1. Clinical Medical Assisting
Chapter 3: Introduction to Medical Terminology

2. Objectives
Identify word parts and their roles in the formation of medical terms.
Identify prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining forms
Define the process used to identify and locate medical terms in a dictionary
Define basic anatomy and physiology and know how to use anatomic reference systems

3. Objectives (con’t)
Identify the abdominal cavity and peritoneum and how to recognize, define, spell, and pronounce related terms
Recognize the structure and function of the human body and recognize, define, spell, and pronounce related terms
Discuss body systems, the organs that make up these systems, and their functions
Discuss diseases and modes of transmission and recognize, define, spell, and pronounce related terms

4. Chapter Overview
This chapter covers the basics of medical terminology. A description of the segments of medical terms along with terms associated with anatomy, physiology, body systems, and diseases are covered.

5. Medical Terminology
Is a universal language that all medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistants, and other medical personnel can understand.

6. Prefixes
Modifies the word root, and often indicates location, presence or absence, size, frequency, quantity, or position.

7. Suffixes
Are located at the end of the medical term and completes the word root. It often indicates a procedure, disease, condition, or disorder.

8. Word Roots
Is the foundation of the word to which the suffix or prefix is added and identifies a structure or anatomy of the word.

9. Combining Forms
Is a word root that has a vowel added to the end to help connecting suffixes or other word roots and combining forms.

10. Breaking a Medical Term Apart
Dissecting a term into its word parts is a good way to learn about its meaning.

11. Building a Medical Term
The same rules that apply to breaking a medical term apart, apply to building a medical term.

12. Singular and Plural Terms
In the English language, adding “s” or “es” to the singular term makes it plural.

13. Anatomy
The study of the structures of the human body and its organs.

14. Physiology
The study of the function and physical and chemical processes that take place in cells, tissues, and organs.

15. Homeostasis
Is the state of the body when it functions properly.

16. Pathophysiology
The study of the processes or mechanisms by which an illness or disease occurs, the body’s response to this state, and the effects of these processes on normal bodily function.

17. Anatomic Directional Terms
Certain directional terms for describing body structure are used universally by healthcare professionals.

18. Body Planes
The body can be divided into four planes by drawing an imaginary line through the side of the body from the top of the head to the feet and by drawing a horizontal line across the body.

19. Coronal Plane
The vertical plane running from side to side that divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.

20. Sagittal Plane
The vertical plane running from front to back that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.

21. Axial Plane
The horizontal plane that divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.

22. Median Plane
The sagittal plane through the midline of the body that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left halves.

23. Body Cavities
The body is divided into cavities or spaces that contain the internal organs or viscera.

24. Body Systems
The most complex components of the human body.

25. Body Systems (con’t)
Body systems include the integumentary system, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, renal system, nervous system, endocrine system, reproductive system, immune system, and sensory system.