- Acanth(o)Spiny, thornyExample: acanthion - the tip of the anterior nasal spine
- Actin(o)LightExample: Actinotherapy - ultraviolet light therapy used in dermatology
- Aer(o)Air, gasExample: Aerosol - liquid or particulate matter dispersed in air, gas, or vapor form
- Alge, algesi, algio, algoPainExample: Analgesic - a pain reducing agent
- Amyl(o)StarchExample: Amylolysis - hydrolysis of starch unto soluable products
- AndroMasculineExample: Androsterone - a steroid metabolite found in male urine
- AtheroPlaque, fatty substanceExample: Atheroembolism - cholesterol embolism originating from an atheroma
- Bacill(i)Bacilli, bacteriaExample: Bacillemia - presence of bacilli in the blood
- Bacteri(o)BacteriaExample: Bacteriocin - a protien toxin produced and released by bacteria
- Bar(o)Weight, pressureExample: Bartaxis - reaction of living tissue to changes in pressure
- Bas(o), basi(o)BaseExample: Basoplasm - part of cytoplasm that stains readily with basic dyes
- Bio-LifeExample: Biopsy - sampling of tissue from living patients
- Blast(o)Immature cellsExample: blastoma - a neoplasm composed of immature cells
- Cac(o)Bad, illExample: cacomelia - congenital deformity of one or more limbs
- Calc(o), calci(o)CalciumExample: Calcipenia - a condition of insufficient calcium
- Carcin(o)CancerExample: Carcinogen - cancer-producing substance
- Chem (o)ChemicalExample: Chemotherapy - the treatment of disease by the use of chemicals
- Chlor (o)Chlorine, GreenExample: Chloropenia - a deficiency in chloride
- Chondrio, ChondroCartilage, grainy, grittyExample: Chondropathy - ant diese of the cartilage
- Chore (o)DanceExample: Choreoathetosis - abnormal body movements
- Chrom, Chromat, ChromoColorExample: Chromatism - abnormal pigmentation
- ChronoTimeExample: Chonopharmicology - the study of the effects of drugs based on the timing of biological events and cycles.
- Chyl (o)Chyle, digestive juiceExample: Chylidrosis - sweating of milky fluid that resembles chyle
- Chym (o)Chyme, semifluid produced of chyl and partially digested foodExample: Chymorrhe - the flow of chyme
- Cine (o)MovementExample: Cineradiography - the radiography of an organism on motion
- Coni (o)DustExample: Coniosis - any disease or morbid condition caused by dust
- Crin (o)SecreteExample: Crinin - an old term for a substance that stimulates the production of secretion by specific glands
- Cry (o)ColdExample: Cryospasm - movement of muscles caused by cold
- Crypt (o)Hidden, ObscureExample: Cryptorchidism - failure of one or both testicals to descend
- Cyan (o)BlueExample: Cyanosis - a darkblue or purplish color to the skin or mucous membranes
- Cycl (o)Circle, Cycle, Cilliary bodyExample: Cyclectomy - excision of a portion of a ciliary body
- Cyst, Cyst (o)Bladder, Cyst, Cystic ductExample: Cystitis - inflammation of the urinary bladder
- Cyt (o)CellExample: Cytocidal - causing the death of cells
- Dextr (o)Right, toward rightExample: Dexter - leaning toward or relating to the right side
- Dips (o)ThirstyExample: Polydipsia - excessively thirsty
- Dors (o), dorsiBackExample: Dorsolumbar - the lower back
- DynamoForce, energyExample: Dynamogenic - Power produced by muscular and neural activity
- EchoReflected soundExample: Echographer - an ultrasonographer
- Electro (o)Electricity, electricExample: Electrolyte - A compound in body fluid that conducts electricity
- Eosin (o)Red, rosyExample: Eosiniphobia - A morbid fear of the dawn
- ErgoWorkExample: Ergodynamograph - Used to record the degree of muscle force and the amount of work done by muscle contraction
- Erythro (o)Red, rednessExample: Erythrocatalysis - Phagocytosis of RBC
- EsthesioSedation, perceptionExample: Esthesiology - The study of sensory phenomenon
- EthmoEthmoid boneExample: Ethmoiditis - Inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses
- EtioCauseExample: Etiology - The study of the cause of diseases and their mode of operation
- Fibr (o)FiberExample: Fibroadipose - Relating to or containing both fibrous and fatty structures
- Fluor (o)Light, luminous, fluorineExample: Fluorocyte - Term used for a reticulocyte that exhibits fluorescence
- FungiFungusExample: Fungitoxic - Poisonous to the growth of fungus
- Galact (o)MilkExample: Galactocele - Retention of cyst caused by a blocked or narrowing milk duct
- Gen (o)Producing, being bornExample: Genotoxic - A substance that damages DNA and causes in utero mutation or cancer
- Gero, geront (o)Old ageExample: Gerontotherapy - Treatment of disease in the aged
- GlucoGlucoseExample: Glucopenia - low blood sugar
- GlycoSugarsExample: Glycolipid - A lipid with one or more covalently attached sugar
- GonioAngleExample: Gonioscope - A lens designed for the study of the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye
- GranuloGranularExample: Granuloplastic - forming granules
- Gyn (o), gyne, gynecoWomenExample: Gynecology - The study of genitalia diseases, endocrinology, and reproductive physiology in women
- Home (o), homoSame, constantExample: Homonuclear - A cell line that retains the original chromosome complement
- Hydro (o)Hydrogen, waterExample: Hydropenia - Reduction or deprivation of water
- Hypn (o)SleepExample: Hypnopompic - The occurrence of visions or dreams during a drowsy state following sleep
- Iatr (o)Physician, treatmentExample: Iatrogenic - The response to medical or surgical treatment, usually when response is unfavorable
- Ichthy (o)Dry, scaly, fishExample: Ichthyism - Poisoning by eating stale fish
- IdioDistinct, unknownExample: Idiopathic - Of unknown origin
- Immun (o)Safe, immuneExample: Immunosuppressant - An agent that weakens or suppress the immune system
- Kal (i)PotassiumExample: Hypokalemia - Too little potassium present in the blood
- KaryoNucleusExample: Karyoplast - A cell nucleus surrounded by a narrow band of cytoplasm and plasma membrane
- Ket (o), keton (o)Ketone, acetoneExample: Ketoacidosis - Acidosis, usually in diabetics or anorexics, caused by enhanced production of ketone bodies
- Kin (o), kineMovementExample: Kinometer - An instrument used to measure movement
- Kinesi (o), kinesoMotionExample: Kinesthesia - The sense perception of movement
- Kyph (o)HumpbackExample: Kyphoplasty - Injection of bone cement into a compressed vertebra
- Lact (o), lactiMilkExample: Lactate - To produce milk in the mammary glands
- LateroLateral, to one sideExample: Laterotrusion - The movement of the jaw bone when chewing
- LeptoLight, frail, thinExample: Leptocephalous - Having an abnormally tall, narrow cranium
- Leuk (o)WhiteExample: Leukocytosis - A condition of elevated WBC
- Lip (o)FatExample: Liposuction - Removal of unwanted fat by use of a suction cannulae
- Lith (o)StoneExample: Ureterolithiasis - Formation of one or more calculi in one or both ureters
- Log (o)Speech, words, thoughtsExample: Logopathy - Speech disorder
- Lys (o)DissolutionExample: Lysis - The destruction of RBC, bacteria, ect. by a specific lysin
- Macr (o)Large, longExample: Macroscopic - Visible to the naked eye
- Medi (o)Middle, medial placeExample: Mediodorsal - Relating to the median and dorsal planes
- Meg (a), megal (o)Large, millionExample: Megalocardia - Enlarged heart
- Melan (o)Black, darkExample: Melanuria - Excretion of dark colored urine
- Mes (o)Middle, medianExample: Mesocardia - Atypical location of the heart in the central thorax
- Micr (o)Small, one-millionth, tinyExample: Microscopic - Visible only with the aid of a microscope; of minute size.
- MioSmaller, lessExample: Miosis - Contraction of the pupil
- Morph (o)Structure, shapeExample: Morphosis - Mode of development of a part
- NarcoSleep, numbnessExample: Narcolepsy - Sleep disorder causing frequent day sleep and interrupted night sleep
- Necr (o)Death, dyingExample: Necrosis - Pathological death of one or more cells, tissue, or organs with irreversible changes
- Noct (i)NightExample: Nocturnal - pertaining to the hours of darkness
- Norm (o)NormalExample: Normobaric - The barometric pressure equivalent to the pressure at sea level
- NucleNucleusExample: Nucleon - One of the subatomic partials of anomic partials, ex. Proton
- Nyct (o)NightExample: Nyctophobia - Morbid fear of night time or darkness
- Oncho, oncoTumorExample: Oncology - The study of neoplastic growths
- Orth (o)Straight, normalExample: Orthodontics - Dental specialty concerned with the correction of tooth placement
- OxySharp, acute, oxygenExample: Oxyphonia - Shrill or high pitch of the voice
- PachyThickExample: Pachyblepharon - Thickening of the tarsal boarder of the eyelid
- Path (o)DiseaseExample: Pathogen - Disease causing substance
- PhagoEating, devouring, swallowingExample: Phagocyte - A cell that ingests bacteria and other intruders
- PharmacoDrugs, medicineExample: Pharmacology - The study of drugs
- Phon (o)Sound, voice, speechExample: Phonetics - The science of speech and pronunciation
- Phot (o)LightExample: Photogen - A microorganism that produced luminescence
- Physic, physioPhysical, naturalExample: Physiotherapeutic - Pertaining to physical therapy
- PhysoAir, gas, growingExample: Physocele - Herniated sac distended with gas
- Phyt (o)PlantExample: Phytodermatitis - Dermatitis caused by skin contacting and reacting to specific plants
- Plasma, plasmoFormative, plasmaExample: Plasmoschisis - The splitting of protoplasm into fragments
- PoikiloVaried, irregularExample: Poikiloblast - A nucleated RBC of irregular shape
- Pseud (o)FalseExample: Pseudoapraxia - A condition of exaggerated awkwardness in which an individual make wrong use of objects
- PyoPusExample: Pyuria - Pus in the urine
- PyretoFeverExample: Pyretogenesis - The origin of a fever
- PyroFever, fire, heatExample: Pyrolysis - Decomposition of a substance by heat
- RadioRadiation, x-ray, radiusExample: Radiologist - A physician trained in diagnostic / therapeutic use of x-ray and radionuclides
- Salping (o)TubeExample: Salpingoophorectomy - Removal of the ovary and it’s uterine tube
- SchistoSplitExample: Schisocelia - Congenital fissure of the abdominal wall
- Schiz (o)Split, divisionExample: Schizotonia - Division of the distribution of tone in the muscle
- Scler (o)Hardness, hardeningExample: Scleroblastema - The embryonic tissue entering into the formation of bone
- ScolioCooked, bentExample: Scoliosis - Condition of abnormal lateral and rotational spine curvature
- ScotoDarknessExample: Scotopic - Referring to low illumination in which the eye is dark adapted
- SideroIronExample: Siderocyte - An erythrocyte containing granules of free iron
- SitoFood, grainExample: Sitosterol - A plant-derived chemical similar to cholesterol, commonly found in wheat germ, soy beans, and corn oil.
- Somat (o)BodyExample: Somatalgia - Pain in the body
- SonoSoundExample: Ultrasonography - containing few or no echoes of sound waves
- SpasmoSpasmExample: Spasmogen - A substance causing a smooth muscle to contract
- Sphere (o)Round, sphericalExample: Sphereocytosis - The presence of sheric RBCs in the blood
- Spir (o)Breath, breatheExample: Spiroscope - A device for measuring air capacity in the lungs
- SquamoScale, squamousExample: Squamocellular - Relating to or having squamous epithelium
- Staphyl (o)Grapelike clusterExample: Staphylococcus - Common species that is the cause of a variety of infections
- StenoNarrownessExample: Stenosis - A narrowing or stricture of any canal or orifice
- Stere (o)Three-dimensionalExample: Stereology - A study of three-dimensional aspects of a cell or microscopic structure
- StreptoTwisted chains, streptococciExample: Streptococcus - A common organism that causes various infections
- Styl (o)Peg-shapedExample: Stylomastoid - Relating to the styloid and mastoid processes of the temporal bone
- Syring (o)Example: Syringe - An instrument used for injecting or withdrawing fluid
- Tel (o), tele (o)Distant, end, completeExample: Teletherapy - Radiation treatment administered with the source at a distance from the body
- TeratoMonster (as in malformed fetus)Example: Teratogen - An agent that causes a malformed fetus
- Therm (o)HeatExample: Thermometer - An instrument used to measure temperature
- TonoTension, pressureExample: Tonometry - Measurement of tension ex. Blood pressure
- Top (o)Place, topicalExample: Topophobia - A neurotic dread of a particular place
- Tox (i), toxico, toxoPoison, toxinExample: Toxicoid - Having an action like that of a poison
- TrophoFood, nutritionExample: Trophodynamics - The dynamics of nutrition or the metabolism (nutritional energy)
- ViviLifeExample: Vivisection - Any cutting operation on a living animal for purposes of experimentation
- Xanth (o)YellowExample: Xanthoma - A yellow nodule or plaque
- XenoStrangerExample: Xenograft - A graft transfer from one species to another
- Xer (o)DryExample: Xerochilia - Dryness of the lips
- Xiph (o)Sword, xiphoidExample: Xiphopagus - Conjoined twins united in the region of the xiphoid process
- Zo (o)LifeExample: Zoograft - A graft from an animal to a human
- Zym (o)Fermentation, enzymeExample: Zygote - Diploid cell resulting from the union of a sperm and a secondary oocyte
Medical Coding
Medical coding is dependent upon a solid understanding of medical terminology.
To be successful and accurate medical coders must have a solid understanding of common medical terms for various reasons which include:
- Reading and understanding medical dictation
- Proper code look up and selection
- Communicating with physicians, insurance companies, and other medical professionals
- Understanding human anatomy
- Appealing claim denials
Root Words
Root words provide the basic meanings for medical terms. They can be used alone or can be joined with a prefix, a suffix, or both.
Example 1: (A root word with no prefix or suffix.) The root word "plasma" means a semi-liquid form found in cells.
Root Word Reference
In the AMA's CPT book there are two pages prior to the E/M section that contain commonly used medical terms.These pages include full terms, prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
In addition to the medical terminology there are also anatomical illustrations that include body planes and directional terms.