1. Common Medical and Surgical Terms, Prefixes and Suffixes
Dr. Gerrard Dennis Uy

2. Patient History Chief complaint Diagnosis
– a written history of an illness that includes all the facts of medical significance in the life of the patient.
Chief complaint
- a concise statement describing the symptom, problem, condition, diagnosis, physician recommended return, or other factor that is the reason for a medical encounter
Diagnosis
the determination of the nature of a case of a disease or the distinguishing of one disease from another

3. Symptom
any subjective evidence of disease or of a patient's condition.
Sign
any objective evidence of a disease, i.e., such evidence as is perceptible to the examining physician

4. Differential diagnosis
Prognosis
prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease.
Differential diagnosis
The process of weighing the probability of one disease versus that of other diseases possibly accounting for a patient's illness

5. Acute
Of or relating to a disease or a condition with a rapid onset and a short, severe course
Chronic
Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.

6. Acute abdomen Medical shorthand for the acute onset of abdominal pain
potential medical emergency
may reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen, such as appendicitis(inflamed appendix), cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder), a perforated ulcer in the intestine, or a ruptured spleen.

7. Acute coronary syndromes
spectrum of conditions involving chest discomfort or other symptoms caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle
most common symptom prompting diagnosis of ACS is chest pain, often radiating of the left arm or angle of the jaw, pressure-like in character, and associated with nausea and sweating
usually occurs as a result of one of three problems: ST elevation myocardial infarction (30%), non ST elevation myocardial infarction (25%), or unstable angina (38%)

8. Adenitis 
is a general term for an inflammation of a gland or lymph node usually caused by bacterial infections
swelling of lymph nodes due to growth of lymph cells is called lymphadenopathy
E.g.: cervical adenitis, mesenteric adenitis

9. Aetiology (Etiology) Alexia Dyslexia
the science that deals with the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder
Alexia
Complete loss of the ability to read
Usually acquired
Dyslexia
Disturbance in the ability to read
Usually congenital

10. Amaurosis Fugax Analgesia
A symptom described as a shade coming down over the eye
A partial or complete loss of sight that is temporary
usually related to atherosclerosis in the blood vessels that supply the brain
can also occur with excessive acceleration, as in flight.
Analgesia
Inability to feel pain

11. Aneurysm 
localized widening (dilatation) of an artery, a vein, or the heart.
The wall of the blood vessel or organ is weakened and may rupture.

12. Angina pectoris 
Chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle
The pain is typically severe and crushing, and it is characterized by a feeling of pressure and suffocation just behind the breastbone
can accompany or be a precursor of a heart attack

13. Prinzmetal angina
Chest pain due to a coronary artery spasm, a sudden constriction of one of the vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen
can be triggered by emotional stress, medicines, street drugs (cocaine) or exposure to cold
Usually treated with beta-blocker medications and nitroglycerin to open up the coronary arteries.

14. Angiogram Anisocoria: An X-ray image of blood vessels
The vessels can be seen because a contrast dye within them blocks the X-rays from developing an imaging film.
Anisocoria: 
condition in which the left and right pupils of the eyes are not of equal size.

15. Ankylosis Aphasia Aphonia Stiffness or, more often, fusion of a joint
from the Greek word ankylsis, meaning stiffening of a joint
Aphasia 
literally, no speech
may also be used to describe defects in spoken expression or comprehension of speech
Aphonia
Inability to speak.

16. Apnea Aspiration Asthenia The absence of breathing (respiration).
Removal of a sample of fluid and cells through a needle
also refers to the accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs
Asthenia
Weakness/Lack of strength.

17. Atherosclerosis Avulsion
process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-sized and large arteries as a result of fat deposits on their inner lining
Avulsion 
tearing away
a nerve can be avulsed by an injury, as can part of a bone.

18. Bell's palsy 
paralysis of the nerve that supplies the facial muscles on one side of the face (the seventh cranial nerve, or facial nerve)
often starts suddenly
cause may be a viral infection
Treatment includes:
protecting the eye on the affected side from dryness during sleep
Massage of affected muscles can reduce soreness
Sometimes cortisone medication, such as prednisone is given to reduce inflammation during the first weeks of illness
The outlook is generally good; the vast majority of patients recover within weeks or months.

19. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo(BPPV)
is the most common form of vertigo
characterized by the sensation of motion initiated by sudden head movements or moving the head in a certain direction
rarely serious and can be treated. 

20. Blepharitis Bruxism Bulla Inflammation of the eyelids
Grinding and gnashing of the teeth
due to clenching of the teeth other than in chewing and is associated with forceful lateral or protrusive jaw movements.
Bulla
a blister more than 5 mm in diameter with thin walls that is full of fluid.

21. Cachexia Calculus Callus
General physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass due to a disease
also known as marasmus
Calculus
Stone
Latin word which means “pebble”
Callus
A localized firm thickening of the upper layer of skin as a result of repetitive friction.
hard new bone substance that forms in an area of bone fracture. Bony callus is part of the bone repair process.

22. Chorea Claudication Colitis
Ceaseless rapid complex body movements that look well coordinated and purposeful but are, in fact, involuntary.
Claudication
Intermittent claudication, or pain and cramping in the lower leg is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon (large intestine)

23. Conjunctivitis Colitis Cyst
Inflammation of the membrane covering the surface of the eyeball
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon (large intestine)
Cyst
A closed sac or capsule, usually filled with fluid or semisolid material.

24. Decubitus ulcer Deep vein thrombosis
A bed sore, a skin ulcer that comes from lying in one position too long so that the circulation in the skin is compromised by the pressure, particularly over a bony prominence such as the sacrum (sacral decubitus).
Deep vein thrombosis 
A blood clot within a deep vein, typically in the thigh or leg.
The blood clot (thrombus) can break off as an embolus and make its way to the lung, where it can cause lung problems

25. Diuresis Dysuria The increased formation of urine by the kidney
Pain during urination, or difficulty urinating. Dysuria is usually caused by inflammation of the urethra, frequently as a result of infection

26. Ectopic Edema Effusion Emesis In the wrong place, out of place
The swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess fluid accumulation.
Effusion
Too much fluid, an outpouring of fluid
Emesis
Vomiting.

27. Enuresis Excision Exudate Transudate Involuntary urination
Surgical removal, as in the excision of a tumor
Exudate 
A fluid rich in protein and cellular elements that oozes out of blood vessels due to inflammation and is deposited in nearby tissues
Transudate 
is a fluid that passes through a membrane which filters out much of the protein and cellular elements and yields a watery solution

28. Fistula Folliculitis Fracture An abnormal passageway in the body
The fistula may go from the body surface into a blindpouch or into an internal organ or go between two internal organs
Folliculitis 
An infection of the hair follicles of the skin
Fracture
A break in bone or cartilage

29. Gait Glaucoma Glossitis A manner of walking
common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eyes rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue. 

30. Goiter Gout A noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland
Condition characterized by abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and decreased kidney function and kidney stones

31. Hematemesis Hematochezia Hematoma Bloody vomit
Bright red blood in the stool, usually from the lower gastrointestinal tract -- the colon or rectum -- or from hemorrhoids
Hematoma
A localized swelling that is filled with blood caused by a break in the wall of a blood vessel
may be spontaneous, as in the case of an aneurysm, or caused by trauma
The blood is usually clotted or partially clotted, and it exists within an organ or in a soft tissue space

32. Hematuria Hemiparesis Hemiplegia Blood in the urine
may or may not be accompanied by pain, but it is always abnormal and should be further investigated
Painful hematuria can be caused by a number of disorders, including infections and stones in the urinary tract
Painless hematuria can also be due to many causes, including cancer
Hemiparesis 
Weakness on one side of the body
Hemiplegia
Paralysis on one side of the body.

33. Hemoptysis
Spitting up blood or blood-tinged sputum from the respiratory tract
occurs when tiny blood vessels that line the lung airways are broken
Hepatoma: 
Cancer originating in the liver, in liver cells.
More often called hepatocarcinoma or hepatocellular carcinoma

34. Hernia Iatrogenic Idiopathic
A general term referring to a protrusion of a tissue through the wall of the cavity in which it is normally contained
Iatrogenic 
Due to the activity of a physician or therapy
Idiopathic
Of unknown cause
Any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be termed idiopathic

35. Ileus Incision Obstruction of the intestine due to its being paralyzed
The paralysis does not need to be complete to cause ileus, but the intestine must be so inactive that food cannot pass through it, which leads to blockage of the intestine
Incision
A cut that is purposely made
When making an incision, a surgeon is making a cut.

36. Incontinence Infarct Kyphosis
The inability to control excretions, to hold urine in the bladder, or to keep feces in the rectum
Infarct
An area of tissue death that is due to a local lack of oxygen
Kyphosis
Outward curvature of the spine, causing a humped back
Treatment includes physical therapy and wearing a back brace, and in some cases surgery

37. Ligament
A tough band of connective tissue that connects various structures, such as two bones
Lordosis: 
Inward curvature of the spine
The spine is not supposed to be absolutely straight, so some degree of curvature is normal
When the curve exceeds the usual range, it may be due to musculoskeletal disease or simply to poor posture

38. Macule
A circumscribed change in the color of skin that is neither raised nor depressed
Macules are completely flat and can only be appreciated by visual inspection and not by touch
Malaise
A vague feeling of discomfort, one that cannot be pinned down but is often sensed as 'just not right.'

39. Maneuver, Valsalva Melena Metastasis
A maneuver in which one tries with force to exhale with the windpipe closed, impeding the return of venous blood to the heart
Melena
Stool that is stained black by blood pigment or dark blood products
Metastasis
The process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body.

40. Muscular dystrophy Myalgia Necrosis
One of a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles which control movement
Myalgia
Pain in the muscles or within muscle tissue
Necrosis
The death of living cells or tissues

41. Neoplasia Neuralgia Neuropathic pain Abnormal new growth of cells
Pain along the course of a nerve
Neuropathic pain
Chronic pain resulting from injury to the nervous system
The injury can be to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).

42. Nosocomial Nuchal Odynophagia:
Originating or taking place in a hospital, acquired in a hospital, especially in reference to an infection
Nuchal
Referring to the back of the neck (nape)
Odynophagia: 
Pain on swallowing food and fluids, a symptom often due to disease of the esophagus

43. Oliguria Otalgia Palliation Less urination than normal
Ear pain; earache
Palliation
To palliate a disease is to treat it partially and insofar as possible, but not cure it completely

44. Percutaneous Phantom limb syndrome Phlebitis Through the skin
The perception of sensations, often including pain, in an arm or leg long after the limb has been amputated
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein

45. Prophylaxis Prosthesis Ptosis The prevention of disease
An artificial replacement of a part of the body, such as a tooth, a facial bone, the palate, or a joint
Ptosis
Downward displacement

46. Purpura Pustule Pyuria
Hemorrhage (bleeding) into the surface of the skin
The area of skin with purpura is greater than 3 millimeters in diameter
Pustule
A pustule is a small collection of pus in the top layer of skin (epidermis) or beneath it in the dermis
Pyuria
Pus in the urine

47. Radiculopathy: Any disease of the spinal nerve roots and spinal nerves
Radiculopathy is characterized by pain that seems to radiate from the spine, extending outward to cause symptoms away from the source of the spinal nerve root irritation
Causes of radiculopathy include deformities of the discs between the vertebrae

48. Sciatica Scoliosis Sepsis
Pain that results from irritation of the sciatic nerve and typically radiates from the buttock to the back of the thigh
Maybe caused by a herniated disc
Scoliosis
Lateral (sideways) curving of the spine
Sepsis
The presence of bacteria (bacteremia), other infectious organisms, or toxins created by infectious organisms in the bloodstream with spread throughout the body

49. Spasm Spasticity Spondylosis A brief, automatic jerking movement
A muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the muscle clenching tightly
Spasticity
A state of increased tone of a muscle (and an increase in the deep tendon reflexes)
Spondylosis
Degeneration of the disc spaces between the vertebrae. 

50. Subluxation Syncope Tachypnea Partial dislocation of a joint
Partial or complete loss of consciousness with interruption of awareness of oneself and ones surroundings
Tachypnea
Abnormally fast breathing.

51. Tachycardia Torticollis
A rapid heart rate, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute
Torticollis
The most common of the focal dystonias, a state of excessive or inadequate muscle tone in the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head.

52. Ulcer
A lesion that is eroding away the skin or mucous membrane

53. Prefixes Dys- ( as in dyspnea, dysphagia, dystonia)
Difficulty in doing something
Contra- (as in contralateral, contraception)
Against, or opposite of
Hyper- (as in hypertension, hyperemia)
Over, above, excessive, or above normal
Hypo- (as in hypoglycemia, hypotonia)
low, under, beneath, down, or below normal
Hemi- (as in hemiplegia, hemiparesis)
Half

54. Suffixes -emia (as in anemia, hyperemia) -algia
Pertaining to the blood
-algia
Pain – derived from the greek work Algos
arthralgia (joint pain)
cephalgia (headache)
Fibromyalgia
mastalgia (breast pain)
myalgia (muscle pain)
neuralgia (nerve pain).
-centesis (as in thoracentesis)
Surgical punture for drainage
-megaly (as in hepatomegaly)
enlargement

55. Surgical Prefixes angio- : related to blood vessels
arthr- : related to a joint
encephal- : related to the brain
hepat- : related to the liver
lapar- : related to the abdominal cavity
mammo- and masto-: related to the breast
nephro- : related to the kidney
Cranio- : related to the cranium, which is the top portion of the skull

56. Surgical Prefixes gastro- : related to stomach
colono- : related to large intestine colon
cysto- : related to the bladder
oophor- : related to the ovary
orchid- : related to the testicle
Cholangi- : related to a bile duct

57. Surgical Suffixes -ectomy (as in appendectomy)
Surgical removal of an organ/appendage/lesion
-otomy (as in episiotomy)
surgical incision
-ostomy (as in tracheostomy, colostomy)
surgically creating a hole (a new "mouth" or "stoma")
oscopy (as in endoscopy, colposcopy)
viewing of, normally with a scope

58. Surgical Suffixes -plasty (as in rhinoplasty, arthroplasty)
plasty formation, plastic repair
-rrhaphy (as in herniorrhaphy)
suturing in place

59. For the next meeting, read on Cardinal Manifestations of Disease : PAIN
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 17th edition