Medical Terminology Chapter 1, 2 and 3

Medicine Has a Language of Its Own Current medical vocabulary includes terms built from Greek and Latin word parts, eponyms, acronyms, and terms from modern language

The Components of Medical Terms Medical terms are like individual jigsaw puzzles. They consist of (prefixes, combining forms, and suffixes) that make each term unique. Once you understand the basic medical term structure and how these components fit together, you will be able to “build” almost any medical term.

Basic Elements of a Medical Word 1.Word Root 2.Combining Form 3.Suffix 4.Prefix

4 Word Parts Word Root: Fundamental meaning of a medical term Prefix: Attached to beginning of a medical term to modify its meaning Suffix: Attached to end of a medical term to modify its meaning Combining Vowel: Used to ease pronunciation - usually an “o” (e, i, or u)

Prefix The Word or element attached to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning Not all medical words have a prefix A prefix will always have the same meaning in every term in which it is used

Prefixes A prefix is a syllable or syllables placed BEFORE a word or word root to alter its meaning or create a new word. Some prefixes: Hyper- (excessive) Pre- (before) Post- (after) Homo- (same) Hypo- (under)

Word Root The meaning or core part of the word Also known as the foundation of the word Usually derived from Greek or Latin Usually refers to body part Medical terms have one or more roots. Has the same meaning in every word that contains it

Word Root Examples: Gastr Stomach CardiHeart ArthrJoint CephalHead CytCell GyneWoman LinguaTongue ThyrThyroid

Word Root Examples “dent” means tooth “dermat” means skin “cardi” means heart “gastr” means stomach “pancreat” means pancreas

Suffixes A suffix is added to the END of a word root or combining form to modify its meaning. By adding a suffix to the end of a word root, we create a noun or adjective with a different meaning.

Combining Forms Correct pronunciation of medical words is important. In order to make the pronunciation of word roots easier, sometimes it is necessary to insert a vowel after the root. The combination of a word root and a vowel is known as a COMBINING FORM.

Combining Vowel Usually an ‘o’ and occasionally an ‘I’ Can be between word roots Makes pronunciation easier Can be between word roots and a suffix Has no meaning of its own When a vowel is added to a root word, it is called a combining form

Some Basic Rules All medical terms have at least one word root Not all medical terms have a prefix, suffix, or combining vowel Combining vowels are used to connect word roots or word root and suffix When a suffix begins with a vowel, the combining vowel is not used Example: arthritis (“o”)

Denotation of word parts: Prefix When printed in a list, prefixes are denoted by a dash following the prefix a-, an-, means no, not, without ex-, exo-, means out, away from poly- means many, much, excessive supra- means above, beyond

Contd: Word Root: When a vowel is added to a word root,it is usually marked with a diagonal, abdomin/o pertaining to the abdomen enter/o pertaining to the intestines Lapar/o pertaining to the abdominal wall

Contd: Suffix: Suffixes are denoted by a hyphen in front of the suffix when they are standing alone -itismeans inflammation -megalymeans enlargement -plegiameans paralysis

Reading A Medical Term When reading a medical term and attempt to decipher it’s meaning you : Begin at the Suffix Move to the Prefix (if present) And then the root

Singular and plural endings Many medical terms come from Greek or Latin words. Rules for forming plurals come from these languages. Other words use English rules. Each medical term must be considered individually when changing from singular to plural.

Pronunciation Guidelines Pronunciation of medical word May be exactly like it sounds –Example: febrile = ‘f’ sound, begins with ‘f’ May begin with a letter, or letters that produces the same phonetic sound –Example: physiology = ‘f’ sound, begins with ‘ph’

Pronunciation Guidelines (continued) If it sounds like ‘f’ –Look for ‘f’ = febrile –Look for ‘ph’ = physiology If it sounds like ‘j’ –Look for ‘j’ = jejunum –Look for ‘ge’ = genesis –Look for ‘gi’ = gingivitis –Look for ‘gy’ = gyrus

If it sounds like ‘k’ –Look for ‘k’ = kyphosis –Look for ‘c’ = cornea –Look for ‘ch’ = chorion –Look for ‘qu’ = quadruplet If it sounds like ‘n’ –Look for ‘n’ = neonatal –Look for ‘pn’ = pneumonia –Look for ‘kn’ = knee Pronunciation Guidelines (continued)

If it sounds like ‘z’ –Look for ‘z’ = zygomatic –Look for ‘x’ = xanthoma Pronunciation Guidelines (continued)

Additional Pronunciation Rules Words that begin with ‘c’ –If followed by ‘e’, ‘i’, or ‘y’ –Pronounced as soft ‘c’ –Has ‘j’ sound Examples –‘ce’ = cervix –‘ci’ = circumduction –‘cy’ = cyst

Additional Pronunciation Rules (continued) Words that begin with ‘c’ –If followed by ‘a’, ‘o’, ‘u’, or consonant –Pronounced as hard ‘c’ –Has a ‘k’ sound Examples –‘ca’ = cancer –‘co’ = collagen –‘cu’ = cuticle –‘ch’ = cheiloplasty