Medical Terminology Roots Quiz

Medical Term Reference Guide - Roots Table

• Cardi/o: Heart; Example: Cardiologist (specialist in heart treatment)
• Pulm/o: Lung; Example: Pulmonary (pertaining to lungs)
• Nephr/o, Ren/o: Kidney; Example: Nephrology (study of the kidney)
• Gastr/o: Stomach; Example: Gastroenterology (study of the stomach and intestines)
• Enter/o: Intestine; Example: Enteritis (inflammation of the intestine)
• Hem/o, Hemat/o: Blood; Example: Hemoglobin (protein in red blood cells)
• Oste/o: Bone; Example: Osteoporosis (condition of weakened bones)
• Neur/o: Nerve; Example: Neurology (study of nervous system)
• Myel/o: Bone marrow; Example: Myeloid (pertaining to bone marrow)
• Hepat/o: Liver; Example: Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Derm/o: Skin; Example: Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
• Cyt/o: Cell; Example: Cytology (study of cells)
• My/o: Muscle; Example: Myopathy (disease of the muscles)
• Cephal/o: Head; Example: Cephalalgia (headache); Example: Cervical region (refers to the neck)
• Cervic/o: Neck; Example: Cervical region (refers to the neck)
• Thorac/o: Chest/Thorax; Example: Thoracic region (refers to the chest)
• Encephal/o: Brain; Example: Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
• Arthr/o: Joint; Example: Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
• Blephar/o: Eyelid; Example: Blepharoplasty (surgical repair of the eyelids)
• Opt/o, Ophthalm/o: Eye; Example: Optometry (measurement of vision); Example: Ophthalmology (study of the eye)
• Kinesi/o: Movement; Example: Kinesiology (study of the body)

Medical Term Reference Guide - Additional Terms

• Calc/o: Calcium; Example: Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood)
• Kal/o: Potassium; Example: Hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood)
• Glyc/o: Sugar; Example: Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Ox/o: Oxygen; Example: Hypoxia (low oxygen levels)
• Pne/o: Breathing; Example: Apnea (absence of breathing)
• Sperm/o: Sperm; Example: Spermicide (substance that kills sperm)
• Abdomin/o: Abdomen; Example: Abdominoplasty (surgical repair of the abdomen)
• Celi/o: Abdomen; Example: Celiotomy (surgical incision into the abdomen)
• Lapar/o: Abdominal wall; Example: Laparoscopy (visual examination of the abdomen)
• Lumb/o: Lower back; Example: Lumbago (lower back pain)
• Periton/o: Peritoneum; Example: Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum)
• Acro/o: Extremities; Example: Acromegaly (enlargement of extremities)
• Dactyl/o: Fingers, toes; Example: Dactylitis (inflammation of fingers or toes)
• Ped/o: Foot; Example: Podiatry (the medical treatment and study of the feet)
• Pod/o: Foot; Example: Podiatrist (specialist in foot care)
• Pyema: Pus; Example: Pyemia (blood infection with pus producing bacteria)
• Kinesia: Rapid motion

Medical Term Reference Guide - Suffixes Table

• -logy: Study of; Example: Neurology (study of the nervous system)
• -logist: One who studies; Example: Cardiologist (one who studies the heart)
• -itis: Inflammation; Example: Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
• -ectomy: Surgical removal; Example: Appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix)
• -scopy: Process of visually examining; Example: Endoscopy (visual examination of internal structures)
• -algia: Pain; Example: Arthralgia (joint pain)
• -dynia: Pain; Example: Cephalodynia (head pain)
• -megaly: Enlargement; Example: Cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart)
• -oma: Tumor; Example: Melanoma (tumor originating from melanocytes)
• -sclerosis: Hardening; Example: Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• -pathy: Disease; Example: Neuropathy (disease of the nerves)
• -plasty: Surgical repair; Example: Rhinoplasty (surgical repair of the nose)
• -gram: Record or image; Example: Mammogram (x-ray image of the breast)
• -therapy: Treatment; Example: Chemotherapy (treatment with chemicals, often cancer therapy)
• -centesis: Surgical puncture; Example: Amniocentesis (puncture to remove amniotic fluid)
• -graph: Instrument that records; Example: Electrocardiograph (machine recording heart's electrical activity)
• -graphy: Process of recording; Example: Radiography (process of taking x-ray images)
• -lysis: Separation, breakdown; Example: Hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)
• -scope: Instrument for visual exam; Example: Microscope (instrument for examining small objects)
• -tic: Pertaining to; Example: Cardiac (pertaining to the heart)
• -ous: Pertaining to; Example: Cutaneous (pertaining to the skin)
• -ic: Pertaining to; Example: Nephrotic (pertaining to the kidneys)

Medical Term Reference Guide - Prefixes Table

• Uni-: One; Example: Unilateral (affecting one side)
• Bi-: Two; Example: Bicuspid (tooth with two points)
• Hemi-: Half; Example: Hemisphere (half of a rounded structure)
• Multi-: Many; Example: Multivitamin (containing many vitamins)

Additional Medical Terminology Notes

Includes detailed terminology for a vast collection of medical terms and their associated meanings and examples.