Copyright (c) The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. 5-1 Chapter 5 Medical Terminology

5-2 Objectives

Word Parts 5-3 Many medical terms originate from Greek and Latin words. Medical terms are made up of three main parts 1.Root word 2.Prefix 3.Suffix

Root Words All medical terms have a root word –Main part of a word –Conveys the body system, part, disease, or condition being discussed Some root words are complete words by themselves Many are combined with a prefix, suffix, and/or another root word 5-4

Prefixes Prefix –A syllable placed at the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning –When a prefix is written alone, a hyphen follows it. Prefix: a- or an- means without, absence of Root word: algesia means sensitivity to pain Analgesia means without pain 5-5

Suffixes Suffix –A syllable placed at the end of a root word to modify its meaning –When a suffix is written alone, a hyphen precedes it. Suffix: -itis means inflammation Root word: Gastr means stomach Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach 5-6

Combining Forms Combining vowel –Often added between a root word and suffix or between two word roots Combining form –The root word plus the combining vowel 5-7

Combining Forms Medical term: hematology Hemat / o / -logy Root Combining Suffix vowel Blood study of Hemat + o = combining form Hematology means the study of blood. 5-8

Plural Medical Terms In the English language, the plural form of a noun is often made by adding "s" or "es" to the root word. Examples –Joint Add s = joints –Virus Add es = viruses 5-9

Plural Medical Terms Medical terms derived from Greek or Latin words have different rules that must be applied when forming the plural form of the root word. Examples us – as in alveolus Drop the us and add i = alveoli a – as in vertebra Add an e = vertebrae 5-10

5-11 Body Positions and Directional Terms

5-12 Directional Terms

5-13 Body Positions Erect –Standing upright Supine –Lying flat on the back (face up) Prone –Lying facedown and flat Lateral recumbent –Lying on the side

5-14 Body Positions Fowler’s position –Lying on the back with upper body elevated at a 45- to 60-degree angle Semi-Fowler’s position –Sitting up with head at 45-degree angle High-Fowler’s position –Sitting upright at 90- degree angle

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms 5-15

Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviation –Shortened form of a word or name “abd” for abdominal Acronym –A word formed from the first letter or letters of several words CHF for congestive heart failure Use abbreviations and acronyms only if they are standard and approved by your EMS system. 5-16

Questions? 5-17