosis

a chronic disease where fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances build up in the inner walls of your arteries

Arthralgia

Pain in a joint

Colostomy

a surgical procedure that connects a portion of the large intestine (colon) to an opening carved into the abdominal wall

Cyanosis

a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, lips, nail beds, or mucous membranes caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood

Dermatologist

a board-certified medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases and conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails

Diagnosis

the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury that is causing a person's specific signs and symptoms

Diarrhea

passing three or more loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a 24-hour period

Edema

swelling caused by an abnormal buildup of fluid trapped in your body's tissues

endarterial

relating to the inner portion, lining, or interior of an artery

Eponym

a disease, syndrome, anatomical structure, sign, procedure, or test named after a person (such as a physician or patient) or a place, rather than using a descriptive or scientific term

Erythrocyte

red blood cell (RBC)

Fissure

a small crack, cut, or tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines a body passage or opening

Fistula

an abnormal, tube-like connection or passageway that forms between two organs, blood vessels, or an internal body structure and the surface of the skin

Gastralgia

stomachache or pain in the stomach or epigastrium

Gastritis

inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the protective lining of the stomach

Gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and small intestine

Gastrosis

any disease or non-inflammatory degenerative condition of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract

Hemorrhage

a heavy, rapid, or uncontrolled loss of blood from damaged blood vessels

Hepatomegaly

enlarged liver

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Infection

the invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—in or on the body's tissues

Interstitial

anything that occurs in the microscopic gaps or spaces between functional cells rather than inside the cells themselves

Intramuscular

Within the muscle

Laceration

a torn, ragged, or jagged wound or cut in the skin and soft tissues caused by blunt trauma, sharp objects, or shearing forces.

Lesion

any area of abnormal tissue, damage, or structural change in or on the body caused by injury, infection, or disease

Malaise

a general feeling of discomfort, illness, weakness, or lack of well-being where the exact cause is hard to identify

Mycosis

any disease or health condition caused by a fungus (such as a yeast or mold) that invades human or animal tissues

Myelopathy

a neurological condition caused by severe compression, injury, or damage to the spinal cord

Myopathy

any disease or disorder that directly affects the skeletal muscles

Natal

of, relating to, or present at birth

Neonatology

a subspecialty of pediatrics focused on the medical care, development, and treatment of newborn infants

Neurorrhaphy

a surgical procedure that involves sewing or suturing together the cut or severed ends of a nerve to restore physical connection and function

Otorhinolaryngology

a surgical and medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat (ENT), as well as related areas of the head and neck

Palpitation

the feeling that your heart is beating too fast, pounding, fluttering, racing, or skipping a beat

Palpation

a physical examination technique where a healthcare provider uses their hands and fingers to touch and feel a patient's body

Pathology

the branch of medical science focused on the study and diagnosis of disease

Phalanges

bones that make up the fingers of the hand and the toes of the foot

Poliomyelitis

infectious viral disease

Prognosis

a healthcare provider's educated prediction about the likely course, duration, and outcome of a disease or medical condition

Pyoderma

pus in the skin

Pyo

Pus

Derma

Skin

Pyrosis

Heartburn

Remission

a reduction or complete disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease

Supination

the rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm faces forward or upward, or a corresponding outward rolling movement of the foot and leg

Suppuration

the formation, conversion into, or discharging of pus

Supracostal

located or situated above or outside the ribs

Symptom

any subjective evidence of a disease, injury, or physical disturbance that is felt, experienced, and reported by the patient

Syndrome

a collection of medical signs and symptoms that frequently occur together and characterize a specific abnormal condition or pattern

Tenorrhaphy

the surgical suturing of a torn, severed, or divided tendon to restore structural integrity and movement

Tonsillitis

the inflammation and swelling of the tonsils

Trauma

a severe physical injury caused by an external force or impact

Triage

the medical process of screening, sorting, and prioritizing patients based on the urgency of their condition and the severity of their illness or injury, rather than the order in which they arrive

Viral

of, relating to, or caused by a virus