Med term Ch. 1, 2, 3, Medical Terminology Abbreviations-

syncop/o

to cut short, cut off

pares/i

to disable

paret/o

to disable

-fuge

to drive away

palaption

to feel

palpation

to feel

inject/o

to force or throw in

suppur/o, suppurate/o

to form pus

remission

to get better or improve; doesn't mean cure

remission

to get better or improve; most often used when discussing cancer (does not mean cure)

-para

to give birth

-physis

to grow

pend/o

to hang

febrile

to have a fever

Recurrent

to have again

recurrent

to have again

percussion

to hit something and listen to the resulting sound or feel for the resulting vibration

Percussion

to hit something and listen to the resulting sound or feel resulting vibration

isch/o

to hold back

duct/o

to lead, carry

auscultation

to listen

-ize

to make, to treat

-metry

to measure

afebrile

to not have a fever

aliment/o

to nourish

perme/o

to pass or go through

chym/o

to pour, juice

-lytic

to reduce, destroy

-drome

to run, running

-leptic

to seize, take hold of

-mission

to send

discharge

to send home; to unload; fluid coming out of a part of the body (your body unloading a fluid)

-crit

to separate

lux/o

to slide

-lapse

to slide, fall, sag

klept/o

to steal

-tropin

to stimulate, act on

tone/o

to stretch

exud/o, exudat/o

to sweat out

Reassurance

to tell patient that the problem is not serious or dangerous

reassurance

to tell the patient that the problem is not serious or dangerous

supportive care

to treat the symptoms and make the patient feel better

-verse, -version

to turn

co-

together, with

com-

together, with

con-

together, with

syn-

together, with, union, association

gloss/o

tongue

lingu/o

tongue

tonsill/o

tonsil, throat

prematur/o

too early, untimely

cherry angioma

too many blood vessels formed in one area

hypertrichosis

too much hair

hyperhidrosis

too much sweat over sweat condition

odont/o

tooth

dent/i, dent/o

tooth, teeth

lacer/o, lacerat/o

torn, mangled

TKR

total knee replacement

tact/i

touch

palpat/o

touch, feel, stroke

contact/o

touched, infected

pachyderma pa-kih-DER-mah

tough skin

Caudal

toward the bottom

af-

toward, to

ap-

toward, to

as-

toward, to

at-

toward, to

ad-

toward, to, in the direction of

thrache-

trachea

trache/i, trache/o

trachea, windpipe

TURP

transurethral resection of the prostate

palliative

treating the symptoms, but not actually getting rid of disease

palliative

treating the symptoms, but not actually getting rid of the cause

Tx

treatment

therap/o, therapeut/o

treatment

chemotherapy KEE-moh-THEH-rah-pee

treatment using chemicals chemo / therapy chemical / treatment

trigon/o

trigone

syring/o

tube

fistul/o

tube or pipe

tub/i, tub/o

tube, pipe

TB

tuberculosis

onc/o

tumor

-oma

tumor, neoplasm

-cele

tumor, swelling, or hernia

vers/o, vert/o

turn

trop/o, -tropia

turn, change

exstroph/o

turned or twisted out

divert/i

turning aside

cris/o, critic/o

turning point

gyr/o

turning, folding

BID

twice a day

bi-

twice, double, two

di-

twice, twofold, double

gemin/o

twin, double

verg/o

twist, incline

tors/o

twist, rotate

tort/i

twisted

strept/o

twisted chain

bin-

two by two

miring/o

tympanic membrane, eardrum

tympan/o

tympanic membrane, eardrum

aphth/o

ulcer

uln/o

ulna (medial lower arm bone)

omphal/o

umbilical cord, the navel

mut/o

unable to speak, inarticulate

athet/o

uncontrolled

sub-

under, less, below

anis/o

unequal

spontane/o

unexplained, of one's own accord

innominat/o

unnamed, nameless

intact/o

untouched, whole

an-, ana-

up, apart, backward, excessive

UGI

upper gastrointestinal

URI

upper respiratory infection

erect/o

upright

arrect/o

upright, lifted up, raised

azot/o

urea, nitrogen

ureter/o

ureter

urethr/o

urethra

UA

urinalysis

vesic/o

urinary bladder

cyst/o

urinary bladder, cyst, sac of fluid

UTI

urinary tract infection

mictur/o, micturit/o

urinate

-uresis

urination

-uria

urination, urine

urin/o

urine or urinary organs

ur/o

urine, urinary tract

manipul/o

use of hands

electrocauterization e-LEK-troh-KAW-ter-ai ZAY-shun

using electricity to destroy tissue by burning it electro / cauteriz / ation electricity / burn / process

electrodesiccation e-LEK-troh-deh-sih-KAY-shun

using electricity to destroy tissue by drying it electro / desicc / ation electricity / drying / process That little packet labeled "Do Not Eat" that you sometimes find in packages is called a desiccant because it absorbs moisture and keeps the product dry.

-salpinx

uterine (fallopian) tube

salping/o

uterine (fallopian) tube, auditory (eustachian) tube

hyster-

uterus

hyster/o

uterus

metr/i, metr/o, metri/o

uterus

uter/i, uter/o

uterus

uvul/o

uvula, little grape

vaccin/i, vaccin/o

vaccine

colp/o

vagina

vagin/o

vagina

vag/o

vagus nerve, wandering

valv/o, valvul/o

valve

varic/o

varicose veins, swollen or dilated vein

poikil/o

varied, irregular

vas/o

vas deferens, vessel

vast/o

vast, great, extensive

phleb-

vein

phleb/o

vein

ven/o

vein

VD

venereal disease

ventricul/o

ventricle of brain or heart, small chamber

VC

ventricular catherization

venul/o

venule, small vein

vertebr/o

vertebra, backbone

spondyl/o

vertebrae, vertebral column, backbone

-clonus

violent action

viscer/o

viscera, internal organ

-opia

vision condition

-opsia, -opsis, -opsy

vision, view of

-scopy

visual examination

VS

vital signs

voc/i

voice

emet/o

vomit

-emesis

vomiting

episi/o

vulva

vulv/o

vulva, covering

Pending

waiting for

pending

waiting for

ambul/o, ambulat/o

walk

pariet/o

wall

deliri/o

wandering in the mind

verruc/o

wart

lav/o, lavat/o

wash, bathe

emaciat/o

wasted by disease

-phthisis

wasting away

observation

watch, keep an eye on

aqu/i, aqu/o, aque/o

water

rheum/o, rheumat/o

watery flow, subject to flow

cera-

wax

Impression

way of saying assesment

asthen-, -asthenia

weakness, lack of strength

macerate

wet rash

WTD

wet to dry

disposition

what happened to pateint at end of visit; where patient went after the visit; home, ICU, normal hospital bed

disposition

what happened to the patient at the end of the visit; often used at the end of ED notes to reference where the patient went after the visit (home, the ICU, normal hospital bed)

-dote

what is given

Symtom

what patient feels

diagnosis

what the health care professional thinks the patient has

vertig/o, vertigin/o

whirling round

alb/i, alb/o,

white

leuk/o

white

leuko-

white or white blood cell

mydri/o

wide

disseminat/o

widely scattered

-eurysm

widening

-dilation

widening, stretching, expanding

gamet/o

wife or husband, egg or sperm

fenestr/o

window

c

with

sym-

with, together, joined together

ento-

within

WNL

within normal limits

intern/o

within, inner

intra-

within, inside

intro-

within, into, inside

s

without

atres/i

without an opening

edentul/o

without teeth

lup/i, lup/o

wolf

gynec/o

woman, female

lex/o, -lexia

word, phrase

erg/o, -ergy

work

verm/i

worm

deteriorat/o

worsening or gradual impairment

vascular lesion VAS-kyoo-lar LEE-zhun

wounds related to blood vessels blood vessel/ wound

rhytid/o

wrinkle

rug/o

wrinkle, fold

rhytido-

wrinkled appearance

rhytidermia rih-tih-DER-mee-ah

wrinkled skin Because rhytid- ends with a d and -dermia starts with one, the two combined into one.

carp/o

wrist bones

scrib/o, script/o

write

roentgen/o

x-ray

XP

xeroderma pigmentosa

y/o

years old

lute/o xantho **

yellow

xanth/o

yellow

xantho-

yellow

xanthoderma zan-thoh-DER-mah

yellow skin

xanthosis zan-THOH-sis

yellowing of the skin xanth / osis yellow / condition

Xanthoderma

yellowness of skin

ichthyosis ik-thee-OH-sis

a condition in the skin is dry and scaly resembling fish scales ichthy / osis fish scale / condiion

paronychia par-aw-NIH-kee-ah

a condition of the tissue around a nail Note: The prefix para- has been modified here to par- because the root that follows it begins with a vowel. par / onych / ia around / nail / condition

fissure FIH-zhur Loss of Skin Surface

a crack in the skin from Latin, for a split or divide

lethargic

a decrease in level of consciousness; in a medical record, this is generally an indication that the patient is really sick

crust krust Material on Skin Surface

a dried substance (i.e., blood, pus) on the skin

antibiotic an-tai-bai-OH-tk

a drug that destroys or opposes growth of microorganisms

antihistamine an-tee-HIS-tah-meen

a drug that opposes the effects of histamine

antipruritic an-tee-pruh-RIH-tik

a drug that prevents or relieves itching anti / pruritic against / itching

antiseptic an-tee-SEP-tik

a drug that prevents sepsis (rotting of flesh) by killing microorganisms anti / septic against / rotting

anesthetic an-es-THET-ik

a drug that temporarily blocks sensation

ptomat/o

a fall

steatoma STAY-ah-TOH-ma

a fatty tumor steat / oma fat / tumor

mycosis mai-KOH-sis

a fungal condition myc / osis fungus / condition

dermatomycosis der-mah-toh-mai-KOH-sis

a fungal skin condition dermato / myc / osis skin / fungus / condition

comedo koh-MEE-doh

a hair follicle that is plugged with sebum (black head, white head) from Latin, for to eat up

impetigo im-peh-TAI-goh

a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin from Latin, for to attack

ecchymosis eh-kih-MOH-sis

a large bruise from Greek, for to pour out

bulla BUL-lah Elevated, Fluid-Filled

a larger blister from Latin, for bubble

tumor TOO-mur Elevated, Palpable, Solid-Mass

a larger solid mass

differential diagnosis

a list of conditions the patient may have based on the symptoms exhibited and the results of the exam

mitr/o

a miter, having two points on top

-crasia

a mixture or blending

onychia oh-NIK-ee-ah

a nail condition onych / ia nail / condition

-ist

a person who practices, specialist

-gram

a picture or record

-graph

a picture or record, machine for recording

sequelae

a problem resulting from a disease or injury

Pustule PUS-tyool Elevated, Fluid-Filled

a pus-filled blister from Latin, for little blister small rash bumps filled with pus

eczema EK-zeh-mah

a red itchy rash that may weep or ooze, then become crusted and scaly from Greek, for to boil over

excoriation eks-kor-ee-A-shun Loss of Skin Surface

a scratch ex / cori / ation out / skin / condition

dermatoconiosis der-ma-toh-COH-nee-oh-sis

a skin condition caused by dirt dermato / coni / osis skin / dust / condition

cherry angioma CHEH-ree an-gee-OH-mah

a small blood vessel tumor angi / oma blood vessel / tumor

petechia puh-TEE-kee-yah

a small bruise from Latin, for freckle or spot

papule PA-pyool Elevated, Palpable, Solid-Mass

a small solid mass from Latin, for pimple

Plaque on rash PLAK Elevated, Palpable, Solid-Mass

a solid mass on the surface of the skin large and flat bumps on rash

nodule on rash NAWD-jyool Elevated, Palpable, Solid-Mass

a solid mass that extends deeper into the skin large bump large bumps (over 1 cm)

ulcer UL-sir Loss of Skin Surface

a sore from Latin, for sore

-thymia

a state of mind

apoplect/o

a stroke

mit/o

a thread

xanthoma zan-THOH-mah

a yellow tumor xanth / oma yellow / tumor

Abd

abdomen

abdomin/o

abdomen

venter-

abdomen

lapar/o

abdomen, abdominal wall

celi/o, cel/o

abdomen, belly

alert

able to answer questions; responsive; interactive

-ois

abnormal condition

-mycosis

abnormal condition of fungus

-ago

abnormal condition, disease

-esis

abnormal condition, disease

-ia

abnormal condition, disease

-iasis

abnormal condition, disease

-osis

abnormal condition, disease

-sis

abnormal condition, disease

-ia

abnormal condition, disease, plural of -ium

-megaly

abnormal enlargement

phob/o, -phobia

abnormal fear

-sclerosis

abnormal hardening

-stenosis

abnormal narrowing

-malacia

abnormal softening

onychomalacia AW-nih-koh-mah-LAY-shah

abnormal softening of a nail

trichomegaly tri-koh-MEG-ah-lee

abnormally thick hair

mausoleum

above ground

supraren/o

above or on the kidney, suprarenal gland

AKA

above the knee amputation

super-, super/o

above, excessive, higher than

epi-

above, upon, on

supra-

above, upper, excessive

excori/o, excoriat/o

abrade or scratch

acetabul/o

acetabulum (hip socket)

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

acromi/o

acromion, point of shoulder blade

transvers/o

across, crosswise

trans-

across, through

-praxis

act, activity, practice use

AK

actinic keratosis

-praxia

action, condition concerning the performance of movements

-ion

action, process, state or condition

prosth/o, prosthet/o

addition, appendage

adenoid/o

adenoids

adren/o, adrenal/o

adrenal glands

PC

after meals

post-

after, behind

anti-

against

ob-

against

contra-

against, counter, opposite

-lyst

agent that causes lysis or loosening

exacerbat/o

aggravate, irritate

aer/o

air, gas

albumin/o

albumin, protein

holo-

all

abrupt

all of a sudden

systmeic/generalized

all over the body (or most of it) rash all over body

pan-

all, entire, every

alveol/o

alveolus, air sac, small sac

amni/o

amnion, fetal membrane

epidemi/o

among the people, an epidemic

I/O

amount of fluids patient has taken in or put out

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

onychocryptosis AW-nih-koh-krip-TOH-sis

an ingrown nail onycho / crypt / osis nail / hidden / condition

atopic dermatitis AY-taw-pik der-mah-TAI-tis

an unusual inflammation of the skin a / top / ic dermat / itis not / place / pertaining to skin / inflammation Atopic literally means not in the right place and thus unusual.

aneurysm/o

aneurysm

angin/o

angina, choking, strangling

goni/o

angle

zo/o

animal life

impression

another way of saying assessment

unremarkable

another way of saying normal

proct/o

anus and rectum

an/o

anus, ring

anxi/o, anxiet/o

anxiety, anxious, uneasy

aort/o

aorta

apic/o

apex

aponeur/o

aponeurosis (type of tendon)

append/o, appendic/o

appendix

-orexia

appetite

fornic/o

arch, vault, brothel

convex/o

arched, vaulted

brachi/o

arm

axill/o

armpit

circum-

around, about

amph-

around, on both sides, doubly

Abg's

arterial blood gases

ASHD

arterial sclerosis heart disease

arter/o, arteri/o

artery

arteri-

artery

ad lib

as desired

prn

as needed

asbest/o

asbestos

ABCDE

asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving

QHS

at night

atri/o

atrium

infest/o

attack, assail, molest

-igo

attack, diseased condition

aggress/o

attack, step forward

phil/o, -phil, -philia

attraction to, like, love

consci/o

aware, awareness

abs-

away from

ab-

away from, negative, absent

abrasion uh-BRAY-zhun

away/scrape

ax/o

axis, main stem

dors/i, dors/o

back of body

poplit/o

back of the knee

occipit/o

back of the skull, occiput

glott/i, glott/o

back of the tongue

re-

back, again

opisth/o

backward

bacteri/o

bacteria

dys-

bad, difficult, or painful

malign/o

bad, evil

mal-

bad, poor, evil

scrot/o

bag or pouch

foll/i

bag, sac

postpartum alopecia post-PAR-tum al-oh-PEE-shah

baldness experienced by women after a pregnancy post / partum alopecia after / birth baldness

alopec/o

baldness, mangy

claustr/o

barrier

BCC

basal cell carcinoma

bas/o

base, opposite of acid

BRP

bathroom privilege

fer/o

bear, carry

gest/o, gestat/o

bear, carry young or offspring

-ferous

bearing, carrying, producing

-iferous

bearing, carrying, producing

puls/o

beat, beating, striking

percept/o

become aware, perceive

consolid/o

become firm or solid

concept/o

become pregnant

decubitis ulcer deh-KYOO-bih-tus UL-sir

bed sore

pros-

before

AC

before meals

anter/o

before, front

pro-

before, in behalf of

ante-

before, in front of

fore-

before, in front of

pre-

before, in front of

-arche

beginning

retro-

behind, backward, back of

poster/o

behind, toward the back

oriented

being aware of who he or she is, where he or she is, and the current time; a patient who is aware of all three is "_________ x3"

cultured for infection

being sampled to see if it harbors bacteria, virus or fungus

eruct/o, eructat/o

belch forth

BKA

below the knee amputation

infer/o

below, beneath

infra-

below, beneath, inferior to

flex/o

bend

refract/o

bend back, turn aside

supinat/o

bend backward, place on the back

BPH

benign prosthetic hypertrophy

pron/o, pronat/o

bent forward

var/o

bent or twisted inward

valg/o

bent or twisted outward

kyph/o

bent, hump

stup/e

benumbed, stunned

par-, para-

beside, near, beyond, abnormal

juxta-

beside, near, nearby

inter-

between, among

ultra-

beyond, excess

cholangi/o

bile duct

bil/i

bile, gall

chol/e

bile, gall

bilirubin/o

bilirubin

ligat/o

binding or tying off

Bx

biopsy

nat/i

birth

nev/o

birthmark, mole

caruncul/o

bit of flesh

melan/o

black, dark

melano-

blackness of skin

cyst-, -cyst

bladder, bag

-rrhage, -rrhagia

bleeding, abnormal excessive fluid discharge

viti/o

blemish, defect

hemato-

blood

sangu/i, sanguin/o

blood

thromb-

blood clot

angi/o

blood or lymph vessel

BP

blood pressure

hemathidrosis heh-mat-ih-DROH-sis

blood sweat condition sweating blood

vascul/o

blood vessel, little vessel

-emia

blood, blood condition

hem/o, hemat/o

blood, relating to the blood

cyan/o

blue

corp/u, corpor/o

body

soma-, somat/o

body

BMI

body mass index

system/o, systemat/o

body system

oss/e, oss/i

bone

oste/o, ost/o

bone

osteo-

bone

metatars/o

bones of the foot between the tarsus and toes

OU

both eyes

ambi-

both sides, around or about, double

fund/o

bottom, base, ground

adnex/o

bound to

arc/o

bow, arc or arch

BM

bowel movement

encephal-

brain

encephal/o

brain

dendr/o

branching, resembling a tree

clasis, -clast

break down

comminut/o

break into pieces

erupt/o

break out, burst forth

fract/o

break, broken

-lysis

breakdown, separation, destruction, loosening

mamm/o

breast

mast/o

breast

masto-

breast

hal/o, halit/o

breath

pne/o-

breath, breathing

inhal/o, inhalat/o

breathe in

inspir/o, inspirat/o

breathe in

exhal/o, exhalat/o

breathe out

expir/o, expirat/o

breathe out

-pnea

breathing

effect/o

bring about a response, activate

reduct/o

bring back together

align/o

bring into line or correct position

lat/i, lat/o

broad

abrupt/o

broken away from

bronch/i, bronchi/o, bronch/o

bronchial tube, bronchus

bronchiol/o

bronchiole, bronchiolus

bronchi-

bronchus

contus/o

bruise

germin/o

bud, sprout, germ

caus/o, caust/o

burning, burn

burs/o

bursa, sac of fluid near joint

dehisce/o

burst open, split

glute/o

buttocks

PO

by mouth

PR

by rectum

calcane/o

calcaneus, heel bone

calci-, calc/o

calcium

Ca, CA

calcium, cancer

calc/i

calcium, lime, the heel

skin biopsy

can be a removal of the entire lesion

carcin/o

cancerous

-ile

capable of

mobil/o

capable of moving

-able

capable of, able to

-ible

capable of, able to

carb/o

carbon

CO2

carbon dioxide

capn/o

carbon dioxide, sooty or smoky appearance

carbuncl/o

carbuncle

CPR

cardiac pulmonary resuscitation

CV

cardiovascular

CVA

cardiovascular accident

ingest/o

carry or pour in

phor/o

carry, bear, movement

vect/o

carry, convey

-ferent

carrying

defer/o

carrying down or out

-phoresis

carrying, transmission

chondr/i, chondr/o

cartilage

cartilag/o

cartilage, gristle

scalp/o

carve, scrape

eti/o

cause

-cide

causing death

mutagen/o

causing genetic change

cec/o

cecum

cyt/o, -cyte

cell

cement/o

cementum, a rough stone

CNS

central nervous system

cerebell/o

cerebellum

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

cerebr/o

cerebrum, brain

cerumin/o

cerumen, earwax

paus/o

cessation, stopping

metabol/o

change

meta-

change, beyond, subsequent to, behind, after or next

transit/o

changing

-an

characteristic of, pertaining to

-acious

characterized by

bucc/o

cheek

zygomat/o

cheek bone, yoke

nor-

chemical compound

pector/o

chest

steth/o

chest

thora/o, thorac/o

chest

thorac-

chest

-thorax

chest, pleural cavity

masset/o

chew

mastic/o, masticat/o

chew

pedi/a

child

ped/o

child, foot

puerper/i

childbearing, labor

loch/i

childbirth, confinement

-partum, parturit/o

childbirth, labor

suffoc/o, suffocat/o

choke, strangle

cholesterol/o

cholesterol

chori/o, chorion/o

chorion, membrane

choroid/o

choroid layer of eye

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

cycl/o

ciliary body of eye, cycle

circulat/o

circulate, go around in a circle

-type

classification, picture

clavicul/o, cleid/o

clavicle, collar bone

Sterile

clean, germ free conditions

cathart/o

cleansing, purging

CTA

clear to auscultation (normal sounding lungs)

saphen/o

clear, apparent, manifest

coher/o, cohes/o

cling, stick together

clitor/o

clitoris

palliat/o

cloaked, hidden

mu/o

close, shut

thromb/o

clot

coagul/o, coagulat/o

clotting, coagulation

agglutin/o

clumping, stick together

staphyl/o

clusters, bunch of grapes

anthrac/o

coal, coal dust

coccyg/o

coccyx, tailbone

spirochet/o

coiled microorganism

turbinat/o

coiled, spiral shaped

treponem/o

coiled, turning microbe

convolut/o

coiled, twisted

cry/o

cold

frigid/o

cold

abscess/o

collection of pus, going away

colo-

colon

col/o

colon, large intestine

colon/o

colon, large intestine

chrom/o, chromat/o

color

-aise

comfort, ease

vulgar/i

common

choledoch/o

common bile duct

soci/o

companion, fellow being

CBC

complete blood count

CT

computated axial tomography

concentr/o

condense, intensify, remove excess water

-ion

condition

ation

condition

-ostosis

condition of bone

-cytosis

condition of cells

-ism

condition, state of

circumscrib/o

confined, limited in space

confus/o

confusion, disorder

CNF

congestive heart failure

conjunctiv/o

conjunctiva, joined together, connected

-aria

connected with

peristals/o, peristalt/o

constrict around

intrins/o

contained within

cavern/o

containing hollow spaces

oxid/o

containing oxygen

systol/o

contraction

-stalsis

contraction, constriction

-stasis, -static

control, maintenance of a constant level

domin/o

controlling, ruling

tax/o

coordination, order

cord/o

cord, spinal cord

corne/o

cornea

canth/o

corner of the eye

CABG

coronary artery bypass graph

CAD

coronary artery disease

coron/o

coronary, crown

cortic/o

cortex, outer region

byssin/o

cotton dust

tuss/i

cough

expector/o

cough up

opercul/o

cover or lid

cort-

covering

tunic/o

covering, cloak, sheath

tectori/o

covering, roof-like

fiss/o, fissur/o

crack, split, cleft

crepit/o, crepitat/o

crackling, rattling

creatin/o

creatine

-genic, -genesis

creation, reproduction

herpet/o

creeping

lunul/o

crescent

climacter/o

crisis, rung of a ladder

ankyl/o

crooked, bent, stiff

cuboid/o

cube-like

culd/o

cul-de-sac, blind pouch

cult/o

cultivate

C&S

culture and sensitivity

cali/o, calic/o

cup, calyx

lord/o

curve, swayback bent

scoli/o

curved, bent

cis/o

cut

amput/o, amputat/o

cut away, cut off a part of the body

sect/o, secti/o

cut, cutting

tom/o

cut, section, slice

dissect/o

cutting apart

circumcis/o

cutting around

incis/o

cutting into

excis/o

cutting out

-otomy

cutting, surgical incision

QD*

daily

chore/o

dance

malignant

dangerous; a problem

scot/o

darkness

cadaver/o

dead body, corpse

necr/o

death

thanas/o, thanat/o

death

mort/i, mort/o, mort/u

death, dead

sapr/o

decaying, rotten

illusi/o

deception

decub

decubitus ulcer

hem/e

deep red iron-containing pigment

comat/o

deep sleep

aplast/o

defective development, lack of development

-penia

deficiency

-penia

deficiency, lack, too few

hyp-

deficient, decreased

hypo-

deficient, decreased, under

DJD

degenerative joint disease

delus/o

delude, mock, cheat

derm

dermatology

cyrosrugery

destruction of tissue through freezing

cryosurgery KRAI-oh-SIR-juh-ree

destruction of tissue through freezing cryo / surgery cold / surgery

pernici/o

destructive, harmful

plas/i, plas/o, -plasia

development, growth, formation

troph/o, -trophy

development, nourishment

fren/o

device that limits movement

DM

diabetes mellitus

Dx

diagnosis

phren/o

diaphragm, mind

diaphragmat/o

diaphragm, wall across

peps/i, -pepsia, pept/o

digest, digestion

mydrias/i

dilation of the pupil

attenuat/o

diluted, weakened

hypomelanosis hai-poh-mel-an-OH-sis

diminished melanin in the skin

hypopigmentation hai-poh-pig-men-TAY-shun

diminished pigment in the skin

hypohidrosis hai-poh-hih-DROH-sis

diminished sweating no sweat condition

paralys/o, paralyt/o

disable

-pathy

disease

morbid/o

disease, sickness

path/o, -pathy

disease, suffering, feeling, emotion

lesion

diseased tissue

-ectopy

displacement

dislocat/o

displacement

-lysis

dissolve or loose

dilut/o

dissolve, separate

tele/o

distant, far

foss/o

ditch, shallow depression

bifurcat/o

divide or fork into two branches

digest/o

divide, distribute

Sagittal

divides body in slices left to right

schiz/o

division, split

DSS

docusate sulfate

dipl/o

double

kata-, kath-

down

de-

down, lack of, from, not, removal

cat-, cata-,cath-

down, lower, under, downward

retract/o

draw back or in

spad/o

draw off, draw

constrict/o

draw tightly together

strict/o

draw tightly together, bind or tie

tract/o

draw, pull, path, bundle of nerve fibers

fec/i, fec/o

dregs, sediment, waste

-ptosis

droop, sag, prolapse, fall

letharg/o

drowsiness, oblivion

pharmac/o, pharmaceut/o

drug

chem./i, chem/o, chemic/o

drug, chemical

kraur/o

dry

xer/o

dry

xerosis

dry conditions (could be of rash) xer= dry osis= condition

DD

dry dressing

ichthy/o

dry, scaly

desic/o

drying

xero-

dryness

ambly/o

dull, dim

duoden/i, duoden/o

duodenum, first part of small intestine

phe/o

dusky

coni/o

dust

moribund/o

dying

oto-

ear

-otia

ear condition

aur/i, aur/o

ear, hearing

ot/o

ear, hearing

aud-, audi/o, audit/o

ear, hearing, the sense of hearing

precoc/i

early, premature

seb/o or sebace/o

ears sebum

phag/o

eat, swallow

onychophagia aw-nih-koh-FAY-jah

eating (biting) the nail

gangren/o

eating sore, gangrene

-phagia

eating, swallowing

EAHF

eczema, asthma, hay fever

o/o, oo/o

egg

ovul/o

egg

ov/i, ov/o

egg, ovum

cubit/o

elbow

olecran/o

elbow, olecranon

electr/o

electricity, electric

EKG

electroencephalogram

-blast

embryonic, immature, formative element

vacu/o

empty

evacu/o, evacuat/o

empty out

enem/o

end in, inject

ESRD

end stage renal disease

termin/o

end, limit

-megaly

enlargement

introit/o

entrance or passage

vestibul/o

entrance, vestibule

-ase

enzyme

epididym/o

epididymis

epiglott/o

epiglottis

epithel/i, epitheli/o

epithelium

iso-

equal

eczemat/o

eruption

esophag/o

esophagus

esophagi-

esophagus

Q H

every hour

Q am

every morning

Q PM

every night

-rrhagia

excessive bleeding

hypertrichosis HAI-per-trih-KOH-sis

excessive growth of hair

hypermelanosis

excessive melanin in the skin over black condition

-agra

excessive pain, seizure, attack of severe pain

hyperpigmentation hai-per-pig-men-TAY-shun

excessive pigment in the skin

hyper-

excessive, increased

per-

excessive, through

affect/o

exert influence on

-ectasis

expansion/dilation

eliminat/o

expel from the body

ventilat/o

expose to air, fan

pinn/i

external ear, auricle

pol/o

extreme

sterile

extremely clean, germ-free conditions; especially importing during medical procedures and surgery

acr/o

extremities (hands and feet), top, extreme point

extreme/o, extremit/o

extremity, outermost

ocul/o

eye

ophthalm/o

eye, vision

opt/i, opt/o, optic/o

eye, vision

cili/o

eyelashes, microscopic hair-like projections

blephar/o

eyelid

palpebr/o

eyelid

faci/o

face, form

procident/o

fall down or forward

prolaps/o

fall downward, slide forward

symptomat/o

falling together, symptom

-ptosis

falling/ downward displacement

pseud/o

false

FHx

family history

dist/o

far

fasci/o

fascia, fibrous band

tachy-

fast, rapid

FBS

fasting blood sugar

FSBS

fasting blood sugar

adip/o

fat

lipid/o, lip/o

fat, lipid

steat/o

fat, lipid, sebum

esthet/o

feeling, nervous sensation, sense of perception

sens/i

feeling, sensation

estr/o

female

femor/o

femur, thigh bone

FESO4

ferrous sulfate

fertil/o

fertile, fruitful, productive

embry/o

fertilized ovum, embryo

fet/i, fet/o

fetus, unborn child

febr/i

fever

pyr/o, pyret/o

fever, fire

fibr/o

fiber

fibrin/o

fibrin, fibers, threads of a clot

fibros/o

fibrous connective tissue

fibul/o

fibula

perone/o

fibula

-iatry

field of medicine

-iatrics

field of medicine, healing

infarct/o

filled in, stuffed

filtr/o, filtrat/o

filter, to strain through

tremul/o

fine tremor or shaking

digit/o

finger or toe

onych/o

fingernail or toenail

dactyl/o

fingers, toes

primi-

first

prot/o, prote/o

first

inflammat/o

flame within, set on fire

eclamps/o, eclampt/o

flashing or shining forth

plan/o

flat

plac/o

flat plate or patch

flat/o

flatus, rectal gas

sarc/o

flesh, connective tissue

pulpos/o

fleshy, pulpy

regurgit/o

flood or gush back

-rrhea

flow

flu/o

flow

-rrhea

flow or discharge

amni-

fluid filled sac containing fetus

erythem/o, erythemat/o

flushed, redness

foc/o

focus, point

plic/o

fold or ridge

follicul/o

follicle, small sac

f/u

follow up

pod/o

foot

talip/o

foot and ankle deformity

vi/o

force

front/o

forehead, brow

preputi/o

foreskin, prepuce

furc/o

forking, branching

-poiesis

formation

poiesis

formation

sebopoiesis see-boh-poh-EE-sis

formation of oil (sebum) oil formation

-poiesis

formation, to make

-plasm

formative material of cells

quadr/i, quadr/o

four

quadri-

four

tetra-

four

QID*

four times daily

Fx

fracture

-clasis

fracture/ break

defec/o, defecat/o

free from waste, clear

fimbri/o

fringe

erythema eh-rih-THEE-ma

from Greek, for redness

midsagitt/o

from front to back, at the middle

pruritus prur-AI-tis

from latin, for itching *an itch*

extrins/o

from the outside, contained outside

FS

frozen section

-ose

full of, pertaining to, sugar

fung/i

fungus

myc/e, myc/o

fungus

infundibul/o

funnel

-stomosis, -stomy

furnish with a mouth or outlet, new opening

sulc/o

furrow, groove

Distal

further from center

furuncul/o

furunculus, a boil, an infection

cholecyst/o

gallbladder

gangli/o, ganglion/o

ganglion

asthmat/o

gasping, choking

gastrocnemi/o

gastrocnemius, calf muscle

GERD

gastroesophogeal reflux disease

GI

gastrointestinal

port/i

gate, door

mut/a

genetic change

GU

genitourinary

acquir/o

get, obtain

gigant/o

giant, very large

gingiv/o

gingival tissue, gums

don/o

give

remiss/o

give up, let go, relax

radiat/o

giving off rays or radiant energy

aden/o

gland

balan/o

glans penis

silic/o

glass

vitre/o

glassy, made of glass

glomerul/o

glomerulus

fluor/o

glowing, luminous

glycol-

glucose

GTT

glucose tolerance test

gluc/o

glucose, sugar

glyc/o, glycos/o

glucose, sugar

coll/a

glue

glycogen/o

glycogen, animal starch

tine/o

gnawing worm, ringworm

-grade

go

stimul/o

goad, prick, incite

process/o

going forth

goitr/o

goiter, enlargement of the thyroid gland

gonad/o

gonad, sex glands

eu-

good, normal, well, or easy

degenerat/o

gradual impairment, breakdown, diminished function

granul/o

granule(s)

glauc/o

gray

poli/o

gray matter of brain and spinal cord

halluc/o

great or large toe

magn/o

great, large

chlor/o

green

brux/o

grind

inguin/o

groin

senesc/o

grow old

GH

growth hormone

kel/o

growth, tumor

Gyn

gynocology

-hexia

habit

capill/o

hair

pil/i, pil/o

hair

trich/o

hair

tricho/

hair

depilate/o

hair removal

hirsut/o

hairy, rough

demi-

half

hemi-

half

semi-

half

hallucin/o

hallucination, to wander in the mind

cheir/o

hand

chir/o

hand

man/i, man/o

hand

manubri/o

handle

scirrh/o

hard

call/i, callos/o

hard, hardened and thickened

indurat/o

hardened

kerato-

hardness or horniness

strid/o

harsh sound

-tropic

having an affinity for

-parous

having borne one or more children

capit/o

head

cephal-

head

cephal/o, -ceps

head

hygien/o

healthful

-cusis

hearing

acust/o, -acusia, -acusis

hearing, sense of hearing

acous/o,acoust/o

hearing, sound

cardi/o, card/o

heart

cardio-

heart

cordi/o

heart

HR

heart Rate

calor/i

heat

therm/o

heat

cauter/o, caut/o

heat, burn

pachy-

heavy, thick

hemoglobin/o

hemoglobin

herni/o

hernia

-cele

hernia, tumor, swelling

Occult

hidden

crypt/o

hidden

occult

hidden

occult/o

hidden, concealed

hil/o

hilum, notch or opening from a body part

cox/o

hip, hip joint

H&P

history and physical

h/o

history of

retent/o

hold back

tenac/i

holding fast, sticky

concav/o

hollow

koil/o

hollow or concave

cav/i, cav/o

hollow, cave

sin/o, sin/u

hollow, sinus

mellit/o

honey, honeyed

-one

hormone

hormon/o

hormone

kera-

horn, hardness

keratosis KEH-rah-TOH-sis

horny tissue condition kerat / osis horny / condition

kerat/o

horny, hard, cornea

humer/o

humerus (upper arm bone)

cent-

hundred

lemm/o

husk, peel, bark

chlorhydr/o

hydrochloric acid

hymen/o

hymen, a membrane

HTN

hypertension

ile/o

ileum, small intestine

ili/o

ilium, hip bone

STAT

immediately

immune/o

immune, protection, safe

inocul/o

implant, introduce

em-

in

ir-

in

ventr/o

in front, belly side of body

emmetr/o

in proper measure

in-

in, into, not, without

end-, endo-

in, within, inside

en-

in, within, into

Axanthopsia

inability to see color yellow

-tomy

incision

atel/o

incomplete, imperfect

incubat/o

incubation, hatching

pustul/o

infected pimple

infect/o

infected, tainted

seps/o

infection

sept/o

infection, partition

contagi/o

infection, unclean, touching of something

-itis

inflammation

steatitis stay-ah-TAI-tis

inflammation of fat tissue steat / itis fat / inflammation

dermatitis der-mah-TAI-tis

inflammation of the skin dermat / itis skin / inflammation

sclerodermatitis skleh-roh-der-mah-TAI-tis

inflammation of the skin accompanied by thickening and hardening

mycodermatitis mai-koh-der-mah-TAI-tis

inflammation of the skin caused by fungus myco / dermat / itis fungus / skin / inflammation

actinic dermatitis ak-TIN-ik der-mah-TAI-tis

inflammation of the skin caused by sun exposure actin / ic dermat / itis sun ray / pertaining to skin / inflammation

seborrheic dermatitis se-boh-RAY-ik der-mah-TAI-tis

inflammation of the skin caused by the discharge of oil (sebum) sebo / rrhe / ic dermat / itis oil / discharge / pertaining to skin / inflammation

acne vulgaris AK-nee vul-GAR-is

inflammation of the skin follicles acne vulgaris acne common

hidradenitis hih-dra-deh-NAI-tis

inflammation of the sweat glands sweat gland inflammation hidr / aden / itis sweat / gland / inflammation

Onychocryptosis

ingrown or hidden toenail

hered/o, heredit/o

inherited, inheritance

traumat/o

injury

intim/o

innermost

cathet/o

insert, send down

Sig

instructions short for signa, from latin, for label

-trite

instrument for crushing

-scope

instrument for visual examination

-tome

instrument to cut

insulin/o

insulin

IDDM

insulin dependent diabetes melittus

excruciat/o

intense pain, agony

pertuss/i

intensive cough

ID

interdermal

intestin/o

intestine

ID

intradermal

IM

intramuscular

IV

intravenous

IVP

intravenous pyelogram

eso-

inward

iod/o

iodine

ion/o

ion, to wander

irid-

iris

uve/o

iris, choroid, ciliary body, uveal tract

ir/i, ir/o, irid/o, irit/o

iris, colored part of eye

sider/o

iron

anomal/o

irregularity

-clysis

irrigation, washing

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

ischi/o

ischium

insul/o

island

Chronic

it has been going on for a while now

chronic

it has been going on for a while now

exacerbation

it is getting worse

acute

it just started recently or is a sharp, severe symptom

marked

it really stands out

genetic/hereditary

it runs in the family

psor/i, psor/o

itch, itching

prurit/o

itching

Pruritis

itchy rash

icter/o

jaundice

gnath/o

jaw

jejun/o

jejunum

zygot/o

joined together

copulat/o

joining together, linking

artho-

joint

arthr/o

joint

articul/o

joint

contine/o, continent/o

keep in, contain, hold back, restrain

ket/o, keton/o

ketones, acetones

clav/i

key

nephr/o

kidney

nephron-

kidney

ren/o

kidney

KUB

kidney, ureters, bladder (x-ray)

nod/o

knot, swelling

-gnosia

knowledge, to know

condyl/o

knuckle, knob

toc/o, -tocia, -tocin

labor, birth

albinism AL-bin-ism

lack of skin pigment causing patient to look white

dacryocyst/o

lacrimal sac (tear sac)

lamin/o

lamina

macro-

large, abnormal size or length, long

mega-, megal/o

large, great

major/o

larger

patch (vitiligo) pach (vih-tih-LAI-goh) Flat, Nonpalpable

larger, flat discolored area

maxim/o

largest, greatest

laryng/o

larynx, throat

ris/o

laugh

nom/o

law, control

strat/i

layer

product/o

lead forward, yield, produce

LA

left atrium

O.S.

left eye

LV

left ventrical

sinistr/o

left, left side

phac/o

lens of eye

phak/o

lens of eye

mei/o

less, meiosis

-porosis

lessening in density, porous condition

bi/o

life

vit/a, vit/o

life

ligament/o

ligament

syndesm/o

ligament

syndesmo-

ligament

actin/o

light

lumin/o

light

phot/o

light

depigmentation

lightening of skin or loss of pigment

-oid

like, resembling

claudicat/o

limping

labi/o

lip

cheil/o

lip or lips

Differential diagnosis

list of conditions patient may have based on symptoms exhibited and results of exam

auscult/a, auscult/o

listen

discharge

literally, to unload 1. to send home 2. fluid coming out of body part

globul/o

little ball

trabecul/o

little beam marked with cross bars or beams

corpuscul/o

little body

capsul/o

little box

fascicul/o

little bundle

canalicul/o

little canal or duct

spirill/o

little coil

nodul/o

little knot

tubercul/o

little knot, swelling

nucleol/o

little nucleus, nucleolus

areol/o

little open space

-ole

little, small

hepat-

liver

hepat/o

liver

lob/i, lob/o

lobe, well-defined part of an organ

longev/o

long-lived, long life

spec/i

look at, a kind or sort

lax/o, laxat/o

loosen, relax

solut/o, solv/o

loosened, dissolved

erosion ee-ROH-zhun Loss of Skin Surface

loss of skin e/ rosion (away), (gnaw/eat)

pedicul/o

louse (singular), lice (plural)

lumb/o

lower back, loin

caud/o

lower part of body, tail

pulm/o, pulmon/o

lung

pneum/o, pneumon/o

lung, air

decubit/o

lying down

supin/o

lying on the back

lymphaden/o

lymph gland

lymphangi/o

lymph vessel

lymph-

lymph, gland, vessel

lymph/o

lymph, lymphatic tissue

man/i

madness, rage

rabi/o

madness, rage

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

-gog, -gogue

make flow

emolli/o

make soft, soften

-facient

making, producing

-ific

making, producing

-fic, fic/o

making, producing, forming

terat/o

malformed fetus

malleol/o

malleolus, little hammer

malle/o

malleus, hammer

mandibul/o

mandible, lower jaw

poly-

many

multi-

many, much

agor/a

marketplace

viril/o

masculine, manly

mastoid/o

mastoid process

matern/o

maternal, of a mother

maxill/o

maxilla (upper jaw)

labyrinth/o

maze, labyrinth, the inner ear

cib/o

meal

prandi/o, -prandial

meal

-meter

measure, instrument used to measure

mediastin/o

mediastinum, middle

medicat/o

medication, healing

medic/o

medicine, physician, healing

medull/o

medulla (inner section), middle, soft, marrow

diphther/o

membrane

membran/o

membrane, thin skin

mening/o, meningi/o

membranes, meninges

menisc/o

meniscus, crescent

mens/o

menstruate, menstruation, menses

men/o

menstruation, menses

mesenter/o

mesentery

nunci/o

messenger

metacarp/o

metacarpals, bones of the hand

medi/o

middle

mes-

middle

meso-

middle

mid-

middle

mesi/o

middle, median plane

obstetr/i, obstetr/o

midwife, one who stands to receive

galact/o

milk

lact/i, lact/o

milk

-mimetic

mimic, copy

psych/o

mind

ment/o

mind, chin

mineral/o

mineral

specul/o

mirror

lun/o, lunat/o

moon

progressive

more and more each day

ple/o

more, many

-kinesis

motion

mot/o, motil/o

motion, movement

OS

mouth

stomato-

mouth

os-

mouth, bone

or/o

mouth, oral cavity

stom/o, stomat/o

mouth, oral cavity

grad/i

move, go, step, walk

kines/o, kinesi/o, -kinesia

movement

muc/o, mucos/o

mucus

myx/o, myxa-

mucus

MS

multiple sclerosis

MTV

multivitamins

muscul/o

muscle

my/o

muscle

myo-

muscle

myos/o

muscle

myom/o

muscle tumor

fibrill/o

muscular twitching

MI

myocardial infarction

myocardi/o

myocardium, heart muscle

ungu/o

nail

onychopathy aw-nik-AW-pah-thee

nail disease

onych/o or ungu/o

nails exungulate means to cut nails

fauc/i

narrow pass, throat

-constriction

narrowing

-stenosis

narrowing

stric-

narrowing

sten/o

narrowing, contracted

NGT

nasal gastric tube

physi/o, physic/o

nature, physical

N&V

nausea and vomiting

nause/o

nausea, seasickness

umbilic/o

navel

proxim/o

near

trachel-

neck

cervic/o

neck, cervix (neck of uterus)

dis-

negative, apart, absence of

neutr/o

neither, neutral

radicul/o

nerve root

nerv/o, neur/i, neur/o

nerve, nerve tissue

urtic/o

nettle, rash, hives

recticul/o

network

reticul/o

network

gli/o

neurologic tissue, supportive tissue of nervous system

neo-, ne/o

new, strange

nid/o

next

noct/i

night

nyct/o, nyctal/o

night

NPO

nil per os (nothing by mouth

thel/o

nipple

papill/i, papill/o

nipple-like

niter-, nitro-

nitrogen

-amine

nitrogen compound

non-

no

NAD

no acute distress (no signs of intense symptoms)

idiopathic

no known specific cause; it just happens

an-

no, not, without

a-

no, not, without, away from, negative

Noc

nocturnal, night

NIDDM

non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

nulli-

none

unremarkable

normal

norm/o

normal or usual

NSS

normal saline solution

nas/i, nas/o

nose

rhin/o

nose

rhino-

nose

nar/i

nostril

im-

not

un-

not

intermitt/o

not continuous

NEC

not elsewhere classified

anhidrosis an-ih-DROH-sis

not enough sweat under sweat condition

malaise

not feeling well

NOS

not otherwise specified

noncontributory

not related to this specific problem

NPO

nothing by mouth

-a

noun ending

-ax

noun ending

-e

noun ending

-is

noun ending

-isy

noun ending

-y

noun ending

nutri/o, nutrit/o

nourishment, food, nourish, feed

nucle/o

nucleus

kary/o

nucleus, nut

numer/o

number, count

narc/o

numbness, stupor

obes/o

obese, extremely fat

oblongat/o

oblong, elongated

-opaque

obscure

-mania

obsessive preoccupation

OC

occular

areat/o

occurring in patches or circumscribed areas

menstru/o, menstruat/o

occurring monthly

sebo/

oil

seborrhea

oily secretion rash

sen/i

old

ger/i

old age

geront/o

old age

presby/o

old age

senil/o

old age

oment/o

omentum, fat

extra-

on the outside, beyond, outside

uni-

one

-plegic

one affected with paralysis

-er

one who

-metrist

one who measures

mono-

one, single

milli-

one-thousandth

debrid/e

open a wound

-duct

opening

hiat/o

opening

meat/o

opening or passageway

foramin/o

opening, foramen

-surgery

operative procedure

cirrh/o

orange-yellow, tawny

orbit/o

orbit, bony cavity or socket

organ/o

organ

ossicul/o

ossicle (small bone)

heter/o

other, different

all/o, all-

other, different from normal, reversal

ef-

out

ametr/o

out of proportion

e-

out of, from

es-

out of, outside, away from

ex-

out of, outside, away from

exo-

out of, outside, away from

lateral

out to the side

ec-

out, outside

ecto-

out, outside

extern/o

outside, outer

oophor/o

ovary

ovari-

ovary

ovari/o

ovary

OTC

over the counter

OD

overdose

superflu/o

overflowing, excessive

keloid KEE-loid

overgrowth of scar tissue kel / oid tumor / resembling

ox/i, ox/o, ox/y

oxygen

-oxia

oxygen condition

-algia

pain

-dynia

pain

algia or dynia

pain

-algia

pain, painful condition

dermatalgia dermatodynia

painful rash

-algesia, -algesic

painful, pain sense

palat/o

palate, roof of mouth

pall/o, pallid/o

pale, lacking or drained of color

palm/o

palm of the hand

vol/o

palm or sole

pancreat-

pancreas

pancreat/o

pancreas

-plegia

paralysis

-plegia

paralysis, stroke

parasit/o

parasite

parathyroid/o

parathyroid glands

parotid/o

parotid gland

subluxat/o

partial dislocation

-paresi

partial or incomplete paralysis

patell/a, patell/o

patella, kneecap

Pt

patient

idi/o

peculiar to the individual or organ, one, distinct

pelv/i, pelv/o

pelvic bone, pelvic cavity, hip

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

pyel-

pelvis of the kidney

styl/o

pen, pointed instrument

pen/i

penis

phall/i, phill/o

penis

priap/o

penis

dem/o

people, population

PUD

peptic ulcer disease

PO

per os (by mouth)

PR

per rectum

funct/o, function/o

perform, function

oper/o, operat/o

perform, operate, work

-ive

performs, tends toward

perine/o

perineum

PICC

peripherally inserted centra catheter

peritone/o

peritoneum

albino al-BAY-noh

person afflicted with albinism

leukotrichia

person with white hair leuko is white trichia is hair

perspir/o

perspiration

-ac

pertaining to

-al

pertaining to

-ar

pertaining to

-ary

pertaining to

-eal

pertaining to

-ial

pertaining to

-ic

pertaining to

-ical

pertaining to

-ine

pertaining to

-ior

pertaining to

-ory

pertaining to

-ous

pertaining to

-tic

pertaining to

-cytic

pertaining to a cell

equin/o

pertaining to a horse

hypodermic hai-poh-DER-mik

pertaining to beneath the skin

subcutaneous sub-kyoo-TAY-nee-us

pertaining to beneath the skin

hypodermic hai-poh-DER-mik

pertaining to beneath the skin hypo / derm / ic beneath / skin / pertaining to

-pneic

pertaining to breathing

mortal/i

pertaining to death, subject to death

-dural

pertaining to dura mater

fatal/o

pertaining to fate, death

-plastic

pertaining to formation

intradermal in-tra-DER-mal

pertaining to inside the skin

intradermal in-tra-DER-mal

pertaining to inside the skin ntra / derm / al inside / skin / pertaining to

-cidal

pertaining to killing

-thymic

pertaining to the mind, relating to the thymus gland

epidermal eh-pih-DER-mal

pertaining to the skin epi / derm / al upon / skin / pertaining to

transdermal trans-DER-mal

pertaining to through the skin

percutaneous per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us

pertaining to through the skin sub / cutane / ous beneath / skin / pertaining to

-scopic

pertaining to visual examination

phalang/o

phalanges, finger and toe

PE

physical exam

PT

physical therapy

iatr/o

physician, treatment

segment/o

pieces

pigment/o

pigment, color

column/o

pillar

papul/o

pimple

pineal/o

pineal gland

fove/o

pit

pituit/o, pituitar/o

pituitary gland

loc/o

place

sit/u

place

top/o

place, position, location

placent/o

placenta, round flat cake

phyt/o, -phyte

plant

ather/o

plaque, fatty substance

plak/o, -plakia

plaque, plate, thin flat layer or scale

-plasty

plastic surgery or repair

copi/o

plentiful

pleur/o

pleura, side of the body

plex/o

plexus, network

synaps/o, synapt/o

point of contact

acne/o

point or peak

cusp/i

point, pointed flap

stigmat/o

point, spot

tox/o, toxic/o

poison, poisonous

vir/o

poison, virus

polyp/o

polyp, small growth

pont/o

pons (a part of the brain), bridge

por/o

pore, small opening

K+

potassium

kal/i

potassium

-fusion

pour

transfus/o

pour across, transfer

diffus/o

pour out, spread apart

effus/o

pouring out

ecchym/o

pouring out of juice

potent/o

powerful

pract/i, practic/o

practice, pursue an occupation

-cyesis

pregnancy

gravid/o

pregnancy

-gravida

pregnant

pregn/o

pregnant, full of

abort/o

premature expulsion of a nonviable fetus

PMS

premenstral syndrome

Rx

prescription

lithiasis

presence of stones

suppress/o

press down

depress/o

press down, lower, pressed or sunk down

coarct/o, coarctat/o

press together, narrow

press/o

press, draw

urg/o

press, push

constipat/o

pressed together, crowded together

impress/o

pressing into

impuls/o

pressure or pushing force, drive, urging on

bar/o

pressure, weight

contracept/o

prevention of conception

prophylaxis

preventive treatment

ichthyo-

problems with skin texture scaliness

-tomy

process of cutting

-fication

process of making

-graphy

process of recording

-tion

process, state or quality of

secret/o

produce, separate out

genit/o

produced by, birth, reproductive organs

-genous

producing

gen-, gen/o, -gen

producing, forming

-gene

production, origin, formation

prostat/o

prostate gland

-phylaxis

protection

-phylactic

protective, preventive

globin/o, -globulin

protein

protein/o

protein

pub/o

pubis, part of hip bone

pudend/o

pudendum

convuls/o

pull together

sphygm/o

pulse

cor/o

pupil

core/o

pupil

pupill/o

pupil

PERRLA

pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation

purpur/o

purple

pur/o

pus

py-

pus

py/o

pus

purul/o

pus-filled

impact/o

pushed against, wedged against, packed

osm/o

pushing, thrusting

intoxic/o

put poison in

the/o

put, place

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

pyramid/o

pyramid-shaped

tranquil/o

quiet, calm, tranquil

radi/o

radiation, x-rays, radius (lateral lower arm bone)

lev/o, levat/o

raise, lift up

ROM

range of motion

exanthemat/o

rash

centripetal

rash spread from outside inward

centrifugal

rash start from the middle and goes outward works their way outward

restor/o

rebuild, put back, restore

recept/o

receive, receiver

recipi/o

receive, take to oneself

convalesc/o

recover, become strong

recuperat/o

recover, regain health

procto-

rectum

rect/o

rectum, straight

erythr/o

red

rube-

red

erythro-

red or red blood cell

erythroderma eh-RIH-throh-DER-ma

red skin

eosin/o

red, rosy

erythema

redness from Greek

RRR

regular rate and rhythm (normal heart rate)

hydr/o, hydra-

relating to water

cine-

relationship to movement

alg/e, algi/o, alg/o, algesi/o

relationship to pain

andr/o

relationship to the male

-apheresis

removal

-ectomy

removal

-pheresis

removal

excisional biopsy

removal of part of the leison

chemosurgery KEE-moh-SIR-juh-ree

removal of tissue that has been destroyed using chemicals chemo / surgery chemical / surgery

pyel/o

renal pelvis, bowl of kidney

contaminat/o

render unclean by contact, pollute

procreat/o

reproduce

prolifer/o

reproduce, bear offspring

-form, form/o

resembling, in the shape of

retin/o

retina, net

ROS

review of symptoms (anything not directly related to chief complaint

resuscit/o

revive

rhythm/o

rhythm

cost/o

rib

RA

right atrium

O.D.

right eye

dextr/o

right side

RV

right ventrical

tetan/o

rigid, tense

circ/i

ring or circle

tinnit/o

ringing, buzzing, tinkling

matur/o

ripe

pubert/o

ripe age, adult

rhabd/o

rod, rod-shaped

bacill/o

rod-shaped bacterium

volv/o

roll, turn

involut/o

rolled up, curled inward

crypt

room or vault hidden beneath floor corpses are placed

rhiz/o

root

rotat/o

rotate, revolve

cari/o

rottenness, decay

spher/o

round, sphere, ball

abrad/o, abras/o

rub or scrape off

dermabrasion der-mah-BRAY-zhun

rubbing or scraping away the outer surface of skin

borborygm/o

rumbling sound

prodrom/o

running ahead, precursor

syndrom/o

running together

Genetic/Hereditary

runs in family

-rrhexis

rupture

sacc/i, sacc/o

sac

cyst-

sac or bladder

sacr/o

sacrum

sell/o

saddle

Benign

safe

benign

safe

-ptyal/o

saliva

saliv/o

saliva

sial/o

saliva

sialaden/o

salivary gland

ipsi-

same

is/o

same, equal

hom/o

same, like, alike

home/o

sameness, unchanging, constant

squam/o

scale-like layer desquamation is removing dead skin

olig/o

scanty, few

scapul/o

scapula, shoulder blade

cicatric/o

scar

cicatrix (plural: cicatrices) SIK-ah-triks

scar from Latin, for scar

scler/o

sclera, white of eye, hard

thalass/o

sea

raph/o

seam, suture

crin/o, -crine

secrete

lactat/o

secrete milk

exocrin/o

secrete out of

endocrin/o

secrete within

gon/e, gon/o

seed

spor/o

seed, spore

vis/o

seeing, sight

-lepsy

seizure

aut/o

self

semin/i

semen, seed, sperm

vesicul/o

seminal vesicle, blister, little bladder

stol/o

send or place

-esthesia, esthesi/o

sensation, feeling

aesthet/o

sensation, sense of perception

sensitiv/o

sensitive to, affected by

excret/o

separate, discharge

ap-, apo-

separation, away from, opposed, detached

seros/o

serous

ser/o

serum

SARS

severe acute respiratory syndrome

libid/o, libidin/o

sexual drive, desire, passion

-pareunia

sexual intercourse

vener/o

sexual intercourse

erot/o

sexual love

STD

sexually transmitted disease

opac/o, opacit/o

shaded, dark, impenetrable to light

vill/i

shaggy hair, tuft of hair

concuss/o

shaken together, violently agitated

trem/o

shaking, trembling

morph/o

shape, form

lenticul/o

shaped like a lens, pertaining to a lens

-iform

shaped or formed like, resembling

communic/o

share, to make common

acu/o

sharp, severe, sudden

acuit/o, acut/o

sharp, sharpness

thec/o

sheath

-lemma

sheath, covering

decidu/o

shedding, falling off

conch/o

shell

brachy-

short

brev/i, brev/o

short

SOB

shortness of breath

om/o

shoulder

clus/o

shut or close

occlud/o, occlus/o

shut, close up

later/o

side

ethm/o

sieve

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

-um

singular noun ending

-us

singular noun ending

sinus/o

sinus

skelet/o

skeleton

techn/o, techni/o

skill

cutane/o

skin

derma-, dermat/o, derm/o

skin

dermat or dermato

skin

dermat-

skin

dermia

skin

dermatosis der-mah-TOH-sis

skin condition

dermopathy der-MAW-pa-thee

skin disease

scale SKAYL Material on Skin Surface

skin flaking off

petechi/o

skin spot

xenograft ZEE-noh-graft

skin transplant taken from a species other than the patient's xeno / graft foreign / transplant

heterograft HEH-ter-oh-graft

skin transplant taken from a species other than the patient'shetero / graft different / transplant

homograft*

skin transplant taken from another member of the patient's species (homo, because it is from a similar species, and allo, because it is from another person) homo / graft (allo / graft) similar / transplant (other / transplant)

cori/o

skin, leather

crani/o

skull

obliqu/o

slanted, sideways

hypn/o

sleep

somn/i, somn/o

sleep

sopor/o

sleep

gracil/o

slender

laps/o

slip, fall, slide

-listhesis

slipping

brady-

slow

micr/o, micro-

small

papule on rash

small bump (under 1 cm)

Vesicle on rash VEH-sih-kul Elevated, Fluid-Filled

small bump (under 1 cm) filled with clear liquid a smaller blister

enter/o

small intestine

-ule

small one

macule, macula (freckle) MA-kyool, MAW-koo-lah Flat, Nonpalpable

small, flat discolored area from Latin, for spot or stain

-ula

small, little

lepto-

small, soft

minor/o

smaller

mio-

smaller, less

minim/o

smallest, least

-osmia

smell, odor

olfact/o

smell, sense of smell

leiomy/o

smooth (visceral) muscle

rhonc/o

snore, snoring

stert/o

snore, snoring

glen/o

socket or pit

Na

sodium

natr/o

sodium

macerate MAS-ir-ayt

soften the skin

plant/i, plant/o

sole of foot

ster/o

solid structure

stere/o

solid, three-dimensional

-sol

solution

symptom

something a patient feels

embol/o

something inserted or thrown in

plasm/o

something molded or formed

Marked

something that stands out

ulcer/o

sore, ulcer

ech/o

sound

son/o

sound

san/o

sound, healthy, sane

phon/o, -phonia

sound, voice

sanit/o

soundness, health

scintill/o

spark

-phasia

speak or speech

-ian

specialist

-iatrist

specialist

-ician

specialist

-ologist

specialist

phas/o

speech

sperm/o, spermat/o

sperm, spermatozoa, seed

sphen/o

sphenoid bone, wedge

cocc/i, cocc/o, -coccus

spherical bacteria

arachn/o

spider web, spider

rachi/o

spinal column, vertebrae

myel/o

spinal cord, bone marrow

chord/o

spinal cord, cord

spin/o

spine, backbone

acanth/o

spiny, thorny

cochle/o

spiral, snail, snail shell

-ptysis

spitting

splen-

spleen

splen/o

spleen

-fida

split

bifid/o

split, divided into two parts

macul/o

spot

dilat/o, dilatat/o

spread out, expand

sput/o

sputum, spit

SCC

squamous cell carcinoma

strab/i

squint, squint-eyed

diastole/o

standing apart, expansion

staped/o, stapedi/o

stapes (middle ear bone)

astr/o

star, star-shaped

amyl/o

starch

-ancy

state of

localized

stays in a certain part of the body rash is limited to specific area

Localized

stays in certain part of body

steril/i

sterile

stern/o

sternum, the breastbone

adhes/o

stick to, cling to

visc/o

sticky

viscos/o

sticky

rigid/o

stiff

punct/o

sting, prick, puncture

sutur/o

stitch, seam

gastro-

stomach

gastr/o

stomach, belly

lith/o, -lith

stone, calculus

calcul/o

stone, little stone

-pause

stopping

orth/o

straight, normal, correct

xen/o

strange, foreign

atop/o

strange, out of place

-sthenia

strength

distend/o, distent/o

stretch apart, expand

tens/o

stretch out, extend, strain

ectasia, -ectasis

stretching, dilation, enlargement

rhabdomy/o

striated muscle

percuss/o

strike, tap, beat

monil/i

string of beads, genus of parasitic mold or fungus

striat/o

stripe, furrow, groove

-ium

structure, tissue

-logy

study of

carot/o

stupor, sleep

SC

subcutaneous

SQ

subcutaneous

subcut

subcutaneous

SC

subcutaneous (under skin

absorpt/o

suck up, suck in

paroxysm/o

sudden attack

-spasm, spasmod/o

sudden involuntary contraction, tightening, or cramping

sacchar/o

sugar

sucr/o

sugar

thio-

sulfur

-pexy

surgical fixation

-desis

surgical fixation of bone or joint, to bind, tie together

-syndesis

surgical fixation of vertebrae

-centesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid

-centesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid or tissue

-pexy

surgical reattachment

-ectomy

surgical removal, cutting out, excision

-plasty

surgical repair

-rrhaphy

surgical suturing

-ostomy

surgically creating an opening

peri-

surrounding, around

deglutit/o

swallow

diaphor/o

sweat

hidr-

sweat

hidr/o

sweat

sudor/i

sweat

hidrosis

sweating sweat formation

glycer/o

sweet

orgasm/o

swell, be excited

-edema

swelling

-dema

swelling (fluid)

edem-, edemat/o

swelling, fluid, tumor

urticaria ur-tih-KAR-ee-ah

swollen raised itchy areas of the skin from Latin, for burning nettle

xiph/i, xiph/o

sword

compatibil/o

sympathize with

Sx

symptom

synovi/o, synov/o

synovial membrane, synovial fluid

syphil/i, syphil/o

syphilis

intussuscept/o

take up or receive within

autograft AW-toh-graft

taken from a different place on patients body

tars/o

tarsus (ankle bone), instep, edge of the eyelid

insipid/o

tasteless

dacry-

tear duct

dacry/o

tear, lacrimal duct (tear duct)

lacrim/o

tear, tear duct, lacrimal duct

T

temperature

tempor/o

temporal bone, temple

deca-, deci-

ten, tenth

diur/o, diuret/o

tending to increase urine output

tendin/o

tendon

ten/o, tend/o

tendon, stretch out, extend, strain

ton/o

tension, tone, stretching

didym/o

testes, twins, double

test/i, test/o

testicle, testis

orch/o, orchid/o, orchi/o

testicles, testis, testes

thalam/o

thalamus, inner room

etiology

the cause

prognosis

the chances for things getting better or worse

hidropoiesis hih-droh-poh-EE-sis

the formation of sweat

lent/i

the lens of the eye

onycholysis AW-nih-KAWL-ih-sis

the loss of a nail onycho / lysis nail / loose

nuch/o

the nape

pathogen

the organism that causes the problem

telangiectasia (spider angioma) tel-an-jee-ek-TAY-zhuh

the overexpansion of the end of a blood vessel; sometimes called a spider angioma because of how it looks on the skin tel / angi / ectasia end / blood vessel / expansion

oxy/o

the presence of oxygen in a compound

-graphy

the process of producing a picture or record

morbidity

the risk for being sick

mortality

the risk for dying

-ology

the science or study of

interstiti/o

the space between things

phlegm/o

thick mucus

scleronychia skleh-raw-NIH-kee-ah

thickening and hardening of the nails scler / onych / ia hard / nail / condition

pachyo-

thickness

lept/o

thin, slender

-us

thing, singular noun ending

dips/o, -dipsia

thirst

tri-

three

TID

three times a day

TID

three times daily

jugul/o

throat

pharyng-

throat

pharyng/o

throat, pharynx

palpit/o

throbbing, quivering

dia-

through, between, apart, complete

ejaculat/o

throw or hurl out

pollic/o

thumb

thym/o

thymus gland, soul

thyro-

thyroid

thyr/o, thyroid/o

thyroid gland

TSH

thyroid stimulation hormone

tibi/o

tibia (shin bone)

sphincter/o

tight band

chron/o

time

hist/o, histi/o

tissue

-necrosis

tissue death

necrosis neh-KROH-sis

tissue death necr / osis death / condition

degeneration

to be getting worse

pher/o

to bear or carry

par/o

to bear, bring forth, labor

-phoria

to bear, carry, feeling, mental state

spir/o

to breathe

aspir/o, aspirat/o

to breathe in

-tripsy

to crush

incision and drainage (I&D) in-SIH-zhun and DRAY-nij

to cut into a wound to allow trapped infected liquid to drain in / cision in / cut

Oriented

Being aware of self, time, place

Malignant

Dangerous; a problem

Lethargic

Decrease in level of consciousness; indication the patient is really sick

Dx

Diagnosis

DDx

Differential diagnosis

lesion

Disseased tissue

Transverse

Divides body from top to bottom

Coronal

Divides the body into slices from front and back

EENT

Ear Eyes Nose Throat

EKG

Electro Cardiogram

ED

Emergency Department

ER

Emergency Room

ECU

Emergency care unit

Antral/Anterior/ventral

Front

GT

Gastrostomy tube

delt/o

Greek letter delta, triangular shape

sigm/o

Greek letter sigma

alopecia a-loh-PEE-sha

Hair loss/baldness from Greek, for fox

Ht

Height

Hx

History

HPI

History of present illness

ICU

Intensive care unit

Exacerbation

It is getting worse

L&D

Labor and delivery

Progressive

More and more each day

Idipathic

No known specific cause

Malaise

Not feeling well

Noncontributory

Not related to specific problem

OR

Operating Room

PAthogen

Organism that caused problem

PTT

Partial thromboplastin time

PMHx

Past medical history

PICU

Pediatric intensive care unit

PE

Physical exam

PACU

Post-anesthesia care unit

Prophylaxis

Preventive treatment

Urticaria

Rash appearing as hives

RR

Respiratory rate

SOA

Shortness of air

SICU

Surgical intensive care unit

Dorsal/Posterior

The back

Morbidity

The risk for being sick

Mortality

The risk for dying

Febrile

To have a fever

Auscultation

To listen

Afebrile

To not have a fever

Supportive care

To treat symptoms and make patient feel better

Medial

Toward middle

Cranial

Toward the top

TD

Transdermal

Observation

Watch, keep eye on

Wt

Weight

WDWN

Well developed, well nourished

diagnosis

What health care prof thinks patient has

catabol/o

a breaking down

-phage

a cell that destroys, eat, swallow

coit/o

a coming together

cyanidrosis sai-yan-ih-DROH-sis

Blue Sweat condition cyan= blue idr= sweat osis= condition

CVL

Central venous line

Prognosis

Chances of getting better or worse

CC

Chief Complaint

Proximal

Closer to center

CCU

Cornary care unit

Post-Op

After surgery

A&O

Alert and oriented

Abrupt

All of the sudden

Systemic/generalized

All over the body

bartholin/o

Bartholin's gland

Pre-Op

Before surgery

Abscess AB-ses away/go Elevated, Fluid-Filled

*a localized collection of pus in the body* -larger pustule (large bump filled with pus) *Note:* The reason this word means going away is because in ancient times, it was believed that the harmful humors of the body would "go away" from the body via pus leaking from an abscess.

QID

4 times a day

Sequelae

A problem resulting from disease or injury

Alert

Able to answer questions;interactive