Medical Terminology Flashcards & Quiz Practice

Questions and Answers

What are the basic parts of a medical word?

Prefix (correct)

Combining form (correct)

Suffix (correct)

Root word (correct)

What is a root word?

The primary unit of a word that carries its significance, most often a noun.

What does a combining word do?

Inserts a vowel after the root word to facilitate pronunciation and connects the root word to the suffix.

What is a combining vowel?

A vowel that connects roots to suffixes and roots to other roots. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a suffix?

To describe the meaning of the root word. Signup and view all the answers

What does -algia mean?

Pain. Signup and view all the answers

What does -ectomy refer to?

Excision of. Signup and view all the answers

What condition does -osis indicate?

Condition of. Signup and view all the answers

What does -ostomy mean?

Forming a new opening. Signup and view all the answers

What does -oma denote?

Tumor. Signup and view all the answers

What are prefixes?

Elements that appear before the root word and modify its meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What is abduction in medical terms?

Movement away from the center of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What does cranial refer to?

Brain. Signup and view all the answers

What does thoracic refer to?

Lungs and major blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What does abdominal include?

Stomach, liver, spleen, and intestines. Signup and view all the answers

What is edema?

Fluid buildup. Signup and view all the answers

What does dyspnea mean?

Painful breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What does tachy indicate?

Fast. Signup and view all the answers

What is chronic?

Long, drawn-out illness. Signup and view all the answers

What does palliative treatment mean?

Treatment that relieves symptoms without curing the disease. Signup and view all the answers

What does prognosis refer to?

The prediction of the outcome of the disease. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Word Structure

Medical words consist of roots, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes.
Root words provide the core meaning, often nouns indicating body parts or systems.
Combining forms insert vowels for easier pronunciation and link roots to suffixes.
Suffixes modify or extend the meaning of the root and are situated at the word's end.
Prefixes precede the root and alter its meaning, such as "hyper" indicating excess.

Common Medical Suffixes

-algia: Indicates pain.
-ectomy: Denotes excision or surgical removal.
-osis: Refers to a condition or disease.
-ostomy: Creates a new opening in the body.
-oma: Signifies a tumor.
-orrhea: Indicates a flow or discharge.
-genic: Means producing.

Anatomical Terminology

Cranial: Relates to the brain.
Spinal: Pertains to the spinal cord.
Thoracic: Associated with lungs and major blood vessels.
Abdominal: Involves digestive organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines.
Pelvis: Defines the lower abdomen area containing reproductive organs and the bladder.

Movement Terms

Abduction: Movement away from the body's center.
Adduction: Movement towards the body's center.
Adhesion: The process of sticking together.

Signs, Symptoms, and Conditions

Sign: An observable abnormality noticed during examination.
Symptom: An experience noted by the patient relating to their senses.
Edema: Refers to fluid accumulation in tissues.
Emesis: Indicates vomiting.
Malaise: Describes a general feeling of illness.
Anorexia: Characterizes loss of appetite.

Vital Signs and Basic Measurements

Vital signs include body temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain indicators; they provide continuous patient health information.

Prefixes and Position Indicators

peri-: Around.
epi-: Above or over.
sub-: Below or under.
supra-: Upper or above.
infra-: Beneath or below.

Ectoderm: Outer layer of the skin.
Mesoderm: Middle layer of the skin.
Endoderm: Inner layer of the skin.

Diagnostic Terms

Diagnosis: The process of identifying an illness based on signs, symptoms, and history.
Prognosis: The anticipated outcome of an illness, described as favorable or unfavorable.

Types of Illness

Acute: Illness with severe symptoms and a rapid onset; examples include pneumonia.
Chronic: Long-lasting conditions like diabetes; often require ongoing management.

Treatment Types

Palliative: Focuses on symptom relief without curing the underlying disease.
Prophylactic/Prophylaxis: Preventative measures to avoid disease before onset.

Additional Medical Terms

Tachy-: Relates to fast rates (e.g., tachycardia).
Brady-: Indicates slow rates (e.g., bradycardia).
Cyan/o: Refers to the color blue, often indicating hypoxia.
Leuk/o: Pertains to the color white, related to leukocytes (white blood cells).
Erythr/o: Associated with the color red, often used in relation to red blood cells.

Miscellaneous Anatomy and Terminology

Cheil/o: Refers to lips; cheilitis means inflammation of lips.
Proct/o: Relates to the anus; proctitis means inflammation of the anus.
Myel/o: Refers to the spinal cord or bone marrow.
Phleb/o: Pertains to veins, associated with the study of venous blood flow.
-megaly: Indicates enlargement of an organ or body part.

These notes summarize essential medical terminology, providing context for understanding anatomy, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment approaches in healthcare.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of medical terminology with these flashcards! This quiz focuses on the basic components of medical words, including root words, suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms. Perfect for students or professionals aiming to enhance their understanding of medical vocabulary.

Medical Terminology Flashcards