Introduction to Medical Terminology

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY The process of dividing medical words into component parts. Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember. The process of dividing medical words into component parts. Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember.

ORIGINSORIGINS Word parts generally come from two language origins: Greek Latin Word parts generally come from two language origins: Greek Latin

5 BASIC WORD PARTS Root word Suffix Prefixes Combining vowel Combining form Root word Suffix Prefixes Combining vowel Combining form

ROOT WORD Root Word – foundation of the word, usually indicates the involved body part Examples: cardi -  cephal – gastr – cyt – A medical term can have one or more root words. Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest Root Word – foundation of the word, usually indicates the involved body part Examples: cardi -  cephal – gastr – cyt – A medical term can have one or more root words. Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest

SUFFIXESSUFFIXES Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder or disease. Read from the suffix backwards to the root word for the correct meaning. Suffixes can be nouns or adjectives All medical words have suffixes (star or asterick this point) Examples: -itis-ic-logy-lysis Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder or disease. Read from the suffix backwards to the root word for the correct meaning. Suffixes can be nouns or adjectives All medical words have suffixes (star or asterick this point) Examples: -itis-ic-logy-lysis

PREFIXESPREFIXES Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number Not all medical words have prefixes Examples: a- pre- hyper- sub- Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number Not all medical words have prefixes Examples: a- pre- hyper- sub-

COMBINING VOWELS AND FORMS Combining Vowel A vowel that links two word parts together Usually an ‘o’ Has no meaning of it’s own (EX - cardi/o/thoracic) Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel Examples: Hemat/o – Cardi/o – Gastr/o – Oste/o – Combining Vowel A vowel that links two word parts together Usually an ‘o’ Has no meaning of it’s own (EX - cardi/o/thoracic) Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel Examples: Hemat/o – Cardi/o – Gastr/o – Oste/o –

RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS 1. When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel. Example – hemat/o/logy 2. When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel. Example – gastr/itis (incorrect would be gastroitis) 1. When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel. Example – hemat/o/logy 2. When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel. Example – gastr/itis (incorrect would be gastroitis)

RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS 3. A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined. Example – cardi/o/thorac/ic 4. A prefix does not require a combining vowel Example – epi/gastr/ic

TAKING TERMS APART Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces. Start at the suffix (all medical terms will have one) Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical terms will have one) Locate the root words (there may be more than one) Identify the meaning of each word part as you separate them Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces. Start at the suffix (all medical terms will have one) Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical terms will have one) Locate the root words (there may be more than one) Identify the meaning of each word part as you separate them

TAKING TERMS APART Remember! If you have any doubt about the correct meaning of a word, use a medical dictionary (appendix, internet) to double check the definition.

SPELLLINGSPELLLING In medicine, spelling is critical!!! One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed Example – ilium (bone in the hip) and ileum (part of the small intestine) – what would happen if you ordered the wrong test?? In medicine, spelling is critical!!! One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed Example – ilium (bone in the hip) and ileum (part of the small intestine) – what would happen if you ordered the wrong test??