Medical Terminology & Anatomy: Chapter 1 Key Concepts for Coding Certification

What are the three main word parts in medical terminology?

Root, Prefix, Suffix

What does a root in medical terminology signify?

The base of the word that holds the core meaning.

What is the function of a prefix in medical terminology?

To modify the meaning of a word, usually indicating location, time, or number.

What does a suffix indicate in medical terms?

It signals a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.

What is the role of combining vowels in medical terminology?

They link a root to a suffix or one root to another, mainly to ease pronunciation.

What happens to the combining vowel when the suffix begins with a vowel?

The vowel is dropped.

What is the term for the surgical creation of an opening?

-ostomy

What does the suffix -ectomy mean?

Excision or surgical removal.

What does the suffix -otomy refer to?

Incision or cutting.

What is the plural ending for the singular term 'vertebra'?

Vertebrae

What is the plural form of the term 'lumen'?

Lumina

What medical specialty focuses on allergies and immunologic diseases?

Immunology

What does a cardiologist specialize in?

Cardiovascular disease.

What is the focus of an anesthesiologist?

Medication so procedures can be done without pain.

What is the primary focus of a gastroenterologist?

The digestive tract, including the stomach, bowel, liver, and pancreas.

What does the term 'pulmonology' refer to?

The study of the lungs and respiratory system.

What does the combining form 'muscul/o' refer to?

Muscles.

What is the primary function of the integumentary system?

To serve as the outer covering of the body, including skin, hair, and nails.

What does the suffix -itis indicate?

Inflammation.

What is the meaning of the suffix -oma?

Tumor.

What does the term 'hematology' study?

Blood and bone marrow disorders.

What is the focus of a neurologist?

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

What does 'endocrinology' focus on?

Endocrine glands and hormones.

What is the anatomical position?

Upright, face-forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet parallel and slightly apart.

What does the prefix 'sub-' mean?

Beneath or under.

What does the prefix 'trans-' indicate?

Through or across.

What is the plural form of 'phenomenon'?

Phenomena.

What does the prefix 'ab-' signify?

Away from.

What does the suffix -pathy mean?

Disease of.

What are the primary female reproductive organs?

Vulva, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries.

What is the standard anatomical position?

Upright, face-forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet parallel and slightly apart.

What does 'anterior' refer to in anatomical terms?

Toward the front.

What does 'posterior' refer to in anatomical terms?

Toward the back.

What does 'medial' mean?

Toward the midline.

What does 'lateral' mean?

Toward the side.

What is 'proximal' in anatomical terms?

Nearer to the point of attachment.

What does 'distal' mean?

Farther from the point of attachment.

What does 'superior' refer to?

Toward the head.

What does 'inferior' refer to?

Toward the spine's lower end.

What is the difference between 'superficial' and 'deep'?

'Superficial' is closer to the surface; 'deep' is closer to the center.

What does 'supine' mean?

Lying face up.

What does 'prone' mean?

Lying face down.

What is the sagittal plane?

Divides the body into right and left sections.

What is the midsagittal plane?

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

What is the frontal (coronal) plane?

Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

What is the transverse (horizontal) plane?

Cuts horizontally, dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.

What are the four levels of organization in the human body?

Cells, tissues, organs, systems.

What is a chromosome?

A linear DNA strand carrying genetic information.

What is the function of RNA?

Transcribed from DNA, drives protein synthesis.

What is a gene?

The functional unit of heredity.

What is mitosis?

A process where a cell divides to form two cells.

What are the five body cavities?

Cranial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic.

What does the term 'communicable disease' mean?

A disease that spreads from person to person.

What is a noncommunicable disease?

A noninfectious condition that cannot spread between people.

What are the three types of treatment for diseases?

Curative, palliative, preventive.

What does the SOAP format stand for?

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.

What is the purpose of an operative report?

To document the details of a surgical procedure.

What does 'CC' stand for in medical documentation?

Chief complaint.

What does 'HPI' mean?

History of present illness.

What does 'PMH' stand for?

Past medical history.

What is the role of a medical coder?

To translate medical record documentation into alphanumeric codes.