Chapter 1 flashcard terms (Med term)

basic terms needed for chapter 1 of med term

**abbreviation**

(uh-bree-vee-AY-shun)

A shortened form of a medical term or phrase.

**acronym**

(AK-ruh-nim)

A type of abbreviation that is formed from the initial letters of words and is pronounced as a word.

**combining form**

(kum-BIGH-ning FORM)

A root word plus a combining vowel.

**combining vowel**

(kum-BIGH-ning VAWUL)

The vowel attached to the end of a root word.

**medical terminology**

(MEH-dih-kuhl tur-muh-NAH-luh-jee)

The language of science and healthcare; is used by professionals to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively.

**prefix**

(PREE-fiks)

A single letter or group of letters attached to the front of a root word; usually indicates location, time, or number.

**root word**

(ROOT WURD)

The central part of a medical word; usually indicates a body part.

**suffix**

(SUH-fiks)

A single letter or group of letters attached to the end of a root word; usually indicates a condition, disease, diagnostic or surgical treatment, or therapeutic remedy.

**symbols**

(SIM-buls)

Marks that have specific meanings and are used to save time when recording data.

**acute**

(uh-KYOOT)

Characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration.

**autoimmune**

(AW-toh-ih-MYOON)

A classification of disease in which the immune system reacts to its own healthy tissue in the same way it reacts to foreign antigens.

**benign**

(bee-NIGHN)

Noncancerous or nonmalignant; a term for cancers in which the patient has a good chance of survival.

**chronic**

(KRAH-nik)

Characterized by long duration and slow progression.

**condition**

(kun-DIH-shun)

A short-term health issue, such as a cold, ankle sprain, or muscle strain.

**congenital**

(kuhn-JEN-ih-tuhl)

A condition that is present at birth and that may be the result of either genetic or environmental factors.

**convalescence**

(KAHN-vuh-LESS-ents)

A period of gradual recovery after illness or injury.

**debilitating**

(dee-BIL-ih-tay-ting)

Having a weakening or fatiguing effect.

**disease**

(dih-ZEEZ)

A long-term health issue, such as diabetes, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis.

**endemic**

(en-DEM-ik)

A disease that is ongoing and restricted to a specific population, group, or area of land.

**endogenous**

(en-DAH-juh-nus)

Originating within the body.

**epidemic**

(EP-ih-DEM-ik)

A sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a population, group, or area of land.

**etiology**

(ee-tee-AH-loh-jee)

The study of the causes of pathological conditions.

**exogenous**

(ek-SAH-juh-nus)

Originating outside the body.

**genetic**

(juh-NEH-tik)

Inherited or passed on from one’s biological

**hypersensitivity**

(HIGH-pur-sent-suh-TIV-uh-tee)

Condition in which the body’s immune system has an exaggerated response to an antigen.

**iatrogenic**

(igh-AT-troh-JEN-ik)

A term for diseases or conditions that arise as a complication of medical or surgical intervention.

**idiopathic**

(ID-ee-oh-PATH-ik)

A term for diseases and conditions that have unknown etiologies.

**immunological**

(IM-yoo-noh-LAHJ-ih-kuhl)

Pertaining to a reaction between an antigen and an antibody.

**infectious**

(in-FEK-shus)

Capable of causing an infection.

**inflammatory**

(in-FLAM-muh-tor-ee)

Marked by inflammation

(redness, heat, fever, and swelling) or caused by inflammation.

**ischemic**

(is-KEM-ik)

A term for conditions or diseases that are caused by a temporary deficiency in blood flow to an organ or tissue.

**malaise**

(muh-LAYZ)

A feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness.

**malignant**

(muh-LIG-nuhnt)

A term for cancers that tend to spread, get progressively worse, and become life threatening.

**metabolic**

(MET-uh-BAH-lik)

\

A term for disorders that interfere with the chemical processes involved in converting food to energy and in sustaining life.

**metastasis**

The spread of cancer

(muh-TAH-stuh-suhs)

The spread of cancer beyond its borders.

**neoplastic**

(NEE-oh-PLAS-tik)

A term describing a new, abnormal growth that may be cancerous or noncancerous.

**nosocomial**

(NAH-soh-KOH-mee-uhl)

An infection acquired in a hospital setting that was not present upon admission.

**nutritional**

(noo-TRISH-uhn-uhl)

Relating to chemical processes in the body that occur after ingesting (eating) food.

**opportunistic**

(AHP-er-too-NIS-tik)

A term for diseases or conditions that do not take hold unless the immune system is in a weakened state.

**pandemic**

(pan-DEH-mik)

\

A disease that spreads over most of the world.

**prophylaxis**

(proh-fuh-LAK-suhs)

For prevention.

**syndrome**

(SIN-drum)

A set of signs or symptoms that occur together as part of a disease process.

**terminal**

(TUR-muh-nuhl)

A term for diseases for which there are treatments, but no cures.

**auscultation**

(aws-kuhl-TAY-shun)

Use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds within body cavities.

**diagnosis**

(digh-ig-NOH-sus)

The identification of a health condition.

**diagnostic testing**

(digh-ig-NAH-stik TES-ting)

Use of laboratory tests, X- rays, and other tests or procedures to help diagnose a condition or disease.

**inspection**

(in-SPEK-shun)

Observation of one or more areas of the body.

**manifestation**

(man-uh-fuh-STAY-shun)

The ways in which a disease presents or shows itself; also known as clinical presentation.

**observation**

(ahb-zur-VAY-shun)

The process of looking at a patient, asking questions, and gathering data.

**olfaction**

(ohl-FAK-shun)

Use of the sense of smell to detect abnormalities.

**palpation**

(pal-PAY-shun)

Application of light or firm pressure on the skin above internal organs or structures to check for abnormalities.

**patient history**

(PAY-shunt HIS-tuh-ree)

The written description of symptoms in a patient’s record.

**percussion**

(pur-KUH-shun)

Tapping areas on the surface of the body to produce a vibrating sound.

**physical examination**

(FIH-zih-kuhl ig-zam-uh-NAY-shun)

The process of assessing a patient’s health and signs and symptoms of disease; also called a physical.

**prognosis**

(prahg-NOH-sis)

A forecast or prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease or condition.

**signs**

(SIGHNS)

Objective observations

used to diagnose diseases.

**symptoms**

(SIMP-tums)

The patient’s awareness of abnormalities and discomfort that indicate disease; based on subjective perceptions.