Medical Terminology, Cardiovascular Anatomy, and Allied Health Professions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering medical linguistic rules, essential Greek and Latin word roots/affixes, cardiovascular anatomy, cardiac pathologies, diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular procedures, and healthcare professional specialties.

Droppable -o- Rule

A rule in medical terminology where an "-o-" acts as a joint-stem connecting two consonantal roots (e.g., arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology), but is dropped when attaching to a vowel-stem (e.g., arthr- + itis = arthritis).

Language Segregation Principle

The convention in coining medical terms whereby prefixes and suffixes from the same language are paired together (Greek prefixes with Greek suffixes, and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes) rather than mixing lingual roots.

a-, an-

A prefix of Ancient Greek origin denoting an absence of, not, or without (e.g., apathy, analgia).

ab-

A Latin prefix meaning away (e.g., abduction).

ad-

A Latin prefix meaning increase, adherence, motion toward, or very (e.g., adduction).

-centesis

A suffix derived from Ancient Greek meaning surgical puncture for aspiration of fluid (e.g., amniocentesis, pericardiocentesis).

-ectomy

A suffix derived from Ancient Greek meaning surgical excision, resection, or removal of a body part (e.g., mastectomy, appendectomy).

-malacia

A Greek suffix meaning softening or abnormal softness of tissue (e.g., osteomalacia).

-megaly

A Greek suffix meaning enlargement (e.g., splenomegaly, cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly).

-penia

A Greek suffix meaning deficiency or low number (e.g., osteopenia, thrombocytopenia).

-plasty

A Greek suffix meaning surgical repair, reconstruction, or plastic alteration (e.g., rhinoplasty, angioplasty).

-plegia

A Greek suffix denoting paralysis (e.g., paraplegia, hemiplegia).

-ptosis

A suffix meaning falling, drooping, downward displacement, or prolapse (e.g., blepharoptosis).

-stomy

A Greek suffix meaning the surgical creation of an opening (e.g., colostomy, enterostomy).

-tomy

A Greek suffix meaning the act of cutting, incising, or making an incision into an organ or structure (e.g., laparotomy, phlebotomy).

brady-

A prefix of Ancient Greek origin meaning slow (e.g., bradycardia, bradypnea).

tachy-

A prefix of Ancient Greek origin denoting something as fast or irregularly fast (e.g., tachycardia, tachypnea).

nephr(o)- / ren(o)-

Combining forms referring to the kidney; nephr(o)- is of Greek origin (e.g., nephrology) and ren(o)- is of Latin origin (e.g., renal).

hepat(o)-

A combining form of Ancient Greek origin pertaining to the liver (e.g., hepatology, hepatitis).

myel(o)-

A combining form of Ancient Greek origin referring to bone marrow or spinal cord (e.g., myeloblast, myelopathy).

hyster(o)- / metr(o)-

Combining forms derived from Ancient Greek referring to the womb or uterus (e.g., hysterectomy, metrorrhagia).

erythr(o)- / rubr(o)-

Combining forms denoting a red color; erythr(o)- derives from Greek (e.g., erythrocyte) and rubr(o)- derives from Latin (e.g., rubrospinal).

leuk(o)- / alb-

Combining forms denoting a white color; leuk(o)- is of Greek origin (e.g., leukocyte) and alb- is of Latin origin (e.g., albino).

melan(o)-

A combining form of Ancient Greek origin denoting a black or dark color (e.g., melanin, melanoma).

Layers of the Heart Wall

The structural tissue layers encasing the heart: the inner endocardium lining the chambers, the middle muscular myocardium, the outer epicardium (visceral layer of serous pericardium), the fluid-containing pericardial cavity, and the outer fibrous pericardium.

Internal Anatomy of the Heart

The internal chambers, dividing septa, valves (tricuspid, mitral/bicuspid, semilunar), and great vessels (aorta, venae cavae, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins) that coordinate one-way blood circulation.

Pericardium

The fluid-filled fibrous sac located in the chest cavity just to the left of the midline that encloses the heart.

Endocardium

The inner layer of the heart that lines the internal chambers and covers the heart valves; named from the Greek prefix endo- ("within").

Myocardium

The thick middle layer of the heart wall consisting of actual heart muscle; named from the Greek prefix myo- ("muscle").

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart, corresponding to the visceral layer of the serous pericardium; named from the Greek prefix epi- ("on").

Atrium

One of the two upper heart chambers (right and left atria) that serve as receiving stations for blood; derived from the Greek word atrion, meaning "hall".

Ventricle

One of the two thick, lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood out into the body; derived from the Latin word venter, meaning "little belly".

Interatrial Septum

The muscular and membranous dividing wall that separates the right and left atria of the heart.

Interventricular Septum

The thick dividing wall that separates the right and left ventricular chambers of the heart.

Bicuspid Valve

The atrioventricular valve having two flaps, located between the left atrium and left ventricle; also referred to as the mitral valve.

Tricuspid Valve

The atrioventricular valve having three flaps, located between the right atrium and right ventricle to keep blood moving forward.

Semilunar Valves

The pulmonary and aortic valves of the heart, named from semi ("part") and lunar ("moon") due to their half-moon shape.

sphygm/o

A combining form referring to the pulse (e.g., sphygmoscopy, sphygmomanometer).

arther/o

A combining form meaning fatty substance or deposit (e.g., atheroma).

embol/o

A combining form meaning embolus, a circulating blood clot or mass (e.g., embolism).

thromb/o

A combining form meaning blood clot (e.g., thrombolysis, thrombosis).

-version

A suffix meaning turning (e.g., cardioversion, anteversion).

-spasm

A suffix denoting a sudden involuntary contraction (e.g., vasospasm, angiospasm).

Aneurysm

A balloon-like sac formed when weakening of an arterial wall leads to localized dilation, introducing a risk of rupture.

Angina Pectoris

Severe chest pain and a feeling of suffocation resulting from inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle.

Angiospasm

Sudden contraction of smooth muscle in a blood vessel wall that can temporarily interrupt blood flow.

Aortostenosis

Narrowing of the aorta, occurring congenitally or as a result of disease; also called aortic stenosis.

Arrhythmia

Any irregularity in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat.

Arteriosclerosis

Diminished elasticity in arterial walls, usually due to normal aging processes; commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the muscular layer of the heart wall (the myocardium), usually caused by infection.

Palpitation

An unusually rapid or strong heart beat that is perceptible (and often frightening) to the patient.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the fibrous sac surrounding the heart (the pericardium), usually due to infection.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

A progressive disease in which the blood vessels of the legs become narrower, usually due to atherosclerosis.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Reynaud's Phenomenon

A vascular disorder in which the fingers and toes become cold, numb, and painful as a result of temporary constriction of blood vessels in the skin.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Heart disease caused by rheumatic fever, in which persistent streptococcal infection causes inflammation and scarring of heart valves, impairing their normal movement.

Secondary Hypertension

A form of high blood pressure elevated as a result of another underlying medical condition, usually kidney disease.

Tachycardia (Cardiovascular Definition)

An abnormally rapid heart rate, usually defined clinically as $100$ or more beats per minute.

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of a vein complicated by the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) within the vessel.

Thrombosis

A condition in which a stationary blood clot obstructs a blood vessel directly at the site of its formation.

Valvulitis

Inflammation of a valve, particularly one of the valves within the heart.

Varicose Vein

A superficial vein that has become enlarged and twisted, usually resulting from damage to a valve and subsequent blood pooling.

Angiography

An X-ray recording and visualization of blood vessels following the injection of a contrast agent.

Cardiac Catheterization

A diagnostic procedure in which a small tube is pushed through a blood vessel to the heart to withdraw blood samples directly or evaluate the coronary arteries.

Echocardiography

A diagnostic technique using high-frequency sound waves to produce visual images of the internal structures of the heart.

Pericardiocentesis

A procedure inserting a hollow needle through the chest wall into the pericardium to withdraw fluid for diagnostic evaluation or to relieve cardiac pressure.

Sphygmomanometry

The clinical measurement of blood pressure using an inflatable blood pressure cuff known as a sphygmomanometer.

Stress Test

The use of exercise equipment (such as a treadmill) to measure cardiovascular response to exertion via ECG alterations; also known as an exercise tolerance test (ETT).

Venography

An X-ray imaging technique used to visualize veins following the injection of a radiopaque contrast agent.

Ventriculography

An X-ray recording and visualization of a heart ventricle following the injection of a contrast agent.

Balloon Angioplasty

A therapeutic catheter procedure wherein a deflated balloon is pushed to an obstruction site and inflated to restore vessel caliber or extract an embolus; also called PTCA.

Cardioversion

The application of an electrical shock to the chest to restore a normal rhythm to the heart beat; also referred to as defibrillation.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

A surgical procedure in which a vein harvested from the leg or other anatomical site is grafted onto the heart to circumvent an occluded coronary artery.

Phlebotomy

The surgical opening of a vein, performed to draw blood or remove an intravascular blood clot.

Valvotomy

A surgical incision into a heart valve, typically performed to increase the size of its opening.

Valvuloplasty

The surgical repair or replacement of a heart valve; termed balloon valvuloplasty when an inflatable balloon is used to open a defective valve.

Venipuncture

A clinical procedure in which a vein (typically in the forearm) is punctured with a needle to withdraw blood for diagnostic purposes.

Allergist / Allergologist

A physician specializing in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of allergies.

Anesthesiologist

A physician specializing in the administration of anesthetics to induce temporary loss of sensation.

Anesthetist

A physician or nurse qualified to administer anesthetics.

Audiologist

A professional specializing in the identification, evaluation, and non-surgical treatment of hearing disorders.

Chiropractor

A practitioner who specializes in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders by physically manipulating the vertebral column.

Colorectal Surgeon

A physician specializing in the surgical management and repair of disorders affecting the colon and rectum.

Electroencephalographic Technologist

A technical specialist trained to operate equipment and run electroencephalograms (EEGs).

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

A healthcare provider trained to administer pre-hospital emergency care to sick or injured patients being transported to a medical facility.

Epidemiologist

A physician or investigator specializing in studying the factors that govern the frequency and geographic distribution of disease.

Geriatrician

A physician specializing specifically in the clinical care and medical treatment of elderly individuals.

Gerontologist

A physician or allied professional who specializes in the multidisciplinary study and treatment of elderly individuals and aging processes.

Histologic Technician

A laboratory professional trained to process and prepare micro-thin tissue samples for diagnostic examination by a physician or pathologist.

Homeopath

A practitioner who aims to alleviate symptoms by administering minute, diluted doses of substances that would provoke identical symptoms in large doses.

Naturopath

A practitioner who utilizes natural substances and physical modalities (such as vitamins, light, and heat) to manage and treat illness.

Internist

A physician specializing in the diagnosis and non-surgical management of a broad spectrum of diseases in adult patients, frequently serving as a primary care doctor.

Neonatologist

A medical specialist dedicated to the intensive clinical care of infants from birth up through $4\,\text{weeks}$ of age.

Nuclear Medicine Physician

A physician specialized in administering radioactive isotopes and materials to diagnose and manage internal diseases.

Occupational Therapist

A therapist specializing in rehabilitating individuals disabled by illness or trauma to help them regain motor control required to accomplish daily tasks.

Ophthalmologist

A physician specializing in the comprehensive medical and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the eye.

Optometrist

A licensed doctor of optometry trained to assess visual acuity and prescribe corrective lenses, but not licensed to execute ophthalmic surgery or prescribe pharmaceutical drugs.

Optician

A technician trained in the mechanical grinding, fitting, and delivery of lenses to satisfy written prescriptions for eyeglasses.

Orthodontist

A specialized dental practitioner with advanced training in realigning malpositioned teeth and treating related jaw anomalies.

Osteopath

A doctor of osteopathy who treats illness by combining standard therapies with physical methods directed toward the proper structural alignment of bones and muscles.