Video Notes: Medical Language and Body Systems — Vocabulary Flashcards

A vocab set covering foundational terms for medical language, body directions, organ systems, and common diseases.

word root

The base part of a word that provides its core meaning; may require prefixes/suffixes to complete terms.

suffix

A word part added at the end of a term to modify meaning or indicate part of speech.

prefix

A word part added at the beginning of a term to modify its meaning.

combining vowel

A vowel, usually o, used to join word parts for easier pronunciation.

inflammation

A protective tissue response to injury or irritation, often with redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

organomegaly

Abnormal enlargement of an organ.

carcinoma (CA)

A malignant tumor arising from epithelial tissue; often abbreviated CA.

lipoma

A benign tumor composed of fat tissue.

myoma

A benign tumor of muscle tissue.

neoplasm

A new and abnormal growth of tissue; can be benign or malignant.

neuroma

A tumor composed of nerve tissue.

sarcoma

A malignant tumor arising from connective tissue such as bone, muscle, or fat.

benign

Noncancerous; not malignant.

malignant

Cancerous; capable of invasion and spread.

metastasis (METS)

Spread of cancer from a primary site to distant sites in the body.

METS

Abbreviation for metastases.

prognosis (Px)

Prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease.

remission

A decrease or disappearance of signs and symptoms of a disease.

diagnosis (Dx)

Identification of a disease based on symptoms, signs, and tests.

combining forms

Word parts (roots) used to build medical terms.

prefixes

Word parts at the beginning of terms that modify meaning.

suffixes

Word parts at the end of terms that modify meaning.

anterior

Towards the front of the body.

anteriorly formed terms (e.g., anterolateral)

Terms describing front and side directions relative to the body.

anterolateral

Located at the front and to the side.

anterior-posterior (AP)

A directional term meaning front to back.

anteroposterior (AP)

Same as anterior-posterior; front-to-back orientation.

anterosuperior

Front and above.

caudad

Toward the tail or posterior end.

caudal

Toward the tail; opposite of cephalad.

cephalad

Toward the head.

cephalic

Relating to the head.

distal

Farthest from the point of origin.

dorsal

Toward the back (posterior) of the body.

inferior

Lower or below.

inferolateral

Towards the lower side of the body.

lateral

Relating to the side; away from the midline.

medial

Towards the midline of the body.

mediolateral

Between the midline and the side; toward the middle and side.

posterior

Toward the back of the body.

posteroanterior (PA)

A directional term meaning back to front.

posterolateral

Toward the back and side.

proximal

Nearest to the point of origin.

superior

Above or toward the head.

superolateral

Towards the upper side.

ventral

Toward the belly (anterior) surface.

axial plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower parts.

coronal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections.

sagittal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

epigastric region

Upper central region of the abdomen.

hypochondriac regions

Lateral upper abdominal regions on either side of the epigastric region.

hypogastric region

Lower central region of the abdomen.

iliac regions

Regions on either side of the lower abdomen near the iliac bones.

lumbar regions

Regions of the lower back on either side of the umbilical area.

umbilical region

Central region surrounding the umbilicus (navel).

LLQ

Left lower quadrant.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant.

RLQ

Right lower quadrant.

RUQ

Right upper quadrant.

ant

Abbreviation for anterior or front.

PA

Posteroanterior; direction from back to front.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; a diagnostic imaging modality.

NM

Nuclear medicine imaging.

CBC with diff

Complete blood count with differential; analyzes components of blood.

integumentary system

Body system consisting of skin, hair, nails, and glands.

acromegaly

Overgrowth of bone in the hands, feet, and face due to excess growth hormone.

cyan/o

Color/root meaning blue.

erythr/o

Color/root meaning red.

leuk/o

Color/root meaning white.

melan/o

Color/root meaning black or dark.

xanth/o

Color/root meaning yellow.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-osis

Suffix indicating abnormal condition or process.

-ous

Suffix meaning pertaining to or full of.

epi-

Prefix meaning upon, over, or above.

hypo-

Prefix meaning below normal or deficient.

intra-

Prefix meaning within.

peri-

Prefix meaning around.

sub-

Prefix meaning under or below.

trans-

Prefix meaning across or through.

cyst/o

Bladder or a cyst; combining form used in urinary terms.

hem/o

Blood; combining form used in blood-related terms.

nephr/o

Kidney; combining form used in renal terms.

olig/o

Few or scanty (e.g., oliguria).

pyel/o

Renal pelvis; combining form used in kidney pelvis terms.

ren/o

Kidney; combining form.

ur/o

Urine; combining form.

ureter/o

Ureter; tube carrying urine from kidney to bladder.

urethr/o

Urethra; tube carrying urine out of the body.

anuria

Absence of urine.

dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

hematuria

Blood in urine.

incontinence

Inability to control urination.

nocturia

Nighttime urination.

oliguria

Low urine output.

pyuria

Pus in urine.

CKD

Chronic kidney disease.

cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

nephritis

Inflammation of the kidney.

nephrolithiasis

Kidney stones.