2. Medical Terminology and Disease8
Medical Terminology and Disease

3. Word Elements for Medical Terms
word root—the body of the word (cardi, arthr, mast)
prefix—before word root (intra-, trans-)
suffix—after word root (-logy, -gram)
combining vowel—joins two word roots (electr-o-cardi-o-gram)
combining form—word root plus combining vowel (osteo, electro)

4. Combining Word Elements
Once you are familiar with word elements, you can combine them to build medical terms.
Most singular and plural endings follow Greek and Latin rules.

5. Discuss
Break the following words into their word elements, and then derive their meaning:
polycystic
poly/cyst/ic—having many cysts
mastectomy
mast/ectomy–removal of breast
transurethral
trans/urethr/al—through the urethra

6. Medical Terms pronunciation
ch often sounds like k
g sounds like j when g comes before e, i, and y
pn sounds like n
ps sounds like s
correct spelling—utmost importance in medical terminology
medical abbreviations vary by facility

7. Body Cavities spaces in body that house internal organs
two main cavities
dorsal
ventral

8. Body Cavities

9. Anatomical Position

10. Other Body Positions
Prone Supine

11. Other Body Positions
Fowler’s
Lateral

12. Body Directions and Movements
proximal
abduction
adduction
flexion
extension
anterior/ventral
posterior/dorsal
superior
inferior
distal

13. Discuss
What are some examples of abduction and adduction? Demonstrate.

14. Body Planes
sagittal
midsagittal/median
coronal
transverse

15. Medical Specialties
areas of focus practiced by medical professionals, named according to a body system

16. What Is Disease?
a disorder or abnormal condition in some part of the body’s structure or function
an important purpose of medicine is to treat disease

17. What Is Diagnosis?
made by studying medical history and symptoms, performing physical exam, and analyzing results
involves diagnostic testing, identifying treatment options, and classifying disease
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18. Types of Disease hereditary disease (abnormalities in genes)
congenital disease (birth defects)
environmental disease (exposure to harmful factors in environment)
nutritional disease (inability or failure to consume proper nutrients)

19. Types of Disease infectious disease (pathogenic microorganisms)
degenerative disease (deterioration of tissue/organs over time)
trauma (physical injury by accident or violence)

20. Discuss
Write the first three diseases that come to your mind. What types of diseases are they?

21. Cancer abnormal growth of cells multiplying rapidly in the body
metastasis—spread of cancerous cells
malignant—used to describe an active, life-threatening tumor

22. Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
change in bowel or bladder habits
a sore that doesn’t heal
unusual bleeding or discharge
thickening or lump in breast, testicles, or elsewhere
indigestion or difficulty swallowing
obvious change in size, color, shape or thickness of wart, mole, or mouth sore
nagging cough or hoarseness