Medical Terminology Study Guide PDF

“Created by Syed Hoda for use at Simple Studies” Medical Terminology Study Guide ***NOTE: The curriculum of the course comes from the textbook Introduction to Medical Terminology, 1st Editio...

“Created by Syed Hoda for use at Simple Studies” Medical Terminology Study Guide ***NOTE: The curriculum of the course comes from the textbook Introduction to Medical Terminology, 1st Edition, written by Linda Stanhope and Kimberly Turnbull, which is specifically developed for high school students. The textbook is published by Goodheart-Willcox Learning, and neither Simple Studies nor the author of this study guide take credit for developing the curriculum of the course. Medical Terminology is heavily memorization based, especially for learning terms. Using this guide’s information, find your own way of studying (writing notes, flashcards, diagrams, Quizlets. etc.) The first unit covers basic terminology that is used in a health care setting. The building block terms located at the end of the first unit are essential to understand the remaining units, which cover terms, conditions and diseases specific to a body system. I personally recommend using Quizlet for the whole entire course to memorize. It also provides diagrams that can help visualize during studying. All images used in the study guide are labeled for noncommercial reuse. We do not claim ownership of any images used in this study guide. Unit 1: The Basics Military Time Conversions: Military time, based on 24 hours, is utilized in the medical field. It is more clear to use in healthcare documents; AM, PM are not used. Standard Military Standard Military 12:01 AM 0001 12:01 PM 1201 12:05 AM 0005 12:05 PM 1205  12:30 AM 0030 12:30 PM 1230 1:00 AM 0100 1:00 PM 1300 2:00 AM 0200 2:00 PM 1400 3:00 AM 0300 3:00 PM 1500 4:00 AM 0400 4:00 PM 1600 5:00 AM 0500 5:00 PM 1700 6:00 AM 0600 6:00 PM 1800 7:00 AM 0700 7:00 PM 1900 8:00 AM 0800 8:00 PM 2000 9:00 AM 0900 9:00 PM 2100 10:00 AM 1000 10:00 PM 2200 11:00 AM 1100 11:00 PM 2300 12:00 PM (noon) 1200 12:00 AM (midnight) 2400 Medical Symbols: The following symbols are used in prescriptions, doctor memos, etc. They save time in writing full terms and are more efficient. Term Symbol Term Symbol ® Right Not/None/Null ∅  Left Change Ⓛ △ ā Before Primary (think of the letter “a” being derived from 1° ante-, Latin for before) p̄ After Secondary (think of the letter “p” being derived from 2° post-, Latin for after) c̅ ℞ With Treatment/ (think of the letter “c” Prescription coming from the (this is the formal Spanish word con, symbol, “Rx” or “rx” which means with) are generally used) s̅ Without Greater than (think of the letter “s” coming from the > Spanish word sin, which means without) Every Less than q <  ♂ Male Positive +⨁ or ♀ Female Negative - ⊖ or ↑ Increase Standing ↓ Decrease Sitting → Moving toward Lying down Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms: General: Term Meaning Pt or pt Patient c/o “Complains of” or “complaints of”; used when documenting patient symptoms. y/o year(s) old ER/ED Emergency room/emergency department OR Operating room STAT immediately NKDA “No known drug allergies” hs Half strength; bedtime WNL Within normal limits PRN As needed (in Latin pro re nata) CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation Hx or hx history Tx or tx treatment Dx or dx diagnosis Fx or fx fracture Dz or dz disease PT Physical therapy; physical therapist OT Occupational therapy; occupational therapist RT Respiratory therapy; respiratory therapist ROM Range of motion (sometimes used for “rupture of membranes’)  H&P History and physical HPI History of present illness R/O Rule out (may or may not have) S/S Signs and symptoms (sometimes used for “swish and swallow”) s/p Status post (previous disease condition) D/C or d/c Discharge; discontinue SOB Shortness of breath OD Overdose (in ophthalmology used to describe “right eye”) OS Left eye OU Both eyes; each eye PERRA Pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation Related to Medications: Term Meaning Rx Prescription, treatment OTC Over-the-counter (medication) po By mouth (which is Latin is “por os”) pr Per rectum (through the rectum) IV Intravenous (into the vein) IM intramuscular SQ Subcutaneous (under the skin)  SL Sublingual (under the tongue) bid Twice a day tid Three times a day qid Four times a day mL milliliter cc Cubic centimeter (milliliter) Gtt drops Related to Lab Studies: Term Meaning CBC Complete Blood Count (bloodwork to look for infection or anemia) H&H Hematocrit (volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood) and hemoglobin BMP Basic metabolic panel (type of blood test) CMP Comprehensive metabolic panel (type of blood test) UA Urine analysis Related to Vital Signs: Terms Meaning V/S or VS Vital signs BP Blood pressure mmHG Millimeters of mercury (pressure)  HR Heart rate bpm Beats per minute, breathers per minute RR or Resp Respiratory rate temp temperature ht height wt weight Related to Diagnostic Tests: Term Meaning EKG/ECG Electrocardiogram (of the heart) CXR Chest x-ray MRI Magnetic resonance imaging CT Computerized tomography (scan) Common Medical Conditions: Term Meaning CAD Coronary artery disease MI Myocardial infarction (heart attack) COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung disease common in smokers) DM Diabetes mellitus HA headache CA cancer HTN Hypertension (high blood pressure) DJD Degenerative joint disease CHF congestive/chronic heart failure UTI Urinary tract infection GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease Related to Medical Professions: Term Meaning MD Medical doctor/doctor of medicine DO Doctor of osteopathy (treatment through bones, joints, muscle massage) PA Physician’s assistant NP Nurse practitioner RN Registered nurse LVN Licensed vocational nurse CMA Certified medical assistant CNA Certified nursing assistant Directional Terms: ○ Image source: https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/body/terminology.html  Term Meaning standard anatomical position Agree reference for body position: standing on 2 legs, frontward, arms at sides, palms forward anterior (ventral) Front of the body posterior (dorsal) Back of the body; towards the back proximal Closer to origin of body part; point of attachment of limb to body trunk superior Above; toward the head inferior Below; away from the head medial Toward body midline lateral Away from midline; side distal Far from the trunk of the body deep Away from body surface; more internal  superficial surface Planes of Reference and Cavities: Image source :https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BodyPlanes.jpg Coronal/Frontal Plane ○ Divides body into anterior and posterior portions Sagittal Plane ○ Divides body into left and right portions ○ Midsagittal Plane ○ Parasagittal Plane Transverse/Cross-sectional Plane ○ Divides the body into superior and inferior portions ○ Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scheme_body_cavities- en.svg  Know general locations of the different body cavities (e.g. cranial cavity is located in the head/skull). Medical Terminology Building Blocks: IMPORTANT to memorize for all of the other units! Don’t worry! Many of these terms are basic ones (pre-, neur/o, -ologist, etc.). Develop a specific study method. I prefer Quizlet, which helped a lot with memorization. PREFIXES Meaning a-/an- Not, without pre- before post- after hypo- Under, below hyper- over  sub- Under, below epi- above inter- Between, among intra- Within, inside micro- small macro- large dys- Bad, painful, difficult ROOTS neur/o Nerve, nervous system ophthalm/o Eye, vision ot/o Ear, hearing dermat/o skin cardi/o heart pulmon/o lung hepat/o liver nepgh/o kidney gastr/o stomach oste/o bone my/o Muscle, muscle tumor arthr/o joint  SUFFIXES -ac,-ic,-al,-ous,- Related to or pertaining to tic -ectomy Excision, removal -itis Inflammation of -logist Specialist in the study of -logy Study of -oma Tumor mass -osis Abnormal condition -pathy Disease, disease condition -scope Lack, observe -scopy Visual examination -gram To record -graphy Process of recording Unit 2: Skeletal System Major Functions of the Skeletal System: Protection - ribs protect heart; surrounds/protects vital organs Storage - bones store minerals and some fat Support - body shape and structure Blood cell formation - bone marrow makes blood cells  Axial Skeleton: ○ along axis/center of skeleton ○ 80 bones ○ Skull  ○ Thoracic cage (ribs, sternum) ○ Vertebral column Appendicular Skeleton: ○ Attaches appendages to axial skeleton ○ 126 bones ○ Shoulder girdle ○ Upper extremities ○ Pelvic girdle ○ Lower extremities Skeletal System Word Parts: PREFIXES Meaning a-/an- Without, lack of anti- Against, opposite inter- between intra- Within, inside meta- Beyond, change non- not peri- Surrounding, around sub- Under, below supra- Above, upper syn- With, together ROOTS acr/o extremities  ankyl/o Crooked, stiff, bent, fused together arthr/o joint brachi/o arm burs/o Bursa (sac of fluid near joint) carp/o wrist cervic/o Neck, cervix chir/o hand chondro/o Cartilage (type of connective tissue) cost/o ribs crani/o Cranium (skull) kyph/o Bent, hump lord/o Curve, swayback, bent lumb/o Lower back lux/o dislocation myel/o Spinal cord, bone marrow ortho/o Straight, correct, upright ortho/o, oss/e, bone ost/o, ossi/o ped/o Child, foot pod/o foot rheumat/o Watery flow sacr/o Flesh, sacrum sarc/o Flesh, connective tissue scoli/o Cracked, beat spondyl/o Vertebrae, vertebral column, backbone ster/o Solid structure, steroid synovi/o Synobia, synovial membrane tors/o Tarsals (ankle bones) SUFFIXES -al, -ic Pertaining to -algia Pain, painful condition -ation Process, condition -centesis Surgical puncture -desis To bind, tie together -ectomy Excision, removal -itis Inflammation of -malacia (abnormal) softening -megaly Enlargement, large -oid Like, resembling -oma Tumor, mass  -osis Abnormal condition -patellar Knee cap -penia Decrease, deficiency -plasty Surgical repair -porosis Abnormal condition of small holes -scope Instrument for viewing -scopy Process of visually examining -tomy To cut, incision Cranial Bones: Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cranial_bones_en_v2.svg Know the general location of the cranial bones. (Try to identify where their location is by looking at pointing at your own head). Diseases of the Skeletal System: STOP! Have you learned the word parts for this unit? Knowing them will help you know the meaning of the following words. Most of the words can be understood using word parts, but others need to be memorized. 1. Ankylosis - fusion of the bones; abnormal stiffness and immobility of a joint 2. Chondromalacia - runner’s knee; cartilage under the patella/kneecap deteriorates  3. Dislocation - injury when joints/body part’s normal position is disturbed 4. Gout - excess of uric acid in the blood, causing pain, inflammation, swelling 5. Kyphosis - “hunchback”; instability in back and neck 6. Lordosis - excessive inward curvature of spine 7. Myeloma - malignant tumor/cancer in the bone marrow 8. Ostealgia - pain in a bone 9. Osteitis - inflammation of the substance of a bone 10. Osteoarthritis - damage to the cartilage of the flexible part of the bone 11. Osteoma - new piece of bone/tumor growing on another piece of bone 12. Osteomyelitis - inflammation of bone or bone marrow due to infection 13. Osteopenia - loss of bone density; precursor to osteoporosis 14. Osteoporosis - bones become brittle and fragile 15. Osteosarcoma - cancer producing immature bone; begins in cells that form bone 16. Paget’s disease - bones become fragile and crooked 17. Periostitis - inflammation of the periosteum, a layer of connective tissue surrounding bone 18. Rheumatoid arthritis - chronic inflammatory disorder affecting joints like in hands, feet 19. Scoliosis - sideway curvature of spine; can occur in growth spurt before puberty 20. Spina bifida - split/open spine, can be caused by lack of Vitamin B in mother’s diet 21. Spondylosis - aging phenomenon, bones and ligament in the spine wear 22. Sprain - damage to ligament (the bands of tissue between joints) 23. Subluxation - partial displacement of spinal cord or another joint 24. Talipes - clubfoot, foot twisted/upside down, no discomfort or pain Skeletal System: Fractures For practical purposes and to avoid copyright, images of the fractures won’t be included. However you can search them up (or use the images provided on Quizlet) to visualize when studying. FRACTURE TYPE DESCRIPTION  displaced Bone is broken into two or more pieces and the ends do not line up together; pulled out of normal alignment, non-displaced Bone breaks away partially or all the way through but the bones do not move; they remain aligned. closed/simple AKA “simple fix”; fracture with intact overlying skin. Open compound AKA “compound fix”; bone (usually its end) penetrates skin. Usually a bad situation with this fracture. transverse break at right angle to bone plane; caused by direct blow or prolonged stress (e.g. running). comminuted break/splinter of bone into two fragments; occurs after high-impact trauma. Lots of miniscule pieces. greenstick Incomplete fracture; occurs when bone is bent and partially broken. Most are found in children under the age of 10 because their bones are “soft”. spiral Fracture where bone is twisted apart, seen in long arm/leg bones. Common result of sports injury or falling distances. compression Function of vertebrae, occurs as spines bones compress. Osteoporosis is the most common cause. stress Small bones crack, caused by overuse/repetitive activity. Weight bearing bones of feet and legs are most vulnerable. Unit 3: Muscular System Directional Movement:  For practical purposes and to avoid copyright, images of the directional movements won’t be included. They can be understood without images, but you can search them up (or use the images provided on Quizlet) to visualize when studying if needed. MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION abduction Motion of a structure away from the midline. adduction Motion towards the center of the body. extension Movement that increases the angle between two body parts. flexion Movement that decreases the angle between two body parts. rotation Turning around the axis. circumduction Circular movement of a limb. supination (under- Outward roll of foot during normal motion pronation) pronation Natural side-to-side movement of the foot as you walk or run; normal inward of foot step elevation Movement in a superior direction depression Movement in inferior direction dorsiflexion Act of raising the foot upwards, towards the shin plantarflexion Movement in which the top of your foot points away from your leg inversion Movement of sole towards the median plane (midline of the body) eversion Movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane (midline of the body) protraction Moving the shoulder blades (scapula) forward, towards the chest  retraction Moving the shoulder blades (scapula) towards the spine Word Parts: PREFIXES MEANING a-, an- Not, without ab- From, away from ad- toward bi- Two, twice, double brady- Abnormally slow circum- Around (circumference) dorsi- back dys- Bad, painful, difficult e-, ex- Out, away from hemo Half, partial hyper- over hypo- Under, below in- In, within par, para- Beside; near; equal, bring forth quadri- Four, square tachy- Fast, rapid  tri- Three, triple ROOTS articul/o Joint, articulation card/o, cardio/o heart duct/o To lead, carry electr/o electricity fasci/o Fascia (fibrous connective tissue) fibr/o Fiber, fibrous tissue flex/o To bend, bending kines/o, kinesi/o Movement, motion lei/o Smooth muscle muscul/o muscular my/o, myos/o muscle myocardi/o Myocardium (heart muscle) neur/o Nerve, nervous system orth/o Straight, upright ped/o foot plant/o Sole of foot radi/o X-rays, radius, radiation sarc/o Flesh, connective tissue  son/o Sound, sound waves tax/o Coordination, order tend/o, tendin/o, tendon/o Tendon; extend, strain tens/o Pressure, tension ton/o Tone, tension, pressure vers/p To travel, to turn SUFFIXES -ac, -al, -ar, -ic Pertaining to -asthenia Lack of strength, weakness -algia Pain, painful condition -cekle Hernia, swelling -ceps Head, point of origin -dynia Condition of pain -ectomy Surgical removal, excision -esthesia Sensation, feeling -gram To record -graphy Process of recording -ia Condition of -ion Process; a charged atom -itis Inflammation of  -logy Study of -lysis Loosening, destruction -malacia Abnormal, softening -oma Tumor, mass, swelling -paresis Weakness; slight/partial paralysis -penia Decrease, deficiency -plasty Surgical repair, construction -plegia Paralysis, stroke -plegic Pertaining to paralysis -rrhexis Rupture of, bursting -scope Instrument for visual examination -scopy Process of visually examining -tomy Process of cutting, incision -tonia Tone, degree of muscle tension -trophy Nourishment, development Major Muscles of the Human Body: Image source: https://www.britannica.com/science/human-muscle-system  Know the general locations of the muscles in the human body Common Abbreviations Associated with the Muscular System: MD - muscular dystrophy PT - physical therapy CAT - computerized axial tomography ROM - range of motion PCP - primary care physician NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs CT - computed/computerized tomography CTS - carpal tunnel syndrome DMD - Duchenne muscular dystrophy IM - intramuscular Diseases and Conditions of the Skeletal System: STOP! Have you learned the word parts for this unit? Knowing them will help you know the meaning of the following words.  Most of the words can be understood using word parts, but others need to be memorized. 1. Ataxia - loss of full control of bodily movements 2. Contracture - shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, leading to rigidity, deformity 3. Hypertrophy - enlargement of organ or tissue from increase in the cells’ size 4. Myasthenia gravis - lack of communication between the muscles and nerves 5. Atrophy - the waste away/shrinking of an organ or tissue from decrease in cellular size 6. Tremor - unintentional/uncontrollable movement of a limb or a part of it 7. Plantar fasciitis - strain or stress of the heel of the feet or surrounding ligaments 8. Myocele - swelling/hernia of the muscle, especially before the pelvis 9. Dystaxia - impaired balance/coordination, can be due to brain/nerve/muscle damage 10. Rigor - stiffness of death 11. Impingement syndrome - inflammation from repetitive shoulder activities 12. Myoparesis - slight muscle paralysis 13. Myorrhexis - rupture/tearing of muscle caused by trauma 14. Flaccidity - lacking firmness 15. Muscular dystrophy - a hereditary condition marked by progessive weakening and wasting of muscles 16. Tetany - condition of cramping and twitching of hand, feet muscles; caused by low calcium 17. Hypotonia - abnormally low level of muscle tone 18. Leiomyoma - estrogen and progesterone during childhood years 19. Rhabdomyolysis - muscles tarts to break down releasing all of its contents into blood 20. Spasm - sudden, involuntary contraction of one or more muscles 21. Tendinitis/Tendonitis - inflammation or irritation of a tendon 22. Sarcopenia - loss of skeletal mass and function 23. Leiomyosarcoma - cancer that rises from smooth muscle cells 24. Strain - stretching or tearing of muscles in tendon  Unit 4: Integumentary System Functions of the Integumentary System: 1. A protective barrier from excessive sunlight, infection, abrasions. 2. Receive stimuli from the outside to the brain (nervous system sensors). 3. Excretion of waste. 4. Blood storage; can allow extra blood if needed to organs. 5. Regulate body temperature. 6. Makes Vitamin D for the body. Components of the Integumentary System: 1. Skin 2. Hair 3. Nails 4. Sweat glands 5. Oil glands Word Parts: PREFIXES MEANING auto- self e-, ex- Out, away from epi- above in- in intra- Within, inside para- Beside, near per- By, through, throughout  ROOTS aden/o Gland, glandular adip/o Fatty tissue, fat albin/o white aut/o Self, same blephar/o Eyelid, eyelash carcin/o Cancerous, cancer caus/o Burn, burning cauter/o Heat, burn cis/o To cut, incision (process of cutting into) cry/o Cold, freezing, frozen cutane/o skin cyan/o Dark blue, blue cyt/o Cell (combining form) derm/a, dermat/o, skin derm/o diaphor/o Profuse sweating, sweat ecchym/o Blood in the tissues erythem/o, Flushed, redness erythemat/o erythr/o Red, red blood cell  hidr/o Sweat, perspiration, sweat glands hist/o Combining form of tissue, tissue ichthy/o Dry, scaly immun/o Immune, protection, safe integument/o Skin, covering, integumentary jaund/o Jaundice (yellow) kerat/o Horny tissue, hard; cornea lip/o Lipid (fat) melan/o Black, dark myc/o Mold, fungus necr/o Death (of cells or whole body) onych/o Fingernail, toenial papill/o Optic disc; nipple-like pil/o Hair, hair follicle prurit/o, psor/o Itch, itching py/o Combining form for pus rhytid/o (skin) wrinkle scler/o Hardening; sclera (white of eye) seb/o Sebum (oil) squam/o Scale-like (cell)  steat/o Fat, lipid, sebum trich/o Hair or hair-like structure ungu/o Fingernail, toenail xer/o Dry, dryness SUFFIXES -al, -ary, -ic, -ous, -tic Pertaining to -cyte (mature) cell -derma skin -dermis inner/middle layer of skin -ectomy Excision, removal -ema State, condition, swelling -esis Condition of -iasis Abnormal condition -ism Condition, state of -logy Study of -oma Tumor, mass, swelling, collection of fluid -opsy Process of viewing -ose Pertaining to, full of, sugar -osis Abnormal condition -plasty Surgical correction or repair  -rrhea Discharge, flow -therapy treatment Types of Cancerous Skin Lesions: 1. Basal cell carcinoma - begins in basal cells (type of skin cell that produces new skin as old ones die). Often appears as slightly transparent bumpy, brown scaly patches. Least dangerous of skin cancer. Normal appearance, often left alone at first. 2. Squamous cell carcinoma - type of skin cancer more serious that basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules 3. Malignant carcinoma - low chance of removal; occurs in melanocytes 4. Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) - malignant tumor of blood vessels associated with AIDS ABCDE of Melanoma: The following are the main five characteristics of melanoma (skin cancer) lesions observed. For practical purposes and to avoid copyright, image examples won’t be included. They can be understood without images, but you can search them up (or use the images provided on Quizlet) to visualize when studying if needed. LETTER MEANING A - asymmetry One half of the melanoma does not match the other B - border Uneven borders of the melanoma C - color Variety of colors like brown, tan or black in the melanoma D - diameter The melanoma grows larger than the size of a pencil eraser (¼ inch)  E - evolution The melanoma changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or gets another trait or new symptom Types of Burns: For practical purposes and to avoid copyright, image examples won’t be included. They can be understood without images, but you can search them up (or use the images provided on Quizlet) to visualize when studying if needed. TYPE CHARACTERISTICS first-degree Superficial Affects only epidermis Burn site is erythematous (skin redness), dry, painful Hyperesthesia (over-sensation) No blisters second-degree Partial thickness Involves epidermis, part of dermis Erythematous, edematous (swollen), painful Hyperesthesia Blisters third-degree Full thickness Epidermis, dermis destroyed; may involve subcutaneous tissues Hyperesthesia or anesthesia (no sensation) depending on nerve damage May be white or blackened/charred fourth-degree Full thickness Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissues destroyed Extends into deeper structures (muscles, bones)  Anesthesia since nerves destroyed Often fatal Diseases and Conditions: STOP! Have you learned the word parts for this unit? Knowing them will help you know the meaning of the following words. Some of the words can be understood using word parts, but others need to be memorized. 1. Acne - inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hair follicles 2. Albinism - absence of pigment in skin, hair and eyes 3. Alopecia - baldness, hair loss 4. Cyanosis - bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes 5. Ecchymosis - large bruise 6. Eczema - noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs and itching 7. Gangrene - death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion 8. Keloid - thick scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissue 9. Impetigo - bacterial skin infections characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture 10. Petechiae - small bruise; minute, pinpoint hemorrhage under the skin 11. Psoriasis - chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales 12. Scabies - skin disease produced by mites 13. Tinea - ringworm; infection of the skin caused by a fungus 14. Urticaria - allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red, elevated patches called wheals or hives 15. Vitiligo - localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milky-white patches 16. Wart - flesh-colored, raised area caused by a viral infection Unit 5: Lymphatic System Functions of the Lymphatic System: