Medical Terminology Prefixes, Suffixes, Root Words, and Abbreviations Study Guide

Q1. What do the following prefixes mean: Toward, Upon, One, Through, Against, Good, Bad/difficult, Below/under, Before, Many, Two, Slow, Excessive, Around, Above/upper, Water, Up/apart, Before/forward, One, Across, Within/inner, Bad, Large, Four, Through, Difficult/painful?

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Topic: Medical Terminology Prefixes

This question tests your knowledge of common prefixes used in medical terminology, which modify the meaning of root words to indicate direction, quantity, quality, or position.

Key Terms and Concepts:

• Prefix: A word part added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning.

• Examples: 'sub-' means below, 'hyper-' means excessive, 'poly-' means many, etc.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Review each English meaning (e.g., 'toward', 'upon') and recall the corresponding medical prefix (e.g., 'ad-', 'epi-').

2. Think about common medical terms that use these prefixes (e.g., 'adduction', 'epidermis').

3. Write down the prefix next to each meaning, using your textbook or class notes as a reference if needed.

4. Double-check for prefixes that have similar meanings (e.g., 'sub-' vs. 'hypo-').

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. What are the root words for: Head, Gland, Dark blue, Kidney?

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Topic: Medical Terminology Root Words

This question tests your ability to identify the root word (the main part of a medical term) that refers to specific body parts or colors.

Key Terms and Concepts:

• Root word: The core part of a medical term that provides the primary meaning.

• Examples: 'cephal-' for head, 'aden-' for gland, etc.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the Greek or Latin root commonly used for each body part or color.

2. Think of medical terms that use these roots (e.g., 'cephalgia' for head pain).

3. Write the root word next to each English term.

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Q3. What do the following suffixes mean: Instrument for examining, Motion, Flow/discharge, Softening, Breathing, Fear, Formation, Tumor, To speak, Incision, Deficient, Pain, Treatment, Blood condition, Enlargement, Record, Recording, Surgical puncture, Bladder, Separation/breakdown, Incision?

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Topic: Medical Terminology Suffixes

This question tests your knowledge of common suffixes in medical terms, which often indicate procedures, conditions, or specialties.

Key Terms and Concepts:

• Suffix: A word part added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning.

• Examples: '-scope' for instrument for examining, '-algia' for pain, etc.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Match each English meaning to the appropriate medical suffix (e.g., '-scopy', '-kinesia').

2. Recall medical terms that use these suffixes (e.g., 'gastroscopy', 'dyskinesia').

3. Write the suffix next to each meaning.

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Q4. What is the abbreviation for Biopsy?

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Topic: Medical Abbreviations

This question tests your knowledge of standard abbreviations used in medical records and communication.

Key Terms and Concepts:

• Abbreviation: A shortened form of a word or phrase used for convenience.

• Example: 'Bx' for biopsy.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Recall the commonly used abbreviation for 'biopsy' in clinical documentation.

2. Write the abbreviation next to the term.

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Q5. What is the meaning of the following medical terms: Colectomy, Phlebotomy, Orthopnea, Dysuria, Ureteroplasty, Cystitis, Thyroidectomy, Adenoma, Craniotomy, Cephalgia, Papilledema, Hemiplegia, Encephalitis, Paraplegia, Aphasia, Bradykinesia, Craniectomy, Meningioma, Vertigo, Ophthalmologist, Retinoblastoma, Xerophthalmia, Abduct, Cardiomegaly, Neurocyte, Subacute, Tachypnea, Unilateral, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Calcaneal, Arthroplasty, Hemoptysis, Tracheotomy, Rhinorrhea, Aphagia, Otalgia, Gynecology, Cystoscopy, Bifurcation, Pseudocyesis, Triceps, Myositis, Hepatitis, Arteriosclerosis?

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Topic: Medical Terminology Definitions

This question tests your ability to break down and define complex medical terms by analyzing their prefixes, root words, and suffixes.

Key Terms and Concepts:

• Many medical terms are constructed from a prefix, root, and suffix. Understanding each part helps you determine the meaning.

• For example, 'colectomy' = 'col-' (colon) + '-ectomy' (removal).

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Break each term into its prefix, root, and suffix.

2. Define each component (e.g., 'dys-' = difficult, 'uria' = urination).

3. Combine the meanings to form a definition for the whole term.

4. Write the definition in plain English next to each term.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!