Medical Terminology flashcard set 1.

Combining form

A combining form is a word root followed by a forward slash which in turn is followed by a combining vowel.

prefix

A prefix is like a suffix in that it is a word part attached to a combining form or suffix to complete a word. Like suffixes, at times there is more than one prefix in a term. A prefix changes the meaning of the combining form or suffix to which it is attached.

pericardium

A sack that surround the heart. peri-prefix, to surround. cardio-combining form, the heart. ium-suffix, a smaller portion of a larger system.

suffix

A suffix is another type of word part that is attached to the end of a medical term. In fact, medical terms often have more than one suffix attached. A suffix properly ends the combining form to make the term a noun or an adjective. As an adjective, it describes something about the combining form.

Distal

Anatomical term meaning distant or away from point of attachment.

CC

Chief Complaint: why the patient came to the physician/hospital

Dx

Diagnosis: a formal statement of what the physician has determined is the problem

medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

lateral

Directional term meaning towards the sides of the body.

FH

Family history (family composition and illnesses)

HPI

History of Present Illness: a summary of signs and symptoms for this illness prior to the current hospitalization

PMH

Past Medical History: a list of other health problems throughout life as well as a list of surgeries

PA (Posteroanterior)

Pertaining to moving from the back to the front.

external

Pertaining to near or on the outside surface of the body or an organ.

ventral

Pertaining to the anterior of the body, particularly the abdomen.

Anterior

Pertaining to the front of the body or the front part of an organ or structure.

Inferior

Pertaining to the lower half of the body or a position below an organ or structure.

dorsal

Pertaining to the posterior of the body, particularly the back.

Superior

Pertaining to the upper half of the body or a position above an organ or structure.

PE

Physical Examination: the results of the physician's examination of the patient

Prone

Position of lying on the anterior part of the body.

Supine

Position of lying on the posterior part of the body. Also known as the dorsal supine position.

ROS

Review of Systems: a summary of significant findings in each body system

SH

Social history (work, school, activities)

Posterior

Surface region of the body characterized by the back (or dorsal) area and including the cranial and spinal cavities.

Disposition

The outcome for the patient (discharged to home or nursing facility; expired)

Gastroenterology

The study of the digestive system. prefix-gastro prefix-enter suffix-ology

Cardiology

The study of the heart. prefix-cardi/o suffix-ology

Anatomical position

This is a standard position in which the body is standing erect, the head is up with the eyes looking forward, the arms are by the sides with the palms facing forward, and the legs are straight with the toes pointing forward.

Cephalad

Toward the head of the body

Caudad

Toward the tailbone, feet, or lower part of the body.

spelling rule #3

When a suffix begins with a consonant, the combining vowel is kept. ex; cardiology. The combining form for heart is cardi/o-, and the suffix for "study of" is -logy. The suffix starts with a consonant, so we need the combining vowel for easier pronunciation.

spelling rule #2

When a suffix begins with a vowel, delete the combining vowel of the combining form.

spelling rule #1

When two combining forms are added together, the combining vowel between them is kept.

Lab and X-Ray Data

all test results

Hypo

below or deficient

osis

condition or abnormal condition

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

tonsillitis

inflammation of the tonsils

Proximal

near the point of attachment

superficial

near the surface of the body.

panhysterosalpingo-oophorectomy

pan-(all), hyster/o-(uterus), salping/o-(fallopian tube), oophor-(ovary), -ectomy-(surgical excision) definition: the removal of all of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

pericarditis

pertaining to around the heart

Pulmonary

pertaining to the lungs

neurology

prefix - neuro suffix- ology. the study of the nerves

Brady

prefix meaning slow

intra

prefix meaning within or inside. ex; intracardiac, pertaining to within the heart.

cardiography

prefix- cardio suffix- graphy the process of recording the heart beat

ectomy

to surgically remove or excision- Surgical procedure to remove or cut out. ex; appendectomy- the surgical removal of the appendix

internal

within the body or an organ.

an

without or not