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