Transcription Reference Guide

Transcription

Reference Guide

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Weston

Distance Learning, Inc.

0100000SP26A-17

Acknowledgments

Brenda Blomberg, B.A., CPC

Leslie Ballentine, M.S.

Deborah Carson, B.F.A.

Kelly Brown, B.S., RHDS

Jamie Schenkel

Design/Layout

Sandy Petersen, ElPub

Jessica Babb-Raymundo, B.A.

Aliations & Partnerships

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Higher Education Division of

Private Occupational Schools

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Better Business

Bureau

Accredited by the

Distance Education

Accrediting Commission

AHDI

Corporate

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Fort Collins, CO

www.westondistancelearning.com

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1

Patient, Doctor and Facility List ................................................................................................................ 2

Patients ............................................................................................................................................. 2

Doctors ............................................................................................................................................. 2

Facilities ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Quick-learn Guide ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Abbreviations and Acronyms ........................................................................................................ 3

Numbers and Symbols ................................................................................................................... 4

Capitalization .................................................................................................................................. 5

Periods.............................................................................................................................................. 6

Commas ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Semicolons ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Colons .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Apostrophes ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Hyphens ........................................................................................................................................... 9

Format ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Style ................................................................................................................................................ 11

Format Samples ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Formatting Specifics ..................................................................................................................... 14

Keyboarding Tips ......................................................................................................................... 15

Chart Note ..................................................................................................................................... 16

History and Physical Examination ............................................................................................. 17

Consultation Report ..................................................................................................................... 19

Discharge Summary ..................................................................................................................... 21

Operative Report .......................................................................................................................... 23

Lab Tests—Normal Reference Values ..................................................................................................... 24

Pharmaceutical Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. 25

Dangerous Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... 26

Metric Units ............................................................................................................................................... 27

Online References ..................................................................................................................................... 28

Plurals and Sound-alike Words ............................................................................................................... 29

Common Combined Forms ..................................................................................................................... 31

Word List .................................................................................................................................................... 32

General Words .............................................................................................................................. 32

Integumentary System ................................................................................................................. 33

Integumentary System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ....................... 34

Neurological System .................................................................................................................... 34

Neurological System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests .......................... 35

Musculoskeletal System ............................................................................................................... 35

Musculoskeletal System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ..................... 36

Cardiovascular System ................................................................................................................. 36

Cardiovascular System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ....................... 37

Immune System ............................................................................................................................ 37

Immune System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests .................................. 38

Respiratory System ....................................................................................................................... 38

Respiratory System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ............................. 38

Gastrointestinal System ............................................................................................................... 39

Gastrointestinal System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ..................... 39

Genitourinary System .................................................................................................................. 40

Genitourinary System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ........................ 40

Reproductive System .................................................................................................................... 41

Reproductive System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests .......................... 41

Endocrine System ......................................................................................................................... 42

Endocrine System Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests ............................... 42

Operative Reports ......................................................................................................................... 42

Operative Reports Equipment, Procedures, Pharmaceuticals and Tests .............................. 43

Alphabetized Flashterms .......................................................................................................................... 44

0100000SP26A-17 Page 1

Transcription Reference Guide

Introduction

The Transcription Reference Guide is a valuable tool as you are learning to transcribe medical

reports. It includes samples of the report formats you will be using in this course as well as a list

of all the rules you will learn, a list of common laboratory values and other references that will be

helpful. In addition, you’ll find a section of Word Lists and Alphabetized Flashterms.

The Word List corresponds to the terms in the Audio Exercises for this course. The Word List

follows the order of the lessons, so you’ll hear some of the general terms first, followed by the

specific system terms. When listening to the Word List, you may notice slight differences in

pronunciation. For example, you’ll hear an s on the end of some eponyms, but the s is removed in

the transcribed report. Doctors will often dictate the plural form of the eponym, but most facilities

elect to delete the plural form (Alzheimer’s versus Alzheimer). Learning to work with these

differences helps to prepare you for your future career as a medical transcriptionist or editor.

The Alphabetized Flashterms is an easy-to-use list to help you check context, confirm spelling of

medical terms and assist with sound-alike words. Keep in mind that the definitions provided are

brief, and a term may have more than one meaning. The list cannot take the place of research, but

it should serve you well with the reports you will prepare in this course.

Take a few minutes to look through the Transcription Reference Guide now to become familiar

with the information included. Make sure to keep it on hand to refer to as you complete the

Practice Exercises and Quizzes.

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Transcription Reference Guide

Patient, Doctor and Facility List

Patients

Alan Crisp 030602 Gilda Massey 030319 Mario Pepe 040406

Andrew Hill 030504 Glenda Ferrar 040402 Mary Charles 040303

Angela Pierce 040411 Jack Leaf 040102 Melinda John 040333

Anna Carter 050101 Jack Low 030317 Merry Rogers 040305

Anna Morales 030722 Jack Perkins 040204 Mimi Greene 030522

Arthur Mosely 050104 James Lake 040180 Mona Morret 040306

Arthur Riez 040109 Jan Keating 030609 Ned Hallman 030501

Artie Small 030502 Jerry Smith 040207 Norman Spears 050121

Baby Boy Charles 040303 Jess Cruz 030315 Paul Quintero 040206

Barbara Thomas 050102 Jim Baskerville 030711 Priscilla Ryall 030202

Benny Bedford 050122 Jimmie Crow 040205 Rob Ritchie 030204

Bill Jackson 030213 Joie Smith 030327 Robbie Bark 030255

Billie Tree 040401 Jose Beliz 050105 Robert Storms 040221

Brandy Richards 030313 Kelly Hale 030512 Robin Li 030205

Carmen Kelly 040405 Laura Brown 030311 Rocky Cataline 030445

Carrie Bloom 030210 Len Atwater 030706 Sarah Eames 030201

Celia Delacruz 030206 Lidia Cruz 040403 Sarah Rose 030348

Chester Sylvester 050103 Linda Loma 030447 Sean Taylor 030505

Cindy Charming 040364 Lupe Corona 040203 Sherry Dolan 030444

Clara Raoul 040302 Manuel Lopez 030702 Sheryl Brown 030314

Dana Petrov 040155 Maria Ortiz 030503 Sonya Wells 040409

Dolores Mega 030456 Mario Pepe 040406 Tom White 040101

Doug Bush 030488 Linda Loma 030447 Tommy Francis 030511

Ella Martin 040111 Lupe Corona 040203 Tony Pepe 030422

Floyd James 050123 Manuel Lopez 030702 Yasuyo Mora 030601

Gary Gray 030441 Maria Ortiz 030503

Doctors

Ali Ibrahami Juan Feliz Ryo Miyamoto

Anne Jones Marikit Makabuhay Sansuk Sudsai

Bill Jones Robert Snow Sung Pak

Dilip Patel

Facilities

Weston Emergency Room

Weston Medical Center

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Quick-learn Guide

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Rule 1

Lesson 41 Step 16; Lesson 42 Step 13; Lesson 46 Step 7; Lesson 46 Step 18

Do not use abbreviations, including acronyms, in any of the following parts of a

medical record: ADMITTING DIAGNOSIS, DISCHARGE DIAGNOSIS, PREOPERATIVE

DIAGNOSIS, POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS, IMPRESSION, ASSESSMENT or OPERATION

PERFORMED. When an acronym is dictated in one of these headings, write out the

full term instead.

Exception: Lower case Latin abbreviations and abbreviated units of measurement can be

used anywhere in a report.

Exception: e acronyms NYHA and CCVS can be used in any section of a medical report.

Exception: e acronym AIDS can be used in any section of a medical report when used in

the phrase “AIDS-related complex.”

Rule 2

Lesson 42 Step 3

Do not use dangerous abbreviations anywhere in a medical report. These should

be converted to their acceptable form when dictated.

Rule 3

Lesson 41 Step 21

Do not punctuate abbreviations that are in all capital letters, including acronyms,

which are typed in all capital letters. Do not punctuate abbreviated academic

degrees, professional credentials or personal or courtesy titles (such as PhD, MD,

CMT, Dr, Mr or Jr). Do not punctuate genus name abbreviations (such as E coli).

Do not use periods after abbreviated units of measurement. Do not punctuate

Latin and chemical abbreviations that use upper and lower case letters together.

Rule 4

Lesson 41 Step 21

Punctuate Latin lower case abbreviations.

Rule 5

Lesson 41 Step 17; Lesson 42 Step 6

Abbreviate metric units of measurement used with numerals (mg, cm, kg, etc.).

Do not add an “s” to the abbreviation to form the plural. When used without a

numeral, these should be written out. Do not abbreviate most nonmetric units of

measurement (pounds, ounces, minutes, hours, etc.).

Exception: e “s” is added to the abbreviation “tab” (for “tablet”) when used in a

plural context.

Exception: When used in conjunction with the slash and a numeral or an abbreviated

metric unit, nonmetric units can be abbreviated.

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Transcription Reference Guide

Numbers and Symbols

Rule 6

Lesson 41 Step 17

Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4) for most expressions of numbers, including

age, sizes, dimensions, measurements and statistics. Use Arabic numerals in all

expressions pertaining to dosages including strength, dosage and directions.

Include a space after the number in a dosage abbreviation, such as q.2 h.

Exception: When two dierent numbers are next to each other, spell one out and use a

numeral for the other.

Exception: Use written numbers at the beginning of a sentence.

Exception: Spell out a number when it is used as a noun or a pronoun.

Exception: Numerals must be used for burn classications, so if the sentence begins with a

numeral for a burn classication, you must edit the sentence.

Exception: For Apgar scores, use a numeral for the score and use a written number for the

minutes at which the test was taken.

Rule 7

Lesson 41 Step 17; Lesson 44 Step 7; Lesson 45 Step 7

Use Arabic numerals for classifications, except when Roman numerals are

specified as part of an established nomenclature or there is strong documentation

that the preferred form is Roman.

Exception: For this course, Roman numerals will be used for cancer stages; classications

of heart disease (NYHA, CCVS); Fredrickson classications including hyperlipidemia,

pressure and decubitus ulcer stages; and Billroth classications.

Rule 8

Lesson 41 Step 17

Use written numbers for simple fractions not followed by a unit of measurement.

Hyphenate written-out fractions. Use Arabic numerals for mixed fractions. Use a

hyphen with a mixed fraction.

Rule 9

Lesson 41 Step 17; Lesson 42 Step 13

Use decimal numbers instead of fractions for drug doses, laboratory values and

measurements. Never leave a blank space before a decimal number; use a zero

before a decimal point if there is no other numeral dictated.

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Transcription Reference Guide

Rule 10

Lesson 41 Step 17

Use symbols with numerals and abbreviations. Do not leave a space between the

symbol and the numeral or abbreviation.

Exception: Leave a space between a numeral and the symbol “x”.

Exception: Leave a space before the degree symbol when expressing a temperature (98 °F)

but not an angle (45° angle).

Exception: Use the slash (/) as the symbol for “per” and for “over” in measurements or

dosages when there are numerals or abbreviations on both sides of the slash. Otherwise,

write out “per.”

Rule 11

Lesson 40 Step 12

The degree symbol is used for expressions of temperature and for angles.

Regarding temperature, if the doctor doesn’t dictate “degrees Fahrenheit,”

you will only type the number provided. However, if the doctor dictates either

“degrees” or “Fahrenheit,” you will add the other word for consistency.

Exception: If you are unable to insert the degree symbol into your document, write out

the word “degrees” instead, and if reporting a temperature, write out the temperature scale

name as well.

Capitalization

Rule 12

Lesson 40 Step 5, 6, 9; Lesson 41 Step 17

Capitalize all the letters in titles and major headings in medical reports. Subheadings

should have initial capital letters, with only the first word of the subheading

capitalized. Capitalize the first letter following a report heading or subheading.

Rule 13

Lesson 40 Step 9; Lesson 41 Step 17

Institutions have specific rules for allergy statements. For this course, type the

allergy statement in all capital letters. Do not use all capitals for sentences that

further clarify the allergy statement.

Rule 14

Lesson 41 Step 17

Capitalize proper names, including specific names of hospitals, clinics and

institutions. Do not capitalize nonspecific references to types of hospitals, clinics

or institutions. Capitalize department names only when the department name

includes the name of the hospital or facility. Capitalize the first letter of names

of races and ethnic groups. Do not capitalize words that refer to skin color.

Capitalize brand names of medications, instruments, equipment or supplies.

Capitalize the brand name the way the manufacturer does. Do not capitalize

generic medications or other names that are not brand names.

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Rule 15

Lesson 41 Step 17

Do not capitalize the names of specialties or types of specialists. Do not capitalize

names of diseases, syndromes or conditions unless it is an eponym. Capitalize

only the eponym portion of the name. Do not capitalize medical classification

terms, including stage, grade, class, lead, series and type.

Rule 16

Lesson 41 Step 17; Lesson 46 Step 18

Capitalize the first letter of abbreviations of chemical elements when they are

dictated alone or in a compound. Do not capitalize the full names of chemical

elements and compounds when they are written out. Use capital letters for letters

that classify infectious organisms, medications and vitamins.

Rule 17

Lesson 43 Step 7

Capitalize genus names of bacteria, viruses and fungi when they are written out,

singular, or when they are abbreviated, and accompanied by a species name.

Do not capitalize genus names when they are plural, when they end with an

adjective suffix, when they stand alone or are names of diseases/conditions. Do

not capitalize species names.

Periods

Rule 18

Lesson 41 Step 17, 21

Use a period at the end of a phrase that is a complete thought (sentence).

Capitalize the first word following the period. If the first word of the sentence is a

word or abbreviation that should never be capitalized, such as pH, insert another

word to start the sentence. Place the final period in quoted material within the

quotation marks.

Rule 19

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a period to separate results from different laboratory tests but not to separate

results in the list from a single test.

Commas

Rule 20

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma to separate independent adjectives that modify one noun.

Exception: Do not use commas before age, race, gender or nationality.

Rule 21

Lesson 41 Step 21

Do not use commas to separate cumulative adjectives that modify a noun when

each adjective does not modify the noun independently.

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Rule 22

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma to separate a phrase that explains a noun when that phrase follows

a noun and does not begin with a preposition.

Rule 23

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use paired commas to offset a dependent clause in the middle of a sentence.

Rule 24

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma or pair of commas to set off parenthetical expressions and

nonessential phrases.

Exception: Do not use commas to oset essential phrases beginning with a preposition

within a sentence or at the end of a sentence.

Rule 25

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use commas before and after introductory words within a sentence, such as

namely, that is, i.e., or for example when a series of items follows.

Rule 26

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma to separate items in a series. If there are only two items in the series

separated by “and” or “or,” do not use a comma. If the word “and” or “or” is used

before an item in a longer series, the comma before “and” or “or” is not used.

Rule 27

Lesson 41 Step 21

Add a comma after an introductory clause or a long introductory phrase that

begins a sentence. Introductory clauses may start with adverbs like after,

although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until, when, etc. Introductory

phrases may begin with prepositions.

Rule 28

Lesson 41 Step 21, Lesson 43 Step 7

Use a comma between independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

Rule 29

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma to indicate thousands in numbers 10,000 and greater. For numbers

9999 and lower, the comma should not be used.

Rule 30

Lesson 41 Step 21

Do not use commas within a single drug dosage or between a test name and

its result.

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Rule 31

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a comma to set off degrees or titles from names.

Rule 32

Lesson 45 Step 7

Use a comma to set off the year when a full date is given.

Rule 33

Lesson 41 Step 21; Lesson 47 Step 28

Do not use a comma between two measurements that are part of a single

overall measurement.

Semicolons

Rule 34

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related and are

not joined by a conjunction.

Rule 35

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related and are

joined by a transitional adverb. Use a comma after the transitional adverb.

Rule 36

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use semicolons between phrases or items in a series when the phrases or items

contain commas.

Colons

Rule 37

Lesson 40 Step 5, 9; Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a colon after major headings and subheadings in a medical report only when

the information continues on the same line. Use an initial capital on the first word

after the colon.

Rule 38

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a colon after phrases ending with “the following” or “as follows” or when the

structure of the dictation requires the colon. Use an initial capital on the first word

after the colon.

Rule 39

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a colon for a ratio and the time of day.

0100000SP26A-17 Page 9

Transcription Reference Guide

Apostrophes

Rule 40

Lesson 41 Step 16, 21; Lesson 47 Step 28

Use apostrophes to show possession of objects and possession of time. Do not

use the possessive form of eponyms, even when the eponym is dictated in the

possessive form.

Rule 41

Lesson 41 Step 16; Lesson 42 Step 13

Do not use apostrophes to form plurals of names, abbreviations or acronyms.

Hyphens

Rule 42

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a hyphen for the words “to” and “through” for ranges.

Exception: Write out the word “through” instead of using a hyphen when expressing a

range of vertebrae or a range of EKG leads.

Rule 43

Lesson 41 Step 21

Do not use a hyphen to attach a prefix to a word.

Exception: Use a hyphen aer a prex or between root words when two matching vowels

are next to each other or when any three vowels are next to each other.

Exception: Use a hyphen between a prex and an acronym, abbreviation or number.

Exception: Use a hyphen between a prex and an eponym.

Rule 44

Lesson 41 Step 21; Lesson 46 Step 7

Use a hyphen between a noun and a letter or number.

Exception: Do not use a hyphen in a chemical symbol.

Exception: Do not use a hyphen for electrocardiographic deections (Q wave, B wave) or

lymphocytes (T cells, B cells) unless the term is used as a compound adjective.

Rule 45

Lesson 41 Step 21

Use a hyphen to join eponyms named for two people.

Rule 46

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use a hyphen to join two or more words functioning as a single adjective before

the noun. This includes when a number and an English unit of measurement which

is spelled out and is used before a noun. Do not use the hyphen when one of the

words is an adverb.

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Rule 47

Lesson 45 Step 7

Use a hyphen to connect adjective pairs which are made up of opposites or

corresponding adjectives.

Rule 48

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use a hyphen to divide words at the end of a line. Divide English words between

syllables. Divide medical terms between word parts. If a word already contains a

hyphen, divide it at the existing hyphen.

Rule 49

Lesson 41 Step 21

Do not use a hyphen in compound verbs that include a preposition, such as up,

in, down, etc.

Exception: If compound verbs are used as nouns or adjectives, they are hyphenated.

Format

Rule 50

Lesson 40 Step 9

All information in a medical report is typed flush left at the 1-inch margin. SRT

reports are edited online; therefore, no margin adjustments are needed.

Rule 51

Lesson 40 Step 9

For this course, use the standard format order as shown on the format samples. If

headings are dictated out of order, edit the report to correct the format order.

Rule 52

Lesson 40 Step 9; Lesson 49 Step 3

Do not include a heading or subheading if no information is dictated for it.

Exception: In chart note format, all headings are required. If any are omitted, ag it for the

doctor.

Exception: In operative format, PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS, POSTOPERATIVE

DIAGNOSIS and PRIMARY PROCEDURE are all required. If omitted, ag it for

the doctor.

Rule 53

Lesson 40 Step 5, 6, 9

The signature space comes at the end of the report. When you have finished the

last line of the report, press the enter key four times and then type the dictating

doctor’s name, in formal format.

Rule 54

Lesson 40 Step 5

Do not leave a heading alone on a page without any of its text. If a heading

appears on the last line of a page, move it to the next page to accompany its text.

0100000SP26A-17 Page 11

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Rule 55

Lesson 40 Step 6, 9

The dictation and transcription dates must be typed separately, even if they

are the same. Use numeral format for these dates. They are indicated by the

abbreviations “D:” for the date dictated and “T:” for the date transcribed.

Rule 56

Lesson 40 Step 6, 9

Identifying information is required on the first page of a report. Refer to the format

guidelines provided in the lessons for instructions on correctly formatting the

different types of reports. Use the informal format for the doctor’s name in the

identifying information.

Rule 57

Lesson 40 Step 5

When a transcript is longer than one page, electronic formatting allows text

to wrap and flow from start to finish without formatting for page breaks. For

submission in this course, you will allow text to wrap and flow from start to finish

through the page breaks.

Style

Rule 58

Lesson 40 Step 12; Lesson 41 Step 21

Use vertical numbered lists, in full block paragraph style, where the heading is on

one line and the text begins on the next line. Capitalize the first letter of each item

in a vertical list. Use a period after the item number in a vertical numbered list and

at the end of each list item.

Exception: Use horizontal numbered lists in run-on paragraphs, where the text

immediately follows the subheading on the same line. Use parentheses with no period

around the number in a horizontal numbered list.

Rule 59

Lesson 40 Step 12; Lesson 43 Step 7

Vital signs must be separated by periods. Use a colon after the vital sign name.

Rule 60

Lesson 40 Step 5; Lesson 49 Step 3

Use only one space following a period, comma, colon or semicolon.

Exception: When the colon is used as a symbol for ratio, omit the space.

Exception: Omit the space aer the colon when used for the doctor’s and transcriptionist’s

initials.

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Rule 61

Lesson 43 Step 7

Obscene or offensive statements are never put in a medical report unless

the patient is being quoted (always use quotation marks around the quoted

statement). If the patient is not being quoted, delete the offensive or obscene

statement. Do not transcribe slang unless it is essential to the meaning of the report

or when you cannot determine what it means.

Exception: Some medical slang terms are so common that their use is accepted within the

body of a medical report. Write the terms out in full when dictated as part of a heading,

subheading or title.

Rule 62

Lesson 43 Step 7

Use the article “an” before words or acronyms that start with a vowel sound

when pronounced.

Rule 63

Lesson 43 Step 7

Avoid the use of contractions in medical reports.

Rule 64

Lesson 45 Step 7

Write out dates in full within a medical report.

Exception: Numeral format is used for the dictation and transcription dates at the end of

the report.

Rule 65

Lesson 41 Step 17

Use numeral format to express a specific time. Use lower case letters and periods

for a.m. and p.m.

Rule 66

Lesson 44 Step 12; Lesson 46 Step 7

Write “status post” as two words. Do not hyphenate “status post.” Do not join

“post” to the following word.

Rule 67

Lesson 47 Step 28

Do not capitalize “gravida,” “para” or “abortus” except when used at the start

of a sentence. Use Arabic numerals with these terms, and separate them with

commas.

Rule 68

Lesson 42 Step 13

Express specific gravity with four digits and a decimal point between the first and

second digits.

0100000SP26A-17 Page 13

Transcription Reference Guide

Rule 69

Lesson 41 Step 17; Lesson 42 Step 6

Include a space between numerals and their units of measurement.

Rule 70

Lesson 49 Step 3

Use a whole number, hyphen (-) and numeral zero (0) for suture sizes. For 0-0 or 0,

type as dictated.

Rule 71

Lesson 43 Step 7

At the end of a line, never divide abbreviations, acronyms, proper names, numerals

and their units of measurement, names and their titles, months and their days,

suture sizes and suture material, words with one syllable or words with fewer than six

letters. Do not use hyphens at the end of two or more adjacent lines or at the end of

the last line of a page. Do not divide a medication dosage between two pages.

Rule 72

Lesson 42 Step 16

Only edit to correct obvious errors in grammar, such as noun/verb agreement (a

singular noun with a plural verb) or for obvious errors of fact. For obvious errors of

fact, if it isn’t clear from the rest of the report what the correct word should be, flag

the term. Never edit to “improve” the doctor’s writing style.

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Format Samples

Formatting Specifics

Format Guidelines—Use the following format for the reports in this course.

Paper: For the most professional look, use white paper and type on one side of the page only.

Margins: Use one-half inch to one inch margins, top and bottom and on either side. Do not use

right justification to make your right margin even. In this course, use 1-inch margins all around

the page for reports. Use single line spacing with “Before” and “After” set to 0. Please note, SRT

reports will be edited online; therefore, no margin adjustments are needed.

Font and font size: Use Times New Roman font in size 12 for the course. Avoid italics, script,

handwriting or a fancy font. Times New Roman is considered the most readable font. Please note,

SRT reports are edited online; therefore, no font adjustments are needed.

Identifying information block: Appears at the top of the first page on the first line after the top

margin for the Big Four or on the line above a Chart Note.

Use the following example for identifying information on Big Four Reports:

Name: (Patient name)

#(Patient number)

Dr (Doctor’s name, informal format)

Use the following example for identifying information on Chart Notes:

Name: (Patient name)

#(Patient number)

PROBLEM #(number)

Use the following example for identifying information on Operative Reports:

Name: (Patient’s name)

#(Patient number)

Date of Operation: (Written-out date)

Department: (Department Name)

Surgeon: (Name in formal format), MD

Assistant Surgeon: (Name in formal format), MD

OPERATIVE REPORT

0100000SP26A-17 Page 15

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Section titles: At left margin and in all capitals.

Headings: At left margin and in all capitals.

Subheadings: At left margin and use initial capital on the first word only.

Colon: Only after headings and subheadings when the information continues on the same line.

Double space: Before each new heading. Single space before subheadings. When you “double

space,” there is one blank line before the next line of text. Single space the headings from

GENERAL through NEUROLOGIC in the PHYSICAL EXAMINATION section.

Text: May begin on the same line as the heading or on the line following, depending on the

format used. Text begins on the same line as a subheading and is single-spaced. There is no blank

line between a heading and its first line of text. Insert only one space between words or after

punctuation. In this course, use only one space after the period when beginning a new sentence.

End of report: When you have finished the last line of the report, press the enter key four times,

and then type the dictating doctor’s name using the formal format. This leaves space for the

doctor to sign. Double space after the doctor’s name. At the left margin, list the dictation date,

D: (date), and the transcription date, T: (date). Include the doctor’s initials and your initials.

Both sets of initials should either be in upper case or lower case letters and separated with a

colon. For this course, unless dictated otherwise, use the current date for the transcription date

and the day before as the dictation date.

Keyboarding Tips

When transcribing or editing reports, do not press the enter key at the end of every line. Your

word processing program and the SRT editing program will automatically wrap you to the next

line to continue typing. Only press the enter key when you have completed the text for a heading

or subheading and are ready to start a new heading or subheading.

If the dictating doctor instructs you to start a new paragraph, you press enter once and start a new

paragraph on the very next line.

Do not use the tab key or space bar to tab or space across to the next new line. These actions will

add extra characters to your documents which may result in a point deduction.

When pressing the enter key, be sure you do not press any other key at the same time. Pressing

another key simultaneously with the enter key may create a different type of “return” that will

result in an error in your document formatting. Press the enter key twice to create one blank line.

Page 16 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Chart Note

Name: Annie Sample

#100-00-001

PROBLEM #2 Pelvic examination deferred.

SUBJECTIVE

Patient returns after pelvic exam by gynecologist. Four weeks’ pregnancy found at pelvic exam.

OBJECTIVE

Abdomen: Fullness in lower abdomen. Breast fullness. Positive HCG. Sonography conrms

normal IUP, 4 weeks’ size.

ASSESSMENT

Weight gain secondary to unsuspected normal intrauterine pregnancy.

PLAN

Add IUP to problem list. Patient advised not to diet for weight control. Return to gynecologist

for prenatal care.

Jess Kydding, MD

D: (yesterday’s date)

T: (today’s date)

JK:(your initials)

0100000SP26A-17 Page 17

Transcription Reference Guide

History and Physical Examination

Name: Atwater Holm

#0020014

Dr Jess Kydding

HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

HISTORY

CHIEF COMPLAINT

The patient wants to begin regular physical examinations as a part of routine health care.

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

The patient has not seen a doctor for 10 years and wants to begin to take care of herself.

PAST HISTORY

Medications: No current medications except for daily multivitamins.

Illnesses: Usual childhood diseases: Measles, mumps, chickenpox. She had no other

serious illnesses.

Operations: Appendectomy. No complications or sequelae.

ALLERGIES: ALLERGIC TO PENICILLIN. History of rash with oral medication.

Social history: Smokes a half a pack of cigarettes per day. Denies alcohol or recreational drug

use. Married. Housewife. Volunteers time at the Humane Society caring for sick animals.

Family history: Father, mother and one brother, living and well. Maternal grandmother died at age 55

from complications of diabetes. No other family history of heart or thyroid disease or cancer.

REVIEW OF SYSTEMS

Skin: Dry and cool to touch without discoloration. Well-healed appendectomy scar, RLQ, abdomen.

Hair: Normal distribution and texture.

HEENT: Eyes: Uses glasses for near vision. Ears: No history of hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness.

Essentially unremarkable. Nose: No loss of smell. No colds or bleeding. Mouth and throat:

Normal dentition in good repair. Four molars removed. No difculty swallowing, hoarseness,

swollen glands or pain.

Cardiorespiratory: No history of murmurs, dyspnea, orthopnea, hemoptysis or chest pain. Mild

nonproductive cough with smoking.

Gastrointestinal: Good appetite, no signicant change in weight for 5 years. Stools formed and

normal in color. Denies vomiting or blood in stools.

Genitourinary: Urine clear yellow without dysuria, nocturia, urgency or stress incontinence.

Gynecologic: Para 0, gravida 1. Spontaneous abortion, 6 weeks. No current contraception. Birth

control pills for 5 years. Regular menstrual cycle of 28 days; 5 days’ ow; last regular menstrual

period 5 days prior to this visit. Practices monthly breast self-examination.

Neuropsychiatric: No headache, vertigo, convulsions. Able to cope with stresses of adult life.

Musculoskeletal: No limitation of movement, pain, fractures.

Page 18 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

GENERAL: The patient is a well-nourished, well-developed white female in no acute distress

who appears slightly older than her stated age of 42. The patient is oriented to time, place and

person.

VITAL SIGNS: Pulse: 88/min and regular. Blood pressure: 120/77. Respiratory rate: 16 and

regular. Temperature: 98.6 °F.

HEENT: Eyes: Vision 20/25. Pupils are normal and reactive to light and accommodation. EOMs

intact. Funduscopic examination normal. Ears: Unremarkable. Nose: Unremarkable. Throat:

Pharynx is clear.

NECK: Thyroid moves with swallowing and is not enlarged. No masses. No bruits.

CHEST: Heart: Heart tones are normal. No cardiomegaly, murmurs or bruits. PMI left 4th

intercostal space in the midclavicular line. Lungs: Clear to auscultation and percussion. Breasts:

Symmetrical without masses or distortion.

ABDOMEN: Soft and scaphoid. Bowel sounds are normal to auscultation. No organomegaly at

palpation. No pain or rebound tenderness at palpation.

PELVIC: The external genitalia are normal. Pelvic examination was deferred to the patient’s

gynecologist, whom she will see this week.

RECTAL: No hemorrhoids or masses. No blood in the stool or on the examining nger. Stool

guaiac negative.

EXTREMITIES: Full range of motion. All pulses are equal and full bilaterally.

NEUROLOGIC: Cranial nerves 2-12 are grossly intact. Deep tendon reexes are normoreexive

and equal bilaterally.

IMPRESSION

1. Normal physical examination.

2. Pelvic examination deferred.

PLAN

Refer to gynecologist for pelvic examination and Pap smear; chest x-ray, baseline mammogram;

routine blood work, urinalysis; EKG.

Patient to call when tests and referral are completed to schedule return visit for results and to

discuss methods to control or quit smoking.

In the absence of abnormal results, the patient is advised to return in 1 year for routine examination.

Jess Kydding, MD

D: (yesterday’s date)

T: (today’s date)

JK:(your intials)

0100000SP26A-17 Page 19

Transcription Reference Guide

Consultation Report

Name: Annie Sample

#100-00-001

Dr Sally Ho

GYNECOLOGY CONSULTATION REPORT

REASON FOR REFERRAL

Patient referred for pelvic examination as part of routine physical before beginning diet and

exercise program.

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

The patient is 10 pounds overweight, otherwise feeling ne.

PAST HISTORY

Habits: The patient does not smoke or drink.

Medications: None.

Illnesses: Usual childhood diseases. No serious illnesses.

Operations: T&A.

ALLERGIES: NO KNOWN DRUG ALLERGIES.

Social history: Single, preschool teacher.

Family history: Parents and 4 siblings alive and well. No family history of breast cancer or

uterine cancer.

REVIEW OF SYSTEMS

Skin: No rashes or discoloration.

Hair: No hair loss.

HEENT: Noncontributory.

Cardiorespiratory: No palpitations, murmurs. No chest pain, shortness of breath.

Gastrointestinal: Stools brown. No diarrhea or constipation.

Genitourinary: No nocturia or hematuria.

Gynecologic: Last regular menses 2 days ago. Sexually active. No birth control methods used.

Breast tenderness only premenstrual.

Neuropsychiatric: No sleep disturbances. No history of anxiety or depression. No seizures,

headaches or loss of consciousness.

Musculoskeletal: No myalgia, arthralgia, loss of strength.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

GENERAL: This is a well-nourished, well-developed 26-year-old female in no acute distress.

Alert and oriented.

VITAL SIGNS: Pulse: 80/min. Blood pressure: 100/80. Respiratory rate: 20/min. Temperature: 98.6 °F.

HEENT: Eyes: PERRLA. EOMs intact. Mouth: Good oral hygiene without masses.

NECK: No thyromegaly.

CHEST: Clear to auscultation and percussion. Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. Normal heart

tones. No murmurs. Breasts: Symmetrical. No masses or discharge.

Page 20 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

ABDOMEN: Soft and slightly full in the suprapubic region. No masses or organomegaly palpated.

PELVIC: Normal perineum. Bimanual: Uterus nongravid, anteexed and anteverted. No

enlargement, masses or xation. No adnexal masses or xation. Cervical, vaginal smears

obtained. No cervical erosions. No cul-de-sac uid.

RECTAL: No blood on the examining glove. Stool guaiac negative.

EXTREMITIES: No cyanosis, clubbing or edema. Full range of motion. Pulses 2+, no bruits.

NEUROLOGIC: Normal sensation to pinprick and vibration. DTRs normoreexive and equal

bilaterally.

DATABASE

CBC normal. Electrolytes: Na 138, K 4.3, Cl 97, pH 7.4. Pap smear pending. Stool guaiac

negative.

ASSESSMENT

Normal gynecologic examination.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Telephone ofce in 1 week for results of Pap smear. Agree with diet plan. In addition, decreasing

fat in the diet to below 30% will decrease risk factors for breast, uterine cancer. Recommend

walking for exercise, which will make future child-bearing easier. Advise against weight loss

below average for height. Recommend yearly Pap smear, monthly breast self-examination.

Thank you for referring this patient.

Sally Ho, MD

D: (yesterday’s date)

T: (today’s date)

SH:(your intials)

0100000SP26A-17 Page 21

Transcription Reference Guide

Discharge Summary

Name: Lavon Poydras

#050741

Dr Ali Ibrahami

DISCHARGE SUMMARY

DATE OF ADMISSION

December 1, 20XX

DATE OF DISCHARGE

December 5, 20XX

ADMITTING DIAGNOSIS

Possible fracture, right elbow.

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

The patient is a 26-year-old black male who ew off a motorcycle during a sudden stop, landing

on and subsequently injuring his right elbow. The patient complained of pain, tenderness,

swelling and decreased range of motion.

PERTINENT PAST HISTORY

Noncontributory.

LABORATORY FINDINGS

Plain lms demonstrated comminuted olecranon, coronoid and radial head fractures with

joint subluxation.

HOSPITAL COURSE

On admission, the patient was alert and afebrile. Physical examination was remarkable only for

right elbow swelling, diffuse tenderness and decreased range of motion. The patient was taken

to the operating room for open reduction and internal xation of right olecranon, partial right

radial head excision, and partial right coronoid process excision. He tolerated the procedure well

and was splinted postoperatively. A drain was placed at the elbow. Two days later, the drain was

removed. No complications.

DISPOSITION

Discharged to home in improving condition with the splint still intact.

FOLLOW-UP

Thompson Clinic appointment in 1 week. Patient advised to elevate right upper extremity. Patient

advised to return sooner if there is a change in the color or of ability to move ngers.

CONDITION ON DISCHARGE

Good.

Page 22 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

DISCHARGE DIAGNOSIS

Right elbow radial head fracture, coronoid fracture and olecranon fracture with subluxation of

the elbow joint.

PROGNOSIS

Good.

DISCHARGE MEDICATIONS

Tylenol p.r.n. for pain.

Ali Ibrahami, MD

D: (yesterday’s date)

T: (today’s date)

AI:(your initials)

0100000SP26A-17 Page 23

Transcription Reference Guide

Operative Report

Name: Barry Hays

#050781

Date of Operation: December 1, 20XX

Department: Cardiology

Surgeon: M. Makabuhay, MD

Assistant Surgeon: D. Patel, MD

OPERATIVE REPORT

PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS

Postinfarct angina.

POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS

Postinfarct angina.

PRIMARY PROCEDURE

LEFT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH SELECTIVE RIGHT AND LEFT

CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY.

PROCEDURE

After informed consent was obtained, the patient was brought to the cardiac catheterization

laboratory, and the groin was prepped in the usual fashion. Using 1% lidocaine, the right groin was

inltrated, and using the Seldinger technique, the right femoral artery was cannulated. Through

this, a movable guidewire was then advanced to the level of the diaphragm, and through it, a

6 French pigtail catheter was then advanced under hemodynamic monitoring to the ascending aorta

and inserted into the left ventricle. Pressure measurements were obtained, and cineangiograms in

the RAO and LAO positions were then obtained. Catheter was then withdrawn, and a #6 French

nonbleedback sidearm sheath was then introduced, and through this, a 6 French-Judkins left

coronary catheter was then advanced under hemodynamic monitoring to the left coronary ostium,

engaged. Cineangiograms were obtained of the left coronary system. This catheter was then

exchanged for a Judkins right 4 coronary catheter of similar dimension and under hemodynamic

monitoring again was advanced to the right coronaryostium, engaged. Cineangiograms were

obtained, and the catheter and sheath were then withdrawn. The patient tolerated the procedure

well and left the cardiac catheterization laboratory in stable condition, no evidence of hematoma

formation or active bleeding. Complications: None. Total contrast: 110 mL of Hexabrix. Total

uoroscopy time: 1.8 minutes. Medications: Reglan 10 mg p.o., 5 mg p.o. Valium, Benadryl

50 mg p.o., and heparin 3000 units IV push.

Marikit Makabuhay, MD

D: (yesterday’s date)

T: (today’s date)

MM:(your initials)

Page 24 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Lab Tests—Normal Reference Values

Hematology Normal Vital Sign Values

Complete Blood Count (CBC) pulse ................................. 50-100/min

RBC ................................... 4.30-5.99 mil/mm

blood pressure ................. 120/70

MCV .................................. 80.0-100.0 mcg

respiratory rate ................ 14-20/min

MCH .................................. 26.0-34.0 pg temperature .................... 98.6 °F

MCHC ............................... 31.0-36.0 g/dL or g%

Hb ...................................... 12-18 g/dL or g% Chemistry

HCT .................................... 38.8-53.2% (Tests on blood serum)

WBC .................................. 4.1-10.9 k/mm

sodium .............................. 136-145 mEq/L

with differential potassium ......................... 3.5-5.0 mEq/L

lymphs .......................... 25-33% chloride ............................ 96-106 mEq/L

monos .......................... 3-7% bicarbonate .................... 19-25 mEq/L

segmented ................. 54-62% calcium ............................ 9.0-11.0 mg/dL

neutrophils bands ....... 3-5% phosphate ....................... 2.4-4.7 mg/dL

eosinophils ................... 0-3% glucose ............................. 60-100 mg/dL

basophils ..................... 0-1% BUN ................................... 10-20 mg/dL

platelets ....................... 150,000-450,000/mm

uric acid ........................... 4.0-8.5 mg/dL

reticulocytes ............... 25,000-75,000/mm

creatinine ......................... 0.6-1.3 mg/dL

prothrombin time ....... 12.0-14.0 seconds alkaline phosphatase ..... 20-90 U/L

partial thrombo- ......... 20-35 seconds protein .............................. 6.0-8.0 g/dL

plastin time albumin ............................ 3.5-5.5 g/dL

bilirubin ............................. 0.3-1.1 mg/dL

Urinalysis conjugated bilirubin ....... .0.0-0.2 mg/dL

color .................................. straw CK (CPK) ........................... <150 U/L

clarity ................................ clear LDH .................................... 50-150 U/L

sp. gr. ................................ 1.003-1.030 SGPT (ALT) ........................ 5-35 U/L

glucose ............................. neg SGOT (AST) ....................... 7-46 U/L

bilirubin ............................. neg magnesium ...................... 1.5-2.5 mEq/L

ketones ............................. neg serum amylase ................ 27-131 U/L

blood ................................ neg serum copper .................. .70-155 mcg/dL

pH ...................................... 4.6-8.0 folic acid .......................... 2.5-20.0 ng/mL

protein .............................. neg (dipstick) vitamin B12 ....................... 180-900 pg/mL

urobilinogen ..................... 0.5-4.0 mg/24 hour

nitrite ................................. neg Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)

cells ................................... neg pH ...................................... 7.35-7.45

casts .................................. neg pO2 ................................... 80-95 mmHg

crystals .............................. neg pCO2

............................... 35-45 mmHg

O2 saturation ................... 95-98%

HCO3 ................................ 21-28 mEq/L

0100000SP26A-17 Page 25

Transcription Reference Guide

Pharmaceutical Abbreviations

Common Prescription Abbreviations

Abbreviation Definition Abbreviation Definition

a.a. of each oz ounce

a.c. before meals p.c. after meals

ad lib as desired p.o. by mouth, orally

aq. aqueous (water-based) p.r.n. as needed

b.i.d. twice a day q.a.m. every morning

cap. capsule q.h. every hour

comp. compound q.2 h. every two hours

dil. dilute q.3 h. every three hours

elix elixir q.i.d. four times a day

g or gm gram Rx take

gt drop s without

gtt drops Sig. directions

h. hour s.o.s. if necessary

h.s. at bedtime stat immediately

M mix; minimum subl. sublingual (under the tongue)

mg milligrams syr. syrup

noct. night t.i.d. three times a day

non rep./N.R. do not repeat, no refills tr./tinct. tincture

O. pint ung. ointment

Page 26 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Dangerous Abbreviations

Abbreviation Definition Misinterpretations Correction

cc cubic centimeter can be mistaken for U (unit) mL (milliliters)

q.d., qd,

Q.D.

daily can be read as “four times daily” daily

q.n. every night can be read as “every hour” nightly

U, u unit can be read as a 0, 4 or cc unit

IU international unit can be read as IV, intravenous or 10 unit

q.o.d., qod,

QOD, Q.O.D.

every other day can be mistaken for daily or period

after q can be mistaken for I

every other

day

X.0 mg X mg the decimal point can be missed

.X mg 0.X mg X represents a numeral

MS morphine sulfate can be confused with magnesium

sulfate

MSO

morphine sulfate can be confused with magnesium

sulfate

MgSO

magnesium

sulfate

can be confused with morphine sulfate

SS sliding scale insulin or 1/2 55 sliding scale,

one-half or 1/2

0100000SP26A-17 Page 27

Transcription Reference Guide

Metric Units

Mass and Weight

Unit Abbreviation

Number of

Grams

Approximate U.S. Equivalent

metric ton t 1,000,000 1.102 short tons

kilogram kg 1,000 2.2046 pounds

hectogram hg 100 3.527 ounces

dekagram dag 10 0.353 ounce

gram g 1 0.035 ounce

decigram dg 0.1 1.543 grains

centigram cg 0.01 0.154 grain

milligram mg 0.001 0.015 grain

microgram µg 0.000001 0.000015 grain

Length

Unit Abbreviation

Number of

Meters

Approximate U.S. Equivalent

kilometer km 1,000 0.62 mile

hectometer hm 100 328.08 feet

dekameter dam 10 32.81 feet

meter m 1 39.37 inches

decimeter dm 0.1 3.94 inches

centimeter cm 0.01 0.39 inch

millimeter mm 0.001 0.039 inch

micrometer µm 0.000001 0.000039 inch

Volume

Unit Abbreviation

Number of

Cubic Meters

Approximate U.S. Equivalent

cubic meter m3 1 1.307 cubic yards

cubic decimeter dm3 0.001 61.023 cubic inches

cubic centimeter

cu cm or

cm3

0.000001 0.061 cubic inch

Page 28 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Online References

As you begin your career as a medical transcriptionist, you’ll discover the value of resources,

especially online references. The following references will get you started. Make sure you

bookmark these sites, as well as the other references that you’ll discover in your new career.

● www.rxlist.com—This site provides drug reference information.

● www.drugs.com—This site is a comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information

online.

● www.webmd.com—Use this site to explore health conditions including symptoms, condition

facts, diagnoses, tests and treatments.

● www.ama-assn.org—This is the American Medical Association site. Here, you can search

nearly all of the licensed physicians in the U.S.

● www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2645.html—Each state licenses the physicians

who practice in the state. This site provides links to the state medical boards.

● www.ahdionline.org––The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity is a valuable

online resource. In addition, AHDI offers certification options, which you can explore on

AHDI’s website. This site also sells professional and educational resources.

0100000SP26A-17 Page 29

Transcription Reference Guide

Plurals and Sound-alike Words

Quick-reference Chart for Medical Plurals

Ending Change To Example Final Form

/um /a medi/um medi/a

/us /i calcul/us calcul/i

/a /ae lamin/a lamin/ae

/is /es diagnos/is diagnos/es

/itis /itid/es arthr/itis arthr/itid/es

i/on i/a criteri/on criteri/a

ax ac/es thorax thorac/es

ix ic/es cervix cervic/es

ex ic/es index indic/es

yx yc/es calyx calyc/es

nx ng/es larynx laryng/es

en in/a lumen lumin/a

ma mat/a carcinoma carcinomat/a

Quick-reference Chart for English Plurals

Rules Singular Plural

Most nouns just add s Dog Dogs

Many nouns ending with a consonant + y change

the y to i and add es

Lobby Lobbies

Nouns ending with a vowel + y just add s Toy Toys

Nouns ending with ch, sh, ss or x add es Church Churches

Many nouns ending with f or fe change this to a v

and add es

Leaf Leaves

Nouns ending with a vowel + o add s Radio Radios

Nouns ending with a consonant + o add es Potato Potatoes

Page 30 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Quick-reference Chart to Sound-alike Words

Sound-alike

Words

Meaning

Sound-alike

Words

Meaning

abduction,

adduction

Abduction means

“moving away from”

Adduction means

“drawing towards”

accept,

except

Accept means

“to receive willingly”

Except means “to leave

out or exclude”

affect,

effect

Affect means

“to inuence”

Effect means “to bring

about a change”

afferent,

efferent

Afferent means “toward

a center”

Efferent means “outward

from a center”

anuresis,

enuresis

Anuresis means “retention

of urine in the bladder”

Enuresis means

“involuntary discharge of

urine” or “bedwetting”

apposition,

opposition

Apposition means “placing

side by side or next to”

Opposition means “contrary

action or condition”

actasia,

ectasia

Actasia means “inability

to stand due to muscle

coordination”

Ectasia means “dilation

or expansion”

aural,

oral

Aural means “pertaining to

the ear”

Oral means “pertaining to

the mouth”

carotid,

parotid

Carotid means “artery”

Parotid means “gland”

CNS,

C&S

CNS means “central

nervous system”

C&S means “culture and

sensitivity (laboratory data)”

dysphagia,

dysphasia,

dysplasia

Dysphagia means “difculty

swallowing”

Dysphasia means

“impairment of speech”

Dysplasia means

“abnormality of adult cells”

discreet,

discrete

Discreet means “reserved

speech or behavior”

Discrete means

“separate or distinct”

farther,

further

Farther means

“physical distance”

Further means “extension

of time or degree”

vesical,

vesicle

Vesical means “pertaining

to the bladder”

Vesicle means “a small

sac or cyst”

ileum,

ilium

Ileum means “distal

portion of the colon”

Ilium means “superior part

of the hip bone”

modeling,

mottling

Modeling means

“learning by imitation”

Mottling means “spotty

patches of color”

mucous,

mucus

Mucous (the adjective)

means “pertaining

to mucus”

Mucus (the noun) means

“free slime of the

mucous membranes”

perineal,

peroneal

Perineal means “pertaining

the area between the

thighs, from the coccyx

to the pubis”

Peroneal means “pertaining

to the bula, or the lateral

side of the leg”

shoddy,

shotty

Shoddy means “poor quality”

Shotty means “resembling

buckshot, as in shotty

nodes”

0100000SP26A-17 Page 31

Transcription Reference Guide

Common Combined Forms

In medical terminology, there are some terms that can be correctly transcribed as two words,

sometimes hyphenated, or as a combined form. For example, the term metacarpal-phalangeal

is preferred as metacarpophalangeal. It can be difficult to determine if the doctor dictated

metacarpal or metacarpo. Research the term carefully, and if you find that it is acceptable as

either separate words or as a combined form, use the combined form. Following are examples of

commonly combined forms:

You Hear Transcribe As

adrenal cortical adrenocortical

anterior apical anteroapical

anterior lateral anterolateral

arterial venous arteriovenous

bronchial alveolar bronchoalveolar

cardiac vascular cardiovascular

carpal metacarpal carpometacarpal

cortical steroid corticosteroid

genital urinary genitourinary

medial lateral mediolateral

metacarpal phalangeal metacarpophalangeal

metatarsal phalangeal metatarsophalangeal

normal active normoactive

normal cephalic normocephalic

normal reflexive normoreflexive

oral pharyngeal oropharyngeal

posterior basal posterobasal

posterior lateral posterolateral

posterior medial posteromedial

temporal frontal temporofrontal

thoracic dorsal thoracodorsal

tibial talar tibiotalar

ventral lateral ventrolateral

vesical uretral vesicourethral

Page 32 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Word List

General Words

abduction, adduction

abnormality

abscess

acquired

acute

afebrile

affect, effect

alert and oriented

allergy

anemia

anoxia

anoxic

atrophic

atrophy

auscultation

axillary

benign

brachial

bruits

buccal

carpal

caseous

CBC with differential,

complete blood count with

differential

chronic

cirrhosis

clavicular

clinical

coagulate

complications

congenital

costal margin

cranial nerves 2-12

debride, debridement

degenerate

developmental

differentiated

DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid

dura, dural

entrapment

EOMs, extraocular movements

episode, episodic

epithelium

equal and full

etiology

extremities

fatty metamorphosis

femoral

fibrinous

fibrosis

fibrous

fixation

frontal

funduscopic

fungus

genitalia

genus

gluteal

granuloma

granulomatous

grossly intact

Hb, hemoglobin

Hct, HCT, hematocrit

headache

hematopoiesis

hemoptysis

hemorrhoid

hereditary

hyaline

hydrocephalus

hyperplasia

hyperplastic

hypertrophy

hypoxia

iatrogenic

idiopathic

infection

infectious

inflammation

inspection

irreversible

lethal

liquefaction

living and well

LMD, local medical doctor

macroscopic

malignant

mammogram

MCA, motorcycle accident

medial

mediastinal

meningeal

metamorphosis

metastasis

microscopic

midclavicular

midfrontal

midsagittal

monocytes

morbid

morphologic

mucus, mucous

MVA, motor vehicle accident

myocardial infarction

necrosis

neoplasm

neutrophils

no acute distress

noncontributory

normal bowel sounds

normoreflexive

nosocomial

orbital

organomegaly

orthopnea

palpation

0100000SP26A-17 Page 33

Transcription Reference Guide

parasagittal

parasite

patella, patellar

pathologic

pathophysiology

PCN, penicillin

percussion

pericardial

peripheral

peritoneal

pharyng/o

plantar

platelet count

popliteal

posteromedial

postoperative

primary intention

prognosis

proximal

pseudo/

purulent

pus

pyuria

rebound tenderness,

pinpoint tenderness

referral

regenerate

reversible

rheumatology

rhinoplasty

sacral

scapula, scapular

secondary intention

secondary to

section

septal

serous

squamous

stress incontinence

subacute

super/, supra/

supine

suppurative

syndrome

Tagamet

tarsal

tibia, tibial

timorous

tinnitus

trauma

traumatic

tubercul/o

tumor

UCD, usual childhood diseases

UCI, usual childhood illnesses

umbilical

unremarkable

urgency

vascularize

vertigo

visceral

well nourished, well developed

(WNWD)

well demarcated

Integumentary

System

/plakia

/sensitivity

acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome; AIDS

adenopathy

alopecia

arrector pili

burs/o

butterfly rash

cellulitis

condyl/o

corne/o

cuticul/o

dermat/o

entrapment

erythema

erythematous

follicul/o

furuncul/o

impetigo

inguinal

edematous

intertriginous

lacerate

laceration

lentig/o

lichenification

Lyme disease

medull/o

midfrontal

nev/o

nodul/o

orbit

organomegaly

papill/o

periorbital

petechi/o

phym/o

phyt/o, /phyte

pil/o

plak/o

pretibial

pruritus, pruritic

psori/a

pustul/o

Raynaud phenomenon

seizure

SLE, systemic lupus

erythematosus

spirochete

stat

stratum, strata,

stratum germinativum,

stratum corneum

superficial

Page 34 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

supraorbital

theli/o

trich/o

tympanic membrane, TM, TMs

urticaria

verruc/o

vesicular

vitiligo

wheal

Integumentary

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

ABD pads

acetic acid

acrylic

aspirin, ASA

C&S, culture and sensitivity

Candida albicans

cephradine

cold packs

Escherichia coli

flap

graft

I&D, incision and drainage

IF test, immunofluorescence test

immunofluorescence

Kerlix

ketoconazole

microsize griseofulvin

Microsporum

NS, normal saline

Pen. Vee K, Pen-Vee K, pen VK

penicillin G

prednis/o

reduction

Silvadene

staphyl/o,

Staphylococcus aureus

suture

tetracycline

tine/o, tinea

tomography

W-70

Wood light

Z-plasty

Neurological System

/ferent

Achilles tendon

Alzheimer disease

amyotrophic disease

anterior chamber

aqueduct/o, aqueduct of

Sylvius

arachn/o

arthralgia

AV nicking

cardiovascular

cataract

cerumin/o, cerumen

chiasm/o, chiasm

cholin/o, acetylcholine

chor/o, chori/o

chorea

Chvostek sign

claudication

clubbing

CNS, central nervous system

cochle/o

concussion

contrecoup

crypt/o

CSF, cerebrospinal fluid

CVA, cerebrovascular accident

cycl/o

dendr/o

diabetes

diplopia

encephalitis

episode, episodic

epistaxis

eustachian tube

exudates

fasciculations

fove/o

gemin/o

gingivitis

glaucoma

gyrus, gyri

hemorrhages

hoarseness

Horner syndrome

hypertension

IVH, intraventricular

hemorrhage

lacrim/o

lateral sclerosis

LOC, loss of consciousness

Lou Gehrig disease

manometer

mei/o, mi/o

Meniere disease

MS, multiple sclerosis

myalgia

myelin/o

myring/o

nodes of Ranvier

nystagmus

OD, oculus dexter

oligodendroglia, microglia,

astrocyte, axon, dendrite

(nerve cells)

OS, oculus sinister

Parkinson disease

pineal/o

plexus

pteryg/o

pupil/o

0100000SP26A-17 Page 35

Transcription Reference Guide

PVR, progressive vitreous

retinopathy, NVD,

neovascularization of the disk

pyorrhea

RAM, rapid alternating

movements

rhinorrhea

Schwann cells

sclera

scleral buckling

sclerosis

scopolamine

scot/o, scotoma, scotomata

sequelae

sinusitis

spher/o

splanchn/o

strabismus

subclavian steal syndrome

syncope

Takayasu disease

thalam/o

TIA, transient ischemic attack

tinnitus

tremor

vertigo

vestibul/o

Neurological

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

/ase

acetate 1%

acetyl/

agglutinin

atropine

Augmentin

barbiturate

Brudzinski sign

carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

clonidine

Cryptococcus

CT, computed tomography,

CAT, computed axial

tomography

Dexacidin ointment

Diamox

Dilaudid

Doppler duplex sonography

electromyogram, EMG

endolaser photocoagulation

ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation

rate

Feldene

finger-to-nose, heel-to-shin,

heel-to-knee

funduscopic findings

Haemophilus (genus)*

hydroxyl/o

IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD

(immunoglobulins)

immobilization

Kernig sign

Komberg method

L-Dopa

LP, lumbar puncture

Motrin

MRI, magnetic resonance

imaging

Neisseria (genus)

Novocain

pars plana vitrectomy

phenytoin

pinprick

platelet count

position

SF6 gas

slit lamp

SMAC-20

tenoplasty

Timoptic

Tylenol

vibration

Musculoskeletal

System

/clisis

/desis

/sity, /city

/version

abrasions

acet/o

acromion

adhes/o, adher/o

aerobic, anaerobic

audit/o

Baker bone cyst

Barton fracture

brachial

calc/o

cancel/o

capit/o, capitulum

carpal tunnel syndrome

carpometacarpal

cervical = C1 through C7,

thoracic = T1 through T12,

lumbar = L1 through L5

(vertebral levels)

clas/o, clasia

coccyge/o

Colles fracture

compression fracture

concha, conchae

contusions

cranial nerves 2-12

crepitation

cribriform plate

crista galli

di/, dipl/o, diploe

* All genus names are shown in the Word List with an initial capital. See Rule 17 for correct usage within a medical report.

Page 36 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

dis/

dorsalis pedis

dorsi/

Dupuytren contracture

erythromycin

femoral

fixation

flaccid

fontanelle, fontanel

gout

hallux

hamat/o

Hansen disease

haversian canals

infarct, infarction

infrascapular

lacun/o

laxity

LCL, lateral collateral ligament

MCL, medial collateral

ligament ACL, anterior

cruciate ligament

lig/a

lord/o

malle/o, malleol/o

mast/o

MCP, metacarpophalangeal,

MTP, metatarsophalangeal

meat/o

murmur

myocardial

myofascial

NCAT

nitroglycerin

oblique

obturator

olecranon

opposition

Paget disease, osteitis

deformans

periosteal membrane (bone

parts)

perone/o

PMI, point of maximum impulse

poikil/o, poiekyl/o

popliteal

posterior tibial

pronat/o

quadr/i, quadr/u

RA, rheumatoid arthritis

radial

ramus, rami

range of joint motion

rickets

sciatica

scoli/o

snuffbox

subluxation

supinat/o

symmetrical

taliped, talipes

tophi

trapezium

trochle/o

tuber/o

volar

Volkmann canals

Volkmann contracture

Musculoskeletal

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

/steroid

abductor tendon transfer,

peroneal tendon transfer

arthroplasty hinge prosthesis

arthroscopy

Cardizem

curettage, curettement

dapsone

drip-suck irrigation

Hoffmann forefoot resection

immobilizer

Indocin

internal fixation

methyl methacrylate cement

Naprosyn

Nitro-Bid

nuclear bone scan, bone

survey

open reduction

oxacillin

passive resistance

reduction

Swanson Silastic flexible hinge

T&A, tonsillectomy

and adenoidectomy

thalidomide

triple arthrodesis

Cardiovascular

System

/function

/globin

/lingual

/spasm, spasm/o

/sufficient /sufficiency

/urnal

ABG, arterial blood gas

abnormal heart sounds: thrill,

murmur, bruit, heave, lift,

gallop

angina pectoris

atrial flutter

azygos vein

cardiopulmonary

carotid artery

CCVS, Canadian

Cardiovascular Society

classification

celiac axis or trunk artery

CHF, congestive heart failure

0100000SP26A-17 Page 37

Transcription Reference Guide

circle of Willis vein

cor pulmonale

coronary arteries

diapedesis

diastole, diastolic

diathesis

DOE, dyspnea on exertion

ductus arteriosus artery

(ligamentum arteriosum)

ductus venosus vein

fistula, fistulae

foramen ovale

heart tones S1, S2, S3, S4

hypertrophy

hypoxemia

inotropic

JVD, jugular venous distention

(distension)

LAE, left atrial enlargement

LAH, left atrial hypertrophy

layers of blood vessels

lumin/o

LVEDP, left ventricular

end-diastolic pressure

LVH, left ventricular

hypertrophy

mesenteric artery

MI, myocardial infarction

nodal rhythm

NYHA, New York Heart

Association classification

palpitation

PDA, patent ductus arteriosus

platelet

PND, paroxysmal nocturnal

dyspnea

portal vein

pulsat/o

RAE, right atrial enlargement

RAO, right anterior oblique

regurgitation

repolarization

RHD, rheumatic heart disease

RVH, right ventricular

hypertrophy

saphenous vein

SEM, systolic ejection murmur

sinus rhythm

SOB, shortness of breath

sphygm/o

subclavian artery

systole, systolic

Cardiovascular

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

7.5 VIP pacing thermodilution

Swan-Ganz catheter

angiogram measurements:

stroke volume, systolic volume,

end-diastolic volume, index,

ejection fraction

CABG, coronary artery bypass

graft

Captopril

CBC with differential white

count

Coumadin

CPK, creatinine phosphokinase

CT ratio

digoxin

diltiazem

duplex Doppler 2D

echocardiogram

EKG landmarks: R wave,

P wave, T wave, ST-T wave,

mean QRS axis, P-R interval,

Q-T interval, QRS interval

exercise thallium treadmill study

Flamm equation

heparin

Inderal

insulin

intracardiac pressures: wedge

pressure, mean pressure, end-

diastolic pressure, peak pressure

introducer sheath

Isordil

KCl, potassium chloride

Lanoxin

Lasix

LDH, lactate dehydrogenase

nifedipine

Nitropress

precordial leads V1 through V6

propranolol

prosthetic heart valves

PTCA, percutaneous

transluminal coronary

angioplasty

R’

Seldinger technique

serotonin

Slow-K

Swan-Ganz catheter

ventriculography

Wright stain

Xanax

Immune System

/omatous

/poietin

ARC, AIDS-related complex

arrhythmia

bacteremia

DIC, disseminated

intravascular coagulopathy

Hashimoto thyroiditis

Heberden nodes

hemiparesis

hemispheric

HIV, human immunodeficiency

virus, HTLV

hydrat/o

lymphat/o

Page 38 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

malar

MVP, mitral valve prolapse

nuch/o

pancytopenia

phleb/o

plasmapheresis

protuberant

remission

sacroiliac

temporomandibular

thrush

thymosin

turgor

Immune System

Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

/globulin

Adriamycin

allopurinol

ANA, antinuclear antibodies

Ancef

antibody-antigen reaction test

anticoagulant factors

antigen-specific antibodies

chlorpromazine

cisplatin

Compazine

gallium

interleukin-2, IL-2

leucovorin

line infection

Mantoux, tine

(tests for tuberculosis)

methotrexate

morphine sulfate

nuclear bone scan, plain film,

bone survey (x-ray studies)

Oncovin

Persantine

PT, prothrombin time, protime

PTT, partial thromboplastin

time

RA factor, rheumatoid arthritis

factor

RIA, radioimmunoassay

Tambocor

thyroid panel

tip culture

titer

vancomycin

Vas Cath

VP-16

Respiratory System

aspiration

asthmat/o

atelectasis, atelectatic

berylli/o

clubbing

consolidation

COPD, chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease

CPR, cardiopulmonary

resuscitation

cric/o

defervesce

fluor/o

infiltrate

insufflations

lingula

mainstem bronchi

pleurisy, pleuritic

rales, rhonchi, wheezes,

crackling, bronchial, vesicular

(breathing sounds)

resuscitation

surfactant

theli/o

tonsils

tub/o

URI, upper respiratory infection

Respiratory System

Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

/amide

AFB, acid-fast bacilli

amphotericin B

anemia

Bactrim

BAL, bronchial-alveolar lavage

carina

chest tube

ET tube, endotracheal tube

extrinsic

FeSO4, ferrous sulfate

fluoroscopy

Gram stain

Heimlich maneuver

Histoplasma (genus)

histoplasmosis

homo/

humidifier

hyperemia

incentive spirometer

interstitial, reticulonodular,

Kerley B lines, patch infiltrate,

bleb (lung x-ray patterns)

intrinsic

isoniazid, INH

lung scan and

perfusion-ventilation study

lymphocyte transfer beryllium

sulfate blood test

mesothelioma

Mycobacterium (genus)

nebulizer

partial pressures

0100000SP26A-17 Page 39

Transcription Reference Guide

pentamidine

PFT, pulmonary function test

pO2 (PO2), pCO2 (PCO2), pH

(gas measurements)

PPD

pyrazinamide

pyridoxine

respirator

Rifamate

RSV, respiratory syncytial

virus, paramyxovirus

ventilator

Gastrointestinal

System

/chalasia

/lapse

aliment/o

alopecia

amin/o

ampull/o

anemia

appendicitis, appendectomy

ascites, ascetic

bilirubin/o

BM, bowel movement

BMR, basal metabolic rate

bulimia

cachexia, cachectic

celiac axis

Clostridium (genus)

coffee-ground emesis

costal margin

Crohn disease

decidu/o

delirium tremens

dent/o

diet/o

dynam/o

empyema

fec/o

fiberoptic

frenulum

fruct/o

galact/o

gangrene

Gardner syndrome

gauge

GE, gastroesophageal

girth

granulomatous

hematogenous, regional

lymph node, perineural,

intraluminal, distant

(types of metastases)

hemi

icterus, icteric

IF, intrinsic factor

ileocolitis

ileus

indication

inspection

intermittent

intussusception

jejunoileitis

ketotic

knee-chest position

labi/o, cheil/o

lact/o

lithotomy position

Meckel diverticulum

melena

menstrual

meth/o, eth/o

mucoviscidosis

nocturia

packed red blood cells

palpation

parenchyma

peduncul/o

perforation, penetration,

hemorrhage, obstruction

(complications of peptic ulcer)

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Peyer patches

PKU, phenylketonuria

plicae circulares

polyp/o

proct/o

PUD, peptic ulcer disease

recumbent

reflux

regular rate and rhythm

straw-colored

syring/o

TE fistula, tracheal-esophageal

fistula, tracheoesophageal

fistula

Trendelenburg position

Valsalva maneuver

volvul/o

Gastrointestinal

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

anastomosis, anastomoses,

end-to-end anastomosis,

end-to-side anastomosis

balloon tube

barium enema, upper GI series,

small bowel follow-through,

supine abdomen, plain film

(flat plate) x-ray studies

Billroth I, Billroth II (surgical

procedures)

buccal smear

Cantor tube

diazepam

EGD, esophago-

gastroduodenoscopy

ERCP, endoscopic retrograde

cholangiopancreatography

folic acid

GoLYTELY solution

Page 40 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

guarding, shifting dullness, fluid

wave (physical examination

findings in the abdomen)

Histamine H2 receptor blockers

Levin tube

Maalox

Miller-Abbott tube

MOM (milk of magnesia)

Mylanta

NSAID, nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drug

prothrombin time, pro-time

PTC, percutaneous

transhepatic cholangiography

Salem sump tube

Sengstaken-Blakemore tube

SGOT, serum glutamic-

oxaloacetic transaminase

SGPT, serum glutamate

pyruvate transaminase

stool guaiac

thiamine, thiamin

Valium

Zantac

Genitourinary

System

/gone, /gon

/inogen

/spadias

/vascularization

acid/o

ald/o

alkyl/o, alkali

AGN, acute glomerulonephritis

Alport syndrome

balan/o

calcin/o

cirrhosis

colic, colicky

Cowper gland

CRF, chronic renal failure

CVA, costovertebral angle

diabetes insipidus

Dietl crisis

dysuria

echo/

epithelial

ESRD, end-stage renal disease

genit/o

implant, malimplantation

intrarenal locations: upper

pole, lower pole, midpole,

subcapsular, perihilar

leukocytes

MCD, minimal change disease

mictur/o

nephrotic syndrome

pathognomonic

periumbilical

Peyronie disease

plaque

priapism

reflux

rheumatology

rickets

RTA, renal tubular acidosis

sulf/o, sulf/a, sulfon/o

TIN, tubulointerstitial nephritis

tubul/o

UTI, urinary tract infection

vas/o, vas deferens

xanthogranulomatous

Genitourinary

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

24-hour creatinine clearance

5’-nucleotidase*

ADH, antidiuretic hormone

Amphojel

ampicillin

anticardiolipin

anticentromere

anti-DNA

anti-DNP

antimitochondrial antibody

anti-smooth muscle

bipolar cautery

Bovie cautery

CIPD, chronic intermittent

peritoneal dialysis

clean-void urine culture

closed renal biopsy, open

renal biopsy

creatinine

cystoscope

dialysis terms: semipermeable,

hemodialysis, peritoneal

irrigation

electrocautery

electrolytes

endarterectomy

EU, Ehrlich units

evaluations done in urinalysis:

color, clarity, pH, specific

gravity, glucose, bilirubin,

ketones, albumin, protein,

cells, casts, amorphous urea

crystals, blood

Foley catheter

furosemide

indwelling catheter

Jackson-Pratt drain

lavage

Malecot catheter

Marshall-Marchetti repair

(suprapubic vesicourethral

suspension)

nephrolithotripsy

osmolarity

* You may also hear this term dictated as 5 prime nucleotidase.

0100000SP26A-17 Page 41

Transcription Reference Guide

oxacillin

Penrose drain

phosphorus

prostate specific agglutinins

PT, pro-time, prothrombin time

PTT, partial thromboplastin time

Q-panel

red Robinson catheter

resectoscope

sed rate, sedimentation rate

serum

suprapubic catheter

Tenckhoff catheter

transurethral resection of the

prostate (TURP)

ureteroileostomy

verapamil

x-ray studies: IVP (intravenous

pyelogram), IVU (intravenous

urogram), EU (excretory

urogram), retrograde

urethrocystogram or voiding

cystourethrogram

Reproductive

System

amni/o

abruptio placentae

asphyxia

BUS/V/V, Bartholin, urethral

and Skene glands, vulva,

vagina

calcifications

Chlamydia (genus)

chori/o

clitoris

corp/o, corpus luteum

cul-de-sac

descent

dilatation

DUB, dysfunctional uterine

bleeding

dystocia

eclampsia

EDC, estimated date of

confinement

effacement

episi/o

erythroblastosis fetalis

estr/o, estr/a

estrogen

gestation

Graafian follicle

gravida

GUSI, genuine urinary stress

incontinence

hermaphroditism

hyperemesis gravidarum

in situ

laxity

LNMP, last normal menstrual

period

lochia

lutein, luteinizing

luteinizing hormone

marsupialization

meconium

Meigs syndrome

menarche

mucin/o

NSVD, normal spontaneous

vaginal delivery

para

peau d’orange

perineum

placenta previa

progester/o

pudend/o

scirrhous

station

Stein-Leventhal syndrome

TOA, tubo-ovarian abscess

TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other,

rubella, cytomegalovirus,

herpes virus)

Trichomonas (genus)

trimester, semester

troph/o

tubal insufflations

vault

viable

zygot/o

Reproductive

System Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

#7 French red rubber tube

5-fluorouracin, tamoxifen

ablation

alpha-fetoprotein, AFP

Apgar score

aqueous silver nitrate, AgNO3

beta-HCG (hCG), human

chorionic gonadotropin

betamethasone

Burch procedure

cautery, cauterization

cocaine

colporrhaphy

conization, cold conization

cyclophosphamide

D&C, dilation and curettage

DES, diethylstilbestrol

dexamethasone

Gantrisin

Kelly plication

L/S ratio, lecithin/

sphingomyelin ratio

OCT, oxytocin challenge test

oxytocin

Pap test, Pap smear,

Papanicolaou

Page 42 0100000SP26A-17

Transcription Reference Guide

Pitocin

prostaglandin

Provera

sonographic fetal

measurements: biparietal

diameter (BPD), crown-rump

length (CRL)

TAH, total abdominal

hysterectomy BSO, bilateral

salpingo-oophorectomy

Endocrine System

/ergy, /ergic

/nine

/ophthalmos

/voltage

ACTH, adrenocorticotropic

hormone

Addison disease

Chvostek sign

Conn syndrome

craniopharyngioma

cushing/o

GH, growth hormone

gigantism

goiter

Graves disease

Hashimoto disease

IDDM, insulin-dependent

diabetes mellitus

NIDDM, noninsulin-dependent

diabetes mellitus

iod/o

islets of Langerhans

isthmus

menopause

mineral/o

myxedema

obligatory

parathyroid hormone,

parathormone

propt/o, exophthalmos

RRR, regular rate and rhythm

tetan/o

thyrotoxicosis

Trousseau sign

VMA, vanillylmandelic acid

Endocrine System

Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

17-OHCS urine hormone test

adrenalectomy

aldosterone

blood sugar tests: fasting blood

sugar, 2-hour postprandial

blood sugar, oral glucose

tolerance test (OGTT, GTT)

Corgard

CVP, central venous pressure

catheter

dexamethasone suppression

test

Dextrostix

E2, estradiol

glyburide

Holter cardiac monitor

I-131, radioactive sodium

iodide, NaI-131

long-acting insulin

nadolol

osmolality

plasma renin

prolactin

PTU, propylthiouracil

radioactive iodine

rapid-acting insulin

RIA, radioimmunoassay

serum cortisol

short-acting insulin

spironolactone

Steri-Strips

Synthroid

Tapazole

Telfa pad, Telfa 4 x 4

tetraiodothyronine, T4, thyroxine

thyroid function tests: T3 resin

uptake, T4 assay, radioactive

uptake (RAU), thyroid scan

thyroidectomy

tolbutamide

transsphenoidal

tri-iodothyronine, T3

TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone

Xeroform gauze

Operative Reports

adenocarcinoma

annul/o, annulus

approximate

ascites, ascitic

blanching

boggy

capitellum

cholesteatoma

chordate tympani

cine (slang), fluoroscopy

crus, crura

crystalloid

dentate ligament

draped

elliptical

en bloc

endobronchial

evacuated

flap

flexor longus pollicis muscle

gastrocnemius muscle

graft donor site

ICU, intensive care unit

0100000SP26A-17 Page 43

Transcription Reference Guide

impregnated

lamin/o, lamina

latissimus dorsi muscle

ligament of Treitz

ligamentum flavum

linea alba

lumen

microinstrumentation

ostium, ostia

parietal

parts of the ear: malleus,

incus, stapes, epitympanum,

eustachian tube,

mesotympanum, oval window

passed off the field

pectoralis muscle

platysma muscle

prepped

promontory

psoas muscle

pterion

SFA, superficial femoral artery

sound, sounded

spondyl/o

testicle

TMJ, temporomandibular joint

trough

tuberculoma

tunica vaginalis

ug, mcg (microgram)

xiphoid

zygoma, zygomatic

Operative Reports

Equipment,

Procedures,

Pharmaceuticals

and Tests

#1, #2, #15 scalpel, blade or

knife

Adair clamp

amiodarone

anesthesia terms: induction,

endotracheal, general, local

Armour tube

bacitracin, polymyxin-

bacitracin

Benadryl

benzoin

blunt dissection

Brenner incision

bronchoscopy

Brown-Adson forceps

BTL, bilateral tubal ligation

bur

Coly-Mycin

cone biopsy

Deaver retractor

dopamine

epinephrine, epi (slang)

frozen section

Gelfoam

Gillies elevator

Gore-Tex

Greenberg retractor

Hanks dilator

hemoclip clamp

hemostat clamp

Hemovac suction

heparin

Hexabrix

Hi-Per Flex guidewire

I&D, irrigation and

debridement

Kelly clamp

Kerlix

Kerrison rongeur

Kocher clamp

Lempert elevator

lidocaine

mastectomy

Mayfield three-point pin

headrest

Mayo scissors

Methergine

Metzenbaum scissors

mosquito clamp

NG, nasogastric tube

Op-Site dressing

orchiectomy

pneumatic tourniquet

Potts scissors

Ringer’s lactate solution (RL)

Satinsky clamp

self-retaining retractor

sharp dissection

shave biopsy

skin staples, skin clips

speculum: aural, vaginal,

nasal, weighted

spine cutter

Steri-Strips

suture materials: Dexon,

plain catgut, gut, silk, Maxon,

Prolene, wire, Mersilene,

Ethilon, Vicryl, chromic, nylon,

Lembert, Nurolon

interrupted, pursestring, stick

tie, running, single, buried,

interlocking, PDS mattress,

subcuticular, continuous,

figure-of-eight, through-and-

through (suture styles)

thoracotomy

trocar

Xylocaine

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Alphabetized Flashterms

#1, #2, #15 scalpel, blade or knife types of surgical

tools used for incisions

#7 French red rubber tube tube used to drain body

cavities

µg microgram, micrograms

12-lead electrocardiogram leads precordial leads

(V1 through V6); extremity leads (aVR, aVL, aVF, I, II, III)

17-OHCS urine hormone test

2 x 2 2-inch square bandage

24-hour creatinine clearance urine test to assess

kidney function

5’-nucleotidase blood test to diagnose liver disease

5-uorouracil used to treat cancer

7.5 VIP pacing thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter

measures intravascular pressure

a febrile with fever

a.c. ante cibum; before meals

a/ without, absent

ab abortion

ab/ away from

ABD pads type of bandage

abdomen body between thorax and pelvis

abdomin/o abdomen, relating to abdomen

abdominal relating to abdomen

abdominocentesis puncture or passage into the

abdominal cavity

abdominopelvic major body cavity

abduction to draw away from the median plane

abductor tendon transfer surgical relocation of

insertion of abductor tendon to another muscle

ABG arterial blood gas

ablation removal of a body part or the destruction

of its function

abnormal heart sounds thrill, murmur, bruit, heave,

lift, gallop

abnormality state of being abnormal

ABO blood type system

abrasion supercial damage to the skin

abruptio placentae the placental lining separates

from the uterus

abscess collection of pus closed off in a sac

/ac(adjective) relating to

ac/ toward, near

acet/o vinegar

acetabul/o vinegar cup

acetate 1% a salt of acetic acid

Acetest a test to determine if acetone is present in

urine

acetic acid acidifying agent

acetohexamide used in treatment of diabetes

acetyl/ vinegar alcohol

acetylcholine relating to acetylcholine or the

parasympathetic nervous system

acetylsalicylic acid ASA;aspirin

Achilles tendon large tendon at back of lower calf

acid phosphatase enzyme, measurement used as a

diagnostic test

acid/o acid or a pH of less than 7.0

acid-fast bacilli AFB; tuberculosis bacteria

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ACL anterior cruciate ligament

acquired not inherited or present at birth

acquired immunodeciency syndrome AIDS;

disease due to infection with HIV virus

acr/o extremity, tip

acromion lateral end of spine of the scapula

acrylic used in manufacture of dental prostheses

ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone

actin/o ray

/active acting

active transport uses energy to transport elements

across a membrane

acu/o sudden, sharp

acute sudden, of short duration

acute glomerulonephritis AGN; active inammation

in the glomeruli

ad lib. ad libitum; as desired

ad/ toward, near

Adair clamps with green towel surgical instrument

adduction to draw toward the median plane

aden/o gland

adenocarcinoma cancer originating in glandular

tissue

adenopathy enlargement or disease of the glands

adenosine chemical that helps the actions of gland

hormones

adenosine tri ATP; cell molecules that store energy

ADH antidiuretic hormone

adher/o stuck to

adhes/o stuck to

adhesives benzoin

adip/o fat tissues

adipose relating to fat

adnex/o appendages or adjunct parts

adren/o from or relating to the adrenal glands

adrenal gland part of endocrine system

adrenalectomy surgical removal of one or both

adrenal glands

Adriamycin used in chemotherapy

adventitia, adventitial outermost layer of loose tissue

advice(noun) opinion, suggestion

advise (verb) to inform

aerobic, anaerobic living in air/living without oxygen

af/ toward, near

AFB acid-fast bacilli; tuberculosis bacteria

afebrile without fever

affect (noun) external expression of emotion

affect (verb) to inuence, change

/affective relating to the affect

afferent carrying toward the center

AFP alpha-fetoprotein; test for abnormal pregnancy

agglutinin antibody that clumps particles

AGN acute glomerulonephritis; active inammation

in the glomeruli

agranular smooth reticulum endoplasmic

AI articial insemination

AIDS acquired immunodeciency syndrome;

disease due to infection with HIV virus

air-lled lled with air

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air-lled alternating pressure mattress used for burn

or bedridden patients to prevent bed sores

air-uid exchange exchange of gases between

lungs and blood

/al (adjective) relating to

albumin/ albumin, found in urine

alcohol/o alcohol

alcoholic relating to alcohol

ald/o chemical containing aldehyde

aldosterone hormone secreted by adrenal cortex

alert and oriented description used in H&P

/algia (noun) pain

aliment/o digestive, nutritional

/alis relating to

alkalosis metabolic, respiratory, hypokalemic,

nonhypochloremic

alkyl/o, /alkali a base or a pH of more than 7.0

allergic relating to allergy

allergist one who specializes in study of allergies

allergy abnormality of immune system

allopurinol antigout agent

alopecia baldness

alpha rst letter in the Greek alphabet, rst position

alpha-fetoprotein AFP; test for abnormal pregnancy

ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; wasting of muscles

due to attacks on the nerve cells

alveol/o small round sac

alveoli small round sac; alveolus, alveoi

alveolus small round sac

Alzheimer disease irreversible, progressive brain

disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking

skills

ambly/ dullness or weakness

Ambu bag bag used for respiration during

resuscitation

ambul/o, ambulat/o walking

/amide group of chemicals containing nitrogen

amin/o amine, amino acid

Aminophyllin discontinued trademark for

aminophylline

aminophylline discontinued drug used as a

bronchodilator for asthma

amiodarone antiarrhythmic

amitriptyline antidepressant

/amnesia, /amnestic loss of memory

amni/o amnion or amniotic uid

Amoeba (genus) histolytica, proteus, verrucosa

amphi/ both sides, around or about, double

Amphojel trademark for preparations of aluminum

hydroxide gel

amphotericin B antifungal agent

ampicillin penicillin

ampull/o outlet shaped like a mouth

ampulla, ampullary part of fallopian tube

amyl/o starch, chemical structure

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS; wasting of muscles

due to attacks on the nerve cells

an/ without, absent

an/o anus

ANA antinuclear antibodies

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ana/ positive, up

anabolic relating to building up a molecule

anabolism building up a molecule

anaphase one of the phases of cell reproduction

anastomoses end-to-side anastomosis

anastomosis end-to-end anastomosis

anatomic position position of body to describe

location

anatomy science of structure of body

Ancef antibacterial

andr/o male

anemia Cooley, Chvostek, Dresbach, Lederer,

megaloblastic, pernicious, sickle cell, thalassemia

anesthesia terms induction, mask, endotracheal,

general, local

anesthesia (types of) inhalation, block, regional,

topical, general

anesthesiologist one who specializes in

anesthesiology

anesthesiology study of evaluation and treatment

during surgery under anesthesia

anesthetics Amytal, Brevital, Cetacaine, ammable,

Fluothane, halothane, lidocaine, Marcaine

aneurysm/o aneurysm, a widening

angi/o vessel containing uid

angina pectoris chest pain

angiogram measurements stroke volume, systolic

volume, end-diastolic volume, index, ejection

fraction

ankyl/o stiff, fused

annul/o annulus

annulus ring

/anol alcohol compounds

anomaly, anomalous deviation from normal

anorex/i lack of appetite

anoxia absence of oxygen

anoxic relating to absence of oxygen

Antabuse used for management of chronic

alcoholism

antacids Mylanta, Maalox, MOM (milk of magnesia)

ante/ before; may sound like “and he”

antecubital elbow

antecubital fossa elbow

anter/o front

anterior relating to the front

anterior chamber uid-lled space inside the eye

between the iris and the cornea

anti/ against, opposed

antibiotic substances that work to cure infectious

diseases caused by bacteria

antibody-antigen reaction tests precipitation,

complement xation, neutralization, agglutination

anticardiolipin antibody, blood test to aid in

diagnosis of SLE

anticentromere antibody, blood test for diagnosis of

Raynaud disease

anticoagulant factor agent which prevents

coagulation

anti-DNA antinuclear antibody, blood test to check

SLE

antiemetic to alleviate nausea and vomiting

antigen-specic antibodies proteins that react to

specic antigen by disabling it

antimitochondrial antibody antibody seen in almost

all patients with biliary cirrhosis

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antipsychotic effective in treatment of psychosis

anti-smooth muscle an antibody measured to

diagnose chronic active hepatitis

antr/o antrum of the stomach

anucleate without nuclei

aort/o aorta

ap/ toward, near

Apgar score score for neonatal well-being

aphagia loss of ability to swallow

aphasia loss of power of speech; may sound like “a

phase of”

aphthous characterized by aphthae

apic/o apex, at the tip or top

apo/ separation or derivation from

append/o, appendic/o appendix

appendectomy surgical removal of appendix

approximate bring closely together

appy appendectomy, appendicitis

aq. aqueous; water-based

aque/o water

aqueduct/o water trough, tube

aqueous aq.; water-based

aqueous silver nitrate AgNO3

aqueous vasopressin nasal spray antidiuretic

hormone

/ar (adjective) relating to

arachn/o spider or spider web

ARC AIDS-related complex

arcu/o arched

areol/o containing little spaces

areolar relating to containing little spaces

arrector pili minute smooth muscles of the skin

arrhythmia irregular heartbeat

arteri/o artery

arteriol/o little artery

arthr/o joint

arthralgia joint pain

arthrogryposis (types of) multiplex, congenita, tarda

arthroplasty glenohumeral joint replacement,

patellofemoral joint replacement, Colonna capsular

arthroplasty, Thompson prosthetic arthroplasty,

Charnley low-friction arthroplasty

arthroscopy examination of a joint with an

arthroscope

articul/o jointed

/ary (adjective) relating to

ASA acetylsalicylic acid; aspirin

ascetic, ascites accumulation of uid in abdominal

cavity

ASD atrial septal defect

/ase enzyme sufx

asphyxia changes caused by lack of oxygen

aspir/o removal of uids by suction, inhale

aspiration removal by suction of a gas or uid

asterixis motor disturbance

asthmat/o asthma, narrowing of the bronchial tubes

astr/o star

asymmetrical disproportion between two or more

like parts

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/ate that which is, chemical noun ending

atelectasis, atelectatic absence of gas from a part

or the whole of the lungs due to failure of expansion

of alveoli

ather/o fatty degeneration

atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries

ATNC atraumatic normocephalic

ATP adenosine tri; cell molecules that store energy

atrial utter irregular heart beat without a pattern

atrophic relating to atrophy

atrophy cells decrease in size or number

atropine antispasmodic

audit/o ear or hearing

augmentation act of enlarging

Augmentin trademark for preparation of amoxicillin

and clavulanate potassium

auricul/o auricle, ear

auscultation listen with stethoscope

autism preoccupation with inner thoughts

auto/ self; may sound like “ought to”

autoimmune allergic to one’s own tissues

autolysis disintegration of tissues caused by action

of their own enzymes

AV nicking localized constrictions in the retinal

blood vessels

avascular lacking blood supply

axill/o axilla, armpit

axilla, axillary relating to the armpit

Azuldine to manage ulcerative colitis

azyg/o azygos

azygos vein that connects the superior and inferior

vena cava

B cells lymphocytes

b.i.d. bis in die; two times a day

bacitracin antibiotics

bacteremia presence of bacteria in the blood

bacteri/o bacteria

bacterial relating to bacteria

Bactrim anti-infective combination

Baker bone cyst popliteal cyst

BAL bronchial-alveolar lavage

balan/o glans penis

balloon tube tube placed in the stomach

BAO basal acid output

barbiturate depressant of central nervous system

bas/o base

basement membrane holds tissue in place

basil/o at the base

BCP birth control pills; oral contraceptive

behavioral responses pavlovian (Pavlov), skinnerian

(Skinner)

Benadryl antihistamine

Bendectin antinausea drug used during pregnancy

in the past

benign slow growth of neoplasm, does not destroy

normal function

benzoin topical treatment to relieve skin irritation or

an adhesive

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benztropine used to treat Parkinson

berylli/o beryllium, a chemical that causes a

pneumoconiosis

BeSO4 beryllium sulfate

beta-HCG (hCG) human chorionic gonadotropin;

pregnancy test

betamethasone anti-inammatory,

immunosuppressant

bezoar a hard mass in the stomach or intestines

bi/ two

bi/o living thing, life

bili/o related to bile or the bile system

bilirubin/o red bile pigment, serum test for hepatic or

biliary disease

binucleate cells with two nuclei

biology the study of life

biopsy remove tissue for diagnostic examination

bipolar cautery cauterization using a high-frequency

electrical current passed through tissue

birefringent a kind of crystal seen at autopsy

birth control pills BCP; oral contraceptive

blade, knife, scalpel #1, #2, #15

blanching pale color, secondary to poor vascular

perfusion

/blast (noun) undifferentiated, original

blasts blast cells

Bleomycin antibiotic

blood factors Rh (Rhesus factor), Kell, Lewis, N

blood sugar tests fasting blood sugar, 2-hour

postprandial blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance

test (OGTT, GTT)

BM bowel movement

BMR basal metabolic rate

boggy soft, wet, spongy

bol/o throw, project

bone parts diaphysis, metaphysis, epiphysis,

medullary canal, periosteal membrane

bounding pulses pulses that feel full and springlike

on palpation

Bovie cautery surgical procedure performed using a

Bovie to cauterize

Bowman probe used on the nasolacrimal ducts

brachi/o arm

brachial relating to the arm

brady/ slower than usual

breast part of reproductive system

breath sounds rales, rhonchi, wheezes, crackling,

bronchial breathing sounds, vesicular breathing

sounds

breathing sounds rales, rhonchi, wheezes, crackling,

bronchial, vesicular

bronch/o airway tubes in lung

bronchial breathing sounds; also rales, rhonchi,

wheezes, crackling, vesicular

bronchiol/o bronchiole, branches of the bronchi

bronchoscopy procedure that allows doctors to

view the lungs’ airways

bronchus numbering right bronchus number (RB#),

left bronchus number (LB#)

Bronkosol used to treat asthma

Brown-Adson forceps thumb forceps with ne teeth

at the tip, used to grab delicate tissue

Brudzinski sign an indication of meningitis

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bruit ausculatory sound

BSO bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

BSS balanced saline solution

BTL bilateral tubal ligation, modied Pomeroy BTL

bucc/o cheek

buccal relating to the cheek

buccal smear smear of buccal mucosa for genetic

culture

bulb/o bulb

bulimia mental disorder characterized by binge

eating

bull/o bulla, bullae

BUN blood urea nitrogen

bur, burr bur holes, rotating bur, cutting bur

burs/o bursa, bursae

bursa of Fabricius, of Achilles, Fleischmann, Calori,

Brodie

BUS/V/V Bartholin, urethral and Skene glands, vulva,

vagina

buttery rash symptom of SLE

buttock bottom, glutes

C carbon; element in protein

C&S culture and sensitivity

Ca calcium

CABG coronary artery bypass graft

cachexia, cachectic general ill health, malnutrition

cadaver corpse

cadaveric relating to a corpse

cafe au lait tan skin spots

calc/o calcium

calcane/o calcaneus

calcin/o calcication

calcium gluconate for treatment and prevention of

hypocalcemia

calcul/o stone or calculus

calf back of leg

calor heat

caloric relating to heat

calyce/o, calice/o calyx

campt/o bent

canalicul/o little canal

canals haversian canals, Volkmann canals

cancell/o lattice

cancer of the lung oat cell carcinoma,

bronchogenic carcinoma, squamous cell

carcinoma, mesothelioma

cancer terms inltrating, invading, hematogenous,

lymphangitic

Candida albicans white, yeast-like fungus

Cantor tube a long tube used for intestinal

decompression

capillar/o capillary, hair-like blood vessels

capillary blood gas the O2 and CO2 present in

capillary blood

capillary rell test test to evaluate circulation

capit/o head, capitate

capitellum capitulum humeri

capitulum general term for a little head

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capsul/o capsule or covering membrane

captopril used to treat hypertension

caput medusa dilated cutaneous veins around the

umbilicus

carbon C; element in protein

carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for treatment of

glaucoma

carbuncle small abscess

carcin/o cancer of gland tissue

cardi/o heart, upper part of stomach

cardiac indices green dye saturation curve,

circulation time, left-to-right and right-to-left

saturations

cardiac rhythm sinus rhythm, nodal rhythm

cardiologist one who specializes in cardiology

cardiology study of heart

cardiopulmonary of or relating to the heart and

lungs

cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR; mouth-to-

mouth respiration and cardiac massage

cardiovascular system including organs that form

and transport blood and lymph

cardiovascular surgeon one who specializes in

surgery of heart and large blood vessels

cardiovascular surgery surgery on heart and large

blood vessels

Cardizem calcium channel blocking agent

carin/o keel, ridge

carp/o wrist

carpal relating to the wrist

carpometacarpal the articulations between the row

of carpals and the metacarpals

cartilagin/o relating to the hyaline cartilage

caseat/o relating to cheese-like

caseous type of necrosis

casts and splints spica, walking, long-leg, Thomas

leg splint, Velcro splint

CAT computed axial tomography

cata/ negative, down

catabolic relating to breaking down a molecule

cataract loss of transparency of lens of eye

catheter terms hyperex guidewire, balloon otation

catheters Bard helical, triple-lumen central venous,

pigtail, Judkins 4 coronary, ACMI, Broviac, coudé,

Fogarty

catheters (types of) Foley catheter, condom

catheter, liform catheter, indwelling catheter,

Malecot catheter

caud/o toward the tail or foot

caudal below

cautery, cauterization to apply a caustic substance,

hot instrument

cautery (types of) Bovie, wet-eld, bipolar,

electrocautery

cav/o vena cava

cavity container in body grouping organs with

similar functions

CBC complete blood count

CBC with differential white count hematocrit (Hct),

hemoglobin (Hb), polys, monos, eos, lymphs, segs,

bands, MCV

cc cubic centimeter; never use this abbreviation;

always edit to mL.

cec/o cecum, rst part of the colon

cefaclor antibiotic

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/cele (noun) sac protruding, hernia

celer/o peed

cellul/o at a cell level, within the cells

cellulitis skin infection caused by bacteria

/centesis (noun) withdrawing uid

centr/o the center

central within or near the center

central venous pressure catheter CVP; intravenous

catheter

centri/o center or central location

centriole tubular organelles

centromere point where two chromatids join

cephal/o head

cephradine broad-spectrum antibiotic

/ceps head

cerebell/o cerebellum, posterior part of the brain

cerebr/o cerebrum, largest part of the brain

cerebrovascular accident CVA; stroke

cerumin/o cerumen, wax

cervic/o neck

cervical relating to the neck

cervical measurements effacement, dilatation,

descent, station

cervical vertebral levels C1 through C7

cesarean section incision through abdomen and

uterus for delivery of fetus

/chalasia condition of relaxation

Chandler retractor used for retracting tissue away

from the bone

CHD congenital heart disease

cheil/o lip

chem/o chemical, drug

chest tube catheter inserted through thorax into

chest cavity for moving air or uid

/chezia in the stool

CHF congestive heart failure

chiasm/o chiasm, X-shaped

chickenpox childhood disease

Chlamydia (genus) trachomatis (TRIC group),

psittaci

chlor/o green

chloral hydrate short-term sedative

chlordiazepoxide used for anxiety disorders

chlorpromazine used for treatment of nausea

chlorpromazine hydrochloride treatment for anxiety

and panic

chlorpropamide antidiabetic agent

chol/e gallbladder

cholecystectomy surgical removal of the

gallbladder

cholera acute infectious enteritis seen in India and

Southeast Asia

cholesteatoma cyst-like mass or benign tumor

cholester/o cholesterol

cholin/o relating to acetylcholine or the

parasympathetic nervous system

/choline chemical mediator for nerves

chondr/o cartilage

chondri/o granule, little grain

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CHOP chemotherapeutic regimen

chor/o membrane or chorion

chordae tympani nerves originating from the facial

nerve

chorea Huntington

chori/o membrane or chorion

chorionic villus sampling CVS; removal of a

small piece of tissue from the uterus during early

pregnancy to screen the baby for genetic defects

chrom/o color

chromat/o colored

chromatid one of the paired chromosome strands

chromatin DNA scattered throughout the

nucleoplasm

chromosomal relating to chromosomes

chromosome DNA coiled tightly during reproduction

chron/o time

chronic slow, ongoing

chronicity relating to chronic

Chvostek sign abnormal reaction to stimulation of

the facial nerve

/cidal relating to killing

/cide killed

CIE counterimmuno-electrophoresis

cili/o hair-like projections

cilia, cilium hair-like projections of a cell

cine (slang) uoroscopy; x-ray television image

CIPD chronic intermittent peritoneal dialysis

circulation movements through a circular course

circulatory system transporting blood and lymph

circum/ around

circumcis/o procedure to cut and remove the

foreskin of the penis

cirrhosis Laënnec, Hanot, Budd, Charcot, Todd

cirrhotic pertaining to or characterized by cirrhosis

cis/o cut

cisplatin used in treatment of neoplasms

/city the state of

clamp Adair, Allis, Babcock, bulldog, Carmalt,

C-clamp, Codman, cross-clamp, Dandy, DeBakey,

duckbill, hemoclip, hemostat, Kelly, Kocher, K-wire,

Lahey, mosquito, Pean, Satinsky single-toothed

tenaculum, van Sickles

clas/o destruction, fracture, surgical fracture

/clasia destruction, fracture, surgical fracture

/clast breaker or absorber

Claudication limping, usually intermittent

claustr/o shut or enclosed

clavicul/o clavicle, collarbone

clavicular relating to the clavicle or collarbone

clean-void urine culture a urine specimen that is as

free of bacterial contamination as possible

cleid/o clavicle

/cleisis closure, surgical fusion, also /kleisis or /clisis

clinical treat disease with medicine

/clisis closure, surgical fusion, also /kleisis or /cleisis

clitoris a small, erectile body situated at the anterior

portion of the vulva

/clone, /clonal derived from a clone or single

genetic line

clonidine antihypertensive

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closed renal biopsy when a needle is inserted into

the kidney

Clostridium (genus) botulinum (botulism), perfringens

clubbing digits are broadened and abnormally

curved

cm centimeter, centimeters

cm3 cubic centimeter

CMV cytomegalovirus

CNS central nervous system

co/ with, together

CO2 carbon dioxide

coagulate to clot or curdle

coagulation type of necrosis, blood clotting

cocaine (slang) coke or crack

cocc/o coccus, cocci, family of bacteria that are

ball shaped

cocci skin test test for pathogenic fungi

coccyge/o coccyx, coxa

cochle/o cochlea

coffee-ground emesis describes a type of emesis

seen in GI bleeding

Cogentin anti-Parkinson agent

cognit/o know or knowledge

col/o, colon/o large intestine, colon

colchicine used to treat arthritis

cold conization removal of a cone of tissue

cold packs ice pack to decrease blood ow to

injured area

colic gutter peritoneal bed of the colon

colic, colicky having colic

coll/a glue

collagen glue-like bers in connective tissue

colp/o vagina

column/o column shaped

columnar cells shaped like a column

Coly-Mycin antibiotic

com/ with

Compazine used for nausea

competent adequate, intact, or functioning

normally

complications mrobid process during disease which

is not an essential part of the disease

complications of peptic ulcer perforation,

penetration, hemorrhage, obstruction

con/ with

concentration gradient difference in concentration

between two areas

concha, conchae resembling a shell

concussion injury of brain resulting from blow or

shaking

condyl/o knuckle, wart lesion

cone biopsy extensive form of a cervical biopsy

confabulation lling in gaps in memory with

fabricated facts

congenital exist from birth

congenital disease types minimus, imperfecta,

tarda, maximus, occulta

congenital heart disease (types of) tetralogy of

Fallot, coarctation, endocardial cushion defect,

atrioventricular canal defect, hypoplastic left heart

coni/o dust

conization removal of a cone of tissue

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conjunctiv/o conjunctivae, membranes lining

eyelids and covering eye whites

consolidation solidication into a rm, dense mass

continence, continent self-restraint

contra/ opposite, against

contracture Dupuytren, Volkmann

contrecoup rebound

contusions bruise

convulsions involuntary spasms

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

copious abundant

cor pulmonale pulmonary heart disease, heart

failure

/cordial relating to the chest overlying the heart

Corgard trademark name for nadolol

corne/o corneum in the skin, cornea in the eye

cornu horn

cornua horns

corometric monitor monitor for vital signs including

body temperature

coron/o crown

coronal relating to structure resembling a crown

coronal plane plane which divides body into front

and back sections

coronal section divide into front and back

coronary arteries LAD (left anterior descending),

circumex, collateral, diagonal, obtuse marginal

corp/o body

corpus luteum yellow glandular mass in ovary

cortic/o cortex, shell or outer layer

coryza acute condition of nasal mucous membrane

with profuse discharge

cost/o rib

costal relating to the rib

costal margin rib border

costochondral relating to rib cartilage

costovertebral angle CVA; the angle formed on

either side of the vertebral column, between the last

rib and the lumbar vertebrae

Coumadin anticoagulant

Cowper gland bulbourethral gland

CP cerebral palsy

CPK creatinine phosphokinase; a cardiac and

muscle enzyme

CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation; mouth-to-mouth

respiration and cardiac massage

crackling breathing sounds, also rales, rhonchi,

wheezes, bronchial, vesicular

crani/o skull

cranial relating to the skull

cranial nerves 2-12 nerves in the head

craniopharyngioma tumor associated with

increased intracranial pressure

creatinine excreted in urine, used to diagnose

kidney function

creatinine phosphokinase CPK; a cardiac and

muscle enzyme

crenate, crenation collapsed cell

crepitation noise made by rubbing ends of fractured

bone together

CRF chronic renal failure

cribriform plate perforated like a sieve

cric/o ring

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crin/o to separate from blood, secrete

/crine (adjective) secrete

crista galli projection from ethmoid bone

cruciat/o crossed

crus, crura general term to designate a leglike part

cry/o freezing tissue

crypt/o hidden

Cryptococcus (genus) neoformans

crystalloid IV uid for replacement therapy during

surgery

CSF cerebrospinal uid

CT computed tomography

C-T ratio cardiac-thoracic ratio, cardiothoracic ratio

cub/o cube shaped

cubit/o elbow

cuboidal relating to cube shaped

culd/o cul-de-sac

cul-de-sac cavity closed at one end

curets angled, Kevorkian, sharp, vacuum, suction

curettage, curettement a scraping, usually of interior

of cavity or tract

cushing/o Cushing syndrome

/cuspid having cusps

cutane/o skin surface

cuticul/o cuticle, surface layer of skin, teeth and hair

CVA cerebrovascular accident; stroke

CVA costovertebral angle; the angle formed on

either side of the vertebral column, between the last

rib and the lumbar vertebrae

CVP central venous pressure catheter; intravenous

catheter

CVS chorionic villus sampling; removal of a

small piece of tissue from the uterus during early

pregnancy to screen the baby for genetic defects

cyan/o blue

cycl/o circle, cycle, one-eyed

/cyclic relating to cycles or chemical structure

cyclophosphamide used for management of

Hodgkin disease

cyclosporine immunosuppressant

/cyesis (noun) pregnancy

cyst Baker, bone, Dandy-Walker

cyst/o sac of uid, bladder

cysto cystoscopy, cystogram

cystoscope Storz cystoscope

cyt/o cell; may sound like “site, site of, cite, sight”

/cyte (noun) cell

cytology process of studying cells

cytoplasm gelatin-like material in the cell

D&C dilatation and curettage

D50W 50% dextrose in water, an intravenous uid

D5W 5% dextrose in water (IV uid)

dactyl/o digits, ngers, toes

dapsone to treat leprosy, to prevent and treat

pneumocystis

daughter cell in cell reproduction, two cells with

identical nuclei

DCT distal convoluted tubules

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DDAVP drug name

de/ lessened, removed

debride, debridement surgical removal of foreign

matter and dead tissue from a wound

debulk surgery to decrease size of a tumor

Decadron used for autoimmune diseases

decidu/o to fall off or shed

decubit/o decubitus, lying down

defervesce abatement of fever

/deciency inadequate amount

degenerate decrease or deteriorate

degeneration relating to degenerate

degenerative relating to condition of degeneration

delirium tremens alcohol withdrawal

delt/o deltoid muscle, triangle

delusion false belief that is maintained in spite of

proof to the contrary

dementia mental syndrome characterized by loss of

intellectual abilities

Demerol analgesic, narcotic

dendr/o tree, branch of a neuron

dent/o tooth, teeth

deoxyribonucleic acid DNA; material in cell made

up of genes

derm/o, dermat/o dermis, skin

dermatologist one who specializes in study of skin

dermatology study of skin

DES diethylstilbesterol

descen falling down from a higher position

/desis surgical fusion or xation

developmental etiology category which includes

abnormalities in growth of tissue or organ

Dexacidin ointment anti-infective, corticosteroid,

ophthalmic

dexamethasone adrenal corticosteroid

dexamethasone suppression test test for detection

of Cushing syndrome

Dextrostix strip to check blood-glucose levels

DHAP chemotherapeutic regimen

di/, dipl/o twice, used instead of bi/ for chemical

names

di/e daily

dia/ through

diabetes lifelong disease where there are high levels

of sugar in the blood

diabetes insipidus disease caused by abnormal

sugar metabolism

diabetes mellitus disease caused by abnormal sugar

physiology

Diabinese used to treat nausea, psychoses

diagnostic medical sonography diagnosis through a

picture by sound

diagnostic radiology radiology used to diagnose

/dialysis ltering through

dialysis diffusion of particles dissolved in water

dialysis terms semipermeable, hemodialysis,

peritoneal irrigation

Diamox diuretic, anticonvulsant

diapedesis passage through intact vessel walls of

blood elements

diaphoresis diaphoretic perspiration

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diaphragm boundary between thoracic and

abdominal cavities

diaphragmatic (adjective) relating to diaphragm

diaphysis elongated portion of a long bone

diastole, diastolic dilation of heart cavities during

which they ll with blood

diathesis predisposition to a disease

diazepam used for treatment of anxiety

DIC disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

diet/o way of living, relating to type and amount of

food taken

Dietl crisis sudden, severe gastric pain

differentiated type of cell that has changed into a

cell with a denite function

diffusion method of passive transport of elements

across a membrane

digestive hormones secretin, gastrin, cholecystokinin,

pepsin, chyme

digit/o ngers/toes

digital relating to ngers, toes

digital/o relating to digitalis or digoxin

digoxin to correct cardiac arrhythmias

dilatation physiologic or articial enlargement of a

hollow structure or opening

dilation enlargement of a cavity, canal, blood vessel

or opening

dilators Hanks, Castroviejo, Mahoney

dilators (types of) French dilator, Van Buren dilator,

Hegar dilator

Dilaudid narcotic analgesic

diltiazem calcium channel blocker

diphtheria acute infectious disease

diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus DTP; combined

immunization

diploe loose osseous tissue between two tables of

bones

diplomate board certied

diplopia double vision

dips/o thirst

dis/ reversal or separation, twice

discoloration abnormal coloration

disease Addison, Albers-Schönberg, Alzheimer,

Alzheimer, Blount, celiac, Crohn, Graves, Hansen,

Hashimoto, Hirschsprung, Hirschsprung, Hodgkin,

Hodgson, Legg, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, Lou Gehrig

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Meniere,

Osgood-Schlatter, Paget (or osteitis deformans),

Parkinson, Peyronie disease, Takayasu,

dissection sharp, blunt

dist/o farther from

distal away from center

distortion out of normal shape

disulram used to produce aversion to alcohol

diverticul/o diverticulum

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid; material in cell made

up of genes

DO academic degree for graduate of osteopathic

medical school

DOA dead on arrival

DOB date of birth

doch/o duct

DOE dyspnea on exertion

dolor pain

dopamine acts as neurotransmitter in CNS

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Doppler duplex sonography ultrasound study of the

blood vessels

dors/o back

dorsal on back side

dorsalis pedis artery of the upper surface of the foot

dorsi/ in a dorsal direction

drains (types of) Penrose, Jackson-Pratt, red

Robinson catheter

draped covered with sterile surgical drapes

dressing material for surgical wounds stockinette,

Xeroform gauze, Kerlix, Micropore tape, Jobst

dressings for surgical wounds Adaptic, adhesive,

bulky, compression, Elastoplast, uff, iodoform, Kling,

Nu-gauze, Surgicel, Telfa, Velpeau

drills high-speed, Charnley, hand, diamond

drip-suck irrigation suction drainage

/drome (noun) run

drug street names yellow jackets (pentobarbital),

blues (amobarbital), rainbows (amobarbital/

secobarbital), ludes (methaqualone or Quaalude)

DTP diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus; combined

immunization

DTR deep tendon reexes

DUB dysfunctional uterine bleeding

duct/o carry

ductus arteriosus artery ligamentum arteriosum; a

fetal blood vessel that joins the descending aorta

and the left pulmonary artery

ductus venosus vein a fetal vein that passes through

the liver to the inferior vena cava

duoden/o rst part of the small bowel, duodenum

duplex Doppler 2D echocardiogram spectral

analysis, real-time images

Dupuytren contracture thickening of the tissue

underneath the skin of the palm and ngers

dur/o parietal meningeal membrane of cranial

cavity

dura membranes in dorsal cavities

dural membranes lining the cranial cavity and spinal

canal

dwarf, dwarves disease involving abnormal bone

development

dwarsm condition of being dwarf

Dx diagnosis, diagnoses

Dymelor antidiabetic agent

dynam/o in motion or moving

/dynia (noun) pain

dys/ bad, labored

dysphagia difculty swallowing

dysphasia impairment of speech

dysplasia abnormality of adult cells; may sound like

“displays of”

dyspnea difcult or labored breathing

dystocia difcult labor

dysuria difculty or pain in urination

/e (noun) noun sufx; no meaning, makes root word

a noun

E coli Escherichia coli; bacteria found in the bowel

E to A changes lung auscultation ndings on PE

e/ removal, out of

E2 estradiol

/eal (adjective) relating to

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EBV Epstein-Barr virus

ec/ outside, outer

ecchym/o bruise, pour out

ECG electrocardiogram (also EKG); test of muscle-

nerve condition

echo, echo/ reected sound or sonography

eclampsia toxemia

ECT electroconvulsive therapy

/ectasia, /ectasis dilatation

ecto/ outside, outer

/ectomy (noun) removal

eczemat/o eczema lesions; thick, scaly, weeping,

crusty sores

EDC estimated date of connement

edema swelling caused by increase uid in area

edematous swollen

EEG electroencephalogram

ef/ out of, outlide

effacement thinning of the cervix in preparation for

labor

effect (noun) result produced by an action

effected performed

efferent carrying away from

EGD esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Ehrlich units EU; units for urinary urobilinogen

EKG electrocardiogram (also ECG)

EKG landmarks R wave, P wave, T wave, ST-T wave,

mean QRS axis, P-R interval, Q-T interval, QRS interval

elast/o elastin

elastic relating to elastin

elastin major connective tissue protein

electr/o electrical activity

electrocautery an instrument for directing a high-

frequency current to local tissue

electrolyte element with a charge

electrolytes sodium, chloride, potassium,

bicarbonate (HCO3)

electromyogram, electromyography EMG; test of

muscle-nerve conduction

Elevator Gillies, Cobb, MacKenty, Lempert

/elle little, tiny

Elliptical shaped like an ellipse

EM electron microscope

embol/o embolus, oating clot or foreign body in

the blood stream

emergency medicine medicine for acutely ill or

trauma patient

emergency medicine specialist one who specializes

in emergency medicine

/emesis, /emetic vomiting

EMG test of muscle-nerve conduction;

electromyography or electromyogram

/emia throughout the blood

emphysema abnormal ination of the lung air sacs

emphysemat/o abnormal ination of the lung air

sacs

empyema accumulation of pus in a cavity

en bloc in one block, as a whole

en/ within

/ence (noun) property of

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encephal/o within the brain

encephalitis inammation within brain; equine,

herpes simplex encephalitis type 1, progressive

multifocal leukoencephalitis, St. Louis, Venezuelan

endarterectomy excision of thickened part of artery

endo/ within

endocrine secrete within

endocrinologist one who specializes in study of

endocrine system

endocrinology study of endocrine system

endolaser photocoagulation used for retinal

detachment, peripheral degeneration and

angiomas

endoplasmic reticulum ER; organelle that moves

materials around the cell

endoscopes 1T-10L, 1T-20, exible beroptic,

Olympus GIF-XQ, Fujinon

Enfamil with Iron infant feeding formula

enter/o small intestine

Enterobacter (genus) gram-negative bacteria

entrapment compression of a nerve or vessel by

adjacent tissue

enzyme a molecule that starts chemical reactions

EOMs extraocular movements

eosin/o rose colored

epi adrenaline stimulant; slang for epinephrine

epi/ upon, in addition

epididym/o epididymis

epigastric relating to abdominal area

epinephrine adrenaline stimulant

episi/o relating to the vulva

episode, episodic incident, divided into loosely

connected parts

epistaxis nosebleed

epitheli/o, epithelia surface tissue(s)

epithelial relating to epithelium

epithelium tissue that covers every surface of the

body

equal and full evaluation of pupils

equin/o horse, walking on toes like a horse

ER endoplasmic reticulum; organelle that moves

materials around the cell

ERCP endoscopic retrograde

cholangiopancreatography

erg/o work

/ergic, /ergy working

eructation belching

erysipelas specic acute inammatory disease

erythema ushing, skin redness

erythematous relating to redness of the skin

erythr/o red

erythrasma chronic bacterial infection of the skin

erythroblastosis fetalis hemolytic anemia of fetus or

newborn

erythromycin antibiotic

eschar/o eschar, sloughed dead tissue

Escherichia coli E coli; bacteria found in the bowel

esophag/o esophagus

ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESRD end-stage renal disease

esthesi/o perception, sensation

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estr/a, estr/o estrus, female hormone

estrogen natural or synthetic substances formed by

the ovary, placenta, testis and certain plants, which

stimulate female secondary sex characteristics

ET tube endotracheal tube

eth/o two carbon

eti/o cause

etiologic, etiological related to etiology

etiology cause of an abnormality or injury

EU Ehrlich units; units for urinary urobilinogen

eu/ normal, even, good; may sound like “you”

eustachian tube tube running from oor of tympanic

cavity

evacuated emptied

evaluations done in urinalysis color, clarity, pH,

specic gravity, glucose, bilirubin, ketones, albumin,

protein, cells, casts, amorphous urea crystals, blood

eventration protrusion of bowels from abdomen

ex/ outside, outer

exacerbation increase in severity of a disease

exam examination

exercise thallium treadmill study test to evaluate

heart action during physical stress

exhibitionism the act of exposing the genitals to an

unsuspecting stranger

exo/ outside, outer

exocrine secretes without

extern/o outside

external outside or closer to the surface

external genitalia labia majora, labia minora, clitoris,

vestibule, perineum

extra/ outside of

extremities shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist,

hand, hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, foot

exudate uid of inammation

eyelid speculum speculum used on the eye or lid

FACM Fellow, American College of Medicine

FACOG Fellow, American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists

FACS Fellow, American College of Surgeons

family medicine general practice

family physician one who specializes in family

medicine

fasci/o fascia, connective tissue

fascia temporalis, fascia lata, Scarpa fascia

fascicul/o fascicle, little bundle

fasciculation muscle twitch

fatty metamorphosis fatty change

FBCS Fellow, British College of Surgeons

Fe iron; a trace element

fec/o feces, stool, bowel movement

Feldene nonsteroidal anti-inammatory, analgesic

fellow member of specialty organization called a

college

femor/o thigh

femoral relating to the thigh

/ferent bear, carry

ferr/o iron

ferrous relating to iron

FeSO4 ferrous sulfate

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fet/o fetus

fetal positions vertex (LOA, ROA, OA, LOP, ROP, OP),

breech (LSA, RSA, SA, SP, LSP, RSP, frank, footling),

transverse (RT or LT), face

FHT fetal heart tones

br/o ber, containing ber

brill/o brillation, quiver

brin/o brin; a blood clotting material

brinous type of exudate which forms scabs

brosis scarring

brous relating to ber

bul/o bula

ltration method of passive transport that pushes

molecules through a membrane

mbri/o mbria, uted edge of fallopian tube

nger-to-nose tests of cerebellar function

stula, stulae abnormal passage between two

internal organs

xation stabilized, rmly attached or set

accid weak, lax and soft

agell/o tail-like projections

agella, fagellum long, single projections from a cell

Flamm equation used to calculate percentage

saturation

ank side from ribs to hip bone

at plate abdomen x-ray

ex/o exion, bending a joint

exible plastic catheter hollow, exible tube used to

insert or withdraw uid from a vessel or cavity

uocinolone corticosteroid

uor/o ow or discharge, especially of radiation or

light, uoride

uoresc/o emitting light when exposed to light ow

uoroscopy examination of tissues and deep

structures of body by x-ray

/focal location

Foley catheter a catheter retained in the bladder by

a balloon inated with air or liquid

foli/o leaf

foliat/o in scales or layers

folic acid for treatment of anemia

follicul/o follicle

fontanelle anterior fontanelle, posterior fontanelle

foramen large opening, magnum, ovale, of Monro,

of Bochdalek, of Magendie

foramen of Bochdalek a particular opening

forceps Bard-Parker, basket, Cottle, cup biting,

Grieshaber, high, Jansen-Middleton, low, Magill,

McPherson, mid, Takahashi

forensic pathology study of disease used in legal

proceedings

formication hallucination with sensation of insects

crawling over the skin

fossa hollow or depressed area

fove/o fovea, pit or depression

Fr French; a kind of catheter or tube

fracture Barton, Colles, comminuted, compression,

Galeazzi, greenstick, Jefferson, Monteggia, Pott

French Fr; a kind of catheter or tube

frenulum fold of mucosa which secures tongue to

oor of mouth

Freud, Freudian founder of psychoanalysis,

pertaining to Freud’s theories

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front/o front, forehead

frontal relating to the front or forehead

frontal section dividing body into front/back portions

frostbite damage to tissues as result of exposure to

low temperature

frozen section procedure to perform rapid

microscopic analysis of a specimen

fruct/o fruit

FTA-ABS-IgM uorescent treponemal antibody

absorption, immunoglobulin M test

/function workings

functional functional protein carries out the work

that a cell does

fund/u, fund/i fundus of the eye

funduscopic bottom part of hollow organ seen with

scope

funduscopic ndings ame-shaped hemorrhages,

cotton-wool patches, waxy exudates, capillary

aneurysms, microhemorrhages

fung/o fungus

fungus forms of yeasts and molds

FUO fever of unknown origin

furc/o branch, fork

furosemide used to treat hypertension

furuncul/o furuncle

/fusion (noun) pour, bond

g, gm gram, grams

G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

GAF Global Assessment of Function scale

gait manner of walking

galact/o milky

galactos/o galactose

gallium chemical element, radioactive isotope

gallium 67

GALT gut-associated lymphatic tissues

gamma/ third letter in the Greek alphabet, related

to third

gangli/o knot

ganglion group of nerve cell bodies outside the CNS

gangrene death of tissue

Gantrisin trademark name for sulfamethoxazole

Gardner syndrome a colon disorder in which

multiple polyps develop into tumors

gas measurements pO2, PO2, pCO2, PCO2, pH

gastr/o stomach

gastroenterologist one who specializes in study of

gastrointestinal system

gastroenterology study of gastrointestinal system

gastrointestinal relating to digestive system

gastroscopy inspection of stomach interior with

scope

gastrostomy surgical creation of articial opening

into the stomach

gastrotomy incision into the stomach

gauge needle size, usually from 25-16

gauze (types of) 4 x 4 gauze, Xeroform gauze

GB gallbladder

GE gastroesophageal

Gelfoam a type of absorbable gelatin sponge

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gemin/o paired or twinned

/gen to produce or create

gen/o giving rise to, creating

gene code for making protein in a cell

general surgeon one who specializes in surgery

general surgery surgery on adult

/genesis (noun) creating

genet/o, /genetic genetic, producing, relating to

producing, genes

genit/o genitals, relating to the reproductive organs

or reproductive tract

genitalia genital organs

genitourinary relating to organs of reproduction and

urination

gent (slang) gentamicin

genu knee

genus a group of similar bacterial species

geriatrics study of elderly

gerontologist one who specializes in study of elderly

gestation period from fertilization until birth

GH growth hormone

GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer

gigantism abnormal overgrowth

gingiv/o gums

gingivitis inammation of the gums

girth measure around the belly

glaucoma closed-angle, open-angle

gland excision (types of) adrenalectomy,

thyroidectomy

glen/o shoulder, glenoid

/glia type of brain cell

glob/o universal, globe or eye

/globin oxygen carrier in erythrocytes

/globulin antibody

globus hystericus disturbing subjective sensation of a

lump in the throat

glomerul/o glomerulus, functional part of the kidney

gloss/o tongue

glott/o vocal cords

glute/o buttock

gluteal relating to the buttock

/glutition swallowing

glyburide used in treatment of diabetes

glyc/o sugar

gm, g gram, grams

gnos/o knowledge, understanding

/gnosia, /gnostic condition of knowing

goiter enlargement of thyroid gland causing swelling

in front of neck

Golgi apparatus organelle that packages cell

products

GoLYTELY solution electrolyte lavage solution

Gomco suction unit suction pump

gon/o gonad, ovary or testicle

/gone, /gon sided

Gore-Tex surgical membrane, covering for the skin

gout inherited metabolic disorder

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graaan follicle maturing ovarian follicles

/grade (adjective) go

graft split-thickness skin graft, full-thickness skin graft,

homograft, autologous skin graft

graft donor site the location on the body where

tissue is removed for transplant

graft material knitted Dacron, Teon, bovine,

porcine, Marlex, Mersilene

/gram (noun) picture, record, tracing

Gram stain method for differential staining of

bacteria

grandiose, grandeur exaggerated belief of one’s

importance

granul/o grainy

granular rough endoplasmic reticulum

granuloma tumor

granulomatous type of inammation that forms

tumors

/graph (noun) instrument that creates a picture or

recording

/graphy (noun) process of creating a picture,

record, tracing

gravida pregnant

Greenberg retractor a surgical instrument that

provides stability and control

grossly intact completely intact

gryp/o curved or hooked

GUSI genuine urinary stress incontinence

gynec/o female

gynecologist one who specializes in gynecology

gynecology study of reproductive system in

non-pregnant woman

gyrus, gyri ridge or convolution of the surface of the

brain

H hydrogen, element in protein

H2O water

H3PO4 phosphate, any form of phosphoric acid

HAA hepatitis-associated antigen

Haemophilus (genus) inuenzae

Haldol decanoate used for treatment of psychoses

hallucination perception of object in absence of

object

hallux great toe

halo vest neurologic device

haloperidol used for treatment of psychoses

Halsted ligaments located between the medical

portion of the clavicle and the 1st rib

hamart/o defect in tissue

hamat/o hooked, hamate or uncinate bone

hapten a small molecule that can react with

antibodies

Hartmann pouch abnormal pouch at neck of

gallbladder

Hashimoto thyroiditis inammation of thyroid gland

haustrum, haustra recess

haversian canals microscopic channels in bone

where blood vessels run

Hct, HCT hematocrit

headache diffuse pain in head

Heaney clamp type of clamp

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hearing tests visual response audiometry (VRA),

SPAR test, conditioned orientation response (COR)

heart block AV block, left bundle branch block

(LBBB), right bundle branch block (RBBB)

heart disease classications NYHA (New York Heart

Association), CCVS (Canadian Cardiovascular

Society)

heart tones rmness or normal functioning of heart

muscle; S1, S2, S3, S4

Heberden nodes found in osteoarthritis

heel-to-knee tests of cerebellar function

heel-to-shin tests of cerebellar function

Heimlich maneuver forces air up the trachea by

thrusting st into the abdomen

hem/o, hemat/o blood

hematologist one who specializes in study of blood

and lymph

hematology study of blood and lymph

hematopoiesis blood forming

hematopoietic relating to blood-forming tissue

hemi/ half

/hemia throughout the blood

hemiparesis weakness on one side of the body

hemispheric half of a spheric structure or organ

hemoptysis coughing up blood

hemorrhage abnormal ow of blood

hemorrhoids, hemorrhoidal certain arteries and

veins supplying rectum and anus

hemosiderin intracellular storage form of iron

hemostat clamp to close blood vessels

heparin IV anticoagulant

hepat/o liver

hereditary genetic

/herent, /here stick or cling

Hermaphroditism from Hermes and Aphrodite

herni/o hernia, protrusion through a wall defect

hernias incarcerated, incisional, strangulated,

internal, inguinal

heroin a morphine derivative

herpes herpesvirus

heter/o different or opposite

hexa/ six

Hexabrix x-ray contrast

hidr/o sweat

hil/o hilum, small thing, depression or pit where

blood vessels enter an organ

hinge prosthesis prosthesis used in joint replacement

hip screw devices ve-hole plate, guide pin, lag

screw, tap, short barrel

Hi-Per Flex guidewire catheterization term

hist/o tissue

histamine natural reactor to allergy

histamine H2 receptor blockers medications that

act by blocking histamine receptors

histology study of tissues

Histoplasma (genus) capsulatum

HIV human immunodeciency virus; AIDS virus

HMD hyaline membrane disease

hoarseness rough, harsh quality of voice

Hoffmann forefoot resection type of foot surgery

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hol/o whole or entire

Holter cardiac monitor a type of ambulatory EKG

monitor

homo/ same

hormones estrogen, progesterone, estradiol, follicle-

stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH)

Horner syndrome drooping of the eyelid and

constricting of the pupil

hot knife for cautery, knife that sears tissue as it cuts

to prevent bleeding

HTN hypertension; high blood pressure

human chorionic gonadotropin beta-HCG (hCG);

pregnancy test

human immunodeciency virus HIV; AIDS virus

humer/o humerus

Hutchinson teeth notched incisors characteristic of

congenital syphilis

hy/o hyaline cartilage

hyaline type of cartilage in larynx

hydatid/o, hydatid/i cyst-like or drop of water

hydr/o water, uid

hydrat/o lled with water

hydrocephalus water on the brain

hydrocortisone topical corticosteroid

hydrogen H; element in protein

hydrops, hydropic generalized edema, also called

dropsy

hydrostatic water pressure

hydroxyl/o chemical OH

hygien/o health, relating to cleanliness

hyper/ increased, above

hyperchlorhydria excessive secretion of hydrochloric

acid

hyperemesis gravidarum excessive vomiting in

pregnancy

hyperemia increased blood ow

hyperostosis hypertrophy of bone

hyperplasia abnormal increase in number of normal

cells

hyperplastic relating to hyperplasia

hypertelorism abnormally increased distance

between two organs or parts

hypertension HTN; high blood pressure

hypertonic solution with more solutes than

cytoplasm of cell

hypertonicity state of being hypertonic

hypertrophic relating to hypertrophy

hypertrophy enlargement of cells

hypn/o trance, drug that creates a trance

hypo/ decreased, below

hypochondriac relating to beneath the ribs

hypotension low blood pressure

hypothyroidism decreased condition of thyroid

hypotonic a solution with fewer solutes than a cell

hypotonicity state of being hypotonic

hypoxemia decient oxygenation of the blood

hypoxia reduces oxygen

hypoxic relating to hypoxia

hyster/o uterus

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/i adjective form of /um, plural form of /us

I iodine; trace element

I&D incision and drainage

I&O intake and output; measurement of uids taken

and urine output

I-131 radioactive iodine

/ia (noun) condition

/iac (adjective) relating to

/iasis condition of having (in the body)

iatr/o treatment

iatrogenic pathology caused by actions of a doctor,

treatment, medication

/ic (adjective) relating to

iced saline used to preserve an amputated part

before reattaching

ICSH interstitial cell-stimulating hormone

ICT insulin coma therapy

icterus, icteric jaundice

ICU intensive care unit

/id (noun) noun sufx; no meaning

ID intradermal

IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

ideology, ideation science of development of ideas

idiopathic disease where etiology is unknown

idiosyncratic relating to mental, behavioral or

physical characteristic, peculiarity

IF intrinsic factor

IF test immunouorescence test

IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD immunoglobulins

IL-2 interleukin-2; used in treatment of cancer

ile/o ileum, third part of the small bowel

ileocolitis inammation of both ileum and colon

ileus obstruction of intestines

ili/o relating to the ilium (hip bone)

iliac crest hip bone

ilium relating to hip bone

IM intramuscular

Imidazole antineoplastic agent

Imipramine for treatment of depression

immobilization, immobilizer render incapable of

moving

immun/o resistance

immune system defends body from disease

immunity antibody-mediated, humoral, cellular or

cell-mediated

immunouorescence technique that uses light

microscopy on biological samples

immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD

immunologic, immunological relating to defending

body from disease

impetigo contagious skin disease

implant object or material inserted or grafted into

body

implantable cardioverter debrillator device that

restores normal heart rhythm by means of electric

shock

impregnated infused or lled with

/in (noun) noun sufx; no meaning

in situ conned to the site of origin

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in utero in the uterus, the phase of life in the uterus

in/ into, not

inappropriate unsuitable

incentive spirometer used for measuring respiratory

gases

incision a cut, surgical wound

incisions Brenner, Bunell, C-shaped, curvilinear,

elliptical, Halsted, McBurney, nicked, nicking,

Pfannenstiel, question-mark, Rocky-Davis, Rollet,

Roux-en-Y, stab, T-shaped, vascular strip

inclusion supplies of food and water contained in

cytoplasm

Inderal antihypertensive combination

indication a sign which points to a cause

Indocin nonsteroidal anti-inammatory

indurat/o abnormally hardened

indwelling catheter catheter held in position in the

urethra

infarct, infarction an area of necrosis resulting from

sudden insufciency of blood supply

infection caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites

infectious related to infection

infectious disease disease caused by pathogenic

microorganism

infectious disease specialist one who specializes in

disease caused by infection

infer/o inferior, below

infestation infested with parasites

inltrate to enter the pores of a substance

inamed, inammation tissue response to injury

inammatory relating to inammation

inuenza A, B, endemic, Asian, Hong Kong virus

infra/ inferior to, below

infrascapular beneath the shoulder blade

inguin/o groin

inguinal relating to the groin

inguinal edematous redness and swelling of the

groin

INH isoniazid, antitubercular agent

injection force liquid into a part

ino/ related to ber or brous material

/inogen sufx for chemical that can form another

chemical

inotropic increasing or decreasing the force of

muscular contractions

inspection look at body with naked eye

insufation the act of lling lungs with air or use of an

inhalant

insulin used in treatment of diabetes

insulin (types of) rapid-acting insulin (RA), regular

insulin (Iletin), intermediate-acting insulin (NPH,

Lente), long-acting insulin (Ultralente), Novolin,

Humulin

integument in the covering or in the skin

integumentary relating to the integument

inter/ between

interferon provide immunoregulatory functions

interleukin-2 IL-2; used in treatment of cancer

intermittent marked by intervals of complete

quietude between two periods of activity

intern advanced student who assists in hospital

intern/o inside

internal inside or away from

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internal xation repairing a bone using screws,

plates, pins and rods

internal medicine medicine related to adult

internist one who specializes in internal medicine

interphase period between mitotic activity

intertriginous area where two skin areas touch or rub

together

interventional radiology medicine using x-rays,

magnetic elds

intestin/o intestine

intra/ within

intracardiac pressures wedge pressure, mean

pressure, end-diastolic pressure, peak pressure

intrarenal locations upper pole, lower pole, midpole,

subcapsular, perihilar

intravascular catheter terms sidearm sheath,

Amplatz guiding catheter, catheter seating,

miniprole balloon catheter

introducer sheath tubular structure to help in the

insertion of a tube into a body canal or organ

intussusception prolapse of one part of intestine into

an adjoining part

involuntary not done by will

iod/o iodine

iodine I; trace element

/ion the act of

ion element with a charge

/ior (adjective) relating to

ir/o, irid/o iris of the eye

iron Fe; a trace element

irreversible not reversible

/is (noun) noun sufx; no meaning

isch/o suppress

ischi/o ischium, a pelvic bone

islets of Langerhans pancreatic cluster of cells

/ism (noun) situation, process, condition

iso/ same, equal

isoniazid INH,antitubercular agent

Isordil used for congestive heart failure

isotonic uids with same concentration of solutes as

cytoplasm

/ist (noun) one who does, one who specializes in

isthmus narrow connection between two larger

bodies

/ite (noun) noun sufx; no meaning

/itic (adjective) inammation

/itis (noun) inammation

/ity (noun) the state of

IU international unit(s)

IUD intrauterine contraceptive device

IUCDs Copper-T, Copper-7, Dalkon shield

IUGR intrauterine growth retardation

/ium structure

IV intravenous

IVDA intravenous drug abuse

/ive (adjective) characterized by

IVH intraventricular hemorrhage

Jackson-Pratt drain tube that drains uids after an

operation

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Jameson scissors ne-tip scissors

Jamshidi needle cylindrical needle with a sharp,

beveled tip

jaundice yellowish staining of the skin and sclerae

jejun/o jejunum, second part of the small bowel

jejunoileitis inammation of the jejunum and ileum

JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

jugul/o jugular vein

JVD jugular venous distention (distension)

K potassium; trace element

kal/o potassium

/kalemia potassium in the blood

kary/o nucleus

karyoplasm gelatin-like material in the nucleus

KCl potassium chloride

Kein used to treat infections

Kelly plication suture technique

keloid elevated, irregularly shaped scar

kerat/o horny, hardening

keratin/o becoming horny

Kerlix wound dressing

Kernig sign symptom of meningitis

ket/o ketones, a chemical in the blood and urine

ketoconazole antifungal agent

Ketostix reagent stick used to check for ketones in

urine

ketotic pertaining to ketone bodies

kg kilogram, kilograms

/kine chemical that moves in the body, mediators

of immune response

kinesi/o, /kinesis motion

/kinin hormone causing motion or contraction

Klebsiella (genus) pneumoniae

/kleisis closure, surgical fusion, also /clisis or /cleisis

klept/o steal

knee-chest position a prone position where the

individual rests on the knees and upper part of the

chest

knife, blade, scalpel #1, #2, #15

knuckle a twisted loop, shaped like a knuckle

Komberg method the process of localizing foreign

bodies in the eye

kyph/o hump

L liter, liters

L/S ratio lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio

LA latex agglutination

lab laboratory

labi/o lip

lacerate traumatic cut or tear

laceration jagged wound or cut

lacrim/o tear or teardrop

lact/o milk, milky

lactate dehydrogenase LDH; a cardiac and liver

enzyme

lacun/o lake, lacuna, lacunae

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LAE left atrial enlargement

LAH left atrial hypertrophy

lamell/o lamella, lamellae, little layer

lamin/o lamina layer

Lanoxin cardiac glycoside

lapar/o abdomen

/lapse fall

laryng/o larynx, voicebox

laryngoscopes Magill straight-blade laryngoscope,

MacIntosh curved-blade laryngoscope, forceps, cuff

lasers YAG, LAG, neodymium

Lasix diuretic

later/o side

lateral away from middle

LATS long-acting thyroid stimulator

lavage irrigation

laxity relaxation of muscles or ligament supports

layers of blood vessels tunica intima, tunica media,

tunica externa

LCL lateral collateral ligament

LDH lactate dehydrogenase; a cardiac and liver

enzyme

L-Dopa diagnostic agent for growth hormone

leg area between knee and ankle

lei/o smooth or smooth muscle

/lemma husk, membrane covering muscles and

nerves

lent/i lens of the eye

lentig/o freckle

lepromat/o leprosy (Hansen disease)

/lepsy, /leptic seizure, taking hold of

lethal anything that kills

lethargy listlessness

leucovorin for treatment of folate decient anemias

leuk/o white

leukemias chronic lymphocytic leukemia

(CLL), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML),

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute

nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL)

leukocytes cells which ght infection

levels of bronchi mainstem bronchus, primary

bronchiole, secondary bronchiole, alveolus

Levin tube a tube designed to be passed into the

stomach or duodenum through the nose

LGA large for gestational age

liberal abundant

Librium for management of anxiety

lichenication formation of lichen skin disease

lidocaine a topical local anesthetic

lig/a ties, string to tie with

ligament dentate, ligamentum avum

ligament of Treitz broad, suspensory muscle of

duodenum

ligament/o ligament

ligamentum arteriosum ductus arteriosus artery; a

fetal blood vessel that joins the descending aorta

and the left pulmonary artery

line infection infection of an IV catheter

linea alba white line

/lingual relating to the tongue

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lingual tonguelike structure

lip/o fat

lipid substances extracted from cells by fat solvents

liquefaction type of necrosis

lith/o stone

lithium lithium citrate, lithium carbonate, lithium

chloride

lithotomy position position in which the patient is on

his back with the hips and knees exed with thighs

apart

living and well description used in H&P

LLE left lower extremity

LLQ left lower quadrant

LMD local medical doctor

LNMP last normal menstrual period (or cycle)

lob/o lobe (of an organ)

lobes of the lung right upper lobe (RUL), right middle

lobe (RML), right lower lobe (RLL), left upper lobe

(LUL), left lower lobe (LLL)

LOC loss of consciousness

lochia vaginal discharge that takes place during rst

two weeks after childbirth

Loefer syndrome type of inammation of the lungs

log/o the study of

/logy (noun) the study of

long-acting depot IM injections intramuscular

injection of a drug in an oil suspension that results in

absorption of medication over a prolonged period

long-acting insulin type of insulin that doesn’t work

as quickly but lasts a long time

longitudinal section divides body into left/right

lord/o concavity, hollow area

loss of lateral gaze HEENT or neurologic physical

nding

Lou Gehrig disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(ALS)

LP lumbar puncture

LTH luteotropic hormone

/lucency a white spot on an x-ray

/lucent transmits light

LUE left upper extremity

Lugol solution iodine and potassium iodide solution

lumb/o ank

lumbar relating to the ank

lumbar vertebral levels L1 through L5

lumin/o lumen or space inside a tube, light

measurement

lun/o moon or moon-shaped

lung scan and perfusion-ventilation study a nuclear

lung scan

lung x-ray patterns interstitial pattern, Kerley B lines,

reticulonodular pattern, patchy inltrate, miliary

pattern, bleb

lup/o lupus

LUQ left upper quadrant

/lus little

lutein yellow pigment

luteinizing forming of corpus luteum from ovarian

follicle

luteinizing hormone a hormone produced by

gonadotroph cells in the pituitary gland

luxat/o slipped, dislocated

LVEDP left ventricular end-diastolic pressure

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LVH left ventricular hypertrophy

/ly (adverb) in the style of

Lyme disease recurrent multisystemic disorder

lymph/o watery uid

lymphadenopathy disease process affecting lymph

nodes

lymphat/o related to the lymph system

lymphatic relating to lymph

lymphocyte transfer beryllium sulfate blood test

beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, a test for

berylliosis

lymphopoiesis formation of lymphocytes

lymphopoietic relating to lymphopoiesis

lymphs lymphocytes

lys/o digest, dissolve

/lysis (noun) break down or apart, dissolve

lysosomal relating to a lysosome

lysosome digesting body

/lytic (adjective) break down or apart, dissolve

Maalox antacids used to relieve heartburn, acid

indigestion and upset stomach

macro/ gross, large

macrophage cell that comes to clear out infection

macroscopic parts of body seen with naked eye

macroscopically pertaining to macroscopy

macul/o macule, spot

mag (slang) MgSO4, magnesium sulfate

magnesium sulfate MgSO4, mag (slang)

magnetic resonance imaging MRI; a non-x-ray

imaging test

mainstem bronchi two main bronchi

major arteries carotid, subclavian, celiac axis or

trunk, mesenteric, ductus arteriosus (ligamentum

arteriosum)

major veins saphenous, azygos, portal, circle of

Willis, ductus venosus

mal/ bad, abnormal

/malacia (noun) softening

malaise feeling of general discomfort, “out of sorts”

malar relating to the cheek or malar eminence

Malecot catheter a hollow exible tube inserted into

the body to allow passage of uid

malformation Arnold-Chiari

malignant cancerous

malingering feigning or exaggeration of symptoms

of illness done for desired end

malle/o hammer

malleol/o little hammer

malt/o malt

mamm/o breast (entire breast)

mammogram radiograph of the breast

man/o hand or thin

mandibul/o lower jaw

maneuver Valsalva

/mania (noun) excessive preoccupation or obsession

/maniac (adjective) excessive preoccupation or

obsession

manometer pressure measuring instrument

manubri/o manubrium

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MAO maximal acid output

MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Marcaine with Wydase local anesthetic

marijuana, marihuana popular name for the dried

leaves of a owering Cannabis sativa plant

marriage and family counselor MFCC; license for

marriage and family counselor

marrow soft tissue of bone

Marshall-Marchetti repair suprapubic vesicourethral

suspension, surgical operation to correct stress

incontinence

marsupialization creation of a pouch

mast/o breast or breast-shaped, mastoid process or

sinus

mastectomy surgery to remove a breast

matern/o mother

matr/i mother

matrix, matrices connective tissue cells secrete and

oat in this substance

/maturity period of attainment of maximal

development

maxill/o upper jaw

Mayeld 3-point pin headrest surgical device used

to hold the head in place using pins

MCA multiple congenital anomalies, motorcycle

accident

MCD minimal change disease; disease of the kidney

that causes nephrotic syndrome

mcg microgram, micrograms

MCL medial collateral ligament

MCP metacarpophalangeal

MD doctor of medicine, “Medicine Doctor”

measles childhood disease

meat/o urethral meatus, opening to a tube or canal

meconium material in intestine of full-term fetus

medi/o middle

medial closer to the middle

mediastin/o relating to the mediastinal cavity

mediastinal relating to the center cavity

mediastinum center cavity containing heart

meds medications

medull/o medulla or innermost

/megaly (noun) enlargement

mei/o diminished or shut

mel/o limb

melan/o black

melanotic passage of stools stained with blood

melatonin hormone involved in circadian rhythms

melena passage of stools stained with blood

/melia, /melic limb

Mellaril used for psychotic disorders

membran/o membrane

men/o menses or menstrual ow

menarche onset of menstrual function

Ménière disease disorder that affects the inner ear

mening/o parietal and visceral membranes of

cranial cavity

meningeal relating to meninges

meninges combination of parietal and visceral

serosa; arachnoid, dura mater, pia mater

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menisc/o meniscus, crescent

menopaus/o menopause

menopause cessation of menstruation

menstrual periodic physiologic hemorrhage

ment/o the mind, thinking

mental mechanisms denial, projection, conversion,

sublimation, rationalization

mental tests Achenbach child behavior checklist,

Beery-Buktenica Visual Motor Integration (VMI),

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), Wechsler

test, Bender Gestalt,Minnesota Multiphasic

Personality Inventory (MMPI), Rorschach, Stanford-

Binet, thematic apperception

/mentia condition of the mind

meperidine analgesic, narcotic

mEq milliequivalent, milliequivalents

/mer compound made of one or more identical

molecules

mesenter/o mesentery

meso/ middle

meta/ change, beyond

metabolic relating to basic function of cell

metabolism basic function of cell

metamorphosis change

metaphase one of the phases of cell reproduction

metaphysis wide part of long bone

metastases plural of metastasis

metastases (types of) hematogenous, regional

lymph node, perineural, intraluminal, distant

metastasis transfer of disease from one organ or part

to another

metastasize to form disease by process of metastasis

/meter (noun) distance measure, instrument to

measure

meth/o one carbon

Methergine for treatment of postpartum

hemorrhage

Methimazole palliative treatment of hyperthyroidism

Methotrexate used for leukemia in children

methyl methacrylate cement used to cement

prosthetic joints

metr/o endometrium or uterine lining

metyrapone test test of pituitary ability to produce

corticotropin

MFCC marriage and family counselor; license for

marriage and family counselor

mg milligram, milligrams

mg% milligram percent, milligrams percent

MgSO4 magnesium sulfate, mag (slang)

MI myocardial infarction; sudden severe heart

attack

mi/o diminished or shut

micro/ small, tiny

microinstrumentation use of microinstruments in

microsurgery

microscope instrument for seeing small things

microscopic too small to be seen with naked eye

microscopically pertaining to microscopy

microsize griseofulvin antibiotic derived from

penicillium

Microsporum a genus of protozoa

microvilli, microvillus very small villi

mictur/o urinate

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midclavicular middle of the clavicle or collarbone

midfrontal middle of the front side of the body

midnoc midnight

midsagittal exact middle of body

midsagittal section section made down middle of

body

mili/o tiny nodules

milk of magnesia MOM; medication used to treat

constipation

Miller-Abbott tube tube used to treat obstruction in

the small intestine through intubation

mineral/o type of steroid hormone

minimal change disease MCD; disease of the kidney

that causes nephrotic syndrome

mit/o thread-like

mitochondria organelles in cytoplasm that use

oxygen to digest food in cell

mitosis cell reproduction

mitotic relating to cell reproduction

mitotic spindle form of a dividing cell

mitr/o mitral or left AV heart valve

mL milliliter, milliliters

mm millimeter, millimeters

mm3 cubic millimeter

mmHg millimeters of mercury

MMR measles, mumps, rubella, live virus vaccination

MOM milk of magnesia; medication used to treat

constipation

mongolism, mongoloid Down syndrome

monili/o necklace, string of beads, candida

infection

mono/, mon/o one or single

monocytes type of leukocyte

monos monocytes

morbid loss of function

morbidity damage to a whole organism

morph/o form, structure

morphine sulfate narcotic analgesic, sedative

morphologic relating to study of form of organs

morphologically pertaining to morphology

morphology study of form of body parts

mort/o death

mortal pertaining to or causing death

mortality state of being mortal

Motrin nonsteroidal anti-inammatory, analgesic

MPS mucopolysaccharidosis

MRI magnetic resonance imaging; a non-x-ray

imaging test

MS multiple sclerosis

MTP metatarsophalangeal

muc/o slime of mucous membranes

mucin/o mucin

mucoviscidosis cystic brosis

mucus, mucous relating to mucus

multi/ many

multinucleate cell with many nuclei

multiple numbers single, double, triple, quadruple,

quintuple, sextuple

multivitamin many vitamins

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murmur soft sound heard on auscultation

muscle tissue consisting primarily of contractile cells

muscles pectoralis, platysma, exor longus pollicis,

latissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, psoas

muscul/o muscle

muscular relating to muscle

musculoskeletal muscular and skeletal organ

systems

MVA motor vehicle accident

MVP mitral valve prolapse

my/o muscle

myalgia muscle pain

myc/o fungus

myci/o muscle

Mycobacterium (genus) tuberculosis, kansasii,

fortuitum, leprae, ulcerans

Mycoplasma (genus) pneumoniae, PPLO, mycoides

mydriasis physiologic dilatation of pupil

myel/o bone marrow, spinal cord; may sound like

“mild”

myelin/o myelin sheaths, covering of nerves

Mylanta medication used to treat heartburn, acid

indigestion and gas

myocardial pertaining to the muscle tissue of the

heart

myocardial infarction MI; sudden severe heart

attack

myofascial pertaining to the fascia surrounding and

associated with muscle tissue

myom/o myoma or muscle tumor

myring/o relating to the tympanic membrane of the

ear

mysi/o muscle

myxedema condition characterized by dry, waxy

swelling of skin

N nitrogen; element in protein

n.p.o. nil per os; nothing by mouth

Na sodium; trace element

NAD no acute distress; no short or sharp cause of

discomfort

nadolol medication used for hypertension

NaI-131 radioactive sodium iodine

naloxone narcotic antagonist

Naprosyn nonsteroidal anti-inammatory

narc/o numbness or stupor

narcissism, narcissistic self-love

nas/o nares, nose

nat/o birth, born

natr/o sodium

Navane used for management of psychotic

disorders

navicul/o little boat, navicular

NBS normal bowel sounds; normal sounds heard on

examination

NCAT normocephalic; relating to a normal cranium

NEC necrotizing enterocolitis

necr/o dead

necrosis death of cells

necrotic relating to death of cells

nect/o bind

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needles Abrams needle, Chiba skinny needle,

curved, cutting, Keith, SH, Tru-Cut, Voorhees needle,

Veress needle

Neisseria (genus) meningitides, gonorrhea

neo/ new

neonatologist one who specializes in study of

newborn

neonatology study of newborn

neoplasia new growth of cells whose anatomy is

abnormal

neoplasm any new and abnormal growth

neoplastic relating to neoplasm

nephr/o kidney

nephrolithotripsy surgical procedure to remove

kidney stones

nephrologist one who specializes in nephrology

nephrology study of kidney

nerve cells oligodendroglia, microglia, astrocyte,

axon, dendrite

nerves intercostobrachial, thoracodorsal, long

thoracic nerve of Bell, sciatic

neur/o nerve

neuroadrenal hormones epinephrine or adrenaline,

norepinephrine or noradrenaline

neuroleptic term to refer to effects on cognition and

behavior of antipsychotic drugs

neurologic reexes suck, grasp, withdrawal, Moro

(startle)

neurologic tests in physical examination pinprick,

position, vibration, Brudzinski sign, Kernig sign

neurological, neurologic relating to nervous system

neurologist one who specializes in the nervous

system

neurology study of nervous system

neuron tissue cells of nervous system

neuronal relating to nervous tissue cells

neuropsychiatric neurological system which includes

the mind

neurosurgeon specialist in surgery of neurological

system

neurosurgery surgery on nervous system

neurosurgery devices Mayeld 3-point pin headrest,

spine cutter

neurosurgical landmarks tragus, pterion, zygoma

neutr/o neutral, white cells that don’t stain

neutrophils leukocytes that eat foreign materials

nev/o mole

NF none found, not found

NG nasogastric

NICU neonatal or neurosurgical intensive care unit

NIDDM noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

nidus point of origin of a morbid process

nifedipine calcium channel-blocking agent and

coronary vasodilator

/nine chemical or hormone sufx

nitr/o nitrogen

Nitro-Bid antianginal

nitrogen N; element in protein

nitroglycerin NTG,used in angina pectoris

no acute distress NAD; no short or sharp cause of

discomfort

Nocardia (genus) asteroides, brasiliensis

noct/i at night

nocturia urinating at night

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nodes Rotter, shotty, level 1, 2 and 3, highest

nodes of Ranvier constrictions occurring on nerve

bers

nodul/o nodule, little nodes or nely bumpy

noncontributory does not contribute

nor/ chemical with branched chain or one less

methyl group

norm/o proper, rule

normal bowel sounds NBS; normal sounds heard on

examination

normal saline NS; water with same salt

concentration as blood

normoactive characterized by normal action

normocephalic NCAT; relating to a normal cranium

normoreexive normal reexes

nosocomial disease acquired in hospital

environment

Novocain anesthesia that causes numbness

NS normal saline; water with same salt

concentration as blood

NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inammatory drug

NSD no serious disease (defect)

NSVD normal spontaneous vaginal delivery

NTG nitroglycerin; used in angina pectoris

nuch/o nape of the neck

nucle/o center, cell nucleus, eyeball

nuclear relating to the nucleus

nuclear bone scan, bone survey nuclear medicine

test, x-rays of long bones, ribs, spine, and skull

nuclear medicine branch of medicine using x-ray,

sound waves and magnetic elds

nucleol/o little nucleus

nucleoli, nucleolus small, round bodies that make

ribosomes

nucleoplasm gelatin-like material in the nucleus

nucleus basic cell part

/nuclide radioactive isotope

nullip nullipara, woman with no deliveries

NVD neovascularization of the disk

nyct/o at night

nystagmus involuntary, rapid rhythmic movement of

eyeball

O oxygen; chemical element

o/o egg

O2 oxygen; gas

oblique slanting

obstetrician one who specializes in pregnancy and

childbirth

obstetrics study of pregnancy and childbirth

obturator any structure

occipit/o back of head

occiput, occipital relating to the back of the head

occlus/o closed off

OCT oxytocin challenge test

oct/o eight

ocul/o eye

OD oculus dexter, right eye

odont/o tooth or teeth, tooth-shaped

/oid (adjective) like

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/ol alcohol compounds

/ole little

olecranon tip or point of the elbow

olig/o decreased or few

/olone steroid drug

OM otitis media

/oma (noun) tumor, mass

/omatous relating to a tumor, tumor-like

oment/o omentum

omphal/o umbilicus

/on (noun) noun sufx, no meaning

onc/o tumor

oncologist one who specializes in study of cancer

oncology study of cancer

Oncovin antineoplastic agent

/one steroid drug

onych/o nail

oophor/o ovary or egg-bearer

op/o location

/opaque impervious to light or x-rays

open reduction surgical correction of a fracture,

luxation or hernia

open renal biopsy when a surgeon makes a small

cut to obtain kidney tissue.

operat/o surgery or operation

ophthalm/o eye

ophthalmologist one who specializes in study of eye

ophthalmology study of eye

/ophthalmos eye condition

opi/o opium or opioid drugs

/opia vision

opposition relation between the thumb and the

other digits

/opsia vision

Op-Site dressing thin and transparent dressing

/opsy (noun) look at

OPV oral polio vaccine

/or (noun) one that

or/o mouth, oral

orbit eye socket

orbit/o orbit

orbital relating to the orbit

orchi/o, orchid/o testicle

orchiectomy removal of the testicles

organ/o organ

organelle structure in cytoplasm that carries out

instructions from DNA

organic relating to organ

organomegaly enlargement of organ

Orinase used to treat diabetes

orth/o straight

orthopedic appliances 4-hole plate, Harrington rod,

Kirschner wire, Steinmann pin, titanium plate

orthopedic surgeon one who specializes in surgery

of musculoskeletal system

orthopedic surgery surgery of musculoskeletal

system

orthopnea discomfort on breathing except in upright

position

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OS oculus sinister; left eye

/ose (adjective) like, relating to (also sufx for

chemical name for sugar)

/osis pathologic condition, relating to a condition

osm/o smell

osmolality a measure of urine concentration

osmolarity concentration expressed in terms of

osmoles of solute per liter of solution

osmosis diffusion of water

osse/o bone

osseous relating to bone

oste/o bone

osteopetrosis rare genetic disease characterized by

abnormally dense bone

osteoporosis condition of reduced bone mass

ostia, ostium an opening

ot/o ear

OTC over-the-counter; nonprescription

/otic pathologic condition, relating to a condition

otolaryngology study of ear, larynx, head, neck,

tracheobronchial tree and esophagus

/ous (adjective) relating to

ovary reproductive organ

Ovcon-35, 28 day oral contraceptive

ox/o oxygen

ox/y oxygen, containing oxygen

oxacillin antibiotic

oxidat/o adding oxygen

oxidation use of oxygen to digest food in the cell

oxygen mist with nebulizer vaporizer which uses

oxygen to help deliver medication

oxytocin a major hormone of the hypothalamus

p.o. per o; by mouth

p.r.n. pro re nata; as needed, as required

pacemakers demand, Medtronic, Cordis,

Intermedics, xed-rate

packed red blood cells red blood cells given in a

transfusion

palatine pertaining to the palate

palpation feel with examining hands

palpitation conscious awareness of abnormality of

your heartbeat

palsy Bell, Erb, Klumpke, Todd

pan/ all, every

pancreat/o pancreas

pancreatic/o to or with the pancreas

pancytopenia a reduced number of red and white

blood cells, including platelets

pannus supercial vascularization of the cornea

Pap smear, Pap test, Papanicolaou specimen for

examination of vaginal mucus, test to diagnose

conditions of the female genital tract

papill/o papilla, papillae

papul/o pimple, papule

para woman who has produced viable young

para/ beside, beyond

paramyxovirus a paramyxovirus, also known as

respiratory syncytial virus, RSV

paranasal sinuses ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid,

maxillary

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parasagittal one side or other of midline

parasagittal section section made slightly to one

side or other of midline

parasite living organism which invades body and

causes disease

parasitic relating to parasite

parathormone parathyroid hormone; hormone

secreted by the parathyroid glands

/paresis relaxation

/paretic slight or incomplete paralysis

pariet/o wall of a cavity or organ

parietal relating to cavity lining

Parkinson disease disorder of the nervous system

parot/o parotid gland

pars plana vitrectomy removal of vitreous by suction

and cutting

partial pressures alveolar oxygen, PAO2; alveolar

carbon dioxide, PACO2; arterial oxygen, PaO2;

arterial carbon dioxide, PaCO2

parts of the ear malleus, incus, stapes, oval window,

epitympanum, eustachian tube, mesotympanum

/partum (noun) labor, delivery

partur/o birth

passed off the eld removed from the sterile eld to

an unsterile area

passive resistance exercise that does not require

active muscle contractions when performed

passive transport particles move across a

membrane without using energy

patell/o patella, kneecap

patellar relating to the patella or kneecap

patern/o father

path (slang) pathology

path/o disease

pathognomonic relating to signs and symptoms of

disease

pathologic relating to study of disease

pathological tissue colors gray-tan, red

pathologist one who studies disease

pathology study of disease

pathology specimens frozen section, shave biopsy,

permanent section, punch biopsy, cone biopsy

pathophysiology functional abnormality

/pathy (noun) disease process

patient positions knee-chest, lithotomy,

Trendelenburg

patr/i father

pauci/ few

PCN penicillin; antibiotic

PCP phencyclidine

PCT proximal convoluted tubules

PDA patent ductus arteriosus

peau d’orange dimpled condition of skin

ped/o child, infant, foot

pediatrician one who specializes in study of children

pediatrics study of children

peduncul/o peduncle

pelv/o pelvis

pelvic relating to pelvis

pelvis, pelves cup-shaped ring of bone in lower

quadrant of body

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pemphig/o pemphigus, blister

pen/o penis

/penia (noun) lack of, decrease, poor

penicillin PCN; antibiotic

penis reproductive organ

Penrose drain surgical device used to drain uid

from a wound

penta/ ve

pentamidine for treatment of Pneumocystis carinii

and trypanosomiasis

peps/o, pept/o digest or digestion

per for every

per/ through; may sound like “pair of”

percent for every one hundred

percentile any of the points dividing a range of data

into 100 equal intervals

percussion tap different parts of body during exam

peri/ around

pericardial relates to covering of surface of the

heart

pericardium membrane around the heart

perinatology subspecialty of obstetrics

perine/o perineum, external part of lower abdomen

or pelvis

perineal relating to skin surface of pelvis

perinephric relating to connective tissue around

kidney

perineum skin surface of pelvis

periorbital relating to the tissues surrounding and

lining the orbit of the eye

periosteal membrane membrane that lines the outer

surface of bones

peripheral at or near the rim or edge

peripheral vascular surgery surgery on outlying

blood vessels

peritone/o abdominal cavity

peritoneal relating to abdominal cavity

peritoneum membrane in abdominopelvic cavity

periumbilical near or around the navel

permease chemical that carries another molecule

across cell membrane

perone/o peroneal tendon or nerve in lower leg

peroneal relating to the bula (leg bone)

peroneal tendon transfer surgical relocation of

insertion of abductor tendon to another muscle

Persantine vasodilator

petechi/o petechia, pinpoint hemorrhage

petrolatum used as an ointment base

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome a disorder in which the

patient develops intestinal polyps and is at a higher

risk for developing some types of cancers

/pexy (noun) afx, attach into place

Peyer patches lymphatic nodules of small intestine

PFT pulmonary function test

pH hydrogen ion concentration

phag/o, /phage eat, swallow, engulf

phagocytosis “eating” method of bringing material

into the cell

phalang/o phalanx, phalanges

pharyng/o pharynx

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phas/o speech

/phase (noun) phase or portion

/phasia, /phasic condition of speech

phe/o dusky

phenothiazine psychotherapeutic agent

phenylalanine antineoplastic agent

phenylpropanolamine decongestant

phenytoin anticonvulsant

pher/o support, bear

phil/o love or attraction, cells that attract a stain

phim/o muzzling or closure

phleb/o vein

phlegmonous pertaining to phlegmon

phob/o, /phobia (noun) fear

phor/o carry

/phoria (noun) bear

phos/o light

phosphate H3PO4, any form of phosphoric acid

phosphorus a chemical element

phot/o light

phrag/o, /phragm (noun) fence, wall

phren/o diaphragm

phren/o mind or head

phrenic relating to diaphragm

phylax/o, phylact/o guard

phym/o growth

/physeal adjective sufx for /physis

physi/o nature, natural

physical examination ndings in the abdomen

guarding, shifting dullness, uid wave

physician doctor

physiologic relating to function of body parts

physiologically pertaining to physiology

physiology study of how the body works

/physis (noun) grow

phyt/o plant

/phyte fungus

piecemeal bit by bit

pigment/o colored

pil/o hair

pineal/o pine cone-shaped, relating to the pineal

body

pinocytosis “sipping” method of bringing material

into the cell

pinprick slight puncture made by a pin

pituitar/o pituitary gland

pituitary endocrine gland

PKU phenylketonuria

placent/o afterbirth

placenta previa an obstetric complication in which

the placenta is attached to the uterine wall close to

or covering the cervix

placental abnormalities abruptio placentae,

placenta previa

plak/o patch

/plakia patch

plane direction of a section

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plant/o sole of foot

plantar relating to the sole of the foot

plaque any patch or at area

/plasia (noun) growth, development

/plasm formation, (cell) contents, growth

plasm/o plasma, cell substance

plasma renin kidney enzyme, high level may

indicate high risk for heart attack

plasma/ plasma

plasmapheresis removal of whole blood, separation

of its cellular elements by centrifugation

Plasmodium (genus) malariae (malaria), vivax,

falciparum

plastic skin bridges used with bumper sutures

plastic surgery surgery concerned with

reconstruction

plastic surgery or graft terms graft donor site, native

position

/plasty (noun) restore by surgery

platelet thrombocyte

platelet count count of irregularly shaped disks

found in blood

/plegia, /plegic paralysis

pleur/o thoracic membranes

pleura lining of thoracic cavity

pleural relating to cavity holding the lung

pleurisy, pleuritic inammation of the pleura

plexus braid, tangle or network of vessels

plicae circulares circular folds

plication, plicated taking tucks in a structure to

shorten it

PMI point of maximal impulse; the place where the

apical pulse is palpated as strongest

PND paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

/pnea (noun) breathing

pneum/o, pneumon/o air, gas, lung air sacs

Pneumocystis (genus) carinii pneumonia (PCP)

pneumon/o lung air sacs

pod/o foot or foot-like

poi/e forming, making

/poiesis (noun) formation

/poietic (adjective) relating to the process of

formation

/poietin blood-forming hormone

poikil/o, poiekyl/o mottled

point McBurney, Brewer, Addison, Pauly, Mackenzie

point of maximal impulse PMI; the place where the

apical pulse is palpated as strongest

/polar relating to poles or ends of a spectrum

polariz/o line up between poles

polio poliomyelitis

poly/ many

polyarthritis simultaneous inammation of several

joints

polydrug abuse improper use of more than one

drug at a time

polymorphonuclear neutrophils

polymyxin-bacitracin antibiotics

polyp/o polyp

polys polymorphonuclear leukocytes

poplite/o back of knee

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popliteal relating to back of the knee

popliteal fossa back of the knee

por/o hollow

port wine stain birthmark

port/a hepatic portal vein

port/o door

porta hepatis ssure on surface of liver

position spatial location

post/ after, past

poster/o behind

posterior in back of

posterior tibial back of the ankle

posterolateral to side and in back of sagittal plane

or middle

potassium K; trace element

pouch of Douglas rectouterine pouch, pouch

between rectum and uterus formed by fold of

peritoneum

PPD tuberculin skin test

PPMA post poliomyelitis muscular atrophy

pre/ before

prednis/o, prednisone drug name

prep (slang) preparation

prepped sterilized for surgery

presby/o elder or aging

pretibial in front of the tibia, leg

preventive medicine study and practice which aims

to prevent disease

preventive medicine specialist one who practices

preventative medicine

priapism abnormal erection of penis without sexual

desire

prim/o rst

primary intention repair with stitches

primary union repair with stitches

primip primipara, woman with one previous birth

pro/ before

process, processes styloid, zygomatic, mastoid,

palatine

prochlorperazine used for management of nausea

and vomiting

proct/o anus or lower rectum

progester/o female hormone

prognosis forecast of probable outcome

progressive advancing

prolactin hormone to sustain lactation

prolapse sinking of an organ or body part

promontory a projecting process

pronat/o turn toward prone position

prone body position face down

prophase one of the phases of cell reproduction

propranolol cardiac medication

propt/o exophthalmos

prostaglandin components derived from

unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids

prostat/o prostate

prostate specic agglutinins PSA; a type of antibody

screened for in blood test for prostatic cancer

Prostheses Dow-Corning, Bucholz, Starr-Edwards,

total hip

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prosthetic heart valves Bjork-Shiley

prot/o rst, primitive

protamine class of basic proteins of low molecular

weight

protein rich describes ascitic uid, hyphenated if

used before the noun

protein/ protein, found in urine

proteins important building product of cell

prothrombin time pro-time, protime PT; clotting test

protoplasm gelatin-like material lling cell

protuberant a prominence

Provera used for abnormal uterine bleeding due to

hormonal imbalance

proxim/o nearer to

proximal near center of body or organ

pruritus, pruritic itching

PSA prostate specic agglutinins; a type of antibody

screened for in blood test for prostatic cancer

pseudo/ false

pseudoephedrine for relief of nasal congestion

psori/a itch

psych/o mind

psychiatrist one who specializes in study of emotions

and biochemical imbalances

psychiatry study of emotions and biochemical

imbalances

PT prothrombin time, pro-time, protime; clotting test

PTA prior to admission

PTC percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography

PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary

angioplasty

pterion a point on the sphenoid bone

pteryg/o wing, pterygoid process

PTH parathyroid hormone, parathormone

/ptosis (noun) drooped, slipped down

PTT partial thromboplastin time

PTU propylthiouracil

ptyal/o salivary glands

/ptysis coughing up

pub/o pubis

pubic relating to pelvic bone

pubis front of pelvic bone

PUD peptic ulcer disease

pudend/o pudendum, external genitalia

puerper/o recently having borne

pulmon/o lung

pulmonary function measurements tidal volume

(TV), vital capacity (VC), inspiratory reserve volume

(IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), dead space

volume

pulmonary medicine branch of medicine

concerned with the lungs

pulmonary medicine specialist one who specializes

in study of lungs

pulmonic relating to the lungs

pulsat/o relating to a pulse

pupill/o pupil of the eye

purulent pus

pus exudate with dead bacteria

pustul/o pustule

PVR progressive vitreous retinopathy

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py/o pus

pyel/o relating to the renal pelvis

pylor/o pylorus, gatekeeper

pyogenic forming pus

pyonephrosis pus-forming inammatory condition

of kidney

pyorrhea a purulent discharge

PYP pyrophosphate nuclear scan

pyramid/o pyramid, pyramid-shaped organ

pyrazinamide antitubercular agent

Pyridium for urinary itching, frequency

pyuria pus in urine

q. quaque; every

q.( )h. quaque ( ) hora; every ( ) hours

q.a.m. quaque ante meridian; every morning

q.d. quaque die; daily; never use the abbreviation;

always write out

q.h.s. every hour of sleep, every bedtime

q.i.d. quater in die; four times a day

q.n.s. quantity not sufcient

Q-panel a group of blood tests

quadr/i, quadr/u four or fourths

quadrant one-quarter section

quarterly divided into fourths

R/O, RO rule out

R’ R prime

RA rheumatoid arthritis

RA factor rheumatoid arthritis factor

rachi/o spine

radi/o rays or waves, x-ray, radius, forearm

radial forearm

radiation therapist one who specializes in radiation

therapy

radiation therapy therapy using x-rays and sound

waves

radioactive iodine I-131

radioactive sodium iodide NaI-131

radioimmunoassay RIA; radioactive assay or test of

body chemical levels

radiologist one who specializes in use of x-rays

radiology study of use of x-rays, sound waves

RAE right atrial enlargement

rales breathing sounds, also rhonchi, wheezes,

crackling, bronchial, vesicular

RAM rapid alternating movements

ram/o ramus, rami

ramus branch

range of joint motion ROM; joint exibility

Ranitidine for ulcer treatment

RAO right anterior oblique; x-ray position

rapid-acting insulin type of insulin that works quickly

in the body

Raynaud phenomenon spasm of digital arteries with

numbness of ngers

RBC red blood cells, red blood count

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re/ again, back

rebound tenderness reversed response on

withdrawal of stimulus

rect/o upright, rectum

recumbent lying down

red Robinson catheter a type of catheter used to

drain urine

reduction to reduce, lessen in size

referral act of referring

reection a folding or turning back

reex Babinski, Gordon, Babkin, Barkman, Brudzinski

/reexive relating to unconscious reaction to a

stimulus

reux backward ow

regenerate tissues replacing themselves

regeneration natural renewal of a structure

regenerative having ability to regenerate

Reglan gastrointestinal agent

regular rate and rhythm RRR; used under Heart

heading of PE

regurgitation ow in the opposite direction from

normal

rehabilitation medicine branch of medicine

concerned with restoration of form and function

after illness

rehabilitation medicine specialist one who

specializes in rehabilitation medicine

remission abatement of symptoms

ren/o kidney

renal malformations medullary sponge kidney,

crossed fused renal ectopia, pelvic kidney,

horseshoe kidney

repolarization return of the ions to their previous

resting state

resectoscope an instrument for biopsy of lesions of

the bladder

resident licensed physician who practices under

guidance of experienced specialist

respiration exchange of oxygen in lungs; Corrigan,

Cheyne-Stokes, Austin Flint, Kussmaul

respirator IPPB apparatus, CPPB, CPAP, CPPV, PEEP

respiratory organs responsible for breathing

respiratory syncytial virus a paramyxovirus, also

known as RSV, paramyxovirus

respiratory therapy methods humidication

(humidier), nebulization (nebulizer)

restraints (types of) hard restraints, soft restraints

resuscitation restoration to life of one apparently

dead

reticul/o little network, little net

reticular a ne network formed by cells or pertaining

to or resembling a net

retin/o retina of the eye

retractor instrument to pull back; Army-Navy,

Balfour, bivalve, Greenberg, Jacobson, Jorgenson,

O’Connor-Sullivan

retractors or blades Adson, bladder, chest spreader,

Cook, Deaver, Gelpi, Markham-Meyerding, right- or

left-angle, self-retaining, vein

retro/ behind, back

retrocolic recess peritoneal bed of the colon

retro-orbital behind bony cavity containing eyeball

retroperitoneal behind peritoneal cavity

reversible change back

RHD rheumatic heart disease

rheumat/o watery discharge, rheumatic condition

rheumatoid widespread inammation with unknown

cause

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rheumatologist one who specializes in rheumatology

rheumatology study of joints and immune system

rhin/o nose

rhinoplasty repair of nose defect

rhinorrhea discharge of nasal mucus

rhiz/o root, relating to the hip and shoulder joints

RhoGAM immune globulin

rhonchi breathing sounds, also rales, wheezes,

crackling, bronchial, vesicular

/rhythmia heart rhythm condition

RIA radioimmunoassay; radioactive assay or test of

body chemical levels

rib/o the sugar ribose

ribonucleic acid RNA; carries instructions for making

proteins

ribosome organelle in cytoplasm

rickets vitamin D deciency

Rifamate antituberculosis agent

right anterior oblique RAO; x-ray position

Ringer’s lactate solution RL; IV uid

Ritalin central nervous system stimulant

Ritodrine used to inhibit uterine contraction in

preterm labor

RL Ringer’s lactate solution; IV uid

RLE right lower extremity

RLQ right lower quadrant

RNA ribonucleic acid; carries instructions for making

proteins

Robitussin used to control cough

ROM range of motion; joint exibility

rongeur Adson, Kerrison, Leksell, up-cutting—an

instrument to cut through tough tissue, like bone

roseola rose-colored rash

Roux-en-Y terms Roux limb, Roux bile loop, Roux-Y

limb

/rrhage break or bursting through

/rrhagia abnormal ow

/rrhaphy suturing or sewing up

/rrhea (noun) ow

/rrheic relating to ow

/rrhexis rupture

RRR regular rate and rhythm; used under Heart

heading of PE

RSV a paramyxovirus, also known as respiratory

syncytial virus, paramyxovirus

RTA renal tubular acidosis

rubella acute infectious disease

rubor redness

RUE right upper extremity

rugae ridge, wrinkle or fold

RUQ right upper quadrant

RVH right ventricular hypertrophy

Rx prescribe, prescription

/saccharide complex sugar

sacr/o sacrum, back pelvic bone

sacral relating to the sacrum

sacroiliac pertaining to the sacrum and ilium

sacrum back pelvic bone

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sagittal right and left

sagittal plane plane which divides body into right,

left sections

sagittal section divide body into right and left

sagittally relating to sagittal

Salem sump tube a nasogastric tube used for

suction and irrigation of the stomach

saline salty

salping/o salpinx, fallopian tube

saphen/o saphenous vein

sarc/o nongland tissue, esh

sarcoma tumor of bone or soft tissue; Hodgkin,

Kaposi, Kupffer cell, Abernethy, pseudo-Kaposi

SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis

scab formed from brinous exudate

scalpel, knife, blade #1, #2, #15

scaphoid boat-shaped

scapul/o scapula, shoulder blade

scapular relating to the scapula or shoulder blade

Schaumann bodies shell-like lesions

schist/o, /schisis, schiz/o split

Schwann cells large cells whose cell membranes

spirally enwrap peripheral neurons

sciatica pain in lower back and hip radiating down

back of thigh into leg

SCID severe combined immunodeciency disease

scirrhous pertaining to the nature of hard cancer

scissors Mayo, Metzenbaum, bandage, Potts

scler/o sclera

sclera, sclerae white of the eye or eyes

scleral buckling relating to white of eye buckling

/sclerosis (noun) hardening

/sclerotic (adjective) hardening

scoli/o curved

scop/o examine

/scope (noun) instrument to see through or with

scopolamine an alkaloid, epoxide of atropine

scot/o darkness

scotoma, scotomata a blind spot in visual eld

screws Schanz, bone, compression, recessed head,

Stryker

scrot/o scrotum or scrotal sac

seb/o oil, wax, sebum

sebace/o sebum, a greasy lubricating substance

secondary intention heal with borders separated

secondary to caused by

secondary union heal with borders separated

sect/o, secti/o cut into or apart

section slice or cut dividing body into parts

sed rate (slang) sedimentation rate

segs (slang) segmented neutrophils

seizure an attack, sudden onset of symptoms such

as convulsions

Seldinger technique method to insert catheter using

a hollow needle

selective permeability ability to choose which things

pass through a membrane

sella turcica Turkish saddle

SEM systolic ejection murmur

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semester one-half of a time period

semi/ half

semin/o seminal vesicles

semipermeable allows some things to pass through

membrane

Sengstaken-Blakemore tube a tube inserted through

the nose or mouth to manage gastrointestinal

bleeding

Senn retractor right-angle clamp

/sensitivity state of being susceptible to

seps/o, sept/i infection, bacteria

septal deviation abnormal wall dividing two cavities

septic/o, /septic infection. bacteria

sequelae after effect of a disease, condition or injury

sequestr/o separated

serodiagnostic test diagnosis using serologic tests

seros/o serous membrane

serotonin neurotransmitter

serous relating to or containing serum

serum liquid (noncellular) part of blood, body uid

serum cortisol glucocorticoid in blood which

regulates immune system

serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase SGOT;

blood test for liver function

SF6 gas used to ll the eye at surgery

SFA supercial femoral artery

SGA small for gestational age

SGOT serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase;

blood test for liver function

shave biopsy a procedure where a thin layer of skin

is removed with a small blade for examination

Shiley tube tube used in tracheostomies

short-acting insulin a type of insulin with an

immediate onset of action

sial/o saliva

sibs (slang) siblings, brothers and sisters

SIDS sudden infant death syndrome

sigmoid/o sigmoid colon

sign Chvostek, Trousseau

silk tape tape to apply gauze or bandage

Silvadene topical antimicrobial

Similac infant feeding formula

sin/o, sinus/o sinus, a cavity

sinus sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal, maxillary, mastoid

sinusitis inammation of the sinuses

/sis (noun) pathologic condition, relating to a

condition

/sity the state of

skelet/o skeleton

skeletal relating to the skeleton

skeleton bony framework of body

skin clips suture used to close surgical wounds, also

known as skin staples

skin staples used to close surgical wounds, also

known as skin clips

SLE systemic lupus erythematosus; chronic

inammatory multisystemic disorder of connective

tissue

slit lamp biomicroscope

Slow-K potassium supplement

SMAC-20 lab test on serum level

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small vessels arterioles, venules, capillaries

SNCNHL small noncleaved cell non-Hodgkin

lymphoma

snuffbox space just medial to base of radius on the

dorsum of the hand

SOB shortness of breath

sodium Na; trace element

sodium pump permease that carries sodium

Solu-Medrol anti-inammatory

solute substance dissolved in a solvent

som/o, somat/o body

/some a body

somn/o sleep

son/o sound, ultrasound

sonographic fetal measurements biparietal

diameter (BPD), crown-rump length (CRL)

sound, sounded instrument to measure depth

sp. gr. specic gravity

/spadias a tear or opening

/spasm, spasm/o contraction

specialist physician who limits practice to one organ

system

specialization act of specializing

specialize focus on one area or organ

specialty area of focus

speculum aural, vaginal, nasal, weighted

spermat/o sperm

spher/o round, round-shaped object

/sphere globe, applies to any ball-shaped structure

including the brain

sphincter of Oddi sphincter

sphincter/o sphincter

sphygm/o relating to the pulse

spider nevi dilatation of supercial capillaries

resembling a spider with legs

spin/o spine

spina bida developmental abnormality

spinal canal cavity that holds spinal cord

spine cutter a surgical tool used in spinal surgery

spir/o, spirat/o breathe, breathing

spirochete spiral bacteria

spironolactone steroid that is antagonist of

aldosterone

splanchn/o relating to a viscus or viscera

splen/o spleen

splenomegaly enlargement of spleen

spondyl/o spine

sponges lap, wet lap, dry lap (laparotomy), Raytec,

Weck-cel

sports medicine eld of medicine concerned with

injuries sustained in athletic endeavors

squam/o disk-shaped cells

squamous cells that are at disks

stabs stab cells

/stalsis, /staltic contraction

Stamm gastrostomy type of incision made in the

stomach

staphyl/o cluster of grapes

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria found on the skin

/stasis (noun) control

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stat, statim at once

/static (adjective) hold in

station measurement of the baby’s head in relation

to the pelvis

Stelazine used for management of anxiety

Steri-Strips adhesive strip to close small wound

stern/o sternum, breast bone

sternal related to the sternum or breast bone

/steroid adrenal gland hormone

STH somatotropic hormone

/stices gap or space

stigm/o, stigmat/o point or focus

/stitial gap or space

/stoma (noun) body opening (to the outside)

/stomy (noun) surgically created body opening

stool guaiac test for blood in stool

stools formed stools of normal consistency

strabismus lack of parallelism of the visual axes of

the eyes

strap muscles small, at muscles inferior to the hyoid

bone

stratied more than one layer

straw-colored normal urine color

strept/o twisted chains

Streptococcus (genus) pneumoniae, alpha-hemolytic

stress incontinence lack of restraint regarding

urination or feces

stressor to cause to undergo strain or stress

striated striped

stridor harsh, high pitched respiratory sound

/strophy the process of turning oneself

structural type of protein to build new cells and cell

parts

su/i himself

sub/ under, inferior to

subacute less than sharp or severe

subclavian steal syndrome a result of the occlusian

or severe stenosis of the proximal subclavian artery

Subcue subcutaneous, also referred to as subq or

subcu

SubQ subcutaneous, also referred to as subcu. or

subcue

subspecialty a particular area within a specialty

suction bulb, Hemovac

sud/o sweat

Sudafed used for nasal congestion

sudor/i sweat

/sufciency condition of adequacy or normal

function

/sufcient adequate or functional

sulf/a, sulf/o sulfa drug, an antibiotic

sulfon/o sulfa drug, an antibiotic

Sumycin anti-infective

super/, super/o above, superior to

supercial, supercially on or closer to the skin or

surface, relating to the surface

superolateral above and further away from

superomedial above and closer to the middle

supin/o relating to supine

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supinat/o turn toward supine position

supine body position when at on back

suppository medicated mass adapted for

introduction into rectal, vaginal orice

suppurative inammation response with large

amount of pus

supra/ above, superior to

supraorbital the region above the eye sockets

suprapubic catheter tube inserted through the belly

into the bladder to drain urine

surfactant active agents which form layer over

alveolar surfaces which stabilizes volume

surgeon one who performs surgery

surgery (types of) Marshall-Marchetti repair,

transurethral resection of the prostate,

ureteroileostomy, nephrolithotripsy

surgical pertaining to surgery

surgical oncologist one who performs surgery for

tumors

surgical oncology surgery on tumors

surgical procedures Billroth I, Billroth II, Whipple

procedure pancreaticoduodenostomy), V&P

(vagotomy and pyloroplasty)

suture joining of edges of a wound

suture materials absorbable, AO Tevdek, black silk,

chromic, Dermalon, Dexon, double-barrel, Ethibond,

Ethilon, gut, Maxon, Mersilene, Nurolon, nylon, plain

catgut, Prolene, silk, surgical steel, Surgilon, Vicryl,

wire

suture techniques (styles) alternating, anchoring,

baseball, bolster, braided, bridle, bumper retention,

buried, button, circular, continuous, everting,

gure-of-eight, free tie, imbricating, interlocking,

interrupted, inverting, Kessler, Lembert, locking

stitch, mass closure, near-far-far-near, overlapping,

PDS mattress, pursestring, reinforcing, relaxation,

running, simple, single, Smead-Jones, stay, stick

tie, subcuticular, tacking, through-and-through,

transxion, U

Swan-Ganz catheter used to measure intravascular

pressure

Swanson Silastic exible hinge articial joint

Sx symptoms

sym/ together with

symmetrical correspondence of parts on opposite

sides of body

sympathomimetic adrenergic

syn/ together with

synapt/o synapse, communication gap between

two nerve cells

syncope fainting

syncyti/o mass of tissue created by the merging of

cells

syndrome Albright, Alport, Budd-Chiari, carpal

tunnel, Charcot, Conn, Cornelia de Lange,

Cronkhite-Canada, Curtius, Cushing, Down,

dumping, Ellis-van Creveld, Gardner, Goldenhar

(oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia), Horner, Klippel-

Feil, Korsakoff syndrome, Leriche, Mallory-Weiss,

Marfan, meconium plug, Meig, Menetrier, nail-

patella (osteo-onychodysplasia), nephrotic, organic

brain syndrome (OBS), Peutz-Jeghers, Pierre Robin,

prune-belly, Reiter, respiratory distress syndrome

(RDS), Reye, Stein-Leventhal, subclavian steal,

Treacher Collins, Zollinger-Ellison

synovi/o, synov/o synovium, synovia, with egg, like

egg white

Synthroid replacement thyroid product

syphil/o syphilis

syring/o syringe, syrinx, relationship to a tube or

stula

system/o the body as a whole

systemic lupus erythematosus SLE; chronic

inammatory multisystemic disorder of connective

tissue

systole, systolic contraction of heart, especially of

the ventricles

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T cells lymphocytes

T&A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

t.i.d. ter in die; three times a day

TAB therapeutic abortion

tachy faster than usual

Tagamet antiulcer agent

TAH total abdominal hysterectomy

Takayasu disease chronic inammation of the aorta

tal/o talus, heel

taliped, talipes club-foot

Tambocor antiarrhythmic agent

tamoxifen used to treat cancer

Tapazole methimazole for treatment of

hyperthyroidism

tape (types of) adhesive tape, Micropore tape,

paper tape

tars/o tarsus, heel or ankle

tarsal relating to the tarsus, heel or ankle

/taxia, /taxis order or arrangement

TB TBC, tuberculosis

TBC TB, tuberculosis

TE stula tracheal-esophageal stula,

tracheoesophageal stula

Technetium Tc-99m; radionuclide

Tegretol anticonvulsant

tegument/o tegmen, covering

tel/o distant

Telfa 4 x 4 4-inch square bandage, also known as

Telfa pad

Telfa pad 4-inch square bandage, also known as

Telfa 4 x 4

telophase one of the phases of cell reproduction

temp (slang) temperature

tempor/o timely, temporalis bone

temporomandibular pertaining to the temporal

bone and mandible

ten/o tendon

Tenckhoff catheter catheter commonly used in

peritoneal dialysis

tendin/o tendon

tendons brous tissue

tenoplasty plastic surgery performed on a tendon

tenotomy scissors type of scissors

tens/o pressure

terat/o cancerous or a monster

test Coombs test

test terms quantitative, qualitative, sensitivity,

specicity

test/o testis, testicle

testes reproductive organ

testosterone major androgenic hormone

tests for tuberculosis Mantoux, tine

tetan/o tetanus or contraction

tetracycline antibiotic

tetraiodothyronine T4, thyroxine

thalam/o thalamus

thalidomide anti-infective, sedative

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the/o put

theli/o thelium, nipple, surface tissue layer

Theo-Dur bronchodilator

theophylline used for asthma

/therapeutic relating to therapy

/therapy (noun) treatment

therm/o heat

thiamine, thiamin vitamin B1

thioridazine antipsychotic

thiothixene used for psychotic disorders

Thomas heel with wedges shoe orthotics

thorac/o thoracic, chest

thoracentesis puncture or passage into thoracic

cavity

thoraces chest

thoracic relating to chest

thoracic surgeon one who performs chest surgery

thoracic surgery surgery on chest

thoracic vertebral levels T1 through T12

thoracocentesis puncture or passage into thoracic

cavity

thoracotomy surgery to remove all or part of a lung

thorax chest

Thorazine for treatment of psychoses

thromb/o clot

thrush infection of oral tissues with Candida albicans

thym/o thymus gland

/thymic mood or emotion

thymosin thymic hormone

thymus lymphoid organ

thyr/o thyroid, shield

thyrocalcitonin calcitonin

thyroid gland in endocrine system

thyroid crisis thyrotoxic storm, a sudden increase in

symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

thyroid function tests T3 resin uptake, T4 assay,

radioactive uptake (RAU), thyroid scan

thyroid isthmus band of tissue connecting lobes of

thyroid gland

thyroid panel test for autoimmune diseases

thyroid storm thyrotoxic crisis, a sudden increase in

symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

thyroidectomy a surgical procedure in which all or

part of the thyroid gland is removed

thyroxine major hormone of the thyroid

TIA transient ischemic attack

tibi/o tibia, shin bone

tibial relating to the tibia or shin bone

/tic (adjective) pathologic condition, relating to a

condition

/tic (adjective) relating to

Timoptic beta-adrenergic blocking agent

TIN tubulointerstitial nephritis

tine/o tinea, worm, ringworm

tinea tinea cruris, tinea capitis, tinea versicolor

tinnitus sensation of noise in ears

tip culture culture and sensitivity of a catheter tip for

infection

titer measurement of concentration in a solution

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TM, TMs tympanic membrane(s), membrane that

separates the external ear from the middle ear

TMJ temporomandibular joint

TOA tubo-ovarian abscess

toc/o labor or uterine contractions

Tofranil antidepressant

tolbutamide used in treatment of diabetes

tom/o cut, slice or a hole

/tome (noun) cutting instrument

tomography imaging by sections or sectioning

/tomy (noun) cut into or slice

ton/o stretch

tonic producing and restoring normal tone

tonicity condition of concentration of solutes

tonsill/o tonsils

tonsils palatine, pharyngeal

tophi chalky deposit occurring in gout

TORCH toxoplasmosis, other, rubella,

cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus, group of maternal

infections that cause similar fetal damage

tourniquet pneumatic

tox/o poison, damaging

toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus,

herpesvirus TORCH, group of maternal infections

that cause similar fetal damage

TPR temperature, pulse and respiration

trace element very small amounts of elements

trache/o trachea, windpipe

Trach-tapes used in tracheostomy or tracheotomy

tranquilizer drug with calming effect

trans/ across

transplant surgery surgery to transfer one part to

another

transsexual person whose external anatomy has

been changed to that of the opposite sex

transsphenoidal performed through the sphenoid

bone

transudate clear uid without protein

transurethral resection of the prostate TURP; surgery

to remove all or part of the prostate

transverse lying across long axis of body

transverse plane dividing above, below

transverse section dividing into top, bottom

transversely across long axis of body

trapezi/o trapezius muscle

trapezium a bone in the distal row of the carpus at

the base of the thumb

trauma causes injury to tissue

traumatic relating to trauma

trauma-type ap ap restricting ow of blood in

vessels, usually the result of trauma

tremor involuntary, somewhat rhythmic muscle

contraction

Trendelenburg position the body is at on the back

with the feet elevated 15-30 degrees higher than

the head

tri/ three

Triaminic antihistamine and decongestant

trich/o hair

trichomon/o trichomonas

Trichomonas (genus) vaginalis, hominis

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triuoperazine antipsychotic

trigin/o between skin folds

tri-iodothyronine T3

trimester one-third of a time period

/trinsic situated

triphosphate chemical in ATP

triple arthrodesis surgical fusion of talonavicular,

talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints

/tripsy procedure for smashing or crushing

/tripter machine that smashes or crushes

trocar sharp-pointed instrument

trochanter/o trochanter, part of femur

trochle/o pulley

troph/o growth or development

/trophic (adjective) relating to growth, development

trophy (noun) relating to growth, development

/tropic seeking, turning toward

trough canal or ditch-like space

trunk, truncal main part of the body

TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone

tsp teaspoon

tub/o tube

tubal insufation act of blowing into a body cavity

with a tube

tube Miller-Abbott, Kelly, Mueller-Frazier, Ochsner,

Cantor

tuber/o bulge, like a root

tubercul/o tuberculosis, small root

tuberculosis infectious bacterial disease

tubes Armour, Cantor tube, Donaldson, feeding,

Levin tube, Miller-Abbott tube, nasogastric (NG),

Salem sump tube, Sengstaken-Blakemore tube and

balloon, Teon, T-tube

tubul/o little tube

tumor swelling, lump

tumors (types of) germ cell, Krukenberg

tumorous relating to tumor

tunica vaginalis serous membrane covering front

and sides of testis and epididymis

turgor condition of being swollen, swollen fullness

TURP transurethral resection of the prostate; surgery

to remove all or part of the prostate

Tylenol acetaminophen

tympan/o tympanic, drum, ear drum

tympanic membrane TM, TMs, membrane that

separates the external ear from the middle ear

/type kind of, general character, mark

U unit, units; never use the abbreviation; always write

out

U/A, UA urinalysis

UCD usual childhood diseases

UCI usual childhood illnesses

/ular relating to

ulcer break in the skin or membrane

uln/o ulna

ultra/ beyond, higher than

/um (noun) structure

umbilic/o umbilicus, navel, bellybutton

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umbilical relating to umbilicus, navel, belly button

undifferentiated cell that can change to different

kinds of cells

Unipen for treatment of bacterial infections

Uniphyl for treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic

bronchitis and emphysema

unremarkable not remarkable

ur/o urine

/uresis to urinate

ureter part of urinary system

ureter/o ureter

ureteroileostomy surgery to divert urine from the

bladder

urethr/o urethra

urethra canal leading from bladder

urgency strong desire to urinate accompanied by

fear of leakage

URI upper respiratory infection

/uria condition of (frequent) urination

uric/o uric acid, found in urine and joints

urin/o urine

urinary relating to urine

urine hormone tests urinary free cortisol, 17-OHCS

/urnal every (day or night)

urologist one who specializes in urology

urology study of urinary and male reproductive

system

urticarial hives, an itchy rash

UTD up to date, used for childhood immunizations

uter/o uterus, womb

uterus part of reproductive system

UTI urinary tract infection

uve/o uvea

uvul/o uvula

vaccin/o vaccine, medicine that produces

antibody response

vag/o vagus nerve, cranial nerve 10

vagina part of reproductive system

/valgus, valgus bent outward

Valium used for anxiety disorders

Valsalva maneuver forcible exhalation effort against

closed glottis

valvul/o valve

vancomycin IV antibacterial

varic/o, varicos/o varicose or pathologically dilated

veins

varicella chickenpox

/varus, varus bent inward

Vas Cath a brand of intravenous catheter

vas/o vas deferens, vessel

vascul/o vessel

/vascular relating to a vessel system

/vascularization the process of becoming vascular

vascularize formation of new vessels

vastus lateralis description of muscles

VATER association congenital syndrome with

vertebral and vascular anomalies

ven/o vein

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venere/o transmitted by sexual contact

ventilator pressure-preset ventilator, volume-

controlled ventilator

/vention coming

ventr/o belly side

ventral on the belly side

ventricul/o ventricle of the heart or the brain

ventriculography making an x-ray of the heart or

brain using radiopaque substance in the ventricles

vera true

verapamil calcium channel blocker

vernix caseosa substance which covers skin of fetus

verruc/o verruca vulgaris, wart

Versed trademark for midazolam, tranquilizer

/version turned or a turning

vert/o turn or tilt

vertebr/o back bones

vertebral levels cervical (C1 through C7), thoracic

(T1 through T12), lumbar (L1 through L5)

vertigo sensation of whirling, sensation of irregular or

whirling motion either of oneself or external objects

vesic/o vesicle, little bladder, a reservoir (in a shunt

tube), reservoir for VP shunt

vesicle sac that forms around products of cell

vesicul/o, vesicular little bladder or sac of uid,

blister, vesicle, small, saclike bodies

vesicular breathing sounds, also rales rhonchi,

wheezes, crackling, bronchial

vestibul/o vestibule

viable capable of living

vibration massage with a light, rhythmic motion

vill/o nger-like projections, hairy tuft

villus, villi short projections of cell membrane

vir/o virus

viral pertaining to a virus

virus infectious agent; Epstein-Barr, Brunhilde, West

Nile, Powassan, Mengo

viscer/o organ in a cavity, especially the abdomen

viscera organ

visceral relating to membrane that covers organs

viscogel a gel that when melted has high viscosity

viscus organ, density of a uid

vit/o living, alive

vitiligo pigmentary anomaly of skin

vitre/o vitreous humor of the eye

VMA vanillylmandelic acid

volar relating to the palm of the hand or sole of the

foot

Volkmann canals small channels in bone that

transmit blood vessels

Volkmann contracture ischemic contracture of an

extremity

/voltage electrical energy

volunt/o, voluntary by choice or by will, control by

choice or will

volvul/o volvulus

voyeurism act of watching unsuspecting people

who are engaging in sexual activity

VP shunt ventriculoperitoneal shunt

VP-16 antineoplastic

VSD ventricular septal defect

vulv/o vulva, female external genitalia

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W-70 a dressing

wbc, WBC white blood cell, white blood count

WCC well-child care

wedge resection removal of a wedge of tissue

well demarcated a clear outline

well healed description used in examination

well nourished, well developed WNWD, properly fed,

proper development, growth; hyphenated only if

followed by noun

wheal elevated area on body

wheezes breathing sounds, also rales, rhonchi,

crackling, bronchial, vesicular

Witzel jejunostomy a method for placement of the

jejunostomy tube

Witzel tunnel a method for placement of the

jejunostomy tube

WNWD well nourished, well developed; properly fed,

proper development, growth; hyphenated only if

followed by noun

Wood light ultraviolet light to check for microsporum

infection

wound injury to body tissues

Wright stain stain used to identify blood corpuscles

Xanax antianxiety agent

xanth/o yellow

xanthogranulomatous relating to a tumor having the

histologic characteristics of both granuloma and

xanthoma

Xeroform gauze sterile wound dressing

xiphoid shaped like a sword

x-ray studies barium enema, EU (excretory

urogram), IVP (intravenous pyelogram), IVU

(intravenous urogram), nuclear bone scan, plain

lm (at plate), plain lm bone survey, retrograde

urethrocystogram or voiding cystourethrogram

(VCUG), small bowel follow-through, supine

abdomen, supine and decubitus plain lm, supine

and upright plain lm, upper GI series

Xylocaine analgesic, antiarrhythmic

/y (noun) process of

/yl alcohol

YO years old

Zantac used to treat ulcers

Zephiran topical antibacterial

ZnO2 zinc oxide

zo/o animal

Z-plasty plastic operation for relaxation of

contractures

zyg/o zygoma bone

zygomatic/o junction

zygot/o zygote

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