Medical Terminology Chapter 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering Introduction to Medical Terminology including word parts, prefixes, suffixes, singular/plural rules, and scheduled drug examples.

Word root

The foundation of the word

Prefix

A word part attached at the beginning of the word

Suffix

A word part attached at the end of the word

Combining vowel

A vowel that links the word root to another word root or a suffix

Combining form

A word root and its combining vowel written together

Combining Vowel Rule (Word Root to Suffix)

If the suffix begins with a vowel, do NOT use a combining vowel. If the suffix begins with a consonant, DO use a combining vowel

Combining Vowel Rule (Between Word Roots)

The combining vowel is typically kept between two word roots, even when the second word root begins with a vowel

Prefix a- / an-

Without

Prefix anti-

Against

Prefix auto-

Self

Prefix brady-

Slow

Prefix de-

Without

Prefix dys-

Painful; difficult; abnormal

Prefix endo-

Within; inner

Prefix epi-

Above

Prefix eu-

Normal

Prefix ex-

Outward

Prefix extra-

Outside of

Prefix hetero-

Different

Prefix homo-

Same

Prefix hyper-

Excessive

Prefix hypo-

Below; insufficient

Prefix in-

Not; inward

Prefix inter-

Between

Prefix intra-

Within

Prefix macro-

Large

Prefix micro-

Small

Prefix neo-

New

Prefix para-

Beside; abnormal; two like parts of a pair

Prefix per-

Through

Prefix peri-

Around

Prefix post-

After

Prefix pre- / pro-

Before

Prefix pseudo-

False

Prefix re-

Again

Prefix retro-

Backward; behind

Prefix sub-

Under

Prefix tachy-

Fast

Prefix trans-

Across

Prefix ultra-

Beyond

Prefix un-

Not

Prefix bi-

Two

Prefix hemi-

Half

Prefix mono-

One

Prefix multi-

Many

Prefix nulli-

None

Prefix pan-

All

Prefix poly-

Many

Prefix quadri- / tetra-

Four

Prefix semi-

Partial

Prefix tri-

Three

Suffix -algia / -dynia

Pain

Suffix -cele

Protrusion

Suffix -cyte

Cell

Suffix -ectasis

Dilation

Suffix -gen

That which produces

Suffix -genic

Producing

Suffix -ia

Condition

Suffix -iasis

Abnormal condition

Suffix -ism

State of

Suffix -itis

Inflammation

Suffix -logist

One who studies

Suffix -logy

Study of

Suffix -lytic

Destruction

Suffix -malacia

Abnormal softening

Suffix -megaly

Enlarged

Suffix -oma

Tumor, mass

Suffix -opsy

View of

Suffix -osis

Abnormal condition

Suffix -pathy

Disease

Suffix -plasm

Formation

Suffix -plegia

Paralysis

Suffix -ptosis

Drooping

Suffix -rrhage

Abnormal flow

Suffix -rrhagia

Abnormal flow condition

Suffix -rrhea

Discharge

Suffix -rrhexis

Rupture

Suffix -sclerosis

Hardening

Suffix -stenosis

Narrowing

Suffix -therapy

Treatment

Suffix -trophy

Development

Adjective Suffixes (-ac, -al, -an, -ar, -ary, -atic, -eal, -iac, -ic, -ical, -ile, -ine, -ior, -nic, -ory, -ose, -ous, -tic)

Pertaining to

Suffix -centesis

Puncture to withdraw fluid

Suffix -ectomy

Surgical removal

Suffix -ostomy

Surgically create an opening

Suffix -otomy

Cutting into

Suffix -pexy

Surgical fixation

Suffix -plasty

Surgical repair

Suffix -rrhaphy

To suture

Suffix -tome

Instrument to cut

Suffix -gram

Record

Suffix -graphy

Process of recording

Suffix -meter

Instrument for measuring

Suffix -metry

Process of measuring

Suffix -scope

Instrument for viewing

Suffix -scopic

Pertaining to visually examining

Suffix -scopy

Process of visually examining

Plural Rule: -a

Changes to -ae (e.g., vertebra -> vertebrae)

Plural Rule: -ax

Changes to -aces (e.g., thorax -> thoraces)

Plural Rule: -ex or -ix

Changes to -ices (e.g., appendix -> appendices)