1. Chapter 1: Introduction
DC Medical Terminology

2. Word Elements (pg 3)
Medical words consist of some or all of the following:
Word root
Combining form
Suffix
Prefix
Combination of these elements lead to the meaning of the word.

3. Word Root (pg 4) Word root is the main part or foundation of the word.
What is the root in the following words?
Teacher, teaches, teaching
Root words can be single terms or parts of words.
Example: sperm vs spermicide
In medical terms the root is usually an anatomical structure.
Example: cardi/ac, cardiogram
Usually Greek or Latin base

4. Combining Forms (pg 5)
Combining forms are when root word combines with a vowel, usually an o, enabling two words elements to be linked.
What is the combining form with: thermometer, gastroscope
Can connect two words:
Combine these words:
Chem & therapy
Dermat & logy
Leuk & cyte
Makes words easier to prounounce

5. Suffixes (pg 7) Suffix is located at the end of a word.
Substitution of suffix changes the meaning of a word.
In medical terminology usually indicates a procedure, condition, disease, or part of speech.
Example: -er, meaning one who
-it is meaning inflammation
What is the difference between: dentist vs. dental

6. Three Rules of Word Building
1. A word root links a suffix that beings with a vowel
2. A combining form (root+o) links a suffix that begins with a constant
3. A combining form (root + o) links a root to another root to form a compound word. (Even if next root begins with a vowel.)

7. Practice – Rule 1
1. A word root links a suffix that beings with a vowel
Word Root
Suffix
New Word
Leuk
-emia
Gastr
-it is
Append
-ectomy

8. Practice – Rule 1 Word Root Suffix New Word Leuk -emia Leukemia Gastr
-it is
Gastritis
Append
-ectomy
appendectomy

9. Practice – Rule 2
2. A combining form (root+o) links a suffix that begins with a constant
Word Root
Suffix
Medical Term
Gastr
-scope
Men
-rrhea
Angi
-rrhexis

10. Practice – Rule 2 Word Root Suffix Medical Term Gastr -scope
Gasteroscope
Men
-rrhea
Menorrhea
Angi
-rrhexis
angiorrhexis

11. Practice – Rule 3
3. A combining form (root + o) links a root to another root to form a compound word. (Even if next root begins with a vowel.)
Word Root
Suffix
Medical Term
Oste
Chondr
-itis
-oma
Arthro

12. Practice – Rule 3 Word Root Suffix Medical Term Oste Chondr -itis
osteochondritis
-oma
osteochondroma
Arthro
osteoarthritis
Would you use a word root or a combining form as a link to the suffixes –algia, -edema, -uria?

13. Prefixes Prefix is a word element located at the beginning of a word.
Substitution of a prefix changes the meaning of a word.
Prefix usually indicates a number, time, position, or negation.
Example: macro + cyte, micro + cyte
Break down this word:
Postnatal
Post/nat/al
After/birth/pertaining to

14. Defining Medical Terms (pg 14)
Rules:
1. Define the suffix first
2. Define the beginning of the word
3. Define the middle of the word
Example:
Oste/o/arthr/it is
It is=inflammation
Oste=bone
Arthr=joint
Term means, inflammation of the bone and joint

15. Pronunciation Guidelines
Use your CD to learn proper pronunciation of terms

16. Surgical Suffixes Suffix Definition -centesis Surgical puncture -clast
To break
-desis
Binding, fixation (of a bone or joint)
-ectomy
Excision, removal
-lysis
Separation; destruction; loosening
-pexy
Fixation (of an organ)
-plasty
Surgical repair
-rrhapy
Suture
-stomy
Forming an opening (mouth)
-tome
Instrument to cut
-tomy
Incision
-tripsy
Crushing

17. Diagnostic Suffixes Suffix Definition -gram Record, writing -graph
Instrument for recording
-graphy
Process of recording
-meter
Instrument for measuring
-metry
Act of measuring
-scope
Instrument for examining
-scopy
Visual examination

18. Pathological Suffixes
Definition
-algia, -dynia
Pain
-cele
Hernia, swelling
-ectasis
Dilation, expansion
-edema
Swelling
-emesis
Vomiting
-emia
Blood condition
-iasis
Abnormal condition
-it is
Inflammation
-lith
Stone, calculus
-malacia
Softening
-megaly
Enlargement
-oma
Tumor
-osis
Abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

19. Pathological Suffixes cont…
-pathy
Disease
-penia
Decrease, deficiency
-phobia
Fear
-plegia
Paralysis
-rrhage, -rrhagia
Bursting (of)
-rrhea
Discharge, flow
-rrhexis
Rupture
-stenosis
Narrowing stricture
-toxis
Poison
-trophy
Nourishment, development

20. Plural Suffixes
When you change a single word into plural you change the suffix.
Complete Page 22, Section Review 1-2 by Tuesday

21. Common Prefixes Prefix Meaning A-, an- Without, not Circum-, peri-
Around
Dia-, trans-
Through, across
Dipl-, diplo-
Double
Endo-, intra-
In, within
Homo-, homeo-
Same
Hypo-
Under, below, deficient
Macro-
Large
Micro-
Small
mono-, uni-
One
Post-
After, behind
Pre-, pro-
Before, in front of
Primi-
First
Retro-
Backward, behind
Super-
Upper, above