Medical Word Elements
What is the difference between qid and bid?
bid: twice a day
qid: four times a day
Define the following directional terms: medial, lateral, anterior (ventral), posterior (dorsal)
medial: toward the body's midline
lateral: away from the body's midline
anterior (ventral): toward the front of the body
posterior (dorsal): toward the back of the body
How many combining forms mean "tongue"? List them.
2; gloss/o, lingu/o
How many combining forms mean "uterus"? List them.
3; hyster/o, metr/o, uter/o
What are the three types of muscle and give an example for each type? *answers may vary
2) smooth, or involuntary, muscle- stomach, intestines, blood vessels
3) cardiac muscle- myocardium
Which of the following means "narrowing, stricture"?
a) -sclerosis
b) -stenosis
c) -plastic
d) -lith
b) -stenosis
Identify the combining form of the following locational terms: superior, inferior, proximal, distal
superior: super/o
inferior: infer/o
proximal: proxim/o
distal: dist/o
What does the abbreviation PKD stand for?
polycystic kidney disease
What does the abbreviation PID stand for?
pelvic inflammatory disease
What's the difference in function and location in the body between tarsals and carpals?
Tarsals are the seven bones that form the ankle and heel. They primarily bear body weight and absorb shock.
Briefly describe the quantity the following prefixes represent: multi-, poly-, oligo-, pan-
multi-: much, many
poly-: much
oligo: few
pan-: all
What does the axial portion of the body consist of?
head, neck, and trunk
What's the difference between diuresis and enuresis?
Diuresis is the abnormal secretion of large amounts of urine. Enuresis is involuntary urination during sleep, also known as bedwetting.
What are the phases and hormones involved in the menstrual cycle?
Phases (in order from day 0 to 30): menstruation, proliferative, secretory, premenstrual
Hormones: estrogen, progesterone
What's the difference between lordosis and kyphosis?
Lordosis is an abnormal increase in the curvature of the lumbar vertebrae, causing swayback. Kyphosis is an abnormal increase in the thoracic vertebrae, causing hunchback.
What is the difference between the suffixes -ectomy and -tomy?
-ectomy: excision, surgical removal; the organ, tissue, or body part is completely taken out
-tomy: cutting into, incision; the organ or tissue remains in the body, but it is opened up to treat a problem
What's the difference between abduction and adduction?
abduction: movement toward the side, away from the body
adduction: movement toward the side, toward the body
Dissect the following medical condition into its prefix, word root, and suffix: cheilostomatoplasty. Using each individual definition, what does the word mean holistically?
Prefix: none
Word root: cheil/o (lip), stomat/o (mouth or opening)
Suffix: -plasty (surgical repair)
Plastic surgery and restoration of the mouth and lip area
Which of the following medications is used to control (lower) blood pressure and which therapeutic classification is it? *all the answer choices are the generic names
a) miglitol
b) somatropin
c) octreotide
d) metformin
d) metformin; antidiabetic
Compare and contrast the Rinne and Weber test.
They are both bedside tuning fork exams. The Weber test is used to identify which ear hears better and evaluates bone conduction. The Rinne test compares bone conduction with air conduction to confirm the specific type of loss.
Dissect the following medical condition into its prefix, word root, and suffix: panhypopituitarism. Using each individual definition, what does the word mean holisitically?
Prefix: pan- (all or total), hypo- (deficient or under)
Word root: pituitar/o (pituitary gland)
Suffix: -ism (condition or disease)
A medical condition characterized by the partial or complete deficiency of all or most of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland
What anatomical positions would a patient be prepared in for the following procedures: EKG lead placement, administering nebulizers or inhalers, pelvic exam
EKG lead placement: supine
nebulizers/inhalers: Fowler's
pelvic exam: lithotomy
Dissect the following medical condition into its prefix, word root, and suffix: hepatic cholangiogastrostomy. Using each individual definition, what does the word mean holistically?
Prefix: none
Word roots: hepat/o (liver), cholangi/o (bile duct), gastr/o (stomach)
Suffix: -ostomy (surgical opening or connection), -ic (pertaining to)
The surgical creation of a connection between the bile ducts and the stomach to allow acid drainage
What's the difference between the mechanism and purpose a thyroid scan and a thyroid function test?
A thyroid scan is a radiographic evaluation of the thyroid after a radioactive substance is injected. It is used to identify thyroid size, shape, position, and function.
A thyroid function test measures measuring levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) to reflect the thyroid's functionality.
Dissect the following medical condition into its prefix, word root, and suffix: otorhinolaryngology. Using each individual definition, what does the word mean holistically?
Prefix: none
Word roots: ot/o (ear), rhin/o (nose), laryng/o (larynx or throat)
Suffix: -ology (the study of)
The study of the ear, nose, and throat; commonly known as ENT