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Details

Med108 week 1
suffixes, prefixes, and root words
73
Medical
Not Applicable
08/22/2025

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
a-
Definition
without
Term
an-
Definition
without, not
Term
dys-
Definition
difficult, painful, abnormal
Term
hemi-
Definition
half
Term
hyper-
Definition
excessive, above normal
Term
in-
Definition
not, inward
Term
inter-
Definition
between
Term
intra-
Definition
within, inside
Term
pan-
Definition
all, entire
Term
para-
Definition
beside, abnormal
Term
poly-
Definition
many
Term
post-
Definition
after
Term
pre-
Definition
before
Term
sub-
Definition
under, below
Term
-algia
Definition
pain
Term
-cele
Definition
hernia, swelling
Term
-cyte
Definition
cell
Term
-ectomy
Definition
surgical removal
Term
-genic
Definition
producing, originating, or causing
Term
-gram
Definition
record or image
Term
-graph
Definition
instrument used to record
Term
-graphy
Definition
process of recording
Term
-iatrist
Definition
specialist in treatment
Term
-iatry
Definition
field of medicine, treatment
Term
-itis
Definition
inflammation
Term
-lepsy
Definition
seizure
Term
-logist
Definition

specialist in a field of study

 

Term
-malacia
Definition
abnormal softening
Term
-mania
Definition
madness or excessive preoccupation
Term
-oid
Definition
resembling or like
Term
-oma
Definition
tumor, swelling
Term
-pathy
Definition
disease
Term
-phobia
Definition
fear
Term
-rrhaphy
Definition
suturing or stitching
Term
-tomy
Definition
cutting or surgical incision
Term
-tropic
Definition
having an affinity for, influencing
Term
alges/o
Definition
sensitivity to pain
Term
cephal/o
Definition
head
Term
cerebr/o
Definition
brain, cerebrum
Term
cerebell/o
Definition
cerebellum (part of the brain)
Term
concuss/o
Definition
to shake violently
Term
crani/o
Definition
skull
Term
dur/o
Definition
dura mater (outermost layer of the meninges)
Term
encephal/o
Definition
brain
Term
esthesi/o
Definition
sensation, feeling
Term
gangli/o, ganglion/o
Definition
ganglion (a cluster of nerve cell bodies)
Term
hydr/o
Definition
water, fluid
Term
lob/o
Definition
lobe
Term
ment/o
Definition
mind,chin
Term
mening/o, meningi/o
Definition
meninges (membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)
Term
mon/o
Definition
one, single
Term
myel/o
Definition
spinal cord, bone marrow
Term
neur/o, neur/i
Definition
nerve
Term
phas/o
Definition
speech
Term
poli/o
Definition
gray matter (of the brain or spinal cord)
Term
pont/o
Definition
pons (a part of the brainstem)
Term
psych/o
Definition
mind
Term
radic/o, radicul/o, rhiz/o
Definition
nerve root
Term
vag/o
Definition
vagus nerve (a cranial nerve)
Term

AD (Alzheimer's Disease)

 

Definition
Definition: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It primarily affects older adults and is the most common cause of dementia.
Term

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

 

Definition
Definition: ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure.
Term

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

 

Definition
Definition: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that interfere with daily functioning or development.
Term

CP (Cerebral Palsy)

 

Definition
Definition: Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, or posture, caused by damage to the developing brain, typically before or at birth.
Term

CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)

 

Definition
Definition: Cerebrospinal fluid is the clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning and acting as a medium for nutrient and waste exchange.
Term

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

 

Definition
Definition: An EEG is a diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp, often used to detect seizures, brain disorders, or sleep disturbances.
Term

ICP (Intracranial Pressure)

 

Definition
Definition: Intracranial pressure refers to the pressure inside the skull and brain. Elevated ICP can result from head injury, brain swelling, or other neurological conditions and can lead to serious complications if not managed.
Term

LOC (Level of Consciousness)

 

Definition
Definition: Level of consciousness refers to a person's state of awareness, ranging from full alertness to deep coma. It is often used to assess a patient's neurological function after injury or illness.
Term

LP (Lumbar Puncture)

 

Definition
Definition: A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing, often used to diagnose conditions like meningitis or multiple sclerosis.
Term

MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

 

Definition
Definition: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to damage to the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers, causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and difficulty with coordination.
Term

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

 

Definition
Definition: OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform to reduce anxiety.
Term

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

 

Definition
Definition: PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is characterized by flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Term

Sz (Seizure)

 

Definition
Definition: A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, or consciousness. Seizures can vary in severity and are often associated with epilepsy.
Term

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

 

Definition

Definition: A TIA, or mini-stroke, occurs when there is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve within a few minutes to hours without permanent damage.

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