Medical Terminology Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamentals of medical terminology, including word roots, combining forms, prefixes, suffixes, medical records documentation, and healthcare settings.

Word Root

The foundation of a medical term that gives its general meaning, often referring to a body system, body part, or an action.

Prefix

A word part added to the beginning of a term that modifies the word root by indicating location, number of parts, or time/frequency.

Suffix

A mandatory word part attached to the end of a medical term that adds meaning such as condition, disease, or procedure.

Combining Vowel

A vowel (usually 'o') that connects word parts together, used between two word roots or between a word root and a suffix starting with a consonant.

Combining Form

A word root combined with its combining vowel, written in the format word root/combining vowel (such as cardi/o).

Adjective Suffixes

Suffixes attached to word roots to create complete words that translate as 'pertaining to' and modify other words.

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

A software program that allows entry, digital storage, analysis, and sharing of patient information across healthcare providers.

History and Physical

A medical record document written by the admitting physician detailing the patient's history, exam results, initial diagnosis, and treatment plan.

Physician's Orders

A document in a medical record ordered by the doctor providing a complete list of care, medications, tests, and treatments.

Nurse's Notes

Documentation completed by nursing staff recording patient care throughout the day, including vital signs, treatment specifics, patient response, and condition.

Physician's Progress Notes

The doctor's daily record of the patient's condition, physical exam results, test summaries, updated assessments, and treatment plans.

Consultation Reports

Reports provided by a specialist when requested by the primary physician to evaluate a patient.

Ancillary Reports

Medical record reports from various therapies and treatments, such as rehabilitation, social services, respiratory therapy, or dietetics.

Diagnostic Reports

Medical record entries containing results of diagnostic tests, often written by the laboratory or medical imaging department.

Informed Consent

A document voluntarily signed by a patient or responsible party that describes the purpose, methods, procedures, benefits, and risks of a medical procedure.

Operative Report

A report written by a surgeon detailing an operation, including pre- and post-operative diagnoses, specific procedure details, and patient tolerance.

Anesthesiologist's Report

A document recording drugs administered during surgery, patient response to anesthesia, and vital signs during the procedure.

Pathologist's Report

A report provided by a pathologist detailing the study and examination of tissue removed from a patient.

Discharge Summary

A comprehensive summary outlining a patient's entire hospital stay, including admission condition, admitting diagnosis, test results, treatments, final diagnosis, and follow-up plans.

Acute Care Hospitals

Healthcare facilities that provide short-term diagnostic and treatment services for diseases.

Specialty Care Hospitals

Facilities that provide care for specific types of diseases or populations, such as psychiatric hospitals or children's hospitals.

Urgent Care Centers

Walk-in clinics that offer immediately needed medical care not requiring emergency department services.

Ambulatory Care Centers

Outpatient facilities providing simple surgeries, therapies, or diagnostic testing for patients who do not require overnight care.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

A group of healthcare providers offering a wide range of medical services within a pre-paid system.

Hospices

Organized teams of healthcare workers providing supportive treatment to terminally ill patients and their families.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which established federal standards for protecting medical records and patient confidentiality.

bi/o

Combining form meaning life.

carcin/o

Combining form meaning cancer.

cardi/o

Combining form meaning heart.

chem/o

Combining form meaning chemical.

cis/o

Combining form meaning to cut.

dermat/o

Combining form meaning skin.

enter/o

Combining form meaning small intestine.

gastr/o

Combining form meaning stomach.

gynec/o

Combining form meaning female.

hemat/o

Combining form meaning blood.

immun/o

Combining form meaning immunity.

laryng/o

Combining form meaning voice box.

nephr/o

Combining form meaning kidney.

neur/o

Combining form meaning nerve.

ophthalm/o

Combining form meaning eye.

ot/o

Combining form meaning ear.

path/o

Combining form meaning disease.

pulmon/o

Combining form meaning lung.

rhin/o

Combining form meaning nose.

brady-

Prefix meaning slow.

tachy-

Prefix meaning fast.

dys-

Prefix meaning painful, difficult, or abnormal.

endo-

Prefix meaning within or inner.

epi-

Prefix meaning above.

hyper-

Prefix meaning excessive.

hypo-

Prefix meaning below or insufficient.

peri-

Prefix meaning around.

retro-

Prefix meaning backward or behind.

-ectomy

Surgical suffix meaning surgical removal.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-logy

Suffix meaning study of.

-megaly

Suffix meaning enlarged.

-oma

Suffix meaning tumor or mass.

-centesis

Surgical suffix meaning puncture to withdraw fluid.

-ostomy

Surgical suffix meaning to surgically create an opening.

-otomy

Surgical suffix meaning cutting into.

-plasty

Surgical suffix meaning surgical repair.

-gram

Procedural suffix meaning record.

-graphy

Procedural suffix meaning process of recording.

-scope

Procedural suffix meaning instrument for viewing.

-scopy

Procedural suffix meaning process of visually examining.