2. Introductio To Medical Terminology

4. Basic Elements of a Medical Word
Word Root
Suffix
Combining vowel
Prefix
Combining form
These four parts of a word are known as ELEMENTS

5. Word Root 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.
The word root usually refers to a body part.
Some root words are derived from the Latin or Greek language.
IE: SPEAK (word root) + ER (suffix) = SPEAKER (complete word)

7. Stomato = mouth stomatitis
Dento = teeth dentist
Glosso/linguo = tongue glossitis, lingual nerve
Gingivo = gums gingivitis
Encephalo = brain encephalitis
Gastro = stomach gastritis
Entero = intestine gastroenteritis
Colo = large intestine colitis, megacolon
Procto = anus/rectum proctitis, proctologist
Hepato = liver hepatitis, patomegaly
Nephro/rene = kidney nephrosis, renal artery
Dermo = skin dermatitis
Rhino = nose rhinitis (runny nose!)

8. suffix
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.

9. Suffixes

11. Combining vowel
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

15. Meanings of some 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)

16. -scope (instrument to view)
-rrhexis (rupture)
-rrhea (flow or discharge)
-scopy/-scopic to look, bserve,colonoscopy (look into colon)
-malacia Softening Osteomalacia
-porosis Porous Osteoporosis
-graphy/-graph recording an image mammography (imaging the breasts)
-gram the image (X-ray) mammogram
-megaly enlarged, megacolon (abnormally large colon = large intestine)
-pexy surgical fixture
-rrhaphy suture
all begin with a consonant, therefore a combining vowel must be used between the word root and the suffix.

17. -algia/algesia (pain), Myalgia, arthralgia, analgesia
-edema (swelling)
-uria (urine, urination)
-oma (tumor) hematoma (blood tumor)
-itis inflammation tonsillitis, appendicitis
-osis abnormal condition, cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or low oxygen)
-osis abnormal hardening, Sclerosis
-ology/-ologist study, specialize in, cardiologist, nephrologist (study of the heart, the kidneys)
-otomy cutting into
-ostomy surgical create an opening
These suffixes begin with a vowel, therefore a combining vowel is NOT used between the word root and the suffix.

19. Singular & Plural Endings
Words ending Singular plural
-a vertebra vertebrae
-ax thorax thoraces
- ex or -ix appendix appendices
apex apices
-is metastasis metastases
diagnosis diagnoses
testis testes
-ma sarcoma sarcomata
-nx phalanx phalanges
-on ganglion ganglia
-us nucleus nuclei
-um ovum ova
-y biopsy biopsies

20. Determining Meanings on the Basis of Word Parts
An example to take apart

21. Prefixes

22. A/an (without), noneanemia(literally no blood but means few red cells)
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)
Hypo (under)
Pre (before)
Peri (around)
Post (after)
Homo (same)
Hemi (half)
A/an (without), noneanemia(literally no blood but means few red cells)
Micro (small), microstomia
Macro/mega (large), (abnormally largemouth), macrostomia

23. Ultra- in excess or beyond
Intra within
Contra against
Anti against
Ante before, in front of
Trans across
Retro behind
Circum- around
Dia through
Neo new
Dys painful, difficult
Auto self
Brady slow
Tachy fast

24. Hypoinsulinemia Hypo / insulin / emia Low Insulin Blood
Prefix 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

26. Combining Forms IE: gastr / o pronounced GASTRO.
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

27. When a word has more than one root, a combining vowel is used to link the root to each other.
Slashes separate elements
IE: Osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ itis
R C R Suffix

28. Leukocytopenia cyt / (cell)
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)

31. Directional Terms Anterior/Posterior Inferior/Superior Proximal/Distal
Cephal/Caudal
Ventral/Dorsal
Lateral/Medial
(Terms that locate position of structures, surfaces, and regions of the body)

35. Abbreviations BP blood pressure p after (post)
CBC complete blood count
x times (i.e. 3 x week)
CT computerized tomography
> greater than
ECG EKG electrocardiogram
< less than
EENT Ear,eyes,nose, throat
= equals
HR heart rate
+ plus, positive
ICU intensive care unit
- minus, negative
MI myocardial infarction
~ approximately
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
down:decrease up:incre
NEG negative
ROM range of motion
Rx prescription
stat. immediately, at once
Sx symptoms
Tx treatment
US ultrasound
y/o years old
s without
a before (ante)

36. The Questions!

44. Body Structure
Integumentary System
Gastrointestinal System
Respiratory System
Cardiovascular System
Blood, Lymph, and mmune Systems
Musculoskeletal System
Genitourinary System
Female Reproductive System
Endocrine System
Nervous System
Special Senses

45. References
Medical terminology, barbara cohen

46. Thank You