Word Part | Definition |
t wave | The positive deflection after each QRS complex. It indicates ventricular repolarization. |
t.i.d. | three times a day |
t.i.n. | three times a night |
T3 | triiodothyronine |
T4 | thyroxine |
tab | tablet |
tachy- | fast |
tachycardia | Abnormally rapid heartbeat, usually over 100 beats per minute for adults. Tachycardia accompanied by an irregular rhythm is called tachyarrhythmia. |
tachypnea | Abnormally rapid breathing rate. |
tact/o | touch |
TAH | total abdominal hysterectomy |
tal/o | talus, ankle |
talc | Finely powdered magnesium silicate used as a dusting powder. |
talus | The second largest of the tarsal bones, articulating with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint. |
tampons | Plugs or cylinders made of cotton, sponge, or other absorbent material used in surgery to absorb fluids. |
tarlov cysts | Perineurial cysts commonly found in the sacral region. |
tars/o | tarsal bone (ankle), edge of eyelid |
tarsal | Pertaining to the bones of the ankle and foot. |
tarsal bones | The seven bones which form the tarsus: calcaneus, talus, cuboid, navicular, and the internal, middle, and external cuneiforms. |
tarsal joints | The articulations between the various tarsal bones. |
tarsalgia | Pain in the foot. |
tarsorrhaphy | Joining of part or all of the upper and lower eyelids so as to partially or completely close the eye. |
tarsus | The bones of the ankle and proximal part of the foot. |
taste | The sense of perceiving different flavors in soluble substances that contact the tongue and trigger nerve impulses to special taste centers in the cortex and the thalamus of the brain. The four basic traditional tastes are sweet, salty, sour and bitter. |
taste buds | Small sensory organs which contain gustatory receptor cells, basal cells and supporting cells. Taste buds in humans are found in the epithelia of the tongue, palate, and pharynx. |
TAT | tetanus antitoxin |
taut- | same |
tax/o | order, coordination |
-taxia | ordering, arrangement |
taxis | Returning a body part back to its normal position after a dislocation, fracture or hernia. |
TB | tuberculosis |
TBV | total blood volume |
TDM | therapeutic drug monitoring |
tears | The fluid secreted by the lacrimal glands. This fluid moistens the conjunctiva and cornea. |
techn/o | skill, art |
tect/o | roof |
tectorial membrane | A membrane, present in the cochlea of the inner ear, that runs parallel with the basilar membrane. |
tectospinal | Denoting nerve fibers passing from the mesencephalic tectum to the spinal cord. |
tectum | A roof-like structure of the midbrain. |
teg- | cover |
tel/o | complete, end |
tela | Any thin web like structure or tissue. |
tele/o | distance, end |
telemedicine | Delivery of health services via remote communications. This includes interactive consultative and diagnostic services. |
telencephalon | The anterior subdivision of the prosencephalon which develops into the olfactory bulbs, cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. |
telomere | The end of a chromosome, which is involved in chromosomal replication and stability. |
telophase | The final phase of mitosis. |
temp/o | time |
temperature | The sensible intensity of heat of any substance. |
temporal arteries | Arteries arising from the external carotid or the maxillary artery and distributing to the temporal region. |
temporal bone | Either of a pair of compound bones forming the lateral surfaces and base of the skull which contains the organs of hearing. |
temporal lobe | One of the main divisions of the cerebral cortex in each hemisphere of the brain, responsible for auditory, olfactory, and semantic processing. |
TEN | toxic epidermal necrolysis |
ten/o | tendon |
tenaculum | A surgical instrument for lifting and holding tissue or a body part. |
tendin/o | tendon |
tendinitis | Inflammation of a tendon. |
tendinosis | Degeneration of a tendon. |
tendinous | Relating to tendons. |
tendon | A strap of white fibrous connective tissue that joins muscle to bone. |
tenesmus | A straining but ineffective attempt to urinate or defecate. |
tennis elbow | A condition characterized by pain in or near the lateral humeral epicondyle or in the forearm extensor muscle mass as a result of unusual strain. |
tenodesis | Fixation of the end of a tendon to a bone, often by suturing. |
tenoplasty | Surgical repair of a tendon. |
tenosynovitis | Inflammation of the synovial lining of a tendon sheath. |
tenotomy | Surgical division of a tendon for relief of a congenital deformity of a joint. |
TENS | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
-tension | stretched, strained |
tensor | Any muscle that causes stretching or tension of a body part. |
tephr/o | gray, ash-colored |
tera- | trillion |
terat/o | monster, monstrosity |
teratology | A branch of embryology for the study of congenital malformations and developmental abnormalities. |
teratoma | A true neoplasm composed of different types of tissue, none of which is normally found the area in which the neoplasm occurs. |
term birth | childbirth at the end of a normal duration of pregnancy, between 37 to 40 weeks of gestation. |
terti- | third |
test/i | testicle |
testicle | The testis and its ducts. |
testis | Either of the two male gonads located in the cavity of the scrotum. |
testosterone | A hormone produced by the testicles. Responsible for maintaining muscle mass, bone density and sex drive. |
TET | tetralogy of Fallot |
tetan/o | tetanus |
tetanus | An acute, potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a powerful protein toxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration. Also called lockjaw. |
tetany | A disorder consisting of muscle spasms, cramps and twitching. Tetany usually results from hypocalcemia. |
tetra- | four |
tetralogy of fallot | Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare congenital heart defect. It is a combination of four defects which result in oxygen-poor blood flow. |
TFS | testicular feminization syndrome |
thalam/o | thalamus |
thalamus | Paired bodies containing mostly gray matter and forming part of the lateral wall of the third ventricle of the brain. |
thalassemia | An inherited blood disorder characterized by an abnormal form of hemoglobin. |
thanat- | death |
thec- | case, sheath |
theca | A sheath, case or capsule. |
thecoma | A neoplasm derived from ovarian mesenchyme. |
thel/e | nipple |
thelarche | The beginning of breast development at puberty. |
thelo- | nipple |
therapeutics | Procedures concerned with the remedial treatment or prevention of diseases. |
-therapy | treatment |
theri/o | animals, beasts |
therm/o | heat, temperature |
thermoalgesia | Abnormal pain felt when part of the body is warmed. |
thermogenesis | The generation of heat in order to maintain body temperature. |
thermolysis | Dissipation of body heat by evaporation of sweat, radiation or other means. |
thermophore | Any substance that retains heat for a long period of time. |
thigm/o | touch |
thinking | The act of reasoning. Cognition. |
thio- | presence of sulphur |
thorac/o | chest, pleural cavity |
thoracentesis | Removal of fluid or air from the thoracic cavity, usually with a needle. |
thoracic | Pertaining to the chest. |
thoracic cavity | The region of the thorax that includes the pleural cavity and mediastinum. |
thoracotomy | Surgical incision into the chest wall. |
thorax | The chest cavity. Principal organs are the heart and lungs. |
-thorax | chest, pleural cavity |
THR | total hip replacement |
threshold | The point at which a stimulus produces a sensation or evokes a response. |
thrill | A vibratory, ringing sound. Sometimes used to describe a heart murmur. |
thromb/o | blood clot |
thrombectomy | Surgical removal of an obstructing clot or foreign material from a blood vessel at the point of its formation. |
thrombocytes | Platelets. A blood component helps to stop bleeding by clumping and clotting blood vessel injuries. |
thrombocytopenia | A low level of blood platelets. Platelet count < 150,000/ml |
thrombocytosis | High blood platelet count. Platelet count > 450,000/ml |
thrombolysis | The dissolution of a thrombus. |
thrombolytic | Dissolving or breaking up a thrombus. |
thrombophilia | A disorder of hemostasis in which there is a tendency for the occurrence of thrombosis. |
thrombosis | The formation and development of a blood clot in a blood vessel. |
thumb | The first digit on the radial side of the hand opposite the other four digits. |
thym/o | thymus gland |
thymectomy | Surgical removal of the thymus gland. |
-thymia | state of mind |
thymocytes | Lymphocyte arising in the thymus. |
thymoma | A neoplasm originating from thymic tissue, usually benign, and frequently encapsulated. |
thymosin | A hormone secreted by the thymus. |
thymus | An organ that is part of the lymphatic system, in which T lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone. |
thyr/o | thyroid gland |
thyroid | A highly vascularized endocrine gland that regulates metabolism. It consists of two lobes joined by a thin band of tissue with one lobe on each side of the trachea. |
thyroidectomy | Surgical removal of the thyroid gland. |
thyroiditis | Inflammation of the thyroid gland. |
thyroxine | A hormone of the thyroid gland that stimulates the consumption of oxygen. |
TIA | transient ischemic attack |
tibi/o | tibia |
tibia | The medial and larger of the two bones of the lower leg, articulating with the fibula laterally, the talus distally, and the femur proximally. |
tibialis | The of two muscles in the leg that extend from the tibia to the metatarsal bones of the foot. |
-tic | pertaining to |
tick | A blood-sucking acari parasite that penetrates the skin of their host by using a hooked mouth part. |
tics | Habitual, repeated, rapid muscle movement or vocalization which are involuntary or semi voluntary. |
tidal volume | The volume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during normal breathing. |
tinc. | tincture |
tinea | A fungal skin infection, including ringworm, athlete's foot and jock itch. |
tinnitus | The perception of sound in the head when no outside sound is present. Commonly called 'ringing in the ears'. |
-tion | process of |
tissue | A group of differentiated cells that perform a specific function. There are four basic tissues in the body: epithelium, connective (including bone, blood and cartilage), muscle and nerve. |
titubation | Walking with a staggering or stumbling gait. |
TKO | to keep open |
TKR | total knee replacement |
TLC | total lung capacity |
TM | tympanic membrane |
TMJ | temporomandibular joint |
TNF | tumor necrosis factor |
TNM | tumor, node, metastasis |
toc/o | labor, birth |
-tocia | condition of birth, labor |
tom/o | section, slice |
-tome | instrument to cut |
tomography | Imaging methods that shows a single plane (slice) of the body. |
-tomy | cutting, incision |
ton/o | tension, tone |
tongue | A muscular organ in the mouth that is covered with pink tissue called mucosa, tiny bumps called papillae, and thousands of taste buds. It is vital for chewing, swallowing and for speech. |
tonic | Pertaining to normal muscle tone. |
tonometry | A test that measures intraocular pressure. |
tonsill/o | tonsil |
tonsillectomy | Surgical removal of a tonsil |
tonsillitis | Inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by bacterial infection. |
tonsils | A pair of soft lymphoid tissue masses located at the rear of the throat. Part of the immune system. |
tooth | One of a set of bone-like structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing. |
toothache | Pain in or around a tooth. |
top. | topically |
top/o | place |
topical | Pertaining to a particular area. |
topography | The description of a body part in relation to surrounding structures. |
torpor | A state of decreased activity characterized by depressed metabolism, reduced body temperature and low sensitivity to external stimuli. |
torque | The rotational force about an axis. |
tors/o | twisted |
torsades de pointes | A form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that is characterized by heart rate between 200 and 250 beats per minute, and QRS complexes with changing amplitude and twisting of the points. |
torsion | A twisting force. |
torso | The central part of the body to which the neck and limbs are attached. |
touch | Sensations arising from making physical contact with objects. Tactile stimuli are detected by receptors in the skin and mucous membranes. |
tourette syndrome | A neuropsychological disorder appearing in childhood, marked by multiple motor and vocal tics occurring multiple times daily over a period of more than one year. |
tourniquet | A band for the compression of a blood vessel, used to stop bleeding or prevent spread of snake venom. |
tox/o | poison |
toxemia | The presence of bacterial toxins in the blood. Also called blood poisoning. |
toxicity | The degree to which a substance is poisonous. |
toxicology | The science concerned with the detection, chemical composition, and biological action of toxic substances or poisons and the treatment and prevention of toxic manifestations. |
toxicosis | A diseased condition due to poisoning. |
toxin | A poison produced by animals, plants or bacteria. |
toxoid | A preparation of poisonous materials made nontoxic and intended for active immunologic prophylaxis. |
toxoplasmosis | A parasitic infection by Toxoplasma gondii. Most infections are asymptomatic. |
TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
TPR | temperature, pulse, and respiration |
trache/o | trachea (windpipe) |
trachea | The wind pipe. Cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi. |
tracheostomy | Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to insert a tube to facilitate breathing. |
tracheotomy | Surgical incision of the trachea. |
trachoma | A chronic infection of the conjunctiva and cornea caused by chlamydia trachomatis. |
tractotomy | Surgical incision of a nerve tract, usually to relieve pain. |
trance | A sleeplike state of altered consciousness and diminution of motor activity, |
tranquillizer | A drug that reduces stress without diminishing mental clarity. |
trans- | across, through |
transdermal | Entering through the skin. |
transducer | Any device or element which converts an input signal into an output signal of a different form. |
transection | Cutting across the tissue of an organ. |
transference | The unconscious transfer to others of feelings and attitudes which were originally associated with important figures in one's early life. |
transfusion | The transfer of blood from one person to another. |
transient | Short lived. |
transplantation | Transference of a tissue or organ from either an alive or deceased donor, within an individual, between individuals of the same species, or between individuals of different species. |
transudation | Passage of a fluid or solute through a membrane. |
transverse | Lying across the long axis. Crosswise. |
transverse horizontal plane | separates the body's upper and lower sections |
trauma | Physical or emotional injuries that are severe and of sudden onset. |
trematode | Any of a large number of parasitic flatworms of the class Trematoda including flukes. |
tremor | Involuntary shaking, quivering of body parts, commonly the extremities. |
trench fever | An acute, infectious, bacterial infection characterized by intervals of chills and fever. Transmitted by body lice. |
-tresia | perforation, opening |
tri- | three |
triage | The process of classifying patients into groups based upon need and likely benefit of treatment |
triceps | Muscle with three heads, particularly the muscle on the back of the upper arm that contracts to extend the forearm. |
trich/o | hair |
trichiasis | A condition of ingrown hair around an orifice, particularly ingrown eyelashes. |
trichomoniasis | A sexually transmitted disease caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite. |
trichosporonosis | Fungal infections marked by fever or pneumonia. |
trichotillomania | Compulsion to pull out one's hair. |
tricuspid valve | The heart valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle. |
tricuspid valve regurgitation | Back flow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium. |
tricuspid valve stenosis | The narrowing of the tricuspid valve opening. Tricuspid valve stenosis is almost always due to rheumatic fever. |
trigeminal | Pertaining to the fifth cranial nerve. |
trigeminal neuralgia | An inflammation of the trigeminal nerve causing extreme pain and muscle spasms in the face. |
trigeminy | A heart condition where an EKG can be grouped into three beat patterns. |
trimester | Any of the three successive three month periods of pregnancy. |
triplet | One of three offspring born at one birth. |
-tripsy | to crush |
trismus | Lack of ability to open the mouth fully due to decreased range of motion of the muscles of mastication. |
trop/o | turn |
troph/o | nourishment, development |
-trophic | food, nutrition |
-trophy | nourishment, development |
-tropia | turn, deviation from normal |
-tropic | turning |
tropism | The directional growth of an organism in towards or away from light, touch, or gravity. |
trusses | A supportive device designed for retaining a hernia in a reduced state within the abdominal cavity. |
TSH | thyroid-stimulating hormone |
TSS | toxic shock syndrome |
tuberculoma | A tumor-like mass resulting from the enlargement of a tuberculous lesion. |
tuberculosis | Bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. |
tubule | A small tube. |
tularemia | A plague-like disease of rodents, transmissible to humans, marked by fever, chills, headache, backache and weakness. |
-tumescence | swelling |
tumor | A new growth of tissue in which cell multiplication is uncontrolled and progressive. A neoplasm. |
TUR | transurethral resection |
TV | tidal volume |
twins | Two individuals derived from two fetuses that were fertilized at or about the same time, developed in the uterus simultaneously, and born to the same mother. Twins are either monozygotic or dizygotic. |
Tx | treatment |
tympan/o | eardrum |
tympanic membrane | A thin, oval, semitransparent membrane separating the external ear canal from the tympanic cavity (ear, middle). |
tympanocentesis | Needle aspiration of fluid from the middle ear through a puncture in the tympanic membrane. |
tympanometry | A test that measures the movement of the tympanic membrane (eardrum). |
-type | class |
typhlitis | Inflammation of the cecum. |
typhoid fever | An acute bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated water, milk or other foods, especially shellfish. |
typhus | Any of a group of acute infectious diseases characterized by fever, chills, headache, malaise and rash. Usually transmitted from infected rats by lice, fleas, ticks and mites |
tyr/o | cheese |