Study Guide Medical Terminology - Penn Foster
Study GuideMedical TerminologyByThea Liza Batan
About the AuthorThea Liza Batan earned a Master of Science in Nursing Administration in 2007 fromXavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has worked as a staff nurse, nurse instructor,and level department head. She currently works as a simulation coordinator and a freelance writer specializing in nursing and healthcare.All terms mentioned in this text that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriatelycapitalized. Use of a term in this text shouldn’t be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark orservice mark.Copyright 2017 by Penn Foster, Inc.All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in anyform or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informationstorage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to Copyright Permissions,Penn Foster, 925 Oak Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18515.Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTSINSTRUCTIONS1READING ASSIGNMENTS3LESSON 1: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY5LESSON 2: DIAGNOSIS, I NTERVENTION,AND HUMAN BODY TERMS28LESSON 3: MUSCULOSKELETAL, CIRCULATORY,AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM TERMS44LESSON 4: DIGESTIVE, URINARY,AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM TERMS69LESSON 5: INTEGUMENTARY, NERVOUS,AND ENDOCRINE S YSTEM TERMS96SELF-CHECK ANSWERS134 PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYContentsPAGE iii
INSTRUCTIONSINTRODUCTIONWelcome to your course on medical terminology. You’re taking this course becauseyou’re most likely interested in pursuing a health and science career, which entails proficiency in communicating with healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses,or dentists.As an aspiring member of a healthcare team, accurate understanding, pronunciation,spelling, and definition of frequently used medical terms is imperative. The textbook entitled Quick & Easy Medical Terminology, 8th Edition, by Peggy C. Leonard will providebasic knowledge and understanding of medical terminologies. Competence in using medical language doesn’t happen instantaneously. A strong medical vocabulary is a productof excellent time management skills and fervent commitment by the student.COURSE OBJECTIVESWhen you complete this section, you’ll be able to do the following:QQIdentify word parts and write medical terms accuratelyQQUtilize suffixes to build medical terminologies related to surgical procedures, medical conditions, specialists, and specialtiesQQRecognize and use prefixes in writing medical termsQQDistinguish and analyze medical terms associated with the digestive systemQQIdentify and be familiar with medical terminologies pertaining to the integumentarysystemCOURSE MATERIALSThis course includes the following materials:1. This study guide, which contains an introduction to your course, plusQQA lesson assignments page with a schedule of study assignments, as well asexams for the lessons you’ll complete during this courseQQIndividual sections that cover each of the main points of each lessonQQSelf-checks and answers to help you assess your understanding of thematerial2. Your course textbook, Quick and Easy Medical Terminology, 8th Edition, whichcontains the assignment reading material PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYInstructionsPAGE 1
YOUR TEXTBOOKYour textbook, Quick and Easy Medical Terminology, 8th Edition, by Peggy C. Leonardcontains the material on which you’ll be tested. You need to become familiar with thistextbook before beginning your studies.You’ll want to begin by skimming the table of contents. This will give you an overview ofthe entire textbook. Read the preface as a brief introduction to the textbook. Appendices,found at the end of the text, provide medical abbreviations, word parts and their meanings, and answers to self-check questions. Following the appendices are a bibliographyand photo credits, as well as an index.STUDY PLANThink of this study guide as a blueprint for your course. You should read it carefully. Usingthe following procedures should help you receive the maximum benefit from your studies:QQRead the lessons in the study guide to introduce you to concepts that are discussedin the textbook. The lessons emphasize the important material discussed in the textand provide additional tips or examples to help you grasp the material.QQNote the chapters for each assignment in the textbook and read the assignmentin the textbook to get a general idea of its content. Study the assignment, payingattention to all details, especially the main concepts.QQAnswer the questions and problems provided in the self-checks in the study guide.This will serve as a review of the material covered.QQAfter answering the suggested questions, check your answers with those given inthe back of the study guide. If you miss any questions, review the pages of the textbook covering those questions. The self-checks are designed to reveal weak pointsthat you need to review. Do not send the self-check answers to the school. They’refor you to evaluate your understanding of the material. Complete each assignmentin this way.QQAfter you’ve completed and checked the self-checks for Lesson 1, go to your student portal and complete your first exam.QQFollow this procedure for all lessons. At any time, you can contact your instructorfor information regarding the materials.Remember to check your student portal regularly. Additional resourcesto enhance your learning experience may be posted. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYInstructionsPAGE 2
READING ASSIGNMENTSLesson 1: The Fundamentals of Medical TerminologyRead in the study guide:Read in the textbook:Section 1.1Chapter 1Section 1.2Chapter 2Section 1.3Chapter 3Examination 427782RRLesson 2: Diagnosis, Intervention, and Human Body TermsRead in the study guide:Read in the textbook:Section 2.1Chapter 4Section 2.2Chapter 5Examination 427783RRLesson 3: Musculoskeletal, Circulatory, and RespiratorySystem TermsRead in the study guide:Read in the textbook:Section 3.1Chapter 6Section 3.2Chapter 7Section 3.3Chapter 8Examination 427784RRLesson 4: Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive System TermsRead in the study guide:Read in the textbook:Section 4.1Chapter 9Section 4.2Chapter 10Section 4.3Chapter 11Examination 427785RR PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYReading AssignmentsPAGE 3
Lesson 5: Integumentary, Nervous, and Endocrine System TermsRead in the study guide:Read in the textbook:Section 5.1Chapter 12Section 5.2Chapter 13Section 5.3Chapter 14Section 5.4Chapter 15Examination 427786RRNote: To access and complete any of the examinations for this study guide, click theappropriate Take Exam icon on your student portal. You shouldn’t have to enter theexamination numbers. These numbers are for reference only if you have reason tocontact Student Services. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYReading AssignmentsPAGE 4
LESSON 1: THE FUNDAMENTALSOF MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYINTRODUCTIONFor a layperson, learning medical language may seem difficult, but it becomes easier asone gets to know the origin and meaning of medical terms. For healthcare professionals,it’s already second nature. The majority of the medical terms are borrowed from Latinand Greek, but it’s unnecessary for you to learn these languages to become experts inthe use of and understanding of medical terms. All you need to do is to study and learnword parts.SECTION 1.1: SIMPLIFIED MEDICALLANGUAGERead the following section, then read Chapter 1 in your textbook.ObjectivesWhen you complete this section, you’ll be able to identify word parts and write medical terms properly.SIMPLIFIED MEDICAL LANGUAGEThe building block for most medical terms is the word root, or the primary body of a word.At times, a medical term can be made up of compound words. A compound word mayconsist of two word roots, such as in the case of collarbone (collar bone).To facilitate the pronunciation of words, a combining vowel is placed in between wordroots. A significant number of medical terms use the vowel “o”. However, it’s good to notethat “o” isn’t the only vowel. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 5
The following table demonstrates examples of roots and combining forms.Word RootCombining VowelCombiningFormMeaningUse in a Wordacr oacr/oextremityacrocyanosispsych opsych/omindpsychologychol echol/ebilecholesterasePREFIXES AND SUFFIXESPrefixes and suffixes may accompany a word root to alter its meaning. A prefix isattached before the word, while a suffix is placed at the end of a word root. Sometimes, aword may consist of a prefix and a suffix only.Prefix Combining form Suffixelectro cardi/o gram(electrocardiogram)Prefix Suffixhyper emia(hyperemia)By now, you’ve already learned word parts. Word roots, combining forms, prefixes, andsuffixes are all word parts.WRITING MEDICAL TERMSBuilding words follows certain guidelines. Table 2 presents some common rules in wordbuilding.GuidelinesExamplesLinking combiningformsIn most instances, the combining vowel is retained amidcombining forms.leuk/o cyteleukocytecardi/o logycardiologyLinking combiningforms and suffixesUse a combining vowelif the suffix begins with aconsonant.crani/o tomycraniotomyderm/a tologydermatologyLinking combiningforms and suffixeswith initial vowelsOmit the combining vowelif the suffix begins with avowel.appendic/o itisappendicitisenter/o icentericLinking other wordparts and prefixesUsually, prefixes need not bechanged when linked withother word parts.dys pepsiadyspepsiaintra dermalintradermal PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 6
To better recognize the parts that make up a medical term, word division is commonlyused throughout this course. For instance, appendectomy may be written as append ectomy to highlight its component parts.EPONYMSEponyms are names derived from a proper noun. They may originate from the nameof a person, place, or thing. In the medical field, diseases, organs, procedures, orbody functions can be eponyms; hence, they are frequently capitalized. Examples ofeponyms include Alzheimer’s disease, after Alois Alzheimer, and Babinski sign, afterJoseph Babinski.ABBREVIATIONS AND PHARMACOLOGYAn abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations can be in theform of:QQLetters: The abbreviation for chest x-ray is CXR.QQShortened words: The abbreviation “tab” is short for “tablet.”QQAcronyms: The acronym CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Note: Abbreviations and symbols should be used cautiously, especially when medications are involved. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and TheJoint Commission (TJC) provide a list of unsafe abbreviations and symbols.The branch of science that deals with the preparation, properties, uses, and actions ofdrugs is known as pharmacology. Drugs, most commonly referred to as medicines, areused in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Concepts related to drugs includethe following:QQRoute of administration: ways in which drugs can be given (usually via the mouth orvia an injection)QQGeneric name: nonproprietary name of the drug (for example, ibuprofen)QQTrade name: company name, otherwise known as the brand name (for example,Motrin) PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 7
PLURALSThe plural form of many medical terms follows the rules used in common language.Word endingsSingular formPlural sConsonants other than s, h,or ys, ch, shyGeneral Guidelines in Forming Plurals of Nouns with Special EndingsSingularEndingPlural EndingisExamples (Singular)Examples (Plural)diagnosis, anastomosisesdiagnoses, anastomoses*Some words ending in is take on their plural form by omitting the is and adding ides, as inarthritis and arthritidesumaatrium, ostiumatria, ostiausibronchus, alveolusbronchi, alveoli*Some words ending in us take on their plural form by omitting the us and adding era or ora, asin viscus to viscera and corpus to corpora.aaecava, vertebracavae, vertebraeixicesappendix, cervixappendices, cervicesexicesapexapicesaxacesthoraxthoracesmas or matacondylomacondylomas or condylomataonaspermatozoonspermatozoa*Some words ending in on take on their plural form by adding s, as in chorion to chorionsnxngesphalanxphalangesAfter you’ve carefully read Chapter 1 in your textbook, complete Self-Check 1.1. Whenyou completely understand the material from Section 1.1, move on to Section 1.2. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 8
Self-Check 1.1At the end of each section of Quick and Easy Medical Terminology, 8thEdition, you’ll be asked to pause and check your understanding of whatyou’ve just read by completing a self-check. Writing the answers to thesequestions will help you review what you have learned so far. Please complete Self-Check 1.1 now.Complete Practice Exercises A–H at the end of Chapter 1 of your textbook.Check your answers with those in Appendix III of your textbook.SECTION 1.2: SUFFIXES ANDCOMBINING FORMS MADE EASYRead the following section, then read Chapter 2 in your textbook.ObjectiveWhen you complete this section, you’ll be able to utilize suffixes to build medicalterminologies related to surgical procedures, medical conditions, specialists, andspecialties.MEDICAL SPECIALISTS AND THEIRSPECIALTIESIdentifying medical specialists and their specialties is made easy by recognizing themeanings of the suffixes attached to the word root. For example, the suffix -logy refers tothe “study or science of.” Anesthesiology is the branch of medical science that specifically PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 9
deals with the study of anesthesia or anesthetics. On the other hand, the suffix -logistmeans “one who studies” or “specialist.” An anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in anesthesia. It’s important not to confuse anesthesiologist with anesthetist. Thesuffix -ist means “one who”; hence, an anesthetist is one who administers anesthesia. Ananesthetist can be a physician or a nurse, while an anesthesiologist is a medical doctoror physician. Study the following suffixes and their meanings.SUFFIXES: MEDICAL SPECIALISTS AND THEIR SPECIALTIESMedical SpecialistsSuffixMedical SpecialtiesMeaningExampleSuffixMeaningExample-er, -istone whointernist-ac, -al, -ic,icalpertaining gic, -logicalpertaining to thestudy ofpsychological-logistone who studies, specialistpulmonologist-iatrics, -iatrymedical profession or treatmentpediatrics-logystudy or scienceofgynecologyThe following table lists some of the most common combining forms associated withmedical specialties and specialists.Combining FormMeaningMedical SpecialtyMedical /oskindermatologydermatologistesthesi/ofeeling or munologistne/o, nat/onew, istradi/oradiation or radiusradiologyradiologistur/ourinary tract or urineurologyurologistSURGICAL PROCEDURESA significant number of medical terms refer to surgical procedures. Generally, the suffixes used will give you an idea about the type of surgery or procedure performed. Forinstance, the suffix -ectomy means surgical removal. Polypectomy and adrenalectomyrefer to the excision or removal of polyps and adrenal glands, respectively. Knowing afamiliar word related to the suffix makes it easier to analyze a medical term. This processis known as word association. Take a look at the following table. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 10
SUFFIXES: SURGICAL PROCEDURESSuffixMeaningWord Association-centesissurgical puncture to aspirate orremove fluidParacentesis is a puncture of the peritoneal cavity to remove fluid for diagnosticor therapeutic purposes.-ectomyexcision (surgical removal orcutting out)Excision of the appendix is referred toas an appendectomy.-lysisprocess of loosening, freeing, ordestroyingThis suffix can also mean dissolving ordestruction, as in hydrolysis.-pexysurgical fixation (securing in afixed position)Nephropexy is a surgical fixation of akidney that descends when the patientstands up.-plastysurgical repairRhinoplasty is a plastic surgery of thenose and is done for several reasons.-rrhaphysuture (fusing a wound bystitches)Herniorraphy is surgical repair of thehernia with suture of the abdominal wall.-scopyvisual examination with the useof a lighted instrumentColonoscopy is a means of visualizingthe colon with the use of a fiber-opticinstrument.-stomycreation of an openingColostomy is a surgical procedure thatcreates an opening for the colon or largeintestine through the abdomen.-tomean instrument used for cuttingA microtome is used to cut thin sectionsof tissue.-tomyincision (cutting into tissue)Sternotomy is an incision of the sternumusually performed during heart surgery.-tripsysurgical crushing, breaking, orpulverizingLithotripsy is the surgical crushing of arenal calculus or stone.BODY STRUCTURESSome of the combining forms for body structures have already been introduced whennaming medical specialists. In this section, you’ll be presented with additional combiningforms and the most frequent word associations used. Hepat/o is one of the most commoncombining forms used in the medical field. Note that hepat/o means liver; hence, hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. More examples are presented in thef ollowing table. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 11
COMBINING FORMS FOR A NUMBER OF BODY STRUCTURESCombining FormMeaningWord Associationaden/oglandAdenopathy refers to the enlargement ofthe glands.angi/ovesselAngioplasty is a procedure used to reestablish blood flow through partially orfully blocked blood vessels.bi/olife or livingBiopsy is a procedure used to extractcells or tissues for examination.blephar/oeyelidBlepharitis is an infection of the eyelids.cerebr/o, encephal/obrainCerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorlessfluid found in the brain and the spinalcord.Encephalopathy is a general term thatrefers to a disorder or disease of thebrain.col/ocolon or large intestineColitis is an inflammation of the colon’sinner lining.faci/ofaceFacial relates to the face.hepat/oliverHepatomegaly is enlargement of theliver.mamm/o, mast/obreastMammogram is an x-ray of the breast.Mastitis is an infection of the breasttissue.muscul/o, my/omuscleThe musculoskeletal system is an organsystem responsible for movement andactivity.Myosin is one of the muscle proteins.myel/obone marrow or spinalcordMyelogram is a means of examining thespinal canal using a combination of dyeand x-ray.oste/oboneOsteoporosis is a disease that weakensthe bones, thereby increasing the risk forfractures.pulm/o, pulmon/o,pneum/o, pneumon/olungsPulmonary refers to the lungs.Pneumatic refers to gas or air.Pneumothorax is the accumulation of airor gas in the chest.tonsil/otonsilTonsillectomy is the surgical removal ofthe tonsils.trache/otrachea (windpipe)Tracheitis is an inflammation of thetrachea.vas/ovesselWidening of the blood vessels is knownas vasodilation. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 12
SYMPTOMS OR DIAGNOSISSymptom and diagnosis are common terms used in the medical field. A symptom indicates a disorder or disease in which changes in health status are perceived by the client.For instance, a client says: “My stomach hurts.” Diagnosis, on the other hand, is thescientific determination of a disease process or condition after evaluation. “Peptic ulcerdisease” is an example of a medical diagnosis.SUFFIXES: SYMPTOMS OR DIAGNOSISSuffixMeaningWord Association-algia, -dyniapainArthralgia is joint pain. Vulvodynia is achronic pain condition affecting a woman’s external genitalia.-celehernia (results when organpushes through the organor muscle that contains it)Omphalocele is an abdominal wall defectin which the abdominal organs protrudethrough an opening at the base of theumbilical cord.-ectasia, -ectasisdilatationTelangiectasia is the dilation of the superficial blood vessels.Lymphangiectasis is the dilation of thelymphatic vessels.-edemaswellingEdema denotes the presence of excessfluid in the tissues, causing swelling.Angioedema involves the precipitousswelling of the tissues under the skin,usually due to an allergic reaction.-emesisvomitingEmesis denotes vomiting.Hyperemesis means excessive vomiting.-emiacondition of the bloodAnemia refers to a decrease in red bloodcells or hemoglobin in the blood.-ia, -iasisconditionHysteria is a mental disorder attributed towomen in the nineteenth century.Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused bymicroscopic worms.-itisinflammationInflammation of the voice box or larynx isknown as laryngitis.-ithstone or calculusFecalith is a hard mass consisting offeces.-malaciasoft, softeningChondromalacia patella is the softeningof the cartilage underneath the knee.-maniaexcessive preoccupationPyromania is a compulsion to set thingson fire.-megalyenlargementCardiomegaly is the enlargement of theheart.(Continued) PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 13
SUFFIXES: SYMPTOMS OR DIAGNOSIS (continued)SuffixMeaningWord Association-oidresemblingMucoid means similar to mucus.-omatumorLymphoma refers to a group of bloodcancers originating from the lymphaticsystem.-osiscondition (usually an abnormal condition, occasionallyrefers to an increase)Psychosis is a group of disorders affecting the mind.-pathydiseaseCardiomyopathy is a group of diseasesaffecting the cardiac muscle.-peniadeficiencyNeutropenia refers to abnormally low levels of neutrophils, a type of white bloodcell.-phobiaabnormal fearPhobia refers to extremely strong fearor dislike of something. Fear of being inan enclosed space or area is known asclaustrophobia.-ptosisprolapse (sagging)Drooping eyelids is ptosis.-rrhage, -rrhagiaexcessive bleedingHemorrhage means bleeding, which canbe external or internal.-rrheaflow or dischargeAmenorrhea is the absence of menstrualflow.-rrhexisruptureRupture of the bowels is referred to asenterorrhexis.-spasmcramp, twitchingVasospasm is the spasm of the bloodvessels.-stasisstopping, controllingHemostasis is the normal bodilyresponse to stop bleeding orhemorrhaging.MISCELLANEOUS SUFFIXESAside from the suffixes categorized earlier, there are other various suffixes that arewidely utilized by healthcare professionals. As you go further into the course, youshould become more familiar with these suffixes. The following is a list of selectmiscellaneous suffixes. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 14
MISCELLANEOUS SUFFIXESSuffixMeaningExamples-able, -iblecapable of, able toinjectable, edible-ac, -al, -an, -ar, -ary,-eal, -ic, -ive, -ticpertaining toiliac, dermal, median, ulnar, capillary, meningeal, hepatic, invasive,cyanotic-aseenzymelipase, amylase-eum, -iummembraneperitoneum, myocardium-ia, -ismcondition or theoryparanoia, dwarfism-iacone who ctose-ouspertaining to or characterized bycancerous-ystate or conditionatrophyMISCELLANEOUS WORD PARTSThese word parts aren’t categorized under a specific group, but note that they’re frequently used in medical terminologies. The word microscope (word part micro), forexample, is used not only by healthcare professionals but in customary language as well.MISCELLANEOUS WORD PARTSWord PartMeaningWord Associationadip/o, lip/ofatadipose, usmucousprote/o, protein/oproteinproteolysis, proteinuriapyr/ofirepyromania PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 15
Self-Check 1.2Complete Practice Exercises A–H in Chapter 2 of your textbook, thenanswer questions below.Choose the correct answer.1. The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the tissues that results inswelling is calleda. dilatation.b. edema.c. emesis.d. ptosis.2. Surgical repair of the eye isa. ophthalmalgia.b. ophthalmological.c. ophthalmoplasty.d. ophthalmorrhagia.3. Herniation of the brain through an opening in the skull is calleda. craniectomy.b. craniotomy.c. encephalocele.d. encephalopathy.4. Which of the following terms means dilation of a blood or lymph vessel?a. Angioplastyb. Vasotomyc. Vasculard. Angiectasis5. The medical specialty that studies the nature and cause of disease isa. cardiology.b. dermatology.c. pathology.d. urology.6. A term that means excessive vomiting isa. edema.b. hyperemesis.c. hypoglycemia.d. hysteria.(Continued) PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 16
Self-Check 1.27. A term that means pertaining to the eye isa. adenic.b. ophthalmic.c. otic.d. vascular.8. Excision of a gland is calleda. adenectomy.b. appendectomy.c. neurectomy.d. tonsillectomy.9. Dermatoplasty isa.b.c.d.any disease of the skin.pertaining to the skin.skin grafting.the science that studies the skin.10. An instrument for incising brain tissue is a/ana. cerebrotomy.b. cerebrectomy.c. encephalotome.d. encephalocele.11. A 78-year-old man who had a blood vessel removed during surgery is likely tohave which term documented in his chart?a. Angiectomyb. Angiogramc. Angiotomyd. Angioscopy12. During a physical examination, a physician can visualize the eardrum using a toolcalled ana. ophthalmoplasty.b. ophthalmoscope.c. otoplasty.d. otoscope.Check your answers to the Practice Exercises with those on Appendix III of yourtextbook. Check your answers to questions 1–12 with those at the end of thisstudy guide. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 17
SECTION 1.3: ESSENTIAL PREFIXESAND MORERead the following section, then read Chapter 3 in your textbook.ObjectivesWhen you complete this section, you’ll be able to identify and use prefixes in writingmedical terms.NUMBERS AND QUANTITIESThe medical field, like any other group of professions, makes use of terms related tonumbers and quantities. The prefixes used in these medical terms are the same oneswe use in everyday language. For example, the prefix bi- is a prefix which means two.Examples of words associated with this prefix include bicycle (a vehicle with two wheels)and biannual (an event occurring twice a year). The prefix bi- has the same meaningwhen used in medical language. Bicuspid means two cusps or valves, as in the case ofheart valves. Study the following table for more examples.PREFIXES: NUMBERS AND QUANTITIESNUMBERSPrefixMeaningExampleWord Associationmono-, uni-onemononuclear,unilateralMononuclear refers to a cellmade up of one nucleus.Unilateral means one side.bi-, di-twobicuspid,disaccharideBicuspid means having twocusps, as in the bicuspidvalves of the heart.A disaccharide is a type of carbohydrate that is made up oftwo simple sugars.tri-threetricuspidTricuspid means having threecusps, as in the tricuspid valveof the heart.quad-, quadri-,tetra-fourquadriplegiaThe paralysis of all fourextremities is known asquadriplegia.centi-one hundred,one-hundredthcentigradeThe centigrade or Celsiusscale is a unit of measurement for temperature, which isdivided into 100 degrees.(Continued) PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 18
PREFIXES: NUMBERS AND QUANTITIES hExamplemilliunitWord AssociationA milliunit is 1/1000 of a unit.QUANTITIESdiplo-doublediplopiaDiplopia means double visionor the perception of twoimages of a single object.hemi-, semi-half, partlyhemiparesis,semi-fowler’sHemiparesis refers to weakness of one entire side of thebody.Semi-fowler’s position is aposition assumed when a client is supine on a bed with thehead of the bed elevated atabout 30–45 degrees.hyper-excessive, morethan normalhyperglycemiaHyperglycemia is excessiveblood sugar.hypo-under, less thannormalhypoglycemiaDecreased blood sugarin the blood is known ashypoglycemia.multi-, poly-manymultigravid,Multigravid means multiplepregnancies.polyuriaPolyuria means excessive production or passage of urine.nulli-nonenulliparousA woman who hasn’tgiven birth is referred to asnulliparous.pan-allpancytopeniaPancytopenia occurs when allblood cell types are decreased.primi-firstprimigravidaPrimigravida refers to a womanbeing pregnant for the firsttime.super-, ultra-excessive,above orsuperiorsuperior,supraspinatus,Superior vena cava is alarge-diameter blood vesselthat drains blood from theupper parts of the body.ultravioletUltraviolet light is a form ofradiation. PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYLesson 1PAGE 19
POSITION OR DIRECTIONKnowledge of the prefixes used in identifying positions or directions is essential in understanding medical terminologies. You might have heard the word postoperative. This termrefers to the period following surgery. Note that the prefix post- means after. Inversely,pre- denotes before. Thus, the term preoperative refers to the period prior to surgery.More positional or directional suffixes are outlined in the following table.PREFIXES: POSITION OR DIRECTIONPrefixMeaningWord Associationab-away fromAbduction is movement of a body partaway from the midline.ad-towardAdduction is movement of a body parttoward the midline.ante-, pre-before in time or in placeAntepartum refers to the period beforechildbirth.Preoperative refers to the periodbefore surgery.circum-, peri-aroundThe circular movement of a body partis known as circumduction.Periorbital edema is swelling aroundthe eyes.contra-contralateralContralateral pertains to the oppositeside.dia-throughDiaphoresis is the passage of moisturethrough the pores of the skin.ecto-, ex-, exo-, extra-outside, without, awayfromEctoderm is the outermost primarygerm layer of
spelling, and definition of frequently used medical terms is imperative. The textbook enti-tled Quick & Easy Medical Terminology, 8th Edition, by Peggy C. Leonard will provide basic knowledge and understanding of medical terminologies. Competence in using m
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Medical Terminology Course: Medical Terminology Course Description: Communication in the ever expanding health care industry is a language unto itself. Medical Terminology consists of learning medically precise pronunciations, word clues, and terminology specific to human anatomy, physiology, disease, diagnosis and treatment.
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Contents 1 General Teaching Ideas Related to Medical Terminology PW-7 2 Teaching Word Structure and Word Parts PW-12 3 Teaching the Terminology of the Whole Body PW-15 4 Teaching the Terminology of Gastroenterology/ Gastrointestinal System PW-16 5 Teaching the Terminology of Pulmonology/ Respiratory Syst
Questions Psychology Chapter 14 Test - fa. . General Psychology Final Exam Review 1) Know the 4 major steps of the . Chapter 4 Medical Terminology Quizlet! medical terminology chapter 4 test. Test and improve your knowledge of Health 103: Medical Terminology with fun multiple . Answer 50 questions
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: Medical terminology is the study of the principles of medical word building to help the student develop the extensive medical vocabulary used in health care occupations. Students receive a thorough grounding in basic medical terminology
