Medical Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology is the language used to describe components and processes of the human body, medical procedures, diseases, and pharmacology.
The purpose of medical terminology is to allow all medical professionals to communicate effectively.
Root words are the base of a word that convey meaning.
Prefixes are added before the root word to change the meaning or add information.
Suffixes are added to the end of the word and usually describe the kind of problem.
Combining vowels join one root to another root or to a suffix. The most common combining vowels are "o" followed by "a".

Prefixes & Their Meanings

A-, An-: without, lacking
- Examples:
  - Aphasia: no speech
  - Anemia: haemoglobin deficiency
  - Analgesic: drug that controls pain sensation (No pain)
Anti: against
- Examples:
  - Anti-inflammatory: a drug to treat inflammation.
  - Antiseptic: against infection with micro-organisms.
Contra: against
- Examples:
  - Contraception: prevention of pregnancy.
  - Contraindication: against indication (should not be used).
Cyto: cell
- Examples:
  - Cytology: a branch of science concerned with studying the structure and function of cells.
Ante: before, forward
- Examples:
  - Anterior: positioned at or towards the front.
  - Antenatal: before birth.
Dys: difficult
- Examples:
  - Dyspnea: difficult breathing.
  - Dysuria: difficult micturition.
  - Dysphagia: difficult swallowing.
Pan: all
- Examples:
  - Pancytopenia: decrease in all blood cells.
  - Pancarditis: inflammation of all layers of the heart.
Epi: above
- Examples:
  - Epigastric: above the stomach
  - Epiphysis: upper part of the bone
Retro: behind, backward
- Examples:
  - Retroperitoneal: behind peritoneum.
Xero: dry
- Examples:
  - Xerophthalmia: dry eyes.
  - Xerostomia: dry mouth.
  - Xeroderma: dry skin.
Mono: one
- Examples:
  - Monocyte: one cell.
  - Mononuclear: contain only one nucleus.
  - Monoplegia: paralysis in one limb.
Multi: many
- Examples:
  - Multidrug therapy: the use of many drugs in the treatment
  - Multiform: has many forms.
Bi: Two or both
- Examples:
  - Bilateral: both sides
    - Example: Bilateral conjunctivitis.
  - Bilayer: two layers.
Tri: three
- Examples:
  - Tricuspid valve: valve in the heart with 3 cusps.
Quadri: four
- Examples:
  - Quadriplegia: paralysis of all the 4 limbs
Homo: the same
- Examples:
  - Homogenous: the same or uniform structure.
Hetero: different
- Examples:
  - Heterogenous: diverse in character or content.

Medical Terminology

Medical terminology allows medical professionals to communicate effectively.
Root words are the base of a medical term.
Prefixes are added before the root word to modify its meaning.
Suffixes are added to the end of the root word and usually describe the type of issue.
Combining vowels are letters like "o" or "a" that connect root words or a root word with a suffix.

Prefixes and Meanings

A- or An- : without, lacking
- Aphasia: inability to speak
- Anemia: lack of hemoglobin in the blood
- Analgesic: pain reliever
Anti-: against
- Anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation
- Antiseptic: prevents infection with microorganisms
Contra: against
- Contraception: preventing pregnancy
- Contraindication: a reason why a treatment should not be used
Cyto: cell
- Cytology: study of cells
Ante: before, forward
- Anterior: located towards the front
- Antenatal: before birth
Dys: difficult
- Dyspnea: difficulty breathing
- Dysuria: difficulty urinating
- Dysphagia: difficulty swallowing
Pan: all
- Pancytopenia: decrease in all blood cells
- Pancarditis: inflammation of all layers of the heart
Epi: above
- Epigastric: located above the stomach
- Epiphysis: upper part of a bone
Retro: behind, backward
- Retroperitoneal: located behind the peritoneum
Xero: dry
- Xerophthalmia: dry eyes
- Xerostomia: dry mouth
- Xeroderma: dry skin
Mono: one
- Monocyte: type of white blood cell
- Mononuclear: having one nucleus
- Monoplegia: paralysis in one limb
Multi: many
- Multidrug Therapy: using multiple drugs in treatment
- Multiform: having many forms
Bi: two or both
- Bilateral: affecting both sides of the body
- Bilayer: having two layers
Tri: three
- Tricuspid valve: heart valve with three flaps
Quadri: four
- Quadriplegia: paralysis of all four limbs
Homo: same
- Homogeneous: having the same or uniform structure
Hetero: different
- Heterogeneous: having diverse character or content