Unit 2: Medical Terminology, the History of Health Care, Health Organizations, Technology, and Health Care Careers

Why do we need to learn this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07v53fCRzOQ

Using Medical Abbreviations Shortened forms for ease and convenience Usually just letters Health care workers are expected to recognize most common abbreviations Agencies have their approved lists of abbreviations – if not on list, do not use

Interpreting Word Parts Impossible to memorize all the medical words individually, so determine meaning of words by breaking it into parts These word parts are used over and over in different combinations If the word parts are known, then the word can be broken down and interpreted

Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Prefix: syllable or word placed at the beginning of a word; usually serves to further define the word root Suffix: syllable or word placed at the end of the word; usually describes what is happening to the word root Word Roots: main words or parts to which prefixes and suffixes can be added

Interpreting Word Parts (continued) Prefixes and suffixes have set meanings When prefixes, suffixes, and/or word roots are joined together, vowels are frequently added Common vowels used: a, e, i, ia, io, o, u Vowels are not used if the word root or suffix begins with a vowel Examples

Hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy

hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy? So, what is a hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy? Hystero / salpingo / -oophor / ectomy uterus ovaries fallopian tubes removal of a complete hysterectomy

an inflammation of the appendix Example: appendicitis Word root append appendix inflammation , inflammation of Suffix itis an inflammation of the appendix

If you add the prefix “pseudo” to appendicitis … pseudo false You get the word pseudoappendicitis … a false inflammation of the appendix

Things to remember: The prefix usually serves to further define the word root. When prefixes, suffixes, and/or word roots are joined together, vowels are frequently added. Vowels are not used if the word root or suffix begins with a vowel.

Example: encephalitis encephal(o) brain inflammation, inflammation of itis The vowel “o” is not used because the suffix “itis” begins with a vowel.

Example: encephalogram brain gram tracing, picture, record The vowel “o” is used because the suffix “gram” does not begin with a vowel.

Example: hepat(o) liver megaly large, enlarged Combine the word root and the suffix and you get … hepatomegaly

By learning basic prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, you will frequently be able to interpret the meaning of a word even if you have never seen the word before.

Summary Health care workers have a unique set of abbreviations and words to communicate medical information By learning basic word parts, they may be able to interpret the meaning of a word even if they have never seen it before It is also important to learn correct spellings for word parts so medical terms will be interpreted properly by others