1. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

2. WHAT DOES THIS TERM MEAN?
OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

3. Word Parts are the Key!!!
There are 3 types of word parts that are used to create medical terms.
Word Roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
(Combining Forms)

4. WORD ROOTS
Word Roots- The foundation of a medical term and contains the basic meaning of the term. Usually indicates the body part that is involved.
Examples: Cardi = heart
Gastr =Stomach
Neur = nerve

5. PREFIXES Always at the beginning of the word.
Usually indicates time, location, or number.
Examples:
Time = pre-, post-
Location = intra-, peri-
Number= quadri-, bi-, poly-
Pre-Preworkout or prehistoric
Post: Postgame show or Postgame Interview
Intra: Intracardiac
Quadri: meaning 4. Quadrilateral meaning 4 sided figure.
Bi: Bi-monthly: twice a month.
Poly: multiple Polytheists meaning believe in more than one god.

6. SUFFIXES Always at the end of the word.
Usually indicates procedure, condition, or disease.
Examples:
Procedure = -ectomy, -graphy
Condition = -osis,
Disease= -itis, -algia, -necrosis
Ectomy: Having something surgically removed
Graphy: A method of recording: Arteriography
Osis: Abnormal condition. Tendonosis: no swelling involved but there is pain located amongst the tendon
-It is: Inflammation (Patellar tendonitis) ,
-algia: Pain (Athralgia: Pain in joint),
-Necrosis: Tissue death. Avascular Necrosis (lack of blood supply to the bone).

7. COMBINING FORMS How we connect all the parts together
Prefix is connected directly to the word root
Example: Peri- and Cardi/o = pericardio
Word root is connected to the suffix using or not using the combining vowel (/O)
We use word root to make things easier to pronounce

8. RULES TO COMBINING FORMS
RULE 1 Combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel RULE 2 Combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant

9. RULE #1
Combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel.
Examples:
Neur/O and –itis…..what is the correct way?
A. Neuroitis
B. Neuritis

10. RULE #2
Combining Vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant.
Examples
Neur/O and –plasty…Which is the correct form?
A. Neuroplasty
B. Neurplasty

11. Interpreting Medical Terms
Gastroenterology
1. Divide the term into its word parts
Gastr/o/enter/o/logy
2. Define each word part, then combine them….
gastr = stomach
0= combining vowel
Enter= small intestine
O = combining vowel
Logy = study of

12. Here’s that Term Again…. Let’s Break it Down 
OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY
Divide the term into its word parts
Ot/o/rhin/o/laryng/o/logy
Oto-Ear
Rhino-Nose
Laryng/o- Throat or voice box
Logy-The Study of

13. OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY What does the term mean?
Define and Combine all the meanings
ot/o = ear and combining vowel
rhin/o = nose and combining vowel
laryng/o = throat and combining vowel
-logy = study of
What does the term mean?

14. Try and pronounce the term without the combing vowels……
Otrhinlarygnlogy

15. Practice Neo - , gastr/o, -oma = neogastroma (no double O)
Eu, Ot/o, -cyte
= Euotocyte
Gastr/o, enter/o, -stenosis
= gastroenterostenosis