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Many medical terms originate from Greek and Latin words. Word Parts Many medical terms originate from Greek and Latin words. Medical terms are made up of three main parts Root word Prefix Suffix Many medical terms originate from Greek and Latin words. Although it is not necessary to know these languages to learn and use medical terminology, an understanding of common medical terms is important. Medical terms are made up of three main parts: a root word, prefix, and suffix.

Root Words All medical terms have a root word Main part of a word Conveys the body system, part, disease, or condition being discussed Some root words are complete words by themselves Many are combined with a prefix, suffix, and/or another root word All medical terms have a root word (also called the stem). A root word is the main part of a word and conveys the body system, part, disease, or condition being discussed. Although some root words are complete words by themselves, many are combined with a prefix, suffix, and/or another root word to form a more descriptive word.

Prefixes Prefix A syllable placed at the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning When a prefix is written alone, a hyphen follows it. Prefix: a- or an- means without, absence of Root word: algesia means sensitivity to pain Analgesia means without pain A prefix is a syllable placed at the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning. When a prefix is written alone, a hyphen follows it. For example, the prefix a- or an- means without or absence of. The root word algesia means sensitivity to pain. The hyphen that follows “an-” indicates that another word part follows the prefix to form a complete word. Combining the prefix and root word results in the medical term analgesia, which means without or absence of pain.

Suffixes Suffix A syllable placed at the end of a root word to modify its meaning When a suffix is written alone, a hyphen precedes it. Suffix: -itis means inflammation Root word: Gastr means stomach Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach A suffix is a syllable placed at the end of a root word to modify its meaning. When a suffix is written alone, a hyphen precedes it. For example, the suffix -itis means inflammation. The root word gastr means stomach. The hyphen that precedes “itis” indicates that another word part precedes the suffix to form a complete word. Combining the root word and suffix results in the medical term gastritis, which means inflammation of the stomach.

Combining Forms Combining vowel Often added between a root word and suffix or between two word roots Combining form The root word plus the combining vowel A vowel is often added between a root word and suffix or between two word roots to make the new term easier to pronounce. The vowel used is called a combining vowel. The root word plus the combining vowel is called a combining form. Although the most common combining vowel used is ‘o’, ‘a,’ ‘e,’ ‘i,’ ‘u,’ or ‘y’ are sometimes used. A combining vowel is not used to connect a prefix and word root.

Combining Forms Medical term: hematology Hemat / o / -logy Root Combining Suffix vowel Blood study of Hemat + o = combining form Hematology means the study of blood. To better understand combining forms, consider this example. When the term hematology is broken down into its parts, the root word is hemat, which means blood. The suffix, -logy, means study of. The combining vowel is the letter o. Hemat plus the combining vowel o (hemato) make up a combining form. When all of the parts are combined, hematology means the study of blood.

Plural Medical Terms In the English language, the plural form of a noun is often made by adding "s" or "es" to the root word. Examples Joint Add s = joints Virus Add es = viruses In the English language, the plural form of a noun is often made by adding "s" or "es" to the root word.

Plural Medical Terms Medical terms derived from Greek or Latin words have different rules that must be applied when forming the plural form of the root word. Examples us – as in alveolus Drop the us and add i = alveoli a – as in vertebra Add an e = vertebrae Medical terms derived from Greek or Latin words have different rules that must be applied when forming the plural form of the root word.

Body Positions and Directional Terms

Directional Terms Directions are applied to the body when it is in the anatomical position. In the anatomical position, a person is standing, arms to the sides with the palms turned forward, feet close together and pointed forward, the head pointed forward, and the eyes open. Superior/Inferior. Superior means above or in a higher position than another portion of the body. The head is the most superior part of the body. The neck is superior to the chest because it is closer to the head. Inferior means in a position lower than another. The soles of the feet are the most inferior part of the body. The knees are inferior to the pelvis because they are closer to the feet. Anterior/Posterior. Anterior, or ventral, represents the front portion of the body or body part. The heart is anterior to the spine. Posterior, or dorsal, is the back side of the body or body part. The spine is posterior to the heart. Proximal/Distal. Proximal means closer to the midline or center area of the body. When this term is used to reference an extremity, it means nearer to the point of attachment to the body. The knees are proximal to the toes. Distal means farthest from the midline or center area of the body. With reference to an extremity, it means farthest from the point of attachment to the body. The elbow is distal to the shoulder. Midline. The midline is an imaginary line down the center of the body that divides the body into right and left sides. Using the midline as a reference point will assist in describing whether an injury is lateral (toward the side), or medial (toward the midline). The sternum (breastbone) is medial to the left nipple. The axilla (armpit) is lateral to the sternum.

Body Positions Erect Standing upright Supine Lying flat on the back (face up) Prone Lying facedown and flat Lateral recumbent Lying on the side When a person is standing upright, he is said to be erect. A person lying flat on his back (face up) is said to be in a supine position. A person lying facedown and flat is in a prone position. If a person is found on his side, he is in a lateral recumbent position. If he is found on his left side, he is in a left lateral recumbent position. If he is on his right side, he is in a right lateral recumbent position.

Body Positions Fowler’s position Semi-Fowler’s position Lying on the back with upper body elevated at a 45- to 60-degree angle Semi-Fowler’s position Sitting up with head at 45-degree angle High-Fowler’s position Sitting upright at 90-degree angle Fowler’s position is lying on the back with the upper body elevated at a 45- to 60-degree angle. A patient who is short of breath is often placed in this position. In a semi-Fowler’s position, the patient is sitting up with his head at a 45-degree angle and his legs out straight. In a high-Fowler’s position, the patient is sitting upright at a 90-degree angle.

Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations and Acronyms Shortened form of a word or name “abd” for abdominal Acronym A word formed from the first letter or letters of several words CHF for congestive heart failure Use abbreviations and acronyms only if they are standard and approved by your EMS system. Abbreviations and acronyms are used to save time and space when documenting. An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or name, such as “abd” for abdominal. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of several words, such as CHF for congestive heart failure. Use abbreviations and acronyms only if they are standard and approved by your EMS system.

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