Medical Terminology Chapter 3: Prefixes

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Questions and Answers

What does the prefix 'hypo' indicate when used in medical terminology?

Between

Above or upon

Under, below, or deficient (correct)

Double

Which prefix means 'many' or 'much'?

Multi (correct)

Uni

Nulli

Mono

The prefix 'intra' is used to describe something that is:

Before

Outside

Above

Within (correct)

What does the prefix 'dipl' signify in medical terminology?

Double Signup and view all the answers

Which prefix indicates an excessive or above normal condition?

Hyper Signup and view all the answers

Which combining form is used to denote the color blue?

Cyan/o Signup and view all the answers

What describes a morbid condition?

Diseased and unhealthy Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment technique involves feeling structures within the body?

Palpation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an endoscopy?

To visually examine internal structures Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'Ecto' signify?

Outside, outward Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a pathological condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid?

Edema Signup and view all the answers

Which body cavity is NOT part of the dorsal cavity?

Thoracic Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe a direction 'towards the body'?

Aduction Signup and view all the answers

What kind of scan utilizes a tracer and a gamma camera to produce images of organs?

Nuclear scan Signup and view all the answers

Which prefix indicates a 'slow' condition?

Brady Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the process of the body defending itself against injury or disease?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which primary cause of disease is characterized by genetic transmission?

Hereditary Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'transverse plane' refer to?

Divides the body into upper and lower Signup and view all the answers

What does 'anti' mean when used as a prefix?

Against Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following prefixes indicates an excess or beyond condition?

Ultra Signup and view all the answers

Which level of organization comes after 'tissue' in the hierarchy?

Organ Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prefixes

Prefix: Element added at the start of a word to modify its meaning.
Prefixes are not always present in medical terminology but often share similarities with English.

I. Prefixes of Position

Endo: In, within (e.g., Endocrine)
Intra: Within (e.g., Intramuscular)
Epi: Above, upon (e.g., Epidermis)
Hypo: Under, below, deficient (e.g., Hypodermic)
Infra: Under, below (e.g., Infracostal)
Sub: Under (e.g., Subcutaneous)
Inter: Between (e.g., Intercostal)
Retro: Backward, behind (e.g., Retroversion)

II. Prefixes of Number & Measurement

Dipl/Diplo: Double
Hemi/Semi: Half
Nulli: None
Mono/Uni: One
Bi: Two
Tri: Three
Quadri: Four
Primi: Before
Hyper: Excessive, above normal
Macro: Large
Micro: Small
Multi/Poly: Many, much

III. Prefixes of Direction

Ab: Away from (e.g., Abduction)
Ad: Towards (e.g., Adduction)
Circum/Peri: Around (e.g., Circumference, Perimeter)
Dia/Trans: Through, across (e.g., Diarrhea, Transverse)
Ecto/Exo/Extra: Outside, outward
Para: Near, beside
Super: Upper, above (e.g., Superior)
Supra: Above, excessive (e.g., Suprarenal)
Ultra: Excess, beyond (e.g., Ultrasonic)

IV. Other Common Prefixes

A/An: Without, not (e.g., Anesthesia)
Anti: Against (e.g., Antibacterial)
Auto: Self, own (e.g., Autograph)
Brady: Slow (e.g., Bradycardia)
Dys: Painful (e.g., Dyspnea)
Eu: Good, normal (e.g., Eupnea)

Body Structure

Levels of Organization: Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism
Body Planes:
- Midsagittal: Divides body into left and right
- Coronal: Divides body into anterior and posterior
- Transverse: Divides body into upper and lower portions

Body Cavities

Dorsal (posterior): Contains cranial and spinal cavities.
Ventral (anterior): Contains thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Quadrants of Abdominalpelvic Cavity

Divided into 4 quadrants for:
- Describing organ locations
- Clinical examination
- Identifying abdominal pain and surgical sites

Combining Forms (Colors)

Red: Erythr/o
White: Albin/o, leuk/o
Black: Melan/o
Blue: Cyan/o
Yellow: Cirrh/o, jaund/o, xanth/o

Disease

Defined by pathological conditions with signs and symptoms disrupting homeostasis.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs: Objective indicators (e.g., rash)
Symptoms: Subjective indicators (e.g., dizziness)

Causes of Disease

Metabolic: Diabetes
Infectious: Influenza
Congenital: Cleft palate
Hereditary: Hemophilia
Neoplastic: Cancer
Environmental: Trauma, burns

Diseases Vocabulary

Adhesion: Fibrous binding of tissues.
Inflammation: Body's defense mechanism, aids healing.
Febrile: Feverish condition.
Morbid: Unhealthy state.
Sepsis: Pathogens in blood/tissues.
Edema: Fluid accumulation.
Gangrene: Tissue decay or death.
Hernia: Organs pushing through structures.
Mycosis: Fungal infection.
Perforation: Formation of a hole.
Peritonitis: Inflammation of peritoneum.
Rupture: Bursting organ.
Septicemia: Bacterial infection spreading to blood.

Diagnostic & Surgical Procedures

Assessment Techniques:
- Auscultation: Listening with stethoscope.
- Inspection: General observation.
- Palpation: Feeling structures.
- Percussion: Tapping to assess fluid presence.
Diagnostic Procedures:
- Endoscopy: Visual examination inside the body.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Analyzes blood components.
- Biopsy: Tissue sample examination.

Imaging Techniques

CT Scan: X-ray imaging around an area.
Fluoroscopy: X-rays with fluorescent imaging.
MRI: Uses strong magnet and radio waves for soft tissue imaging.
Nuclear Scan: Uses radioactive tracer for organ images.

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Description

Explore the world of prefixes in medical terminology with this quiz. Learn how these elements change the meanings of words and their various types, including position, number, measurement, and direction. Test your knowledge of common prefixes and their examples.