Medical Terminology - Essential Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes Flashcards

Question 1

Cardi/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **heart**.

*Examples:* **Cardiomegaly** (enlargement of the heart), **Cardiomyopathy** (disease of the heart muscle).

Question 2

Nephr/o & Ren/o

Accepted Answer

Combining forms meaning **kidney**.

*Examples:* **Nephritis** (inflammation of the kidney), **Renal Failure** (inability of kidneys to filter waste).

Question 3

Hepat/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **liver**.

*Examples:* **Hepatitis** (inflammation of the liver), **Hepatomegaly** (enlargement of the liver).

Question 4

Gastr/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **stomach**.

*Examples:* **Gastritis** (inflammation of the stomach lining), **Gastrostomy** (creation of an artificial opening into the stomach).

Question 5

Pneumon/o & Pulmon/o

Accepted Answer

Combining forms meaning **lung** or **air/gas**.

*Examples:* **Pneumonia** (lung tissue infection), **Pulmonary Embolism** (blockage in a lung artery).

Question 6

Neur/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **nerve** or **nervous system**.

*Examples:* **Neuropathy** (disease or dysfunction of peripheral nerves), **Neurology** (study of the nervous system).

Question 7

Oste/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **bone**.

*Examples:* **Osteoporosis** (decrease in bone density), **Osteomyelitis** (inflammation/infection of bone tissue).

Question 8

My/o

Accepted Answer

Combining form meaning **muscle**.

*Examples:* **Myocardium** (heart muscle tissue), **Myalgia** (muscle pain).

Question 9

Prefix: Hyper-

Accepted Answer

Prefix meaning **above normal**, **excessive**, or **increased**.

*Examples:* **Hypertension** (high blood pressure), **Hyperglycemia** (high blood sugar).

Question 10

Prefix: Hypo-

Accepted Answer

Prefix meaning **below normal**, **deficient**, or **decreased**.

*Examples:* **Hypotension** (low blood pressure), **Hypothermia** (dangerously low body temperature).

Question 11

Prefix: Dys-

Accepted Answer

Prefix meaning **painful**, **difficult**, **bad**, or **abnormal**.

*Examples:* **Dyspnea** (difficult breathing), **Dysphagia** (difficulty swallowing).

Question 12

Prefix: A- / An-

Accepted Answer

Prefix meaning **without**, **absent**, or **lacking**.

*Examples:* **Apnea** (absence of breathing), **Anemia** (lack of red blood cells/hemoglobin).

Question 13

Prefix: Tachy- vs. Brady-

Accepted Answer

**Tachy-**: Rapid or fast.
**Brady-**: Slow.

*Examples:* **Tachycardia** (abnormally fast heart rate >100 bpm), **Bradycardia** (abnormally slow heart rate <60 bpm).

Question 14

Suffix: -itis

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **inflammation**.

*Examples:* **Appendicitis** (inflammation of the appendix), **Arthritis** (inflammation of a joint).

Question 15

Suffix: -ectomy

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **surgical removal** or **excision**.

*Examples:* **Cholecystectomy** (removal of the gallbladder), **Tonsillectomy** (removal of the tonsils).

Question 16

Suffix: -oma

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **tumor**, **mass**, or **swelling**.

*Examples:* **Melanoma** (malignant skin tumor), **Hematoma** (localized collection of blood outside blood vessels).

Question 17

Suffix: -megaly

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **enlargement**.

*Examples:* **Splenomegaly** (enlargement of the spleen), **Acromegaly** (enlargement of extremities caused by excess growth hormone).

Question 18

Suffix: -algia

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **pain**.

*Examples:* **Neuralgia** (sharp nerve pain), **Fibromyalgia** (widespread musculoskeletal pain).

Question 19

Suffix: -emia

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **blood condition**.

*Examples:* **Leukemia** (cancer of white blood cells), **Bacteremia** (presence of bacteria in the blood).

Question 20

Suffix: -scopy

Accepted Answer

Suffix meaning **visual examination with an instrument**.

*Examples:* **Colonoscopy** (visual examination of the colon), **Endoscopy** (examination of internal structures).

Question 21

Anterior (Ventral) vs. Posterior (Dorsal)

Accepted Answer

**Anterior (Ventral)**: Toward or at the front of the body.
**Posterior (Dorsal)**: Toward or at the back of the body.

Question 22

Proximal vs. Distal

Accepted Answer

**Proximal**: Closer to the point of attachment or trunk of the body.
**Distal**: Farther from the point of attachment or trunk (used primarily for limbs).

*Example:* The elbow is proximal to the wrist; the fingers are distal to the wrist.

Question 23

Superior (Cranial) vs. Inferior (Caudal)

Accepted Answer

**Superior (Cranial)**: Above or toward the head.
**Inferior (Caudal)**: Below or toward the feet.

Question 24

Medial vs. Lateral

Accepted Answer

**Medial**: Toward or at the midline of the body.
**Lateral**: Away from the midline of the body.

Medical Terminology - Essential Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes

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