Medical Terminology Flashcards
In short: 160 free printable cards in four sets: 40 prefixes, 40 suffixes, 50 root words and 30 common terms broken into their parts. Every card has the meaning and a real example word on the back. Print 8 per page double-sided, or study online with spaced repetition. No sign-up.
hyper-, hypo-, tachy-… · meaning + example on the back
Print layout
Answer printed small in the corner — single-sided, quick to check.
Paper
40 cards · 8 per page · 5 pages
Print preview — page 1 of 5
How to read any medical term
Split the word into its parts, define the suffix first, then read the rest from the front.
| Feature | Prefix | Root | Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tachycardia | tachy- (fast) | cardi/o (heart) | -ia (condition) | fast heart rate |
| hypoglycemia | hypo- (below) | glyc/o (sugar) | -emia (blood) | low blood sugar |
| pericarditis | peri- (around) | cardi/o (heart) | -itis (inflammation) | inflamed sac around the heart |
| gastroenterology | — | gastr/o + enter/o | -logy (study of) | study of stomach and intestines |
Study tips for medical terminology
- Learn suffixes early. They tell you the kind of word: a procedure (-ectomy, -tomy, -stomy), a condition (-itis, -osis) or a test (-scopy, -gram).
- Watch the look-alikes. -ectomy (remove), -tomy (cut into) and -stomy (make an opening) are the classic exam trap; so are hyper-/hypo- and inter-/intra-.
- Say it out loud. Pronouncing each part as you flip helps it stick and prepares you for clinical use.
- Go by body system. After the parts, learn roots one system at a time (cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive…).
- Test, don’t reread. Turn the cards into a quiz with the practice test generator before the exam.
Want an overview by body system? See the medical terms study guide. Studying for boards? Try the NCLEX flashcard maker or make cards from your own notes with the AI flashcard maker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medical terminology should I memorize first?
Start with the 40 most common prefixes and suffixes, then the root words for each body system. Almost every medical term is built from a prefix, a root and a suffix, so once you know the parts you can work out words you have never seen. “Gastroenteritis”, for example, is gastr/o (stomach) + enter/o (intestine) + -itis (inflammation).
How many cards are in these medical terminology flashcards?
160 cards in four sets: 40 prefixes, 40 suffixes, 50 root words (combining forms) and 30 common whole terms with their word parts. Each card has the meaning and a real example word on the back.
How do I print them double-sided?
Pick a set, choose “Double-sided”, then print with duplex on and “flip on long edge”. The backs are mirrored so each meaning lands behind its word part. With a single-sided printer, use “With answer” to print the meaning small in the corner instead.
Are these good for a medical terminology course, CMA, nursing or pre-med?
They cover the word parts taught in the first weeks of most medical terminology courses and used throughout nursing, medical assisting (CMA/RMA), coding and pre-med. Your course may use a slightly different list. Type extra terms into “Your own list” to add them to the same printable deck.
Can I study the cards online instead?
Yes. “Practice online with spaced repetition” opens the set as a deck with flip mode and spaced-repetition Learn mode, which shows the parts you miss more often. Signing in keeps your progress across devices.
Can I make flashcards from my own medical terminology notes or textbook?
Yes. Paste your notes or upload a chapter into the AI flashcard maker and it writes term-and-definition cards from that material only. For a ready 49-card overview of body-system terms, see our medical terms study guide.
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