1. Introduction to Medical Language
Chapter 1
Introduction to Medical Language

2. Chapter 1
Lesson 1.1

3. Objectives Describe four origins of medical language.
Define two categories of medical terms
Identify and define the four word parts and combining form.
Analyze and define medical terms.
Build medical terms for given definitions.
Using the objectives, inform students of what they are expected to learn in Lesson 1.1.

4. Medicine Has a Language of Its Own
Current medical vocabulary includes terms built from Greek and Latin word parts, eponyms, acronyms, and terms from modern language
Many can be translated literally to find their meaning
Eponyms: a word based on the name of a person, such as Parkinson disease, or bundle of His
Acronyms: a word formed from the first letters of the words in a phrase that can be spoken as a whole word and usually contains a vowel,
such as laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)

5. Categories of Medical Terms
All medical terms in the text are divided into two categories:
terms built from word parts
terms not built from word parts
Provide examples of terms built from word parts and terms not built from word parts.

6. Four Word Parts
Word Root: fundamental meaning of a medical term—the core of the word
Prefix: attached to the beginning of a medical term to modify its meaning
Suffix: attached to the end of a medical term to modify its meaning
Combining Vowel: used to ease pronunciation—usually an “o”
Word root: the core of a word. Each medical term contains at least one word root that indicates a number, direction, time, or negation.
A suffix often indicates a procedure or condition.
A combining vowel is used to connect two word roots or a word root and a suffix. It is not used to connect a prefix and word root.

7. Guidelines for Using Combining Vowels
Explain the importance of learning when and when not to use a combining vowel.

8. Examples Word Roots: arthr: joint hepat: liver oste: bone ven: vein
Prefixes: intra-: within
Suffixes: itis: inflammation
-ous: pertaining to
Combining
Vowel: o:
hepat: liver
oste: bone
sub-: under
-ic: pertaining to
-pathy: disease
What is the difference between a word root and a prefix?
What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix?
What is the purpose of adding a combining vowel to a medical term?

9. Clicker Question The word part that is the core of the word is a
combining vowel
suffix
word root
prefix
Ask students to explain the meaning of the other word parts listed.

10. Combining Form Word Root + Combining Vowel Examples: arthr/o hepat/o
ven/o
oste/o
The word parts are separated by vertical slashes.

11. Word Parts and Combining Form
Reinforce the meaning of word parts and a combining form.

12. Some Basic Rules All medical terms have at least one word root.
Not all medical terms have a prefix, suffix, or combining vowel.
Combining vowels are used to connect word roots or word root and suffix.
When a suffix begins with a vowel, the combining vowel is usually not used.
Why is it important to understand the basic rules of combining word parts into medical terms?

13. Some Basic Rules (cont’d)
When connecting two word roots, a combining vowel is usually used even if vowels are present at the junction.
Example: oste/o/arthr/itis
Usually, medical terms are defined by starting at the end of the term and going back to the beginning.
Example: oste/o/arthr/itis—inflammation of the bone and joints
Explain that “usually” defining medical terms by starting at the end of the term and going back to the beginning does not mean “always.”

14. Some Basic Rules (cont’d)
A few terms are more easily and accurately defined by starting at the beginning of the term.
Example: melan/oma
melan = black
-oma = tumor
This is one example of when it is easier to define the meaning by starting at the beginning.

15. Clicker Question If vowels are present at the junction of two word
roots (such as oste and arthr) in a medical term,
a combining vowel is usually
still used
not used
used twice
the letter i

16. Techniques to Learn Medical Terms Built from Word Parts
Explain the importance of understanding the techniques listed here and the rules and guidelines listed in Chapter 1 prior to continuing on to the next chapter.
Instruct students to seek help if they have a problem understanding Chapter 1.

17. Word Parts for Practice
Word Roots:
(Comb. Forms)
arthr/o: joint
hepat/o: liver
ven/o: vein
osteo: bone
Combining Vowel: o
Prefixes:
intra-: within
sub-: under
Suffixes:
 -itis: inflammation
 -ic: pertaining to
 -ous: pertaining
 -pathy: disease
What medical terms can be formed by the word parts listed on the slide?

18. Analyze and Define arthritis intravenous osteitis osteoarthritis
subhepatic
osteopathy
arthropathy
hepatitis
Which term has a suffix meaning “inflammation”?
Which term has a root meaning “bone”?
Which term has two root words?

19. Building Medical Terms
inflammation of a joint
pertaining to within a vein
inflammation of the bone
inflammation of the bone and joint
pertaining to under the liver
disease of the bone
disease of the joint
inflammation of the liver
Instruct students to build the terms using slashes and labeling each word part.

20. Build the Medical Term for Figure # 21. 2.
What term is formed by the word parts indicated on the slide? (osteoarthritis)
1. Normal knee joint.
2. Knee joint showing bone / cv / joint inflammation: ______/___/______

21. arthr/o/pathy arthr/o/pathy arthr/o/path/y Clicker Question
Which of the following is analyzed correctly?
a)WR CV S S
arthr/o/path/y CF
WR CV S
arthr/o/pathy CF b)
P CV S
arthr/o/pathy CF c)