Chabner: The Language of Medicine, 11th Edition

Answers to Pronunciation of Terms

Chapter 3: Suffixes

abdominocentesis Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the abdomen.

Inherited disorder in which the bones of the arms and legs fail to
achondroplasia grow to normal size; achondroplastic dwarfism.

Enlargement of extremities due to increased secretion of growth

acromegaly hormone from the pituitary gland.
acrophobia Fear of heights.
acute Characterized by severe symptoms and a short course of illness.
Small masses of lymphatic tissue in the throat, close to the nasal
adenoids (nose) passageway.
adipose Pertaining to fat.
agoraphobia Fear of open spaces; an anxiety disorder.
Surgical puncture with a needle to withdraw fluid from within the
amniocentesis amniotic sac.
Condition marked by reduction in the number of erythrocytes or in
anemia the amount of hemoglobin in blood
angiogenesis Formation of blood vessels.
angiography X-ray imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast material.
angioplasty Surgical repair of a blood vessel.
arteriole
arteriosclerosis Hardening of an artery with collection of fatty plaque.
arthralgia Joint pain.
Decrease in size of normally developed organ or tissue of the body;
atrophy wasting away.
axillary Pertaining to the under arm or armpit.
White blood cell (leukocyte) containing dark granules that stain with
basophil a basic dye.
Process of removing a small piece of living tissue for microscopic
biopsy examination.
blepharoptosis Sagging or drooping eyelid; ptosis.
bronchitis Inflammation of bronchial tubes.
carcinogenesis Formation or production of cancer.
carcinogenic Pertaining to producing cancer.
cardiac Pertaining to the heart
cardiomyopathy Disease of heart muscle.
chemotherapy Treatment using drugs.
chondromalacia Softening of cartilage.
chronic Pertaining to occurring over a long time.
New opening of the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside
colostomy of the body.
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Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 3-2

cystocele Hernia of the urinary bladder.

electroencephalogram Record of the electricity in the brain.
electrocephalograph An instrument used to record the electricity in the brain.
electroencephalography Process of recording the electricity in the brain.

A granular white blood cell with cytoplasmic granules that stain with
eosinophil eosin (a reddish dye).
erythrocyte Red blood cell.
erythropenia Deficiency of red blood cells.
esophagus Tube that carries food from the pharynx (throat) to the stomach.
hematoma Collection or mass of blood.
hemolysis Destruction of red blood cells.
hemostasis Stoppage of bleeding or circulation of blood.

hydronephrosis Abnormal condition of excess backup of fluid (urine) in the kidney.

hydrotherapy Treatment using water; whirlpool baths.
Increase in size of tissue or an organ due to increase in size of
hypertrophy individual cells.
inguinal Pertaining to the groin.
ischemia Condition of holding back blood from an organ or tissue.
laparoscope Instrument used to visually examine the abdomen.
Process of visually examining the contents of the abdomen (using an
laparoscopy endoscope).
laparotomy Incision through the abdominal wall.
laryngeal Pertaining to the larynx or voice box.
laryngectomy Removal of the larynx or voice box.

leukemia Disease of high numbers of malignant (cancerous) white blood cells.

leukocyte White blood cell

leukocytosis Slight increase in white blood cells.

White blood cell found in blood and lymphatic tissue that fights
lymphocyte disease.
mammogram X-ray record of the breast.
mastectomy Removal (excision) of a breast.
Spread of a malignant tumor beyond its original location to a distant
metastasis site.
White blood cell with one large nucleus; capable of killing foreign
monocyte substances by phagocytosis (ingestion).
morphology Study of the shape or form of cells.
mucoid Resembling mucus.
Epithelial membrane that secretes mucus and lines the tubular
mucous membrane organs of the body.
Sticky (viscous) substance that is secreted from a mucous
mucus membrane.
myalgia Muscle pain.

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Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 3-3

myelitis Inflammation of the spinal cord.

myeloma Malignant tumor of bone marrow.
myoma Tumor of muscle.
myosarcoma Malignant tumor of muscle tissue; a type of flesh tumor or sarcoma.
necropsy Viewing a dead body; autopsy.
necrosis Condition of death of cells.
necrotic Pertaining to death.
nephrologist A specialist in the study of the kidneys.
nephropathy Disease of the kidneys.
neuralgia Nerve pain.
neutropenia Deficiency of neutrophils.
neutrophil A granular leukocyte; important disease-fighting cell.
ophthalmology Study of the eye and eye disorders.
osteogenic Pertaining to produced in or by bone.
osteomalacia Softening of bones.
otalgia Ear pain.
Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the abdomen;
paracentesis abdominocentesis.
pathogenesis Development of disease.
pathologic Pertaining to the study of disease.
pericardium Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.
peritoneal Pertaining to the peritoneum (membrane surrounding the abdomen).
phlebotomy Incision of a vein for the removal of blood.
platelet Clotting cell also called thrombocyte.
pleural Pertaining to the pleura (membrane surrounding the lungs and
adjacent to the chest wall)
pleurodynia Pain associated with the pleura.
Acute inflammation and infection of the alveoli, which fill with pus,
pneumonia and products of inflammation.
White blood cell with multi-lobe nucleus and dark-staining granules;
polymorphonuclear leukocyte disease fighting cell or neutrophil.
ptosis Prolapse, drooping, and sagging of the upper eyelid.
pulmonary Pertaining to the lung.
One who assists a radiologist in performing diagnostic x-ray
radiographer procedures.
Treatment using radiation, high-energy x-rays or other radiation
radiotherapy sources.
rectocele Hernia of the rectum.
rhinorrhea Discharge from the nose.
splenomegaly Enlargement of the spleen.
staphylococci Berry or spherical shaped bacteria.
streptococcus Berry or spherical shaped bacterium in twisted chain formation.
thoracentesis Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the chest.
thrombocyte Platelets (clotting cells)
thrombocytopenia Deficiency of clotting cells.
Inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a thrombus or
thrombophlebitis clot.
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Answers to Pronunciation of Terms 3-4
tonsillar Pertaining to the tonsils
tonsillitis Inflammation of tonsils.
tracheostomy An opening into the trachea through which an indwelling tube is
inserted
tracheotomy New opening of the trachea to the outside of the body.
venule Small vein.

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