Medical Terminology Like a foreign language Terms describe

Medical Terminology

�Like a foreign language �Terms describe body in detail �Conveys the greatest quantity of information, with least confusion and most precision

�A single term can describe a disease, condition or procedure that might otherwise take several words �Example: appendectomy �Example: tendonitis

�Foundation of terms are Greek and Latin � 75% of all medical terms �Greeks were founder’s of modern medicine �Latin is the language of choice for medicine and science

�First medical dictionary appeared in 1830 s �Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 1890 �Rapid increase in knowledge increases need for new vocabulary �Impossible to learn ALL terms, but possible to figure out the words by breaking down the word parts �Learning basic word parts, helps interpret the meaning

Etymology �Science of the origin a development of words �Indicates origin and historical development �Helps find origin and historical development �Helps decipher words with Latin and Green origins

Eponyms �Words named after people �Parkinson’s diease-named after English physician James Parkinson �Lou Gehrig’s �Crohn’s disease

Acronyms/Abbreviations �Modern terms that stand for longer phrases �Used in many healthcare fields �Each medical facility has an approved list �Important to learn the meanings of abbreviations in facility in which you work �http: //www. delmarlearning. com/companions/content /1401852467/student_resources/termabbrev. pdf