Medical Terminology Unit 2

-algia

Pain.

-ectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of a structure.

-ologist

A specialist in a particular field of study.

-ology

The study of a subject.

-osis

A condition, usually abnormal; sometimes an increase when referring to blood cells.

-plasia

Formation, development, or growth of cells or tissues.

-plasty

Surgical repair or reconstruction.

-stasis

Stopping, controlling, or maintaining a stable state.

aden/o

Gland.

adip/o

Fat.

anter/o

Front or before.

caud/o

Tail or lower part of the body.

cephal/o

Head.

cyt/o

Cell.

gastro/o

Stomach. The usual combining form is gastr/o.

laryng/o

Larynx, or voice box.

my/o

Muscle.

nephr/o

Kidney.

neur/o

Nerve.

epi-

On, upon, or above.

endo-

Within or inside.

Exo-

Outside or outward.

Abdominal cavity

Space below the diaphragm and above the pelvic cavity containing internal organs.

Abnormality

A difference from the normal or expected structure, function, or condition.

Adenectomy

Surgical removal of a gland.

Adenocarcinoma

A malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial tissue.

Adenitis

Inflammation of a gland.

Adenoma

A benign tumor arising from glandular tissue.

Adenosis

An abnormal condition of glandular tissue.

Adipose

Relating to fat; stores fat, cushions organs, and insulates the body.

Adult stem cells

Unspecialized cells in developed tissues that renew and produce specialized cells.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Adminopelvic

Misspelling of abdominopelvic, relating to the abdomen and pelvis.

Bloodborne

Carried or transmitted through blood.

Cerebral palsy

Disorders affecting movement, muscle tone, and posture from brain damage.

Cell

The smallest structural and functional unit of a living organism.

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA and proteins carrying genetic information.

Chromosomes

Plural of chromosome; human body cells normally contain 46 chromosomes.

Communicable disease

An infectious disease that can spread between hosts.

Cord blood cells

Stem cells collected from blood remaining in umbilical cord and placenta.

Coronal

Plane dividing body into anterior and posterior portions; also called frontal.

Cranial cavity

The space within the skull that contains the brain.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Dorsal cavity

Posterior body cavity containing cranial and vertebral cavities.

Distal

Farther from a structure's point of attachment or origin.

Dominant gene

Dominant allele expressed in a heterozygote.

Down syndrome

Genetic condition caused by extra chromosome 21 material.

Embryonic stem cells

Early embryo cells capable of developing into nearly any cell type.

Epigastric

Pertaining to the upper middle region of the abdomen.

Epigastric region

The upper middle region in the nine-region abdominal division.

Epidemiologist

Scientist studying distribution, causes, and determinants of health conditions.

Epidemic

Occurrence of more disease cases than expected in a population.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease.

Epithelial

Relating to tissue covering surfaces, lining cavities, and forming glands.

Exocrine glands

Glands releasing secretions through ducts onto a surface or passage.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands releasing hormones into surrounding fluid and bloodstream.

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Condition from prenatal alcohol exposure causing growth and brain impairment.

Frontal

Relating to forehead; plane dividing anterior and posterior portions.

Gamete

A reproductive cell (egg or sperm) containing 23 chromosomes.

Gene

DNA segment containing instructions for a functional product.

Genetic disorders

Conditions caused by changes in genes or chromosomes.

Geneticist

A specialist who studies genes, heredity, and genetic variation.

Genome

The complete set of an organism's genetic material.

Hemophilia

Bleeding disorders caused by a clotting factor deficiency.

Hemopoietic cells

Blood-forming cells producing different blood cell types.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of relatively stable internal body conditions.

Hospitalist

Physician focused on caring for hospitalized patients.

Horizontal

Transverse plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Huntington's disease

Autosomal dominant disorder progressively damaging brain cells.

Hypogastric

Pertaining to the lower middle region of the abdomen.

Hypochondriac region

Either upper side region of the abdomen, beneath ribs.

Hypochondria

Older term for excessive preoccupation with having serious illness.

Iliac

Pertaining to the ilium or nearby abdominal region.

Iliac region

Either lower side region in nine-region abdominal division; inguinal region.

Inguinal

Pertaining to the groin area.

Intensivist

Physician specializing in intensive care of critically ill patients.

Iatrogenic

Caused by medical treatment or diagnostic procedure.

Iatrogenic illness

An illness or injury resulting from medical care.

Idiopathic

Having no known cause.

Idiopathic disorders

Disorders for which the cause is unknown.

Left upper quadrant

Upper left quarter of abdomen containing stomach, spleen, and organs.

Lateral

Farther from the body's midline; toward the side.

Liquid

State of matter that flows; blood is liquid connective tissue.

Loose

Connective tissue with loosely arranged fibers cushioning other tissues.

Lumbar

Pertaining to lower back or middle side abdominal regions.

Laryngectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the larynx.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx, often causing hoarseness.

Medial

Toward or closer to the body's midline.

Midsagittal

Plane dividing body into equal right and left halves.

Myalgia

Muscle pain.

Myectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of a muscle.

Myoplasty

Surgical repair or reconstruction of a muscle.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidney.

Nephrosis

Noninflammatory kidney disorder involving tubule damage.

Neuroplasty

Surgical repair of a nerve.

Nosocomial infection

Infection acquired in a hospital setting.

Organic disorder

Disorder associated with physical or physiological changes in tissues.

Parietal peritoneum

Membrane lining the inner wall of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pandemic

Epidemic spreading across multiple countries or continents.

Pelvic

Pertaining to the pelvis.