Chapter 1: Introduction to Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical TerminologyMedical Terminology

Chapter 1: Introduction to Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical TerminologyMedical Terminology

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYMEDICAL TERMINOLOGYMEDICAL TERMINOLOGYMEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

The process of dividing medical words into component parts.

Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember.

The process of dividing medical words into component parts.

Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember.

ORIGINSORIGINSORIGINSORIGINS

Word parts generally come from two language origins: Greek Latin

Word parts generally come from two language origins: Greek Latin

5 BASIC WORD 5 BASIC WORD PARTSPARTS

5 BASIC WORD 5 BASIC WORD PARTSPARTS

Root wordSuffixPrefixesCombining vowelCombining form

Root wordSuffixPrefixesCombining vowelCombining form

ROOT WORDROOT WORDROOT WORDROOT WORD Root Word – foundation of the word, usually

indicates the involved body part Examples:

cardi - cephal – gastr – cyt –

A medical term can have one or more root words.

Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest

Root Word – foundation of the word, usually indicates the involved body part

Examples: cardi - cephal – gastr – cyt –

A medical term can have one or more root words.

Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest

SUFFIXESSUFFIXESSUFFIXESSUFFIXESWord ending; usually indicates a

procedure, condition, disorder or disease.Read from the suffix backwards to the root

word for the correct meaning.Suffixes can be nouns or adjectivesAll medical words have suffixesExamples:

-itis -ic-logy -lysis

Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder or disease.

Read from the suffix backwards to the root word for the correct meaning.

Suffixes can be nouns or adjectivesAll medical words have suffixesExamples:

-itis -ic-logy -lysis

PREFIXESPREFIXESPREFIXESPREFIXESWord beginning; usually indicates

location, time, or a numberNot all medical words have prefixesExamples:

a-pre-hyper-sub-

Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number

Not all medical words have prefixesExamples:

a-pre-hyper-sub-

COMBINING VOWELS COMBINING VOWELS AND FORMSAND FORMS

COMBINING VOWELS COMBINING VOWELS AND FORMSAND FORMS

Combining Vowel A vowel that links two word parts together Usually an ‘o’ Has no meaning of it’s own

Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel

Examples:Hemat/o – Cardi/o – Gastr/o – Oste/o –

Combining Vowel A vowel that links two word parts together Usually an ‘o’ Has no meaning of it’s own

Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel

Examples:Hemat/o – Cardi/o – Gastr/o – Oste/o –

RULES FOR USING RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELSCOMBINING VOWELS

RULES FOR USING RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELSCOMBINING VOWELS

1. When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel.

Example – hemat/o/logy

2. When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel.

Example – gastr/itis

1. When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel.

Example – hemat/o/logy

2. When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel.

Example – gastr/itis

RULES FOR USING RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELSCOMBINING VOWELS

RULES FOR USING RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELSCOMBINING VOWELS

3. A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined.

Example – cardi/o/thorac/ic

4. A prefix does not require a combining

vowelExample – epi/gastr/ic

3. A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined.

Example – cardi/o/thorac/ic

4. A prefix does not require a combining

vowelExample – epi/gastr/ic

TAKING TERMS TAKING TERMS APARTAPART

TAKING TERMS TAKING TERMS APARTAPART

Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces.Start at the suffix (all medical terms will

have one)Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical

terms will have one)Locate the root words (there may be more

than one)Identify the meaning of each word part as

you separate them

Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces.Start at the suffix (all medical terms will

have one)Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical

terms will have one)Locate the root words (there may be more

than one)Identify the meaning of each word part as

you separate them

TAKING TERMS TAKING TERMS APARTAPART

TAKING TERMS TAKING TERMS APARTAPART

Remember!Remember!

If you have any doubt about the correct meaning of a word, use a medical dictionary (appendix, internet) to

double check the definition.

Remember!Remember!

If you have any doubt about the correct meaning of a word, use a medical dictionary (appendix, internet) to

double check the definition.

SPELLLINGSPELLLINGSPELLLINGSPELLLING

In medicine, spelling is critical!!!

One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed

Examples – ilium and ileum, PAC and PVC, etc…

In medicine, spelling is critical!!!

One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed

Examples – ilium and ileum, PAC and PVC, etc…

TIME TO PRACTICE!!!TIME TO PRACTICE!!!TIME TO PRACTICE!!!TIME TO PRACTICE!!!1. In order to break words into their component parts,

you will need to become familiar with Appendix A in your textbook (starting on page 293).

2. Write the following words on your paper leaving 4 spaces between words: EndocardiumEndocardium PneumoniaPneumonia

3. Using the appendix, break each word into word parts by placing a line in between the breaks (a / pnea)

4. Then, define the meaning of each word part by using the definition in the appendix (a = no, not, without and -pnea = breathing)

5. Finally, write the definition of each medical word (apnea = without breathing or no breathing)

1. In order to break words into their component parts, you will need to become familiar with Appendix A in your textbook (starting on page 293).

2. Write the following words on your paper leaving 4 spaces between words: EndocardiumEndocardium PneumoniaPneumonia

3. Using the appendix, break each word into word parts by placing a line in between the breaks (a / pnea)

4. Then, define the meaning of each word part by using the definition in the appendix (a = no, not, without and -pnea = breathing)

5. Finally, write the definition of each medical word (apnea = without breathing or no breathing)

• HyperthermiaHyperthermia• GastroenteritisGastroenteritis