Medical Terminology 醫用流體力學 Reference Cohen, B. J. (1998). Medical terminology; An illustrated guide. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers. Gyls, B.A. & Wedding, M.E. (1983). Medical Terminology: A Systems Approach. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis

Basic Elements of a Medical Word 1. Word Root 2. Combining Form 3. Suffix 4. Prefix These four parts of a word are known as ELEMENTS. Dr. Joel Gluck

Word Root Main part or foundation of a word. All words have at least one word root. A word root may be used alone or combined with other elements to form a complete word. i.e., SPEAK (word root) + ER (suffix) = SPEAKER (complete word)

The word root usually refers to a body part. Some root words are derived from the Latin or Greek language.

Word Root Examples “dent” means tooth “dermat” means skin “cardi” means heart “gastr” means stomach “pancreat” means pancreas

Combining Forms Correct pronunciation of medical words is important. In order to make the pronunciation of word roots easier, sometimes it is necessary to insert a vowel after the root. The combination of a word root and a vowel is known as a COMBINING FORM.

Combining forms consist of a combining vowel. The combining vowel is usually an “o”, but others may be used. IE: gastr / o pronounced GASTRO. Word root Combining vowel

When a word has more than one root, a combining vowel is used to link the root to each other. IE: osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ itis Word root Combining vowel Word root suffix Slashes separate elements

Word-Building System By understanding the meanings of word roots, one can determine the meaning of complex medical terms by putting together the smaller parts.

Leukocytopenia Word Roots: Leuk / (white) cyt / (cell) Combining Vowel / o / Suffix: / penia (decrease)

Suffixes A suffix is added to the END of a word root or combining form to modify its meaning. By adding a suffix to the end of a word root, we create a noun or adjective with a different meaning.

A combining vowel is used between a word root and a suffix that begins with a consonant (not a vowel). This is to make pronunciation easier. Word root: scler / (hardening) Suffix: / derma (skin) Term: Scler / o / derma (hardening of the skin) Combining vowel

Meanings of certain suffixes -al pertaining to dent/al (pertaining to teeth) -er one who speak/er (one who speaks) -able capable of being playable (capable of being played)

-oma (tumor) hematoma (blood tumor) NOTE: The element that comes before a suffix can either be a word root or combining form.

The suffixes -scope (instrument to view) -rrhexis (rupture) -rrhea (flow or discharge) all begin with a consonant, therefore a combining vowel must be used between the word root and the suffix.

The suffixes -algia (pain) -edema (swelling) -uria (urine, urination) These suffixes begin with a vowel, therefore a combining vowel is NOT used between the word root and the suffix.

REVIEW A combining vowel IS used to link one root to another root, and before a suffix that begins with a consonant. A combining vowel IS NOT used before a suffix that begins with a vowel.

Prefixes A prefix is a syllable or syllables placed BEFORE a word or word root to alter its meaning or create a new word. Some prefixes: Hyper- (excessive) Pre- (before) Post- (after) Homo- (same) Hypo- (under)

Hypoinsulinemia Hypo / insulin / emia Prefix Word root suffix LOW INSULIN BLOOD Notice that there is no combining vowel in this word because the prefix ends with a vowel and the suffix begins with a vowel.

Plurality To make a medical word plural (more than one), first look at the suffix. Then, choose the rule that changes the singular form to the plural form. The rules appear on page 18 of the text.

Chart of Prefixes a- without or notmal-bad ab-away frommedio-middle ad-to, towardmes-middle an-absence ofmeta-beyond, over ante-beforemicro-small antero-in frontortho-straight, correct anto-againstpara-beside bi-twopatho-disease brady-slowperi-outside, around dia-throughpoly-many dys-difficult, painfulpseudo-false

Chart of Prefixes endo-withinquadri-fourfold epi-uponretro-backward eu-well, goodsub-beneath ex-away fromsupra-above exo-outsidetachy-fast hyper-overtrans-across hypo-under or lesstri-three infra-belowultra-beyond intra-withinuni-single, one

Chart of Roots aden glandgasterstomach arteriaarteryhaemo, hemoblood arthrosjointheparliver aurisearhydrowater brachion armhysterawomb bronchuswindpipekystis, cystobladder cardiumheartlarynxthroat cephalosbrainmyelosmarrow cholecystgallbladdernasusnose colonintestinenephroskidney costaribneuron neuron craniumheadodonstooth dermaskinodyniapain

Chart of Roots enteronintestineoptikaseye epitheliumskinosbone esophaqus gulletosteonbone ostiummouth, orificepyretosfever otisearrenkidney pesfootrhinnose pharynx throatrhythmosrhythm phlebosveinspondylosvertebra pleuracheststomamouth pneumoneslungsthoraxchest psychemind tracheawindpipe pulmoneslungstrophenutrition pyelospelvisvenevein pyonpusvesicabladder

Chart of Suffixes -algia pain-emiablood -centesespuncture-iasisa process -clasiaremedy-itisinflammation -ectasisdilatation-omaswelling, tumor -ectomycut -sclerosishardening -edemaswelling

Relative position in medical usage Anteriorsituated in front of; forward part of Distalaway from the center of the body Dorsala position more toward the back of an object of reference Frontalsituated at the front Inferiorsituated or directed below Laterala position more toward the side of flank Proximaltoward the center of the body Sagital relating to the median plane of the body or parallel to it Superiorsituated or directed above

Anatomical terms Anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of human body and their physical relationships.

Amylolysisdigestion of starch Glucogenesisproduction of glucose Hydrocephalusexcess of fluid inside the skull Kalemiapresence of potassium in the blood Lactosurialactose in the urine Lipomabenign tumor containing fatty tissue Lithotriteinstrument for crushing a stone in the urinary bladder Natriuresisabnormal amounts of sodium in the urine Stearate a type of fat WordDefinition

Aboralaway from the mouth Adductionmovement of a limb toward a median line Adoralnear or directed toward the mouth (or) Alloantigenoccurs in some but not others of same species Allopathysecond disease, condition that is incompatible with first Antebrachiumforearm Antepartumbefore childbirth Antitoxicneutralizing the action of a poison Apophysisan outgrowth or projection, especially from a bone Contraceptionprevention of conception or pregnancy Dextrogastriadisplacement of the stomach to the right Diapedesisthe passage of blood through the walls of blood vessels Dissectto cut apart or separate the tissue of a body for study Dorsocephaladtoward the back of the head WordDefinition

Ecchondromaoutgrowth from cartilage, mass protruding from bone Encephalopathyany disease of the brain Endoderminnermost of the primary layers of the embryo Epicraniumthe muscle, aponeurosis, and skin covering the cranium Excementosisoutgrowth of root surface of a tooth Heterocellularoccurs in some but not others of the same species Heterotypicdifferent or unusual type Homeostasisstate of equilibrium in the body Homomorphictwo or more structures of similar size Infusionsteeping a substance in water Inhaleto draw in breath Laterotorsiontwisting to one side Levorotationturning or twisting to the left Opisthotonosa spasm in which the spine and extremities are bent WordDefinition

Perinataltime period before, during or after the time of birth Periodontal around a mouth Peroralthrough the mouth Postanaestheticafter anaesthetic Postnasalposterior of the nasal cavity Precapillarypreceding a capillary Predentinorganic fiber of dentin before its calcification Procephalicrelationing to the anterior part of the head Prochondraldevelopmental stage prior to formation of cartilage Recuperateto recover, to regain health and strength Rehydrationreturn of water to a system after its loss Retrogressionprevious, less complex conditions Schizonychiasplitting of the nails Schizophreniapersonality disorder, withdrawal from outside world Transfusiontransfer of blood WordDefinition

Ankylosis immobility of a joint due to a disease Brachygnathia abnormal shortness of the lower jaw Bradypnea abnormal slowness of breathing Chloroma greenish-yellow tumour arising from myeloid tissue Cirrhosis hardening of an organ, especially the liver Cyanopsia defect of vision in which objects appear tinged with blue Erythrocyte red blood cell Glaucoma group of eye diseases Kyphoscoliosis backward and lateral curvature of the spinal column Leukomyelitisinflammation of the white substance of the spinal chord Melanin dark pigment of the skin, hair, choroid coat of the eyes and various tumours. Orthodontist a dentist who specialists in the branch of dentistry concerned with irregularities of teeth and malocclusion Stenothorax abnormal narrowness of the chest Tachycardia abnormally rapid heart rate WordDefinition

Acardiacongential absence of the heart Ambilateralpertaining to or affecting both sides Amphibolichaving both an anabolic and catabolic function. Anisotropichaving unlike properties in different directions Diplopiaperception of two images of a singie object Hypodermicapplied below the skin Hyperthermiavery high body temperature Macrocephalyexcessive size of the head Megakaryocytethe giant cell of bone marrow containing a greatly lobulated nucleus, from which mature blood platelets orginate multi-infectionmany infections Oligotrophyinsufficient nutrition Inertlacking the power to move Isoenergeticexhibiting equal energy Pananxietya diffuse, all pervading anxiety Polyplegiaparalysis of several muscles Primigravidaa woman pregnant for the first time Protoneuronthe first neuron in a peripheral reflex arc WordDefinition