Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology Review

Essential Question • How will knowing medical terminology assist you in the medical field?

Using Word Parts to Build Medical Terminology • The majority of medical terms in current use are composed of Greek and Latin word parts. • These terms can be learned by two ways: • 1. Memorizing medical terms. (Monotonous ) • 2. Learning word parts and how they fit together to form medical terms. (Easier )

The Four Word Parts Most medical terms built from word parts consist of some or all of the following components: • Word Root • Suffix • Prefix • Combining Vowel

Word Root • The word root is the word part that is the core of the word. • The word root contains the fundamental meaning of the word. • Since the word root is the core of the word, each medical term contains one or more word roots.

Examples of Word Root • Arthr/itis; In this medical term, arthr (which means joint) is the word root. • Hepat/itis; In this medical term, hepat (which means liver) is the word root.

Now you try… • Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) • Adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoid glands) • Epigastric (pertaining to above the stomach)

Suffix • The suffix is a word part attached to the end of the word root to modify its meaning. • The suffix frequently indicates a procedure, condition, or disease.

Commonly Seen Suffix • -scopy, meaning visual examination (procedure) • -tomy, meaning surgical incision (procedure) • -itis, meaning inflammation (condition)

Examples of Suffix • Hepat/itis in this medical term, -itis (which means inflammation) is the suffix. • The term hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. • ---Phleb/otomy in this medical term, -otomy (which means surgical incision) is the suffix. • ---The term phlebotomy means the surgical puncture of the vein.

Now you try… • Echocardiogram (EKG) • Neuroblastoma (tumor composted to neuroblasts) • Dwarfism (condition of low stature)

Prefix • The prefix is a word part attached to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning. • Although a prefix can be used to modify the meaning of a word, many medical terms do not have a prefix. • Prefixes can indicate; • A number such as bi-, meaning two. • A position, such as sub-, meaning under. • A direction, such as intra-, meaning within. • Time, such as brady-, meaning slow.

Examples of Prefix • Sub/hepat/ic In this medical term, sub- (which means under) is the prefix. • Subhepatic means pertaining to under the liver. • Intra/ven/ous In this word, intra- (which means within) is the prefix. • Intravenous means within the vein.

Now you try… • Bilateral (both sides) • Subdural (below the dura mater) • Hypoglycemic (low blood glucose)

Combining Vowel • The combining vowel is a word part, usually an o, used to ease pronunciation. • The combining vowel is: • Used to connect two word roots. • Used to connect a word root and a suffix. • Not used to connect a prefix and a word root.

Examples of Combining • In the word men/o/pause • O is the combining vowel used between two word roots • In the medical term arthr/o/pathy • O is the combining vowel used between the word root arthr and the suffix -pathy (which means disease).

Now you try… • Arthroscope (instrument used to view joints) • Cytoplasm (material within a living cell) • Psychotherapy (treatment of mental disorder)

Decoding Medical Terms • The Steps: • Start with the suffix (and define) • Go to the prefix (and define) • Then, go to the middle of the word (and define the word root) • Combine the definitions

Example of Decoding • Intraneural • Suffix: al = pertaining to • Prefix: intra = within • Middle (root word): neur = nerve • Combine: pertaining to within a nerve

Homework • Handout: • Find the meaning to frequently used suffixes, prefixes and word roots. • ****** a helpful site**** • Msjensen.cehd.umn.edu • Look for the link to medical terminology

Medical Terminology