1. The Language of the Health Profession
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
The Language of the Health Profession
Imagine yourself in a foreign country where you do not speak the language. Even simple conversations would be difficult. For example, what if you need
to explain how to sew a dress to someone who does not know what certain words like baste, zipper, and stitch mean? No matter how intelligent you are, you would look pretty silly making sounds and gestures to explain simple sewing procedures.
Each profession has its own language and jargon that makes it difficult for others to fully understand what is being said. (Comic) It is important to realize, however, that this specialized language is needed in order to communicate accurately and concisely. You have chosen to pursue an interest in the medical profession and it is important that you learn to “speak the lingo.”

2. ORIGIN OF MEDICAL TERMS
Hippocrates was a Greek physician
known as the “father of medicine.”
75% of medical terms are based on either Greek or Latin words.

3. ROOT WORDS cardi = heart hepat = liver neur = nerve nephr = kidney
cyt = cell
A root is the foundation or basic meaning of a word.
May appear with a prefix or suffix, or between a prefix or suffix.
There may be more than one root word

4. PREFIX The prefix is a part of the word that goes before the word root
It changes the meaning of the word
Indicates location, time, or number.
pre = before
peri = around
hemi = half
micro = small
neo = new

5. SUFFIX A suffix is placed after the root word (at the end)
It changes the meaning of the word
Indicates a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease
itis = inflammation
ology = the study of
ectomy = surgical removal
plasty = surgical repair

6. Cardiology cardi = heart = root ology = the study of = suffix
cardiology = the study
of the heart.

7. Nephritis nephr = kidney = root itis = inflammation = suffix
nephritis = inflammation of the kidney

8. Determine the word parts and meaning of the following words:
pericarditis
leukocyte
hepatitis
neuroplasty

9. pericarditis peri = around = prefix cardi = heart = root word
itis = inflammation = suffix
pericarditis = inflammation around the heart

11. leukocyte leuk = white = prefix o = combining vowel
cyte = cell = root word
leukocyte = white cell

12. hepatitis hepat = liver = root word itis = inflammation = suffix
hepatitis = inflammation of the liver

14. neuroplasty neur/o = nerve or nerves = root word o = combining vowel
plasty = surgical repair = suffix
neuroplasty = surgical repair of the nerve

16. Combining Forms

17. Basic Rules for using the Combining Vowel
The combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel. Example: neuro/it is
neur/itis
The combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant. Example: neur/plasty
neur/o/plasty