1. Chapter 1: Concepts of Medical Terminology

2. Chapter Objectives Explain the purpose of medical terminology.
Define the terms root, suffix, and prefix.
Explain what combining forms are and why they are used.
Name the languages from which most medical word parts are derived.
Pronounce words according to the pronunciation guide used in this text.
List some features of medical dictionaries.
Analyze some concepts of medical terminology in a case study.

3. Pretest The main part of a word is called the: (a) origin (b) prefix
(c) root
(d) extension

4. Pretest The main part of a word is called the: (a) origin (b) prefix
(c) root
(d) extension 4

5. Pretest 2. A word part at the beginning of a word is a(n): (a) prefix
(b) combining form
(c) preview
(d) root 5

6. Pretest 2. A word part at the beginning of a word is a(n): (a) prefix
(b) combining form
(c) preview
(d) root 6

7. Pretest 3. A word part at the end of a word is the: (a) vowel
(b) adjective
(c) insertion
(d) suffix 7

8. Pretest 3. A word part at the end of a word is the: (a) vowel
(b) adjective
(c) insertion
(d) suffix 8

9. Pretest
4. Most medical words are derived from the languages: (a) French and Italian (b) Greek and Latin (c) English and German (d) Greek and Arabic

10. Pretest
4. Most medical words are derived from the languages: (a) French and Italian (b) Greek and Latin (c) English and German (d) Greek and Arabic 10

11. Pretest
5. The adjective form of cervix, meaning “neck,” is: (a) cervical (b) cervixal (c) cervous (d) cerviral 11

12. Pretest
5. The adjective form of cervix, meaning “neck,” is: (a) cervical (b) cervixal (c) cervous (d) cerviral 12

13. Pretest
6. The ch in the word chemistry is pronounced like the letter: (a) s (b) h (c) k (d) f 13

14. Pretest
6. The ch in the word chemistry is pronounced like the letter: (a) s (b) h (c) k (d) f 14

15. Pretest
7. The ps in the word psychology is pronounced like the letter:
(a) p
(b) s
(c) j
(d) k

16. Pretest
7. The ps in the word psychology is pronounced like the letter:
(a) p
(b) s
(c) j
(d) k

17. Pretest 8. The pn in the word pneumonia is pronounced like the letter:
(a) p
(b) u
(c) m
(d) n

18. Pretest 8. The pn in the word pneumonia is pronounced like the letter:
(a) p
(b) u
(c) m
(d) n

19. Pretest 9. The symbol ® means: (a) right (b) review (c) redirect
(d) register

20. Pretest 9. The symbol ® means: (a) right (b) review (c) redirect
(d) register

21. Key Terms
acronym
An abbreviation formed from the first letter of each word in a phrase
combining form
A word root combined with a vowel to link the root with a suffix. Combining forms are shown with a slash between the root and the vowel, as in neur/o.
compound word
A word that contains more than one root
prefix
A word part added before a root to modify its meaning
root
The fundamental unit of a word
suffix
A word part added to the end of a root to modify its meaning

22. Concepts of Medical Terminology
Special vocabulary used by health care professionals for effective and accurate communication
Based on Latin and Greek words
Consistent and uniform throughout the world

23. Word Parts Root Fundamental unit of each medical word
Establishes basic meaning of word
Part to which prefixes and suffixes are added

24. Word Parts (cont’d)

25. Word Parts (cont’d) Suffix
Short word part or parts added to the end of a word
Modifies the meaning of the root
Indicated by a dash before the suffix (-itis)

26. Word Parts (cont’d) Prefix Short word part added before a root
Modifies the meaning of the root
Followed by a dash (pre-)

27. Word Parts (cont’d) Begin with “learn” Learn + -er = one who learns
Re + learn = to learn again
Greek word for heart is kardia
Forms word root cardi
Latin word for lung is pulmo
Forms word root pulm

28. Combining Forms

29. Combining Forms (cont’d)
Insert an ‘o’ before a suffix beginning with a consonant when added to a root
-logy = “study of”
Neur = “nerve or nervous system”
Neur + o + logy = neurology (study of the nervous system)

30. Combining Forms (cont’d)
Roots shown with a combining vowel are called combining forms
Vowels added after a slash
Called roots
Neur/o
Combining vowel omitted if suffix begins with a vowel
Neur + itis = neuritis (inflammation of a nerve)

31. Combining Forms (cont’d)

32. Word Derivations Most word parts derived from Greek (G) and Latin (L)
Muscle is Latin for ‘mouse’
Coccyx named for the cuckoo’s bill

33. Words Ending in x
When you add a suffix to a wording ending in x, the x is changed to a g or a c
If there is a consonant before the x, the x is changed to a g (pharynx becomes pharyngeal)
If a vowel comes before the x, the x is changed to a c (thorax becomes thoracotomy)

34. Suffix Beginning with rh
When you add a suffix beginning with rh to a root, the r is doubled
Hem/o (blood) + -rhage (bursting forth) = hemorrhage (a bursting forth of blood)

35. Pronunciation Use phonetic pronunciations provided Repeat words aloud
Pronunciations may change when parts are combined

36. Pronunciation (cont’d)
Vowels with no pronunciation marks get short pronunciation
‘a’ as in hat
Short line over vowel gives it long pronunciation
‘ā’ as in say
Accented syllable indicated with capital letters
as in AK-sent

37. Soft and Hard c and g Soft c, as in racer = (RĀ-ser)
Hard c, as in candy = (KAN-dē)
Soft g, as in page, written as j = (pāj)
Hard g, as in grow = (grō)

38. Silent Letters and Unusual Pronunciations
Silent letters and unusual pronunciations can be a problem, especially if they appear at the start of a word

39. Word and Phrase Abbreviations
Can save time
May cause confusion
Acronym = abbreviation formed from first letter of each word in a phrase
ASAP = as soon as possible

40. Symbols
Used as shorthand in case histories
® = right
 = increase