Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology Flashcards
Eponyms
Terms that are named after after a person or place associated with the term
(i.e. Alzheimer’s disease and Achilles’ tendon)
Symbols
Terms that have a graphic representation
➕ stands for present
➖ stands for absent
⬆️ stands for increased
⬇️ stands for decreased
Simple Abbreviations
A combination of letters (often, but not always the first of the significant word parts) and sometimes numbers
(i.e. IM- intramuscular and C2- second cervical vertebra)
Acronyms
Abbreviations that are also pronounceable
i.e. CABG- coronary artery bypass graft
Decodable Terms
Terms that can be broken down into their Greek and Latin word parts and given a working definition based on the meanings of those word parts. MOST MEDICAL TERMS ARE DECODABLE
Decodable terms include combining form (word part and combining vowel), a suffix, and sometimes a prefix
(i.e. Glossitis- inflammation of the tongue and sublingual- pertaining to under the tongue)
Wood Root
Word orgin
i.e. Gloss- tongue (Greek)’ lingu- tongue (Latin)
Combining Vowel
A letter sometimes used to join word parts, usually an “o”, but could also be an “a, e, i, or u”
Suffix
Word part appearing at the end of a term, used to indicate whether the term is anatomic, pathologic, diagnostic, or therapeutic intervention term
(i.e. Ary- pertaining to, itis- inflammation, and al- pertaining to)
Prefix
Word part sometimes appearing at the beginning of a term, furthered used to define the absence, location, number, quantity, or state of the term
(i.e. Bi- two and sub- under)
Nondecodable Terms
Words used in medicine whose definitions must be memorized without the benefit of word parts
(i.e. Cataract, asthma, diagnosis, prognosis, sequels, acute, chronic, sign, symptom)
arthr/o
Joint
gastr/o
Stomach
ophthalm/o
Eye
ot/o
Ear
rhin/o
Nose
hepat/o
Liver
-algia
Pain
-tomy
Incision
-scope
Instrument to view
-logy
Study of
-plasty
Surgical repair
-itis
Inflammation
-icle
Small, tiny
-is
Structure, thing
