1 Intro to Medical Terminology

Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY  The

process of dividing medical words into component parts.  Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember.

ORIGINS Word

parts generally come from two language origins:  Greek  Latin

5 BASIC WORD PARTS  Root

word  Suffix  Prefixes  Combining vowel  Combining form

ROOT WORD  

 

Root Word – foundation of the word, usually indicates the involved body part Examples:  cardi -   cephal –  gastr –  cyt – A medical term can have one or more root words. Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest

SUFFIXES Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder or disease.  Read from the suffix backwards to the root word for the correct meaning.  Suffixes can be nouns or adjectives  All medical words have suffixes  Examples: -itis -ic -logy -lysis 

PREFIXES Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number  Not all medical words have prefixes  Examples: 

a pre hyper sub

COMBINING VOWELS AND FORMS Combining Vowel  A vowel that links two word parts together  Usually an ‘o’  Has no meaning of it’s own

Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel  Examples:  Hemat/o –  Cardi/o –  Gastr/o –  Oste/o –

RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS 1.

When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel.  Example

2.

– hemat/o/logy

When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel.  Example

– gastr/itis

RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS 3. A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined.  Example

– cardi/o/thorac/ic

4. A prefix does not require a combining vowel  Example

– epi/gastr/ic

TAKING TERMS APART 

Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces. Start at the suffix (all medical terms will have one)  Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical terms will have one)  Locate the root words (there may be more than one)  Identify the meaning of each word part as you separate them 

TAKING TERMS APART Remember! If you have any doubt about the correct meaning of a word, use a medical dictionary (appendix, internet) to double check the definition.

SPELLLING 

In medicine, spelling is critical!!!



One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed



Examples – ilium and ileum, PAC and PVC, etc…

TIME TO PRACTICE!!! 1.

In order to break words into their component parts, you will need to become familiar with Appendix A in your textbook (starting on page 293).

2.

Write the following words on your paper leaving 4 spaces between words: • Hyperthermia  Endocardium  Pneumonia • Gastroenteritis

3.

Using the appendix, break each word into word parts by placing a line in between the breaks (a / pnea)

4.

Then, define the meaning of each word part by using the definition in the appendix (a = no, not, without and -pnea = breathing)

5.

Finally, write the definition of each medical word (apnea = without breathing or no breathing)