Free Medical Terminology Exam Flashcards

Hyper- = excessive, above normal (hypertension = high blood pressure, hyperglycemia = high blood sugar). Hypo- = deficient, below normal (hypotension = low blood pressure, hypoglycemia = low blood sugar). These are the most commonly confused medical prefixes.

Tachy- = fast, rapid (tachycardia = fast heart rate >100 bpm, tachypnea = rapid breathing). Brady- = slow (bradycardia = slow heart rate <60 bpm, bradypnea = slow breathing). Common in cardiac and respiratory terminology.

Dys- = difficult, painful, abnormal (dyspnea = difficulty breathing, dysuria = painful urination, dysphagia = difficulty swallowing). A-/An- = without, absence of (apnea = no breathing, anemia = without blood/low RBCs, anuria = no urine output).

Poly- = many, excessive (polyuria = excessive urination, polydipsia = excessive thirst, polyphagia = excessive hunger—the 'three polys' of diabetes). Oligo- = few, scanty (oliguria = decreased urine output <400 mL/day, oligomenorrhea = infrequent menstruation).

Endo- = within, inside (endoscopy = looking inside, endocrine = secreting internally, endotracheal = within the trachea). Exo-/Ecto- = outside, outer (exocrine = secreting externally, ectopic = outside normal position, ectopic pregnancy = implantation outside the uterus).

Peri- = around, surrounding (pericardium = membrane around the heart, periosteum = membrane around bone, perinatal = around the time of birth). Epi- = upon, above (epidermis = upon the skin, epigastric = above the stomach, epidural = upon the dura mater).

Inflammation. The most common medical suffix. Examples: arthritis (joint inflammation), bronchitis (bronchial inflammation), appendicitis (appendix inflammation), dermatitis (skin inflammation), gastritis (stomach inflammation), hepatitis (liver inflammation), meningitis (meningeal inflammation).

-ectomy = surgical removal (appendectomy = removing appendix, cholecystectomy = removing gallbladder). -otomy = cutting into (tracheotomy = cutting into trachea, craniotomy = cutting into skull). -ostomy = creating an opening (colostomy = opening in colon, tracheostomy = permanent tracheal opening).

-osis = abnormal condition, disease (cyanosis = blue condition, stenosis = narrowing condition, necrosis = death of tissue, fibrosis = fibrous tissue condition). -iasis = pathological condition or formation (cholelithiasis = gallstones, nephrolithiasis = kidney stones, psoriasis = itching condition).

-emia = blood condition (anemia = low blood, septicemia = blood infection/sepsis, hypoglycemia = low blood sugar, leukemia = white blood cancer). -uria = urine condition (hematuria = blood in urine, glycosuria = glucose in urine, polyuria = excessive urine, dysuria = painful urination).

-pathy = disease (neuropathy = nerve disease, cardiomyopathy = heart muscle disease, nephropathy = kidney disease). -algia = pain (neuralgia = nerve pain, myalgia = muscle pain, arthralgia = joint pain). -dynia = pain (pleurodynia = chest wall pain, gastrodinia = stomach pain). -algia and -dynia are interchangeable.

-scopy = visual examination (endoscopy = looking inside, colonoscopy = examining the colon, arthroscopy = examining a joint). -graphy = process of recording (mammography = breast imaging process, echocardiography = heart ultrasound process). -gram = the recorded image (mammogram, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram).

Cardi/o = heart. Cardiology: study of the heart. Cardiomyopathy: disease of heart muscle. Tachycardia: fast heart rate. Bradycardia: slow heart rate. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): recording of heart's electrical activity. Pericardium: membrane around the heart. Myocardial: pertaining to heart muscle.

Pulmon/o = lung (pulmonology, pulmonary embolism). Pneum/o = lung, air (pneumonia = lung infection, pneumothorax = air in pleural space, pneumonectomy = lung removal). Thorac/o = chest. Related terms: bronch/o (bronchial tubes), pleur/o (pleural membrane).

Hepat/o = liver. Hepatitis: liver inflammation. Hepatomegaly: enlarged liver. Hepatocyte: liver cell. Hepatic: pertaining to the liver. Cirrhosis: chronic liver disease (scarring). Related: cholecyst/o (gallbladder), cholangi/o (bile duct), chol/e (bile/gall).

Nephr/o = kidney (nephrologist, nephritis, nephropathy, nephrectomy). Ren/o = kidney (renal, renal failure, adrenal). Nephrolithiasis: kidney stones. Hydronephrosis: water in the kidney (swelling). Related: ureter/o (ureter), cyst/o (bladder), urethr/o (urethra).

Neur/o = nerve. Neurology: study of the nervous system. Neuropathy: nerve disease. Neuralgia: nerve pain. Neuritis: nerve inflammation. Neuroma: nerve tumor. Cerebr/o: cerebrum. Encephal/o: brain. Mening/o: meninges. Myel/o: spinal cord (also bone marrow).

Oste/o = bone. Osteoporosis: porous bones (decreased density). Osteomyelitis: bone infection. Osteocyte: bone cell. Osteoarthritis: joint degeneration with bone involvement. Related: arthr/o (joint), chondr/o (cartilage), my/o (muscle), tend/o or tendin/o (tendon).

Derm/o, Dermat/o = skin. Dermatology: study of skin. Dermatitis: skin inflammation. Hypodermic: under the skin. Epidermis: outer layer of skin. Subcutaneous: under the skin. Related: melan/o (black/melanin), erythr/o (red), leuk/o (white), xanth/o (yellow).

Hem/o, Hemat/o = blood. Hematology: study of blood. Hematoma: collection of blood (bruise). Hemorrhage: excessive bleeding. Hemoglobin: oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs. Hemolysis: destruction of red blood cells. Hematocrit: percentage of blood that is RBCs.

Anatomical position: standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward. Superior (above) vs. Inferior (below). Anterior/Ventral (front) vs. Posterior/Dorsal (back). Medial (toward midline) vs. Lateral (away from midline). Proximal (near trunk) vs. Distal (far from trunk). Superficial (surface) vs. Deep (internal).

Sagittal (median): divides body into left and right halves. Frontal (coronal): divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back). Transverse (horizontal): divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower). These planes are used to describe the direction of cuts, scans (CT/MRI), and body movements.

RUQ (Right Upper Quadrant): liver, gallbladder, right kidney. LUQ (Left Upper Quadrant): spleen, stomach, left kidney, pancreas. RLQ (Right Lower Quadrant): appendix, right ovary. LLQ (Left Lower Quadrant): sigmoid colon, left ovary. Used to describe location of pain and organ positions.

Dorsal cavity: cranial (brain) + spinal (spinal cord). Ventral cavity: thoracic (lungs, heart, mediastinum) + abdominopelvic. Thoracic subdivisions: pleural cavities, pericardial cavity, mediastinum. Abdominopelvic: abdominal (stomach, intestines, liver) + pelvic (bladder, reproductive organs).

X-ray: electromagnetic radiation imaging. CT (Computed Tomography): cross-sectional X-ray images. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): uses magnets, no radiation. US (Ultrasound): sound waves, no radiation. PET (Positron Emission Tomography): radioactive tracer for metabolic activity. DEXA: bone density scan.

Biopsy (bi/o = life, -opsy = view): removal of tissue for examination. Incisional: removes portion of lesion. Excisional: removes entire lesion. Needle/Core: uses needle to extract tissue. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): thin needle, cells only. Sentinel node: first lymph node draining a tumor. Frozen section: rapid intra-operative analysis.

CBC: Complete Blood Count. BMP/CMP: Basic/Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. ABG: Arterial Blood Gas. BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen. ESR: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. HbA1c: Hemoglobin A1c (3-month glucose average). PT/INR: Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio. UA: Urinalysis.

PO: per os (by mouth/oral). IV: intravenous. IM: intramuscular. SubQ/SC: subcutaneous. SL: sublingual (under tongue). PR: per rectum. Transdermal: through the skin (patches). Inhalation: through the lungs. Topical: applied to skin surface. Intranasal: through the nose. IO: intraosseous (into bone).

Rx: prescription. Sig: directions. QD: once daily. BID: twice daily. TID: three times daily. QID: four times daily. PRN: as needed. QHS: at bedtime. AC: before meals. PC: after meals. STAT: immediately. NPO: nothing by mouth. Note: many abbreviations are being replaced with full terms for patient safety.

Benign: non-cancerous, slow-growing, encapsulated, doesn't spread, usually not life-threatening. Suffix: -oma (lipoma, fibroma, adenoma). Malignant: cancerous, fast-growing, invades tissue, metastasizes. Carcinoma: malignant epithelial tissue. Sarcoma: malignant connective tissue. Leukemia/Lymphoma: blood/lymph cancers.

Rubor (redness): increased blood flow. Calor (heat): increased blood flow and metabolic activity. Tumor (swelling): fluid accumulation. Dolor (pain): chemical mediators stimulate nerve endings. Functio laesa (loss of function): combination of above effects. These are the classic signs of the inflammatory response.

-megaly = enlargement (hepatomegaly = enlarged liver, cardiomegaly = enlarged heart, splenomegaly = enlarged spleen). -penia = deficiency (leukopenia = low WBCs, thrombocytopenia = low platelets, neutropenia = low neutrophils). -cytosis = increase in cells (leukocytosis = increased WBCs, erythrocytosis = increased RBCs).

Myo = muscle, cardi = heart, -al = pertaining to, infarction = tissue death due to blocked blood supply. 'Heart attack.' Caused by occlusion of coronary arteries (usually from plaque rupture/thrombus). Symptoms: chest pain, dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausea. Diagnosed by: ECG changes, elevated troponin.

Atherosclerosis: buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, calcium) inside artery walls, narrowing the lumen. Most common type of arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis: general term for hardening and thickening of artery walls. Can lead to: MI, stroke, peripheral artery disease, aneurysm.

Dyspnea: difficulty breathing (dys- = difficult, -pnea = breathing). Apnea: absence of breathing (a- = without). Orthopnea: difficulty breathing while lying flat (orth/o = straight). Eupnea: normal breathing (eu- = good/normal). Tachypnea: rapid breathing. Bradypnea: slow breathing. Hyperpnea: deep/labored breathing.

Chronic = long-lasting, Obstructive = blocking airflow, Pulmonary = relating to lungs. Includes emphysema (destruction of alveoli) and chronic bronchitis (chronic inflammation of bronchi). Primary cause: smoking. Symptoms: dyspnea, chronic cough, wheezing, barrel chest. Irreversible airway obstruction.

Gastr/o = stomach. Enter/o = intestine. Col/o, Colon/o = colon. Esophag/o = esophagus. Rect/o = rectum. Proct/o = rectum/anus. GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis). IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

-emesis = vomiting (hematemesis = vomiting blood, hyperemesis = excessive vomiting). -pepsia = digestion (dyspepsia = indigestion/difficult digestion). -phagia = eating/swallowing (dysphagia = difficulty swallowing, aphagia = inability to swallow, polyphagia = excessive eating).

Pituitary: growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH. Thyroid: T3, T4 (metabolism). Parathyroid: PTH (calcium). Adrenal: cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine. Pancreas: insulin (lowers glucose), glucagon (raises glucose). Gonads: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. Pineal: melatonin (sleep).

Diabetes = 'passing through' (polyuria), Mellitus = 'honey/sweet' (glycosuria). Glyc/o, Gluc/o = sugar/glucose. Hyperglycemia: high blood sugar. Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar. Glycosuria: glucose in urine. Insulin: hormone that lowers blood glucose. HbA1c: 3-month glucose average. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): metabolic emergency.

Closed/Simple: bone broken, skin intact. Open/Compound: bone protrudes through skin. Comminuted: bone shattered into fragments. Greenstick: incomplete fracture (children). Spiral: twisting force. Compression: bone crushed (vertebrae). Pathological: caused by disease (osteoporosis, cancer). Stress: from repetitive force.

Flexion: decreasing joint angle. Extension: increasing joint angle. Abduction: moving away from midline. Adduction: moving toward midline. Rotation: turning around an axis. Dorsiflexion: foot toward shin. Plantar flexion: foot pointing down. Pronation: palm down. Supination: palm up.

Cerebr/o = brain, vascul/o = blood vessel. Two types: Ischemic (clot blocks blood flow—87% of strokes) and Hemorrhagic (blood vessel ruptures—13%). TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack): 'mini-stroke,' temporary symptoms, resolves within 24 hours. Warning sign for future stroke. Hemiplegia: paralysis of one side.

-plegia = paralysis (complete loss of movement). Hemiplegia: one side of body. Paraplegia: lower body. Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: all four limbs. -paresis = weakness/partial paralysis. Hemiparesis: weakness on one side. Important distinction: -plegia is complete, -paresis is partial.

Gravida: number of pregnancies. Para: number of births past viability. Nulligravida: never pregnant. Primigravida: first pregnancy. Multipara: multiple births. G3P2: 3 pregnancies, 2 births. Prenatal: before birth. Postnatal/Postpartum: after birth. Gestation: period of pregnancy (~40 weeks).

VS: Vital Signs. BP: Blood Pressure. HR: Heart Rate. RR: Respiratory Rate. T: Temperature. SpO2: Oxygen Saturation. BMI: Body Mass Index. I&O: Intake & Output. WNL: Within Normal Limits. Afebrile: without fever.

Dx: Diagnosis. Tx: Treatment. Hx: History. Sx: Symptoms. Rx: Prescription. SOB: Shortness of Breath. ROM: Range of Motion. ADL: Activities of Daily Living. DNR: Do Not Resuscitate. AMA: Against Medical Advice. CC: Chief Complaint. H&P: History and Physical.

-ectomy: removal (gastrectomy, thyroidectomy). -otomy: cutting into (laparotomy, thoracotomy). -ostomy: creating an opening (colostomy, ileostomy). -plasty: surgical repair/reconstruction (rhinoplasty, arthroplasty). -pexy: surgical fixation (orchiopexy, nephropexy). -rraphy: suturing (herniorrhaphy, neurorrhaphy).

TNM System: T (Tumor size: T1-T4), N (Node involvement: N0-N3), M (Metastasis: M0 or M1). Stages: I (localized), II-III (regional spread), IV (distant metastasis). Grading (1-4): describes how abnormal cells look. Grade 1: well-differentiated (looks normal). Grade 4: undifferentiated (looks very abnormal).

Most medical terms have: prefix (beginning) + root word (core meaning) + suffix (ending). Combining vowel (usually 'o') connects roots or root to suffix starting with a consonant. Example: oste/o/arthr/itis = bone + joint + inflammation. Drop combining vowel before a vowel suffix: gastr + -itis = gastritis (not gastroitis).