Chapter 1: Concepts of Medical Terminology

Chapter Objectives Explain the purpose of medical terminology. Define the terms root, suffix, and prefix. Explain what combining forms are and why they are used. Name the languages from which most medical word parts are derived. Pronounce words according to the pronunciation guide used in this text. List some features of medical dictionaries. Analyze some concepts of medical terminology in a case study.

Pretest The main part of a word is called the: (a) origin (b) prefix (c) root (d) extension

Pretest The main part of a word is called the: (a) origin (b) prefix (c) root (d) extension 4

Pretest 2. A word part at the beginning of a word is a(n): (a) prefix (b) combining form (c) preview (d) root 5

Pretest 2. A word part at the beginning of a word is a(n): (a) prefix (b) combining form (c) preview (d) root 6

Pretest 3. A word part at the end of a word is the: (a) vowel (b) adjective (c) insertion (d) suffix 7

Pretest 3. A word part at the end of a word is the: (a) vowel (b) adjective (c) insertion (d) suffix 8

Pretest 4. Most medical words are derived from the languages: (a) French and Italian (b) Greek and Latin (c) English and German (d) Greek and Arabic

Pretest 4. Most medical words are derived from the languages: (a) French and Italian (b) Greek and Latin (c) English and German (d) Greek and Arabic 10

Pretest 5. The adjective form of cervix, meaning “neck,” is: (a) cervical (b) cervixal (c) cervous (d) cerviral 11

Pretest 5. The adjective form of cervix, meaning “neck,” is: (a) cervical (b) cervixal (c) cervous (d) cerviral 12

Pretest 6. The ch in the word chemistry is pronounced like the letter: (a) s (b) h (c) k (d) f 13

Pretest 6. The ch in the word chemistry is pronounced like the letter: (a) s (b) h (c) k (d) f 14

Pretest 7. The ps in the word psychology is pronounced like the letter: (a) p (b) s (c) j (d) k

Pretest 7. The ps in the word psychology is pronounced like the letter: (a) p (b) s (c) j (d) k

Pretest 8. The pn in the word pneumonia is pronounced like the letter: (a) p (b) u (c) m (d) n

Pretest 8. The pn in the word pneumonia is pronounced like the letter: (a) p (b) u (c) m (d) n

Pretest 9. The symbol ® means: (a) right (b) review (c) redirect (d) register

Pretest 9. The symbol ® means: (a) right (b) review (c) redirect (d) register

Key Terms acronym An abbreviation formed from the first letter of each word in a phrase combining form A word root combined with a vowel to link the root with a suffix. Combining forms are shown with a slash between the root and the vowel, as in neur/o. compound word A word that contains more than one root prefix A word part added before a root to modify its meaning root The fundamental unit of a word suffix A word part added to the end of a root to modify its meaning

Concepts of Medical Terminology Special vocabulary used by health care professionals for effective and accurate communication Based on Latin and Greek words Consistent and uniform throughout the world

Word Parts Root Fundamental unit of each medical word Establishes basic meaning of word Part to which prefixes and suffixes are added

Word Parts (cont’d)

Word Parts (cont’d) Suffix Short word part or parts added to the end of a word Modifies the meaning of the root Indicated by a dash before the suffix (-itis)

Word Parts (cont’d) Prefix Short word part added before a root Modifies the meaning of the root Followed by a dash (pre-)

Word Parts (cont’d) Begin with “learn” Learn + -er = one who learns Re + learn = to learn again Greek word for heart is kardia Forms word root cardi Latin word for lung is pulmo Forms word root pulm

Combining Forms

Combining Forms (cont’d) Insert an ‘o’ before a suffix beginning with a consonant when added to a root -logy = “study of” Neur = “nerve or nervous system” Neur + o + logy = neurology (study of the nervous system)

Combining Forms (cont’d) Roots shown with a combining vowel are called combining forms Vowels added after a slash Called roots Neur/o Combining vowel omitted if suffix begins with a vowel Neur + itis = neuritis (inflammation of a nerve)

Combining Forms (cont’d)

Word Derivations Most word parts derived from Greek (G) and Latin (L) Muscle is Latin for ‘mouse’ Coccyx named for the cuckoo’s bill

Words Ending in x When you add a suffix to a wording ending in x, the x is changed to a g or a c If there is a consonant before the x, the x is changed to a g (pharynx becomes pharyngeal) If a vowel comes before the x, the x is changed to a c (thorax becomes thoracotomy)

Suffix Beginning with rh When you add a suffix beginning with rh to a root, the r is doubled Hem/o (blood) + -rhage (bursting forth) = hemorrhage (a bursting forth of blood)

Pronunciation Use phonetic pronunciations provided Repeat words aloud Pronunciations may change when parts are combined

Pronunciation (cont’d) Vowels with no pronunciation marks get short pronunciation ‘a’ as in hat Short line over vowel gives it long pronunciation ‘ā’ as in say Accented syllable indicated with capital letters as in AK-sent

Soft and Hard c and g Soft c, as in racer = (RĀ-ser) Hard c, as in candy = (KAN-dē) Soft g, as in page, written as j = (pāj) Hard g, as in grow = (grō)

Silent Letters and Unusual Pronunciations Silent letters and unusual pronunciations can be a problem, especially if they appear at the start of a word

Word and Phrase Abbreviations Can save time May cause confusion Acronym = abbreviation formed from first letter of each word in a phrase ASAP = as soon as possible

Symbols Used as shorthand in case histories ® = right  = increase