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.”

ORIGIN OF MEDICAL TERMS Hippocrates was a Greek physician and is known as the “father of medicine.” 75% of medical terms are based on either Greek or Latin words. What’s in a word? The answer is a lot if it is a medical term. Each medical term has a basic word root or stem that usually comes from the Greek or Latin language. In fact 75% percent of medical terms are based on either Greek or Latin words.(Click) The Greeks were the founders of modern medicine, although Latin has become the universal source of medical language. Hippocrates was a Greek physician who lived from 460 to 377 B.C. and whose vital role in medicine is still recognized today. He is called the “Father of Medicine” and is credited with establishing early ethical standards for physicians. Defining medical terms is a lot like a puzzle. Most medical terms are a combination of two or more word parts or elements. The identification of a word involves a search for the meaning of each of its parts. When they are translated separately and combined into a word, the parts give the essential meaning of the entire word. (Give example- Tonsilitis, Hysterectomy` Osteoarthritis, Cardiomegaly.)

ROOT WORDS A root is the foundation or basic meaning of a word. May appear with a prefix or with a suffix, or between a prefix or suffix. The fundamental method of building a medical vocabulary consists of breaking down a word and identifying its elements: prefix, suffix, root or roots, and combining form. Root (Click) A root is the foundation, or basic meaning of a word (click) and may appear with a prefix, or a suffix, or between a prefix and suffix. Prefixes and suffixes can never stand alone; they must always be attached to a root. (click) The word root for heart is cardi. However, the term cardi is not normally used by itself. It is commonly combined with another root word, prefix, or suffix to from a complete medical word. (Look at list of root words)

ROOT WORDS cardi - root for heart hepat- root for liver neur - root for nerve nephr - root for kidney cyt- root for cell

PREFIX The prefix is a part of the word that precedes the word root and changes its meaning. Often indicates location, time, or number. (Click) A prefix is a part of a word that precedes the word root and changes its meaning.(click) Prefixes usually, but not always, indicate location, time, or number.

PREFIX pre - prefix means before peri- prefix means around hemi - prefix means half micro - prefix means small neo- prefix means new

SUFFIX A suffix is the word ending that follows the word root and changes its meaning. Often indicates the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. (Click) A suffix is the word ending that follows the word root and changes its meaning. (Click) Suffixes usually, but not always, indicate the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease, (click) Tonsil - root word means tonsil. -itis - suffix means inflammation. Tonsilitis - means inflammation of the tonsils. (Click through others and give examples)

SUFFIX - itis - suffix means inflammation - ology - suffix means the study of - ectomy- suffix means surgical removal - plast- suffix means surgical repair

Cardiology Cardi - root means heart. -ology - suffix means the study of. Cardiology - the study of the heart. (Click)Cardi -root word means heart (Click) -ology - suffix means the study of (Click) Cardiology - the study of the heart Natal - root word means birth -ology - suffix means study of Natalogy - the study of birth.

Nephritis Nephr - root words means kidney -itis - suffix means inflammation Nephritis means inflammation of the kidney

Break down and define the following medical terms. pericarditis leukocyte hepatitis neuroplasty

pericarditis

leukocyte Leuko- prefix means white cyte - root word means cell Leukocyte means white cell

hepatitis hepat - root word means liver -itis - suffix means inflammation hepatitis - means inflammation of the liver

neuroplasty neuro - root word means nerve or nerves -plasty - suffix means surgical repair neuroplasty means surgical repair of the nerve

Combining Forms Combining form consists of the word root and a connecting vowel to make it easier to pronounce and attach another root word or suffix. Combining form for heart is cardi or cardio Combining form associated with cells is cyt or cyto (Click) The combining form consists of the word root and a connecting vowel to make it easier to pronounce and atach another root word or suffix (Click) The combining form for heart is cardi/o (Click) The combining form associated with cells is cyt/o (Click) The combining term associated with tissue is hist/o Once again the terms cyt and hist represent the word roots or foundations. The combining forms can not be put together with prefixes, suffixes, and other root words to produce a multitude of medical terms.

Basic Rules for the Combining Vowel The combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel. (neuritis) The combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant. (neuroplasty) (Click)There are some basic rules which determine when the combining vowel is used and is not used. (Click) The combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel. Neur/o -nerve -it is - inflammation Neuritis - inflammation of nerves or a nerve (Click) The combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant. Neur/o - means nerve or nerves -plasty - suffix means surgical repair Neuroplasty - surgical repair of the nerve Practice Sheet for homework.

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