Combining Form, Suffix, Prefix & Meaning – Flashcards

a-, an- no; not; without ab- away from abdomin/o abdomen -ac pertaining to acanth/o spiny; thorny acetabul/o acetabulum (hip socket) acous/o hearing acr/o extremities; top; extreme point acromi/o acromion (extension of shoulder bone) actin/o light acu/o sharp; severe; sudden -acusis hearing ad- toward aden/o gland adenoid/o adenoids adip/o fat adren/o adrenal gland adrenal/o adrenal gland aer/o air af- toward agglutin/o clumping; sticking together -agon to assemble, gather agora- marketplace -agra excessive pain -al pertaining to alb/o white albin/o white albumin/o albumin (protein) alges/o sensitivity to pain -algesia sensitivity to pain -algia pain all/o other alveol/o alveolus; air sac; small sac ambly/o dim; dull -amine nitrogen compound amni/o amnion (sac surrounding the embryo) amyl/o starch an/o anus -an pertaining to ana- up; apart; backward; again, anew andr/o male aneurysm/o aneurysm (widened blood vessel) angi/o vessel (blood) anis/o unequal ankyl/o stiff ante- before; forward anter/o front anthrac/o coal anthr/o antrum of the stomach anti- against anxi/o uneasy; anxious aort/o aorta (largest artery) -apheresis removal aphth/o ulcer apo- off, away aponeur/o aponeurosis (type of tendon) append/o appendix appendic/o appendix aque/o water -ar pertaining to -arche beginning arter/o artery arteri/o artery arteriol/o arteriole (small artery) arthr/o joint -arthria articulate (speak distinctly) articul/o joint -ary pertaining to asbest/o asbestos -ase enzyme -asthenia lack of strength atel/o incomplete ather/o plaque (fatty substance) -ation process; condition atri/o atrium (upper heart chamber) audi/o hearing audit/o hearing aur/o ear auricul/o ear auto- self, own axill/o armpit azot/o urea; nitrogen bacill/o bacilli (bacteria) bacteri/o bacteria balan/o glans penis bar/o pressure; weight bartholin/o Bartholin glands bas/o base; opposite of acid bi- two bi/o life bil/i bile; gall bilirubin/o bilirubin -blast embryonic; immature -blastoma immature tumor (cells) blephar/o eyelid bol/o cast; throw brachi/o arm brachy- short brady- slow bronch/o bronchial tube bronchi/o bronchial tube bronchiol/o bronchiole bucc/o cheek bunion/o bunion burs/o bursa (sac of fluid near joints) byssin/o cotton dust cac/o bad calc/o calcium calcane/o calcaneus (heel bone) calci/o calcium cali/o calyx calic/o calyx capillar/o capillary (tiniest blood vessel) capn/o carbon dioxide -capnia carbon dioxide carcin/o cancerous; cancer cardi/o heart carp/o wrist bones (carpals) cata- down caud/o tail; lower part of body caus/o burn; burning cauter/o heat; burn cec/o cecum (first part of the colon) -cele hernia celi/o belly; abdomen -centesis surgical puncture to remove fluid cephal/o head cerebell/o cerebellum (posterior part of the brain) cerebr/o cerebrum (largest part of the brain) cerumin/o cerumen cervic/o neck; cervix (neck of uterus) -chalasia relaxation -chalasis relaxation cheil/o lip chem/o drug; chemical -chezia defecation; elimination of wastes chir/o hand chlor/o green chlorhydr/o hydrochloric acid chol/e bile; gall cholangi/o bile vessel cholecyst/o gallbladder choledoch/o common bile duct cholesterol/o cholesterol chondr/o cartilage chore/o dance chori/o chorion (outermost membrane of the fetus) chorion/o chorion choroid/o choroid layer of eye chrom/o color chron/o time chym/o to pour cib/o meal -cide killing -cidal pertaining to killing cine/o movement cirrh/o orange-yellow cis/o to cut -clasis to break -clast to break claustr/o enclosed space clavicul/o clavicle (collar bone) -clysis irrigation; washing coagul/o coagulation (clotting) -coccus (-cocci, pl.) berry-shaped bacterium coccyg/o coccyx (tailbone) cochle/o cochlea (inner part of ear) col/o colon (large intestine) coll/a glue colon/o colon (large intestine) colp/o vagina comat/o deep sleep comi/o to care for con- together, with coni/o dust conjunctiv/o conjunctiva (lines the eyelids) -constriction narrowing contra- against; opposite cor/o pupil core/o pupil corne/o cornea coron/o heart corpor/o body cortic/o cortex, outer region cost/o rib crani/o skull cras/o mixture; temperament crin/o secrete -crine secrete; separate -crit to separate cry/o cold crypt/o hidden culd/o cul-de-sac -cusis hearing cutane/o skin cyan/o blue cycl/o ciliary body of eye; cycle; circle -cyesis pregnancy cyst/o urinary bladder; cyst; sac of fluid cyt/o cell -cyte cell -cytosis condition of cells; slight increase in numbers dacry/o tear dacryoaden/o tear gland dacryocyst/o tear sac; lacrimal sac dactyl/o fingers; toes de- lack of; down; less; removal of dem/o people dent/i tooth derm/o skin -derma skin dermat/o skin desicc/o drying -desis to bind, tie together dia- complete; through diaphor/o sweat -dilation widening; stretching; expanding dipl/o double dips/o thirst dist/o far; distant dors/o back (of body) dorsi- back -dote to give -drome to run duct/o to lead, carry duoden/o duodenum dur/o dura mater -dynia pain dys- bad; painful; difficult; abnormal -eal pertaining to ec- out; outside echo- reflected sound -ectasia stretching; dialation; expansion -ectasis stretching; dialation; expansion ecto- out; outside -ectomy removal; excision; resection -edema swelling -elasma flat plate electr/o electricity em- in -ema condition -emesis vomiting -emia blood condition -emic pertaining to blood condition emmetr/o in due measure en- in; within encephal/o brain endo- in; within enter/o intestines (usually small intestine) eosin/o red; rosy; dawn-colored epi- above; upon;/ on epididym/o epididymis epiglott/o epiglottis episi/o vulva (external female genitalia) epitheli/o skin; epithelium equin/o horse -er one who erg/o work erythem/o flushed; redness erythr/o red -esis condition eso- inward esphag/o esophagus esthes/o nervous sensation (feeling) esthesi/o nervous sensation -esthesia nervous sensation estr/o female ethm/o sieve eti/o cause eu- good; normal -eurysm widening ex- out; away from exanthemat/o rash exo- out; away from extra- outside faci- face fasci/o fascia (membrane supporting muscles) femor/o femur (thigh bone) -ferent to carry fibr/o fiber fibros/o fibrous connective tissue fibul/o fibula -fication process of making -fida split flex/o to bend fluor/o luminous follicul/o follicle; small sac -form resembling; in the shape of fung/i fungus; mushroom furc/o forking; branching -fusion to pour; to come together galact/o milk ganglion/o ganglion; collection of nerve cell bodies gastr/o stomach -gen producing; forming -genesis producing; forming -genic produced by or in ger/o old age gest/o pregnancy gester/o pregnancy gingiv/o gum glauc/o gray gli/o glue; neuroglial tissue (supportive tissue of nervous system) -globin protein -globulin protein glomerul/o glomerulus gloss/o tongue gluc/o glucose; sugar glyc/o glucose; sugar glycogen/o glycogen; animal starch glycos/o glucose; sugar gnos/o knowledge gon/o seed gonad/o sex glands goni/o angle -grade to go -gram record granul/o granule (s) -graph instrument for recording -graphy process of recording gravid/o pregnancy -gravida pregnant woman gynec/o woman; female hallucin/o hallucination hem/o blood hemat/o blood hemi- half hemoglobin/o hemoglobin hepat/o liver herni/o hernia -hexia habit hidr/o sweat hist/o tissue histi/o tissue home/o sameness; unchanging; constant hormon/o hormone humer/o humerus (upper arm bone) hydr/o water hyper- above; excessive hypn/o sleep hypo- sleep hypophys/o pituitary gland hyster/o uterus; womb -ia condition -iac pertaining to -iasis abnormal condition iatr/o physician; treatment -ic pertaining to -ical pertaining to ichthy/o dry; scaly -icle small idi/o unknown; individual; district ile/o ileum ili/o ilium immun/o immune; protection; safe in- in; into; not -in, -ine a substance -ine pertaining to infra- below; inferior to; beneath inguin/o groin insulin/o insulin (pancreatic hormone) inter- between intra- within; into iod/o iodine ion/o ion; to wander -ion process -ior pertaining to ipsi- same ir- in ir/o iris (colored portion of eye) irid/o iris (colored portion of eye) is/o same; equal isch/o to hold back; back ischi/o ischium (part of hip bone) -ism process; condition -ist specialist -itis inflammation -ium structure; tissue jaund/o yellow jejun/o jejunum kal/i potassium kary/o nucleus kerat/o horny, hard; cornea kern- nucleus (collection of nerve cells in the brain) ket/o ketones; acetones kenton/o ketones; acetones kines/o movement kinesi/o movement -kinesia movement -kinesis movement klept/o to steal kyph/o humpback labi/o lip lacrim/o tear; tear duct; lacrimal duct lact/o milk lamin/o lamina (part of vertebral arch) lapar/o abdominal wall; abdomen -lapse to slide, fall, sag laryng/o larynx (voice box) later/o side leiomy/o smooth (visceral) muscle -lemma sheath, covering -lepsy seizure lept/o thin, slender -leptic to seize, take hold of leth/o death leuk/o white lex/o word; phrase -lexia word; phrase ligament/o ligament lingu/o tongue lip/o fat; lipid -listhesis slipping lith/o stone; calculus -lithiasis condition of stones -lithotomy incision (for removal) of a stone lob/o lobe log/o study of -logy study of lord/o curve; swayback -lucent to shine lumb/o lower back; loin lute/o yellow lux/o to slide lymph/o lymph lymphaden/o lymph gland (node) lymphangi/o lymph vessel -lysis breakdown; separation; destruction; loosening -lytic to reduce, destroy; separate; breakdown macro- large mal- bad -malacia softening malleol/o malleolus mamm/o breast mandibul/o mandible (lower jaw bone) -mania obsessive preoccupation mast/o breast mastoid/o mastoid process (behind the ear) maxill/o maxilla (upper jaw bone) meat/o meatus (opening) medi/o middle mediastin/o mediastinum medull/o medulla (inner section); middle; soft, marrow mega- large -megaly enlargement melan/o black men/o menses; menstruation mening/o meninges (membranes covering the spinal cord and brain) meningi/o meninges ment/o mind; chin meso- middle meta- change; beyond metacarp/o metacarpals (hand bones) metatars/o metatarsals (foot bones) -meter measure metr/o uterus (womb); measure metri/o uterus (womb) mi/o smaller; less micro- small -mimetic mimic; copy -mission to send mon/o one; single morph/o shape; form mort/o death -mortem death -motor movement muc/o mucus mucos/o mucous membrane (mucosa) multi- many mut/a genetic change mutagen/o causing genetic change my/o muscle myc/o fungus mydr/o wide myel/o spinal cord; bone marrow myocardi/o myocardium (heart muscle) myom/o muscle tumor myos/o muscle myring/o tympanic membrane (eardrum) myx/o mucus narc/o numbness; stupor; sleep nas/o nose nat/i birth natr/o sodium necr/o death nect/o to bind, tie, connect neo- new nephr/o kidney neur/o nerve neutr/o neither; neutral; neutrophil nid/o nest noct/i night norm/o rule; order nos/o disease nucle/o nucleus nulli- none nyct/o night obstetr/o midwife ocul/o eye odont/o tooth odyn/o pain -oid resembling -ole little; small olecran/o olecranon (elbow) olig/o scanty om/o shoulder -oma tumor; mass; fluid collection omphal/o umbilicus (naval) onc/o tumor -one hormone onych/o nail (of fingers or toes) o/o egg oophor/o ovary -opaque obscure ophthalm/o eye -opia vision -opsia vision -opsy view of opt/o eye; vision optic/o eye; vision -or one who or/o mouth orch/o testis orchi/o testis orchid/o testis -orexia appetite orth/o straight -ose full of; pertaining to; sugar -osis condition, usually abnormal -osmia smell ossicul/o ossicle (small bone) oste/o bone -ostosis condition of bone ot/o ear -otia ear condition -ous pertaining to ov/o egg ovari/o ovary ovul/o egg ox/o oxygen -oxia oxygen oxy- swift; sharp; acid oxysm/o sudden pachy- heavy; thick palat/o palate (roof of the mouth) palpebr/o eyelid pan- all pancreat/o pancreas papill/o nipple-like; optic disc (disk) par- other than; abnormal para- near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of -para to bear, bring forth (live births) -parous to bear, bring forth parathyroid/o parathyroid glands -paresis slight paralysis -pareunia sexual intercourse -partum birth; labor patell/a patella patell/o patella path/o disease -pathy disease; emotion pector/o chest ped/o child; foot pelv/i pelvic bone; hip pend/o to hang -penia deficiency -pepsia digestion per- through peri- surrounding perine/o perineum peritone/o peritoneum perone/o fibula -pexy fixation; to put in place phac/o lens of eye phag/o eat; swallow -phage eat; swallow -phagia eating; swallowing phak/o lens of eye phalang/o phalanges (fingers and toes) phall/o penis pharmac/o drug pharmaceut/o drug pharyng/o throat (pharynx) phas/o speech -phasia speech phe/o dusky; dark -pheresis removal phil/o like; love; attraction -phil attraction for -philia attraction for phim/o muzzle phleb/o vein phob/o fear -phobia fear phon/o voice; sound -phonia voice; sound -phor/o to bear -phoresis carrying; transmission -phoria to bear, carry; feeling (mental state) phot/o light phren/o diaphragm; mind -phthisis wasting away -phylaxis protection physi/o nature; function -physis to grow phyt/o plant -phyte plant pil/o hair pineal/o pineal gland pituitar/o pituitary gland -plakia plaque plant/o sole of the foot plas/o development; formation -plasia development; formation; growth -plasm formation -plastic pertaining to formation -plasty surgical repair ple/o more; many -plegia paralysis; palsy -plegic paralysis; palsy pleur/o pleura plex/o plexus; network (of nerves) -pnea breathing pneum/o lung; air; gas pneumon/o lung; air; gas pod/o foot -poiesis formation -poietin substance that forms poikil/o varied; irregular pol/o extreme polio- gray matter (of brain or spinal cord) poly- many; much polyp/o polyp; small growth pont/o pons (a part of the brain) -porosis condition of pores (spaces) post- after; behind poster/o back (of body); behind -prandial meal -praxia action pre- before; in front of presby/o old age primi- first pro- before; forward proct/o anus and rectum pros- before; forward prostat/o prostate gland prot/o first prote/o protein proxim/o near prurit/o itching pseudo- false psych/o mind -ptosis droop; sag; prolapse; fall -ptysis spitting pub/o pubis (anterior part of hip bone) pulmon/o lung pupill/o pupil (dark center of the eye) purul/o pus py/o pus pyel/o renal pelvis pylor/o pylorus; pyloric sphincter pyr/o fever; fire pyret/o fever pyrex/o fever quadri- four rachi/o spinal column; vertebrae radi/o x-rays; radioactivity; radius (lateral lower arm bone) radicul/o nerve root re- back; again; backward rect/o rectum ren/o kidney reticul/o network retin/o retina retro- behind; back; backward rhabdomy/o straited (skeletal) muscle rheumat/o watery flow rhin/o nose rhytid/o wrinkle roentgen/o x-rays -rrhage bursting forth (of blood) -rrhagia bursting forth (of blood) --rrhaphy suture -rrhea flow; discharge -rrhexis rupture rrhythm/o rhythm sacr/o sacrum salping/o fallopian tube; auditory (eustachian) tube -salpinx fallopian tube; oviduct sarc/o flesh (connective tissue) scapul/o scapula; shoulder blade -schisis to split schiz/o split scint/o spark scirrh/o hard scler/o sclera (white of eye); hard -sclerosis hardening scoli/o crooked; bent -scope instrument for visual examination -scopy visual examination scot/o darkness seb/o sebum sebace/o sebum sect/o to cut semi- half semin/i semen; seed seps/o infection sial/o saliva sialaden/o salivary gland sider/o iron sigmoid/o sigmoid colon silic/o glass sinus/o sinus -sis state of; condition -sol solution somat/o body -some body somn/o sleep -somnia sleep son/o sound -spadia to tear; cut -spasm sudden contraction of muscles sperm/o spermatozoa; sperm cells spermat/o spermatozoa; sperm cells sphen/o wedge; sphenoid bone spher/o globe-shaped; round sphygm/o pulse -sphyxia pulse splanchn/o viscera (internal organs) spin/o spine (backbone) spir/o to breathe splen/o spleen spondyl/o vertebra (backbone) squam/o scale -stalsis contraction staped/o stapes (middle ear bone) staphyl/o clusters; uvula -stasis to stop; control; place -static pertaining to stopping; controlling steat/o fat, sebum -stenosis tightening; stricture ster/o solid structure; steroid stere/o solid; three-dimensional stern/o sternum (breastbone) steth/o chest -sthenia strength -stitial to set; pertaining to standing or positioned stomat/o mouth -stomia condition of the mouth -stomy new opening (to form a mouth) strept/o twisted chains styl/o pole or stake sub- under; below submaxill/o mandible (lower jaw bone) -suppression to stop supra- above, upper sym- together; with syn- together; with syncop/o to cut off, cut short; faint syndesm/o ligament synov/o synovia; synovial membrane; sheath around a tendon syring/o tube tachy- fast tars/o tarsus; hindfoot or ankle (7 bones between the foot and the leg) tax/o order; coordination tel/o complete tele/o distant ten/o tendon tendin/o tendon -tension pressure terat/o monster; malformed fetus test/o testis (testicle) tetra- four thalam/o thalamus thalass/o sea the/o put; place thec/o sheath thel/o nipple therapeut/o treatment -therapy treatment therm/o heat thorac/o chest -thorax chest; pleural cavity thromb/o clot thym/o thymus gland -thymia mind (condition of) -thymic pertaining to mind thyr/o thyroid gland; shield thyroid/o thyroid gland tibi/o tibia (shin bone) -tic pertaining to toc/o labor; birth -tocia labor; birth (condition of) -tocin labor; birth (a substance for) tom/o to cut -tome instrument to cut -tomy process of cutting ton/o tension tone/o to stretch tonsill/o tonsil top/o place; position; location tox/o poison toxic/o poison trache/o trachea (windpipe) trans- across; through -tresia opening tri- three trich/o hair trigon/o trigone (area within the bladder) -tripsy to crush troph/o nourishment; development -trophy nourishment; development -tropia to turn -tropic turning -tropin stimulate; act on tympan/o tympanic membrane (eardrum); middle ear -type classification; picture -ule little; small uln/o ulna (medical lower arm bone) ultra- beyond; excess -um structure; tissue; thing umbilic/o umbilicus (navel) ungu/o nail uni- one ur/o urine; urinary tract ureter/o ureter urethr/o urethra -uria urination; condition of urine urin/o urine -us structure; thing uter/o uterus (womb) uve/o uvea, vascular layer of eye (iris, choroid, ciliary body) uvul/o uvula vag/o vagus nerve vagin/o vagina valv/o valve valvul/o valve varic/o varicose veins vas/o vesel; duct; vas deferens vascul/o vessel (blood) ven/o; ven/i vein vener/o venereal (sexual contact) ventr/o belly side of body ventricul/o ventricle (of heart or brain) venul/o venule (small vein) -verse to turn -version to turn vertebr/o vertebra (backbone) vesic/o urinary bladder vesicul/o seminal vesicle vestibul/o vestibule of the inner ear viscer/o internal organs vit/o life vitr/o vitreous body (of the eye) vitre/o glass viv/o life vol/o to roll vulv/o vulva (female external genitalia) xanth/o yellow xen/o stranger xer/o dry xiph/o sword -y condition; process zo/o animal life

Medical Terminology: Root Words

Medical Term Meaning adeno gland calculi stone cele tumor, cyst; hernia cyto cell glyco sugar homo, homeo alike, similar lingua tongue lip fat lith stone madaro falling hair psych mind pyo pus radi rays thermic heat arthro joint carpo wrist chondro cartilage costa rib cranio skull dactyl finger, toe, digit ili hip manus hand myel bone marrow, spinal cord myo muscle ortho straighten osteo bone pedi foot, child, infant spondyl vertebra cutis skin dent teeth derma skin hapsia touch odont teeth onco tumor onychia nail bed pedicular lice prurigo itching psora itch sarco flesh sclero hard squama scaly tricho hair chole gallbladder, bile colon large intestine emesis vomiting entero intestines gastro stomach glosso tongue hepat liver ile ileum laparo abdomen myxo mucus procto anus, rectum pylor pylorus, gatekeeper stoma mouth, opening viscero body organs angio vessel aortal aorta, main artery arterio artery cardio heart emboli vessel obstruction emia blood hemo blood phleb vein thrombo blood clot varico varicose veins vena vein ventricu heart cavity broncho airway cili hairlike process ectasis expansion laryngo voice box, larynx naso nose oro mouth oxy oxygen pector chest, breast pleura rib side pneumo lung ptysis spit, sputum pulmo lung rhin nose tracheo windpipe creatinine waste material in urine cysto bladder glomerulo nephron part; little ball nephro kidney peritoneo lining of abdominal organs pyelo pelvis reni kidney uretero ureter urethro urethra uri, uro, urina urine uric pertaining to urine bulbo bulblike; bulboeurethral gland cervi neck galacto milk genito reproductive system hyster uterus lactin milk mast breast metr uterus natal born oophoro ovary orchido testicle ova,ovi,ovo egg salping fallopian tube sperma, spermato seed, sperm vas duct; vessel (vas deferens) audio sound cerebro brain enecephalo brain esthesia sensation medulla brain middle meningo membranes of spinal cord neuro nerve occiput back of skull oculo eye ophthalmo eye oto ear parietes wall part of brain pons bridge tempora temporal

All prefixes Question Answer an-, a- none brachy- short mega-, macro- large micro- small olig(o)- little, small, scanty per- excessive thorought alba- white chloro- green chromo- color cirrh- yellow cyano- blue erythro- red leuko- white melano- black rube- red xantho- yellow anklyo- crooked, bent apex- point calyx-, calix- cup shape eury- broad or flat pachy- thick platy- flat steno- narrow, contracted acro- extremity, tip anti- against circum- around contra- opposite, against dorso-, dorsi- back ecto- outside, misplaced endo- within epi- on, over, upon extra- outside of, in addition to, beyond fore- before, infront hyper- above, excessive, beyond hypo- below, under infra- below inter- between parts juxta- near medi-, meso- middle ob- against, in the way, opposite para- beside, beyond peri- around sub- beneath supra- above, over trans- across, through, over, beyond ultra- excessive, extreme ana- up, back again ante- before cata-, kata- down, through gen- beginning, orgin meta- beyond, over, between, change or next to nocti- night post- after pre- before prim-, prot(o)- first sym-, syn- together, union ter(t)- third mono-, uni- one bi-, di- two tri- three quadri-, tetra- four quint- five sex-, ses-, hexa- six sepa-, hepta- seven octo-, octa-, octi- eight nonu-, nona-, noni- nine deca-, dec- ten cent- one hundred milli one thousand ambi- both deci- 1/10, one tenth semi-, demi-, hemi- 1/2 diplo- double multi- many null(i)- no, none pan- all poly- many a-, an- without, absent ambly- different from, another, dull andro- male angi(o)- vessel or duct, usually a blood vessel atel- imperfect aut(o)- self bacter bacteria bi(o)- life co-, con-, com- with cry(o)- cold crypto- hidden dys- difficult gluco-, glyco- sugar, sweet gyn-, gyneco- female hetero other, different homeo-, homo- same hydro-, hydra- water idio- distinct, peculiar to the individual iso- same, equal mal- bad neo- new, strange non- not norm(o)- normal ortho- straight oxy- sharp, acute, rapid path(o)- disease, suffering phage(o)- eat, consume pseudo- false sclero- hard stereo- solid, firmly established, three dimensional tachy- fast terato- malformed, monster therap- treatment thermo- heat, warmth toxic- poison xero- dry brady- slow ab- away ad- to, toward de- to do the opposite of, remove, away dextro- right e- out ex away from, out, completely in-, im- in, inside, within, not ir- against, into, toward pro- forward, anterior re- back, again retro- behind, backward sinister(o)- left

MedTerms suffixes- Question Answer -rrhexis rupture -sarcoma malignant tumor -schisis split, fissure -sclerosis hardening -scope instrument for examining -scopy visual examination -sepsis infection -spasm sudden involuntary muscle contraction -stasis control, stop -stenosis narrowing -stomy surgical opening -tome instrument for -tomy cutting, incision -tripsy surgical crushing -trophy nourishment, development -ule little -ac -al -ic -ar -ial -ary -ous -tic -eal pertaining to, related to, located in -agra excessive pain -algia pain -apheresis removal -asthenia weakness -ase enzyme -ate use, subject to -atresia absence of normal body opening -capnia carbon dioxide -cele protrusion, hernia -centesis surgical puncture to remove fluid -cidal killing -clasia -clast break -cle -cule -ole -ola -ule -ulum -ulus small -clysis irrigation, washint -coccus -coccis berry shaped -crit to separate -crine separate, secrete -cyte cell -desis surgical fixation -drome run, running -dynia pain -ectasis dilation, expansion -ectomy surgical removal -ectopic displacement -emesis vomit -emia blood condition -ent-er-ist-or person or agent -esis -ia -a -ism -ity -y -osis -tion -sis -iasis -sia state or condition, disease -form -oid resembling, shaped like -gen -genic producing, causing -genesis beginning, origin -gram record -graph instrument that records -graphy process of recording -iac person afflicted with -ible -ile capable, able -ician one who -ictal seizure, attack -ist -ologist a specialist in -ites -itis inflammation -ium membrane -ize use, subject to -logy science, study of -lysis -lytic destry, separation -ma -mat disease, condition -malacia softening -mania madness -megaly enlargement -metor instrument used to measure -metry measurement -morph form, shape -oma tumor -opsy to view -oxia oxygen -paresis slight paralysis -pathy disease -penia deficient, lack of -pepsia digestion -pexy -pexis fixation storing -phagia -phagy eating, swallowing -philia -phily love -phobia abnormal fear, intolerance -phonia pertaining to sound -phoria feeling -physis growth -plasia -plasm formation, development -plasty surgical repair -plegia paralysis -pnea breathing -poiesis formation -porosis passage -prandial meal -praxia in front of, before -ptosis drooping, downward displacement -rrhage -rrhagia excessive flow -rrhaphy suturing in place -rrhea flow or discharge

Combining Forms of medical terms Combining Form Meaning aden/o gland arthr/o joint bi/o life carcin/o cancerous, cancer cardi/o heart cephal/o head cerebr/o cerebrum (largest part of the brain) cis/o to cut crin/o secrete (to form and give off) cyst/o urinary bladder; a sac or cyst (sac containing fluid) cyt/o cell derm/o; dermat/o skin electr/o electricity encephal/o brain enter/o intestine erythr/o red gastr/o stomach gnos/o knowledge gynec/o woman, female hemat/o; hem/o blood hepat/o liver iatr/o treatment leuk/o white nephr/o kidney neur/o nerve onc/o tumor ophthalm/o eye oste/o bone path/o disease ped/o child psych/o mind radi/o x-rays ren/o kidney rhin/o nose sarc/o flesh sect/o to cut thromb/o clot, clotting ur/o urinary tract, urine abdomin/o abdomen adip/o fat anter/o front bol/o to cast; throw cervic/o neck (of the body or of the uterus) chondr/o cartilage (type of connective tissue) chrom/o color coccyg/o coccyx (tailbone) crani/o skull dist/o far, distant dors/o back portion of the body hist/o tissue ili/o ilium (part of the pelvic bone) inguin/o groin kary/o nucleus later/o side lumb/o lower back (side and back between the ribs and pelvis) medi/o middle nucle/o nucleus pelv/o hip, pelvic cavity poster/o back, behind proximo nearest sacr/o sacrum sarc/o flesh spin/o spine, backbone thel/o nipple thorac/o chest trache/o trachea, windpipe umbilic/o navel, umbilicus ventr/o belly side of the body vertebr/o vertebrae, backbones viscer/o internal organs acr/o extremities, top, extreme point acu/o sharp, severe, sudden agor/a marketplace amni/o amnion (sac surrounding the embryo in the uterus) angi/o vessel arteri/o artery arthr/o joint axill/o armpit blephar/o eyelid bronch/o bronchial tubes (two tubes, one right and one left, that branch from the trachea to enter the lungs) chem/o drug, chemical chron/o time col/o colon (large intestine) hydr/o water, fluid isch/o to hold back lapar/o abdomen, abdominal wall laryng/o larynx, voice box lymph/o lymph, a clear fluid that bathes tissue spaces mamm/o breast mast/o breast morph/o shape, form muc/o mucus my/o muscle myel/o spinal cord, bone marrow necr/o death (of cells or whole body) neutr/o neutrophil (WBC) ot/o ear peritone/o peritoneum phag/o to eat, swallow phleb/o vein plas/o formation, development pleur/o pleura (membranes surrounding lungs and adjacent to chest wall muscles) pneumon/o lungs pulmon/o lungs rect/o rectum splen/o spleen staphyl/o clusters strept/o twisted chains thorac/o chest tonsill/o tonsils trache/o trachea (windpipe) carp/o wrist bones cib/o meals cost/o rib cutane/o skin dactyl/o fingers, toes duct/o to lead, carry flex/o to bend furc/o forking, branching gloss/o tongue glyc/o sugar immun/o protection mort/o death nat/i birth nect/o to bind, tie, connect norm/o rule, order ox/o oxygen pub/o pubis (pubic bone); anterior portion of the pelvic or hipbone seps/o infection somn/o sleep son/o sound the/o to put, place thyr/o shield (shape of thyroid gland resembled shield to those who named it) top/o place, position, location tox/o poison urethr/o urethra an/o anus append/o appendix appendic/o appendix bucc/o cheek cec/o cecum celi/o belly, abdomen cheil/o lip cholecyst/o gallbladder choledoch/o common bile duct colon/o colon dent/i tooth duoden/o duodenum esophag/o esophagus faci/o face gingiv/o gms ile/o ileum jejun/o jejunum labi/o lip lingu/o tongue mandibul/o lower jaw, mandible odont/o tooth orth/o straight or/o mouth palat/o palate pancreat/o pancreas pharyng/o throat proct/o anus and rectum pylor/o pyloric sphincter sialaden/o salivary gland sigmoid/o sigmoid colon stomat/o mouth amyl/o starch bil/i gall, bile bilirubin/o bilirubin (bile pigment) chol/e gall, bile chlorhydr/o hydrochloric acid gluc/o; glyc/o sugar glycogen/o glycogen, animal starch lip/o fat, lipid lith/o stone prote/o protein sial/o saliva, salivary gland steat/o fat cholangi/o bile vessel aer/o air alges/o sensitivity to pain cras/o mixture erg/o work esthes/o feeling, sensation hypn/o sleep myc/o mold, fungus narc/o stupor pharmac/o drug prurit/o itching pyret/o fever thec/o sheath (of brain and spinal cord) tox/o, toxic/o poison vas/o vessel vit/o life cheir, chir hand colla glue; gelatinlike; starch gingiv/o gum glauc/o gray gli/o neuroglia (glue) -globin protein -glovulin protein glomerul/o glomerulus gloss tongue glucos/o sugar -glute buttocks glyc/o sugar, sweetness steat/o fat

Medical Terminology Question Combining Forms Answer abdominal cavity Body pace between abdominal walls, above the pelvis, and below the diaphragm. abdomin(o) abdomen acetabul(o) cut-shaped hip socket aden(o) gland adip(o) fat adren(o) adrenal glands alveol(o) air sac, alveolus angi(o) vessel anterior At or toward the front(of the body). aort(o) aorta appendic(o) appendix arteri(o) artery arteriol(o) arteriole a tiny artery connecting to a capillary. arthr(o) joint; articulation aur(i), auricul(o) ear blephar(o) eyelid brachi(o) arm blood system Body system that includes blood and all its component parts bronch(o), bronchi bronchus bucc(o) cheek burs(o)_ bursa calcane(o) heel bone cardi(o) heart;esophageal opening of the stomach cardiovascular system Body system that includes the heart and blood vessels; circulatory system. carp(o) wrist bones celi(o) abdomen cell Smallest unit of a living structure cephal(o) head cerebell(o) cerebellum cerebr(o) cerebellum cervic(o) neck;cervix cheil(o), chil(o) lip chir(o) hand chol(e), cholo bile chondri(o), chondro cartilage col(o), colon(o) colon colp(o) vagina connective tissue Fibrous substance that forms the body's supportive framework. core(o) pupil coronal plane Imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior positions cranial cavity Space in the head that contains the brain cortic(o) cortex costi, costo rib crani(o) cranium cross-sectional plane Imaginary line that insects the body horizontally. cyst(i), cysto bladder; cyst cyt(o) cell dactyl(o) fingers,toes deep Away from the surface (of the body). dent(i), dento tooth derm(o), derma,dermat(o) skin diaphragm Muscle that divides the abdominal and thoracic cavities. digestive system Body system that includes all organs of digestion and waste excretions, from the mouth to the anus. distal Away from the point of attachment of the trunk. dorsal At or toward the back of the body dorsal cavity Main cavity on the back side of the body containing the cranial and spinal cavities. duoden(o) duodenum encephal(o) brain endocrine system Body system that includes glands that secrete hormones to regulate certain body functions. enter(o) intestines epigastic region Area of the body immediately above the stomach. episi(o) vulva epithelial tissue Tissue that covers or lines the body or its parts. frontal plane Imaginary line that divides that body into anterior and posterior positions. gastr(o) stomach gingiv(o) gum gloss(o) tongue gnath(o) jaw gonad(o) sex glands hem(a), hemat(o), hemo blood hemic system Organs involved in the production of blood including the cellular and the molecular components essential in providing defenses against foreign organisms or substances. hepat(o),hepatic(o) liver hidr(o) sweat histi(o), histo tissue hypochondriac regions Left and right regions of the body just below the cartilage of the ribs and immediately above the abdomen. hypogastric regions Areas of the body just below the umbilical region. hyster(o) uterus, hysteria ile(o) ileum ili(o) ilium iliac regions Left and right regions of the body near the upper portions of the hip bone. inferior Below another body structure. inguin(o) groin inguinal regions Left and right regions of the body near the upper portion of the hip bone. integumentary system Body system that includes skin, hair, and nails. irid(o) iris ischi(o) ischium kary(o) nucleus kerat(o) cornea labi(o) lip lamin(o) lamina lapar(o) abdominal wall laryng(o) larynx lateral to the side lateral plane Imaginary line that divides the body perpendicularly to the medial plane. left lower quadrant (LLQ) Quadrant on the lower left anterior side of the patient's body. left upper quadrant (LUQ) Quadrant on the upper left anterior side of the patient's body. linguo tongue lip(o) fat lumbar region Left and right regions of the body near the waist on the dorsal (or posterior) side. lymph(o) lymph lymphatic and immune system Body system that includes the lymph, glands of the lymphatic system, lymphatic vessels, and the specific and nonspecific defenses of the immune system. mast(o) breast maxill(o) maxilla medial At or near the middle (of the body) medial plane Imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves. medull(o) medulla mening(o) meninges midsagittal plane See medial plane muco mucus muscle tissue Tissue that is able to contract and relax musculoskeletal system Body system that includes muscles, bones, and cartilage. my(o) muscle myel(o) spinal cords; bone marrow nephr(o) kidney nervous system Body system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and controls most body functions by sending and receiving messages. nervous tissue Specialized tissue that forms nerve cells and is capable of transmitting messages. neur, neuro nerve oculo eye odont(o) tooth onych(o) nail oo egg oophor(o) ovary ophthalm(o eye opto, optico eye; sight or(o) mouth orchi(o),orchid(o) testis organ Group of specialized tissue that performs a specific function. osseo, ossi bone ost(e),osteo bone ot(o) ear ovari(o) ovary ovi, ovo egg; ova ped(o), pedi food; child pelvi(o), pelvo pelvic bone; hip pelvic cavity Body space below the abdominal cavity that includes the reproductive organs. pharyng(o) pharynx phleb(o) vein phren(o), phreni, phrenico mind; diaphragm pil(o) hair plasma, plasmo, plasmat(o) plasma pleur(o), pleura rib; side; pleura pneum(a), pneumat(o) lungs; air; breathing pod(o) foot posterior At or toward the back side (of the body) proct(o) anus prone Lying on the stomach with the face down. proximal At or near the point of attachment of the trunk. psych(o), psyche mind pulmon(o) lung pyel(o) renal pelvis rachi(o) spine rect(o) rectum reni, reno kidney reproductive system Either the male or female body system that controls reproduction respiratory system Body system that includes the lings and airways and performs breathing. rhin(o) nose right lower quadrant (RLQ) Quadrant on the lower right anterior side of the patient's body right upper quadrant (RUQ) Quadrant on the upper right anterior side of the patient's body. sacr(o) sacrum sagittal plane Imaginary line that divides the body into right and left portions. sarco fleshy tissue; muscle scler(o) sclera sensory system Body system that includes the eyes and ears and those parts of other systems involved in the reactions of the five senses. sial(o) salivary glands; saliva sigmoid(o) sigmoid colon somat(o) body sperma,spermato,spermo semen;spermatozoa spinal cavity Body space that contains the spinal cord. splanchn(o), splanchni viscera splen(o) spleen spondyl(o) vertebra stern(o) sternum steth(o) chest stom(a),stomat(o) mouth superficial at or near the surface (of the body). superior above another body structure supine lying on the spine facing upward. system Any group of organs and ancillary parts that work together to perform a major body function. ten(o),tendin(o), tendo, tenon(o) tendon test(o) testis thorac(o), thoracico thorax, chest thoracic cavity Body space above the abdominal cavity that contains the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. thym(o) thymus gland thyr(o) thyroid gland tissue Any group of cells that work together to perform a single function. trache(o) trachea trachel(o) neck transverse plane Imaginary line that intersects the body horizontally. trich(o), trichi hair umbilical region Area of the body surrounding the umbilicus. urinary system Body system that includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra and helps maintain homeostasis by removing fluid and dissolved waste. varico varicosity vas(o) blood vessel; duct vasculo blood vessel veni, veno vein ventral at or toward the front (of the body) ventral cavity Major cavity in the front of the body containing the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities. ventricul(o) ventricle vertebro vertebra vesic(o) bladder abscess Localized collection of pus and other exudate,usually accompanied by swelling and redness. acne Inflammatory eruption of the skin, occurring in or near sebaceous glands on the face, neck, shoulder, or upper neck. acne vulgaris See acne actinic keratosis Overgrowth of horny skin that forms from overexposure to sunlight; sunburn. adip(o) fatty adipose Fatty; relating to fat allograft Skin graft using donor skin from one person to another albinism Rare, congenital condition causing either partial or total lack of pigmentation. alopecia areata Loss of hair in patches, loss of hair in spots, baldness. alpha-hydroxy acid Agent added to cosmetics to improve the skin's appearance. anesthetic Agent that relieves pain by blocking nerve sensations antibacterial Agent that kills or slows the growth of a bacteria. antibiotic Agent that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms. antifungal Agent that kills or slows the growth of fungi. antihistamine Agent that controls allergic reactions by blocking the effectiveness of histamines in the body. anti-inflammatory Agent that relieves the symptoms of inflammations. antipruritic Agent that controls itching antiseptic Agent that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms. apocrine glands Glands that appear during and after puberty and secret sweat, as from the armpits. astringent Agent that removes excess oils and impurities from the surface of skin. autograft Skin graft using skin from one's own body basal cell carcinoma Slow-growing cancer of the basal cells of teh epidermis, usually a result of sun damage. biopsy Excision of tissue for microscopic examination. birthmark Lesion (especially a hemangioma) visible at or soon after birth; nevus blackhead See Comedo Open hair follicle filled with bacteria and sebum; common in acne; blackhead. bulla(pl.bullae) Bubble-like blister on the surface of the skin. burn Damage to the skin caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or other skin irritants. callus Mass of hard skin that forms as a cover over broken skin on certain areas of the body, especially the feet and hands. candidiasis Yeast-like fungus on the skin, caused by Candida; characterized by pruritus, white exudate, peeling, and easy bleeding; examples are thrush and diaper rash. carbuncle Infected area of the skin producing pus and usually accompanied by fever. cauterize To apply heat to an area to cause coagulation and stop bleeding. cellulitis Severe inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous portions of the skin, usually caused by an infection that enters the skin through an opening as a wound; characterized by local heat, redness, pain, and swelling. chemotherapy Treatment of cancer that uses chemicals to destroy malignant cells chloasma Group of fairly large, pigmented facial patches, often associated with pregnancy cicatrix Growth of fibrous tissue inside a wound that forms a scar; also, general term for scar. cold sore Eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus type 1. collagen Major protein substance that is tough and flexible and that forms connective tissue in the body. comedo Open hair follicle filled with bacteria and sebum; common in acne; blackhead. corium See dermis Layer of skin beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, and some glands corn Growth of hard skin, usually on the toes. corticosteroid Agent with anti-inflammatory properties. crust Hard layer, especially one found by dried pus, as in a scab. cryosurgery Surgery that removes tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. currettage Removal of tissue from an area, such as a wound, by scraping. cuticle Thin band of epidermis that surrounds the edge of nails, except at the top. cyst Abnormal sac containing fluid debridement Removal of dead tissue from a wound. decubitus ulcer Chronic ulcer on skin over bony parts that are under constant pressure. depigmentation Loss of color of the skin dermabrasion Removal of wrinkles, scars, tattoos, and other marks by scraping with brushes or emery papers dermatitis Inflammation of the skin dermat(o) skin diaphoresis Excretion of fluid by the sweat glands; sweating. discord lupus erythematosus Mild form of lupus ecchymosis (pl. ecchymoses) Purplish skin patch(bruise) caused by broken blood vessels beneath the surface. eccrine glands sweat glands that occur all over the body, except where the apocrine glands occur. eczema severe inflammatory condition of the skin, usually of unknown cause. electrodesiccation Drying with electrical current. emollient Agent that smooths or softens skin. epidermis Outer portion of the skin containing several strata erosion wearing away of the surface of the skin, especially that caused by friction. exanthematous viral disease Viral disease that causes a rash on the skin. excoriation Injury to the surface of the skin caused by a scratch, abrasion, or burn, usually accompanied by some oozing. exocrine glands glands that secret through ducts toward the outside of the body exudate Any fluid excreted out of tissue, especially fluid excreted out of an injury to the skin. fever blister eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus Type 1 first-degree burn least severe burn, causes injury to the surfaces of the skin without blistering. fissure Deep slit in the skin. fulguration destruction of tissue using electric sparks. furuncle localized skin infection, usually in a hair follicle and containing pus; boil gangrene Death of an area of skin, usually caused by loss of blood supply to the area. genital herpes See herpes simplex virus Type 2 Herpes that recurs on the genitalia; can be easily transmitted from on person to another through sexual contact. hair follicle tube-like sac in the epidermis out of which the hair shaft develops. hair root portion of hair beneath the skin surface. hair shaft portion of the hair visible above the skin surface. herpes an inflammatory skin disease caused by viruses of the family Herpesviridae. herpes simplex virus Type 1 Herpes that recurs on the lips and around the area of the mouth, usually during viral illnesses or states of stress. herpes simplex virus Type 2 Herpes that recurs on the genitalia; can be easily transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact. herpes zoster Painful herpes that affects nerve roots; shingles. heterograft skin graft using donor skin from one species to another hidr(o) sweat, sweat glands hives See urticaria group of reddish wheals, usually accompanied by pruritus and often caused by an allergy. homograft skin graft using donor skin from one person to another. hypodermis Subcutaneous skin layer; layer below the dermis ichthy(o) fish, scaly impetigo a type of pyoderma integument skin and all the elements that are contained within and arise from it intradermal from within the skin, particularly from the dermis Kaposi's sarcoma skin cancer associated with AIDS keloid thick scarring of the skin that forms after an injury or surgery. keratin hard, horny protein that forms nails and hair. kerat(o) horny tissue keratolytic Agent that aids in the removal of warts and corns. keratosis lesion on the epidermis containing keratin lesion wound, damage, or injury to the skin. leukoderma absence of pigment in the skin or in an area of the skin leukoplakia white patch of mucus membrane on the tongue or cheek lip(o) fatty lunula(pl. lunulae) half-moon shaped area at the base of the nail plate. macule small, flat, noticeably colored spot on the skin. malignant melanoma virulent skin cancer originating in the melanocytes, usually caused by overexposure to the sun. Mantoux test test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin in injected into the skin with a syringe. melan(o) black, very dark melanin pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin, hair, and eye color. melanocyte cell in the epidermis that produces melanin Moh's surgery removal of thin layers of malignant tissue until nonmalignant tissues is found. myc(o) fungus nail thin layer of keratin that covers the distal portion of fingers and toes. neoplasm abnormal tissue growth. nevus(pl. nevi) birthmark nodule small knob of tissue onych(o) nail onychia, onychitis inflammation of the nail onychopathy disease of the nail. papillary layer thin sublayer of the dermis containing small papillae (nipple-like masses). papule small, solid elevation on the skin parasiticide Agent that kills or slows the growth of parasites. paronychia inflammation, with pus, of the fold surrounding the nail plate. patch small area of skin differing in color from the surrounding area. patch test test for allergic sensitivity in which a small dose of antigen is applied to the skin on a small piece of gauze pediculated polyp polyp that projects upward from slender stalk. pediculosis lice infestation pemphigus autoimmune disease that causes skin blistering petechia(pl. petechiae) tiny hemorrhages beneath the surface of the skin. pil(o) hair pilonidal cyst cyst containing hair, usually found at the lower end of the spinal cord. plantar wart wart on the sole of the foot. plaque see patch small area of skin differing in color from the surrounding area. plastic surgery repair or reconstruction(as of the skin) by means of surgery. polyp bulging mass of tissue that projects outward from the skin surface. pore opening or hole, particularly in the skin. pressure sore See decubitus ulcer. Chronic ulcer on skin over bony parts that are under constant pressure. pruritus itching psoriasis chronic skin condition accompanied by scaly lesions with extreme pruritus. purpura skin condition with extensive hemorrhages underneath the skin covering a wide area. pustule small elevation on the skin containing pus. pyoderma any inflammation of the skin that produces pus. radiation therapy treatment of cancer that uses ionizing radiation to destroy malignant cells. reticular layer Bottom sublayer of the dermis containing reticula(network of structures with connective tissue between). ringworm fungal infection; tinea rosacea vascular disease that causes blotchy, red patches on the skin, particularly on the nose and cheeks. roseola skin eruption small, rosy patches, usually caused by a virus. rubella disease that causes a viral skin rash; German measles. rubeola disease that causes a viral skin rash; measles. scabies skin eruption caused by a mite burrowing into the skin. scale small plate of hard skin that falls off. Schick test test for diphtheria scleroderma thickening of the skin caused by an increase in collagen formation. scratch test test for allergic sensitivity in which a small amount of antigen is scratched onto the surface of the skin. sebaceous cyst cyst containing yellow sebum. sebaceous glands glands in the dermis that open to hair follicles and secrete sebum. seb(o) sebum, sebaceous glands. seborrhea overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. sebum oily substance, usually secreted into hair follicle. second-degree burn moderately severe burn that affects the epidermis and dermis; usually involves blistering. sessile polyp polyp that projects upward from a broad base. shingles viral disease affecting peripheral nerves and caused by herpes zoster. skin graft placement of fresh skin over a damaged area. squamous cell carcinoma cancer of the squamous epithelium squamous epithelium flat, scaly layer of cells that makes up the epidermis. steat(o) fat stratified squamous epithelium layers of epithelial cells that make up the strata of the epidermis. stratum(pl. strata) layer of tissue, especially a layer of skin. striae stretch marks made in the collagen fibers of the dermis layer. subcutaneous layer bottom layer of the skin containing fatty tissue. sweat glands coiled glands of the skin that secrete perspiration to regulate body temperature and excrete waste products. systemic lupus erythematosus most severe form of lupus, involving internal organs. third-degree burns most severe type of burns; involving complete destruction of an area of skin. tine test test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin is injected into a series of sites within a small space with a tine (instrument that punctures the surface of the skin). tinea fungal infection; ringworm topical anesthetic anesthetic applied to the surface of the skin. trich(o) hair tumor any mass of tissue; swelling ulcer open lesion, usually with superficial loss of tissue. ultraviolet light artificial sunlight used to treat some skin lesions. urticaria group of reddish wheals, usually accompanied by pruritus and often caused by an allergy. varicella contagious skin disease, usually occurring during childhood, often accompanied by the formation of pustules; chicken pox. vascular lesion lesion in a blood vessel that shows through the skin. verruca(pl. verrucae) flesh-colored growth, sometimes caused by a virus; wart. vesicle small, raised sac on the skin containing fluid. vitiligo condition in which white patches appear on otherwise normally pigmented skin. wart See verruca flesh-colored growth, sometimes caused by virus; wart wheal itchy patch of raised skin. whitehead closed comedo that does not contain the dark bacteria present in blackheads. xanth(o) yellow xenograft See heterograft skin graft using donor skin from species to another. xer(o) dry bx biopsy DLE Discoid Lupus Erythematosus PPD Psoralen-ultraviolet a light therapy SLE System Lupus Erythematosus acetabul(o) acetabulum acetabulum cup-shaped depression in the hip bone into which the top of the femur fits. acromi(o) end point of the scapula acromion part of the scapula that connects to the clavicle. amphiarthroses cartilaginous joint having some movement at the union of two bones amputation Cutting off of a limb or part of a limb. analgesic to relieve pain aspirin acetaminophen (NSAIDS are also analgesics.) Agents that relieve pain. ankle Hinged area between the lower leg bones and the bones of the foot. ankyl(o) bent crooked ankylo

MED TERM 2 Class Review Question Answer ambly/o dull, dim blephar/o eyelid dacry/o tear phac/o lens presby/o old age aur/o ear -acusia hearing ather/o fatty plaque embol/o plug phleb/o vein sphygm/o pulse thromb/o blood clot -stenosis narrowing rhin/o nose anthrac/o coal, coal dust atel/o incomplete -osmia smell -pnea breathing -ptysis spitting kary/o nucleus myel/o bone marrow phag/o swallowing, eating poikil/o varied, irregular sider/o iron -blast embryonic cell -penia decrease -phoresis carrying, transmission aniso- unequal, dissimilar cheil/o lip bucc/o cheek gloss/o tongue chol/e bile, gall -orexia appetite -prandial meal -pepsia digestion lith/o stone crypt/o hidden olig/o scanty -cide killing galact/o milk nat/o birth -salpinx tube DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding PID pelvic inflammatory disease STD sexually transmitted disease ED erectile dysfunction TURP transurethral resection of the prostate IBS irritable bowel syndrome PUD peptic ulcer disease CBC complete blood count ALL acute lymphocytic leukemia CXR chest x-ray URI upper respiratory infection CABG coronary artery bypass graft DOE dyspnea on exertion DVT deep vein thrombosis AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm ASHD arteriosclerotic heart disease MVP mitral valve prolapse IOL intraocular lens EOM extraocular movements PERRLA pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accomodation Unusual intolerance and sensitivity to light photophobia A thin, fledxible, hollow plastic tube that is small enough to be threaded through a vein, artery, or tubelike structure catheter, stent An area of tissue that undergoes necrosis following cessation of blood supply infarct An ECG taken with a smallo portable recording system capable of storing up to 24 hours of ECG tracings Holter monitor test Displacement of cartilage dividing the nostrils deviated nasal septum Systemic disease associated with the presence and persistence of pathogenic microorganisms or their todxins in the blood, also called blood infection septicemia Any disease of the lymph nodes lymphadenopathy General lack of nutrition and wasting occurring in the course of a chronic disease or emotional disturbance cachexia Progressive, wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes in the body, especially the GI tract peristalsis Surgically joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another anastomosis Voiding in frequent intervals frequency Postpartum puerperium Procedure in which a nonabsorbable ligature is applied around the cervix uteri to treat an incompetent uterus, thus decreasing the chance of a spontaneous abortion cerclage Any disorder of retinal blood vessels retinopathy Abnormal growths of new tissue that are classified as benign or malignant neoplasm Radiation therapy in which the radioactive substance is inserted into a body cavity or organ brachytherapy System of staging used to identiify the invasiveness of the malignant tumor TNM, Tumor, Node, Metastasis Form of lymphoma that occurs in young adults Hodgkins Malignancies that originate from bone, fat, muscle, cartilage, bone marrow, and cells of the lymphatic system sarcoma Soft blowing sound heard on auscultation bruit BBB Bundle Branch Block Which classification of medications is used to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood and possibly slightly increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol statins AF Atrial Fibrillation phag/o swallowing, eating TAHBSO total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy ESRD End Stage Renal Disease A congenital anomaly consisting of four elements; pulmonary artery stenosis, interventricular septal defect, transposition of the aorta, and right ventriclar hypertrophy caused by increased workload of the right ventricle tetralogy of Fallot LMP last menstrual period Non-invasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen oximetry Inability of the cardiac and pulmonary system to maintain an adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs respiratory failure Surgical puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity thoracentesis spir/o breathe Associated with bone marrow failure. Diminished numbers of white blood cells and platelets due to bone marrow suppression. Serious form of anemia that maybe fatal Aplastic anemia (hypoplastic) D&C dilatation and curettage -gravida pregnant woman Most common type of anemia worldwide iron-deficiency anemia Treatment that provides relief, but not a cure palliative care lith/o stone, calculus -pepsia digestion a- without, not arche beginning Donating one's own blood or bone marrow for transplantation is called autologus The localized accumulation of blood in an organ, space or tissue is called a hematoma GERD gastro-esophageal reflux disease BM bowel movement Vomiting of blood hematemesis po by mouth An accumulation of serous fluid in the abdomen ascites IVP intravenous pyelography glomerul/o glomerulus Offensive or "bad" breath halitosis NPO nothing by mouth varic/o dilated vein -ism condition UA urinalysis LBW low birth weight kal/i potassium dys bad, painful, difficult -osis abnormal condition The discharge of urine; urination micturition What classification of medications is used to promote excretion of urine diuretics Scanty or infrequent menstrual flow oligomenorrhea -phoresis carrying, transmission -prandial meal cyan/o blue -capnia carbon dioxide (CO2) Involuntary eye movements that appear jerky and may reduce vision or be associated wih other, more serious conditions that limit vision nystagmus Form of surgery using burning electrodesiccation ABG Arterial Blood Gases EU good, normal What drug classification is used to treat chronic lung disease by suppressing the immune response and decreasing inflammation corticosteroids -phonia voice, sound Exaggerated, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to the previously encountered antigen anaphylaxis Applying a substance to a stool sample to detect the presence of blood in feces stool guaiac What classification of medications is used to decrease spasms in the urethra and bladder by relaxing the smooth muscles lining their walls, thus allowing normal emptying of the bladder antispasmodics

FINAL FACTS Medical Terminology COMPLETE Sum11 Question Answer What does the combining form dermat/o mean? skin abort/o = miscarry amni/o = amnion episi/o = vulva fet/o = fetus obstetr/o = midwife -centesis = surgical puncture -ician = one who practices -metry = measurement or process of measuring -tomy = incision or to cut AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia Bx biopsy C section cesarean section D and C dilation and curettage DRE digital rectal examination ED erectile dysfunction FAS fetal alcohol syndrome FBD fibrocystic breast disease GYN gynecology HBV hepatitis B virus HIV human immunodeficiency virus HMD hyaline membrane disease HPV human papillomavirus HRT hormone replacement therapy IDC infiltrating ductal carcinoma OB obstetrics OB/GYN obstetrics/gynecology Pap smear Papanicolaou smear (or test) PID pelvic inflammatory disease PMS premenstrual syndrome PSA prostrate RDS respiratory distress syndrome (of the newborn) SAB spontaneous abortion STI sexually transmitted infection TSS toxic shock syndrome TURP transurethral resection of the prostate TVS transvaginal sonography nephroma tumor of kidney LASIK acronym micro small mammary glands are in what system reproductive hypo beneath or under or below skin belongs to what system Integumentary arthritis inflammation of the joint -tripsy surgically crush rhino nose nocturia urination at night -metry process of measuring osis condition of heart belongs to what system cardiac reduced number of RBC is aka anemia -meter measuring instrument predicted outcome is the . . . prognosis mononucleosis A viral disease characterized by enlarged lymph nodes and an increased MONOcyte count nulli none hysterectomy removal of the uterus melanoma is what color black The prefix a- means without or lack of pyuria pus in the urine against anti- suffix -phil affinity for enteritis inflammation of the intestines gout often seen in the great toe myc/o fungus derma, dermat, dermato skin hematuria blood in the urine cryptorchidism undescended testicle ortho straight epi on top, above, over ABG arterial blood gases SOB shortness of breath MI aka heart attack CVA aka cerebral vascular accident (stroke) CA cancer EKG electrocardiogram PFT pulmonary function test Bx biopsy Ca calcium bid twice a day qd every day HS hour of sleep the prefix ____ means through or across trans- -itis inflammation carcin/o cancer abduct take away post- after instrument used to examine the vaginal orifice speculum peps/o digestive align bones or return bones to normal position reduction this person manipulates bones Chiropractor deficiency -penia if you don't use it you will lose it aka atrophy whooping cough is aka pertussis a tear of fibers within a ligament is called sprain dysuria difficult or painful urination what two languages make up the medical language Greek and Latin heart and lungs are in what cavity thoracic clot thrombo -tic, -al, -ic pertaining to -algia pain chest pain angina pectoris asphyxia suffocate cells form tissue tissue form organs organs form systems sub- below or beneath circum- together epigastric region over the stomach critical loss of blood hemorrhage ambi- both surgical puncture -centesis body structure anatomy study of -logy onychomycosis nail fungus condition/infection yellow skin means what condition jaundice abdomen abdomin/o laryng/o voice box pharynx throat -stomy surgical creation of an opening swelling adema gastroenterologist specialist of the stomach and intestines mal- bad eu- good or normal tid three times a day -phobia fear eponym important people -malacia softening hardening -sclerosis gas passed through the anus flatulence oligo- little URI upper respiratory infection -emesis vomiting -pathy disease micro- small phonetic means to assist with pronunciation urticaria hives dysphagia difficult swallowing tear of muscle fibers strain bronchitis inflammation of the bronchi spitting or coughing up blood hemoptysis disease or illness that develops slowly and last a long time chronic arthr/o joint peri around hemi- half -plasty surgical repair -logy study of colonoscopy visually examines the colon large macro specialist for kidney disease nephrologist anti- against myalgia muscle pain the word part in front of a root word is the __ prefix glyco sugar po per oral VS vital signs T temperature R respiration BP blood pressure intra within leuko white nevus mole prophylaxis prevents infection bisect cut in two erythema redness necrosis tissue death hemolysis destruction of blood anterior front dyspnea difficulty breathing suturing -rraphy anterior towards / front heart & lungs are in what cavity thoracic large macro- dermatologist specialist for skin homeostasis process of maintaining internal stability surgical repair -plasty suffix word part placed at the end aden/o gland laryng/o combining form for voice box anatomy study of the body structure cerebral pertaining to the brain over the stomach epigastric psych/o combining form for mind prefix -ab means away pre before anti- angainst post-op after surgery scoli/o curved abdomen abdomin/o yellowish coloration jaundiced visual exam of the colon w/ an instrument colonoscopy oligo- little anterior curve of the lumbar spine lordosis -penia deficiency -tripsy surgically crush love for -philia digestive the system that breaks down food carcin/o aka CA cancer bi- two tri- three multi- many anatomical body erect, palms, toes, and face forward position combining form in mammogram mamm/o prefix anti- against -osis condition of -scopy use of an instrument for viewing endocrine is the system responsible for producing hormones -ous, -al, and -ic mean pertaining to muscle pain myalgia tachy- is the prefix for fast or rapid -centesis is the suffix meaning surgically puncture edema swelling dermatology means study of the skin syst- is the root word for bladder onych/o nail rhin/o nose nares nostril EKG electrocardiogram suffix -rrhea means excessive discharge both ambi- different heter- eu- good acronym example AIDS urticaria hives trans- across or through pertaining to newborn neonatal suturing -rraphy pathy disease cell cyt/o psychology study of the mind swallowing -phagia sprain tear of fibers within a ligament micro- small leuk/o white macro- large straight orth/o hypo- decreased or low strain involving injury to a muscle kyphosis hump back (excessive posterior curve of the thoracic spine) around peri- intra- within pre- before hemi- half anti- against brady slow -sclerosis hardening Greek & Latin languages impacting the formation & meanings of medical terms word part providing primary meaning root -emesis suffix -meter measuring instrument itchy skin pruritus infer/o below -stomy surgical creation of an opening cells form tissue -algia pain emponyms medical terms derived from names of important people phonetic spelling indicates the way a word would sound bad mal- tissues form organs sub- & infer/o mean below organs form systems -itis inflammation -phobia fear