MRS. OLIVER ST 110 Introduction to Medical Terminology

Objectives Identify word parts and their role in forming medical terms Analyze unfamiliar terms Define commonly used prefixes, word roots, combining forms, and suffixes

Objectives, cont’d Pronounce medical terms correctly Recognize the importance of spelling medical terms correctly Correctly use abbreviations Recognize, define, spell, and pronounce medical terms

Word Parts Four Types  Word Roots  Combining Forms/vowels  Suffixes  Prefixes

Word Root Usually describe body part involved heminephroplasty May also indicate color Examples: cyan/o, erythr/o cyanosis erythrocyte

Combining Vowels May be needed between the word root and suffix heminephroplasty “O” is the most common

Suffixes Added to the end of a word root Usually indicates procedure, condition, disorder or disease tonsillitis tonsillectomy Can mean pertaining to, abnormal condition Also used as a noun, to indicate pathology, or relate to the type of procedure

Suffixes Can be used as noun endings  Name of person, place or thing In medical terminology, suffixes can change the word root into a noun.  EX. Cranium  Crani-skull  Um-noun ending Appendix A

Suffixes “Pertaining to”  Adjective- describes or defines a thing In medical terminology, suffixes can change the word root into an adjective.  EX. Cardiac  Cardi –heart  Ac- pertaining to

Suffixes Abnormal condition or disease  EX gastrosis  Gastro- stomach  Osis- abnormal condition or disease

Suffixes Related to pathology  Study of all aspects of diseases.  path- disease  ology- study of  Describe specific disease conditions  Gastralgia gastr-stomach algia-pain and suffering

Common Medical Common Surgical -osis: -ac: -algia: -itis: -malacia: -necrosis: -stenosis: -otomy -ectomy -plasty -ostomy - rrhaphy -pexy -lysis -scopy -graphy -desis Suffixes

“Double R” Suffixes -rrhage -rrhaphy -rrhea -rrhexis

Prefixes Added to beginning of word Usually indicates location, time, or number heminephroplasty Some can be similar in spelling, but opposite in meaning

Prefixes Pre- Peri- Post- Ab- Dys- Hyper- Hypo-

How Can I Determine the Meaning of a Word Just by Looking At It? Take the term apart Guess Use a medical dictionary Look on the net

Using a Medical Dictionary Spelling  If you don’t know how to spell the word, sound it out and write it down  If that doesn’t work, look for alternative spellings based on the beginning sound

Spelling ACCURACY is extremely important Changing just one or two letters can change the entire meaning of a word  Example: “ileum” is a part of the small intestine, and “ilium” is part of the hip bone

Pronunciation New terms will be written in bold The pronunciation will be in parentheses Just say the word like it is written in the parentheses The part that receives the most emphasis will be in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS The part with secondary emphasis will be in bold lowercase letters

nephrectomy root suffix nephr/ectomy kidney/surgical removal of The surgical removal of the a kidney

nephroplasty root cv suffix nephr/o/plasty kidney/surgical repair Surgical repair of a kidney

gastroenteritis root cv root suffix gastr/o/enter/itis stomach / small intestine /inflammation of Inflammation of the stomach & small intestine

Singulars and Plurals There are unusual rules for changing a singular word into a plural one The rules are foreign to us because most medical terms are of Greek or Latin origins

The Rules If a word ends in “a”, the plural will have an “e” added. Ex. Bursa to bursae If it ends in “ex” or “ix”, change it to “ices”  Ex. Appendix becomes appendices If the term ends in “um”, change it to an “a”  Ex. Ovum changes to ova See table 1.6 for the others

Don’t Panic!!!! All of these rules may seem overwhelming, but they will soon become second nature If in doubt, look for the plural form in a medical dictionary

Abbreviations Frequently used as a short-hand method of writing long and complex words or phrases Some can be confusing, so watch out!  Example: BE means “below elbow” and “barium enema”  A patient would be UPSET if these two terms were confused!

Basic Terms Sign Symptom Syndrome Diagnosis Prognosis Acute Chronic remission

Review  What are the four types of word parts?

Review  What are the four types of word parts? Word roots, combining forms, suffixes, prefixes

Review What does a word root usually describe?

Review What does a word root usually describe? The body part involved

Review Where is a suffix added to a word?

Review Where is a suffix added to a word? At the end of a root word

Review What are some examples of “Double R” suffixes?

Review What are some examples of “Double R” suffixes? -rrhaphy, -rrhage, -rrhea, -rrhexis

Review What part of the root word are prefixes added to?

Review What part of the root word are prefixes added to? The beginning of the word

Review Is accuracy important when spelling a medical term?

Review Is accuracy important when spelling a medical term? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Review What are some examples of basic medical terms?

Review What are some examples of basic medical terms? Sign, symptom, syndrome, acute, chronic…