Medical Terminology Flashcards

Medical Terminology

• Specialized vocabulary for identifying human anatomy, physiology, locations, directions, and medical instructions.
• Comprises root words, prefixes, and suffixes to create precise medical language.

Components of Medical Terms

• Root Word: Core meaning of a word that can stand alone.
• Combining Form: Combination of a root word and a vowel.
• Prefix: Syllable(s) at the beginning of a word that expand or modify the meaning, often indicating size, shape, or status.
• Suffix: Added to the end of a word, modifying its meaning or part of speech.

Types of Words

• Antonyms: Opposite meanings (e.g., hot/cold).
• Homonyms: Words that sound alike but differ in meaning (e.g., "ate" and "eight").
• Homographs: Words spelled the same but pronounced differently, often with different meanings (e.g., "wound" as in an injury vs. "wound" as in to wrap).

Human Body Structures

• Anatomy: Study of body structures.
• Physiology: Study of the functions and interactions of body structures.
• Cell: The most basic unit of life, foundational to all living organisms.
• Organs: Groups of tissues functioning together for specific tasks.
• Organ Systems: Groups of organs coordinating to perform essential body functions.
• Tissues: Collections of similar cells performing a specific function.

Membranes and Cavities

• Membranes: Thin layers surrounding organs with types including pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal.
• Cavities: Hollow spaces within the body, such as the dorsal cavity (includes cranial and vertebral cavities) and ventral cavity.

Anatomical Planes

• Coronal Plane: Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior).
• Transverse Plane: Crosswise division into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) halves.
• Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right parts.

Patient Assessment

• Triage: Assessment to determine treatment priorities based on airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
• Patient Complaint: The subjective report from a patient explaining their need for medical attention.
• Urgency Levels: Includes emergent (immediate attention), urgent (within 20 min - 2 hours), and non-urgent (not requiring immediate attention).

Blood and Muscles

• Hematology Terms:
  • Erythrocytes: Red blood cells.
  • Leukocytes: White blood cells.
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): A test referred to as a hemogram.
• Muscle Types:
  • Visceral Muscle: Smooth muscle, involuntary.
  • Cardiac Muscle: Muscle specific to the heart.
  • Skeletal Muscle: Striated muscle, under voluntary control.

Other Key Terms

• Vitals: Vital signs including pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
• Incontinence: Involuntary bladder emptying.
• Quantitative Serum Test: Measures levels of hormones like hCG, relevant in pregnancy.
• Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
• Radiology Terms:
  • X-ray: Electromagnetic radiation enabling imaging.
  • STAT: Immediate medical attention derived from "statim".

This summary aggregates vital terms and concepts within medical language, enhancing comprehension of anatomy, physiology, and clinical practice.