Medical Terminology Ch. 18 Flashcards

Gland-Related Terms

• aden/o: Refers to glands in the body.
• adrenal/o: Pertains to the adrenal gland, which produces hormones that regulate metabolism and stress responses.
• gonad/o: Relates to sex glands, specifically ovaries in females and testes in males.
• pancreat/o: Denotes the pancreas, involved in digestion and blood sugar regulation.
• parathyroid/o: Refers to the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels in the blood.
• pituitar/o: Indicates the pituitary gland (hypophysis), often called the "master gland" influencing other endocrine glands.
• thyr/o, thyroid/o: Associated with the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and growth.

Hormone and Substance Terms

• andr/o: Relates to male characteristics or male hormones such as testosterone.
• calc/o, calci/o: Represents calcium, essential for bone health and various bodily functions.
• cortic/o: Refers to the cortex or outer region of an organ, often associated with the adrenal glands.
• crin/o: Means to secrete, particularly in the context of hormones.
• dips/o: Signifies thirst, related to hydration and fluid balance.
• estr/o: Denotes female characteristics or female hormones such as estrogen.
• gluc/o, glyc/o: Both terms represent sugar, a vital energy source for the body.

Conditions and Processes

• home/o: Refers to sameness or balance within the body, often relating to homeostasis.
• hormon/o: Pertains to hormones, which are signaling molecules that regulate physiological processes.
• kal/i: Represents potassium, an essential mineral involved in numerous bodily functions including nerve signaling.
• lact/o: Refers to milk, which has significance in nutrition and lactation.
• myx/o: Indicates mucus, which plays roles in protection and lubrication within the body.
• natr/o: Pertains to sodium, crucial for fluid balance and nerve function.
• -edema: Refers to swelling under the skin due to fluid accumulation.

Growth and Structure Terms

• phys/o: Means growing, associated with development and physiological processes.
• somat/o: Refers to the body, often used in relation to physical aspects of health.
• ster/o: Indicates solid structures, which can relate to various anatomical features.
• toc/o: Pertains to childbirth, often used in obstetrics.
• toxic/o: Refers to poison, highlighting substances that can be harmful or toxic to the body.

Blood and Urine Conditions

• ur/o: Relates to urine, pertinent to waste elimination and metabolic function.
• -agon: Means to assemble or gather together, often relating to molecular interactions.
• -emia: Refers to a blood condition, indicating the presence of a particular substance or imbalance.
• -in, -ine: Denotes substances, commonly used in naming hormones or compounds.
• -tropin: Indicates stimulating the function of organs or glands, often hormones that act on target tissues.
• -uria: Relates to urine conditions, indicating specific abnormalities or substances present.

Prefixes Indicating Quantity or Condition

• eu-: Indicates good or normal, referring to healthy or optimal states.
• hyper-: Denotes excessive or above-normal levels, often used to describe conditions like hypertension.
• hypo-: Indicates deficiency or below-normal levels, which can relate to various medical conditions.
• oxy-: Refers to rapid, sharp, or acidic, often in context with respiration or nutrient metabolism.
• pan-: Means all, signifying inclusiveness in conditions or diagnoses.
• poly-: Indicates many or increased, commonly used in context with conditions like polyuria (excessive urination).
• tetra-: Refers to four, used in various scientific contexts including genetic and chemical terminology.
• tri-: Denotes three, also used in various scientific and medical classifications.