JOSE A.S.SANTIAGO M.D.

Introduction Use of medical terms Increases accuracy and clarity of communications

Introduction Medical terms are used to describe: Parts of the body Locations in the body Bodily functions Diseases Surgical and clinical procedures Measurements, medical instruments, etc

Introduction Term Analysis -Organized approach to learning medical terms

Word Elements Prefixes First part of word Roots Middle part of word Suffixes Last part of word

How to analyze medical terms Start with suffix Next,look for prefix Not all words have a prefix Last step is the root Not all words have a root Only a prefix and suffix Some words have two roots

How to analyze medical terms Start with suffix Example: Periarthritis -itis –means inflammation

How to analyze medical terms Start with suffix Next look for prefix Not all words have a prefix In Periarthritis-peri Peri-means around

How to analyze medical terms Last step is the root. Periarthritis-arthr arthr-means joint

How to analyze medical terms Periarthritis- inflammation around a joint 1.Hip joint 2.Knee joint 3.Ankle joint 1

Combining Vowel Always a vowel Used to combine two roots Used to combine a root and a suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant Only purpose is to aid pronunciation

Combining Vowel Commonly used vowel-O Example: OSTEOARTHROPATHY

Combining Vowel Always a vowel Used to combine two roots Root 1-OSTE -bone Root 2-ARTHR –joint OSTEOARTHR –bone and joint

Combining Vowel Used to combine a root and a suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant Suffix- PATHY –means disease OSTEOARTHROPATHY-disease of the bone and joint

Combining Form Root plus a combining vowel Written as “root/combining vowel” Written with slash to indicated the combining vowel may or may not be used in medical term Combining forms are often easier to pronounce than the root alone

16 Plurals Usually based on which letters are at the end of a term Terms ending in “is” Change the “i” to an “e” Ex.:diagnosis-diagnoses pelvis-pelves

17 Plurals Terms ending in “us” Change the “us” to an “i” Examples: Calculus-calculi Bronchus-bronchi

18 Plurals Terms ending in “a” add “e” to “a” Examples: Sclera-sclerae (white of the eye) Scapula-scapulae (shoulder blade)

19 Plurals Terms ending in “um” change the “um” to “a” Example: Septum-septa (wall)

20 Plurals Terms ending in “nx” change “x” to “g” and add “es” Example: Phalanx-phalanges (bones of the finger)

21 Plurals Terms ending in “oma” or “on” Add “s” Examples: Adenoma-adenomas (swelling of glands) Ganglion-ganglions- (group of nerve cells)

22 Plurals Terms ending in “ax” change “ax” to “aces” Example: Thorax-thoraces (Chest)