Medical Terminology Quiz

Cardio' in medical terminology refers specifically to the heart. The prefix is derived from the Greek word 'kardia', which means heart. It is used in various compound terms that relate to the heart's function and structure, such as cardiovascular, cardiologist, and cardiomyopathy. Each of these terms relates to different aspects of heart health, emphasizing the importance of this organ in medical studies and treatments.

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure, a common condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. 'Hyper-' means excessive or high, and 'tension' refers to pressure, reflecting the state of elevated blood pressure. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Neuro' relates to nerves or the nervous system. This prefix is derived from the Greek word 'neuron', which means nerve. Neurology is the medical field that deals with the nervous system's disorders, including the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves. This prefix is used in various terms like neurosurgeon and neuropathy, indicating the focus on neurological structures.

Gastritis is the term for inflammation of the stomach lining. It combines 'gastr-', meaning stomach, and '-itis', indicating inflammation. Gastritis can be caused by several factors, including certain medications, excessive alcohol consumption, and bacterial infections. Symptoms may include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where there is an abnormally low level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This term combines 'hypo-', meaning under or below, with 'glycemia', which relates to the sugar levels in the blood. Hypoglycemia can cause a variety of symptoms including dizziness, sweating, and confusion and is particularly monitored in diabetic patients.

Appendectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of the appendix. It is derived from 'append-', referring to the appendix itself, and '-ectomy', a suffix used in medical terms to denote surgical removal. This procedure is commonly performed to treat appendicitis, which is the inflammation of the appendix.

Osteopathy deals with bone diseases. It encompasses both preventive and curative treatments of the skeletal system, including bones, joints, and spine. The term 'osteopathy' is derived from 'osteo-', meaning bone, and '-pathy', indicating a disease or treatment modality. This field of medicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Hepatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the liver. This condition can result from various factors, including viral infections (such as hepatitis A, B, and C), alcohol abuse, and autoimmune diseases. The term itself is derived from 'hepat-', referring to the liver, and '-itis', a suffix used in medical terminology to denote inflammation.

Thrombocytopenia refers to a decreased number of platelets in the blood, critical for blood clotting. 'Thrombocyto-' pertains to platelets, and '-penia' means a deficiency. This condition can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding and is often monitored in various medical conditions such as leukemia or as a side effect of certain medications.

Hyperemesis is the medical term for excessive vomiting. 'Hyper-' signifies excessive, and '-emesis' means vomiting. This condition can be particularly severe and lead to dehydration and nutrient deficiencies. It is commonly discussed in the context of pregnancy, specifically hyperemesis gravidarum, which is severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can require medical treatment.