Medical Terminology: Quiz and Midterm VOCABULARY Flashcards

A comprehensive set of VOCABULARY flashcards covering terms from the quiz and midterm notes, including prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, anatomical planes, procedures, diseases, and abbreviations.

root

The primary meaning of a term conveyed by the word root; the base element carrying the core meaning.

prefix

The word part attached to the beginning of a word.

-al

A suffix meaning pertaining to.

cytology

The study of cells.

epitheli/o

Combining form referring to epithelium, the tissue that covers body surfaces.

onc/o

Combining form meaning tumor.

lipoid

Form meaning resembling fat.

metastasis

Spread of disease from one organ or tissue to another.

neuroma

A tumor composed of nerve tissue.

my/o

Combining form referring to muscle; related to muscle tissue.

Dx

Abbreviation for diagnosis.

remission

Lessening or disappearance of signs and symptoms of a disease.

benign

Not malignant; not cancerous or recurring.

acronym

A medical term formed from the initial letters of several words and pronounced as a word.

eponym

A term derived from a person’s name.

inflammation

Localized protective response to injury or tissue destruction with redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Px

Abbreviation for prognosis; possible outcome of a disease.

poster/o

Combining form meaning back.

infer/o

Combining form meaning below.

cephal/o

Combining form meaning head.

dist/o

Combining form meaning away from the point of attachment.

medi/o

Combining form meaning middle.

-ior

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

anteromedial

Directional term meaning pertaining to the front and middle.

cephalic

Directional term meaning pertaining to the head.

distal

Directional term meaning away from the point of attachment.

inferior

Directional term meaning below.

sagittal plane

Anatomic plane dividing the body into right and left sides.

coronal plane

Anatomic plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

supine

Position of lying on the back, facing upward.

-osis

Suffix meaning abnormal condition.

subcutaneous

Term meaning pertaining to under the skin.

erythema

Redness of the skin.

melanoma

Medical term meaning a malignant pigmented tumor; dark-colored skin cancer.

pressure injury

Damage to skin and subcutaneous tissue from prolonged pressure.

impetigo

Superficial skin infection with red lesions, blisters, and honey-colored crusts.

edema

Swelling due to accumulation of fluid.

hypo-

Prefix meaning below or deficient.

leuk/o

Combining form meaning white.

intra-

Prefix meaning within.

dys-

Prefix meaning painful or abnormal.

rhinorrhea

Discharge from the nose.

tracheal

Pertaining to the trachea.

laryngeal

Pertaining to the voice box (larynx).

dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

excision

Surgical removal of tissue.

spirometer

Instrument used to measure breathing.

-scope

Suffix meaning instrument for visual examination.

poly-

Prefix meaning many.

hyper-

Prefix meaning above or excessive.

thoracic

Pertaining to the chest.

influenza

Highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; progressive lung disease.

URI

Upper respiratory infection.

SOB

Shortness of breath.

urinary catheterization

Passage of a catheter into the urinary bladder to withdraw urine.

dialysis

Removal of toxic waste from the blood.

urinalysis

Laboratory test performed on a urine specimen.

void

To pass urine.

incontinence

Inability to control the bladder and/or bowels.

urinary tract infection

Infection of one or more organs of the urinary tract.

renal transplant

Surgical implantation of a donor kidney.

renal calculi

Stones in the kidney.

transurethral resection of the prostate gland

Surgical removal of pieces of prostate tissue via a urethral instrument.

pap smear

Cytological study of cervical and vaginal secretions.

benign prostatic hyperplasia

Nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland.

PSA assay

Blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen.

Endometriosis

Abnormal condition of the endometrium.

dilation and curettage

Widening of the cervix and scraping of the endometrium.

uterine fibroid

Benign tumor of the uterine muscle.

pelvic inflammatory disease

Inflammation of some or all of the female reproductive organs.

posterolateral

Directional term meaning pertaining to the back and the side.

necrosis

Pathologic death of cells or tissue.

phag/o

Combining form meaning swallowing or eating.

aphagia

Inability to swallow.

lapar/o

Combining form meaning abdomen.

irid/o

Combining form referring to the iris (pigmented muscular structure of the eye).

tympan/o

Combining form referring to the tympanic membrane and middle ear structures.

ophthalm/o

Combining form referring to the organ of vision (eye).

-plegia

Suffix meaning paralysis.

otolaryngologist

Physician who studies and treats diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear.

optic

Pertaining to vision.

retinitis

Inflammation of the retina.

cataract

Clouding of the lens of the eye.

tinnitus

Ringing or buzzing in the ears.

myopia

Nearsightedness.

presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss.

burs/o

Fluid-filled sac (bursa) that reduces friction in joints.

ten/o

Tendon; fibrous band attaching muscle to bone.

arthr/itis

Inflammation of a joint.

necr/osis

Necrosis; death of cells or tissue.

phalang/o

Bones of the fingers or toes (phalanges).

-asthenia

Suffix meaning weakness.

RA

Abbreviation for rheumatoid arthritis.

MD

Abbreviation for muscular dystrophy.

L femoral fx

Left femoral fracture.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; imaging test used to view internal structures.

ortho

Abbreviation for orthopedics; study and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.

hernia

Protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening.