General-Ii
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Start Flashcard Study Return to Medical Terminology homepage| Medical Term | Description |
| -ad | toward, in the direction of |
| -al | relating to |
| -ary | pertaining to |
| -ase | enzyme |
| -cide | killing, agent that kills |
| -crit | separate |
| -drome | running |
| -facient | to cause |
| -form | form, shape of |
| -genesis | formation, development |
| -grade | step, degree in a scale |
| -hexia | condition |
| -ician | specialist, practitioner |
| -ismus | spasm, contraction |
| -ite | resembling, the nature of |
| -ites | like |
| -labile | unstable, subject to change |
| -legia | reading |
| -lemma | sheath, confining membrane |
| -lexia | reading, word |
| -log | speech, words, thought |
| -logist | specialist |
| -lucent | light admitting |
| -mer | smallest unit of a repeating structure, member of a particular group |
| -mimesis | imitation, simulation |
| -motor | motion |
| -ole | small, little |
| -petal | moving forward |
| -phagy | eating, devouring |
| -phasia | speech |
| -phore | carrier, processor |
| -puncture | to pierce a surface |
| -receptor | receiver |
| -rrhaphy | suture |
| -some | body |
| -stabile | stable, fixed |
| -stat | agent or device for keeping something from changing |
| -tropia | turn, deviation from normal |
| -tumescence | swelling |
| -type | class |
| -ule | small, small one |
| ablat/o | to remove, to destroy |
| ABN | abnormal |
| abrad/o | to scrape, to wear away |
| acanth/o | thorny, sharp spine |
| acar/o | mites |
| acidosis | A pathologic condition of acidity in body fluids and tissues. The two main categories are respiratory and metabolic acidosis. |
| act- | drive, do, act |
| actin/o | radiation, ray |
| agonistic | A muscle whose contraction causes movement of a body part. Also, a drug that combines with receptors to produce an action. |
| Al | aluminum |
| algorithm | A step-by-step protocol for managing health care problems. |
| alkaloids | Organic nitrogenous bases produced by plants and used to create important, powerful drugs. |
| alkalosis | A condition of high alkalinity of blood and other body fluids. |
| alve- | channel, cavity |
| AMA | American Medical Association |
| ambient | Pertaining to the environment of an organism or mechanism. |
| amino acid | A group of organic compounds that contain an amino and a carboxyl group. |
| an- | not, without, away from |
| anis- | unequal |
| anthrac/o | carbon, coal |
| anthrop/o | human life |
| antioxidant | Substances that inhibit oxidation of a substance. |
| antisepsis | The destruction of germs causing disease. |
| antr/o | antrum, cavity |
| apic/o | apex |
| ASC | atypical squamous cells |
| astringent | A drug, usually topical, that cause the contraction of tissues. Used for controlling bleeding or secretions. |
| atmo | steam, vapor |
| atreto- | closed |
| Au | gold |
| aux/o | growth |
| Ba | barium |
| BADL | basic activities of daily living |
| bary- | heavy, hard, dull |
| bathy- | depth, deep |
| battery | 1) The wrongful use of force on a person. 2) A electrical energy source formed by two or more electrolytic cells. |
| BBT | basal body temperature |
| bibli/o | books |
| blenn- | mucus |
| BMR | basal metabolic rate |
| breast implantation | Surgical insertion of a sac filled with silicone or other material to augment the female form cosmetically. |
| brom- | bromine, stench |
| BSA | body surface area |
| butyr- | butter |
| BW | body weight |
| BWS | battered woman syndrome |
| C&S | culture and sensitivity |
| ca. | about; approximately |
| caps- | capsule |
| carb/o | carbon |
| carcinogen | Substances that increase the risk of neoplasms in humans or animals. |
| CAT | computerized axial tomography |
| catalyst | A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently altered by the reaction. |
| cathar/o | cleansing, purging |
| causality | The relating of causes to the effects they produce. This influence must be predictable and reproducible. |
| caustic | A substance that destroys living tissue. |
| cav/o | cavity, hollow |
| centigrade | A thermometric scale. |
| centigram | A mass of one hundredth of a gram. Ten milligrams. |
| centiliter | A volume of one hundredth of a liter. Ten milliliters. |
| centimeter | A length of one hundredth of a meter. Ten millimeters. |
| chlor/o | green |
| chlorine | A greenish-yellow gas with a strong odor. Used in many solvents and cleaning agents. Poisonous if inhaled or ingested. |
| choan- | funnel |
| chron/o | time |
| chrys/o | gold |
| chyl- | juice |
| cili- | eyelid, eyelash |
| cine- | movement |
| circa | Approximately. |
| Cl | chlorine |
| CO | carbon monoxide |
| co- | together, jointly |
| CO2 | carbon dioxide |
| com- | jointly, together |
| con- | with, together |
| concave | Hollowed or depressed surface. |
| conduction | The transmission of electricity, heat, sound or other energy. |
| consci/o | aware |
| constrict/o | narrowing, drawing together |
| convalescence | The period of recovery following an illness. |
| convection | Transmission of energy in a liquid or gas involving circulation of particles. |
| crash cart | A cart carrying emergency medical equipment and supplies. Found in hospitals, particularly in emergency and intensive care departments. |
| Cu | copper |
| cumulative | To pile on. Increasing by successive additions. |
| cune/o | wedge, wedge shaped |
| DDx | differential diagnosis |
| deca- | ten |
| demi | half |
| desicc/o | drying |
| dif- | separation, taking apart, reversal |
| dilat/o | enlarge, expand |
| dips- | thirst |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DOA | dead on arrival |
| dolich/o | long |
| DPL | diagnostic peritoneal lavage |
| dry socket | An inflammation of a tooth socket, that can occur after tooth extraction, caused by the disintegration of a blood clot. |
| duct/o | to lead |
| DWI | driving while intoxicated |
| Dx | diagnosis |
| dynam/o | power, strength |
| dysplasia | Abnormal development in tissues or organs. |
| EBL | estimated blood loss |
| ec- | outside, out |
| echin/o | spiny, prickly |
| ectr/o | congenital absence |
| ego | The part of a person that is conscious and thinks. The self. |
| ele/o | oil |
| electrode | A conductor through which electric current enters or leaves a non-metallic medium. |
| emmetr/o | correct measure |
| enanti/o | opposed, opposite |
| end- | within, inner |
| endemic | Present or usually prevalent in a population or geographical area at all times. |
| endoscope | An instrument for the visual examination of interior structures of the body. |
| ent- | within, inside |
| erethism/o | irritation |
| eti/o | cause |
| eury- | wide, broad |
| Fe | iron |
| febr/i | fever |
| ferr- | iron |
| fibrosis | Any pathological condition where fibrous connective tissue invades any organ, usually as a consequence of inflammation or other injury. |
| flav/o | yellow |
| fluctuation | A wavelike motion. A variation. |
| formulary | A list of pharmaceutical substances along with their formulas, uses, and methods of preparation. Also, an official list of drugs approved for prescription or administration to patients of a hospital or health maintenance organization |
| frig/o | cold |
| funct/o | performance |
| fungicide | An agent that kills or inhibits the growth of fungi. |
| FUO | fever of unknown origin |
| gam- | marriage, sexual union |
| ge/o | soil |
| gel/o | to freeze, congeal |
| gemell/o | twins |
| genome | The complete set of genes in the chromosomes of each cell. The human genome contains an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 genes. |
| gigant/o | huge |
| GSW | gunshot wound |
| GXT | graded exercise test |
| H | hydrogen |
| H+ | hydrogen ion |
| hapl/o | simple, single |
| hect- | one hundred |
| hepta- | seven |
| heredo- | heir, heredity |
| heter- | different, other |
| HEV | hepatitis E |
| hex- | six |
| Hg | mercury |
| horm- | impulse, urge |
| HPI | history of present illness |
| hx | history |
| hyal/o | glass-like |
| hydr- | water |
| hypodermic | Beneath the skin. |
| I | iodine |
| ibuprofen | A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic properties used in the therapy of rheumatism and arthritis. |
| icter/o | jaundice |
| ide/o | idea |
| idi/o | distinct |
| IED | improvised explosive device |
| incubation | Maintaining optimal environmental conditions for the growth of microbial or tissue cultures. Also, the time period between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of symptoms. |
| inj. | injection |
| intubation | The insertion of a tube, as into the larynx. |
| iod/o | iodine |
| ion/o | ion |
| irrigation | The washing out of a wound using a continuous flow of water or solution. |
| isch/o | suppress |
| isolation | The separation of a person with an infectious disease from other people. |
| K | potassium |
| kel/o | tumor, fibrous growth |
| ken/o | empty |
| koil/o | hollow, concave |
| kraur/o | dry |
| KVO | keep vein open |
| kym/o | waves |
| lancet | A two-edged surgical knife with a sharp point. |
| LDH | lactate dehydrogenase |
| lepid/o | flakes, scales |
| lept- | thin, slight, slender |
| Li | lithium |
| lobe | A major division of an organ. |
| loph/o | ridge, crested part |
| lozenge | A medicated candy. |
| luc/i | light |
| lumen | The channel within a tube or tubular organ. |
| lyme disease | An subacute inflammatory disorder caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted chiefly by ticks. It is characterized by fatigue, concentration difficulties or joint pain. |
| lyso- | dissolution, loosen |
| malingering | Faking symptoms for personal gain or attention. |
| mastectomy | Surgical procedure to remove one or both breasts. |
| measles | An acute, contagious viral disease characterized by eruption of red spots on the skin, fever, and catarrhal symptoms. Usually occurs in childhood. |
| meditation | A state of focusing on a single thing, eliminating influences of external stimuli. |
| medull/o | medulla, marrow |
| mes- | middle, mean |
| meso- | middle |
| method/o | procedure, technique |
| Mg | magnesium |
| milli- | one thousandth |
| mio- | smaller |
| mis/o | opposite, aversion |
| MLD | minimum lethal dose |
| Mn | manganese |
| mot- | move |
| MRI | magnetic resonance imaging |
| MRSA | methicillin resistant staph aureus |
| multi | many, much |
| MVA | motor vehicle accident |
| Na | sodium |
| NAD | no acute distress |
| narcissism | Excessive admiration of self. |
| necrosis | Pathological cell or tissue death, caused by damage, trauma, ischemia or infection. |
| nev/o | mole, birthmark |
| niacin | A water-soluble vitamin B complex. |
| nicotine | A highly toxic alkaloid. |
| night terrors | A sleep disorder characterized by episodes of abrupt awakening suggesting extreme fright. This condition primarily affects children and young adults. |
| nipple | The conic projection on the breast which provides an outlet for milk from the mammary glands. |
| nomen- | name, pertaining to names |
| nos- | disease |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| NS | normal saline |
| nulli- | none |
| ob- | against |
| oct- | eight |
| oleo- | oil |
| organ/o | organ |
| oscill/o | swing |
| osmosis | Tendency of fluids to move from the less concentrated to the more concentrated side of a semipermeable membrane. |
| ossification | The formation of bone. |
| oxygen | An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration. |
| oz | ounce |
| pale/o | early, primitive, old |
| pant/o | whole, all |
| paramedical | Pertaining to certain adjunctive healthcare professions, particularly trained emergency responders. |
| pathogen | A disease causing microorganism such as bacterium, virus or fungus. |
| Pb | lead |
| PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
| periodontitis | Inflammation and loss of connective tissues supporting or surrounding the teeth. |
| pero- | deformed |
| PET | positron emission tomography |
| PH | past medical history |
| pharmac/o | drugs |
| pharmacy | The art and the facility for the preparation and dispensing of drugs. |
| phyl/o | race, species, type |
| phyllo- | leaf |
| physi- | physical, natural |
| physical examination | Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. |
| physo- | swelling, gas |
| phyt- | plants |
| pico- | one trillionth |
| plani- | flat, level |
| plast/o | formation |
| platy- | broad, flat |
| pless/i | striking, percussion |
| pluri- | several, more |
| PM | afternoon, evening |
| PMH | past medical history |
| poikil- | irregular, varied |
| pono- | fatigue, exhaustion, overwork |
| primi- | first |
| prosop/o | face |
| prote/o | protein |
| psamm/o | sand |
| pseud- | false |
| purul/o | pus formation |
| pykn/o | thick, dense, compact |
| pyl/e | portal vein |
| pyret/o | fever |
| quarantine | The isolation of individuals who have been exposed to an infectious disease in order to prevent its spread. |
| quasi | virtual, resembling |
| quint/i | fifth |
| R/O | rule out |
| Ra | radium |
| radiation | Electromagnetic energy that travels through empty space with the speed of light. |
| radiography | Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-rays or gamma rays. |
| ram/i | branch |
| Re | rhenium |
| resuscit/o | revive |
| reticul/o | net, network |
| retractor | A surgical instrument used to draw aside and hold the edges of a wound or structures. |
| Rn | radon |
| sacchar- | sugar |
| sanit/a | health |
| sap/o | soap |
| sapro- | rotten |
| saur/o | lizard |
| scaph/o | boat-shaped, scapha |
| scat- | dung |
| schisto- | split, cleft |
| scint/i | spark |
| scler- | hard |
| sclerosis | A pathological process consisting of hardening or fibrosis of an anatomical structure, often a vessel or a nerve. |
| sensor/i | sensory |
| septi- | seven |
| sex- | six |
| sicc- | dry |
| silic/o | silica, quartz |
| skeleto- | skeleton |
| Sn | tin |
| socio- | social, society |
| span/o | scarce |
| spectr- | image |
| sphen/o | wedge, wedge-shaped |
| spher/o | sphere, round |
| splanchn/o | viscera |
| spongi/o | sponge-like |
| spor/o | spore, seed |
| staphylo- | bunch of grapes |
| STAT | immediately |
| stich/o | rows |
| strat/i | layer |
| strept/o | twisted |
| sublimation | A defense mechanism through which unacceptable impulses are diverted into socially acceptable channels. |
| sublingual | Below the tongue. |
| sud/o | sweat |
| syphil/o | syphilis |
| tact/o | touch |
| techn/o | skill, art |
| tect/o | roof |
| tele/o | distance, end |
| telemedicine | Delivery of health services via remote communications. This includes interactive consultative and diagnostic services. |
| temp/o | time |
| tera- | trillion |
| terat/o | monster, monstrosity |
| terti- | third |
| tetan/o | tetanus |
| thanat- | death |
| theri/o | animals, beasts |
| thigm/o | touch |
| thio- | presence of sulphur |
| thoracic | Pertaining to the chest. |
| TKO | to keep open |
| tomography | Imaging methods that shows a single plane (slice) of the body. |
| tors/o | twisted |
| TPR | temperature, pulse, and respiration |
| transient | Short lived. |
| transverse | Lying across the long axis. Crosswise. |
| TSS | toxic shock syndrome |
| tyr/o | cheese |
| ul/o | scar, gums |
| un- | not, reversal of an action |
| US | ultrasound |
| UVA | ultraviolet A light |
| verm/i | worm, wormlike |
| viral | Pertaining to or caused by a virus. |
| virus | A small infectious agent which lacks independent metabolism and is able to replicate only within a living host cell. The individual particle (virion) consists of either DNA or RNA and a protein capsid. |
| vit/o | life |
| vivi- | live, alive |
| VNA | Visiting Nurse Association |
| VS | vital signs |
| VW | vessel wall |
| W/U | workup |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WN | well-nourished |
| WNL | within normal limits |
| WOP | without pain |
| xanth- | yellow |
| yo | years old |
| yr | year |
| zyg/o | union, junction, yoke |
Authors and Reviewers
Authored by Dr. Barbara A. EricksonMedically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
Last Update: 12/18/2022
