Chapter 5: Medical Terminology for EMTs

These vocabulary flashcards cover the essential medical terminology, word components, directional terms, movement terms, and common abbreviations and acronyms used in EMT preparatory training.

Word root

The foundation of a medical word that conveys the essential meaning and frequently indicates a body part, organ, or organ system.

Prefix

A word part that occurs before the word root and generally describes location, number, amount, color, or intensity.

Suffix

A word part that occurs after the word root and usually indicates a process, procedure, condition, disease, amount, or part of speech.

Combining vowel

A vowel (usually an o, i, or e) that joins one or more word roots to other components of a term to aid in pronunciation.

Geriatrics

The study of older adults, derived from the Greek root geras (old age) and the suffix -iatric (physician or medicine).

Apnea

A medical term meaning without breathing.

Bradypnea

A medical term meaning slow breathing.

Tachypnea

A medical term meaning rapid breathing.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the joints, formed by the root arthro- (joint) and the suffix -itis (inflammation).

Gastroenterology

The study of diseases of the stomach and small intestines.

Prone

The position of the body when lying facedown.

Supine

The position of the body when lying faceup.

Fowler position

A semi-reclining position with the head elevated to help the patient breathe easier and control the airway.

Superior

The portion of the body or a body part nearer to the head from a specific reference point.

Inferior

The portion of the body or a body part nearer to the feet.

Lateral

Outer structures of the body that lie farther from the midline.

Medial

Inner structures of the body that lie closer to the midline.

Bilateral

A body part or structure that appears on both sides of the midline.

Unilateral

Something that appears on only one side of the body.

Proximal

Describes structures that are closer to the trunk on an extremity.

Distal

Describes structures that are farther from the trunk or nearer to the free end of an extremity.

Superficial

Closer to or on the skin.

Deep

Farther inside the body or tissue and away from the skin.

Ventral

The belly side or anterior surface of the body.

Dorsal

The spinal side or posterior surface of the body, including the back of the hand.

Palmar

The anterior region of the hand (palm).

Plantar

The bottom of the foot (sole).

Apex

The tip of a structure, such as the bottom portion of the ventricles in the heart.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle of a joint or bending the spine forward.

Extension

Increasing the angle of a joint or arching the spine backward.

Adduction

Motion toward the midline.

Abduction

Motion away from the midline.

Initialism

A shortening of a word or phrase where representative letters are picked and each letter is pronounced separately (e.g., EMT).

Acronym

A shortening of several words, usually using the first letter of each word, that is pronounced as a single word (e.g., SAMPLE).

Cyanosis

Blue discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes.

Leukocyte

White blood cells that fight infection.

Erythrocyte

Red blood cells that contain hemoglobin to carry oxygen.

Cirrhosis

Inflammation of the liver causing yellow-orange pigmentation of the skin and/or eyes.

Melena

Black, tarry stool typically caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Epigastric

A position term meaning above or over the stomach.

Retroperitoneal

The area behind the peritoneum.

Subcutaneous

Beneath the skin.

Ipsilateral

On or affecting the same side.

AAA

Abbreviation for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

AMI

Abbreviation for acute myocardial infarction.

GERD

Abbreviation for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BGL

Abbreviation for blood glucose level.

DCAP-BTLS

Acronym for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.

SAMPLE

Acronym for Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the illness or injury.

Purpose of Medical Terminology

Medical terminology provides a standardized way to communicate information about patient care, procedures, and anatomical structures among healthcare professionals.

Four Components of a Medical Term

Word Root, Prefix, Suffix, Combining Vowel.

Directional Terms: Anterior (Ventral)

Refers to the front of the body.

Directional Terms: Posterior (Dorsal)

Refers to the back of the body.

Directional Terms: Right and Left

Indicates lateral sides of the body.

Directional Terms: Superior

Closer to the head or upper part of the body.

Directional Terms: Inferior

Closer to the feet or lower part of the body.

Directional Terms: Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body or point of origin.

Directional Terms: Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of origin.

Directional Terms: Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Directional Terms: Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body.

Directional Terms: Superficial

Closer to or on the skin surface.

Directional Terms: Deep

Farther inside the body or away from the skin.

Body Position: Prone

The body position when lying face down.

Body Position: Supine

The body position when lying face up.

Body Position: Fowler Position

A semi-reclining position with the head elevated to assist with breathing.

Body Position: Semi-Fowler Position

Similar to Fowler's but with a lower angle of elevation.

Breaking Down a Medical Term

To understand a medical term, identify its components.

Error-Prone Medical Abbreviations

Common abbreviations that can lead to errors include U (unit), Q.D. (every day), MS (morphine sulfate).

Interpreting Medical Abbreviations

Common medical abbreviations include BGL (blood glucose level), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm).

AAA

Abbreviation for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

AMI

Abbreviation for acute myocardial infarction.

GERD

Abbreviation for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BGL

Abbreviation for blood glucose level.

DCAP-BTLS

Acronym for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.

SAMPLE

Acronym for Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the illness or injury.