Medical Terminology Glossary
A comprehensive quick-reference guide for all combining forms, abbreviations, diagnostic terms, and pathology language covered across Weeks 4–6 of OST 142.
19
Terms Shown
19
Cardiovascular
0
Respiratory
0
Musculoskeletal
angi/o
AN-jee-oh
Combining form meaning vessel (usually blood vessel).
Angiography — imaging of blood vessels using contrast dye.
cardi/o
KAR-dee-oh
Combining form meaning heart.
Cardiology — the study and treatment of heart disease.
thromb/o
THROM-boh
Combining form meaning clot.
Thrombosis — formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
vas/o
VAS-oh
Combining form meaning vessel; also vascul/o.
Vasodilation — widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow.
phleb/o
FLEB-oh
Combining form meaning vein.
Phlebotomy — incision into a vein to draw blood.
brachi/o
BRAY-kee-oh
Combining form meaning arm.
Brachial artery — the major blood vessel of the upper arm.
ather/o
ATH-er-oh
Combining form meaning yellowish fatty plaque.
Atherosclerosis — hardening of arteries due to plaque buildup.
arteri/o
ar-TEER-ee-oh
Combining form meaning artery.
Arteriosclerosis — hardening and thickening of artery walls.
-stenosis
steh-NOH-sis
Suffix meaning narrowing or stricture.
Aortic stenosis — narrowing of the aortic valve opening.
-sclerosis
skleh-ROH-sis
Suffix meaning hardening.
Arteriosclerosis — hardening of the arterial walls.
ECG / EKG
ee-see-JEE / ee-kay-JEE
Abbreviation for electrocardiogram; records electrical activity of the heart.
The ECG showed ST-segment elevation consistent with myocardial infarction.
MI
em-EYE
Abbreviation for myocardial infarction; commonly called a heart attack.
The patient was admitted with chest pain suspicious for MI.
CABG
KAB-jee
Abbreviation for coronary artery bypass graft; surgical procedure to restore blood flow to the heart.
The patient underwent a triple-vessel CABG last year.
BP
bee-PEE
Abbreviation for blood pressure; measures force of blood against artery walls.
The patient's BP was 142/88 mmHg on admission.
endocardium
en-doh-KAR-dee-um
The inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.
Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium, often from bacterial infection.
myocardium
my-oh-KAR-dee-um
The muscular middle layer of the heart wall.
Myocardial infarction damages the myocardium due to oxygen deprivation.
pericardium
per-ih-KAR-dee-um
The fibrous sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis causes sharp chest pain from inflammation of the pericardium.
tachycardia
tak-ih-KAR-dee-ah
Abnormally rapid heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute.
Sinus tachycardia can occur with fever, exercise, or anxiety.
bradycardia
brad-ih-KAR-dee-ah
Abnormally slow heart rate, typically under 60 beats per minute.
Bradycardia in athletes is often a normal physiological adaptation.