MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

✅ Definition of Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology is the specialized language used by healthcare professionals to describe the human body, its functions, conditions, diseases, procedures, and treatments.

It is mainly derived from Greek and Latin, and follows a structured format using:

Prefixes (beginning) – e.g., hypo- (below)

Root words (middle) – e.g., cardio (heart)

Suffixes (end) – e.g., -itis (inflammation)

🔍 Why It Is Important

Ensures clear and precise communication among healthcare workers

Reduces medical errors and misunderstandings

Helps in documentation, diagnosis, prescriptions, and reports

Facilitates international understanding, as it is globally recognized

📌 Example

Word: Gastroenteritis

Gastro- = Stomach

Enter- = Intestine

-itis = Inflammation

Meaning: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines

 🔹 A. COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS (With Meanings)

1. TDS – Three times a day

2. BD – Twice a day

3. OD – Once a day

4. QID – Four times a day

5. PRN – As needed

6. STAT – Immediately

7. IV – Intravenous

8. IM – Intramuscular

9. SC/SQ – Subcutaneous

10. PO – By mouth (orally)

11. NPO – Nothing by mouth

12. BP – Blood pressure

13. HR – Heart rate

14. RR – Respiratory rate

15. O₂ Sat – Oxygen saturation

16. CBC – Complete blood count

17. FBS – Fasting blood sugar

18. RBS – Random blood sugar

19. ECG/EKG – Electrocardiogram

20. CT – Computed tomography

21. MRI – Magnetic resonance imaging

22. CXR – Chest X-ray

23. DVT – Deep vein thrombosis

24. COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

25. TB – Tuberculosis

26. UTI – Urinary tract infection

27. URI – Upper respiratory infection

28. CSF – Cerebrospinal fluid

29. BMI – Body mass index

30. DM – Diabetes mellitus

31. HTN – Hypertension

32. CHF – Congestive heart failure

33. CAD – Coronary artery disease

34. HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus

35. AIDS – Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

36. BID – Twice daily

37. ASA – Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

38. Rx – Prescription

39. Dx – Diagnosis

40. Tx – Treatment

41. Hx – History

42. Fx – Fracture

43. Px – Prognosis

44. Sx – Symptoms

45. I&O – Intake and output

46. LOC – Level of consciousness

47. DNR – Do not resuscitate

48. ROM – Range of motion

49. WNL – Within normal limits

50. ETOH – Alcohol

51. CVA – Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

52. TIA – Transient ischemic attack

53. GI – Gastrointestinal

54. GU – Genitourinary

55. CNS – Central nervous system

56. PNS – Peripheral nervous system

57. ABG – Arterial blood gas

58. BUN – Blood urea nitrogen

59. HCT – Hematocrit

60. Hb/Hgb – Hemoglobin

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🔹 B. GENERAL MEDICAL TERMS (With Meanings)

61. Anorexia – Loss of appetite

62. Fever – Elevated body temperature

63. Pain – An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience

64. Cough – A sudden expulsion of air from the lungs

65. Vomiting – Forcible ejection of stomach contents

66. Diarrhea – Frequent, watery stools

67. Constipation – Difficulty in passing stool

68. Jaundice – Yellowing of the skin and eyes

69. Edema – Swelling caused by fluid retention

70. Lesion – An abnormal change in tissue

71. Ulcer – An open sore

72. Abscess – A collection of pus

73. Tumor – Abnormal mass of tissue

74. Malignant – Cancerous

75. Benign – Non-cancerous

76. Sepsis – Life-threatening infection in the blood

77. Inflammation – The body’s response to injury (swelling, pain, redness)

78. Infection – Invasion by harmful microorganisms

79. Fracture – A broken bone

80. Wound – An injury to skin or tissue

81. Laceration – A deep cut or tear

82. Sprain – Injury to a ligament

83. Strain – Injury to a muscle or tendon

84. Coma – A state of deep unconsciousness

85. Seizure – Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain

86. Paralysis – Loss of muscle function

87. Tremor – Involuntary shaking

88. Fatigue – Extreme tiredness

89. Syncope – Temporary loss of consciousness (fainting)

90. Palpitation – Irregular or forceful heartbeat

91. Dyspnea – Difficulty breathing

92. Apnea – Temporary cessation of breathing

93. Hemorrhage – Excessive bleeding

94. Hematoma – A localized collection of blood

95. Bruise – Discoloration due to blood under the skin

96. Dehydration – Loss of body fluids

97. Insomnia – Difficulty sleeping

98. Allergy – Overreaction of the immune system

99. Asthma – Chronic airway inflammation

100. Cancer – Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells

101. Diabetes – A condition of abnormal blood sugar regulation

102. Stroke – Brain damage due to interrupted blood supply

103. Heart Attack – Blockage of blood flow to the heart

104. Arthritis – Joint inflammation

105. Osteoporosis – Weak and brittle bones

106. Pneumonia – Infection of the lungs

107. Hepatitis – Liver inflammation

108. Nephritis – Kidney inflammation

109. Dermatitis – Skin inflammation

110. Gastritis – Stomach lining inflammation

111. Colitis – Inflammation of the colon

112. Tonsillitis – Inflammation of the tonsils

113. Pharyngitis – Sore throat

114. Bronchitis – Inflammation of the bronchial tubes

115. Epistaxis – Nosebleed

116. Otitis – Ear infection

117. Conjunctivitis – Eye infection (pink eye)

118. Migraine – Severe headache

119. Dyspepsia – Indigestion

120. Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing

121. Dysuria – Painful urination

122. Nocturia – Urination at night

123. Polyuria – Excessive urination

124. Polydipsia – Excessive thirst

125. Polyphagia – Excessive hunger

126. Amenorrhea – Absence of menstruation

127. Dysmenorrhea – Painful menstruation

128. Menorrhagia – Heavy menstrual bleeding

129. Leukocytosis – High white blood cell count

130. Thrombocytopenia – Low platelet count

131. Anemia – Low hemoglobin or red blood cells

132. Hypoxia – Low oxygen in tissues

133. Hyperkalemia – High potassium

134. Hypokalemia – Low potassium

135. Hypernatremia – High sodium

136. Hyponatremia – Low sodium

137. Acidosis – Too much acid in the body

138. Alkalosis – Too much base in the body

139. Shock – Life-threatening loss of blood flow

140. Comedones – Blackheads or whiteheads (acne)

141. Gangrene – Death of body tissue

142. Necrosis – Unplanned cell death

143. Biopsy – Removing tissue for examination

144. Autopsy – Exam after death to determine cause

145. Vaccination – Protection against disease

146. Immunity – Resistance to infection

147. Incision – Surgical cut

148. Suture – Stitch used to close a wound

149. Catheter – Tube inserted into the body

150. Cannula – Tube used for fluid/drug delivery

151. Drip – IV fluid given slowly

152. Ointment – A semi-solid medication for skin

153. Tablet – Solid medicine form taken by mouth

154. Capsule – Medicine enclosed in a gelatin shell

155. Syrup – Liquid medicine

156. Suppository – Medicine inserted into rectum

157. Enema – Liquid inserted into the rectum

158. Foley catheter – Tube to drain urine from the bladder

159. Nebulizer – Device to deliver medicine to lungs

160. Stethoscope – Instrument to hear body sounds

161. Thermometer – Instrument to measure temperature

162. Otoscope – Device to examine ears

163. Ophthalmoscope – Device to examine eyes

164. Scalpel – Small surgical knife

165. Forceps – Tweezer-like instrument

166. Clamp – Tool to hold or stop blood flow

167. Ambu bag – Device to assist breathing

168. Defibrillator – Device to restart the heart

169. Dialysis – Process of cleaning the blood

170. Transfusion – Transfer of blood

171. Intubation – Insertion of a tube into airway

172. Resuscitation – Reviving from unconsciousness or death

173. Ventilator – Machine to support breathing

174. ICU – Intensive Care Unit

175. Ward – General hospital room

176. Theatre – Operating room

177. Consent – Permission for procedure

178. Discharge – Release from hospital

179. Referral – Sending to another health facility

180. Outpatient – Patient not staying in hospital

181. Inpatient – Admitted into hospital

182. Triage – Sorting patients by urgency

183. Isolation – Separating infectious patients

184. Sterilization – Removing all germs

185. Contamination – Presence of harmful microbes

186. Sanitation – Measures to maintain hygiene

187. Disinfection – Killing of germs

188. Pandemic – Global outbreak of disease

189. Epidemic – Local outbreak of disease

190. Endemic – Constant presence of disease in an area

191. Zoonosis – Disease from animals to humans

192. Vector – Organism that transmits disease

193. Pathogen – Disease-causing agent

194. Incubation period – Time between exposure and symptoms

195. Quarantine – Separation to prevent spread

196. Morbidity – Disease condition

197. Mortality – Death rate

198. Relapse – Return of disease

199. Remission – Absence of disease symptoms

200. Terminal – Nearing death stage of illness

🔹 C. ROOT WORDS, PREFIXES & SUFFIXES (Continued from 200)

201. -itis – Inflammation (e.g., arthritis: joint inflammation)

202. -emia – Blood condition (e.g., anemia: low blood count)

203. -oma – Tumor or swelling (e.g., lymphoma: lymph tumor)

204. -algia – Pain (e.g., neuralgia: nerve pain)

205. -pathy – Disease (e.g., cardiomyopathy: heart muscle disease)

206. -ectomy – Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy: removal of appendix)

207. -otomy – Cutting into (e.g., tracheotomy: cutting into the windpipe)

208. -plasty – Surgical repair (e.g., rhinoplasty: nose reshaping)

209. -scopy – Viewing with a scope (e.g., endoscopy: viewing inside the body)

210. -graphy – Process of recording (e.g., angiography: imaging of blood vessels)

211. -lysis – Breaking down or destruction (e.g., hemolysis: destruction of red blood cells)

212. -stomy – Creating an opening (e.g., colostomy: opening into the colon)

213. -rrhea – Discharge or flow (e.g., diarrhea: frequent watery stool)

214. -rrhage / -rrhagia – Excessive flow or bleeding (e.g., hemorrhage: heavy bleeding)

215. -cyte – Cell (e.g., erythrocyte: red blood cell)

216. -genic – Causing or forming (e.g., pathogenic: disease-causing)

217. -megaly – Enlargement (e.g., splenomegaly: enlarged spleen)

218. -penia – Deficiency (e.g., leukopenia: low white blood cell count)

219. -phobia – Fear of (e.g., hydrophobia: fear of water)

220. -philia – Attraction or affinity for (e.g., hemophilia: bleeding disorder)

🔹 D. COMMON PREFIXES

221. Hypo- – Below normal / low (e.g., hypoglycemia: low blood sugar)

222. Hyper- – Above normal / high (e.g., hypertension: high blood pressure)

223. Tachy- – Fast (e.g., tachycardia: fast heartbeat)

224. Brady- – Slow (e.g., bradycardia: slow heartbeat)

225. Endo- – Inside (e.g., endoscopy: looking inside)

226. Epi- – On or upon (e.g., epidermis: outer skin layer)

227. Peri- – Around (e.g., pericardium: around the heart)

228. Sub- – Under or below (e.g., subcutaneous: under the skin)

229. Intra- – Within (e.g., intravenous: into the vein)

230. Inter- – Between (e.g., intercostal: between the ribs)

231. Trans- – Across (e.g., transfusion: transfer of blood)

232. Anti- – Against (e.g., antibiotic: against infection)

233. Auto- – Self (e.g., autoimmune: immune attack on self)

234. Bi- – Two (e.g., bilateral: both sides)

235. Tri- – Three (e.g., tricuspid valve: heart valve with three flaps)

236. Poly- – Many (e.g., polyuria: excessive urination)

237. Mono- – One (e.g., monocyte: a single white blood cell type)

238. Hemi- – Half (e.g., hemiplegia: paralysis on one side)

239. Neo- – New (e.g., neonatal: newborn)

240. Pan- – All (e.g., pandemic: affecting all people)

🔹 E. COMMON ROOT WORDS

241. Cardio – Heart (e.g., cardiology: study of the heart)

242. Neuro – Nerve (e.g., neurology: study of nerves)

243. Hemo / Hemato – Blood (e.g., hematology: study of blood)

244. Gastro – Stomach (e.g., gastritis: inflammation of stomach)

245. Hepato – Liver (e.g., hepatitis: liver inflammation)

246. Nephro – Kidney (e.g., nephritis: kidney inflammation)

247. Pulmo / Pneumo – Lungs (e.g., pneumonia: lung infection)

248. Derm / Derma – Skin (e.g., dermatology: skin study)

249. Osteo – Bone (e.g., osteoporosis: weak bones)

250. Myo – Muscle (e.g., myopathy: muscle disease)

251. Chondro – Cartilage (e.g., chondritis: cartilage inflammation)

252. Cysto – Bladder (e.g., cystitis: bladder inflammation)

253. Oto – Ear (e.g., otitis: ear infection)

254. Ophthalmo – Eye (e.g., ophthalmology: eye science)

255. Reno – Kidney (alternative to nephro)

256. Phlebo – Vein (e.g., phlebitis: vein inflammation)

257. Arthro – Joint (e.g., arthritis: joint inflammation)

258. Encephalo – Brain (e.g., encephalitis: brain inflammation)

259. Cerebro – Brain (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid)

260. Laryngo – Larynx or voice box (e.g., laryngitis)

261. Tracheo – Trachea or windpipe (e.g., tracheostomy)

262. Thoraco – Chest (e.g., thoracotomy: chest surgery)

263. Abdomino – Abdomen

264. Uro – Urine (e.g., urology: study of urinary system)

265. Gyneco – Female reproductive system (e.g., gynecology)

266. Andro – Male (e.g., androgen: male hormone)

267. Psycho – Mind (e.g., psychology)

268. Ortho – Straight or correct (e.g., orthopedic: bone correction)

269. Patho – Disease (e.g., pathology)

270. Onco – Tumor or cancer (e.g., oncology: cancer study)

271. Rhino – Nose (e.g., rhinitis: nasal inflammation)

272. Stomato – Mouth (e.g., stomatitis: mouth inflammation)

273. Colo / Colono – Colon (e.g., colonoscopy)

274. Procto – Rectum or anus

275. Hysto – Uterus (e.g., hysterectomy)

276. Salpingo – Fallopian tube (e.g., salpingitis)

277. Mammo / Mast – Breast (e.g., mammogram, mastectomy)

278. Dento / Odonto – Tooth (e.g., orthodontist)

279. Glosso / Linguo – Tongue (e.g., glossitis)

280. Cervico – Neck or cervix

281. Utero – Uterus

282. Veno – Vein

283. Arterio – Artery

284. Histio / Histo – Tissue

285. Cyto – Cell

286. Karyo – Nucleus (e.g., karyotype)

287. Lipo – Fat (e.g., liposuction)

288. Thermo – Heat (e.g., thermometer)

289. Pyro – Fever or heat (e.g., pyrexia)

290. Phlebo – Vein

291. Sclero – Hard (e.g., arteriosclerosis)

292. Leuko – White (e.g., leukocyte: white blood cell)

293. Erythro – Red (e.g., erythrocyte: red blood cell)

294. Chole – Bile or gall (e.g., cholecystectomy)

295. Litho – Stone (e.g., lithotripsy: breaking stones)

296. Necto / Necro – Death (e.g., necrosis)

297. Plas / Plasm – Growth or formation

298. Septi / Septo – Infection (e.g., septicemia)

299. Carcino – Cancer (e.g., carcinoma)

300. Toxo – Poison (e.g., toxicology)

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