1. Basic Word Structure
Chapter 1
Pages 1 – 32

2. Objectives in Studying the Medical Language
Pages 2 – 3
Objectives in Studying the Medical Language
Analyze words by dividing them into component parts
Learn the tools of word analysis
Do not memorize terms
Jigsaw puzzles: These pieces can be shuffled up
Be familiar with the meaning of word parts
There are three objectives when studying medical terminology
1. Analyze words by dividing them into component parts
Learn the tools of word analysis that will make understanding complex terminology easier.
Do not simply memorize terms; think about dividing terms into their component parts.
Medical terms are like jigsaw puzzles in that they are constructed of small pieces that make each word unique, with one major difference:
These pieces can be shuffled up and used in lots of combinations to make other words.
Become familiar with word parts and learn what each means

3. Objectives (Cont’d) Pages 2 – 3
Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body
Memorization of terms NOT primary objective
Proper context makes it easier to remember
Relate the medical terms to the structure & function of the human body
Memorization of terms, although essential to retention of the language, should not become the primary objective of your study.
Medical terms explained in their proper context will be easier to remember.
Thus, the term hepatitis, meaning inflammation (-itis) of the liver (hepat), is better understood when you know where the liver is & how it functions.

4. Objectives (Cont’d) Pages 2 – 3
Be aware of spelling and pronunciation problems
Pronounced alike but are spelling differently
Misunderstood if pronounced incorrectly
Be aware of spelling & pronunciation problems.
Some medical terms are pronounced alike but are spelling differently, which accounts for their different meanings.
Even when terms are spelled correctly, they can be misunderstood if incorrect pronunciation.
For example, ilium and ileum have identical pronunciations, but the first term ilium, means a part of the hip bone, whereas the second term, ileum, refers to a part of the small intestine.
For example, the urethra is the tube leading for the urinary bladder to the outside of the body, whereas a ureter is one of two tubes each leading from a single kidney & inserting into the urinary bladder.

5. Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Root = the foundation of the word
Suffix = the word ending
Prefix = beginning of the word
Combining vowel (usually o) = it joins one word part to another.
Combining form = the root plus the combining vowel.
Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language. Breaking the complex words into their basic parts should make them easier to understood.
First lets go over some definitions and rules before we start to analyze words.
Root = the foundation of the word; medical terms can have one or more roots
Suffix = the word ending; All medical terms have one
Prefix = beginning of the word; not all medical terms contain prefixes
Combining vowel (usually o) = a vowel that has no meaning of its own; it joins one word part to another.
Combining form = the root plus the combining vowel.

6. Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Three general rules:
READ from the suffix → beginning and across
DROP the combining vowel if suffix begins with a vowel
gastritis ≠ gastroitis
KEEP combining vowel between two roots
gastroenterology ≠ gastrenterology
Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language.
Three general rules:
1) READ the meaning of medical terms from the suffix back to the beginning of the term and across.
2) DROP the combining vowel (usually o) before a suffix beginning with a vowel; gastritis, not “gastroitis”
3) KEEP the combining vowel between two roots; gastroenterology, not “gastrenterology”

7. Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 means inflammation of the stomach
Gastritis
Root: gastr = stomach
Combining vowel: none
Suffix: –itis = inflammation
Gastroenterology
Root: enter = intestines
Combining vowel: o
Suffix: –logy = process of study
means inflammation of the stomach
means process of study of the stomach and intestines
Gastritis
Root: gastr = stomach
Combining vowel: no combining vowel
Suffix: –itis = inflammation
Gastroenterology
Root: enter = intestines
Combining vowel: o
Suffix: –logy = process of study

8. Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 means process of study of blood
hematology
Root: hemat = blood
Combining vowel: o
Suffix: –logy = process of study
Electrocardiogram
Root: electr = electricity
Root: cardi = heart
Suffix: –gram = record
means process of study of blood
means record of the electricity in the heart
hematology
Root: hemat = blood
Combining vowel: o
Suffix: –logy = process of study
Electrocardiogram
Root: electr = electricity
Root: cardi = heart
Suffix: –gram = record

9. Word Analysis Pages 3 – 6 Hypogastric
Prefix: hypo– = below
Root: gastr = stomach
Suffix: –ic = pertaining to
Epigastric
Prefix: epi– = above
means pertaining to below the stomach
means pertaining to above the stomach
Hypogastric
Prefix: hypo– = below
Root: gastr = stomach
Suffix: –ic = pertaining to
Epigastric
Prefix: epi– = above