Medical Terminology Root Words

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| By Nenegto04

Nenegto04

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Quizzes Created: 22 | Total Attempts: 51,701

Questions: 60 | Attempts: 1,038 | Updated: Mar 20, 2023

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Root Words and their meanings

Questions and Answers

1.

Ather/o

Explanation
The term "ather/o" refers to plaque, which is a fatty substance that can accumulate on the inner walls of arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. It can build up over time and narrow the arteries, leading to various cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis. Therefore, the answer "plaque, fatty substance" accurately describes the meaning of "ather/o".

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2.

Black
3.

Therm/o
4.

Lungs

Explanation
Bronch/o is a combining form that refers to the bronchus, which is a tube-like structure that carries air into the lungs. The term "lungs" is a general term that refers to the pair of organs responsible for respiration, but it does not specifically indicate the bronchus. Therefore, bronch/o is the correct answer as it specifically relates to the bronchus.

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5.

False
6.

Derm/o

Explanation
The term "derm/o" is a combining form that refers to the skin. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe various conditions, diseases, and procedures related to the skin. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "skin."

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7.

Cardi/o

Explanation
The term "cardi/o" is a combining form that refers to the heart. Therefore, the correct answer is "heart."

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8.

Nerves

Explanation
The term "nerves" refers to the bundles of fibers that transmit signals between the brain and other parts of the body. The combining form "neur/o" is used to indicate a relationship with nerves or the nervous system. Therefore, "neur/o" is the correct answer as it specifically relates to nerves.

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9.

Oste/o

Explanation
The term "oste/o" is a combining form that refers to bone. It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a relationship or involvement with bone. For example, osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the loss of bone density. The correct answer, "bone," accurately reflects the meaning of "oste/o."

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10.

Blood

Explanation
The correct answer is "hem/o." The term "hem/o" refers to blood. This is evident from the given word "blood" mentioned in the question. "Hem/o" is a combining form used in medical terminology to indicate a relationship with blood, such as in words like hematoma (a collection of blood outside the blood vessels) or hematology (the study of blood).

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11.

Abdomin/o

Explanation
The term "abdomin/o" refers to the abdomen, which is the area of the body between the chest and pelvis. It includes organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, "abdomin/o" can be used to describe or relate to the stomach specifically.

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12.

Red
13.

Joint

Explanation
The term "arthr/o" refers to a joint.

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14.

Crani/o

Explanation
The term "crani/o" refers to the skull. The skull is the bony structure that encloses and protects the brain. It is made up of several bones which are fused together, providing a rigid and protective covering for the brain. Therefore, "skull" is the correct answer as it directly relates to the term "crani/o".

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15.

Thorac/o

Explanation
The term "thorac/o" is a combining form that is used to refer to the thorax, which is the chest region of the body.

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16.

Muscle

Explanation
The term "my/o" refers to muscle. This is evident from the given word "muscle" which is followed by "my/o". The prefix "my-" is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate muscle. Therefore, "my/o" is the correct answer as it is directly related to the term "muscle".

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17.

Pneum/o

Explanation
The term "pneum/o" refers to air or lungs. This root word is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a relation to the respiratory system or the presence of air in a particular context. It can be seen in words such as pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) or pneumothorax (presence of air in the pleural cavity).

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18.

Arteri/o

Explanation
The term "arteri/o" refers to the combining form for artery. This means that it is used as a prefix or a suffix to describe or relate to arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. Therefore, "arteri/o" is the correct answer as it represents the medical term for artery.

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19.

Birth

Explanation
The term "nat/o" is a combining form that means birth. It is derived from the Latin word "natus," which also means birth. Therefore, "nat/o" is the correct answer that matches the given term "birth."

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20.

Yellow

Explanation
Jaund/o is the medical term for yellow. This term is commonly used to describe a condition called jaundice, which is characterized by a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the body, which can be caused by various factors such as liver disease, hepatitis, or certain medications. Therefore, jaund/o is the correct answer because it directly relates to the color yellow in a medical context.

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21.

Gastr/o

Explanation
The term "gastr/o" is a medical prefix that refers to the stomach. It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate conditions or procedures related to the stomach. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "stomach" because "gastr/o" specifically pertains to the stomach.

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22.

Immune/o

Explanation
The word "immune" and "immunity" are both derived from the same root word "immune/o". "Immune" refers to being resistant to or protected from a particular disease or condition, while "immunity" refers to the state of having this resistance or protection. The suffix "-ity" is added to the root word "immune" to form "immunity", which indicates the quality or state of being immune. Therefore, "immune" and "immunity" are closely related terms that share the same root word.

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23.

Phleb/o

Explanation
The term "phleb/o" is a combining form that refers to veins. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe conditions or procedures related to veins. Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "vein."

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24.

Disease

Explanation
The term "path/o" refers to the combining form for "disease". This combining form is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a condition or disorder. By combining "path/o" with other word parts, medical professionals can create terms to describe specific diseases or pathological processes. Therefore, "path/o" is the correct answer as it accurately represents the meaning of "disease" in medical terminology.

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25.

Alb/o

Explanation
The term "alb/o" refers to the color white in medical terminology. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is white.

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26.

Vascul/o

Explanation
The term "vascul/o" refers to blood vessels. Specifically, it is used to describe the general concept of blood vessels in the body. In this context, "small blood vessels" is an accurate explanation as it further specifies that the term refers to the smaller branches of the circulatory system. These vessels include arterioles, capillaries, and venules, which play a crucial role in the transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

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27.

Blue
28.

Milk

Explanation
The term "lact/o" is a combining form that refers to milk. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe conditions or processes related to milk or lactation.

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29.

Lymph vessel, blood

Explanation
The term "angi/o" refers to blood vessels, including both lymph vessels and blood vessels. It is a combining form used in medical terminology to indicate the presence or involvement of blood vessels. Therefore, "angi/o" is the correct answer as it encompasses both lymph vessels and blood vessels.

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30.

Caud/o

Explanation
The term "caud/o" refers to the tail or lower part of the body. This can be seen in various medical terms, such as "caudal anesthesia" which involves numbing the lower part of the body for surgical procedures. The word "caud/o" is derived from the Latin word "cauda" which means tail. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe structures or conditions related to the posterior or lower part of the body.

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31.

Head

Explanation
The term "cephal/o" refers to the head. This is indicated by the root word "cephal" which means head. In medical terminology, the prefix or root word "cephal/o" is commonly used to describe various structures or conditions related to the head.

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32.

Plaque, fatty substance

Explanation
The term "ather/o" refers to a fatty substance or plaque. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the walls of arteries. This can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The presence of plaque can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, "ather/o" is the correct answer as it specifically relates to the fatty substance or plaque.

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33.

Melan/o

Explanation
The term "melan/o" is derived from the Greek word "melas," which means black. It is used as a combining form in medical terminology to refer to black or dark pigmentation. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "black."

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34.

Heat

Explanation
The word "therm/o" is the correct answer because it is a combining form that refers to heat or temperature. In medical terminology, it is commonly used to indicate conditions or procedures related to heat or temperature regulation in the body. Therefore, "therm/o" is the most appropriate choice based on its meaning and relevance to the given word "heat".

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35.

Skin

Explanation
The term "derm/o" is a combining form that refers to the skin. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe various conditions and procedures related to the skin.

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36.

Bronch/o

Explanation
The term "bronch/o" refers to the bronchi, which are the main airways in the lungs. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "lungs," as it is the organ associated with the term "bronch/o."

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37.

Pseudo/o
38.

Heart

Explanation
The word "cardi/o" is the correct answer because it is a medical term that refers to the heart. The root "cardi" is derived from the Greek word for heart, and the suffix "-o" indicates that it is a combining form. Therefore, "cardi/o" is used in various medical terms related to the heart, such as cardiology (the study of the heart) or cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in heart-related conditions).

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39.

Neur/o

Explanation
The term "neur/o" refers to nerves. Nerves are specialized cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body, allowing for communication and coordination of various bodily functions. This term is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts to describe anything related to nerves, such as neurological disorders or nerve damage. Therefore, the correct answer is "nerve."

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40.

Rubr/o
41.

Oste/o

Explanation
The term "oste/o" refers to bone. This prefix is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a relationship or involvement with bones. For example, osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak and brittle. By understanding the meaning of "oste/o," one can easily infer that the correct answer is bone.

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42.

Abdomin/o

Explanation
The term "abdomin/o" refers to the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis. It includes various organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, "abdomin/o" can be used to indicate the stomach as well, as it is one of the organs located in the abdomen.

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43.

Hem/o

Explanation
The term "hem/o" is a combining form that refers to blood. It is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate a relation or involvement with blood. For example, words like "hematology" (the study of blood) and "hemorrhage" (excessive bleeding) are derived from this combining form. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "blood."

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44.

Skull

Explanation
The term "crani/o" refers to the skull. It is a combining form used in medical terminology to indicate the skull or cranium. The word "skull" is a common term used to describe the bony structure that protects the brain and forms the framework of the head. Therefore, "crani/o" is the correct answer as it directly relates to the given term "skull".

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45.

Tail, lower part of body

Explanation
The term "caud/o" refers to the tail or lower part of the body. It is a combining form used in medical terminology to describe structures or conditions related to the tail or lower part of the body. This term is derived from the Latin word "cauda," which means tail.

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46.

Cephal/o

Explanation
The term "cephal/o" refers to the head. This is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology to indicate something related to the head. For example, "cephalalgia" means a headache, "cephalic" refers to something related to the head, and "encephalitis" is inflammation of the brain. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "head".

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47.

Lact/o

Explanation
The term "lact/o" is derived from the Latin word "lac" which means milk. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "milk".

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48.

Small blood vessels

Explanation
The term "vascul/o" refers to small blood vessels. This word root is commonly used in medical terminology to describe the network of small blood vessels throughout the body. These vessels play a crucial role in the transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the cells and organs. Understanding the meaning of "vascul/o" helps medical professionals accurately describe and discuss the various blood vessels and their functions in the body.

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49.

White
50.

Vein

Explanation
The term "vein" refers to a blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The combining form "phleb/o" specifically refers to veins. Therefore, "phleb/o" is the correct answer as it is the combining form that is used to describe or relate to veins.

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4

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Current Version
Mar 20, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Mar 16, 2009

Quiz Created by
Nenegto04

Medical Terminology Root Words

Ather/o

Black

Therm/o

Lungs

False

Derm/o

Cardi/o

Nerves

Oste/o

Blood

Abdomin/o

Red

Joint

Crani/o

Thorac/o

Muscle

Pneum/o

Arteri/o

Birth

Yellow

Gastr/o

Immune/o

Phleb/o

Disease

Alb/o

Vascul/o

Blue

Milk

Lymph vessel, blood

Caud/o

Head

Plaque, fatty substance

Melan/o

Heat

Skin

Bronch/o

Pseudo/o

Heart

Neur/o

Rubr/o

Oste/o

Abdomin/o

Hem/o

Skull

Tail, lower part of body

Cephal/o

Lact/o

Small blood vessels

White

Vein