Post on 29-Mar-2015
Medical Terminology
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Interesting Fact
The term “muscle” comes from the Latin term musculus meaning “little mouse,” referring to muscles like the biceps which pop up as though a mouse were scurrying about under the skin
Basic Elements of a Medical Word
1. Word Root
2. Combining Form
3. Suffix
4. Prefix
These four parts of a word are known as ELEMENTS.
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Word Root
Main part or foundation of a word. 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.
IE: SPEAK (word root) + ER (suffix) = SPEAKER (complete word)
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The word root usually refers to a body part. Some root words are derived from the Latin
or Greek language.
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Word Root Examples
“dent” means tooth “dermat” means skin “cardi” means heart “gastr” means stomach “pancreat” means pancreas
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Combining Forms
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.
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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
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When a word has more than one root, a combining vowel is used to link the root to each other.
IE: osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ itis
Word root
Combining vowel Word root
suffix
Slashes separate elements
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Word-Building System
By understanding the meanings of word roots, one can determine the meaning of complex medical terms by putting together the smaller parts.
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Leukocytopenia
Word Roots: Leuk / (white)
cyt / (cell)
Combining Vowel / o /
Suffix: / penia (decrease)
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Suffixes
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.
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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 vowel13
Meanings of 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)
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-oma (tumor) hematoma
(blood tumor)
NOTE: The element that comes before a suffix can either be a word root or combining form.
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The suffixes
-scope (instrument to view)-rrhexis (rupture)-rrhea (flow or discharge)
all begin with a consonant, therefore a combining vowel must be used between the word root and the suffix.
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The suffixes
-algia (pain)-edema (swelling)-uria (urine, urination)
These suffixes begin with a vowel, therefore a combining vowel is NOT used between the word root and the suffix.
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REVIEW
A combining vowel IS used to link one root to another root, and before a suffix that begins with a consonant.
A combining vowel IS NOT used before a suffix that begins with a vowel.
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Prefixes
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)Pre- (before)Post- (after)Homo- (same)Hypo- (under)
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Hypoinsulinemia
Hypo / insulin / emia
PrefixWord 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.
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Plurality
To make a medical word plural (more than one), first look at the suffix.
Then, choose the rule that changes the singular form to the plural form. The rules appear on page 18 of the text.
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Roots for Medical Terms
Examples
Root Meaning Examplearthr arthritis
gingiva gingivitis
nephr nephrectomy
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Roots for Medical Terms
Examples
Root Meaning Examplearthr joint arthritis
gingiva gingivitis
nephr nephrectomy
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Roots for Medical Terms
Examples
Root Meaning Examplearthr joint arthritis
gingiva gum gingivitis
nephr nephrectomy
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Roots for Medical Terms
Examples
Root Meaning Examplearthr joint arthritis
gingiva gum gingivitis
nephr kidney nephrectomy
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
anti antilithic
brady bradycardia
dys dyspnea
endo endocarditis
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
anti against antilithic
brady bradycardia
dys dyspnea
endo endocarditis
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
anti against antilithic
brady slow bradycardia
dys dyspnea
endo endocarditis
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
anti against antilithic
brady slow bradycardia
dys painful, difficult dyspnea
endo endocarditis
isch
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
anti against antilithic
brady slow bradycardia
dys painful, difficult dyspnea
endo within, inside endocarditis
isch reduced Ischemia
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Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
Inter between
Intra within
Sub below
Super or supra
beyond
Oligo few
NEUR- Nervous System
ENCEPHAL BRAIN
MYELO SPINAL CORD31
Prefixes for Medical TermsPrefix Meaning Example
A without
Ab away from
Eu good
Eu real
HEPAT LIVER
NEPHR OR REN KIDNEYS
CYST-, VESSICO- URINARY BLADDER
OPTHAL, OR OCUL- EYES
OT-, ACOUST- EARS
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Suffixes for Medical TermsSuffix Meaning Example
algia cardialgia
itis gastritis
oscopy gastroscopy
penia leukopenia
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Suffixes for Medical TermsSuffix Meaning Example
algia pain cardialgia
itis gastritis
oscopy gastroscopy
penia leukopenia
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Suffixes for Medical TermsSuffix Meaning Example
algia pain cardialgia
itis Inflammation of gastritis
oscopy gastroscopy
penia leukopenia
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Suffixes for Medical TermsSuffix Meaning Example
plasty Angioplasty
megaly hepatomegaly
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Suffixes for Medical Terms
Suffix Meaning Example
algia pain cardialgia
itis Inflammation of gastritis
oscopy inspection gastroscopy
penia decrease, deficiency leukopenia
Ectomy to remove Tonsillectomy
ac, al pertaining to Cardiac, Cerebral
osis abnormal condition arteriosclerosis
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Medical Terminology
Sound-Alikes or Look-Alikes
• Use caution
• Look a the statement or sentence and see if the word fits
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Pharmaceutical TerminologyExamples :
Adsorbate
Material being absorbed
Adsorbent
Material that absorbs another substance
Adsorption
Concentration of a substance onto the surface of a solid
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PHARMACEUTICAL TERMINOLOGY (cont’d)
Another Examples :
Antagonist
Drug that reacts with receptors and prevents their normal endogenous activation (e.g., naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist)
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Official Specifications for Storage ConditionsExcessive heat — temperature above 40°C
Warm place — temperature between 30 and 40°C
Room temperature — temperature prevailing in a working area
Controlled room temperature — temperature held between 15 and 30°C
Cool place — temperature held between 8 and 15°C (unless otherwise specified, item may be stored in a refrigerator)
Cold place — temperature not exceeding 8°C
Refrigerator — cold place held between 2 and 8°C
Freezer — cold place with temperature held between -10 and -20°C
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COLOR WORD PARTSCOLOR WORD PARTS ERYTH- RED (erythrocyte, erthroblastoma fetalis)
WHITE (malignant melanoma, melanosis)
CYAN- BLUE (cyanosis, cyanotic)
WHITE (leukocyte, leukemia)
POLI GRAY (poliomyelitis)
ERYTH- RED (erythrocyte, erthroblastoma fetalis)
WHITE (malignant melanoma, melanosis)
CYAN- BLUE (cyanosis, cyanotic)
WHITE (leukocyte, leukemia)
POLI GRAY (poliomyelitis)
ANATOMYANATOMY
BODY DIRECTIONS ANTERIOR/VENTRAL POSTERIOR/DORSAL SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR CEPHALIC AND CAUDAL PROXIMAL AND DISTAL MEDIAL AND LATERAL
BODY DIRECTIONS ANTERIOR/VENTRAL POSTERIOR/DORSAL SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR CEPHALIC AND CAUDAL PROXIMAL AND DISTAL MEDIAL AND LATERAL
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