Basic Medical Terminology - E Trivia Quiz

Answer: to cut out

This suffix is one of the most common endings for a surgical procedure. It is derived from two Greek words "ek" (out) and "tome" (cut or cutting); therefore, it means to cut out. The word part that is used in front of the suffix -ectomy will indicate which body part or tissue is being removed.

For example, tonsillectomy (tonsils), appendicectomy (appendix), hysterectomy (uterus or womb), and vasectomy (the vas deferens, or spermatic duct). Another medical term which means "to cut out" is excise so, for example, a tonsillectomy can also be described as excision of the tonsils.

Answer: in addition to

The Latin prefix extra- means in addition to, outside or beyond the scope of. A common usage for this prefix is to indicate that something is situated or occurring outside of a particular body part; for example, extracellular (outside a cell or cells) and extrauterine (outside the uterus or womb).

The term ESP (extra-sensory perception) refers to perception that is in addition to or "outside" the basic senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. It was coined in 1934 by Joseph Banks Rhine, an American scientist who founded the branch of psychology known as parapsychology.

Answer: electricity

Electro- comes from the Greek word "elektron" meaning amber. The modern usage is related to the fact that Ancient Greeks were familiar with the generation of static electricity by rubbing amber with fur or wool (first recorded by the Greek philosopher, Thales of Miletus). Diagnostic procedures such as electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) and electroencephalography (EEG) start with this prefix because the procedures involve recording the electrical activity of particular body parts (the heart and brain respectively in these two examples).

Answer: out or outside

The prefixes ec- and ecto- indicate external or outside. They are derived from the Greek "ektos" meaning outside, out of, and free from. A common example is the word ectopic which means "outside the place"; an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tube or outside of the uterus or womb.

When the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, the pregnancy is not viable. Another example is ectoparasite, referring to parasites which live on the outside surface of the body rather than inside the body.

Answer: sound

This word part has an interesting link to Greek mythology. Echo was a nymph who was in love with a handsome youth, Narcissus, but he rejected her and fell in love with his own reflection. Brokenhearted, Echo pined away until nothing was left of her but her voice.

The word part means sound, and it occurs in words such as echocardiography (ECG) and echolalia. Echocardiography uses sound (specifically ultrasound) to create a visual image of the heart, which reveals problems such as blockages, narrowing of blood vessels or structural abnormalities. Echolalia is the stereotypical repetition by a patient of whatever is said to them.

It can be a sign of psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia.

Answer: brain

Encephal- or encephal/o refers to the brain. It is derived from the Greek word "enkephalon" meaning brain. This in turn is derived from en- (in) and "kephale" (head) so it literally means "in the head". Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. The medical test known as an EEG (which stands for electroencephalography) involves recording brain wave patterns and is used to diagnose medical conditions such as epilepsy and brain tumours.

It may also be used to confirm death.

Answer: in, inner, within

These word parts come from the Greek "endon" meaning in or within and are commonly applied to medical terms which relate to things inside the body. For example, endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure where we look (-scopy) inside (endo-) the body, usually through a body orifice such as the mouth.

Many of our body organs are covered with membranes and the innermost membrane which lines the organ often has a name that starts with endo-; for example, endocardium (the membrane lining the inner chambers of the heart), and endometrium (membrane lining the inner cavity of the uterus).

Another example is endoparasite, referring to parasites which live inside the body rather than on the outside body surface.

Answer: vomiting

The suffix comes from the Greek "emein", to vomit. Emesis is the correct medical term for the act of vomiting. Medicines which induce vomiting are called emetics. Vomiting blood is haematemesis and excessive vomiting is hyperemesis. Hyperemesis gravidarum is excessive vomiting associated with morning sickness and pregnancy.

Answer: intestine

Enter- and enter/o are derived from the Greek "enteron" meaning gut or intestine and is related to the Greek "enteros" meaning within. Specifically it refers to the small intestine and is often seen in association with the word parts gastr- or gastr/o meaning stomach.

For example, gastroenterology is the area of medicine relating to the study of the stomach and intestines and their associated disorders. Gastroenteritis is infection or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Enterospasm is the medical term for intestinal colic.

Answer: above, upon

This prefix is a very common word part derived from the Greek language that has a variety of meanings - such as above, on, upon, over, on top of, and among. Epidemic, for example, literally means "among the people". Epi- is often used to indicate the position of a body part being above or on top of another body part; for example, the epidermis is the thin, tough, outermost layer of skin which lies above the dermis.

The terms epigastrium and epigastric refer to the upper, central area of the abdomen which is above the stomach.