Medical Terminology PDF

ROOT WORDS Angio- Relating to blood vessels. Anti- opposite/against Artho- joint/jointed Bi- two Cephalo- head Chole- bile or gall. Dys- abnormal, painful Myo- muscle Hyper- above normal or excessive Oligo- few or little Lipo- fat Hypo - below, less than normal. He...

ROOT WORDS Angio- Relating to blood vessels. Anti- opposite/against Artho- joint/jointed Bi- two Cephalo- head Chole- bile or gall. Dys- abnormal, painful Myo- muscle Hyper- above normal or excessive Oligo- few or little Lipo- fat Hypo - below, less than normal. Hema/Hemo- blood Litho- stone Hydro- water/liquid/hydrogen Inter- between or together Macro- large or long Mal- abnormal/worse Intra- within or inside. Micro- small -Itis - condition that involves inflammation or infection -Osis - disease process or condition -Penia (poverty) - lack or deficiency of a body constituent. -Pathy - which means suffering or disease -Plasty - to repair, restore, or replace a body part, sometimes with a prosthesis Peri - surrounding or around. Sub- under or beneath. Uro- urine or urinary tract. Trans- "across, over, or beyond Tri- three Uni- one Tele- distant/transmission over a distance Thora- area of the body between the neck and abdomen. Supra- above, beyond, or "on top" Post- after or "behind Osteo- false or fake. Ophthalmic - relating to, situated near, or of the eye. Pulmo- lung. Pyelo- pelvis or renal pelvis. Plantar - relating to, typical of, or occurring on the sole of the foot. -Megaly -indicates enlargement or abnormal enlargement of an organ or body part -Scopy – viewing or examination, especially with a device or tool Centesis - surgical puncture to remove fluid from a body cavity or organ using a hollow needle. -Emia- meaning blood or referring to the presence of a substance in the blood Endo- within, inner, absorbing, or containing. Cardio- heart. -Ectomy - means surgical removal, usually from inside the body Derm- skin or covering.  MEDICAL POSITIONS Abduction-Move away from midline/another part Adduction-Move towards midline/another body part Adventitious- formed accidentally/unusual anatomical position. Agonist- muscle whose contraction moves a part of the body directly. Antecubital- inner/front surface of the forearm Anterior- in front/on surface of Posterior - refers to the back of a structure or a structure located toward the back of the body. Basal- Bottom layer Cytosis- increase in cells Circumduction - a conical movement of a limb or extremity that extends from a joint, with the distal end describing a circle while the proximal end remains fixed. Decubitus- Lying down. Lateral - away from or to the side of the body's middle. Medial - toward the middle or center of the body, or closer to the midline than another structure Distal- - a part of the body that is further away from the center of the body than another part. Proximal - a part of the body is closer to the center of the body or to the point of attachment to the body than another part. Superior - toward the head end of the body, or higher Inferior - toward the bottom or away from the head of the body Dorsal- refers to the back or posterior of a structure, as opposed to the front, or ventral, side. Supination- a rotational movement of the hand, wrist, and forearm that turns the palm upward or forward, with the radius parallel to the ulna. Pronation- the rotation of a body part towards the midline Ectopic - something is in an abnormal position or place. Extension- refers to a movement that increases the angle between two body parts. Hyperextension - a medical term that refers to when a joint is forced to move past its normal range of motion, usually in a straightening direction. Flexion - the bending of an arm or leg at a joint, which decreases the angle between the bones of the limb. Intercostal - a medical term that means situated or extending between the ribs. Interstitial - relating to the spaces between cells, tissues, or organs in the body. Parenteral - outside of the digestive tract or intestines Peripheral - away from the center Topical - relating to, or applied to, a specific part of the body's surface.  MEDICAL PROCEDURES/ACTIONS/PROCESSES Adjuvant- substance that enhances the body’s immune system response to an antigen. Antagonist- substance that stops the action or effect of another substance. Antimicrobial- substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria/mold. Stops them from growing and causing disease. Antipyretic- used to prevent or reduce fever. Antiseptic- substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. Aspirate- act of withdrawing the fluid, tissue, or other substance through a needle. Aspiration- to draw in or out using a sucking motion. Autologous- Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA. Cathartic-substance that speeds up defecation and expels toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Compensation -self-protective process that helps the body maintain its physiological function. Decompensation - general medical term that describes a situation where a structure or system that was previously working with compensation is no longer able to function. Debridement - medical procedure that involves removing dead, contaminated, or unhealthy tissue from a wound to help it heal. Decompression- the removal of pressure. Diluent - substance that is added to a solution or mixture to reduce its concentration, potency, or viscosity. Percutaneous - a medical term that means something passes through the skin. Gauge -refers to a device used to measure the size, capacity, amount, or power of a substance or object. Bevel- Slanted portion of a needle tip that facilitates nontraumatic entry into a vein. Gavage - a method of feeding a person liquids, medicines, or liquid foods through a tube into their stomach or small intestine. Lavage - the process of washing out a body cavity, organ, or wound with a fluid, also known as irrigation. Ostomy - a surgical procedure that creates an opening, called a stoma, from the inside of the body to the outside Positive pressure ventilation - the process of either using a mask or, more commonly, a ventilator to deliver breaths and to decrease the work of breathing in a critically ill patient. Precipitate- The process of a substance being separated from a solution by the action of a reagent so that a precipitate form. Telemetry - a medical technique that monitors a patient's heart health by tracking their heart's electrical activity over time. Tamponade - a medical term that means to block or close a body cavity or wound. Granulation - the process of new tissue and blood vessels developing in a wound during the healing process. Hemostasis - body's mechanism to stop bleeding from a blood vessel or organ. Metastasis -the process by which cancer cells spread from their original location to other parts of the body.  MEDICAL DESCRIPTORS Adverse- harmful/preventing success. Afebrile- not feverish Acuity- severity of illness Acute- severe/sudden Affect- infect/ be present in someone. Benign- refers to condition, tumor, growth that is not cancerous. Malignant - a term used to describe cancer or diseases that involve abnormal cells that divide without control. Approximated- estimate or calculate accurately. Chronic - condition or disease that lasts for a long time and does not go away easily. Cognition -mental process of learning, understanding, and communicating. contraindicated - a medical condition or symptom that makes a treatment or procedure inadvisable or harmful to a patient. Eschar - dead tissue that forms over healthy skin and eventually falls off. Evisceration - disembowelment, i.e., the removal of viscera (internal organs, especially those in the abdominal cavity) Endogenous -something is produced or caused by factors within an organism or cell. Exogenous - something that originates from outside an organism or living cell and is present and active within it. Gait - the pattern of walking or running that is a fundamental part of human movement. Patency - the state of being open or unobstructed, or the degree to which something is not blocked or obstructed. Refractory - a disease or condition that does not respond to treatment. Residual- remaining after a disease or operation. Resistance- the ability to withstand something or opposition to it. Systemic - affecting the entire body, rather than a single organ or body part. Tactile - relating to touch. Therapeutic - relating to the treatment of disease or disorders or helping healing take place.  MEDICAL ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY Antibody- blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antigen- Toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body. Hematocrit- also known as HCT, is a blood test that measures the percentage of red blood cells in a person's blood by volume. Broncho- windpipe Catabolism- phase of metabolism that breaks down complex molecules into smaller ones to produce energy. Cyto- Cell/Cytoplasm Enteral - relating to the intestines, especially the small intestine. Erythrocyte- also known as a red blood cell (RBC), is a blood cell that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Fecal - something that is related to, consists of, or is feces. Flora- a term used to describe the microorganisms that live on or inside the human body, such as bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Gastric - relating to, of, or located near the stomach. Hematoma - a collection of blood that forms outside of blood vessels in an organ, tissue, or body space. Hemoglobin (Hb)- an iron-rich protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs, and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Hepatic- refers to the liver. Integument- an enveloping layer (as a skin, membrane, or husk) of an organism or one of its parts Leukocytes- also known as white blood cells (WBCs), are a type of blood cell that are part of the body's immune system and help fight infection and disease. Lipids - fatty compounds that perform a variety of functions in your body. Mediastinum - a large compartment in the chest that contains vital organs and structures, including the heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland. Nares - the openings of the nose Nasopharynx - the upper part of the throat, or pharynx, which is located behind the nose and above the roof of the mouth. Neutrophils - a type of white blood cell (WBC) that are a vital part of the immune system and help the body fight infection. Oropharynx - the middle part of the throat, located behind the mouth and just above the oral cavity. Pathogen - a living organism that causes disease in a host, such as a human. Perfusion - the flow of bodily fluids, like blood, through the circulatory or lymphatic system to tissues and organs Peristalsis - a series of involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions that move contents through tubular organs, such as the digestive tract, kidneys. Plasma - the clear, yellowish liquid component of blood that makes up about 55% of its volume. Serous - relating to, resembling, or containing serum, which is the clear liquid part of blood. Serum - clear, watery part of blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.  MEDICAL SYMPTOMOLOGY Atrophy- A decrease in size of an organ or tissue; wasting. Bruit- an abnormal, blowing, or whooshing sound that a doctor can hear with a stethoscope over an artery or vascular channel. Caries - medical term for tooth decay or cavities Contracture -permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, or other tissues that causes joints to shorten and become stiff, preventing normal movement. Contusion - medical term for a bruise, which is an injury to tissue that is usually caused by a direct blow or impact to the body. Crepitus - medical term for a popping, clicking, crackling, crunching, grinding, or grating sound that can occur when a joint is moved. Distension- the state of being enlarged, swollen, or stretched out due to internal pressure. Diuresis - a medical term that refers to the condition of producing more urine than normal, or polyuria. Dysphagia- the medical term used to describe swallowing difficulties. Dysplasia - a medical term that describes abnormal growth or development of cells within tissues or organs. Dysrhythmia-also known as arrhythmia, is a medical term for an abnormal or irregular heartbeat. Dysuria - a medical term for a painful or uncomfortable sensation during urination Ecchymosis -the medical term for a bruise, or contusion, which is a discoloration of the skin caused by broken blood vessels leaking blood into the skin's tissues. Effusion - the abnormal accumulation of fluid in hollow spaces or between tissues in the body Erythema- a medical term that refers to abnormal redness of the skin or mucous membranes. Excoriation - a wound or abrasion caused by mechanical injury to the skin. Expectorate - to cough up or spit out mucus, sputum, or other fluids from the respiratory tract. Exudate - a fluid that leaks from blood vessels into nearby tissues, often due to inflammation or injury. Febrile - a medical term that means a patient has a fever, or an elevated body temperature above the normal range. Fistula - an abnormal connection between two body parts that usually do not connect, such as an organ, vessel, or intestine to another organ, vessel, intestine, or the skin. Glycosuria- a medical term that refers to the presence of abnormal amounts of sugar, such as glucose, galactose, lactose, or fructose, in urine. Hematemesis -the medical term for vomiting blood, which can be bright red or look like coffee grounds. Hematuria - blood in the urine, which can be visible or microscopic. Hemolysis - breakdown of red blood cells Hepatotoxicity - refers to liver damage or impaired liver function caused by exposure to certain substances. Immunosuppressed- have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. Leukocytosis - higher than normal number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the body Malabsorption - a clinical term that refers to the body's inability to digest or absorb nutrients from food. Melena- a medical term for black or tarry stools that are a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. Maceration is the process of skin softening and breaking down due to prolonged exposure to moisture. Necrosis - death of body tissue, usually localized, that occurs when cells are irreversibly injured and eventually die due to pathological processes. Nephrotoxic - damaging or poisonous to the kidneys Occlusion - a complete or partial blockage of a blood vessel Oliguria - a medical term that refers to a decreased production of urine. Ototoxicity - when a person develops hearing or balance problems due to a medicine. Pallor - describes an abnormal loss of color in the skin or mucous membranes. Polyuria- also known as excessive urination, is a medical condition that involves producing or passing abnormally copious amounts of urine over a 24- hour period. Proteinuria - refers to a higher-than-normal amount of protein in urine Purulent - containing, producing, or consisting of pus. Rales- also known as crackles, are abnormal lung sounds that are heard when a person inhales and can be detected with a stethoscope. Rhonchi - abnormal breath sounds that are low-pitched, loud, and continuous, and can sound like snoring, gurgling, or rattling. Stasis - a stoppage or slowing of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid, usually caused by an obstruction. Thrill - a vibratory sensation felt on the skin over an area of turbulence.  MEDICAL CONDITIONS Anemia- low health red blood cells Asepsis- condition in which no living disease-causing microorganisms are present. Cellulitis -bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it Cachexia - a complicated metabolic syndrome related to underlying illness and characterized by muscle mass loss with or without fat mass loss. Dehiscence- surgical complication that occurs when the edges of a wound separate due to improper healing. Diaphoresis - excessive sweating Embolus -a blood clot or other substance that travels through blood vessels and blocks blood flow in a smaller vessel. Hemoptysis- a medical condition that occurs when blood or bloody mucus is coughed up from the lungs or airways. Hypercapnia- also known as hypercarbia or CO2 retention, is a medical condition that occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood are abnormally high. Hyperglycemia- also known as high blood sugar, is a condition where there is an abnormally high amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Hypoglycemia- or low blood sugar, is a condition that occurs when blood glucose levels drop below a healthy level, and bodily functions cannot continue. Hypoxemia - a medical condition where there is a low level of oxygen in the blood, usually starting in the arteries. Hypoxia - a medical condition that occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the body's tissues to maintain homeostasis. Ileus - a condition that occurs when the intestines do not function properly, causing a blockage in the bowel. Ischemia - a medical condition that occurs when blood flows to a part of the body is restricted or reduced due to a blockage or narrowing of a blood vessel. Leukopenia - a medical condition that occurs when the body has a lower- than-normal number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood Neutropenia- a condition where the body has a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection. Nocturia- also known as nycturia, is the medical term for waking up at night to urinate, especially when it is excessive. Petechiae -small, flat, round red, brown, or purple spots that appear on the skin or in mucous membranes due to bleeding from broken capillaries. Pruritus- a medical term for itching or an unpleasant sensation on the skin that makes you want to scratch. Pyrexia- also known as fever, is a medical term that refers to a condition in which a person's body temperature rises above normal. Sepsis- also known as septicemia, is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body's immune system has an extreme response to Stenosis -a medical term that refers to the narrowing or constriction of a bodily passage or orifice. Thrombocytopenia- also known as low platelet count, is a blood disorder that occurs when a person has fewer than 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombus - a blood clot that forms in the heart or on the wall of a blood vessel when blood cells, proteins, and platelets stick together. Tinnitus - a medical term that refers to hearing noises in your ears when there is no outside source of the sounds. Urticaria- also known as hives, is a skin reaction that causes itchy, raised, red areas or welts on the skin.