Introductio To Medical Terminology Basic Elements of a

Introductio To Medical Terminology

Basic Elements of a Medical Word 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Word Root Suffix Combining vowel Prefix Combining form Ø These four parts of a word are known as ELEMENTS

Word Root • All words have at least one word root. • A word root may be used alone or combined with other elements to form a complete word. • The word root usually refers to a body part. • Some root words are derived from the Latin or Greek language. IE: SPEAK (word root) + ER (suffix) = SPEAKER (complete word)

• • • • Stomato Dento Glosso/linguo Gingivo Encephalo Gastro Entero Colo Procto Hepato Nephro/rene Dermo Rhino = mouth = teeth = tongue = gums = brain = stomach = intestine = large intestine = anus/rectum = liver = kidney = skin = nose stomatitis dentist glossitis, lingual nerve gingivitis encephalitis gastroenteritis colitis, megacolon proctitis, proctologist hepatitis, patomegaly nephrosis, renal artery dermatitis rhinitis (runny nose!)

suffix • A suffix is added to the END of a word root or combining form to modify its meaning. • By adding a suffix to the end of a word root, we create a noun or adjective with a different meaning.

Suffixes

Combining vowel • A combining vowel is used between a word root and a suffix that begins with a consonant (not a vowel). • This is to make pronunciation easier. Word root: scler / (hardening) Suffix: / derma (skin) Term: Scler / o / derma Combining vowel (hardening of the skin)

Meanings of some certain suffixes Ø -al Ø -er Ø -able pertaining to dent/al (pertaining to teeth) one who speak/er (one who speaks) capable of being playable (capable of being played)

Ø Ø Ø -scope (instrument to view) -rrhexis (rupture) -rrhea (flow or discharge) -scopy/-scopic to look, bserve, colonoscopy (look into colon) -malacia Softening Osteomalacia -porosis Porous Osteoporosis -graphy/-graph recording an image mammography (imaging the breasts) -gram the image (X-ray) mammogram -megaly enlarged, megacolon (abnormally large colon = large intestine) -pexy surgical fixture -rrhaphy suture v all begin with a consonant, therefore a combining vowel must be used between the word root and the suffix.

Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø -algia/algesia (pain), Myalgia, arthralgia, analgesia -edema (swelling) -uria (urine, urination) -oma (tumor) hematoma (blood tumor) -itis inflammation tonsillitis, appendicitis -osis abnormal condition, cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or low oxygen) -osis abnormal hardening, Sclerosis -ology/-ologist study, specialize in, cardiologist, nephrologist (study of the heart, the kidneys) -otomy cutting into -ostomy surgical create an opening v These suffixes begin with a vowel, therefore a combining vowel is NOT used between the word root and the suffix.

Singular & Plural Endings Words ending -a -ax - ex or -ix -is -ma -nx -on -us -um -y Singular vertebra thorax appendix apex metastasis diagnosis testis sarcoma phalanx ganglion nucleus ovum biopsy plural vertebrae thoraces appendices apices metastases diagnoses testes sarcomata phalanges ganglia nuclei ova biopsies

Determining Meanings on the Basis of Word Parts An example to take apart

Prefixes

A prefix is a syllable or syllables placed BEFORE a word or word root to alter its meaning or create a new word. Some prefixes: Ø Hyper(excessive) Ø Hypo(under) Ø Pre(before) Ø Peri(around) Ø Post(after) Ø Homo(same) Ø Hemi (half) Ø A/an (without), noneanemia(literally no blood but means few red cells) Ø Micro (small), microstomia Ø Macro/mega (large), (abnormally largemouth), macrostomia

ØUltraØIntraØContraØAntiØAnteØTransØRetroØCircumØDiaØNeoØDysØAutoØBradyØTachy- in excess or beyond within against before, in front of across behind around through new painful, difficult self slow fast

Hypoinsulinemia Hypo / insulin / emia Prefix Low Root Insulin Suffix Blood • Notice that there is no combining vowel in this word because the prefix ends with a vowel and the suffix begins with a vowel

Combining Forms • Correct pronunciation of medical words is important. • In order to make the pronunciation of word roots easier, sometimes it is necessary to insert a vowel after the root. • The combination of a word root and a vowel is known as a COMBINING FORM. • Combining forms consist of a combining vowel. • The combining vowel is usually an “o”, but others may be used. IE: gastr / o pronounced GASTRO. Word root combining vowel

When a word has more than one root, a combining vowel is used to link the root to each other. Slashes separate elements IE: Osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ itis R C R Suffix

• By understanding the meanings of word roots, one can determine the meaning of complex medical terms by putting together the smaller parts. Leukocytopenia Word Roots: Leuk / (white) cyt / Combining Vowel Suffix: /o/ / penia (cell) (decrease)

Directional Terms üAnterior/Posterior üInferior/Superior üProximal/Distal üCephal/Caudal üVentral/Dorsal üLateral/Medial • (Terms that locate position of structures, surfaces, and regions of the body)

Abbreviations • • • • • BP CBC CT ECG EENT HR ICU MI MRI NEG ROM Rx stat. Sx Tx US y/o s a blood pressure complete blood count computerized tomography EKG electrocardiogram Ear, eyes, nose, throat heart rate intensive care unit myocardial infarction magnetic resonance imaging negative range of motion prescription immediately, at once symptoms treatment ultrasound years old without before (ante) • • • p after (post) x times (i. e. 3 x week) > greater than < less than = equals + plus, positive minus, negative ~ approximately down: decrease up: incre

The Questions!

q Body Structure q Integumentary System q Gastrointestinal System q Respiratory System q Cardiovascular System q Blood, Lymph, and mmune Systems q Musculoskeletal System q Genitourinary System q Female Reproductive System q Endocrine System q Nervous System q Special Senses

References • http: //www. slideshare. net/whitchur/introduction-to-medicalterminology-10846551 • Medical terminology, barbara cohen

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