CMA Medical Terminology & Anatomy 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'subcutaneous' refers to tissue located:
- Above the skin
- Within the dermis
- Below the skin (Correct answer)
- Between muscle layers
Correct answer: Below the skin
Subcutaneous means beneath the skin; 'sub-' means under and 'cutaneous' refers to the skin.
Question 2: Which term describes an abnormally fast heart rate (above 100 bpm)?
- Bradycardia
- Dysrhythmia
- Tachycardia (Correct answer)
- Fibrillation
Correct answer: Tachycardia
Tachycardia is a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute; 'tachy-' means fast or rapid.
Question 3: The prefix 'peri-' means which of the following?
- Before
- After
- Around or surrounding (Correct answer)
- Below
Correct answer: Around or surrounding
'Peri-' means around or surrounding, as in pericardium — the membrane surrounding the heart.
Question 4: Which structure connects bone to bone at a joint?
- Tendon
- Ligament (Correct answer)
- Fascia
- Bursa
Correct answer: Ligament
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissue bands that connect bone to bone, stabilizing joints.
Question 5: The combining form 'dermato-' or 'dermo-' refers to which structure?
- Bone
- Muscle
- Skin (Correct answer)
- Blood vessel
Correct answer: Skin
'Dermato-' and 'dermo-' are combining forms for skin, as in dermatology and dermatitis.
Question 6: What does the medical term 'edema' describe?
- Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues causing swelling (Correct answer)
- A break in the continuity of bone
- Inflammation of a vein
- Narrowing of a blood vessel
Correct answer: Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues causing swelling
Edema refers to abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of tissues, causing swelling.
Question 7: Which suffix means 'creation of a new opening'?
- -ectomy
- -plasty
- -otomy
- -ostomy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: -ostomy
The suffix '-ostomy' means the surgical creation of a new opening, as in colostomy.
CMA Medical Terminology & Anatomy 5
The term 'subcutaneous' refers to tissue located: