Basic Medical Terminology - O (Part 2) Quiz

Answer: eye

The Latin word "oculus", meaning eye, gives us the word parts ocul- and ocul/o. Some words you may be familiar with include binoculars (literally "two eyes") and monocle (French for "one eye", but based on the Latin and adopted into English). Oculist is an older and alternative term for an eye doctor (now usually referred to as an ophthalmologist).

Answer: bone

The word parts oste- and oste/o are derived from the Greek "osteon" meaning bone. It occurs in words such as osteoporosis (porosity or reduced density of bone), osteomyelitis (inflammation/infection of the bone marrow), and osteoarthritis (inflammation/infection of the joints and areas of bone adjacent to the joints).

The medical term osteopathy, strictly defined, refers to any disease of bone (-pathy = disease). However, it also refers to an area of medical treatment based on the theory that most diseases are caused by disorders of the bones and joints, and can be cured by palpation, manipulation and massage of the components of the musculoskeletal system.

Answer: small bones of the ear

The suffix -icle is one of a group of suffixes known collectively as diminutive suffixes, which means that they denote smallness or a juvenile form. For example, the word particle means "little part". In the word ossicle, "os" is Latin for bone, so ossicles are little bones. Technically, ossicle may refer to any small bone in the body, but typically it refers to the bones of the middle ear - the malleus, incus, and stapes (Latin words meaning hammer, anvil, and stirrup, respectively).

It was typical of the Ancient Greeks and Romans to name things, such as body parts, after items with which they were familiar, such as tools.

The ossicles were named the malleus, incus and stapes because of their resemblance to those items. The stapes is the smallest bone in the human body, and measures approximately 3 x 2.5 mm (0.1 x 0.09 inches).

Answer: tumour

The word part onc/o means both volume and tumour. It is derived from the Greek word "ogkos" (pronounced "onkos") which means bulk, mass, weight, volume, and swelling. It means volume in words such as oncometer (an instrument for measuring the volume of blood circulating in a limb).

In most medical terms, however, it means mass, swelling or tumour. The most well-known examples are oncology and oncologist, relating to the area of study involving the treatment of tumours.

Answer: (abnormal) condition of

In medical terminology, the suffix -osis means "abnormal condition" and is derived from the Greek suffix -osis meaning state, action or condition (abnormal being implied by usage). There are many examples of medical conditions ending in -osis such as halitosis (bad breath), thrombosis (presence of a blood clot), hypnosis (sleep-related), cirrhosis (liver disease), and asbestosis (cancer caused by the presence of asbestos in the lungs).

Answer: ear

Ot- and ot/o, meaning ear, come from the Greek "otos", meaning the same. The correct medical term for an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor is an otorhinolaryngologist. This word breaks down to ot/o (ear), rhin/o (nose) and laryng/o (voice box, which is located in the throat), and -logist (one who studies).

The correct medical term for an ear-ache is otalgia and an ear infection is otitis. The "torch" (or magnifying light source) that the doctor uses to look in the ear is an otoscope.

Answer: egg

Ovum is the Latin word for egg, giving us the word parts ovi- and ov/o. They are used in words such as oviduct (egg duct or fallopian tube) and ovulation (discharge of egg cell(s) from the ovary). They are also contained in the related term ovary (from the Latin ovarium and ovarius, meaning ovary and egg-keeper). Most medical words that begin with ov- refer to the ovary or egg cells or both.

Answer: over the counter (abbreviation)

OTC is a common abbreviation for "over-the-counter" and refers to medications that can be purchased directly from a pharmacy or "drug store" without a prescription from a doctor or other health professional. In some countries, OTC medications can also be purchased in other places such as supermarkets and petrol (gas) stations.

The laws regarding the availability of non-prescription medications vary from country to country.

Answer: pertaining to pregnancy and childbirth

Obstetrics is the area of medicine dealing with pregnancy, labour and childbirth. This medical term is derived from the Latin "obstetrix" meaning midwife or "one who stands across or opposite", referring to a person who stands by to assist the one who is giving birth. Interestingly, it is related to the word obstacle (referring to a person or thing who opposes or stands in the way).

Answer: mouth

The word parts or- and o/ro relate to the mouth. They are derived from the Latin word "oris" meaning mouth, opening or entrance. Oral means "pertaining to the mouth" and is commonly used in expressions such as oral cavity (the mouth), oral contraceptive ("the pill"), and oral surgery. It is related to the word orifice (an opening).