Introduction to Medical Terminology

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the word-building elements, plural rules, spelling rules, and key terms introduced in the lecture notes.

Prefix

A word element that means to fix before or to fix the beginning of a word; it can be a syllable or group of syllables.

Word Root

The foundation of the word that conveys its central meaning.

Combining Form

A word root to which a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y) has been added to link it to a suffix or another root.

Suffix

A word element that means to fasten on, beneath, or under; placed at the end of a word.

Eponym

A disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who first discovered or described it.

Abduct

To lead away from the middle.

Adduct

To lead toward the middle.

Arteritis

Inflammation of an artery.

Arthritis

Inflammation of a joint.

Abate

To lessen, ease, decrease, or cease; used to note the lessening of pain or decrease in severity of symptoms.

Abnormal

Pertaining to away from the norm or rule; a condition considered to be not normal.

Abscess

A localized collection of pus, which may occur in any part of the body.

Acute

Sudden, sharp, severe; describes a disease with a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course.

Adhesion

A process of being stuck together; an abdominal adhesion usually involves the intestines and is caused by inflammation or trauma.

Afferent

Carrying impulses toward a center.

Ambulatory

Condition of being able to walk, not confined to bed.

Antidote

Substance given to counteract poisons and their effects.

Antipyretic

Pertaining to an agent that is used to lower an elevated body temperature (fever).

Antiseptic

Pertaining to an agent that works against sepsis (putrefaction); a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections.

Antitussive

Pertaining to an agent that works against coughing.

Apathy

Condition in which one lacks feelings and emotions and is indifferent.

Asepsis

Without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms.

Axillary (ax)

Pertaining to the armpit.

Biopsy (Bx)

Surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to determine a diagnosis.

Cachexia

Condition of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting occurring in chronic diseases such as cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Centigrade (C)

Unit of temperature measurement (Celsius scale) with a boiling point at $100^\circ$ and a freezing point at $0^\circ$.

Centimeter (cm)

Unit of measurement in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter.

Chemotherapy

The use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease, specifically drugs used in cancer therapy.

Chronic

Pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression.

Diagnosis (Dx)

The process of identifying a disease or disorder through scientific and skillful methods of knowledge.

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating; literally to carry through sweat glands.

Disease

A pathological condition of the body presenting with symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings; literally means lack of ease.

Disinfectant

Chemical substance applied to objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria.

Efferent

Carrying impulses away from a center.

Empathy

The ability to sense intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person.

Epidemic

Pertaining to upon the people; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectious disease.

Etiology

Study of the cause(s) of disease.

Excision

Process of cutting out; surgical removal.

Febrile

Pertaining to fever; a sustained body temperature above $98.6^\circ\text{F}$.

Gram (g)

Unit of weight in the metric system where a cubic centimeter or milliliter of water equals the weight of one gram.

Heterogeneous

Composed of unlike substances; literally pertaining to a different formation.

Incision

Process of cutting into.

Kilogram (kg)

Unit of weight in the metric system equal to $1000\,\text{g}$ or $2.2\,\text{lb}$.

Liter (L)

Unit of volume in the metric system equal to $1000\,\text{mL}$, $33.8\,\text{fl oz}$, or $1.0567\,\text{qt}$.

Macroscopic

Pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye.

Malaise

A general feeling of discomfort or uneasiness often felt by a patient with a chronic disease.

Malformation

A structural defect that fails to form normal shape and affects function; process of being badly shaped or deformed.

Malignant

Growing worse, harmful, cancerous; literally formation of a bad kind.

Maximal

Pertaining to the greatest possible quantity, number, or degree.

Microgram (mcg)

Unit of weight in the metric system equal to one-millionth of a gram or $0.001\,\text{mg}$.

Microorganism

Small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye.

Microscope

Scientific instrument designed to view small objects.

Milligram (mg)

Unit of weight in the metric system equal to $0.001\,\text{g}$.

Milliliter (mL)

Unit of volume in the metric system equal to $0.001\,\text{L}$.

Minimal

Pertaining to the least possible quantity, number, or degree.

Morbidity

State of being diseased; refers to the disease rate or number of cases of a particular disease in a population.

Mortality

Being human, subject to death; refers to the death rate reflected by the population.

Multiform

Occurring in or having many shapes; having more than one defined shape.

Necrosis

Abnormal condition of tissue death.

Oncology

Study of tumors, including the etiology, characteristics, and treatments of cancer.

Pallor

Paleness, a lack of color.

Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand.

Paracentesis

Surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal.

Prognosis

Prediction of the course of a disease and recovery rate; literally state of foreknowledge.

Prophylactic

Pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy.

Pyrogenic

Pertaining to the production of heat; a fever.

Radiology

Study of x-rays and other imaging modalities that use x-rays.

Rapport

Relationship of understanding between two individuals, especially between patient and physician.

Sequela

Abnormal condition that follows and is the result of a disease, treatment, or injury.

Syndrome

A group of signs and symptoms occurring together that characterize a specific disease or condition.

Thermometer

An instrument used to measure degree of heat, especially body temperature.

Triage

A system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment.

-stomy vs. -tomy

-stomy means creating a new opening, whereas -tomy means making an incision.