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    Tag: Medical Terminology

    Medical Terminology Basics: 305 Useful Terms to Know!

    Learn 305 key medical terminology terms and also learn why they are so important to communicating in medicine!
    BreakThru January 9, 2021
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    © 2023 - BreakThru Mentoring

    Forum Description

    BreakThru Learner Series:

    An Introduction: Medical Terminology Basics

    Table of Contents

    It's all Greek (or Latin) to Me!

    You ever go to the doctors' office and suddenly find the physician speaking a some language that sounds somewhat familiar - but not quite intelligible? Perhaps you love watching medical dramas and there's always a point each episode where the physicians are talking about hematocrit this or hemostasis that. It can be very intimidating and exciting to hear the language of medicine. Well this introduction to medical terminology basics will hopefully give you some more confidence insight into what's being said! We are going to break down some of the most common terms encountered in medicine on this lecture!

    History of Medical Terminology

    Most medical terminology comes from Greek and Latin, however some words come from different and more modern languages.  Greek Terms: These words tend to describe clinical terminology. It's easy to build terms in Greek. Gastritis is a great example. Gastro- for stomach and -itis for swelling/inflammation.  Latin Terms: Anatomy is described pretty much exclusively in Latin.  For the purposes of this lecture we won't go into what words are Greek vs Latin and just keep it simple

    Beginnings, Middles, and Ends!

    A medical term is composed of a few parts that fit together like Legos. These are our Prefixes, Roots, Suffixes. Or another way to put it beginnings, middles, and ends! Medical terminology basics starts with these three components.  The Root: Right in the middle, this part tells you what you're talking about. It's the most important part of the word.  The Prefix: Before the root. This part helps you orient yourself. You get the reasons, circumstances, and conditions of word here. The Suffix: AKA The End. This tends to be the most confusing part of the word for many people. It tends to convey information about procedures, conditions, states of being, or diseases. It's important to know the difference between terms in each part, because if you tell a patient they may need a treatment for a colostomy and you mean to say colitis.... they will not be happy if they look it up!

    100 Medical Root Words

    Root Word Meaning Example Literal Not Real Meaning
    1 Acr--/o Extremities Acromegaly Enlarged Extremities
    2 Amb-/i Both Sides Ambidextrous Both Hands
    3 Adren-/o Adrenal Adrenalectomy Adrenal Removal
    4 Anter--/o Front Anterior
    5 Aud/i-/o Hear Audiogram Hear Record
    6 Aut--/o Self Autophagy Self Eating
    7 Axill--/o Armpit Axillary Nodes
    8 Arth-/o Joint Arthrocentesis Joint Aspiration
    9 Bio- Life Biology Study of Life
    10 Brachi-/o Arm Brachioplexus Arm Braid
    11 Bucc-/o Cheek Buccal gland
    12 Caput-/o Head Caput succedaneum Head Substitute
    13 Cardi-/o Heart Pericardium Around Heart
    14 Carcin-/o Cancer Carcinogen
    15 Carp-/o Wrist Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    16 Cervic-/o Neck Cervical Stenosis Neck Narrowing
    17 Cheil-/o Lip Cheilosis
    18 Chil-/o Lip
    19 Chir-/o Lip
    20 Chol-/e-/o Gall
    21 Cholecyst-/o Gallbladder Cholecytecomy Gallbladder Removal
    22 Choledoch-/o Common Bile Duct Choledocolithiasis Common Bile Duct Stone
    23 Cili-/o Eyelash Ciliary
    24 Cor-/o Pupil Cornea
    25 Cost-/o Rib Costophrenic Angle
    26 Crani-/o Skull Craniotomy
    27 Cubit-/o Elbow Cubital Tunnel
    28 Cyt-/o Cell Cytokine Cell Movement
    29 Dactyl-/o Fingers Dactylitis Finger Inflammation
    30 Derm-/a-/o Skin Dermatitis Skin Inflammation
    31 Dermat/a-/o Skin
    32 Duoden/o Duodenum Duodenal Ulcer
    33 Ech-/o Sound Echocardiogram Sound Heart Picture
    34 Estr-/o Female Estrogen Female Producing
    35 Faci-/o Face Facial Nerve
    36 Gastr/i-/o Stomach Gastritis Stomach Inflammation
    37 Gingiv-/o Gums Gingivitis Gum Inflammation
    38 Glauc-/o Gray Glaucoma Gray Swelling
    39 Gloss-/o Tongue Glossopharyngeal Nerve
    40 Gluc-/o Sugar Glucose Sugar Full
    41 Gnath-/o Jaws Micrognathia Small Jaws
    42 Hepat-/o Liver Hepatitis Liver Inflammation
    43 Hist-/o Tissues Histology Study of Tissues
    44 Inguin-/o Groin Inguinal Canal
    45 Intestin-/o Intestines
    46 Irid-/o Iris
    47 Labi-/o Lips
    48 Lapar-/o Abdomen Laparotomy Abdomen Opening
    49 Later-/o Side Dorsolateral Back and Side
    50 Lingu-/o Tongue Lingual Nerve
    51 Lip-/o Fats Lipoma Fat Mass
    52 Lymph-/o Lymph Lymphoma Lymph Mass
    53 Mamm-/a-/o Breast Mammogram Breast Record
    54 Mast-/o Breast Mastectomy Breast Removal
    55 Melan-/o Black Melanocyte Black Cell
    56 My-/o Muscle Myoclonus Muscle Confused
    57 Myel-/o Bone Marrow Myeloblast Bone Marrow Immature Cell
    58 Nas-/o Nose Nasopharyngeal
    59 Necr-/o Death Necrosis Death State
    60 Nephr-/o Kidney Nephrology
    61 Neur-/o Nerve Neuroblastoma
    62 Odont-/o Teeth Odontophobia Teeth Fear
    63 Occipit-/o Back of Head Occipital Bone
    64 Ocul-/o Eye Oculoscope Eye Instrument
    65 Ophthalm-/o Eyes Opthalmoscope Eye Instrument
    66 Or-/o Mouth Oropharynx
    67 Oss-/e-/o Bone Marrow Intraosseus Injection
    68 Ot-/o Ear Otoscope Ear Instrument
    69 Palat-/o Roof of Mouth Palatoplasty Roof of Mouth Repair
    70 Pancreat-/o Pancreas Pancreatitis Pancreas Inflammation
    71 Path-/o Disease Pathology Study of Diseases
    72 Pelv/i-/o Pelvis Pelvis
    73 Pharmac-/o Drugs Pharmacokinetics Drug Motion
    74 Phleb-/o Vein Phlebotomy Vein Cutting
    75 Phren-/o Diaphragm Costophrenic Cartilage
    76 Pil-/o Hair Piloerection
    77 Pulmon-/o Lungs Pulmonologist
    78 Pod-/o Foot Podiatry Foot Healing
    79 Psych-/o Mind Psychology Study of the Mind
    80 Rect-/o Rectum
    81 Rhin-/o Nose Rhinoplasty Nose Repair
    82 Sacr-/o Sacrum Sacroilliac
    83 Sept-/o Infection Septic Shock
    84 Sial-/o Saliva Sialadenitis
    85 Somat-/o Body Somatoform Disorder
    86 Splen-/o Spleen Splenectomy Spleen Removal
    87 Steth-/o Chest Sthethoscope Chest Instrument
    88 Tal-/o Ankle Talofibular
    89 Tars-/o Foot Metatarsals
    90 Thorac-/o Chest Thoracentesis Chest Aspiration
    91 Thyr-/o Thyroid Thyroid
    92 Toxic-/o Poison Thyrotoxicosis Thyroid Toxic
    93 Trachel-/o Neck Tracheotomy Neck Opening
    94 Trich-/o Hair Trichotillomania Hair Delusion
    95 Ur-/e-/o Urine Urease Urine Cleave
    96 Uter-/o Uterus In Utero
    97 Ventr-/o Front Ventral Side
    98 Vesic-/o Bladder
    99 Viscer-/o Viscera (Aka internal organs) Viscerosomatic Viscera Body
    100 Xer-/o Dry Xeromycteria Dry Nostril

    52 Prefixes

    Number Prefix Meaning Comments / Examples
    1 A- Not/Lacking Anoxic
    2 Algo- Pain Algogenic
    3 An- Without Angiogenesis
    4 Ab- Away Abductors -Think "Away"
    5 Ad- Towards Adductors - Think "ADDing"
    6 Brady- Slow Bradycardia
    7 Brachy- Short Brachydactyly
    8 Cata- Lower Cataracts
    9 Com- Together Composite
    10 Contra- Opposite Contralateral
    11 Dis- Apart Distal
    12 Dys- Bad Dysgenesis
    13 Epi- Above Epiphysis
    14 Encephalo- Brain Encephalitis
    15 Extra- Beyond Extra Occular
    16 Extro- Outside Extroverted
    17 Hemato- Blood Hematocrit
    18 Hemi- Half Hemicolon
    19 Hyper- Excessive Hypercalcemia
    20 Inter Between Interstitial
    21 Intra- Within Intracapsular
    22 Intro- Into Introductory
    23 Macro- Large Macrocytic
    24 Mal- Bad Malaise
    25 Mes- Middle Mesolimbic
    26 Meso- Middle Mesocortical
    27 Meta- Change Metastasis
    28 Micro- Small Microcytic
    29 Neo- New Neoplasm
    30 Neuro- Nerve Neurotoxic
    31 Oligo- Small / Scarce Oliguria
    32 Onco- Tumor Oncogenic
    33 Pan- All / Throughout Pancytopenia
    34 Para- Beyond / After Parasite
    35 Per- Through Perception
    36 Peri- Around Peripheral
    37 Poly- Many Polyuria
    38 Post- After Postoperative
    39 Presby- Old Age Presbyopia
    40 Pseudo- Fake Pseudoscience
    41 Quadri- Four Quadriplegic
    42 Re- Again Reoccurance
    43 Retro- Behind Retroperitoneal
    44 Semi- Half See Hemi
    45 Sub- Under Subsection
    46 Super- Above Superior
    47 Sym- Together Sympathetic
    48 Syn- With / Joint Synchondrosis
    49 Tachy- Fast Tachycardia
    50 Trans- Through Transection
    51 Tri- Three Triscuspid
    52 Endo- Within Endocarditis
    Hey! Did you notice that some repeat words on the root words and pre-fix list? Thank the Greeks! Words like -Cardio- can be used in many creative ways.  So I can say 'Myocardium' and you would know I'm talking about Heart Muscle or if I say 'Cardiogenic' it means from the heart. Pretty neat right?

    51 Suffixes

    Number Suffix Meaning Comments / Examples
    1 -ac / -al / -ic Pertaining to Cardiac "Cardio- + -ac"
    2 -algia Pain Myalgia
    3 -arche Beginning Menarch
    4 -ase Enzyme Protease
    5 -cele Protrusion Hydrocele
    6 -centesis Fluid Withdrawal Pericardiocentesis
    7 -cidal Kill / Destroy Fungicidal
    8 -clasis Break Arthroclasis
    9 -constriction Narrowing Venoconstriction
    10 -ctye Cell Pneumocyte
    11 -desis Surgical Fusion Fasciodesis
    12 -dilation Expansion Venodilation
    13 -dynia Pain Mastodynia
    14 -ectasis Stretch Atelectasis
    15 -ectomy Removal Craniectomy
    16 -edema Swelling / Inflammation Angioedema
    17 -ema Condition Erythema
    18 -emia Related to blood Anemia
    19 -emesis Vomit Hematemesis
    20 -euysm Expanding Aneurysm
    21 -form Resembling Fusiform
    22 -genesis Origin Angiogenesis
    23 -genic Produced By Vasogenic
    24 -globin Protein Hemoglobin
    25 -gram Record Mammogram
    26 -graph Recording Instrument Elecrtrocardiograph (EKG)
    27 -graphy Process of Recording Chromotography
    28 -ia Condition Phobia
    29 -ism Process Allochroism
    30 -itis Inflammation Gastritis
    31 -lysis Cut / Separate Hemolysis
    32 -malacia Softening Osteomalacia
    33 -mania Obsession Hypermania
    34 -megaly Enlargement Hepatomegaly
    35 -mortem Death Postmortem
    36 -oma Mass / Tumor Lipoma
    37 -one Hormone Testosterone
    38 -opsy Display Of Autopsy
    39 -ostomy Artificial Surgical Opening Colonostomy
    40 -otomy Incision / Cutting Tracheotomy
    41 -paresis Weakness Hemiparesis
    42 -penia Deficiency Osteopenia
    43 -phagia Devour / Eat Dysphagia
    44 -phasia Speech Dysphasia
    45 -pnea Breathing Apnea
    46 -rrhea Flow Rhinorrhea
    47 -scope Instrument to Examine Stethoscope
    48 -scopy Examination Fluoroscopy
    49 -somnia Sleep Insomnia
    50 -stasis Stop Hemostasis
    51 -uria Urine Polyuria

    102 Useful Medical Terms

    Number Term Meaning
    1 Acute Sudden onset
    2 Admit the act or process of accepting someone into a hospital, clinic, or other treatment facility as an inpatient
    3 Adverse Effects An unexpected medical problem that occurs with a treatment drug/therapy
    4 Albumin Protein made by the liver that prevents fluid from leaking out of the bloodstream
    5 AMA Against Medical Advice
    6 Angina Marked chest pain
    7 Anhedonia Inability to feel pleasure
    8 Anoxic Without oxygen
    9 Apnea Temporary cessation of breathing
    10 Arterial Relating to the arteries
    11 Asymptomatic Presenting without any symptoms despite having a disease
    12 Autonomic Part of the nervous system that supplies the internal organs
    13 Benign Not cancerous
    14 Biopsy Sample of tissue to be examined
    15 Bradycardia Heart Rate <60
    16 Carcinogen Substance that can cause cancer
    17 Caudad Toward the feet
    18 Cephalad Toward the head
    19 Chronic Long-lasting
    20 Coma A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened
    21 Concussion A head injury that temporarily affects brain functioning.
    22 Creatinine A waste product by muscles
    23 CT Scan a useful imaging modality that produces tomographic images of a body, allowing the user to see inside the body without cutting into it
    24 Cytokine Substances secreted during an immune response
    25 Demarcated Boundary
    26 Diabetes Mellitus A disease that leads to impaired insulin regulation
    27 Distal Away from center of the body
    28 DNR Do Not Rescusitate
    29 Dorsal Upper side
    30 Dyspnea Difficulty breathing
    31 Echocardiogram Ultrasound-based imaging to create an outline of the heart
    32 Edema Swelling
    33 Embolism Obstruction of an artery
    34 EMR Electronic Medical Records
    35 Endocarditis Inflammation within the cardiac walls
    36 Erythema Reddening of the skin due to dilatation of capillaries
    37 Etiology Origins of a disease
    38 Exacerbation Worsening of a disease
    39 Fascia Flat band of tissue below the skin that covers underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue
    40 GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a long-term condition where acid from the stomach comes up into the esophagus
    41 Guarding An involuntary reaction to protect an area of pain
    42 Hematocrit Value that indicates how much of a person's blood is made up of red blood cells
    43 Hemoglobin Molecule that carries oxygen
    44 Hyperglycemia High levels of glucose
    45 Hyperlipidemia High levels of lipids
    46 Hyperreflexia Overactive reflexes
    47 Hypertension High blood pressure
    48 Hyporeflexia Underactive reflexes
    49 Hypotension Low blood pressure
    50 Hypoxic Low levels of oxygen
    51 Idiopathic Denoting an unknown cause
    52 Infectious Easily transmitted between hosts
    53 Inpatient Someone admitted into the hospital
    54 Lesion Damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, usually caused by disease or trauma
    55 Leukemia Cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system
    56 Ligament Fibrous connective tissue
    57 Lymphoma Cancer of the lymphatic system
    58 Malaise a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify
    59 Malignant Cancerous with ability to spread to other parts of the body
    60 Medicaid A USA health insurance program for those with limited income
    61 Medicare The USA's health insurance program for people age 65 or older or with a disability
    62 Metabolic Syndrome The name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems
    63 MRI Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body.
    64 Multifactorial Denoting multiple causes
    65 Myalgia Muscle pain
    66 Myocardial Infarction An event where cardiac tissue is deprived of oxygen and dies
    67 Neoplasm Abnormal tissue growth
    68 Neutrophils The most common type of white blood cell
    69 Noncompliant Referring to a patient who does not take their medications or follow medical recommendations
    70 Noninvasive A procedure that doesn't require opening the body
    71 Order Written directions provided by a prescribing practitioner for a specific medication to be administered to an individual
    72 Orthopnea Difficulty breathing while lying down
    73 Outpatient Someone receiving medical treatment outside of the hospital. i.e. a clinic
    74 Parasympathic The part of the involuntary nervous system that serves to slow the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and relax the sphincter muscles.
    75 Parenteral Administered or occurring elsewhere in the body than the mouth and alimentary canal
    76 Pleurisy Inflammation of the pleura that seperates the lungs from the chest wall
    77 Pneumonia Infection that occurs in the air sacs of the lungs
    78 Polypharmacy Usage of multiple medications concurrently
    79 Proximal Close to center of the body
    80 Pulmonary Embolism A blood clot that blocks one or more pulmonary arteries
    81 Referred pain Pain occuring at a site other that the affected area
    82 Remission Temporary or permanent disapperance of the signs and symptoms of cancer or other disease
    83 Rhinorrhea Runny Nose
    84 Seizure An electrical disturbance that results in abnormal activity of the brain
    85 Sepsis Massive inflammation as a result of infection leading to a life-threatening condition
    86 Shock Sudden drop in blood pressure resulting in the person not being able to get enough blood or oxygen to their organs
    87 Side Effects A documented effect that can occur with a treatment drug/therapy
    88 Sinusitis Inflammation of the sinuses
    89 Stroke Manifestation of a part of the brain lacking oxygen and blood flow leading to cell death
    90 Subacute Rather recent onset or somewhat rapid change.
    91 Subcutaneous Below the skin
    92 Sympathetic A part of the nervous system that serves to accelerate the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and raise blood pressure
    93 Syncope Temporary loss of consciousness
    94 Tachycardia Heart Rate >100
    95 Tender Pain to touch
    96 Troponin Protein that can indicate cardiac damage
    97 Ulcer Open sore or erosion
    98 Valgus excessive outward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint
    99 Varus excessive inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint
    100 Venous Relating to the veins
    101 Ventral Underside
    102 Virulent Indicating a rapid, severe, and destructive course for a viral infection

    What Next?

    Look for opportunities to learn more words by hearing them as they are used, reading them online in context and studying them using sources like medical terminology books.  You'll find that the best way to learn though is to use them yourself in real life. 

    The Path to Medical School Can Feel Long And Unclear

    But never forget that we're here to help. Do you have a question about something you just read here or in our BreakThru Learner Series? Use the BreakThru Feed to Ask and Inspire others with your questions. Our Medical Student Mentors are always here to help you, for free, anytime. -BreakThru, Where Mentoring Happens

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