Medical Terminology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is medical terminology primarily based upon?

English and Spanish words

Greek and Latin words (correct)

Italian and Russian words

French and German words

Medical terminology is a fixed vocabulary that never expands.

False

What is the fundamental unit of each medical word called?

word root

A short word part added at the end of a root to modify its meaning is called a ______.

suffix Signup and view all the answers

Match the following word parts with their definitions:

Word Root = Fundamental unit of each medical word Suffix = Short word part added at the end of a root Prefix = Short word part added before a root Combining Forms = Vowel inserted to aid in pronunciation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a prefix?

A short word part added before a root Signup and view all the answers

The term 'gastroduodenostomy' refers to a connection between the stomach and the colon.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of medical terminology?

Effective and accurate communication among healthcare professionals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'HYPER-' mean?

excessive / above Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'SUB-' signifies 'above'.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the suffix '-ITIS'?

inflammation Signup and view all the answers

'______' refers to a tumor and is used as a suffix.

OMA Signup and view all the answers

Match the following root words to their descriptions:

CARDIO- = heart DERMA- = skin NEPHRO- = kidney ONCO- = mass (tumor) Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'EPI-' describe?

upon Signup and view all the answers

The suffix '-PATHY' indicates a condition or a disease.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'CYTO-' refer to?

cell Signup and view all the answers

'______' is the prefix that means 'within'.

ENDO Signup and view all the answers

Match the following suffixes with their meanings:

-ECTOMY = excision / removal -OSIS = disease / condition -LOGY = study / science of -AEMIA = condition of blood Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix describes the process of making an image?

-graph(y) Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'TRANS-' means 'next to or beside'.

False Signup and view all the answers

Define the prefix 'INTER-'.

between Signup and view all the answers

The root 'HEPATI-' refers to the ______.

liver Signup and view all the answers

Match the following prefixes with the correct descriptions:

POST- = after PRE- = before DYS- = difficult / painful Para- = beside / near Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Terminology Overview

Specialized vocabulary used by healthcare professionals for effective communication.
Primarily derived from Greek and Latin roots, ensuring consistency and uniformity globally.
Enables the compression of complex phrases into precise terms (e.g., gastroduodenostomy = communication between stomach and small intestine).

Learning and Structure

Vast and continuously expanding vocabulary likened to learning a foreign language.
Most terms can be deconstructed into roots, prefixes, and suffixes, each with a specific meaning, aiding in understanding and memory retention.

Word Parts

Word Root: The fundamental component providing the basic meaning (e.g., cardio relates to the heart).
Suffix: Added at the end of a root to modify meaning (e.g., -itis indicates inflammation).
Prefix: Added at the beginning to alter meaning (e.g., pre- means before).
Combining Forms: Involves inserting a vowel when adding a suffix that starts with a consonant to aid pronunciation.

Common Prefixes

AN-, A-: without (e.g., anemia = lack of red blood cells)
AB-: away from (e.g., abnormal = away from normal)
AD-: toward (e.g., adrenal = gland near the kidney)
BI-: two (e.g., bilateral = affecting both sides)
DYS-: difficult (e.g., dysfunction = not functioning correctly)
ECTO- / ENDO-: outside / inside (e.g., ectopic pregnancy = outside uterine cavity)
HYPER-/ HYPO-: above / below (e.g., hyperglycemia = high blood sugar)
INTER- / INTRA-: between / within (e.g., intercostal = between ribs)
PARA- / PERI-: beside / around (e.g., parathyroid = near thyroid)
PRE- / POST-: before / after (e.g., prenatal = before birth)

Common Roots

BLAST-: immature cell (e.g., blastoma = cancer of immature cells)
CARCINO-: cancer (e.g., carcinogenic = cancer-causing)
CARDIO-: heart (e.g., cardiotoxicity = heart toxicity)
DERMA-: skin (e.g., dermatitis = skin inflammation)
HEPATI-: liver (e.g., hepatoblastoma = liver cancer)
NEPHRO-: kidney (e.g., nephrotoxic = harmful to kidneys)
NEURO-: nerves (e.g., neuroblast = immature nerve cell)

Frequently Used Suffixes

-AEMIA: blood condition (e.g., leukemia = blood cancer)
-ECTOMY: removal (e.g., nephrectomy = kidney removal)
-ITIS: inflammation (e.g., hepatitis = liver inflammation)
-OLOGY: study of (e.g., cytology = cell study)
-OMA: tumor (e.g., retinoblastoma = eye tumor)
-PATHY: disease (e.g., neuropathy = nerve disease)

Additional Terms

Echo-: utilizing ultrasonic waves for testing.
Electro-: involving electricity in procedures.
-graph/y: making images or visual representations in studies.
-scopy: using instruments for visual examination (e.g., endoscopy).
-stomy: creating an opening in a surgical procedure.

Conclusion

Understanding medical terminology involves familiarity with its structured components: roots, prefixes, and suffixes, each important for accurate communication in the healthcare setting.

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Description

Explore the foundational elements of medical terminology, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes essential for effective communication in healthcare. This quiz will guide you through the structure and significance of specialized vocabulary used by professionals in the medical field.