Basic Word Structure Chapter 1 Pages 1 – 32

Objectives in Studying the Medical Language Pages 2 – 3 Objectives in Studying the Medical Language Analyze words by dividing them into component parts Learn the tools of word analysis Do not memorize terms Jigsaw puzzles: These pieces can be shuffled up Be familiar with the meaning of word parts There are three objectives when studying medical terminology 1. Analyze words by dividing them into component parts Learn the tools of word analysis that will make understanding complex terminology easier. Do not simply memorize terms; think about dividing terms into their component parts. Medical terms are like jigsaw puzzles in that they are constructed of small pieces that make each word unique, with one major difference: These pieces can be shuffled up and used in lots of combinations to make other words. Become familiar with word parts and learn what each means

Objectives (Cont’d) Pages 2 – 3 Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body Memorization of terms NOT primary objective Proper context makes it easier to remember Relate the medical terms to the structure & function of the human body Memorization of terms, although essential to retention of the language, should not become the primary objective of your study. Medical terms explained in their proper context will be easier to remember. Thus, the term hepatitis, meaning inflammation (-itis) of the liver (hepat), is better understood when you know where the liver is & how it functions.

Objectives (Cont’d) Pages 2 – 3 Be aware of spelling and pronunciation problems Pronounced alike but are spelling differently Misunderstood if pronounced incorrectly Be aware of spelling & pronunciation problems. Some medical terms are pronounced alike but are spelling differently, which accounts for their different meanings. Even when terms are spelled correctly, they can be misunderstood if incorrect pronunciation. For example, ilium and ileum have identical pronunciations, but the first term ilium, means a part of the hip bone, whereas the second term, ileum, refers to a part of the small intestine. For example, the urethra is the tube leading for the urinary bladder to the outside of the body, whereas a ureter is one of two tubes each leading from a single kidney & inserting into the urinary bladder.

Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Root = the foundation of the word Suffix = the word ending Prefix = beginning of the word Combining vowel (usually o) = it joins one word part to another. Combining form = the root plus the combining vowel. Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language. Breaking the complex words into their basic parts should make them easier to understood. First lets go over some definitions and rules before we start to analyze words. Root = the foundation of the word; medical terms can have one or more roots Suffix = the word ending; All medical terms have one Prefix = beginning of the word; not all medical terms contain prefixes Combining vowel (usually o) = a vowel that has no meaning of its own; it joins one word part to another. Combining form = the root plus the combining vowel.

Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Three general rules: READ from the suffix → beginning and across DROP the combining vowel if suffix begins with a vowel gastritis ≠ gastroitis KEEP combining vowel between two roots gastroenterology ≠ gastrenterology Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language. Three general rules: 1) READ the meaning of medical terms from the suffix back to the beginning of the term and across. 2) DROP the combining vowel (usually o) before a suffix beginning with a vowel; gastritis, not “gastroitis” 3) KEEP the combining vowel between two roots; gastroenterology, not “gastrenterology”

Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 means inflammation of the stomach Gastritis Root: gastr = stomach Combining vowel: none Suffix: –itis = inflammation Gastroenterology Root: enter = intestines Combining vowel: o Suffix: –logy = process of study means inflammation of the stomach means process of study of the stomach and intestines Gastritis Root: gastr = stomach Combining vowel: no combining vowel Suffix: –itis = inflammation Gastroenterology Root: enter = intestines Combining vowel: o Suffix: –logy = process of study

Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 means process of study of blood hematology Root: hemat = blood Combining vowel: o Suffix: –logy = process of study Electrocardiogram Root: electr = electricity Root: cardi = heart Suffix: –gram = record means process of study of blood means record of the electricity in the heart hematology Root: hemat = blood Combining vowel: o Suffix: –logy = process of study Electrocardiogram Root: electr = electricity Root: cardi = heart Suffix: –gram = record

Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Hypogastric Prefix: hypo– = below Root: gastr = stomach Suffix: –ic = pertaining to Epigastric Prefix: epi– = above means pertaining to below the stomach means pertaining to above the stomach Hypogastric Prefix: hypo– = below Root: gastr = stomach Suffix: –ic = pertaining to Epigastric Prefix: epi– = above