Med Term Week 1

myo = muscle

card = heart

itis = inflammation

myocarditis

= muscle layer of heart inflamed

pericarditis

= outer layer of heart inflamed

endocarditis

= inner layer of heart inflamed

cardiologist= a physician specializing in the heart

cardiomyopathy= damage to heart muscle layer

cardiomegaly= enlargement of the heart

-itis

= inflammation

tonsillitis, appendicitis (you know these!)

-osis

= abnormal condition

cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or low oxygen)

-ectomy

= to cut out (remove)

appendectomy, tonsillectomy (you know these too!)

-otomy

= to cut into

tracheotomy (to cut into the windpipe,
temporary opening)

-ostomy

= to make a
“mouth”

colostomy (to make a permanent opening in colon)

a/an

= without, none

anemia (literally no blood but means few red cells)

micro

= small

microstomia (abnormally small mouth, see “stomy” in colostomy above?)

macro

= large

macrostomia (abnormally large mouth)

mega/ -megaly

= enlarged

megacolon (abnormally large colon = large intestine)

-scopy/ -scopic

= to look, observe

colonoscopy (look into colon)

Just a few more that you will see and hear over and over again.

-graphy/ -graph

= recording
an image

mammography (imaging the breasts)

-gram

= the image (X-ray)

mammogram

Whenever you see these endings, -graphy, -graph, -gram, they relate to recording an image such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan or a written recording with pen and moving paper. Mammography is the process of recording, i.e. the machine and procedure. Mammogram is the image itself, the X-ray. A recording of heart activity is called an electrocardiogram using an electrocardiograph. A recording of brain activity is an electroencephalogram and the medical procedure and machine is called electroencephalography (whew, what a mouthful!).

-ology/ -ologist

= study, specialize in

cardiologist, nephrologist (study
the heart, the kidneys)

  • oncologist (study the tumors)

  • dermatologist (study the skin)

  • gastroenterologist (study the digestive system)

Stomato

= mouth

stomatitis

Dento

= teeth

dentist

Glosso/linguo

= tongue

glossitis, lingual nerve

Gingivo

= gums

gingivitis

Encephalo

= brain

encephalitis

Gastro

= stomach

gastritis

Entero

= intestine

gastroenteritis

Colo

= large intestine

colitis, megacolon

Procto

= anus/rectum

proctitis, proctologist

Hepato

= liver

hepatitis, hepatomegaly

Nephro/rene

= kidney

nephrosis, renal artery

Orchido

= testis

orchiditis, orchidectomy

Oophoro

= ovary

oophorectomy

Hystero/metro

=uterus

hysterectomy,
endometritis

Salpingo

= uterine tubes

hysterosalpingogram

Dermo

= skin

dermatitis

Masto/mammo

= breast

mammography, mastectomy

Osteo

= bones

osteoporosis

Cardio

= heart

electrocardiogram (ECG)

Cysto

= bladder

cystitis

Rhino

= nose

rhinitis (runny nose!)

Phlebo/veno

= veins

phlebitis, phlebotomy

Pneumo/pulmo

= lung

pneumonitis, pulmonologist

Hemo/emia

= blood

hematologist, anemia