Medical Terminology Unit 1 1 Identify the three

Medical Terminology Unit 1 1

Identify the three types of word parts found in medical terms � Define the commonly used prefixes, word roots and suffixes � Discuss the rules for combining medical terms � Recognize the importance of correctly spelling medical terms � Recognize how to change a medical term to its plural form. � Recognize the importance of using correct abbreviations for medical terms � Differentiate between terms and word parts that look -alike or sound-alike � Acquire strategies for using a medical dictionary � Define basic medical terms � 2

� Learning Medical Terminology is easy �Know definitions of word roots (combining forms “/o”) �Know definitions of prefixes �Know definition of suffixes �Understand how to put word parts together �Know how to define medical terms 3

� Word Roots � Suffixes � Prefixes 4

� Also known as combining forms � Foundation of most medical terms � Contain basic meaning of the word � Usually indicate body part involved � Cannot stand alone �Suffix � Some must be added indicate color 5

� Ot/o – Ear � Hepat/o – Liver � Rhin/o – Nose � Oste/o - Bone � Cardi/o – Heart � My/o – Muscle � Neur/o - Nerve 6

� Must be added to all words � Rules for using combining vowels apply � Always added to end of word root � Indicate �Procedure �Condition �Disorder �Disease 7

�A prefix always comes before word Root � Usually indicates �Location �Time �Number �Status � Changes the meaning of the word 8

� Added between root & suffix or between two word roots � Make it easier to say medical term � Most common vowel is “o” � Combining Form Examples �Cardi/o �Leuk/o 9

� Combining Vowel is NOT used when the suffix begins with vowel (a, e, i, o, u) � Root Suffix Neur/o -itis = Neuritis � itis begins with ‘i’ (vowel) � Combining vowel not used – o is dropped 10

� Combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with consonant � Root Neur/o � Combining Suffix -plasty = Neuroplasty Vowel ‘o’ is used 11

� Combining vowel is always used when joining two or more roots Root Suffix gastr/o enter/o -itis = Gastroenteritis � Roots gastr/o & enter/o are added together �Combining vowel ‘o’ used � Root enter/o & suffix -itis �Combining vowel not needed-suffix starts with vowel � 12

� A prefix does not require the use of a combining vowel. � The prefix is added to the front of the first word root Prefix word root suffix pericardi/o -centesis = pericardiocentesis � � No combining form is used after the prefix peri, but is used after the word root cardi/o, because the suffix –centesis starts with a consonant. 13

� Completes term by changing root to an adjective form � ac - al - ary - eal - ical - ial � ic - ine - ior - ory - ous - tic 14

Noun endings � Completes term by changing root to noun form. �a - e - um - us - y – ia – ism 15

� -osis and -esis 16

� Describes specific disease conditions � algia - dynia - itis - malacia � megaly - necrosis - sclerosis 17

� Identify procedure performed on body part � -centesis / -ectomy / -graphy -gram / -plasty / -scopy 18

� -rrhage & -rrhagia �A bursting forth, An abnormal excessive fluid discharge or bleeding Hemorrhage- Loss of large amount of blood in a short time � -rrhea �Abnormal flow or discharge of body fluids Diarrhea-abnormally frequent loose watery stool 19

� -rrhaphy �To suture or stitch Myorrhaphy- To suture a muscle wound � -rrhexis �Rupture Myorrhexis- Rupture of a muscle 20

� � Knowing meaning of WORD Parts helps in figuring out meaning of a term Separate term into word Parts Example: prenatal Prefix Root pre- nat/o before � birth Suffix -al pertaining to Begin your definition with the suffix, follow with the prefix and then the word root. Definition: pertaining to the time before birth 21

otorhinolaryngology Root Suffix ot/o rhin/o laryng/o -ology ear nose throat study of Definition: study of the ears, nose & throat � � tonsillectomy Root Suffix tonsill/o -ectomy tonsil Surgical removal of Definition: surgical removal of tonsils Remember to start you definition first with the suffix, then the prefix (if one) and finally the word root. 22

� Used to assist with term definition � Helps to master correct use of terms � Helps to determine correct meaning of word � Helps to identify correct spelling of term 23

� Write term down � Could be alternate spelling for same sound � Sounds Like May begin with EX F F flatus PH phlegm J G gingivitis J jaundice 24

Sounds Like K May begin with C CH K QU Example crepitus cholera kyphosis quadriplegia 25

Sounds Like S Z May begin with C PS S X Z Example cytology psychologist serology xeroderma zygote 26

Singular ending Plural ending example -a -ae Bursae -ex or –ix -ices Appendix Appendices -is -es Diagnosis Diagnoses -itides Arthritides -nx -nges Phalanx phalanges -on -a Ganglion Ganglia -us -I Alveolus Alveoli 27

� Spell all Medical Terms accurately � Changing just one letter can completely change meaning � Could mean life or death to patient � Example: ileum (part of small intestine) or ilium (part of pelvis) 28

Used as a medical shorthand q Can lead to confusion & errors q Caution when using or translating them q BE Below elbow & Barium enema q Be familiarwith institution guidelines q “When it doubt…write it out. (write out the words if you think there could be any misinterpretation of an abbreviation. q 29

� Sign �Evidence of disease - Fever, Cough Observed by Patient & Other Objective: Evaluated & Measured by others � Symptom �Felt by patient only - Headache / Pain �Subjective: Evaluated by Patient only 30

� Syndrome �Set of Signs & Symptoms �Occur together �Part of a Specific Disease �Examples Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fatigue Syndrome 31

� Diagnosis �Identification of the disease Congested Heart Failure / Appendicitis Upper Respiratory Disease / Hepatitis B � Differential Diagnosis �Attempt to diagnosis which of several possible diseases all producing same symptoms �Hepatitis A, B, or C � Prognosis �Prediction or Forecast of the probable course or outcome of disease 32

� Acute �Rapid Onset / Severe Course / Short Duration Appendicitis / Upper Respiratory Infection � Chronic �Long duration / Usually controlled Hypertension / Diabetes / Cardiac Disease 33

� Remission �Partial or Complete Disappearance of Symptoms of disease without a cure �Usually Temporary �Leukemia / Cancer 34

� Named for Condition � Chronic Fatigue Syndrome � Fetal Alcohol Syndrome � Eponym (EP-oh-nim) � Named: Person who Discovered-Described it � Ex: Alzheimer’s Disease: Neurologist � Acronym Word formed by using initial letter(s) of compound term � Ex: �LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation 35

Confusing Medical Terminology � Arteri/o = Artery � Ather/o = Plaque or Fatty Substance � Arthr/o = Joint � Ileum = Part of Small Intestine � Ilium = Part of the Hip Bone 36

� Infection = Invasion of body by pathogenic organism, local or systemic � Inflammation = Local response to injury or destruction of tissue � Laceration = Torn, Ragged wound � Lesion = Pathological change of tissue due to injury or trauma 37

� Mucous (adj. ) = Specialized membranes that line body cavities � Mucus (n. ) = Substance secreted by the mucous membranes � Myc/o = Fungus � Myel/o = Bone Marrow or Spinal Cord � My/o = Muscle 38

� -ologist = Specialist �Radiologist-MD reads X-Rays �Cardiologist- MD treats conditions of heart � -ology = Study of �Radiology – Study of X-Ray therapy �Cardiology – Study of the Heart conditions �Neonatology – Study of newborn conditions 39

� -ostomy = Creation of artificial opening �Tracheostomy – Creating opening in Trachea �Colostomy – Creating an opening in Colon � -otomy = Surgical Incision �Thoracotomy – Incision in Chest cavity �Colotomy - Incision into Colon ***these two word parts are VERY commonly confused. Take extra time to memorize these 40

� Palpation- to examine the patient with one’s hands � Palpitation- a pounding or racing heart 41

� Prostate = Male Gland under the urinary bladder � Prostrate = To collapse or lying Flat � Supination = Rotation of arm with palm of hand forward � Suppuration = Formation or discharge of pus 42

� Suturing = Act of closing a wound or incision by stitching � Ligation = Act of binding or tying off blood vessels or ducts � Triage = Medical Screening of patients to determine priority of need � Trauma = Wound or Injury 43

� Viral = Pertaining to a virus � Virile = Possessing masculine traits 44

� Hypotension: low blood pressure � Hypertension: high blood pressure � Addiction: a strong dependence on a drug or substance. � Edema: Excessive build-up of fluid � Intramuscular: within the muscle � Phalanx: Finger or toe (plural phalanges) � Gerontology: study of aging (old age) � Gerontologist: specialist in the treatment of aging individuals. 45

The End There is no substitute for daily preparation! Review your flashcards every day. 46