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!
Tag: Medical Terminology
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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