Medical Terminology Flashcards

Medical Terminology Overview

• Arteri/o translates to artery; end arterial refers to the interior of an artery.
• Ather/o means plaque or fatty substance; an atheroma is a fatty deposit in an artery wall.
• Arthr/o indicates a joint; arthralgia refers to pain in one or more joints.

Surgical Terminology

• Ectomy refers to surgical removal; appendectomy is the removal of the appendix.
• Ostomy signifies surgical creation of an artificial opening; colostomy connects the colon to the body surface.
• Otomy means cutting or incision; colotomy indicates an incision into the colon.

Pathology Terms

• Fissure describes a groove or crack-like sore in the skin and normal brain folds.
• A fistula is an abnormal passage between organs or from an organ to the body's surface, often due to surgery or injury.

Anatomy Terms

• Ileum is the last and longest part of the small intestine.
• Ilium refers to a part of the hip bone.

Infection and Inflammation

• Infection is the invasion of the body by pathogenic organisms, leading to diseases.
• Malaise signifies general discomfort, often an initial sign of infection.
• Exudate is the fluid that leaks from an infected wound.

Key Indicators of Inflammation

• Inflammation is a localized response to tissue injury.
• Erythema reflects redness and is a key inflammation indicator.
• Hyperthermia indicates heat, another sign of inflammation.
• Edema refers to swelling, indicating inflammation.
• Pain is a crucial indicator of inflammation severity.

Other Medical Terms

• Laceration describes a torn or jagged wound.
• Lesion represents pathologic changes in tissues from disease or injury.
• Mucous membranes line body cavities; mucus is the fluid they secrete.

Specialized Medical Vocabulary

• Myc/o pertains to fungus; mycosis refers to diseases caused by fungi.
• Myel/o relates to bone marrow or spinal cord; myelopathy indicates pathologic changes in the spinal cord.
• My/o signifies muscle; myopathy refers to muscle tissue disease.

Medical Specialists

• Ologist denotes a specialist; a dermatologist specializes in skin disorders.
• Ology means the study of; neonatology is the study of newborn disorders.

Examination Techniques

• Palpation is the technique of examining body parts through the examiner's hands.
• Palpitation refers to a racing or pounding heart sensation.

Renal and Digestive Terms

• Pyel/o relates to the renal pelvis; pyelitis refers to renal pelvis inflammation.
• Py/o stands for pus; pyoderma is a pus-forming bacterial skin infection.
• Pyr/o means fever or fire; pyrosis, known as heartburn, is discomfort from stomach acid regurgitation.

Motion and Medical Processes

• Supination is the rotation of the arm, allowing the palm to face forward or upward.
• Suppuration is the formation or discharge of pus.
• Triage is the medical screening process for patients to prioritize treatment needs.
• Trauma indicates wounds or injuries, common in various emergencies.
• Viral pertains to viruses, while virile describes properties typical of adult males.

Test your knowledge of medical terminology with these flashcards. Each card presents a root word or prefix and its definition, focusing on terms commonly used in the medical field. Perfect for students studying medicine or health sciences.