Medical Terminology Flashcards

Medical Terminology Key Concepts

• Adrenomegaly: Enlargement of adrenal glands. "Adren/o" refers to adrenal glands, while "-megaly" indicates enlargement.

• Adrenalectomy: Surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands. The suffix "-ectomy" signifies excision.

• Androgen: Any steroid hormone that promotes male characteristics. The prefix "andr/o" relates to males and "-gen" indicates formation or production.

• Endocrine: Refers to glands that secrete hormones internally. "Endo-" means within, and "-crine" relates to secretion.

• Euthyroid: Indicates a normal functioning thyroid gland. "Eu-" means good or normal, and "-oid" implies resemblance.

• Exocrine: Glands that secrete substances outwardly. The prefix "exo-" means outside.

• Glycosuria: Presence of glucose in urine. "Glycos" means sugar, and "-uria" pertains to urine condition.

• Hypercalcemia: Excessive calcium levels in the blood. "Hyper-" indicates above normal, "calc" refers to calcium, and "-emia" denotes a blood condition.

• Hyperglycemia: Elevated sugar levels in the blood. "Hyper-" denotes excess, "glyc" refers to sweetness or sugar.

• Hyperthyroidism: Condition characterized by excessive activity of the thyroid gland, indicated by "hyper-" and "-ism" meaning condition.

• Hypoglycemia: Abnormally low glucose levels in the blood. "Hypo-" means below or under.

• Hypoinsulinism: Condition of insulin deficiency. "Hypo-" indicates a lower than normal level of insulin.

• Pancreatotomy: Surgical incision into the pancreas. "Pancreat/o" refers to the pancreas, and "-tomy" signifies cut or incision.

• Parathyroidectomy: Excision of one or more parathyroid glands, fundamental in regulating calcium levels.

• Polydipsia: Condition of excessive thirst. "Poly-" means many or much, while "-dipsia" refers to thirst.

• Polyuria: Excessive urination. "Poly-" indicates many, and "-uria" pertains to the quantity of urine.

• Thymoma: A tumor arising from the thymus gland. "Thym/o" relates to the thymus, and "-oma" denotes tumor.

• Thyromegaly: Enlargement of the thyroid gland. "Thyr/o" refers to the thyroid, and "-megaly" indicates enlargement.

• Thyrotoxic: Pertaining to the toxic effects of the thyroid gland. "Thyr/o" relates to the thyroid, and "toxic" indicates poison.

• Toxicologist: A specialist who studies poisons. "Toxic/o" refers to poison, and "-logist" indicates a professional engaged in study or science.