Medical Terminology - PA

somatic cells

23 pairs of chromosomes -- account for all of the body cells except for the reproductive cells (sperm and ova) e.g. nerve cells, muscle cells, blood cells, etc.

osteitis deformans

AKA : Paget Disease skeletal disorder in elderly persons characterized by chronic bone inflammation - this results in the thickening and softening of bones and bowing of long bones

computed tomography

uses ionizing radiation to produce a detailed image of a cross section of tissue shows you what the body would look like if it were literally cut into cross sections

inspection

using eyes and ears to observe the patient, could reveal superficial abnormalities such as a rash

radiotherapy

using radiation to destroy cancer cells directing a beam of radiation at the tumor with a machine that delivers radiation doses to many times higher in intensity than those used in diagnosis

pattern of blood flow in the heart

venae cavae --> right atrium --> right ventricle -> pulmonary artery -> lungs then exchange CO2 and O2 --> pulmonary vein --> left atrium --> left ventricle --> aorta

bone color on xray??

very light or white

angi/o

vessel

vas/o

vessel e.g. vasoconstriction or vasectomy

smooth muscle

visceral/involuntary muscle pertaining to the organs/internal organs no striations under microscope

-opia

vision

optic/o, opt/o

vision

-scopy

visual examinatino with a lighted instrument -think colonoscopy or endoscopy

phon/o

voice

ankylosis

where a joint is immobile and stiff.

metal color on xray??

white

alb/o, albin/0, leuk/o,

white examples - albino, leukocytes, leukemia

leukocytes

white blood cells

intra

within intramuscular, intravenous within the muscle or vein

a-

without

eponyms

words derived from a persons name E.g. - Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson Disease

xanth/o-

yellow xanthophyll- yellow pigment in plants

onychopathy

any disease of the nails

arthritis

any inflammatory condition of the joints causing pain, heat, swelling, redness or limitation of movement

antigen

any substance (bacteria, virus, toxin) that the body regards as foreign

circum-, peri-

around think: circumference, pericardial

spondylarthritis

arthritis of the spine

organizational scheme of the body

atoms or ions --> molecules --> organelles --> cells --> tissues --> organs --> body systems --> organism

Lupus erythematosus

autoimmune disease involving connective tissue. butterfly rash can occur on nose of some patients

ab-

away from think: abnormal - away from normal

Positron Emission Tomography

combines computed tomography (CT) and radioactive substances to produce enhanced images of body structures. the radioactive materials used in PET scans are short lived, therefore, it is a small amount of radiation.

-osis

condition (often an abnormal condition)

-emia

condition of the blood

-eum, -ium

condition or theory

spina bifida

congenital abnormality characterized by defective closure of the bones of the spine - can be so extensive that it causes herniation of the spinal cord

omphalocele

congenital herniation of the navel

skeletal muscle

conscious or under voluntary control muscles attached to bones under microscope - has striations(light and dark bands)

homeostasis

constant internal environment that is naturally maintained in the body

cranial cavity

contains brain

spinal cavity

contains the spinal cord and the beginning of the spinal nerves

active natural immunity

contract disease and then produce memory cells

dactylospasm

cramping of a finger or a toe

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

creates images of internal structures based on the magnetic properties of chemical elements within the body and uses a powerful magnetic field and radio wave pulses rather than ionizing radiation. MRI produces soft tissue resolution for distinguishing adjacent structures.

percussion

examiner taps body parts with fingertips or fist to evaluate the size, borders and consistency of internal organs to determine the amount of fluid in the body cavity

hyper

excessive

super-, ultra-

excessive

ultra-

excessive

-rrhage, -rrhagia

excessive bleeding or hemorrhage

-mania

excessive preoccupation think - kleptomania (excessive preoccupation with stealing)

strain

excessive use of a part of the body to the extent that it is injured

ophthalm/o

eye

blephar/o

eyelid think : blepharitis

faci/o

face

distal

farther away, more distant from the origin or point of attachment

tachy-

fast e.g. tachycardia

adip/o, lip/o

fat

pro-

favoring, supporting -think: prolong..... (to favor making it longer)

-phobia

fear (abnormal fear)

esthesi/o

feeling or sensation (think : anesthesiology)

palpation

feels for texture, size, consistency and location of body parts. with hands. may reveal deep abnormalities such as an enlarged liver or spleen

gynec/o

female

fibr/o

fiber

fascia

fibrous membrane that covers, supports and separates muscles

interstitial fluid

fills the spaces between most cells in the body

pyro

fire

primi-

first

tarsoptosis

flatfoot

-rrhea

flow or discharge --think : diarrhea

thrombosis

formation of internal blood clots

fibrin

forms a blood clot, entangling trapped cells

endocardium

forms the lining inside the heart

myc/o

fungus

fracture

fx - abbreviation break in a bone- usually from injury

anaphylaxis

generalized itching, difficulty breathing, shock two most common - insect stings and penicillin

Hematapoiesis

generally takes place in the bone marrow but some types of WBCs are made in the lymphoid tissue.

active artificial

getting live immunization/vaccination

aden/o

gland

eu-

good, normal think: euthanasia (good, mercy killing)

chlor-

green e.g. - chlorophil (the green pigment in the chloroplasts)

muscular dystrophy

group of inherited diseases characterized by weakness, atrophy of muscles without the involvement of the nervous system progressive

tissues

groups of cells that perform the same basic activity are called tissues

hemi-, semi-

half, partly

chir/o

hand

surgery means...?

handwork

-sclerosis

hard, hardening

cephal/o

head

cardi/o

heart

therm/o

heat

calcaneous

heel bone

craniocele

hernial protrusion of the brain through a defect in the skull

-cele

herniation

crypt/o

hidden

cannula

hollow flexible tube

Erythropoietin

hormone produced mainly in the kidneys and released in the bloodstream

natural vs. artificial

how the immunity is obtained

kyphosis

humpback/hunchback -congenital disorders or other diseases can cause it

sym-, syn-

joined or together

synovial joint

joints that have cavities between articulating bones (joints are covered with cartilage and surrounded by a synovial membrane) the membrane secretes synovial fluid which lubricates the joint and makes if move freely (examples : elbow, knee, ankle, shoulder)

Ventral Cavity

large organs in the ventral cavity are called : viscera. Ventral cavity divided into 2 cavities : 1. thoracic 2. abdominopelvic

-megaly

large, enlargement

macro-, mega-, megalo-

large, or great macroscopic, megadose

venae cavae

largest vein in the body

laryng/o

larynx

supine

laying down flat

prone position

laying flat face down

lateral or recumbant position

lies on the left side with the right knee and thigh flexed (bent) and upper limb parallel to the back

bi/o

life or living

phot/o

light

muscle/tissue color on xray??

light grey

peritoneum

lines the abdominopelvic cavity and enfolds the internal organs the peritoneum secretes a fluid that lubrictes the organs so that they can glide against each other and the cavity wall.

auscultation

listens for sounds within the body to evaluate the heart, blood vessels, lungs, intestines, other organs. typically performed with a stethoscope.

hepat/o

liver

-lysis

loosening, freeing, or destroying -think : hemolysis (destruction or dissolving)

Anemia

low RBC or Hgb count

diastolic

lower reading vessels are relaxed

inferior

lowermost or below

pulm/o, pulmon/o, pneum/o

lungs

what organs compose the lymphatic system?

lymph nodes, lymph, tonsils, thymus gland, spleen and lymph vessels

fibrosarcoma

malignant tissue containing a lot of fibrous tissue

multi-, poly-

many

chondrosarcoma

masses of the cartilage

-iatrics, -iatry

medical profession or treatment pediatrics (the medical profession of children, treatment of children) psychiatry (the medical profession or treatment of psych patients)

osteoporosis

metabolic disease in which reduced bone density/mass can lead to fractures of bone common in people on steroids, postmenopausal women, sedentary folks

fungi

microorganisms that feed by absorbing organic molecules from their surroundings

meso-, mid-

middle

medial, median

middle, nearer to the middle

obstetr/o

midwife e.g. obstetrics

lacto

milk

psych/o

mind

-kinesia, -kinesis

movement, motion

muc/o

mucus

myocele

muscle protrudes through its fascial covering also called fascial hernia

cardiac muscle

muscles of the heart involuntary but it is striated

-er, -ist

one who e.g. internist (one who studies internal medicine)

-logist

one who studies, specializes cardiologist (one who studies the heart) hematologist (one who studies the blood)

-iac

one who suffers from --hemophiliac : one who suffers from hemophilia

complete, compound fracture

open fracture punctures skin

external

outside

ecto-, ex-, exo-, extra-

outside, away from or without

-plegia

paralysis

chiropodist

person who treats the hands and feet, treats corns, bunions and other abnormalities of the hands and feet.

-ac, -al, -ic, -ical

pertaining to

-ous

pertaining to

chondral

pertaining to cartilage

thoracic

pertaining to the chest

Acral

pertaining to the extremeties of the body (arms and legs)

chiropody

pertaining to the hands of feet

palmar

pertaining to the palm

plantar

pertaining to the sole or undersurface of the foot

-logic, -logical

pertaining to the study of

thrombocytes

platelets not actually whole cells, just fragments of cells important in clotting

tox/o

poision

top/o

position, place

-iatrician

practitioner e.g pediatrician obstetrician

-poiesis

production

-ptosis

prolapse/sagging drooping or sagging eyelids

-ptosis

prolapsed

inflammation

protective response of body tissue that increase blood flow to an area after irritation or injury

py/o

pus

pyogenic

pus producing

radi/o

radiant energy

radi/o

radiation (or radius) e.g. radiology

natural passive

receive natural immunity through maternal antibodies while a fetus or through breast milk

erythr/o-

red erythrocytes (red blood cells)

erythrocytes

red blood cells

hemoglobin

red iron-containing pigment that transports oxygen to tissues and wastes carbon dioxide in the lungs

anaplasia

refers to a change in the structure and orientation of the cells, characterized by a loss of differentiation and reversal to a more primitive form. appearance of malignant cells show new features that are not characteristic of their origin.

cephalopelvic

refers to the head of the fetus and the maternal pelvis

plast/o

repair

-oid

resembling think : mucoid - resembling mucus

osteomalacia

reversible skeletal disorder characterized by a defect in the mineralization of bone most common cause - vitamin d deficiency ( vitamin d is necessary for the proper absorption of calcium )

rheumat/o

rheumatism (rheumatism is any disease marked by swelling, inflammation or pain in the joints)

cost/o

ribs

pronation

rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward

-rrhexis

rupture

pericardium

sac made up of double membrane that encloses the heart

sial/o

saliva (sometimes referrred to salivary glands)

ipsi-

same

crin/o, -crine

secrete

-lepsy

seizure

algesi/o

sensitivity to pain

cutane/o

skin

derma

skin

dermat/o

skin

cranio

skull

brady-

slow

micro

small

micro-

small -microbiology, microorganism

venules

smallest branch of blood going back to the heart carrying deoxygenated blood -capillaries feed into venules

-malacia

soft, softening

spondylomalacia

softening of the vertebrae

ech/o, son/o

sound

-phasia

speech

spondyl/o

spine

vertebr/o

spine

-schisis

split, cleft

amyl/o

starch

adhesion

sticking together of two structures that are normally separated

gastr/o, enter/o

stomach intestines e.g. gastroenterology - the study or science of the stomach and the intestines

lith

stone

-lith

stone or calculus

-stasis

stopping, controlling think - hemostasis plug

orth/o

straight

ligaments

strong bands of fibrous connective tissue that connects bones or cartilage and support/strengthen the joint

dactylography

study of fingerprints

-logy

study or science of e.g. hematology (the study of blood) oncology (the study of cancer) biology (the science of life)

narc/o

stupor, insensibility, near-unconsciousness

-poitein

substance that causes production

Radiolucent

substances that readily permit the passage of xrays -will be black on xray -additional diagnostic imaging will be needed (CT, MRI, etc)

glyc/o

sugar

-ose

sugar glucose, lactose, fructose

-tripsy

surgical crushing ---think lithotripsy surgical crushing of a calculus (stone)

-pexy

surgical fixation (fastening in a fixed position) -- example : mastopexy - to fixate the breasts in a fixed position to prevent sagging

paracentesis

surgical procedure that is performed to remove fluid from the abdomial cavity

thoracocentesis/thorocentesis

surgical puncture of the chest wall for aspiration of fluids

-centesis

surgical puncture to aspirate or remove fluid e.g. amniocentesis = puncture of the amniotic fluid to remove fluid for the fetus paracentesis - to remove fluid from the belly

-ectomy

surgical removal

-plasty

surgical repair

angioplasty

surgical repair of blood vessels that have become damaged by disease or injury

-rrhaphy

suture (uniting a wound by stitches) angiorrhaphy = suture of a blood vessel

hidr/o

sweat or perspiration

dacry/o, lacrim/o

tear, tearing or crying

immunity

the bodys ability to counteract effects of an infectious organism

myocardium

the heart muscle itself

systolic pressure

the higher reading when vessels are squeezing

articulation

the place of union between two or more bones (also called a joint) cartilage usually covers the articulation

Rheumatoid arthritis

the second most common connective tissue disease chronic/systemic disease that results in joint deformities, especially in the hands inflammation, soreness, stiffness of muscles and pain in joints

protozoa

the simplist organisms of the animal kingdom, very few species are pathogenic

otolaryngology

the study or science of the ear and larynx

-ectomy

the surgical removal, cutting out

fluoroscopy

the visual examination of internal organs using a fluoroscope. this technique allows for contiguous imaging of the motion of internal structures and immediate serial images, such as needed in surgery. Provides an image at that particular point in time.

dips/o

thirst

dia-

through example: diameter - passes THROUGH the circle

per-

through or by perspire, to excrete fluid THROUGH the skin permeable - allows things to pass through

hist/o

tissue

tom/o

to cut

-scope, -scopy

to examine, view

-meter, -metry

to measure

-gram, -graph, -graphy

to record

crin/o

to secrete

tonsill/o

tonsil

ad-

toward think: adduction (bringing the extremity closer to or TOWARD the body)

cephalad

toward the head

caudad

toward the tail - inferior in humans

lateral

towards the side, farther from the midline

trache/o

trachea

-therapy

treatment

therapeut/o

treatment

oma

tumor

onc/o

tumor

-oma

tumor think: osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma, carcinoma

lymphadenomas

tumor of a lymph node

-spasm

twitching cramping -think : involuntary movement, vasospasm

hypo-, infra-, sub-

under hypodermic, subcutaneous

hypo

under, less than normal

superior

uppermost, above

ur/o

urinary tract or urine

ur/o

urine

virus

a microorganism that replicates only within a cell of a living plant or animal - no independent metabolic activity

epidemiologist

a physician or scientist who studies the prevalence, spread, prevention and control of diseases

Leukemia

a progressive, malignant disease of the blood-forming organs. It is characterized by the marked increase of leukocytes and the presence of immature forms of leukocytes in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemias are characterized by the type of leukocyte in greatest number and also according to the severity of the disease (acute or chronic)

complement

a protein that not only promotes inflammation and phagocytosis but also causes bacterial cells to rupture

hernia

a protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening in the wall of the cavity that surrounds it

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

-malacia

abnormal softening

super, supra

above, beyond

epi-

above, on epigastric ( above the stomach)

edema

accumulation of fluid in the interstitial compartments between cells

trans-

across

ante-, pre-, pro-

before e.g. - antepartum (before childbirth), premature,

ante-, pre-

before in time or place think : premenstrual

-genic, -genesis

beginning, produced by or forming

retro-

behind backward

ventral

belly side, same as anterior in humans

inter-

between

nat/o

birth

air color on xray??

black

melan/o

black

melan/o-

black e.g. melanocyte - "black cell", melancholy (black sadness personality)

hem/o, hemat/o

blood

hemat/o

blood

arteries

blood leaves heart - going AWAY from heart, carrying oxygen rich blood

cyan/o-

blue e.g.cyanosis - the bluish color of the skin due to poor circulation/deficiency of oxygen

somat/o

body

oste/o

bone

complete, simple fracture

bone broken (in half) completely broken does not puncture skin

incomplete, simple fracture

bone is broken but does not puncture the skin bone is not broken into 2 pieces, fractured or split but not totally broken like in half

myel/o

bone marrow or spinal cord, more likely bone marrow think : multiple MYELOma

cerebr/o

brain

encephal/o

brain

capillaries

branches of the arterioles

arterioles

branches off of the artery

mamm/o

breast

stern/o

breast bone (sternum)

cancer/o, carcin/o

cancer

sarcomas

cancers that arise from the connective tissue, such as muscle or bone

-able, -ible

capable of, able to -think : hypercoaguable ------able to coagulate too much

veins

carrying blood back to heart

-cyte

cell

interferon

cell-produced protein that protects the cell from viral infection.

stem cells

cells that can divide and differentiate to become any other kind of cell -- cell that can become specialized

phagocytes

cells that ingest and destroy particulate substances such as bacteria, other cells, cell debris, etc.

myocellulitis

cellulitis involving the muscle

chem/o

chemical

coagulation

chemical reaction - clotting

thorac/o

chest

ped/o

child

catheter

a hollow flexible tube that can be inserted into a cavity of the body to withdraw or instill fluid, perform tests or visualize a vessel or cavity.

active vs. passive

active - when your own body is producing the immune response passive - when the immune agent develops in another person or animal and are transferred to you

post-

after, behind

anti-, contra-

against think : antibiotic, antifungal, contraception

contra-

against, or opposed example: contraception (against or opposed to conception)

aer/o

air

Bursae

air sacs of fluid located in areas of friction, especially in the joints.

pan-

all think : pandemic or pancytopenia

cellulitis

an acute, spreading inflammation of the deep subcutaneous tissues

agglutination

an antigen-antibody reaction that destroys cells in a blood transfusion

proximal

closer to, nearer to the point of attachment

cry/o

cold

col/o

colon

diplo

double

pharmaco, pharmaceut/i

drugs or medicine

ot/o

ear

-phagia, -phagic, -phagy

eat, ingest, swallowing

ger/o/a, geront/o

elderly

electr/o

electricity

blast/o

embryonic form

fluor/o

emitting or reflecting life

-megaly

enlarged

-ase

enzyme think : lipase, lactase

innermost layer of the pericardium??

epicardium

osteochondritis

inflammation of the bone and cartilage and tends to attack bone forming centers of the skeleton

tendinitis

inflammation of the tendon

phagocytosis

ingestion and destruction of microorganisms

sprain

injury to a joint that causes pain and disability and severity can depend on injury to ligaments or tendons.

internal

inside

en-, endo- end-

inside example: endoscopy, endometrial

-tome

instrument used for cutting -think : microtome microtome is used to cut tissue samples

catheterization

introduction of a catheter

scoliosis

LATERAL curvature of the spine- can be congenital or be caused by other conditions such as hip disease

rachi/o, spin/o

backbone

dys-

bad

mal-

bad think: malnourished, malintent, malous, malpractice d

dys-

bad, difficult think: dyspnea, dysfunctional

tendons

bands of strong fibrous tissue that attach the muscles to the bones

fat color on xray??

dark grey

necr/o

dead

-penia

deficiency think - thrombocytopenia

cartilage

dense connective tissue that is elastic but very strong and can withstand considerable pressure or tension

-lysin, -lysis, -lytic

destruction, dissolving, process of destroying

-plasia

development of or formation of tissue examples: 1. hyperplasia (abnormal increase in the number of of normal cells) 2. dysplasia - any abnormal development of tissues 3. aplasia - lack of development of an organ or tissue

phren/o

diaphragm

dorsal

directed toward the back side, same as posterior in humans

-pathy

disease

path/o

disease -the study or science of disease

onychomycosis

disease of nails caused by fungus

lymphadeonopathy

disease of the lymph nodes

antibodies

disease-fighting protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen.

immunodeficiency

diseases caused by defect in the immune system and are characterized by susceptibility to infections and chronic disesases

dislocation

displacement of a bone from a joint

dorsal cavity

divided into the cranial and spinal cavities

saggital plane

divides into right and left sections

frontal plane

divides the body in front and back portions

transverse plane

divides the body into equal upper and lower portinos

Diaphragm

divides the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities the diaphragm is a dome shaped partition that functions in respiration

herniated disk

if the disks between the vertebrae become diseased they rupture and are called a herniated disk -- can press on the spinal cord or spinal nerve causing pain

endoscope

illuminated instrument for visualization of interior body cavity or organ -typically inserted through a normal body cavity such as mouth, rectum, etc, can also be inserted through an incision in the chest wall.

ultrasonography (ultrasound imaging)

imaging deep structures of the body by sending and receiving high frequency sound waves that are reflected back as echoes. traditional machines only show 2D images. But, more recent technology shows 3D images - called - Sonogram or Echogram

immun/o

immune, immunology

supination

in anatomical position -- rotation of a joint that allows the hand or foot to turn upward

-tomy

incision think : tracheotomy ---the incision of the trachea or thoracotomy - "cracking the chest"

hypertrophy

increase in size of tissues - larger cells of tissue

osteomyelitis

infection of the bone and bone marrow

peritonitits

infectious microorganisms gain access to the peritoneum

itis

inflammation

osteitis

inflammation of a bone and may be caused by infection, degeneration or trauma

onych/o

nails

para-

near, beside, or abnormal

posterior

nearer to the back

anterior

nearer to the front

neur/o

nerve

ne/o

new

neo + nat + ology

new + birth + the study or science of

an-

no, not or without

a-, an-

no, not, without e.g. asymptomatic (no symptoms), anesthesia (wtihout feeling)

nulli-

none

nas/o

nose

rhin/o

nose

in-

not or inside e..g -inhale ( to breathe in) or inconsistent (not consistent)

-trophic, -trophy

nutrition

-trophy

nutrition

radiopaque

objects that prevent the passage of xrays - will show up white on an xray for example - bone, aspirated thumbtack