Introduction to Medical Terminology

Chapter 1

Word Parts Are the Key

• Understanding word parts and how they work together to form medical terms will reinforce your word-building skills

• Most word parts in medical terminology are of Latin origin

• Others are of Greek origin, or other languages

Four Types of Word Parts

• Word root– (Example, gastr: stomach)

• Combining form– (Example, gastr/o)

• Suffix– (Example, -itis)

• Prefix– (Example, hyper-)

Word Parts

Word Roots

• Cannot stand alone• Basic meaning of the word• Usually describe the part of the body that is

involved• Suffixes are placed at the end of the word

root• Prefixes are placed at the beginning of the

word root

Combining Forms

• Include a vowel, usually an "o," added to the end of a word root

• Aids in pronunciation• In combining two word roots, a combining

form is added to the first word root• Combining form is used at the end of the

second word root if the suffix begins with a vowel

Word Roots/Combining Forms

Suffixes

• Added at the end of a word to complete the term

• May indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease

Suffixes

• A combining vowel is used when suffix begins with a consonant

• Example, neuroplasty– When joining neur/o (nerve) with suffix -plasty

(surgical repair), combining vowel "o" is used because suffix begins with a consonant

Suffixes

• A combining vowel is not used when suffix begins with a vowel

• Example, tonsillitis– When joining tonsill (tonsils) with suffix -itis

(inflammation), combining vowel "o" is not used because suffix begins with a vowel

Suffixes

Suffixes as Noun Endings

• Suffix may change a word root into a noun– Noun: person, place, or thing– Example, cranium

• crani: skull• -um: noun ending

Suffixes that Mean "Pertaining To"

• Suffixes may change the meaning of word root into an adjective– Adjective: defines or describes– Example, cardiac

• cardi: heart• -ac: pertaining to

Suffixes that Mean "Abnormal Condition or Disease"

• Suffixes may be used to change the meaning of a wood root to describe an abnormal condition– Example, gastrosis

• gastr: stomach• -osis: abnormal condition or disease

Suffixes Related to Pathology

• Suffixes may be used to describe a disease• Pathology: study of all aspects of disease• Examples:

– -algia: pain and suffering– -itis: inflammation – -megaly: enlargement

Suffixes Related to Procedures

• Suffix may be used to describe a procedure• Examples:

– -centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid– -graphy: producing a picture or record– -scopy: visual examination

The "Double R" Suffixes

• Suffixes that begin with two of the letter "r"• Greek origin• Study them and learn the differences

The "Double R" Suffixes

• -rrhage and -rrhagia: bleeding– Mostly used to describe sudden, severe

bleeding– Example,

• Hemorrhage: the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time

• (hem/o: blood; -rrhage: abnormal excessive fluid discharge)

The "Double R" Suffixes

• -rrhaphy: surgical suturing• Example:

– Myorrhaphy: the surgical suturing of a muscle wound

– (my/o: muscle; -rrhaphy: surgical suturing)

The "Double R" Suffixes

• -rrhea: flow or discharge of body fluids• Example:

– Diarrhea: the frequent flow of loose or watery stools

– (dia-: through; -rrhea: flow or discharge)

The "Double R" Suffixes

• -rrhexis: rupture• Example,• myorrhexis: the rupture of a muscle• my/o: muscle; -rrhexis: rupture

Prefixes

• Added at the beginning of a word • Usually indicates location, time, or number• Examples,

– Prenatal: before birth• (pre-: before; nat: birth; -al: pertaining to)

Prefixes

Contrasting and Confusing Prefixes

• May have similar spellings, but different meanings

• Examples,– ab-: away from– ad-: toward– inter-: between or among– intra-: within or inside

Determining Meanings on the Basis of the Word Parts

• Knowing the meaning of the word parts often makes it possible to figure out the definition of an unfamiliar medical term.

Taking Terms Apart

• First, separate into word parts• Start from the suffix and move toward the

beginning, identifying the meaning of each part

• Determine the context in which the term is used; some word parts may have more than one meaning

Taking Terms Apart

• Refer to medical dictionary or trusted online source to double-check your definition

• Be aware, not all terms are made up of word parts

Taking Terms Apart

• Example,• Otorhinolaryngology

– Suffix -ology: the study of– Word root laryng: larynx or throat

• Combining vowel is not used here because word root is joining a suffix that begins with a vowel

– Combining form rhin/o: nose• Combining vowel is used here because word root

rhin is joining another word root

Taking Terms Apart

Guessing at Meanings

• Attempt to decide the meaning of the word• Always double-check for accuracy because

some terms have more than one meaning

Medical Dictionary Use

• Assists with mastering correct use of medical terms

• Guidelines:• Review user guide, table of contents, and

appendices• Check the medical term alphabetically• Check each letter, since similar spellings may

have different meanings• Check all the definitions listed

Searching for Definitions on the Internet

• Only use reliable Web sites• Refer to at least two Web sites• Be aware of search terms• Double-check spelling and meaning of the

term for which you are searching

Pronunciation

• Commonly accepted pronunciation appears in parenthesis next to the term

• Pronounce a new word by saying it as it is spelled in the parentheses.

• Primary emphasis shown in uppercase boldface letters (eh-DEE-mah)

• Secondary emphasis shown in boldface lowercase letters (ah-pen-dih-SIGH-tis)

Spelling is Always Important

• Changing just one or two letters may completely change the meaning of a word

• Many medical terms are known as "look-alike, sound-alike"

Singular and Plural Endings

• Unusual rules apply since many medical terms are of Latin or Greek origin

• English endings have been adopted for some commonly used terms

Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases

• Further study may be required in learning medical terms that describe diseases and disease conditions

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts

• Many medical terms may look and sound similar but their meanings are different

• Study these terms carefully

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts

• Example,• arteri/o, ather/o, arthr/o• arteri/o: artery• ather/o: plaque or fatty substance• arthr/o: joint

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts

• Example,• -ectomy, -ostomy, -otomy• -ectomy: surgical removal• -ostomy: surgical creation of an artificial

opening to the body surface• -otomy: cutting or a surgical incision

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts

• Example,• ileum and ilium• ileum (ILL-ee-um): the last and longest

portion of the small intestine.Memory aid: ileum is spelled with an "e" as in intestine.

• ilium (ILL-ee-um): part of the hip bone. Memory aid: ilium is spelled with an "i" as in hip.

Using Abbreviations

• Used frequently to record long and complex medical terms

• May lead to confusion and errors• Be familiar with the "Do Not Use"

abbreviations of your facility• Use only accepted abbreviations• When in doubt, spell it out