Medical Terminology Chapter 2 8th Edition
End-, Endo-, En-
In, within, inside
-oma
Tumor
-itis
Inflammation
Distal
Situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure
Pathology
The study of disease: its nature and cause as well as the produced changes in structure and function. It also means a condition produced by disease
Genetics
The study of how genes are transferred from parents to their children and the role of genes in health and disease
Etiology
The study of the causes of diseases
Anatomy
The study of the structures of the body
Communicable Disease
(AKA: contagious disease) is any condition that is transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects
Food-Borne and Waterborne Transmission
(AKA: fecal-oral transmission) is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water that has not been properly treated to remove contamination or kill any pathogens present
Genetic Disorder
(AKA: hereditary disorder) A pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene. Some are obvious at birth. Others may manifest at any time in life.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
(AKA: licensed practical nurse) in certain states, works under the supervision of a doctor or RN to provide basic patient care
Midsagittal Plane
(AKA: midline) is the sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves
Umbilical Region
Surrounds the umbilicus. This pit in the center of the abdominal wall marks the point where the umbilical cord was attached before birth
Loose Connective Tissue
Surrounds various organs and supports both nerve cells and blood vessels
Dysplasia
The abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs
Adenosclerosis
The abnormal hardening of a gland
Adenomalacia
The abnormal softening of a gland
Cells
The basic structural and functional units of the body. They are specialized and grouped together to form tissues and organs.
Gene
A fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. They control hereditary disorders and all physical traits such as hair, skin, and eye color.
Mesentery
A fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall
Hypertrophy
A general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size, but not in the number, of cells in the tissues. This enlargement is not due to tumor formation.
Graft-vs.-Host Disease
Can result from transplanted bone marrow that contains immunocompetent cells
Communicable
Capable of being transmitted
Chondr/i
Cartilage
Eti-
Cause
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Caused by the mother's consumption of alcohol during the pregnancy
Parietal
Cavity wall
-cyte
Cell
Cyt/o
Cell
cyt-
Cell
Umbilicus
Commonly known as the belly button or navel
Regions of the Thorax and Abdomen
Comprise a descriptive system that divides the abdomen and lower portion of the thorax into nine parts
Birth Injuries
Congenital disorders that were not present before the events surrounding the time of birth
Double Helix
Consists of two helix strands twisted together
Muscle Tissue
Contains cells with the specialized ability to contract and relax
Nerve Tissue
Contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and to conduct electrical impulses
Abdominal Cavity
Contains the major organs of digestion. This cavity is frequently referred to simply as the abdomen
-stasis, -static
Control, maintenance of a constant level
Right and Left Hypochondriac Regions
Covered by the lower ribs. It also describes an individual with an abnormal concern about his or her health
Medical Coder
Reviews patients' medical records and assigns appropriate codes for treatment and services provided to each patient based on codes for medical diagnoses, equipment, and procedures
Allied Health Professions
Roles outside of medicine, nursing, and pharmacy
Medical Receptionist
Schedules and registers patients for appointments and may also work as a medical assistant
Exo-
Out of, outside, away from
Hemopoietic
(blood forming) tissue of the donor's bone marrow
Contamination
A pathogen is possibly present
-trophy
Development
Aden-
Gland
Physi-
Nature or physical
Hist-
Tissue
A-
Without
Postmortem
After death
Idiopathic Disorder
An illness without known cause
Carcin-
Cancerous
Home/o
Constant
Caud-
Tail or lower part of the body
Hist/o
Tissue
-ac
Pertaining to
-al
Pertaining to
-ar
Pertaining to
-eal
Pertaining to
-ic
Pertaining to
-ior
Pertaining to
-nic
Pertaining to
-ose
Pertaining to
-tics
Pertaining to
Cranial
Pertaining to the skull
Rubella Infection
(AKA: German Measles, or Three-day measles) is a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, and a fine, pink rash
Developmental Disorder
(AKA: birth defect) can result in an anomaly or malformation such as the absence of a limb or the presence of an extra toe
Thoracic Cavity
(AKA: chest cavity or thorax) surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs.
Adipose Tissue
(AKA: fat) provides protective padding, insulation, and support
Gamete
(AKA: sex cell) is the only type of cell that does not contain 46 chromosomes. Instead, each ovum or sperm has 23 single chromosomes.
Adult Stem Cells
(AKA: somatic stem cells) are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. The primary role of these cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found.
Adenoma
A benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue
Premature Birth
A birth that occurs earlier than 37 weeks of development, can cause serious health problems because the baby's body systems have not had time to form completely
Anaplasia
A change in the structure of cells and n their orientation to each other. This abnormal cell development is characteristic of tumor formation in cancers.
Genetic mutation
A change of the sequence of a DNA molecule. Potential causes include exposure to radiation or environmental pollution.
Somatic Cell Mutation
A change within the cells of the body. These changes affect the individual, but cannot be transmitted tot he next generation.
Gametic Cell Mutation
A change within the genes in a gamete that can be transmitted by a parent to his or her children
Anomaly
A deviation from what is regarded as normal
Nosocomial Infection
A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting
Pathogen
A disease-producing microorganism such as a virus
Emergency Physician
A doctor who specializes in high-acuity medicine in the ER.
Horizontal Plane
A flat crosswise plane, such as the horizon
Huntington's Disease
A genetic disorder that is passed from parent to child. This condition causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife. (Degeneration means worsening condition.) This damage eventually results in uncontrolled movements and the loss of some mental abilities.
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both the respiratory and digestive systems
Chromosome
A genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell.
Down Syndrome
A genetic variation that is associated with a characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and physical abnormalities such as heart valve disease
Muscular Dystrophy
A group of genetic diseases that are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement
Hemophilia
A group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood-clotting factor is missing. This blood coagulation disorder is characterized by spontaneous hemorrhages or severe bleeding following an injury.
Gland
A group of specialized epithelial cells that are capable of producing secretions
Tissue
A group or layer of similarly specialized cells that join together to perform certain specific functions
Primary Care Provider
A healthcare professional who handles general care
Transverse Plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions. It can also be at the waist or at any other level across the body
Emergency Medical Technician
A licensed health care professional who works in a pre-hospital setting on an ambulance, or in an emergency room
Registered Nurse
A licensed health care professional who works in a variety of health care settings
Physician Assistant
A licensed professional who works under the supervision of a physician
Adenocarcinoma
A malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue
Certified Medical Assistant
A medical assistant certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants
Peritoneum
A multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity
Diaphragm
A muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Histologist
A non-physician specialist who studies the microscopic structure of tissues
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse with graduate training who often works as a primary care provider
Hospitalist
A physician focusing on the general medical care of hospitalized patients
Intensivist
A physician specializing in the care of critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU
Internist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the internal organs and related body systems
Pediatrician / Pediatrics
A physician who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders and diseases of infants and children
Geriatrician / Gerontologist
A physician who specializes in the care of older people
Pathologist
A physician who specializes in the laboratory analysis of diseased tissue samples to confirm or establish a diagnosis. These tissue specimens can be removed in biopsies, during operations, or in postmortem examinations.
Autopsy
A postmortem examination
Phenylketonuria
A rare genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxyls is missing. This can be detected by a blood test performed on infants at birth.
Helix
A shape twisted like a spiral staircase
Organ
A somewhat independent part of the body that performs a specific function
Geneticist
A specialist in the field of genetics
Cytologist
A specialist in the study and analysis of cells
Epidemiologist
A specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group
Epidemic
A sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area
Membrane
A thin layer of tissue that covers a surface lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ
Frontal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions. (AKA: coronal plane, it is located at right angles to the sagittal plane)
Sagittal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions
Abdomin/o
Abdomen
-osis
Abnormal condition or disease
-sclerosis
Abnormal hardening
-malacia
Abnormal softening
Epi-
Above
Congenital Disorder
An abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth. These conditions can be caused by a developmental disorder before birth, prenatal influences, premature birth, or injuries during the birth process.
Infectious Disease
An illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses
Human Genome Project
An international collaborative effort to map and sequence the DNA of the entire human genome.
Iatrogenic Illness
An unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment
Vertical Plane
An up-and-down plane that is at a right angle to the horizon
Somatic cell
Any cell in the body except the gametes. They contain 46 chromosomes arranged into 23 pairs. There are 22 identical pairs of chromosomes, plus another pair. In a typical female, this remaining pair consists of XX chromosomes. In a typical male, this pair consists of an XY chromosome pair.
Adenosis
Any disease or condition of a gland
Dors-
Back of the body
Poster-
Back or toward the back
Ana-
Backward
Dys-
Bad
Anter/o
Before, front
Retro-
Behind
Poster/o
Behind, toward the back
Ventr-
Belly side of the body
Hypo-
Below
Liquid Connective Tissue
Blood and lymph, transport nutrients and waste products throughout the body
Atomic Reference systems
Body planes, Body directions, Body cavities, and Structural units. When body parts work together to perform a related function, they are grouped together and are known as a body system.
Quadrant
Divided into four: 1. RUQ: Right Upper Quadrant 2. LUQ: Left Upper Quadrant 3. RLQ: Right Lower Quadrant 4. LLQ: Left Lower Quadrant
Anatomic Position
Describes the body standing in the standard position. Standing up straight so that the body is erect and facing forward. Holding the arms at the sides with the hands turned so that the palms face toward the front.
Atresia
Describes the congenital absence of a normal body opening or the failure of a structure to be tubular
-plasia
Development, growth, formation
Plas/i, Plas/o
Development, growth, formation
-pathy
Disease, suffering, feeling, emotion
Path/o
Disease, suffering, feeling, emotion
Tele-
Distant
Pan-
Entire
Congenital
Existing at birth
Adip-
Fat
Adip/o
Fat
Embry/o
Fertilized ovum, Embryonic
Emergency Room / Emergency Department
Focuses on diagnosing and treating life-threatening emergency medical conditions
-plasm
Formative material of cells
Epithelial Tissue
Forms a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body. They also form glands
Anter-
Front or before
Aden/o
Gland
Malignant
Harmful, capable of spreading, and potentially life threatening
Differentiated
Having a specialized function or structure
Cephal/o
Head
Ili-
Hip bone
Body Planes
Imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes
Medical Assistant / Clinical Medical Assistant
Performs administrative and clinical tasks in a doctor's office, such as coding patients', administering injections and drawing blood
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Dominant gene
Inherited from either parent, the offspring will inherit that genetic condition or characteristic
Recessive Gene
Inherited from only one parent, and a normal gene is inherited from the other parent, the offspring will not have the condition
Nucleus
Is surrounded by the nuclear membrane, is a structure within the cell. It has two important functions: it controls the activities of the cell, and it helps the cell divide.
Pharmacist
Licensed medical professional who dispenses prescribed medication to patients
Epigastric Region
Located above the stomach
Dorsal Cavity
Located along the back of the body and head, contains organs of the nervous system that coordinate body functions and is divided into two portions: cranial and spinal cavities
Ventral Cavity
Located along the front of the body, contains the body organs that sustain homeostasis
Retroperitoneal
Located behind the peritoneum
Hypogastric Region
Located below the stomach
Right and Left Iliac Regions
Located near the hip bones
Right and Left Lumbar Regions
Located near the inward curve of the spine. It describes the part of the back between the ribs and the pelvis
DNA
Located on the pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell, is the same for all living organisms. It is packaged in a chromosome as two spiraling strands that twist together to form a double helix. It is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, is found in the nucleus of all types of cells except erythrocytes. Each individual is different, and no two DNA patterns are exactly the same. A very small sample, such as from human hair or tissue, can be used to identify the individuals in instances such as criminal investigations, paternity suits, or genealogy research.
Cranial Cavity
Located within the skull, surrounds and protects the brain
Spinal Cavity
Located within the spinal column, surrounds and protects the spinal cord
Lumb-
Lower back
Caud/o
Lower part of body, tail
Inferior
Lowermost, below, or toward the feet
Undifferentiated
Not having a specialized function or structure
Benign
Not life threatening
Airborne Transmission
Occurs through contact with germs floating in the air
Idi/o
Peculiar to the individual
Pelv-
Pelvis
Periton-
Peritoneum
Dem/i
Population
Endocrine Gland
Produce hormones, do not have ducts. These hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream and are then transported to organs and structures throughout the body.
Organic Disorder
Produces symptoms caused by detectable physical changes in the body
Functional Disorder
Produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified
Gene-
Producing
Telemetry Unit
Provides continuous cardiac monitoring for patients with heart problems not requiring intensive care. The term refers to the electronic transmission of data about a patient's heart rhythm
Intensive Care Unit / Critical Care Unit
Provides continuously monitored care for critically ill patients
Medical / Surgical Unit
Provides nursing care for lower-acuity patients who are recovering from surgery or require continued drug therapy or monitoring
General Practitioner / Family Practice Physician
Provides ongoing care for patients of all ages
Embryonic
Referring to an embryo, a developing child during its first eight weeks in the womb
Adenoids
Refers to a mass of gland-like lymphoid tissue at the back of the upper pharynx
Pandemic
Refers to an outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide
Indirect Contact Transmission
Refers to situations in which a susceptible person is infected by contact with a contaminated surface
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Refers to the abdominal and pelvic cavities as a single unit
Dorsal
Refers to the back of the organ or body
Ventral
Refers to the front, or belly side, of the organ or body
Acuity
Refers to the level of severity of an illness
Endemic
Refers to the ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area
Inguinal
Relating to the groin, refers to the entire lower are of the abdomen. This includes the groin, which is the crease at the junction of the trunk within the upper end of the thigh.
Visceral
Relating to the internal organs
Bilateral
Relating to, or having, two sides
Exocrine Glands
Secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead either to other organs or out of the body, such as sweat glands
Posterior
Situated in the back. It also means on the back part of an organ. It is also used in reference to the dorsal surface of the body.
Anterior
Situated in the front. It also means on the front or forward part of an organ. It is also used in reference to the ventral surface of the body.
Proximal
Situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure
-ologist
Specialist
Transmission
Spread of disease
Gastr-
Stomach
Dense Connective Tissue
Such as bone and cartilage, form the joints and framework of the body
Connective Tissue
Support and connect organs and other body tissues
-ectomy
Surgical removal
Genome
The complete set of genetic information of an organism
Aplasia
The defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue
Medial
The direction toward, or nearer, the midline
Lateral
The direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline
Hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues
Hypoplasia
The incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells
Adenitis
The inflammation of a gland
Visceral Peritoneum
The inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity
Genetic Engineering
The manipulating or splicing of genes for scientific or medical purposes
Cytoplasm
The material within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus
Histology
The microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues
Prenatal Influences
The mother's health, behavior, and the prenatal medical care she does, or does not, receive before delivery
Aging
The normal progression of the life cycle that will eventually end in death
Parietal Peritoneum
The outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall
Homeostasis
The processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment
Cerebral Palsy
The result of brain damage, can be caused by premature with or inadequate oxygen to the brain during the birth process
-ology
The science or study of
Pelvic Cavity
The space formed by the hip bones and contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems
Epithelium
The specialized epithelial tissue that forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes
Endothelium
The specialized epithelial tissue that lines the blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs
Bloodborne Transmission
The spread of a disease through contact with infected blood or other body fluids that are contaminated by infected blood
Vector-Borne Transmission
The spread of certain disease due to the bite of a vector. This term describes insects or animals such as flies, mites, fleas, ticks, rats, and dogs, that are capable of transmitting a disease.
Droplet Transmission
The spread of diseases such as measles, cold, and flue through large respiratory droplets sprayed by coughing or sneezing onto a nearby person or object
Cytology
The study of the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the cell
Physiology
The study of the functions of the structures of the body
Geriatrics / Gerontology
The study of the medical problems and care of older people
Secretion
The substance produced by a gland
Adenectomy
The surgical removal of a gland
Cell Membrane
The tissue that surrounds and protects the contents of a cell from the external environment
-metry
To measure
-crine
To secrete
Caudal
Toward the lower part of the body
Embryonic Stem Cells
Undifferentiated cells that are unlike any specific adult cell; however, they have the important ability to form any adult cell. These cells can proliferate indefinitely in a laboratory and could therefore potentially provide a source for adult muscle, liver, bone, or blood cells. Because these cells are more primitive than adult stem cells, an embryonic stem cell transplant does not require as perfect a match between the patient and donor as the transplantation of adult stem cells. They come from the cord blood found in the umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn infant. These cells from cord blood can be harvested at the time of birth without danger to mother or child. These cells are kept frozen until needed for treatment purposes. They can also be obtained from surplus embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. With the informed consent of the donor couple, stem cells obtained in this manner can be used for medical and scientific research.
Stem Cells
Unspecialized cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time by cell division. This is in contrast to other types of cells that have a specialized role and die after a determined life span. Under certain conditions, they can be transformed into cell with special functions, such as the cells of the heart muscle that make the heartbeat possible or the specialized cells of the pancreas that are capable of producing insulin.
Superior
Uppermost, above, or toward the head
Body Cavities
Which are the dorsal and the ventral cavities, are spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs
Idiopathic
Without known cause
Certified Nursing Assistant
Works under the supervision of a RN to provide basic patient care
