Medical Term Study Guide

The suffix "-ologist" means specialist. This suffix is commonly used to indicate a person who specializes in a particular field or subject. For example, a biologist is a specialist in the study of living organisms, and a psychologist is a specialist in the study of the mind and behavior. Therefore, "-ologist" is the correct answer to the question.

The word part "ot/o" in the term otorhinolaryngology means ear.

The combining form "neur/o" means nerve. It is derived from the Greek word "neuron," which refers to nerve cells. This combining form is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate structures or conditions related to nerves, such as neurology (the study of nerves and the nervous system) or neuropathy (nerve damage or dysfunction).

Neuritis is the correct answer because it refers to inflammation of a nerve. Neuroplasty is the surgical repair of a nerve, neurotomy is the surgical cutting of a nerve, and neurectomy is the surgical removal of a nerve. Therefore, neuritis is the term that specifically means inflammation of a nerve.

Myorrhexis is the correct answer because it refers to the rupture or tearing of a muscle. The term "myoplasty" refers to surgical repair of a muscle, "myorrhaphy" refers to the suturing or stitching of a muscle, and "myotomy" refers to the surgical incision or cutting of a muscle.

The term "hepatorrhagia" can be broken down into two word parts: "hepato-" which refers to the liver, and "-rrhagia" which means bleeding. Therefore, based on its word parts, "hepatorrhagia" means bleeding from the liver.

A laceration is a term used to describe a torn, ragged wound. It occurs when the skin or tissues are forcefully separated, resulting in a jagged and irregular wound. Unlike a clean cut, a laceration often has uneven edges and may cause significant bleeding. This type of wound commonly occurs due to accidents, cuts from sharp objects, or trauma.

The combining form "leuk/o" means white. This is derived from the Greek word "leukos" which means white. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe conditions or substances that are white in color, such as leukocytes (white blood cells) or leukoplakia (white patches on the mucous membranes).

In the term pericardiectomy, the word part "-ectomy" is a suffix. A suffix is a word part that is added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or create a new word. In this case, "-ectomy" is added to the word "pericardium" to indicate the surgical removal of the pericardium, which is the sac that surrounds the heart.

The combining form "myc/o" refers to fungus.

Gastralgia is the term that means pain in the stomach. "Gastro" refers to the stomach, and "algia" means pain. Therefore, gastralgia specifically describes the condition of experiencing pain in the stomach. Gastrotomy refers to a surgical incision made into the stomach, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, and gastrosis is a non-specific term for any disorder of the stomach.

The suffix "-ostomy" refers to a surgical creation of an artificial opening. This can be seen in medical terms such as colostomy (creation of an artificial opening in the colon) or tracheostomy (creation of an artificial opening in the trachea). The other suffix options (-otomy, -plasty, -ectomy) do not specifically indicate the creation of an artificial opening, making "-ostomy" the correct answer.

Arterionecrosis refers to the tissue death of an artery or arteries. This condition occurs when the arterial walls become damaged or blocked, leading to a lack of blood supply to the affected area. As a result, the tissue in the artery dies, causing various complications depending on the location and extent of the necrosis. Arterionecrosis can be caused by atherosclerosis, trauma, infection, or other underlying medical conditions. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause and may include medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes to improve blood flow and prevent further damage.

Palpation is the correct answer. Palpation is a technique used in medical examinations where the examiner uses their hands to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts. This method helps healthcare professionals assess abnormalities, such as lumps or swelling, and gather information about the patient's condition. The other options, palpitation, prostate, and prostrate, are unrelated to the examination technique described.

Inflammation is a localized response to an injury or destruction of tissue. This means that when there is damage to a specific area of the body, such as a cut or a sprained ankle, the body responds by sending immune cells and chemical mediators to the site of injury. This response helps to remove any harmful substances, such as bacteria or toxins, and initiate the healing process. The presence of exudate or pus is not necessarily a sign of inflammation, as it can also be present in other conditions. Inflammation is not a pathologic change of the tissue due to disease, nor is it the invasion of the body by disease-producing organisms.

The term "cardiorrhexis" can be broken down into two word parts: "cardio" which refers to the heart, and "rrhexis" which means rupture. Therefore, based on its word parts, the term "cardiorrhexis" means rupture of the heart.

Perinatal refers to the time and events surrounding birth, including the period before and after birth. It encompasses both prenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) stages, making it the most appropriate term to describe the entire birth process. Neonatal refers specifically to the first month after birth, while postnatal refers to the time after birth.

The suffix "-rrhaphy" means to suture or stitch. This can be understood by breaking down the suffix: "rrhaphy" comes from the Greek word "rhaphē" which means "to sew" or "to stitch." Therefore, the correct answer is "-rrhaphy."

Myelopathy refers to any pathologic change or disease in the spinal cord or bone marrow. This term specifically focuses on conditions affecting the spinal cord and bone marrow, which can include inflammation, compression, degeneration, or trauma. It is important to differentiate myelopathy from myopathy, which refers to diseases or disorders affecting the muscles. Myotomy and myelotomy are surgical procedures that involve cutting the muscles and spinal cord, respectively, and are not directly related to the definition of myelopathy.

The combining form "pyr/o" means fever.

The prefix "inter-" means between or among. It is used to indicate the relationship or connection between two or more things. For example, "interact" means to act or communicate with each other, "interstate" refers to a highway that connects different states, and "interdisciplinary" means involving multiple disciplines or fields of study.

The combining form "ather/o" means plaque or fatty substance. This can be seen in medical terms such as atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque is a fatty substance that can accumulate in the arteries and lead to various cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, "ather/o" is the correct answer for this question.

The ilium is part of the hip bone. It is the largest and uppermost part of the hip bone, forming the superior aspect of the pelvis. It is located on each side of the sacrum and is commonly referred to as the "hip bone". The ilium plays a crucial role in supporting the weight of the upper body and transferring it to the lower limbs during activities such as walking, running, and standing.

A fever is considered a sign because it is an objective measure that can be observed and measured by the patient or others. Unlike a symptom, which is a subjective experience reported by the patient, a sign is a physical finding that can be detected by a healthcare professional or through medical tests. In the case of a fever, it can be measured using a thermometer and is a reliable indication of an elevated body temperature.

The suffix "-algia" requires the use of a combining vowel because it is used to denote pain or discomfort. The combining vowel is necessary to connect the suffix to the root word and create a grammatically correct and understandable term. Without the combining vowel, the suffix "-algia" would not be able to properly attach to the root word and convey its intended meaning.