The
Apothecary
Building foundations & learning the language of healing
The PA Path
Track your progress on the journey to becoming a Physician Assistant
High School Foundation
Patient Care Experience
Undergraduate Prep
PA Application Prep
The Medical Humanities Bookshelf
Essential readings for the Medical Humanist
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Anne Fadiman
A masterclass in cross-cultural medicine and the tragedy of communication failures. Essential for understanding patient narratives.
When Breath Becomes Air
Paul Kalanithi
A meditation on mortality by a neurosurgeon. Explores the intersection of medicine, literature, and meaning.
The Emperor of All Maladies
Siddhartha Mukherjee
A biography of cancer that blends history, science, and patient stories. Demonstrates narrative competence in medical writing.
Medical Apartheid
Harriet Washington
Essential for understanding the historical context of medical ethics in the US. Critical for the Medical Humanist.
The Podcast Curriculum
Medical storytelling and the culture of medicine
The Nocturnists
Medical storytelling podcast
Focuses on the inner lives of healthcare workers, burnout, and shame. Essential listening for understanding the human side of medicine.
Bedside Rounds
History of medicine podcast
Explores the history of medicine through fascinating case studies. Connects historical context to modern practice.
The Apothecary Lexicon
Master the language of medicine by understanding these essential roots
Body Systems
Relating to the heart
Examples: Cardiology (study of the heart), Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels), Cardiologist (heart specialist)
Relating to nerves or the nervous system
Examples: Neurology (study of nervous system), Neurologist (nerve specialist), Neuralgia (nerve pain)
Relating to the kidney
Examples: Renal (pertaining to kidneys), Nephrology (study of kidneys), Nephritis (kidney inflammation)
Relating to the lungs
Examples: Pulmonary (pertaining to lungs), Pneumonia (lung infection), Pulmonologist (lung specialist)
Relating to the stomach/intestines
Examples: Gastroenterology (study of digestive system), Gastritis (stomach inflammation), Enteritis (intestinal inflammation)
Relating to blood
Examples: Hematology (study of blood), Hemorrhage (bleeding), Hemoglobin (blood protein)
Relating to bones
Examples: Osteology (study of bones), Osteoporosis (bone loss), Osteoarthritis (joint bone disease)
Relating to the skin
Examples: Dermatology (study of skin), Dermatitis (skin inflammation), Epidermis (outer skin layer)
Common Prefixes
Excessive, above normal
Examples: Hypertension (high blood pressure), Hyperactive (overactive), Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Deficient, below normal
Examples: Hypotension (low blood pressure), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Abnormal, difficult, painful
Examples: Dysfunction (impaired function), Dyspnea (difficulty breathing), Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Rapid, fast
Examples: Tachycardia (rapid heart rate), Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
Slow
Examples: Bradycardia (slow heart rate), Bradypnea (slow breathing)
Without, absence of
Examples: Anemia (lack of blood), Apathy (lack of feeling), Anesthesia (loss of sensation)
Common Suffixes
Inflammation
Examples: Arthritis (joint inflammation), Gastritis (stomach inflammation), Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
Condition, disease, or abnormal state
Examples: Osteoporosis (bone condition), Neurosis (nervous condition), Thrombosis (blood clot condition)
Surgical removal
Examples: Appendectomy (removal of appendix), Tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils), Hysterectomy (removal of uterus)
Study of
Examples: Cardiology (study of heart), Neurology (study of nerves), Pathology (study of disease)
Disease, suffering
Examples: Neuropathy (nerve disease), Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), Psychopathy (mental disorder)
Blood condition
Examples: Anemia (lack of red blood cells), Leukemia (white blood cell cancer), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Pain
Examples: Neuralgia (nerve pain), Myalgia (muscle pain), Arthralgia (joint pain)