Medical Terminology Rules
This rule suggests starting with this part of the word when decoding the meaning of a medical term.
What is the suffix?
This cavity houses the brain
What is the cranial cavity?
These cells are crucial for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
What are red blood cells?
This term refers to an observable and measurable indicator of a medical condition, such as a rash or fever.
What is a sign?
This root word means "heart"
What is "cardi-"?
In the term "nephritis," why is the combining vowel 'o' not used?
What is because the suffix “-itis” begins with a vowel?
This term refers to a position closer to the head.
What is superior?
These cells play a key role in defending the body against infections and foreign invaders.
What are white blood cells?
This term describes a subjective experience reported by the patient, such as pain or dizziness.
What is a symptom?
This suffix means "inflammation"
What is "-itis"?
In the term “osteoarthritis,” why is the combining vowel ‘o’ kept between "osteo" and "arthritis"?
What is because the term combines two roots, “oste/o” (bone) and “arthr/o” (joint)?
This plane divides the body into left and right halves.
What is the sagittal plane?
These cell fragments are essential for blood clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.
What are thrombocytes (platelets)?
A patient complains of nausea. Is this a sign or a symptom?
What is a symptom?
Break down the term "nephrectomy" by identifying the root and suffix, and provide their meanings.
What are "nephr-" (kidney) and "-ectomy" (surgical removal)?
In the term “gastritis,” what rule explains why the combining vowel is dropped before the suffix?
What is the rule that you drop the combining vowel when the suffix starts with a vowel, like in “-itis”?
This term refers to a structure closer to the midline of the body.
What is medial?
These cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen, allowing efficient transport throughout the body.
What are red blood cells?
A doctor observes jaundice in a patient’s skin. Is this a sign or a symptom?
What is a sign?
This suffix means "surgical repair"
What is "-plasty"?
Break down the term “cardiomyopathy” by applying the rules of medical terminology and define it using the rules of medical terminology.
What is cardi/o, my/o, -pathy meaning disease of the heart muscle
Name the cavity that contains the heart and the cavity that houses the liver.
What are the thoracic cavity (for the heart) and the abdominal cavity (for the liver)?
These cells include various types, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, each with a specialized function in the immune response.
What are white blood cells?
During a physical exam, a patient reports feeling short of breath, and the doctor notes cyanosis (bluish skin). Identify the symptom and the sign.
What are shortness of breath (symptom) and cyanosis (sign)?
In the term "hypoglycemia," identify the prefix, root, and suffix, and provide their meanings.
What are "hypo-" (prefix meaning "low" or "under"), "glyc-" (root meaning "sugar"), and "-emia" (suffix meaning "condition of the blood")?