Medical Prefixes Quiz

Prefixes

• a- and an-: Indicates absence or lack of something.
• dys-: Refers to painful, difficult, or abnormal conditions.
• endo-: Means within or inside an entity.
• peri-: Implies surrounding or encircling.

Root Words

• arche/o: Denotes the first or beginning stage.
• cervic/o: Related to the cervix.
• colp/o: Pertains to the vagina.
• endometri/o: Refers to the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus).
• episi/o: Associated with the vulva.
• gyn/o and gynec/o: Both terms refer to women or female reproductive health.
• hymen/o: Relates to the hymen.
• hyster/o: Pertains to the uterus.
• mamm/o and mast/o: Both are related to the breast.
• men/o: Refers to menstruation.
• metr/i and metr/o: Denote uterus.
• oophor/o: Related to ovaries.
• pelv/i: Pertains to the pelvis, pelvic bones, or cavity.
• perine/o: Refers to the perineum.
• salping/o: Pertains to the uterine or fallopian tube.
• trachel/o: Related to the cervix.
• vagin/o: Pertains to the vagina.
• vulv/o: Associated with the vulva.

Suffixes

• -al: Indicates pertaining to.
• -atresia: Refers to an occlusion or closure of a passage.
• -clesis: Means surgical closure.
• -ectomy: Indicates excision or surgical removal.
• -gram: Refers to a record or image.
• -graphy: The process of recording or imaging.
• -itis: Denotes inflammation.
• -logist: Specialist or physician studying a specific field.
• -logy: The study of a subject.
• -osis: Indicates an abnormal condition.
• -pexy: Means surgical fixation or suspension.
• -plasty: Refers to surgical repair.
• -rrhaphy: Indicates suturing or repairing.
• -rrhea: Refers to flow or discharge.
• -salpinx: Relates to uterine or fallopian tubes.
• -scope: Instrument designed for visual examination.
• -scopy: Process of visual examination.
• -tomy: Refers to incision or cutting into.

Abbreviations

• BC: Birth Control
• Cx: Cervix
• D&C: Dilation and Curettage
• FCC: Fibrocystic Breast Changes
• GYN: Gynecology
• HPV: Human Papillomavirus
• HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy
• HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
• IUD: Intrauterine Device
• LAVH: Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy
• PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• PMS: Premenstrual Syndrome
• SHG: Sonohysterography
• TAH/BSO: Total Abdominal Hysterectomy/Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy
• TLH: Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
• TSS: Toxic Shock Syndrome
• TVH: Total Vaginal Hysterectomy
• TVS: Transvaginal Sonography
• UAE: Uterine Artery Embolization

Medical Terminology Related to Infections

• AB: Antibiotic
• CT: Chlamydia
• GC: Gonorrhea
• HPV: Human Papillomavirus
• HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus
• PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• STD: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• STI: Sexually Transmitted Infections