1. Chapter 10: Medical Terminology Basics

2. Introduction Greek & Latin influences
Understanding medical terminology:
Adds precision
Helps prevent medical mistakes

3. Word Parts Root Suffix Prefix
Fundamental element of every medical term
Establishes basic meaning
Suffix
Short element added to end of root to modify its meaning
Prefix
Short element added before root to modify its meaning

4. Word Parts (cont’d)
Most medical terms are composed of roots, suffixes, & prefixes

5. Word Parts (cont’d) Root and Combining Form Basis for term’s meaning
Most derived from Greek or Latin
Compound word: contains more than one root
Vowel (usually o) inserted between root & suffix
Example: cardi + o + logy = cardiology (“study of the heart”)
Root + combining vowel = combining form

6. Word Parts (cont’d)
Some terms include a root, a combining vowel, and a suffix

7. Word Parts (cont’d) Suffix
Letter or combination of letters added to end of a root
Modifies root’s meaning
Can indicate part of speech or number
Typically adds meaning to beginning of a word’s definition
Often used to describe a symptom, disease, or surgical treatment
Example: psych + o + -logy = psychology (“study of the mind”)

8. Word Parts (cont’d) Prefix
Changes meaning of word to which it is added
Attached to beginning of root word or combing form
Indicates position or direction (anti-)
Indicates size or quantity of measurement (micro-)
Denotes time or rate of change (tachy-)

9. Decoding Medical Terms
1. Break term into its parts
echocardiogram: echo- + cardio + -gram
2. Determine meaning of each part
echo- = “a returned or reflective sound”
cardio = “heart”
-gram = “record”
3. Join definitions of each part to create overall meaning
“a record of the heart made by using returned or reflective sounds”

10. Spelling Watch Out for the Following
Same sound, different spelling & meaning
Example: ileum (part of intestine) vs. ilium (part of hip bone)
Similar sound, different spelling & meaning
Example: abduction (to draw away from) vs. adduction (to draw towards
Silent letters in a term: p in pterygium
Pay attention to context

11. Pronunciation
Pronunciation of word parts often changes when combined in different ways
Pronunciations vary by region

12. Abbreviations and Symbols
Shortened forms of a word or group of words
Time savers
Can cause confusion when not universally used
Usage varies in different institutions
Follow policies of your institution
Acronym: an abbreviation formed from first letter of each word in a phrase (ASAP = as soon as possible)

13. Using a Medical Dictionary
Specialized reference books used by health care professionals
Includes
Meaning & pronunciation of terms
Synonyms
Origins of words (etymology)

14. Using a Medical Dictionary (cont’d)
Common Information Found in Appendices
Measurements
Clinical tests
Drugs
Diagnoses
Body structures
Information resources

15. Using a Medical Dictionary (cont’d)
Special Dictionary Formats
Specialized for a certain field (Nursing)
Portable size
CD format
Online format
Medical acronyms & abbreviations books