Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Prefixes (cardio-)

Remember the Spelling Bee? Big words are easier to tackle when you understand how they're put together. Veterinary terms are composed in the same way. Just like with other words, the main parts of a veterinary term are a prefix, a root, and a suffix. The difference is that they typically come more directly from Greek or Latin.

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning by providing additional information. It usually indicates number, location, time, or status.
cardio- [kɑːdɪəʊ] - from Greek - heart, having to do with the heart

I think just about everyone is familiar with this one, doesn't require much explanation. We already touched on dilated cardiomyopathy earlier. Broken down it means it's a disease/disorder of the heart muscle(s).

Cardiogram, type of imaging used to diagnose heart disorders. Cardiograph, then, is the instrument used to record the heart muscle activity. Cardiotomy, surgical incision into the heart.

Electrocardiogram of normal sinus rhythm. Image Small Animal Cardiology

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedures to restore heartbeat and breathing. Cardiopulmonary arrest, then, is the lack of voluntary heartbeat and breathing. Cardiopulmonary, having to do with the heart and the lungs. Cardiovascular, pertaining the the heard and the blood vessels.

That's about all the common terms you will encounter.

Cardioversion is the electric shock to the chest to restore normal heart rhythm. We've all seen it, I personally never heard the word before.

Didn't I say that the prefixes were simple?

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Related articles:
Veterinary Suffixes (-itis)
Veterinary Suffixes (-oma) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-pathy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-osis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-iasis) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-tomy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-ectomy)  
Veterinary Suffixes (-scopy) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-emia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-penia)
Veterinary Suffixes (-rrhea) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-cyte) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-blast) 
Veterinary Suffixes (-opsy)
Veterinary Suffixes (-ac/-al)

Veterinary Prefixes (hyper-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (hypo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (pyo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myo-) 
Veterinary Prefixes (myelo-)
Veterinary Prefixes (spondylo-)

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