Medical Terminology: Body Structure, Integumentary System, and Fundamentals

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical directions, body structures, integumentary conditions, foundational prefixes, suffixes, and clinical terms.

Abduction

Moves away from midline

Adduction

Moves towards midline

Anterior

In front

Bilateral

Pertaining to two sides

Caudal

Pertaining to the tail (something below, lower)

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck (or neck of the uterus)

Cranial

Pertaining to the cranium (skull)

Deep

Farther from the surface

Distal

Farther from the limb root

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back (of the body)

Epigastric

Pertaining to above the stomach

Extension

Straightening out (opening a joint – increasing joint angle)

Flexion

Bending (closing a joint – decreasing joint angle)

Infracostal

Pertaining to below or under the ribs

Inguinal

Pertaining to the groin

Lateral

Farther from midline (pertaining to the side)

Medial

Closer to midline (pertaining to the middle)

Midline

Line diving body into equal right and left halves

Palmar

Palm side of hand or body

Plantar

Sole side of foot

Pronate

Turning palm of hand downward

Prone

Face down

Proximal

Closer to the limb root

Superficial

Closer to the surface

Superior

Above, closer to the crown

Supinate

Turning the palm of the hand upward

Supine

Body lying face up

Transverse

Horizontal plane dividing body into upper and lower parts

Ventral

Pertaining to the belly (belly side)

-plasia

Formation, growth

-gen, -genesis

Forming, producing, origin (how something begins)

Adipocele

Hernia or swelling of fat

Anhidrosis

Abnormal condition of no sweat

Carcinoma

Tumor of cancer

Cellulitis

Skin infection

Contusion

Bruise

Cryotherapy

Cold treatment

Cyanosis

Abnormal condition of blue (blue color of skin due to lack of oxygen)

Decubitus ulcer

Pressure ulcer “bed sore”

Debridement

Removal of dead/infected tissue from wound to promote healing

Dehiscence

Reopening of a previously closed wound

Dermatomycosis

Abnormal condition of skin fungus

Diaphoresis

Sweating

Ecchymosis

Bruising

Epidermoid

Noncancerous cysts/small bumps below the skin

Erythema

Redness

Hematoma

Tumor of blood (“bruise”, pooling of blood outside a blood vessel)

Homograft

Tissue graft from a donor of the same species as the recipient

Hyperhidrosis

Abnormal condition of excessive sweat

Ichthyosis

Abnormal condition of dry, scaly (skin)

Induration

Abnormal hard area overlying an area of soft tissue or organ

Keloid

Abnormal scar formation

Melanoma

Tumor of black (skin cancer developed from melanocytes)

Onychomalacia

Softening of nails

Pallor

Paleness

Paronychia

Skin infection occurring around the nails

Petechia

Tiny red spots on the skin

Pilonidal

Abnormal cyst containing hair and skin debris

Psoriasis

Chronic skin condition marked by dry scaly patches and itchy

Purulent

Having pus

Pruritic

Itchy

Scleroderma

Skin hardening (tightening)

Seborrhea

Skin condition causing scaly patches, inflamed skin and dandruff

Steatoma

Tumor of fat (fatty cyst originating from a sebaceous gland)

Sudoresis

Condition of sweat (excessive sweating)

Trichopathy

Disease of hair

Urticaria

Hives

Xeroderma

Dry skin

Ambulatory

Able to walk

Afebrile

Without fever

Axilla

Armpit

Cachectic

Appearance of weight loss and muscle wasting

Crepitus

Cracking/crunching sound

Epistaxis

Nosebleed

Etiology

Cause of a symptom

Febrile

Fever

Malaise

General feeling of illness (feeling “sick”)

Rhinorrhea

Runny nose

Somnolent

“Drowsy” or sleepy appearance

Sepsis

Severe bacterial blood infection

-cele

Swelling, hernia (hernia-organ protrusion)

-centesis

Surgical puncture

-clasis

Break, surgical fracture (surgical procedure/intervention)

-desis

Binding, fixation (of a bone or joint)

-ectasis

Dilation, expansion

-lith

Stone, calculus

-lysis

Separation; destruction; loosening

-pexy

Fixation (of an organ)

-plasty

Surgical repair

-plegia

Paralysis

-rrhaphy

Suture

-rrhea

Discharge, flow

-rrhexis

Rupture

-stenosis

Narrowing, stricture

-stomy

Forming and opening (mouth)

-tripsy

Crushing

-trophy

Development, nourishment