AAPC Fundamentals of Medicine: Chapter 1

Root

Fundamental meaning of a medical term

Combining Vowels

Attached to the root of a word to aid pronunciation, most common are O and I

Prefix

Attached to the beginning of a word to change its meaning

Ec-, Ecto-

Meaning 'out' or 'outside'

End/o-

Meaning 'in' or 'within'

Epi-

Meaning 'outer', 'above', or 'on'

Mes/o-

Meaning 'middle'

Ab-

Meaning 'away from'

Ad-

Meaning 'toward' or 'near'

Per-

Meaning 'through'

Trans-

Prefix meaning 'through' or 'across'

Infra-

Prefix meaning 'below'

Inter-

Prefix meaning 'between'

Sub-

Prefix meaning 'beneath' or 'under'

Ante-

Prefix meaning 'before' or 'forward'

Pre-

Prefix meaning 'before' or 'in front of'

Post-

Prefix meaning 'after' or 'behind'

Mon/o-

Prefix meaning 'one' or 'single'

Bi-

Prefix meaning 'two' or 'twice'

Tri-

Prefix meaning 'three'

Quadri-

Prefix meaning four

Poly-

Prefix indicating many or much

Suffix

Affix added to the end of a word to alter its meaning

-gram

A written or visual record of data

-graphy

The process of recording data

-meter

Device used for measuring

-scope

Instrument for visual examination

-scopy

Medical procedure involving visual examination

-centesis

Medical procedure involving puncture or tapping

-desis

Medical procedure involving binding or fusion

-ectomy

excision

-pexy

surgical fixation

-plasty

plastic repair, reconstruction

-rhaphy

surgical repair, suture

-stomy

surgical creation of opening

-tome

instrument for incising

-tomy

incision, cutting

-tripsy

crushing

colectomy

excision of part of colon

colotomy

incision into colon

Colostomy

Creation of an opening in the colon

Plural ending of the word vertebra (a)

Vertebrae (ae)

Plural ending of lumen (en)

Lumina (ina)

Plural ending of index (ex, ix, yx)

Indices (ices)

Plural ending for prognosis (is)

Prognoses (es)

Plural ending for stigma (ma)

Stigmata (mata)

Plural ending of phalanx (nx, anx, inx, ynx)

Phalanges

Plural ending for phenomenon (on)

Phenomena (a)

Plural ending of serum (um)

Sera (a)

Plural ending of thrombus (us)

Thrombi (i)

Immunologist

Specializes in allergy and immunology

Anesthesiologist

Specializes in anesthesia

Cardiologist

Specializes in heart conditions

Colorectal Surgeon

Performs surgery on the colon or rectum

Dermatologist

Specializes in skin conditions

Emergency Medicine Physician

Specializes in emergency medicine

Endocrinologist

Specializes in endocrine glands disorders

Family Physician

Treats illness or injury in all age groups

Gastroenterologist

Specializes in stomach and intestinal disorders

Internal Medicine Physician

Focuses on organ-related problems/geriatric medicine

Hematologist

Studies and treats diseases of the blood

Infectious Disease Physician

Specializes in the treatment of infectious disease

Neonatologist

Studies and treats disorders of the newborn

Nephrologist

Studies and treats diseases of the kidney

Neurologist

Treats physical disorders of the nervous system

Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)

Specializes in the female reproductive system, especially pregnancy, labor, and delivery

Oncologist

Specializes in cancer treatment

Ophthalmologist

Specializes in eye care

Orthopedic Specialist

Specializes in the musculoskeletal system and often in orthopedic surgery

Otolaryngologist

Specializes in the treatment of ear, nose, throat, sinuses, and upper airway passage disorders

Pathologist

Specializes in studying disease and conducting biopsies and lab tests on bodily fluids

Pediatrician

Specializes in treating babies and children

Plastic Surgeon

Specializes in surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures

Podiatrist

Specializes in treating foot and ankle conditions

Psychiatrist

Specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness

Pulmonologist

Specializes in studying and treating lung diseases

Diagnostic Radiologist

Specializes in diagnostic imaging procedures

Nuclear Radiologist

Focuses on diseases requiring radioactive isotopes for diagnosis or therapy

Radiation Oncologist

Specializes in treating diseases with high-energy radiation

Reproductive Endocrinologist

Diagnoses and treats infertility, evaluating reproductive organs in both women and men

Rheumatologist

Specializes in treating autoimmune systemic diseases affecting joints and muscles

General Surgeon

Specializes in general surgery with board certification

Orthopedic Hand Surgeon

Focuses on surgical treatment of hand nerves, tendons, muscles, bones, or skin diseases and injuries

Thoracic Surgeon

Performs surgery on chest organs such as heart, lungs, blood vessels, and chest wall

Vascular Surgeon

Specializes in treating diseases of blood vessels

Urologist

Physician specializing in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system

Myring/o

Word part meaning tympanic membrane. What is myringotomy? A. an incision into the tympanic membrane

Cutane/o

Word part meaning skin. What does subcutaneous mean? C. beneath the skin

Gastr/o

Word part meaning stomach. What does epigastric mean? B. above the stomach

Splen/o

Word part meaning spleen. What does splenectomy mean? B. surgical removal of the spleen

Orchiopexy using word parts

Surgical fixation of the testis

Integumentary System

Consists of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nail

Musculoskeletal System

System of bones and skeletal muscles supporting and protecting the body, permitting movement

Cardiovascular System

Blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes; heart pumps blood

Lymphatic System

Network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs providing defense against infection

Respiratory System

Organs for gas exchange between body and environment, including nose, nasal passages, larynx, lungs

Digestive System

Breaks down food into absorbable units for distribution to body cells

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of blood

Reproductive System (Female)

Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary glands

Reproductive System (Male)

Prostate gland, ductus deferens, testis, penis