1. Chapter 5
Medical Terminology
Chapter 5: Medical Terminology

2. Introduction (1 of 2)
EMTs need a working knowledge of medical terminology
It is important to understand:
Key terms
Acronyms
Symbols
Abbreviations
Lecture Outline
I. Introduction
A. As an EMT, you must have a strong working knowledge of medical terminology.
B. For effective communication and documentation, you must understand:
1. Key terms
2. Acronyms
3. Symbols
4. Abbreviations

3. Introduction (2 of 2) Determine the meaning of an unknown word by:
Understanding how terms are formed
Learning the definitions for parts of a term
Understanding medical jargon leads to effective communication.
Lecture Outline
C. You can determine the meaning of an unknown word by:
1. Understanding how terms are formed
2. Learning the definitions for parts of a medical term
D. Understanding medical jargon will help you communicate effectively with other members of the EMS, health care, and public safety teams.

4. Anatomy of a Medical Term (1 of 7)
Medical terms are made of distinct parts that perform specific functions
Changing or deleting any part can change the function (meaning) of a word
Lecture Outline
II. Anatomy of a Medical Term
A. Medical terms are made of distinct parts that perform specific functions.
B. Changing or deleting any of those parts can significantly change the function (or meaning) of a word.

5. Anatomy of a Medical Term (2 of 7)
Components that comprise medical terms include the:
Word root
Prefix
Suffix
Combining vowels
Lecture Outline
C. Components that comprise medical terms include the:
1. Word root: the foundation of the word
2. Prefix: what occurs before the word root
3. Suffix: what occurs after the word root
4. Combining vowels: vowels that join one or more word roots to other components of a term

6. Anatomy of a Medical Term (3 of 7)
How the parts of a term are combined determines its meaning
Accurate spelling is essential
Knowing anatomy and the context of how words are used can help you correctly determine the term
Lecture Outline
D. How the parts of a term are combined determines its meaning.
1. Accurate spelling is essential in medical terminology.
2. Knowing anatomy and the context of how these words are used can help you correctly determine (and spell) the term in a given situation.

7. Anatomy of a Medical Term (4 of 7)
Word roots
Main part or stem of a word
Conveys the essential meaning
Frequently indicates a body part
Add or change a prefix or suffix to change the meaning of the term
Lecture Outline
E. Word roots
1. The main part or stem of a word is called a word root (or root word).
a. Conveys the essential meaning of the word
b. Frequently indicates a body part
2. Most terms have at least one word root, and some have more than one root.
3. Adding a prefix or suffix to the word root creates a term.
4. Changing the prefix or suffix will change the meaning of the term.
5. Some word roots may also be used as prefixes or suffixes for other terms.

8. Anatomy of a Medical Term (5 of 7)
Prefixes
Usually describe location or intensity
Not all medical terms have prefixes
Give the word root its specific meaning
Lecture Outline
F. Prefixes
1. Prefixes usually describe:
a. Location
b. Intensity
2. Not all medical terms have prefixes.
3. A prefix gives the word root its specific meaning.
4. By learning the commonly used medical prefixes, you can figure out the meaning of terms that may not be familiar to you.

9. Anatomy of a Medical Term (6 of 7)
Suffixes
Usually indicate a:
Procedure
Condition
Disease
Part of speech
Lecture Outline
G. Suffixes
1. Suffixes usually indicate a:
a. Procedure
b. Condition
c. Disease
d. Part of speech

10. Anatomy of a Medical Term (7 of 7)
Combining vowels
Connects word root to suffix or other word root
Most cases, it’s an o; may also be an i or e
Used when joining:
A suffix that begins with a consonant
Another word root
A combining form is a combining vowel shown with the word root.
Lecture Outline
H. Combining vowels
1. A combining vowel is the part of a term that connects a word root to a suffix or other word root.
a. In most cases, it is an o; however, it may also be an i or an e.
b. Used when joining a suffix that begins with a consonant or when joining another word root.
2. The combining vowel helps ease the pronunciation of the term.
3. A combining form is a combining vowel shown with the word root.
4. Common combining forms

11. Word Building Rules Summary of rules:
The prefix is at the beginning of a term.
The suffix is at the end of a term.
Use a combining vowel when:
The suffix begins with a consonant (to ease pronunciation)
A term has more than one word root
Lecture Outline
III. Word Building Rules
A. The following summarizes the rules covered thus far:
1. The prefix is always at the beginning of a term; however, not all terms will have a prefix.
2. The suffix is always at the end of the term.
3. Use a combining vowel when:
a. A suffix begins with a consonant (to make pronunciation easier).
b. A term has more than one word root; a combining vowel must be placed between the two word roots, even if the second root begins with a vowel.

12. Plural Endings Apply these rules
Sometimes you add an s (lung to lungs)
Words ending in:
a change to ae (vertebra to vertebrae)
is change to es (diagnosis to diagnoses)
ex or ix change to ices (apex to apices)
on or um change to a (ganglion to ganglia, ovum to ova)
us change to i (bronchus to bronchi)
Lecture Outline
IV. Plural Endings
A. To change a term from singular to plural form, certain rules apply.
B. Sometimes you can simply add an s (lung becomes lungs), but some rules are more complicated.
C. Rules you may encounter when converting from singular to plural terms are:
1. Singular words that end in a change to ae.
2. Singular words that end in is change to es.
3. Singular words that end in ex or ix change to ices.
4. Singular words that end in on or um change to a.
5. Singular words that end in us change to i

13. Special Word Parts (1 of 4)
Prefixes can indicate:
Numbers
Colors
Positions and directions
Lecture Outline
V. Special Word Parts
A. Prefixes can be used to indicate:
1. Numbers
2. Colors
3. Positions and directions

14. Special Word Parts (2 of 4)
Numbers
Some prefixes indicate that a term involves a number or two (or more) parts or sides
Examples: uni-, dipl-, null-, primi-, multi-, bi-
Lecture Outline
B. Numbers
1. Several prefixes are used to indicate if a term involves a number, such as half, one or two (or more) parts or sides.
a. Examples: uni-, dipl-, null-, primi-, multi-, bi-

15. Special Word Parts (3 of 4)
Colors
Several word roots describe color.
Examples: cyan/o, leuk/o, erythr/o, cirrh/o, melan/o
Lecture Outline
C. Color
1. Several word roots are used to describe color.
a. Examples: cyan/o, leuk/o, erythr/o, cirrh/o, melan/o

16. Special Word Parts (4 of 4)
Positions and directions
Prefixes can describe a position, direction, or location.
Examples: ab-, ad-, de-, circum-, peri-, trans-, epi-, supra-
Lecture Outline
D. Positions and directions
1. Prefixes can also be used to describe a position, direction, or location.
a. Examples: ab-, ad-, de-, circum-, peri-, trans-, epi-, supra-

17. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (1 of 13)
Some directional terms include:
Right and left
Superior and inferior
Lateral and medial
Proximal and distal
Superficial and deep
Ventral and dorsal
Palmar and plantar
Apex
Lecture Outline
VI. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms
A. Directional terms
1. Common directional terms include:
a. Right and left
b. Superior and inferior
c. Lateral and medial
d. Proximal and distal
e. Superficial and deep
f. Ventral and dorsal
g. Palmar and plantar
h. Apex
2. The terms right and left refer to the patient’s right and left sides, not to your right and left sides.

18. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (2 of 13)
Superior and inferior
Superior
Nearer to the head
Inferior
Nearer to the feet
Terms describe the relationship of one structure to another
Lecture Outline
3. Superior and inferior
a. The superior part of any body part is the portion nearer to the head from a specific reference point. The part nearer to the feet is the inferior portion.
b. These terms are also used to describe the relationship of one structure to another.

19. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (3 of 13)
Lateral and medial
Lateral (outer)
Body parts that lie farther from the midline
Medial (inner)
Body parts that lie closer to the midline
Lecture Outline
4. Lateral and medial
a. Parts of the body that lie farther from the midline are called lateral (outer) structures.
b. The parts that lie closer to the midline are called medial (inner) structures.

20. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (4 of 13)
Proximal and distal
Describe the relationship of any two structures on an extremity
Proximal: Closer to the trunk
Distal: Farther from the trunk/nearer to the free end of the extremity
Lecture Outline
5. Proximal and distal
a. The terms proximal and distal are used to describe the relationship of any two structures on an extremity.
b. Proximal describes structures that are closer to the trunk.
c. Distal describes structures that are farther from the trunk or nearer to the free end of the extremity.

21. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (5 of 13)
Superficial and deep
Superficial
Means closer to or on the skin
Deep
Means farther inside the body or tissue
Away from the skin
Lecture Outline
6. Superficial and deep
a. Superficial means closer to or on the skin.
b. Deep means farther inside the body or tissue, and away from the skin.

22. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (6 of 13)
Ventral and dorsal
Ventral
Refers to the belly side of the body
Anterior surface of the body
Dorsal
Refers to the spinal side of the body
Posterior surface of the body (e.g., dorsal fin of a dolphin)
Lecture Outline
7. Ventral and dorsal
a. Ventral refers to the belly side of the body, or the anterior surface of the body.
b. Dorsal refers to the spinal side of the body, or the posterior surface of the body, (think of the dorsal fin of a dolphin, which is on its back).

23. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (7 of 13)
Ventral and dorsal (cont’d)
More commonly used terms are:
Anterior: front surface of the body
Posterior: back surface of the body
Lecture Outline
c. The more commonly used terms are anterior (the front surface of the body) and posterior (the back surface of the body).

24. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (8 of 13)
Palmar and plantar
Palmar surface
Front region of the hand (the palm)
Plantar surface
Bottom of the foot
Apex (apices)
Tip(s) of a structure
Lecture Outline
8. Palmar and plantar
a. The front region of the hand is referred to as the palm or palmar surface.
b. The bottom of the foot is referred to as the plantar surface.
9. Apex
a. The apex (plural apices) is the tip of a structure.

25. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (9 of 13)
Movement terms
Flexion = bending of a joint
Extension = straightening of a joint
Adduction = motion toward the midline
Abduction = motion away from the midline
Lecture Outline
B. Movement terms
1. The following terms relate to movement:
a. Flexion is the bending of a joint.
b. Extension is the straightening of a joint.
c. Adduction is motion toward the midline.
d. Abduction is motion away from the midline.

26. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (10 of 13)
Other directional terms
Bilateral = both sides of midline (both external and internal structures)
Unilateral = only one side of the body
Lecture Outline
C. Other directional terms
1. A body part that appears on both sides of the midline is bilateral.
2. Structures inside the body also appear on both sides of the midline.
3. Something that appears on only one side of the body is said to occur unilaterally.

27. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (11 of 13)
Other directional terms (cont’d)
Learn these concepts:
To describe the location of any injury or assessment findings
So medical personnel will know where to look and what to expect
Lecture Outline
4. It is important to learn all of these terms and concepts so you can describe the location of any injury or assessment findings.
5. Use the terms properly so that any other medical personnel who care for the patient will know immediately where to look and what to expect.

28. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (12 of 13)
Anatomic positions
Prone or supine
Prone means lying face down; supine means lying face up
Fowler position
Semi-reclining with head elevated
Lecture Outline
D. Anatomic positions
1. There are many terms used to describe the position of the patient on your arrival or during transport to the emergency department.
2. The body is in the prone position when lying face down; the body is in the supine position when lying face up.
3. The Fowler position is a semi-reclining position with the head elevated to help the patient breathe easier and to control the airway. A patient who is sitting upright is said to be in the Fowler position.

29. Common Direction, Movement, and Position Terms (13 of 13)
Anatomic positions (cont’d)
Semi-Fowler
Patient sits at a 45-degree angle
High-Fowler
Patient sits at a 90-degree angle
Lecture Outline
a. Semi-Fowler position: Patient sits with the back of the stretcher at a 45-degree angle
b. High-Fowler position: Patient sits at a 90-degree angle

30. Breaking Terms Apart (1 of 5)
Use the meaning of parts to decipher the term.
Define in this order:
The suffix
The prefix
The word root
Lecture Outline
VII. Breaking Terms Apart
A. You can use knowledge of the meaning of parts to decipher the meaning of a term.
1. When trying to define a term, begin with the suffix and work backward.
2. If the term also contains a prefix, define the suffix, then the prefix, and then the word root. Here are some examples:

31. Breaking Terms Apart (2 of 5)
Nephropathy
nephr/o/pathy
-pathy (means “disease”)
o (combining form)
nephr (meaning “kidney”)
nephropathy = disease of the kidney
Lecture Outline
a. Nephropathy
i. nephr/o/pathy
ii. -pathy (suffix meaning “disease”)
iii. o (combining form)
iv. nephr (word root meaning “kidney”)
v. nephropathy = disease of the kidney

32. Breaking Terms Apart (3 of 5)
Dysuria
dys/ur/ia
-ia (means “condition of”)
dys- (means “difficult, painful, or abnormal”)
ur (means “urine”)
dysuria = painful urination
Lecture Outline
b. Dysuria
i. dys/ur/ia
ii. -ia (suffix meaning “condition of”)
iii. dys- (prefix meaning “difficult, painful, or abnormal”)
iv. ur (word root meaning “urine”)
v. dysuria = painful urination (pain when urinating) or difficulty urinating

33. Breaking Terms Apart (4 of 5)
Hyperemesis
hyper/emesis
hyper- (prefix meaning “excessive”)
emesis (word root meaning “vomiting”)
hyperemesis = excessive vomiting
Lecture Outline
c. Hyperemesis
i. hyper/emesis
ii. hyper- (prefix meaning “excessive”)
iii. emesis (word root meaning “vomiting”)
iv. hyperemesis = excessive vomiting

34. Breaking Terms Apart (5 of 5)
Analgesic
an/alges/ic
-ic (suffix meaning “pertaining to”)
an- (prefix meaning “without” or “absence of”)
alges (word root meaning “pain”)
analgesic = pertaining to no pain
Lecture Outline
d. Analgesic
i. an/alges/ic
ii. -ic (suffix meaning “pertaining to”)
iii. -an (prefix meaning “without” or “absence of”)
iv. alges (word root meaning “pain”)
v. analgesic = pertaining to no pain

35. Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols (1 of 2)
Shorthand used for communication
Developed for speed
Do not trade speed for accuracy.
Use only commonly understood acronyms and abbreviations to minimize errors.
Lecture Outline
VIII. Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols
A. Medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols are a type of shorthand used for communication.
1. Developed because one could communicate faster using this method
2. The Joint Commission and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices are considered two authorities on abbreviations and provide do-not-use lists.
3. When you use an abbreviation, you pronounce each letter of the abbreviation separately and distinctly.
4. When you use an acronym, you are shortening several words, usually using the first letter of each word to make the acronym.
5. Misunderstanding and errors occur if someone involved in patient care does not understand the meaning of abbreviations or acronyms.

36. Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols (2 of 2)
Use only accepted abbreviations to avoid confusion/errors.
Be familiar with abbreviations in your service area.
Symbols
Use only accepted symbols to avoid confusion/errors.
Lecture Outline
B. Abbreviations
1. Remember to use only standard, accepted abbreviations to avoid confusion and errors.
2. Be familiar with accepted use of abbreviations in your local jurisdiction or service area.
C. Symbols
1. As with abbreviations, it is important to only use symbols that are widely understood and accepted.

37. Review
Which of the following components of a medical term conveys its essential meaning?
Prefix
Suffix
Word root
Combining vowels

38. Review
Answer: C Rationale: The word root conveys the essential meaning of a medical term. The prefix usually describes location or intensity. The suffix will indicate a procedure, condition, disease, or part of speech. Combining vowels are used to connect a word to the suffix or word root.

39. Review
Which of the following components of a medical term conveys its essential meaning?
Prefix
Rationale: The prefix describes location or intensity.
B. Suffix
Rationale: The suffix indicates a procedure, condition, disease, or part of speech.

40. Review
Which of the following components of a medical term conveys its essential meaning?
Word root
Rationale: Correct answer
Combining vowels
Rationale: Combining vowels are used to connect a word to the suffix or other root word.

41. Review 2. Prefixes can indicate: color. conditions. body parts.
procedures.

42. Review
Answer: A Rationale: Prefixes are used to indicate colors, numbers, position, or direction. Suffixes will indicate a procedure, condition, disease, or part of speech. Word roots will indicate specific body parts.

43. Review 2. Prefixes can indicate: color. Rationale: Correct answer
conditions.
Rationale: Conditions are indicated by the suffix.

44. Review 2. Prefixes can indicate: C. body parts.
Rationale: Body parts are indicated by the word root.
procedures.
Rationale: Procedures are indicated by the suffix.

45. Review The plural form of the word bronchus is: bronchae. bronches.
bronchices.
bronchi.

46. Review
Answer: D Rationale: When a word ends in us, the plural form will end in i. For words that end in a, the plural form will end in ae. When words end in is, the plural form will end in es. Words that end in ex or ix will have a plural form that end in ices.

47. Review The plural form of the word bronchus is: bronchae.
Rationale: For words that end in a the plural form will end in ae.
B. bronches.
Rationale: When words end in is the plural form will end in es.

48. Review The plural form of the word bronchus is: C. bronchices.
Rationale: Words that end in ex or ix will have a plural form that end in ices.
D. bronchi.
Rationale: Correct answer

49. Review
The statement “the lungs are superior to the bladder” indicates that the lungs are closer to the:
feet.
surface of the skin.
head.
trunk.

50. Review
Answer: C Rationale: The term superior is used to indicate a structure is closer to the head than another structure. Inferior is the term used to describe a structure that is closer to the feet. Superficial is used to describe a structure that is closer to the skin than another. Proximal is used to describe a structure that is closer to the trunk in comparison to another.

51. Review
The statement “the lungs are superior to the bladder” indicates that the lungs are closer to the:
feet.
Rationale: The term inferior is used to describe one structure being closer to the feet than another.
B. surface of the skin.
Rationale: The term superficial is used to indicate that one structure is closer to the skin than another.

52. Review
The statement “the lungs are superior to the bladder” indicates that the lungs are closer to the:
C. head.
Rationale: Correct answer
D. trunk.
Rationale: The term proximal is used to indicate that one structure is closer to the trunk than another.

53. Review Movement of the arm toward midline is referred to as: flexion.
extension.
adduction.
abduction.

54. Review
Answer: C Rationale: The term adduction is used to describe movement of a structure towards the midline of the body. Flexion refers to the bending of a joint. Extension refers to the straightening of a joint. Abduction is used to describe movement of a structure away from the midline of the body.

55. Review Movement of the arm toward midline is referred to as: flexion.
Rationale: Flexion refers to the bending of a joint.
B. extension.
Rationale: Extension refers to the straightening of a joint.

56. Review Movement of the arm toward midline is referred to as:
C. adduction.
Rationale: Correct answer
D. abduction.
Rationale: Abduction refers to motion away from the midline.

57. Review
A body part that lies closer to the midline when compared to another is considered to be:
medial.
distal.
lateral.
proximal.

58. Review
Answer: A Rationale: The term medial is used to identify a body part that closer to the midline when compare to another. Distal is used to refer to a body part that is further away from the trunk in comparison to another. Lateral refers to a describe a structure that lies away from midline or towards the side of the body. Proximal is used to describe a body part that is closer to the trunk when compared to another.

59. Review
A body part that lies closer to the midline when compared to another is considered to be:
medial.
Rationale: Correct answer
B. distal.
Rationale: Distal is used to describe a body part that is further from the trunk than another.

60. Review
A body part that lies closer to the midline when compared to another is considered to be:
C. lateral.
Rationale: The term lateral is used to describe a body part that lies away from the midline or towards the side.
D. proximal.
Rationale: Proximal is used to describe a body part that is closer to the trunk than another.

61. Review
________ is used to identify a body part that is on the “belly side” or anterior surface of the body.
Deep
Superficial
Dorsal
Ventral

62. Review
Answer: D Rationale: Ventral is used to identify a body part that is located on the “belly side” or anterior surface of the body. Deep is used to describe a structure that is further away from the skins surface. Superficial refers to a structure that is close to the skins surface. Dorsal describes a structure on the back or posterior side of the body.

63. Review
________ is used to identify a body part that is on the “belly side” or anterior surface of the body.
Deep
Rationale: Deep refers to a structure that is further away from the skin’s surface.
B. Superficial
Rationale: Superficial refers to a structure that is closer to the skin’s surface.

64. Review
________ is used to identify a body part that is on the “belly side” or anterior surface of the body.
C. Dorsal
Rationale: Dorsal refers to the back or posterior side of the body.
D. Ventral
Rationale: Correct answer

65. Review
You place a patient in the semi-Fowler’s position for transport. This means the patient is:
lying on his or her back.
lying on his or her stomach.
sitting at a 45-degree angle.
sitting at a 90-degree angle.

66. Review
Answer: C Rationale: A patient that is sitting at a 45-degree angle is said to be in a semi-Fowler’s position. A patient is said to be supine when positioned on his or her back. When a patient is lying on his or her stomach, they are said to be in a prone position. If you have a patient sitting at a 90-degree angle, you have placed them in a high-Fowler’s position.

67. Review
You place a patient in the semi-Fowler’s position for transport. This means the patient is:
lying on his or her back.
Rationale: Supine is used to describe the position when a patient is lying on his or her back.
B. lying on his or her stomach.
Rationale: Prone is used to describe the position when a patient is lying on his or her stomach.

68. Review
You place a patient in the semi-Fowler’s position for transport. This means the patient is:
C. sitting at a 45-degree angle.
Rationale: Correct answer
D. sitting at a 90-degree angle.
Rationale: High-Fowler is used to describe the position when a patient is sitting at a 90-degree angle.

69. Review A laceration located on the plantar surface is on the:
sole of the foot.
palm of the hand.
back of the body.
front of the body.

70. Review
Answer: A Rationale: Plantar refers to the soles of the feet while palmar refers to the palms of the hands. Dorsal or posterior is used when referring to the back of the body. Ventral or anterior is used to when referring to the front of the body.

71. Review A laceration located on the plantar surface is on the:
sole of the foot.
Rationale: Correct answer
B. palm of the hand.
Rationale: Palmar is used to describe the palm of the hand.

72. Review A laceration located on the plantar surface is on the:
C. back of the body.
Rationale: Dorsal or posterior is used when describing the back of the body.
D. front of the body.
Rationale: Ventral or anterior is used when describing the front of the body.

73. Review When using abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols, an EMT should:
be familiar with those used in your agency.
use only those that are medically accepted.
use them to shorten documentation.
All of the above.

74. Review
Answer: D Rationale: Before using abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols in your documentation it is important to know which ones are accepted for use by your agency. You should only use those that are medically accepted so anyone who is reading your report can understand what you are saying. To minimize the length of your documentation you can use abbreviations, acronyms, and/or symbols.

75. Review When using abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols, an EMT should:
be familiar with those used in your agency.
Rationale: Correct answer. An EMT should be familiar with the abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols, used by his or her agency.
B. use only those that are medically accepted.
Rationale: Correct answer. An EMT should use abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols that are medically accepted.

76. Review When using abbreviations, acronyms, or symbols, you should:
C. use them to shorten documentation.
Rationale: Correct answer. EMTs can use abbreviations, acronyms, or abbreviations to shorten documentation.
D. All of the above.
Rationale: Correct answer.