Day 10 Dissect Test-worthy Words About Medicine and Anatomy - Part IV Unlock Key Words

Ultimate word success - Peterson's 2009

Day 10 Dissect Test-worthy Words About Medicine and Anatomy
Part IV Unlock Key Words

A surprising number of medical terms appear on standardized tests. That’s because these words are useful in daily life. Test makers know that everyday medical terminology will be helpful for you in the future, so they test it now.

Play Doctor with Fifteen Words About Body Parts

As you learned earlier in this book, mastering prefixes, roots, and suffixes is the easiest way to decode many unfamiliar words. Don’t be put off by the length and seeming difficulty of the following words. Many medical and anatomical words come from Greek and Latin roots, which makes them relatively easy to figure out—if you stay cool and remember what you learned in Part II about affixes and roots. Use that knowledge now to decode the following words that concern body parts.

Root

Meaning

Example

Pronunciation

Meaning

arteri

artery

artery

ar-ter-ree

blood vessel

arthr

joint

arthritis

ar-thri-tus

inflammation of the joints

bronch

throat

bronchitis

bron-ky-tus

inflammation of the bronchial tubes

cardio

heart

cardiovascular

kar-dee-oh-vas- quoo-lar

dealing with the heart, blood vessels

chiro

hand

chiropractic

ky-roh-prak-tik

spinal column manipulation to cure illness

cranio

skull

cranium

kray-nee-um

skull

derm

skin

epidermis

eh-pih-der-mis

skin

digit

finger, toe

digital

dij-ih-tal

pertaining to a digit

gastr

stomach

gastrology

gas-strol-oh-jee

stomach complaints

hem

blood

hematology

hee-mah-tol-oh-jee

pertaining to blood

laryn

larynx

larynx

lar-inks

structure in the throat

neur

nerve

neurology

nuh-rah-loh-jee

pertaining to the nervous system

pneum

lung

pneumonia

noo-mohn-ya

illness of the lungs

pulmo

lung

pulmonary

puhl-moh-nair-ee

pertaining to the lungs

sarc

flesh; connective tissue

sarcoma

sar-koh-mah

malignant tumor arising in tissue

Uncover Test-worthy Words About Medical Procedures

The following twelve words crop up often on standardized tests. They’re also useful in everyday life, so they’re twice as worthy of your time. Read each word and the pronunciation. Then, cover the last column and try to guess the definition using what you learned about word parts.

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

anesthetized

ah-nes-tha-tized

deaden to pain

antibiotic

an-tih-by-ah-tik

bacteria-killing substances

antidote

an-tih-doht

remedy that acts against poison

antiseptic

an-tih-sep-tik

substance that kills germs

asymptomatic

ay-sim-toh-mah-tik

not showing any symptoms of disease

benign

bih-nyn

not life-threatening; harmless

coagulate

ko-ag-yu-layt

thicken or clot (as in blood)

convalescence

kahn-vah-less-ence

gradual recovery; period of recovery

diagnosis

dy-ag-noh-sis

identification of an illness

remission

ree-mih-shun

disappearance of disease symptoms

sutured

soo-chured

closed with stitches

therapy

ther-uh-pee

treatment of disease

Time for Fun: Word-Find Puzzle

There are fifteen words hidden in this word-find puzzle. Many of the words have already been introduced in this chapter, but a few are new. To complete the puzzle, locate and circle all the words. (See the word list below.) The words may be written forward, backward, or upside down. The answers appear on here. Good luck!

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Word List

1. cardiovascular: dealing with the heart, blood vessels

2. coagulate: thicken or clot

3. artery: blood vessel

4. therapy: treatment of disease

5. epidermis: skin

6. natal (nay-tul): pertaining to birth

7. pathology (path-ahl-uh-jee): the study of the processes and causes of disease

8. morbidity (mor-bid-ih-tee): the incidence or prevalence of disease or death

9. sarcoma: malignant tumor in tissue

10. larynx: structure in the throat

11. asymptomatic: not showing any symptoms of disease

12. hospice (hah-spis): a caregiving environment for the terminally ill

13. benign: harmless

14. digital: pertaining to fingers and toes

15. prognosis (prahg-noh-sis): a medical forecast of the course of an illness and chances of recovery

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #1

Select the correct meaning for each of the following boldfaced words. Circle your choice. The answers appear on here.

1. cranium

(A) chest cavity

(B) nose

(C) fingers

(D) bones

(E) skull

2. epidermis

(A) sensitive

(B) depilatory

(C) skin

(D) blood vessels

(E) serious illness

3. arthritis

(A) inflammation of the liver

(B) inflammation of the spleen

(C) inflammation of the joints

(D) inflammation of the bronchial tubes

(E) type of microscopic surgery

4. antiseptic

(A) a substance that kills germs

(B) deaden to pain

(C) not showing any symptoms of disease

(D) asymptomatic

(E) remedy that acts against poison

5. benign

(A) cancerous

(B) not life-threatening; harmless

(C) dangerous

(D) beneficial

(E) one of nine

6. coagulate

(A) type of chiropractic

(B) attenuate

(C) thin

(D) thicken

(E) convalescence

7. diagnosis

(A) type of surgery

(B) pertaining to the lungs

(C) forecast

(D) identification of an illness

(E) estimate

8. anesthetize

(A) deaden to pain

(B) anecdote

(C) pertaining to the blood vessels

(D) type of permanent cure

(E) informed consent

9. antibiotic

(A) type of health food

(B) poison

(C) closed with stitches

(D) sacrament

(E) bacteria-killing substances; medicine a doctor prescribes

10. remission

(A) renege

(B) relapse

(C) readmitted to the hospital

(D) disappearance of disease symptoms

(E) reinvent

Explore Types of Medical Conditions

The following medical terms describe illnesses or injuries. They are all words you are likely to see on standardized tests, so why not meet them now? As you read the list, say each word aloud. Then, use each word in a sentence to help you remember it.

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

aneurysm

an-yoor-is-um

abnormal blood-filled part of an artery

carcinogenic

car-sin-oh-jen-ik

cancer-producing

comatose

koh-mah-tose

unconscious; in a coma

concussion

kuhn-kush-un

brain injury

hematoma

hee-mah-toh-mah

swelling

incision

in-sih-shun

cut, as in surgery

lacerated

lah-sir-ray-ted

torn, as in a wound

lesion

lee-shun

injury

melanoma

meh-lah-no-mah

cancerous skin cell

migraine

my-grayn

intense headache

toxic

tahx-ik

poisonous

ulcer

ul-sur

an open sore

Give It a Try: Word Scramble

To complete the following acrostic, first unscramble each of the vocabulary words so that it matches its definition. Then, use the words to fill in the appropriate spaces on the corresponding lines. When you have completed the entire puzzle, another vocabulary word will read vertically in the circles. The answers appear on here.

rgneaiim

intense headache

Image

demiperis

skin

arlceeatd

torn, as in a wound

rytera

blood vessel

atnal

pertaining to birth

rpmttosoeit

eyecare provider who tests vision and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses

Image

ybidormit

the incidence or prevalence of disease (or death)

Image

enursmya

abnormal blood-filled part of an artery

Image

Learn More Words About Medicine

The suffix -itis means “inflammation.” For example, dermatitis is a skin inflammation, gastritis is a stomach inflammation, gingivitis is a gum inflammation, meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain, and phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein.

Below are some test-worthy words that describe medical conditions. You’re likely to see these words on the SAT, GED, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, or TOEFL.

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

alopecia

al-oh-pee-shuh

hair loss

anorexia nervosa

ahn-uh-rex-ee-uh nur-voh-suh

extreme aversion to food

asthma

as-mah

disease marked by recurrent attacks of distressed breathing

bulimia

buh-leem-ee-uh

abnormal food craving followed by purging

cirrhosis

sir-roh-sus

disease of the liver

congenital

kun-jen-ih-tul

condition originating before birth

diabetes

dy-uh-bee-tees

insulin deficiency disease

insomnia

in-som-nee-uh

inability to sleep

lymph nodes

limf nodes

lymphoid organs

plasma

plas-muh

fluid portion of the blood

schizophrenia

skitz-oh-fren-ee-uh

type of psychosis

tumor

too-mer

abnormal mass of tissue that grows rapidly

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Word-Definition Match #1

This time, match the word to its definition. You may wish to say the word aloud as you look for the match. Remember: saying the words will help you remember them. Then, write the letter of your answer in the space provided. The answers appear on here.

_____ 1. schizophrenia

a. hair loss

_____ 2. diabetes

b. poisonous

_____ 3. tumor

c. ritual

_____ 4. congenital

d. type of psychosis

_____ 5. insomnia

e. lymphoid organs

_____ 6. anorexia nervosa

f. inability to sleep

_____ 7. toxic

g. portion of the blood

_____ 8. cirrhosis

h. torn, as a wound

_____ 9. lacerated

i. abnormal mass of tissue that grows too fast

_____ 10. sacrament

j. extreme aversion to food

_____ 11. lymph nodes

k. disease marked by recurrent attacks of

_____ 12. bulimia

distressed breathing

_____ 13. plasma

l. insulin deficiency disease

_____ 14. asthma

m. abnormal food craving and purging

_____ 15. alopecia

n. condition originating before birth


o. disease of the liver

Master Words About Fears

The root mania means a “compulsion” or “preoccupation with.” Phobia means “fear.” Many of these words are likely to appear on standardized tests.

Word

Fear of

Pronunciation

acrophobia

heights

ak-kroh-foh-bee-uh

chronophobia

time

krahn-oh-foh-bee-uh

demophobia

people

deh-moh-foh-bee-uh

entomophobia

insects

en-toh-moh-foh-bee-uh

ergophobia

work

er-goh-foh-bee-uh

gerontophobia

old people

jer-ahn-toh-foh-bee-uh

hematophobia

blood

hee-mat-toh-foh-bee-uh

necrophobia

corpses

nek-roh-foh-bee-uh

nyctophobia

night

nick-toh-foh-bee-uh

pedophobia

children

ped-doh-foh-bee-uh

theophobia

God

thee-oh-foh-bee-uh

thermophobia

heat

therm-oh-foh-bee-uh

Discover Words About Obsessions

Along with fears come our fixations. The following words describe these conditions. The words are long and seemingly difficult so they are ideal for standardized tests. However, if you take them apart and look at the prefixes, roots, and suffixes, you’ll discover that these words are all relatively easy to decode.

Word

Preoccupation with

Pronunciation

gamomania

marriage

gah-moh-may-nee-uh

kleptomania

stealing

klep-toh-may-nee-uh

megalomania

self-greatness

meh-ga-loh-may-nee-uh

mythomania

lies

mith-oh-may-nee-uh

phagomania

eating

fag-oh-may-nee-uh

plutomania

wealth

ploo-toh-may-nee-uh

pyromania

fire

py-roh-may-nee-uh

xenomania

foreigners

zen-no-may-nee-uh

zoomania

animals

zoo-may-nee-uh

Time for Fun: True or False

In the space provided, write T if the definition of each word is true and F if it is false. Try to use what you learned in this lesson. The answers appear on here.

_____ 1. entomophobia


fear of insects

_____ 2. mythomania


fear of lies

_____ 3. plutomania


obsession with the planet Pluto

_____ 4. necrophobia


fear of corpses

_____ 5. pyromania


obsession with fire

_____ 6. megalomania


obsession with eating

_____ 7. acrophobia


fear of heights

_____ 8. nyctophobia


fear of night

_____ 9. kleptomania


obsession with stealing

_____ 10. xenomania


obsession with work

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #2

Select the correct meaning for each of the following boldfaced words. Circle your choice. The answers appear on here.

1. After he was booked in the police station, the kleptomaniac admitted that he had a long-standing problem with __________.

(A) foreigners

(B) fire

(C) stealing

(D) night terrors

(E) alienation

2. The CEO can only be described as a megalomaniac, because she was obsessed with __________.

(A) corpses

(B) eating

(C) heights

(D) lies

(E) self-greatness

3. A pyromaniac might gravitate toward a job as a __________.

(A) mortician

(B) firefighter

(C) teacher

(D) weather forecaster

(E) chef

4. Xenophobics are likely to sponsor a law to keep out __________.

(A) land developments

(B) foreigners

(C) the elderly

(D) organized religion

(E) children

5. People who suffer from zoomania are most likely to be found visiting __________.

(A) wildlife preserves

(B) extended-care residential facilities

(C) hospitals

(D) funeral homes

(E) observatories

6. A person with necrophobia would be best off avoiding __________.

(A) fires

(B) infants and young children

(C) the elderly

(D) dead bodies

(E) large insects

7. My friend with nyctophobia always slept with a light on because she was afraid of __________.

(A) insects

(B) the dark

(C) fire

(D) noises

(E) insomnia

8. Although fearless as a child, Carlos developed acrophobia in his late teens and had to abandon his dream of becoming a __________.

(A) lion tamer

(B) rodeo cowboy

(C) racecar driver

(D) submarine sailor

(E) tight-rope walker

9. The chronophobiac never wore a watch because she had a fear of __________.

(A) tight bindings

(B) leather

(C) chrome

(D) losing precious things

(E) time

10. The entomophobiac hiker stayed out of the woods because she had a fear of __________.

(A) big trees

(B) avalanches

(C) falling down

(D) insects

(E) bears

Dissect More Medical Words

The following medical terms are all in general use, which makes them not only likely to appear on a standardized test but also important for educated people to know. Select the words you find most difficult and write them on note cards, as you learned on Day 3.

1. astringent (uh-strin-junt): a harsh, biting substance

2. chronic (krah-nik): continuous; constant

3. congenital (kun-jen-ih-tul): inborn; innate

4. emetic (uh-meh-tik): any substance used to induce vomiting

5. febrile (feh-bryl): feverish

6. geriatric (jayr-ee-at-rik): relating to medical care and treatment of the elderly

7. morbidity (mor-bid-ih-tee): the incidence or prevalence of disease or death

8. prognosis (prahg-noh-sis): a medical prediction or forecast of the course of an illness and chances of recovery

9. prosthesis (prahs-thee-sis): an artificial device to replace a missing part of the body

10. quarantine (kwor-un-teen): isolation of a person to prevent spread of disease (also used as a verb)

11. senescent (suh-nes-unt): growing old; aging

12. vertigo (ver-tih-goh): dizziness and the sensation of head-spinning

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Word-Definition Match #2

Match each numbered word in the left column with its lettered definition in the right column. Then, write the letter of your answer in the space provided. The answers appear on here.

_____ 1. febrile


a. dizziness

_____ 2. congenital


b. isolation of a person to prevent spread of disease

_____ 3. astringent


c. relating to medical care and treatment of the elderly

_____ 4. emetic


d. feverish

_____ 5. geriatric


e. aging

_____ 6. morbidity


f. substance used to induce vomiting

_____ 7. prosthesis


g. the incidence or prevalence of disease or death

_____ 8. quarantine


h. harsh, biting substance

_____ 9. senescent


i. an artificial limb

_____ 10. vertigo


j. innate

Prescribe Words for Special Doctors

The following chart shows the terms for specialists. These are often used in analogies involving a person and his or her occupation.

Doctor

Specialty

allergist (a-ler-jist)

doctor who treats sensitivity to pollen, food, pets, and so on

anesthesiologist (ah-nis-thee-zee-ahl-oh-jist)

doctor who reduces pain and renders patients unconscious

audiologist (aw-dee-ah-loh-jist)

hearing specialist

cardiologist (car-dee-ah-loh-jist)

doctor who specializes in heart diseases

dermatologist (der-mah-tahl-loh-jist)

doctor who specializes in skin conditions

endocrinologist (en-doh-crin-nol-oh-jist)

doctor who specializes in glands and metabolic disorders

epidemiologist (eh-pih-dee-mee-ol-oh-jist)

doctor who specializes in infectious diseases

gastroenterologist (gas-trow-en-ter-rah-lo-jist)

doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive organs

gerontologist (jeh-rahn-tahl-oh-jist)

health-care professional who specializes in the study of aging and the problems of older adults

hematologist (hee-mah-tah-loh-jist)

doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood

immunologist (im-yu-nahl-oh-jist)

doctor who specializes in the phenomena and causes of immunity and immune responses

internist (in-turn-ist)

doctor who specializes in internal medicine

neonatologist (nee-oh-nay-tahl-oh-jist)

doctor who specializes in very young infants, usually birth to ten days

nephrologist (neh-frah-loh-jist)

doctor who specializes in diseases of the kidneys and related organs

neurologist (noo-rahl-oh-jist)

doctor who deals with the nervous system

obstetrician (ahb-stah-trih-shun)

doctor who delivers babies All obstetricians are gynecologists, but not all gynecologists are obstetricians because they may choose not to deliver babies.

oncologist (ohn-col-oh-jist)

doctor who treats cancer

ophthalmologist (ohf-tho-mahl-oh-jist)

doctor who treats diseases of the eye and tests vision These are the doctors to see if you want or need eye surgery.

optometrist (ahp-tahm-uh-trist)

eye-care provider who tests vision and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses

orthopedist (or-thoh-pee-dist)

doctor who fixes broken bones

osteopath (ahs-tee-oh-path)

doctor who treats illness through the skeleton and muscle systems These doctors often function as general practitioners.

otolaryngologist (oh-toh-lahr-en-gahl-oh-jist)

doctor who treats conditions of the ear, nose, and throat Often called “ENT” (ear, nose, and throat) specialists, for short.

pathologist (path-ahl-oh-jist)

doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope Your doctor will send slides of growths and masses to these doctors for analysis.

pediatrician (pee-dee-uh-trish-un)

doctor who treats children See these doctors if your child is ill with a virus, ear infection, and so on.

periodontist (per-ee-oh-dahn-tist)

doctor who treats gum diseases

plastic surgeon

doctor who repairs and remakes the body See these doctors to correct certain types of birth defects or for cosmetic surgery.

podiatrist (poh-dy-uh-trist)

doctor who deals with foot problems

psychiatrist (sy-ky-uh-trist)

physician (M.D.) who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness See these doctors for extended therapy and medication to deal with mental illness or trauma.

psychologist (sy-kahl-oh-jist)

social scientist who studies behavior and mental processes in a research or clinical setting Psychologists can only use talk therapy as treatment; you must see a psychiatrist or other medical doctor to be treated with medication.

pulmonologist (pul-mah-nahl-oh-jist)

doctor who deals with the lungs and related diseases See these doctors if you have a disease of the respiratory system, such as asthma.

radiologist (ray-dee-ahl-oh-jist)

medical doctor who specializes in the reading and interpretation of X-rays and other medical images

rheumatologist (roo-mah-tahl-oh-jist)

doctor who deals with inflammation and pain in muscles and joints

urologist (yoo-rahl-oh-jist)

doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract and urogenital system

Psychology, the science of the mind, gets its name from Psyche, a beautiful woman in Greek mythology who was desired by Eros, the god of love. He forbade her to look at him because he was a god. When she disobeyed him by lighting a lamp in the dark, he abandoned her. Eventually she was reunited with Eros and joined the immortals. She was worshipped as the personification of the human soul.

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #3

Select the word that best completes each sentence. Then, write the letter of the word in the space. The answers appear on here.

1. Consult an __________ if you have hay fever or a severe reaction to any kind of food.

(A) allergist

(B) anesthesiologist

(C) obstetrician

(D) oncologist

(E) osteopath

2. An __________ would be present during surgery to handle the patient’s pain.

(A) epidemiologist

(B) anesthesiologist

(C) allergist

(D) obstetrician

(E) otolaryngologist

3. A(n) __________ usually does research and tracks outbreaks of major contagious diseases.

(A) hematologist

(B) nephrologist

(C) neurologist

(D) epidemiologist

(E) urologist

4. See a __________ if you suspect you have an ulcer or trouble with your stomach.

(A) periodontist

(B) dermatologist

(C) hematologist

(D) gastroenterologist

(E) surgeon

5. A(n) __________ specializes in the needs and issues of older individuals.

(A) gastroenterologist

(B) osteopath

(C) gerontologist

(D) surgeon

(E) oncologist

6. Consult a(n) __________ if you suspect you have difficulty hearing.

(A) audiologist

(B) hematologist

(C) pediatrician

(D) psychologist

(E) dermatologist

7. See a __________ if you suspect you had a heart attack.

(A) urologist

(B) surgeon

(C) podiatrist

(D) periodontist

(E) cardiologist

8. A __________ would be consulted if an infant were in distress.

(A) psychologist

(B) neurologist

(C) neonatologist

(D) plastic surgeon

(E) radiologist

9. Consult a(n) __________ if you have a kidney infection.

(A) otolaryngologist

(B) psychologist

(C) podiatrist

(D) nephrologist

(E) urologist

10. See a ___________ if you have a burn, acne, or suspicious moles.

(A) dermatologist

(B) neonatologist

(C) plastic surgeon

(D) pediatrician

(E) radiologist

Answers and Explanations

Word-Find Puzzle (here)

Image

Multiple-Choice #1 (here)

1. E

2. C

3. C

4. A

5. B

6. D

7. D

8. A

9. E

10. D

Word Scramble (here)

migraine

epidermis

lacerated

artery

natal

optometrist

morbidity

aneurysm

Reading down: melanoma

Word-Definition Match #1 (here)

1. d

2. l

3. i

4. n

5. f

6. j

7. b

8. o

9. h

10. c

11. e

12. m

13. g

14. k

15. a

True or False (here)

1. T

2. F

3. F

4. T

5. T

6. F

7. T

8. T

9. T

10. F

Multiple-Choice #2 (here)

1. C

2. E

3. B

4. B

5. A

6. D

7. B

8. E

9. E

10. D

Word-Definition Match #2 (here)

1. d

2. j

3. h

4. f

5. c

6. g

7. i

8. b

9. e

10. a

Multiple-Choice #3 (here)

1. A

2. B

3. D

4. D

5. C

6. A

7. E

8. C

9. D

10. A