Medical Terminology Basics
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following prefixes means 'without'?

  • ab-
  • a-, an- (correct)
  • ad-
  • anti-

    • The suffix '-itis' indicates what condition?

  • Disease
  • Surgical removal
  • Tumor
  • Inflammation (correct)

    • What is the meaning of the root word 'gastr/o'?

  • Nerve
  • Heart
  • Stomach (correct)
  • Skin

    • A medication described as an 'antibiotic' works:

    <p>Against bacteria (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the suffix '-ectomy' signify in a medical term?

    <p>Surgical removal of (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A patient experiencing 'adduction' of their arm is moving it:

    <p>Toward the midline of the body (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following terms describes the study of the heart?

    <p>Cardiology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the term 'autoimmunity', what does the prefix 'auto-' indicate?

    <p>Self (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following directional terms describes a structure located toward the front of the body?

    <p>Anterior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the medical abbreviation 'b.i.d.' commonly stand for?

    <p>Twice daily (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a doctor orders a diagnostic test using the abbreviation 'o.s.', which part of the body is being examined?

    <p>Left eye (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In anatomical terms, what is the opposite direction of 'superior'?

    <p>Inferior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plane would divide the body into anterior and posterior portions?

    <p>Coronal plane (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a location farther from the point of attachment?

    <p>Distal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A doctor specializing in disorders related to the brain and spinal cord would be best described as a:

    <p>Neurologist (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    cardi/o

    Root word meaning heart, used in medical terms.

    gastr/o

    Root word meaning stomach, used in medical terminology.

    neur/o

    Root word meaning nerve, used in medical terms.

    Anterior/ventral

    Term indicating position toward the front of the body.

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    Posterior/dorsal

    Term indicating position toward the back of the body.

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    Sagittal plane

    Plane dividing the body into left and right sections.

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    Frontal (coronal) plane

    Plane dividing the body into front and back sections.

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    Medical abbreviations

    Shorthand forms representing common medical terms.

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    Medical Terminology

    A specialized language used by healthcare professionals that combines prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

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    Prefix

    Word parts added to the beginning of a term to modify the root word's meaning.

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    Suffix

    Word parts added to the end of a term, often indicating procedure or condition.

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    Root Word

    The main part of a medical term that provides its fundamental meaning, often Greek or Latin in origin.

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    Combining Form

    A root word combined with a vowel to make it easier to pronounce.

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    a-, an-

    Prefixes meaning 'without', used in terms like acardiac.

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    -itis

    A suffix indicating inflammation, as in appendicitis.

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    Study Notes

    Basic Principles

    • Medical terminology is a specialized language used by healthcare professionals. It uses prefixes, suffixes, and root words to precisely describe anatomical structures, diseases, and procedures.
    • Understanding the origin and history (etymology) of medical terms enhances comprehension.
    • Consistent terminology ensures clear communication and accurate documentation, ultimately improving patient care.

    Word Parts: Prefixes

    • Prefixes modify or qualify the meaning of root words.
    • Examples:
      • a-, an-: Without (e.g., acardiac, meaning without a heart)
      • ab-: Away from (e.g., abduction, movement away from the midline)
      • ad-: Toward (e.g., adduction, movement toward the midline)
      • anti-: Against (e.g., antibiotic, substance that combats bacteria)
      • auto-: Self (e.g., autoimmunity, immune response against self-tissues)

    Word Parts: Suffixes

    • Suffixes modify root words, often indicating a procedure, condition, or part of speech.
    • Examples:
      • -itis: Inflammation (e.g., appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix)
      • -ectomy: Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy)
      • -logy: Study of (e.g., cardiology)
      • -oma: Tumor (e.g., carcinoma)
      • -pathy: Disease (e.g., neuropathy)

    Word Parts: Root Words

    • Root words form the core meaning of a medical term, often derived from Greek or Latin.
    • Examples:
      • cardi/o: Heart (e.g., cardiovascular)
      • derm/o: Skin (e.g., dermatology)
      • gastr/o: Stomach (e.g., gastritis)
      • neur/o: Nerve (e.g., neuropathy)
      • path/o: Disease or suffering (e.g., pathology)

    Combining Forms

    • Combining forms combine root words and vowels (often 'o') for easier pronunciation and combination with other parts.
    • Examples:
      • cardi/o: heart (e.g., cardiovascular)
      • gastr/o: stomach (e.g., gastric)
      • neur/o: nerve (e.g., neurology)

    Building Medical Terms

    • Combining prefixes, suffixes, and root words creates new terms.
    • Examples:
      • cardiologist: (cardi/o - heart, -logist - specialist) - specialist in the study of the heart.
      • gastroscopy: (gastr/o - stomach, -scopy - visual examination) - visual examination of the stomach.
      • neurology: (neur/o - nerve, -logy - study of) - study of the nervous system.

    Anatomical Directional Terms

    • These terms describe the relative positions of body structures.
    • Examples:
      • Anterior/ventral: Toward the front
      • Posterior/dorsal: Toward the back
      • Superior/cranial: Toward the head, upper part
      • Inferior/caudal: Toward the tail, lower part
      • Medial: Toward the midline of the body
      • Lateral: Away from the midline of the body
      • Proximal: Closer to the point of origin or attachment
      • Distal: Far from the point of origin or attachment

    Body Planes and Sections

    • These terms describe ways of dividing the body to view internal structures.
    • Examples:
      • Sagittal plane: Divides the body into left and right sections.
      • Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides the body into front and back sections.
      • Transverse (horizontal) plane: Divides the body into upper and lower sections.
      • Oblique plane: Divides the body diagonally between the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.

    Medical Abbreviations and Symbols

    • Medical abbreviations represent common terms in shorthand.
    • Examples:
      • q.d. (every day), p.r.n. (as needed), b.i.d. (twice daily), o.d. (right eye), o.s. (left eye), a.u. (both ears),

    Important Considerations

    • Accurate spelling and pronunciation are crucial.
    • Understanding contextual relationships between terms is essential.
    • Continuous learning and application of principles are vital for success.

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    Description

    Explore the fundamental principles of medical terminology, focusing on the importance of prefixes in understanding anatomical terms and procedures. This quiz will enhance your knowledge of medical word parts and their meanings, essential for effective communication in healthcare settings.

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