Medical Terminology Study Guide

Medical Terminology Overview

• Curriculum derived from Introduction to Medical Terminology, tailored for high school.
• Emphasizes memorization of medical terms for effective learning.
• Utilization of study methods like notes, flashcards, and Quizlet is encouraged.

Unit 1: The Basics

• Military time format used in healthcare for clarity (24-hour clock).
• Essential terminology for understanding medical conditions and terms related to body systems.

Diseases of the Skeletal System

• Ankylosis: Fusion of bones, causing joint stiffness.
• Chondromalacia: Deterioration of cartilage under the kneecap, often termed "runner’s knee."
• Dislocation: Displacement of a joint from its normal position.
• Gout: Condition arising from excess uric acid, causing joint inflammation and pain.
• Kyphosis: Abnormal curve of the spine, known as "hunchback."
• Osteoporosis: Condition causing bones to become brittle and fragile.
• Scoliosis: Sideway curvature of the spine, often developing during growth spurts.

Muscular System Terms

• Ataxia: Loss of control in bodily movements.
• Hypertrophy: Increase in size of an organ or tissue due to enlarged cells.
• Muscular dystrophy: Hereditary disorder resulting in muscle wasting and weakness.
• Myasthenia gravis: Condition characterized by impaired communication between muscles and nerves.
• Rhabdomyolysis: Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing contents into the bloodstream.

Unit 4: Integumentary System

• Functions include providing a barrier against sunlight and infection, regulating temperature, and synthesizing Vitamin D.
• Key components consist of skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and oil glands.

Word Parts

• Prefixes like "auto-" (self), "epi-" (above), and "intra-" (within) used in terminology.
• Roots such as "aden/o" (gland), "cutane/o" (skin), and "necr/o" (death of cells) form the basis of many medical terms.
• Suffixes indicating conditions or actions include "-itis" (inflammation), "-oma" (tumor), and "-plasty" (surgical repair).

Cancerous Skin Lesions

• Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common type, appearing as transparent bumpy patches.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: More serious than basal carcinoma, manifests as red, scaly papules.
• Kaposi’s Sarcoma: Tumor related to blood vessels, associated with AIDS.

ABCDE of Melanoma

• Asymmetry: Unequal halves of a mole.
• Border: Irregular edges of a mole.
• Color: Presence of different shades within a mole.
• Diameter: Mole larger than a pencil eraser (¼ inch).
• Evolution: Changes in size, shape, or color of a mole.

Types of Burns

• Details of burn types are omitted for brevity but are essential in medical assessment and treatment.