Med exam 1

 root word

core, foundational meaning of a word, most often pointing to a specific body part, organ, or tissue.

combining vowel

connecting vowel, typically an “o,” used in medical and scientific words to link a root word to another root word or suffix. 

Root to Root

 Always keep the combining vowel when combining two word roots, even if the second root starts with a vowel.

Root to Consonant-Suffix

Keep the combining vowel if the suffix begins with a consonant.

Root to Vowel-Suffix

  Drop the combining vowel if the suffix begins with a vowel.

Prefix to Root

Never use a combining vowel between a prefix and root word.

medical eponym

disease, syndrome, anatomical structure, or instrument named after a person

Olfaction

 Using the sense of smell to detect characteristic odors associated with certain clinical conditions or infections

Percussion

 Tapping specific areas of the body to produce sounds or vibrations, helping evaluate the density and boundaries of underlying tissues or organs

Palpation

Feeling body structures using the hands or fingers to assess the texture, size, temperature, tenderness, or swelling

Auscultation

Listening to internal body sounds like heart, lung, or bowel sounds, typically using a stethoscope

Exogenous

Caused by or originating from factors outside of the organism

Endogenous

Originating, produced, or caused by factors inside the organism or cell

Convalescence

Transitional period of gradual recovery, healing, and regaining health following an illness, injury, or medical procedure

Acute

Begins suddenly, resolves relatively quickly