Medical Terminology Flashcards

Medical Root Words and Their Definitions

• radic/o & radicul/o: Both refer to the nerve root, essential in understanding conditions related to spinal nerve roots.
• radi/o: Indicates rays or X-rays, commonly used in diagnostic imaging.
• re-: A prefix meaning back, often used to imply a return or reversal in medical terms.
• rect/o: Refers specifically to the rectum, important in discussions of digestive health.
• ren/o: Pertains to the kidney, a key organ in filtering blood and producing urine.
• reticul/o: Signifies a net or mesh, particularly in the context of immature red blood cells.
• retin/o: Relates to the retina, vital for vision; the retina converts light into neural signals.
• retro-: A prefix used to indicate after, backward, or located behind; commonly used in anatomical descriptions.
• -rhabdomy: Refers to skeletal muscle, which is essential in the study of muscle anatomy and physiology.
• -rhexis: Indicates rupture, often related to conditions involving organs or blood vessels.
• rhin/o: Denotes the nose; important in respiratory system terminology.
• rhytid/o: Refers to wrinkles, often used in dermatology and cosmetic discussions.
• rib/o: Means sugar, significant in biochemistry and nutrition.
• roentgen/o: Refers to X-rays, crucial for understanding imaging technology.
• rose/o: Indicates rose or red; occasionally seen in descriptions of dermatological conditions.
• -rrhagia: Represents abnormal flow, commonly associated with hemorrhaging.
• -rrhaphy: Refers to suture, vital in surgical terminology.
• -rrhea: Means flow or discharge, frequently used in descriptions of bodily secretions.
• -rrhexis: Indicates rupture, similar to earlier definition with emphasis on its critical nature in health conditions.
• rube/o: Refers to red; relevant in a variety of medical contexts.
• sacr/o: Relates to the sacrum, part of the vertebral skeleton.
• salping/o: Indicates the Eustachian tube, oviducts, and fallopian tubes, significant in reproductive and auditory anatomy.
• -salpinx: Refers to fallopian tubes or oviducts, emphasizing reproductive health.
• sarc/o: Denotes flesh or connective tissue, focusing on tissue type and development.
• scapul/o: Relates to the scapula (shoulder blade), essential in orthopedic discussions.
• -schesis: Indicates a condition of checking; may refer to blockage or obstruction.
• -schisis: Refers to split or fissure, often used in discussing anatomical or pathological splits.
• schiz/o: Indicates a split, relevant in various psychological and anatomical contexts.
• scint/i: Refers to spark, sometimes used in nuclear medicine.
• -scirrhus: Means hardening, commonly associated with tumors or tissues.
• scler/o: Pertains to the sclera or hard tissues; significant in anatomical studies.
• -sclerosis: Indicates hardening, frequently in discussions of atherosclerosis or multiple sclerosis.
• scoli/o: Refers to crooked or curved, essential in spinal deformity discussions.
• -scope: Instruments used for visual examination, crucial in diagnostic procedures.
• -scopy: Represents examination, often used to denote processes involving direct observation.
• scot/o: Refers to darkness, could relate to visual defects or conditions.
• seb/o: Denotes sebum or oil, relevant in dermatological contexts.
• secti/o: Means to cut, significant in surgical terminology.
• secundi-: Refers to second, often used in various medical classifications.
• semi: Indicates half or partial, common in discussions of dosages or conditions.
• sensa-: Means feeling, crucial in sensory biology and pathology.
• -sepsis: Refers to infection, often related to systemic infections or sepsis.
• sept-: Means seven; could refer to anatomical structures or counting.
• sex-: Denotes six; often used in anatomical descriptions of structures.
• sial/o: Refers to saliva, important in digestive and oral health discussions.
• sider/o: Refers to iron, significant in discussing blood health and anemia.
• sigmoid/o: Pertains to the sigmoid colon, part of the lower intestine.
• sinistr/o: Indicates left or to the left of, important in anatomical positioning.
• sinus/o: Refers to sinus or cavity; relevant in respiratory conditions.
• -sis: Indicates a state of or condition, commonly used in various medical terminologies.
• somat/o: Refers to body; significant in discussions of holistic health.
• somn-: Pertains to sleep, crucial in sleep studies and disorders.
• son/o: Indicates sound, essential in ultrasound technology.
• -spasm: Refers to contraction, commonly used in muscle pathology.
• spermat/o: Relates to sperm; significant in reproductive biology.
• spher/o: Means globe or round, sometimes used in microbiology to describe cells.
• sphincter/o: Refers to the sphincter muscle, important in discussions of control over bodily functions.
• sphygm/o & -sphyxia: Both pertain to pulse, important in cardiovascular health.
• spin/o: Refers to the spine or backbone, essential in discussions of musculoskeletal health.