Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology

Word Parts and Their Purpose

Medical terms are constructed from word parts: prefixes, word roots, combining forms, and suffixes. Understanding these components is essential for interpreting medical language.

• Prefix: Added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning (e.g., hyper- means "excessive").

• Word Root: The foundation of the word, usually indicating a body part (e.g., cardi means "heart").

• Combining Form: Word root plus a vowel, often "o" (e.g., cardi/o).

• Suffix: Added to the end of a word to modify its meaning (e.g., -itis means "inflammation").

Suffixes: If a suffix begins with a vowel, drop the combining vowel; if it begins with a consonant, keep the combining vowel.

• Most common combining vowel: "o"

• Foundation of a word: Word root

• Giving meaning: Begin with the suffix, then prefix, then root.

S.O.A.P. is a method for documenting patient care:

• S: Subjective (patient's symptoms)

• O: Objective (clinical findings)

• A: Assessment (diagnosis)

• P: Plan (treatment)

Chapter 2: Suffixes and Prefixes

Common Suffixes and Prefixes

Suffixes and prefixes modify the meaning of medical terms. Students should memorize common examples from handouts.

• Suffixes: e.g., -itis (inflammation), -ectomy (removal), -algia (pain)

• Prefixes: e.g., hyper- (excessive), hypo- (below), brady- (slow), tachy- (fast)

Chapter 3: Organization of the Body

Levels of Organization and Homeostasis

The human body is organized hierarchically, and homeostasis is the maintenance of internal stability.

• Levels: Atom/molecule → Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ systems

• Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Muscle Types and Organ Systems

• Three types of muscle: Skeletal (voluntary), Cardiac (involuntary), Smooth (involuntary)

• Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular)

Anatomical Position and Planes

• Anatomical Position: Standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward

• Prone: Lying face down

• Supine: Lying face up

• Planes: Sagittal (left/right), Transverse/Horizontal (top/bottom), Coronal/Frontal (front/back)

Directional and Positional Terms

• Anterior: Front

• Posterior: Back

• Superior: Above

• Inferior: Below

• Ventral: Belly side

• Dorsal: Back side

• Distal: Farther from point of attachment

• Proximal: Closer to point of attachment

Body Cavities

• Ventral: Thoracic, abdominal, pelvic

• Dorsal: Cranial, spinal

• Abdominopelvic: Abdominal and pelvic regions

Chapter 4: Integumentary System

Structure and Function

The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and glands. It protects the body and regulates temperature.

• Composed of: Skin, hair, nails, sebaceous and sudoriferous glands

• Functions of skin: Protection, sensation, temperature regulation, vitamin D synthesis

• Epidermis vs Dermis: Epidermis is the outer layer; dermis is deeper, contains blood vessels and nerves

• Sebaceous glands: Secrete sebum (oil)

• Sudoriferous glands: Secrete sweat

Key Terms

• Decubitus ulcer: Pressure sore

• Dehiscence: Separation of wound edges

• Keloid: Excess scar tissue

• Pruritus: Itching

• Osteoporosis: Bone density loss (Additional info: included here due to possible cross-reference)

Chapter 5: Skeletal System

Structure and Function

The skeletal system provides support, protection, and movement. It consists of bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

• Bones: Support and protect organs, store minerals

• Cartilage: Flexible support, reduces friction

• Tendons: Connect muscle to bone

• Ligaments: Connect bone to bone

Bone Classification

Bones are classified by shape:

Body Movements at Joints

• Flexion: Decreasing angle

• Extension: Increasing angle

• Circumduction: Circular movement

• Abduction: Away from midline

• Adduction: Toward midline

• Protraction: Moving forward

• Retraction: Moving backward

• Dorsiflexion: Bending foot upward

• Eversion: Turning sole outward

• Inversion: Turning sole inward

• Pronation: Palm down

• Supination: Palm up

Vertebral Column

• Kyphosis: Outward curve (hunchback)

• Lordosis: Inward curve (swayback)

• Scoliosis: Lateral curve

Key Terms

• Amputation: Removal of limb

• Arthroplasty: Joint replacement

• Arthroscope: Instrument for joint examination

• Osteoporosis: Bone density loss

• Arthritis: Joint inflammation

• Arthrocentesis: Joint fluid removal

• Osteoarthritis: Degenerative joint disease

Chapter 6: Muscular System

Muscle Types and Functions

Muscles enable movement, maintain posture, and produce heat. They are classified by structure and function.

• Contractility: Ability to shorten

• Extensibility: Ability to stretch

• Excitability: Ability to respond to stimuli

• Elasticity: Ability to return to original shape

Muscle Roles

• Antagonist: Opposes movement

• Agonist: Prime mover

• Synergist: Assists movement

Key Terms

• Abductor: Moves limb away from midline

• Adductor: Moves limb toward midline

• Amputation: Removal of limb

• Contraction: Muscle shortening

• Contracture: Permanent muscle shortening

• Strain: Muscle injury

• Sprain: Ligament injury

• Range of motion: Movement extent at joint

Chapter 7: Digestive System

Functions and Structure

The digestive system breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

• Three main functions: Digestion, absorption, elimination

• Accessory organs: Liver, pancreas, gallbladder (Additional info: Table 8.1 lists functions)

Key Structures

• Esophagus vs Trachea: Esophagus carries food; trachea carries air

• Epiglottis: Prevents food from entering trachea

• Pharynx: Throat

• Nasopharynx: Upper pharynx

• Oropharynx: Middle pharynx

• Laryngopharynx: Lower pharynx

• Largest glandular organ: Liver

• Small intestine parts: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum

• Large intestine parts: Cecum, colon, rectum, anus

Key Terms

• Bronchoscope: Instrument for airway examination

• Colonoscopy: Colon examination

• Colostomy: Surgical opening in colon

• Crohn's: Inflammatory bowel disease

• Dyspepsia: Indigestion

• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Laparoscopy: Minimally invasive abdominal surgery

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of pancreas

• Colectomy: Colon removal

• Emesis: Vomiting

• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing

• Cholecystography: Imaging of gallbladder

Chapter 8: Cardiovascular System

Structure and Function

The cardiovascular system transports blood, nutrients, and waste. The heart is the central organ.

• Primary function: Pump blood

• Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from heart (except pulmonary artery)

• Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood to heart (except pulmonary vein)

• Heart division: Atria (upper chambers), ventricles (lower chambers)

• Valves: Tricuspid, mitral/bicuspid, pulmonary, aortic

• Superior/Inferior Vena Cava: Major veins returning blood to heart

Blood Circulation Pathway

• Right atrium → Tricuspid valve → Right ventricle → Pulmonary valve → Pulmonary artery → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left atrium → Bicuspid valve → Left ventricle → Aortic valve → Aorta

• Pulmonary artery: Carries deoxygenated blood

• Pulmonary vein: Carries oxygenated blood

Electrical Pathway of the Heart

• SA node: Pacemaker

• AV node: Delays impulse

• Bundle of HIS: Conducts impulse

• Purkinje fibers: Distribute impulse

Blood Pressure

• Systolic: Pressure during heart contraction

• Diastolic: Pressure during relaxation

Key Terms

• Aneurysm: Vessel bulge

• Angina pectoris: Chest pain

• Arteriosclerosis: Hardening of arteries

• Pacemaker: Device regulating heart rhythm

• Bradycardia: Slow heart rate

• Cardiomyopathy: Heart muscle disease

• Congestive Heart Failure: Left-sided heart failure

• Hypotension: Low blood pressure

• Hypertension: High blood pressure

• Myocardial infarction: Heart attack

• Septum: Wall dividing chambers

• Tachycardia: Fast heart rate

• Thrombosis: Blood clot

• Embolism: Obstruction by clot

Chapter 9: Blood and Lymphatic System

Blood Components and Types

Blood contains formed elements and plasma. The lymphatic system supports immunity.

• Erythrocyte: Red blood cell, carries oxygen

• Thrombocyte: Platelet, aids clotting

• Leukocyte: White blood cell, fights infection

Blood Types

• Antibody: Protein targeting antigens

• Antigen: Substance triggering immune response

• Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding

• Hypoxia: Low oxygen

• Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar

Chapter 10: Respiratory System

Structure and Function

The respiratory system exchanges gases between the body and environment.

• Organs: Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs

• Air cells for gas exchange: Alveoli

Key Terms

• Apnea: Absence of breathing

• Aspiration: Inhalation of foreign material

• Asthma: Airway inflammation

• Bronchitis: Bronchi inflammation

• Bronchoscope: Airway examination instrument

• Cyanosis: Bluish skin due to low oxygen

• Diaphragm: Muscle for breathing

• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing

• Emphysema: Alveolar damage

• Epistaxis: Nosebleed

• Influenza: Viral infection

• Hemoptysis: Coughing blood

• Hypoxia: Low oxygen

• Pneumonia: Lung infection

• Thoracentesis: Chest fluid removal

• Tracheotomy: Surgical airway opening

• Tachypnea: Rapid breathing

Chapter 12: Endocrine System

Glands and Hormones

The endocrine system regulates body functions via hormones.

• Glands: Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, testes

• Hormone: Chemical messenger

• Hypothalamus: Links nervous and endocrine systems

• Master gland: Pituitary

Key Terms

• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar

• Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar

• Diabetes mellitus: Chronic high blood sugar

• Hyperinsulinism: Excess insulin

• Cushing Disease: Excess cortisol

• Addison Disease: Adrenal insufficiency

• Graves Disease: Hyperthyroidism

• Hashimoto: Hypothyroidism

• Goiter: Thyroid enlargement

• Hyperthyroidism: Excess thyroid hormone

• Hypothyroidism: Deficient thyroid hormone

• Thyroidectomy: Thyroid removal

• Insulin: Blood sugar regulation

Three P's of Diabetes Mellitus

• Polyuria: Excess urination

• Polydipsia: Excess thirst

• Polyphagia: Excess hunger

Chapter 20: Radiology/Nuclear Medicine

Imaging and Diagnostic Terms

Radiology uses imaging to diagnose and treat diseases.

• Radiology: Study of imaging

• Radiologist: Imaging specialist

• Radiography: X-ray imaging

• X-ray: Electromagnetic imaging

• Fluoroscopy: Real-time imaging

• CAT scan: Computed axial tomography

• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging

• Ultrasound: Sound wave imaging

• Echocardiography: Heart ultrasound

• Nuclear medicine: Radioactive imaging

• PET scan: Positron emission tomography

• Interventional radiologist: Specialist in minimally invasive procedures

• Radiation therapy/radiotherapy: Cancer treatment

• Angiography: Vessel imaging

• Angiogram: Vessel image