1 Introduction to Word Parts and Word Construction

Learning Objectives Use the technique of programmed learning and frames. Apply the phonetic pronunciation guides that are used in frames. Recognize that medical terminology has both constructed and nonconstructed terms. continued on next slide

Learning Objectives Identify each of the three word parts (word roots, prefixes, and suffixes) used to construct medical terms. Identify the function of a combining vowel that is added to a word root to form a combining form. continued on next slide

Learning Objectives Recognize that many medical terms are constructed from word parts and can be deconstructed into their word parts.

The Programmed Learning Approach Missing word is provided in the frame in the left margin. Each frame consists of a block of information, with the blank in the box on the right side of the page. Programmed learning: consists of blocks of information, known as frames, which contain one or more blanks. continued on next slide

The Programmed Learning Approach Write the missing word in the blank as you proceed from frame to frame. Work without looking at the answer first, to make each frame a challenge. Always check your answer before moving to the next frame, making sure the spelling is correct. continued on next slide

The Programmed Learning Approach Pronunciation Syllable emphasis Use the website for pronunciation To help with pronunciation, the phonetic form of the word is provided in parentheses whenever a new term is introduced. Syllable emphasis: The syllable with the greatest spoken emphasis is shown in all capital letters.

Constructed and Nonconstructed Terms Constructed medical terms Learning constructed medical terms Deciphering constructed words Constructed medical terms are made up of multiple word parts that are combined to form a new word. The key to learning constructed medical terms is to learn the meaning of the various word parts first. The meaning of a constructed word can be deciphered by defining the parts. continued on next slide

Constructed and Nonconstructed Terms Examples of constructed terms: Pathology (path/o – disease) + (-logy – study of) Tonsillectomy (tonsill/o – tonsil) + (-ectomy – surgical excision, removal) Neonatologist (neo – new) + (nat/o – birth) + (-logist – one who studies) Pathology: the study of disease Tonsillectomy: surgical excision of the tonsils Neonatologist: physician who specializes in newborns

Terms Nonconstructed terms Include eponyms, terms derived from other languages, acronyms, and abbreviations. Nonconstructed words must be memorized. Nonconstructed terms are terms that are not formed from individual word parts. Nonconstructed terms include eponyms, terms derived from other languages, acronyms, and abbreviations. Nonconstructed words must be memorized.

Constructed and Nonconstructed Terms Examples of nonconstructed terms Impetigo Coma Cushing syndrome Impetigo: a contagious skin infection characterized by the transformation of vesicles into a yellowish crust. Coma: a general term describing several levels of abnormally decreased consciousness Cushing syndrome: a syndrome caused by excessive secretion of the hormone cortisol

Figure 1.1 Medical terms are either constructed words or words you must memorize, which include terms that are a single Latin or Greek word part, eponyms, acronyms, and so on.

The Word Parts There are three primary types of word parts: Prefix Word root Suffix A prefix is a word part that is affixed to the beginning of a word. A word root is a word part that provides the primary meaning of the term. A suffix is a word part that is affixed to the end of a word.

Figure 1.2 Most medical terms are formed by assembling word parts.

The Word Parts Not every medical term has all three word parts. Many medical terms have more than one word root. Some medical terms are made simply of a prefix and a suffix. A fourth word element is the combining vowel.

Figure 1.3 The human body, with many of the common combining forms.

The Word Parts Combining form The most common combining vowel is the letter o. Use the combining vowel properly. Combining vowel connects word root with a suffix that begins with a consonant. Combining form: A word root plus combining vowel is called a combining form and involves the use of a slash between the word root and the combining vowel. When forming words from word parts, use the combining vowel properly. As a general rule, the combining vowel is used only to connect a word root with a suffix that begins with a consonant.

The Word Parts Combining form Some constructed medical terms use combining vowels to unite two word roots. Some constructed medical terms use combining vowels to unite two word roots.

Origin of Medical Terms Most medical terms come from Latin and Greek. The ancient Greeks are considered the fathers of modern medicine. The Romans advanced medicine with their own experiments and observations and added Latin terms to the growing body of medical language. continued on next slide

Origin of Medical Terms Sometimes the origins of medical terms relate to history, poetry, mythology, geography, physical objects, and ideas.

Figure 1.4 The Greek father of medicine, Hippocrates, who originated many medical terms. Source: Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.

Table 1.1 Word Roots from Greek and Latin

Forming Words from Word Parts A prefix usually requires no change when another word part unites with it to form a new term.

Word Parts: Prefixes anti- brady- endo- epi- neo- pre- anti- = against, opposite of brady- = slow endo- = within epi- = upon, over, above, on top neo- = new pre- = to come before

Word Parts: Word Root / Combining Vowel append/o, appendic/o bi/o cardi/o cerebr/o dermat/o dermat/o = skin append/o, appendic/o = appendix bi/o = life cardi/o = heart cerebr/o = brain, cerebrum dermat/o = skin -logy = study of dermatology continued on next slide

Word Parts: Word Root / Combining Vowel electr/o encephal/o gastr/o hem/o hepat/o electr/o = electricity encephal/o = brain gastr/o = stomach hem/o = blood hepat/o = liver continued on next slide

Word Parts: Word Root / Combining Vowel hyster/o laryng/o leuk/o mamm/o mast/o hyster/o = uterus laryng/o = larynx, voice box leuk/o = white mamm/o = breast mast/o = breast continued on next slide

Word Parts: Word Root / Combining Vowel ment/o nat/o neur/o path/o proct/o neur/o = nerve -itis = inflammation neuritis ment/o = mind nat/o = birth neur/o = nerve path/o = disease proct/o = rectum or anus continued on next slide

Word Parts: Word Root / Combining Vowel psych/o rhin/o tonsill/o vas/o psych/o = mind rhin/o = nose tonsill/o = almond, tonsil vas/o = vessel

Word Parts: Suffixes -al -ectomy -emia -gram -ia -al = pertaining to -ectomy = surgical excision, removal -emia = condition of blood -gram = a record or image -ia = condition of continued on next slide

Word Parts: Suffixes -iatry -ic -itis -logist -logy -iatry = treatment, specialty -ic = pertaining to -itis = inflammation -logist = one who studies -logy = study or science of continued on next slide

Word Parts: Suffixes -pathy -philia -plasty -scope -tic proct/o = rectum or anus -scope = instrument used for viewing -pathy = disease -philia = loving -plasty = surgical repair -scope = instrument used for viewing -tic = pertaining to proctoscope

Summary Medical terms are deciphered by breaking them into word parts, then defining first the suffix, then the prefix, then the word root(s) or combining forms. continued on next slide

Summary Prefix Word root or combining form Suffix A prefix comes before the word root or combining form. A suffix is a word ending and comes after the word root(s) or combining form(s). The word root or combining form provides the essential meaning of the term. continued on next slide

Summary Most common combining vowel Infrequently used combining vowels Retaining the combining vowel Dropping the combining vowel The combining vowel for most word roots is the letter "o". "i" and "e" are infrequently used as combining vowels for some word roots. If the combining form is to be joined with another word root or combining form that begins with a consonant, the vowel is retained. If it is to be joined with a suffix that starts with a vowel, the combining vowel is dropped.

Combining Form Quiz bi/o gastr/o mast/o hepat/o vas/o breast liver vessel life stomach bi/o answer is d. gastr/o answer is e. mast/o answer is a. hepat/o answer is b. vas/o answer is c.