Comprehensive Medical Terminology (Part 1)

Medical Terminology

-ac

pertaining to

-agogue

simulator, agent causing change

-algia

pain

-an

pertaining to

-ar

pertaining to

-clast

break

-coma

profound unconsciousness

-cyte

cell

-cytosis

condition of cells, increase in number of cells

-dynia

pain

-ectomy

removal, excision

-edema

swelling

-gen

producing, origin

-genic

producing, origin

-gram

recording, metric unit of weight

-graph

instrument that records

-ia

condition, state, disease

-iasis

condition, state

-ic

pertaining to

-ior

pertaining to

-ism

condition, process

-ist

person who specializes

-itis

inflammation

-logy

study of

-malacia

softening

-meter

measurement, instrument to measure

-metry

to measure

-oid

resembling

-opsy

process of viewing

-osis

abnormal condition

-ous

pertaining to

-pathy

disease

-piesis

pressure

-plakia

patches

-plasty

surgical repair

-poiesis

production, formation

-ptosis

drooping, prolapse

-rrhea

discharge, flow

-sclerosis

abnormal hardening

-scope

instrument used to view

-scopy

process of viewing

-sis

condition

-spadia

to tear, cut

-spasm

sudden, involuntary muscle contraction

-stalsis

contraction

-stasis

maintenance of level, prevent increase

-stomy

new opening

-therapy

treatment

-tion

process of

-tome

instrument to cut

-tomy

cutting, incision

-trophy

nourishment, development

-um

structure, tissue

a-

no, not, without, away from

abdomen

The part of the body cavity below the thorax.

abscess

Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection.

absorption

The processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.

abstract

A summary of the facts, ideas and opinions presented in articles, studies, literature or presentations.

acid/o

acid, sour, bitter

acu-

needle

acute

severe, sudden in onset, lasting a short time

adip/o

fat

aer-

air

aggression

Forceful verbal or physical behavior, or an overt attitude of hostility.

agit/o

rapidity, restlessness

albin/o

white, deficient pigmentation

alcoholism

A primary, chronic disease creating a physical dependence on alcohol. Genetic and environmental factors influence its development.

allo-

other

ambul/o

walking

ambulance

A vehicle for transporting patients for treatment.

ambulatory

Able to walk.

amphi-

both sides

ampho-

both sides, double

anatomy

The study of the structure of organisms.

andro-

male

anomal/o

irregular

aphth/o

ulcer

appendectomy

Surgical removal of the appendix.

aque/o

water

arch-

beginning, origin, first

aspirin

An analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. It also reduces the risk of vascular thrombosis.

auto-

self, same

axill/o

armpit

bacteri-

bacteria

bandages

Material used for wrapping or binding any part of the body. Used to secure wound dressing or immobilize a limb.

bar/o

pressure, weight

bas/o

base, bottom

basi-

base, foundation

bi-

double, twice, two

bi/o

life

blast-

bud, germ

brachy-

short

capit/o

head

cauter/i

burn

cellul/o

cell

centi-

hundred

charts

A patient record including data in tables and graphs.

chem-

chemistry

chem/o

chemical

chest

The part of the body between the neck and the abdomen. Thorax.