Introduction to Medical Terminology TEST 1-1

Word Parts are the Key

The 4 types of Word Parts 1. Word Roots 2. Combining Forms (combining vowels) 3. Suffixes 4. Prefixes

Word Part Guidelines Can a word root stand alone? ◦If not, what must be present? The rule for creating a combining form (root form) applies when a suffix beginning with a ? is added to a root. Is a prefix always necessary? ◦If it is, where is it placed?

Word Roots Foundation of most medical terms Usually, but not always, describe ?. Combining form vowels are added to the end of a root to ?. The most common combining vowel is ?. When a word root is show alone as a combining form (word form), it will include a ? and its combing vowel.

Suffixes Where is the suffix found? Suffixes usually, but not always, indicate ◦A ?, ?, ? or ? Example: Tonsill/o= ? The suffix will tell what is happening to the ? Tonsillectomy= ? Tonsillitis= ?

Suffixes as Noun Endings A noun is a word that is the name of a ?. In medical terminology, some suffixes change the word root into a noun… Example: Crani= ?, -um= ?, Cranium Common Noun Suffixes: -a, -e, -um (singular noun ending), -us (singular noun ending), -y

Suffixes Meaning “Pertaining To” An adjective is a word that ? And ?. Example: Cardi/o + -ac = Cardiac Common Suffixes Meaning Pertaining To: -ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ical, -ial, -ic, -ine, -ior, -ory, -ous, -tic

Suffixes Meaning Abnormal Condition or Disease Common Suffixes Meaning Abnormal Condition or Disease: -ago, -esis, -ia, -iasis, -ion, -ism, -osis

Suffixes Related to Pathology Definition Common Pathology Suffixes: -algia, -dynia, -it is, -malacia, -megaly, -necrosis, -sclerosis, -stenosis

Suffixes Related To Procedures Common Procedural Suffixes: -centesis, -graphy, -gram, -plasty, -scopy

The “Double R” Suffixes Common “Double R” Suffixes -rrhage/-rrhagia, -rrhaphy, -rrhea, -rrhexis

Prefixes Added to the beginning of a word to influence the meaning of the term. Usually, but not always, indicate ?, ?, or ?. Common Prefixes pre-, peri-, post-

Contrasting and Confusing Prefixes ab- and ad- dys- and eu- hyper- and hypo- inter- and intra- sub- and super-/supra-

Determining Meanings on the Basis of Word Parts Take the term apart. -Start at the suffix and work your way to the front. As you separate the word parts, identify the meaning of them. When word parts have more than one meaning, you may have to determine the context in which it is used. When in doubt, use a medical dictionary. Be aware that not all medical terms are made up of word parts.

Example: Otorhinolaryngology Suffix=ology= _____________ Word root laryng= ______________ Combining form rhin/o= __________ Combining form ot/o= ____________

Guessing at Meanings and Using the Medical Dictionary If you attempt to guess, always verify (remember some words have multiple meanings) Example: Lithotomy Knowing how to use a medical dictionary (either traditional or electronic) is important. With an unfamiliar source, spend a few minutes reviewing the user’s guide, table of contents, and appendix.

Medical Dictionary: When You Know How to Spell It! Based on the first letter of the term, use the top of the pages to direct you to the appropriate section of the dictionary. (Top left is 1 st word; top right is last word on that page) Next, look alphabetically with the following letters of the term. When you think you have found it, check the spelling carefully by reading from left to right (similar spellings have different meanings) When you find the term, carefully check all definitions to ensure the correct meaning is there.

Medical Dictionary: When You Don’t Know How to Spell It! Listen carefully to the term and write it down; if no luck, begin using alternative spellings based on beginning sound.

If it sounds like:It may begin with:Example FF PH Flatus Phlegm JGJGJ Gingivitis Jaundice KC CH K QU Crepitus Cholera Kyphosis Quadriplegia SC PS S Cytology Psychologist Serum ZXZXZ Xeroderma Zygote NN PN Nosocomial Pneumonia

Medical Dictionary: Look Under Categories For example, disorders are grouped with the terms in their names, such as: Venereal Disease would be found under Disease, Venereal Fetal Alcohol Syndrome would be found under Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol

Medical Dictionary: Multiple Word Terms Begin your search with the last term, if no luck there, move forward to the next term Example: Congestive Heart Failure may be under Heart Failure, Congestive

Searching for Definitions on the Internet Use reliable sites for medical term spellings and definitions. Reliable sites can also help you to master the pronunciation of a word. Example: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Pronunciation A term is easier to understand and remember when pronounced correctly. Caution: there is often more than one correct way to pronounce medical terms ◦Typically based on Greek, Latin, or other foreign origin; however, there is a trend toward pronouncing terms as they are said in English.

Is Spelling Always Important? ◦EXTREMELY!!!! ◦Changing one letter of a word can completely change the meaning to a life or death situation. ◦Be aware of Look-Alike Sound-Alike words ◦There may be alternative spellings in different countries.

Using Abbreviations A shorthand way of writing long and complex medical terms Often lead to confusion and errors! Example: BE Facilities have policies on “Accepted Abbreviations” If in doubt….. SPELL IT OUT!!!

Singular and Plural Endings Rule is based on its origin- Add an –e to words ending in –a axilla - axillae Drop the –ax at the end of a word and add –aces thorax – thoraces Change the –x to –g in words ending in –nx and add –es phalanx – phalanges

Singular and Plural Endings Drop the –ix or –ex at the end of the word and add –ices apex – apices, appendix – appendices  Drop the –y at the end of a word and add –ies myringotomy – myringotomies Drop the –us at the end of a word and add an –i alveolus – alveoli

Singular and Plural Endings Drop the –on at the end of a word and add–a ganglion– ganglia Drop the –is at the end of a word and add –es metastasis – metastases Drop the –um at the end of the word & add–a ischium– ischia Drop the –ma at the end of a word and add – mata stoma– stomata

Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases Sign, Symptom, Syndrome Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis, Prognosis Acute, Chronic, Remission Disease, Eponym, Acronym

Look-Alike Sound-Alike Words/Terms Arteri/o, ather/o, arthr/o -ectomy, -ostomy, otomy Myc/o, myel/o, my/o -ologist, -ology Pyel/o, py/o, pyr/o

Look-Alike Sound-Alike Words/Terms Fissure and fistula Ileum and ilium Infection and inflammation Laceration and lesion Mucous and mucus Palpation and palpitation Prostate and prostrate Supination and suppuration Triage and trauma Viral and virile

Abbreviations related to the Intro of Medical Terminology c/o Hx PMH Dx IM, IV, SQ Px Tx (See handout for additional abbreviations)