general terms

a-

without, away from

an-

without

anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction, an acute hypersensitivity reaction

anosmia

A partial or complete loss of sense of smell

ant

Anterior

ante-

Before, in front of

anti-

Against

anticholinergic

Inhibiting the action of acetylcholine

aplasia

Failure of organ or tissue to develop properly

apoptosis

Cell death

asplenia

The condition of being without a spleen

asthenia

The condition of being without strength or energy

attenuated

Weakened

atypical

Unusual

auscultation

Listening to internal organs with a stethoscope

auto-

Self

axillary

Armpit

bi-

Two

bilateral

On both sides of the body

brady-

Slow

BSA

Body surface area

BUD

Beyond Use Date

bx

Biopsy

c/o

Complaining of

CC or C/C

Chief complaint

cerumen

Ear wax

cholinergic

Pertaining to cells in which acetylcholine is released or produced

contra-

Against

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

-cyte

Cell

Cyto-

Cell

de-

Without

dento-

Teeth

desiccant

A substance that preserves something by removing moisture and keeping it dry

DON

Director of nursing

DOS

Dead on scene

Dx

Diagnosis

dysphonia

Difficulty speaking

-ectasis

Dilatation

ectopic

In an abnormal place or position

electr/o

Electricity

emesis

Vomiting

emetogenic

Causing nausea and vomiting

endo-

Within, inner

epi-

Upon, over

epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose

eructation

Burping or belching

eso-

Inward

eu-

Normal, good

ex-

External, outward

exo-

Outward

extra-

Outside of

FHx

Family history

fibr/o

Fiber

fibrosis

An abnormal thickening or increase in fibrous connective tissues

flatulence

Excess gas in the gastrointestinal tract

g

Gram

-gen

That which produces

-genesis

Produces, generates

-genic

Producing, produced by

gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums

gingivo-

Gums

hematemesis

Vomiting blood

hemi-

Half

hetero-

Different

hist/o

Tissue

homo-

Same

hr

Hour

Hx

History

hyper-

Over, above

hyperemesis

Excessive vomiting

hyperemia

Excess blood flow to an organ

hyperplasia

Growth of an organ or tissue due to excess cell proliferation

hypo-

Under, below

hypoxemia

Low oxygen in the blood

-ia

State, condition

-iasis

Abnormal condition

-iatry

Medical treatment

IM

Intramuscular

in-

Not, inward

inter-

Among, between

intra-

Within, inside

intraarticular

Into the joint

-ism

State of

-itis

Inflammation

lipoatrophy

Loss of subcutaneous fat

-logist

One who studies

-logy

Study of

lymphadenopathy

Swollen lymph node

lyophilized

Freeze-dried

-lysis

Destruction

-lytic

Destruction

macro-

Large

-malacia

Abnormal softening

malaise

General feeling of weakness

-megaly

Enlargement, large

micro-

Small

mono-

One

multi-

Many