Medical Terminology: Quiz and Midterm VOCABULARY Flashcards

Quiz CH. 1-2: Core Word Parts and Basic Terms

• Word root: the primary meaning of a term is conveyed by the word root. This is the core semantic element of a medical term.

• Prefix: the word part attached to the beginning of a word. It can modify meaning or indicate location, number, or status.

• Suffix: the ending of a word; a suffix meaning pertaining to is -al.

• Cytology: the study of cells; term built from combining form (cyt/o) + -logy.

• Epitheli/o: combining form referring to the tissue that is the major covering of the body (epithelium).

• Onc/o: combining form meaning tumor.

• Lipoid: a form meaning resembling fat.

• Metastasis: the transfer or spread of disease beyond the tissue or organ of origin.

• Neuroma: a tumor composed of nerve tissue.

• My/o: combining form referring to muscle (cells that have the ability to produce movement).

• Dx: abbreviation for diagnosis.

• Remission: a temporary or partial lessening of signs of a disease.

• Benign: not malignant or not recurring.

• Acronym: a medical term composed of the initial letters of several words that can be pronounced as a whole word.

• Eponym: Parkinson disease is an example of an eponym (named after a person).

• Inflammation: localized protective response to injury or tissue destruction, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

• Why this matters: understanding word parts helps you dissect unfamiliar terms and deduce meanings in clinical notes, reports, and exam questions.

Quiz CH. 1-2: Key Abbreviations, Planes, and Positions

• Px: abbreviation for prognosis, i.e., the possible outcome of a disease.

• “The patient underwent surgery and was found to have no evidence of metastasis.” indicates that the disease has not spread to another organ.

• Poster/o: combining form meaning back/behind.

• Infer/o: combining form meaning below.

• Cephal/o: combining form meaning head.

• Dist/o: combining form meaning away from the point of attachments.

• Medi/o: combining form meaning middle.

• -ior: suffix meaning pertaining to.

• Anteromedial: directional term meaning pertaining to the front and middle.

• Cephalic: directional term meaning pertaining to the head.

• Distal: directional term meaning pertaining to away from the point of attachment.

• Inferior: directional term meaning pertaining to below.

• Sagittal plane: anatomic plane denoting the vertical field running front to back, dividing the body into right and left sides.

• Coronal plane: anatomic plane denoting the vertical field passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

• Supine: a patient lying on their back facing upward.

• Why this matters: these items test your ability to interpret basic terminology, body planes, and patient positioning relevant to exams and clinical practice.

Quiz CH. 3-4: Skin, Respiratory, and Miscellaneous Medical Terms

• Suffix -osis: abnormal condition.

• Subcutaneous: pertaining to under the skin.

• Erythema: redness of the skin.

• Melanoma: a malignant tumor arising from pigment-containing cells.

• Pressure injury: damage of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by prolonged pressure.

• Impetigo: a superficial skin infection with red lesions, blisters, and honey-colored crusts.

• Edema: puffiness or swelling due to fluid accumulation.

• Hypo-: prefix meaning below, deficient, or under.

• Leuk/o: combining form meaning white.

• Intra-: prefix meaning within.

• Dys-: prefix meaning painful or abnormal.

• Rhinorrhea: discharge from the nose.

• Tracheal: pertaining to the trachea (windpipe).

• Laryngeal: pertaining to the voice box.

• Dyspnea: difficult or painful breathing.

• Pneumonectomy: surgical removal of a lung; the procedure performed on the lung.

• Excision: a general term for surgical removal; pneumonectomy-specific term is removal of the lung.

• Spirometer: instrument used to measure breathing.

• -scope: suffix meaning instrument for visual examination.

• Poly-: prefix meaning many, much.

• Hyper-: prefix meaning above or excessive.

• Thoracic: pertaining to the chest.

• Influenza: highly contagious and often severe viral infection of the respiratory tract.

• COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; progressive lung disease that blocks airflow.

• URI: abbreviation for infection of the nasal cavity, pharynx, and/or larynx (upper respiratory infection).

• SOB: shortness of breath.

• Why this matters: vocabulary for skin, respiratory, and systemic terms helps in recognizing conditions, symptoms, and needed diagnostics.

MATCHING AND Diagnostic Procedures (Ch. 7-8 concepts)

• Urinary catheterization: passage of a catheter into the urinary bladder to withdraw urine.

• Dialysis: removing toxic waste from the blood.

• Urinalysis: laboratory test performed on a urine specimen.

• Void: to pass urine.

• Incontinence: inability to control the bladder and/or bowels.

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): infection of one or more organs of the urinary tract.

• Renal transplant: surgical implantation of a donor kidney.

• Renal calculi: stones in the kidney.

• Transurethral resection of the prostate gland (TURP): surgical removal of pieces of prostate tissue via urethra.

• Why this matters: these terms are foundational for recognizing urinary and renal conditions, procedures, and diagnoses in clinical notes and exams.

MID-TERM (Ch. 7-8) Review: Additional Key Terms and Concepts

• Word parts: prefix, cytology, metastasis, neuroma, poster/o, medi/o, distal, posterolateral, inferior, -osis.

• Subcutaneous, erythema, cyanosis, edema, dys-, dyspnea, -ectomy, hem/o, cystitis, -rrhexis, arteri/o, cardi/o, splen/o, brady-, arteri/o/sclerosis, electrocardiograph.

• Cardiomyopathy; thrombophlebitis; CABG; MI; aneurysm; hypertension; GERD; IBS; aphagia; lapar/o; phag/o (swallowing/eating).

• Dx; supine; metastasis; melanoma; pressure injury; influenza; SOB; void; incontinence; tachycardia; thrombosis.

• Why this matters: consolidation of core terms used across chapters helps with cross-referencing in exams and clinical practice.

Quiz CH. 9-10: Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat and Musculoskeletal Anatomy

• Irid/o: pigmented muscular structure of the eye that regulates light entering the eye (iris).

• Tympan/o: structure consisting of the tympanic membrane, eustachian tube, and ossicles (middle ear anatomy).

• Ophthalm/o: organ of vision.

• -plegia: suffix meaning paralysis.

• Otolaryngologist: physician who studies and treats diseases of the ear, nose, and larynx.

• Otitis media: inflammation of the middle ear.

• Optic: pertaining to vision.

• Retinitis: inflammation of the retina.

• Cataract: clouding of the lens of the eye.

• Tinnitus: ringing in the ears.

• Why this matters: these terms are essential for ophthalmology and otolaryngology, and for understanding sensory system pathologies.

Quiz CH. 9-10: Vision and Hearing Terms (continued)

• Myopia: nearsightedness.

• Presbycusis: age-related hearing impairment.

• Burs/o: fluid-filled sac that allows easy movement of parts of a joint over one another (bursa).

• Ten/o: band of fibrous connective tissue attaching muscle to bone (tendon).

• Arthr/itis: joint inflammation; the root is "arthr" meaning joint.

• Necr/osis: death; the root is "necr" meaning death.

• Phalang/o: any bone of the fingers or toes (phalanx).

• -asthenia: suffix meaning weakness.

• RA: rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic systemic autoimmune disease.

• MD: muscular dystrophy, group of hereditary diseases with degeneration of muscle.

• L femoral fracture (L femoral Fx): left femur fracture (lower limb bone).

• MRI: magnetic resonance imaging exam.

• Ortho: abbreviation for orthopedics, study/treatment of musculoskeletal system.

• Hernia: protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening.

• Osteoporosis: disease of bone density causing fragility and fractures.

• Kyphosis: abnormal hump in the thoracic spine.

• Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: nerve entrapment disorder affecting the hand.

• Osteoarthritis: inflammation of bones and joints with aging; can be prevented with exercise and weight management.

• Why this matters: this block covers common neurological, musculoskeletal, and sensory system terms that frequently appear in exams and clinical practice.

Quiz CH. 11-12: Neurology and Systemic Disease Concepts

• Seizure: sudden, abnormal surge of electrical activity in the brain.

• Alzheimer disease: early dementia with confusion and loss of recognition; progressive neurodegenerative disease.

• Parkinson disease: chronic degenerative disease of the CNS; resting tremors, rigidity, expressionless face, shuffling gait.

• Stoke/Stroke: interruption of blood supply to a region of the brain.

• Multiple sclerosis: chronic degenerative disease with sclerotic patches along brain and spinal cord.

• Concussion: injury to the brain from head trauma.

• Paraplegia: paralysis from the waist down due to spinal injury.

• Lumbar puncture: procedure of inserting a needle between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae.

• Hydrocephalus: increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: bleeding caused by a ruptured vessel just outside the brain.

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA): brief episode of deficient blood flow to the brain.

• Why this matters: these entries summarize major neurological conditions, diagnostic procedures, and emergency presentations you should recognize.

Quick Reference: Endocrine and Miscellaneous Abbreviations

• DM: abbreviation for diabetes mellitus; chronic disease involving abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.

• -ism: suffix meaning state of.

• Adrenal/o: gland located above the kidney (adrenal gland).

• Hypoglycemia: deficient sugar (glucose) in the blood.

• Goiter: enlargement of the thyroid gland.

• Why this matters: common endocrine disorders and suffixes endings are frequently tested; knowing abbreviations helps in quick chart reviews and exams.

• Connections to foundational principles:

  • Word parts and combining forms form the basis for deciphering medical terminology.
  • Understanding planes, positions, and directional terms is essential for anatomy and physical exam description.
  • Recognizing common abbreviations (Dx, Px, URI, SOB, MI, CAD, CABG, etc.) speeds communication in clinical settings.
  • Linking signs (edema, cyanosis, erythema) with diseases (COPD, CHF, infection) supports diagnosis and triage.

• Quick recall tips:

  • Remember -al often means pertaining to.
  • -osis frequently indicates a condition or abnormal state.
  • The prefixes hypo-, hyper-, dys-, and intra- provide essential location/quality cues.
  • A few terms are eponyms (Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease) reflecting historical naming; others are acronyms (Dx, Px, URI, SOB).

• Notation for examples using LaTeX (where relevant):

  • Blood pressure often cited as a diagnostic threshold: 130/80\,\text{mm Hg}.
  • Any expression of a plan or plan-related data can be shown similarly in exam notes as needed.