2. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY The Language of the Health Profession

3. ORIGIN OF MEDICAL TERMS n 75% of medical terms are based on either Greek or Latin words.

4. WORD ROOT n A root is the foundation or basic meaning of a medical term. n Usually indicates a body part n cardi - heart n hepat- liver n neur - nerve n nephr - kidney n cyt- cell

5. PREFIX n endo - within n peri- around / surrounding n pro - before n mega - large n dys- abnormal, painful, difficult n The prefix is used at the beginning of a medical term (before the word root) n Prefixes describe, modify, or limit the term.

6. SUFFIX n A suffix is the word ending that follows the word root and changes its meaning. n Often indicates the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. n -itis - inflammation n -logy - the study of n -ectomy- surgical removal n -scopy- process of visually examining

7. Combining Forms n Combining form consists of the word root and a connecting vowel to make it easier to pronounce and attach another word root or suffix. n Combining form for heart is cardi/o (eg. cardiogram) n Combining form for nerves is neur/o (eg. neurology)

8. Basic Rules for the Connecting Vowel n The connecting vowel is not used when the suffix begins with a vowel. (neuritis) n The combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant. (neurology)

9. Decoding Medical Terms ① Define the suffix ② Define the prefix ③ Define the word root ④ Combine the definitions to decode the medical term or phrase

10. Cardiology n -logy – suffix means the study of n Cardio - root means heart. n Cardiology - the study of the heart.

11. Nephritis n -itis – suffix means inflammation n Nephr – word root means kidney n Nephritis means inflammation of the kidney

12. Break down and define the following medical terms. n pericarditis n leukocyte n hepatitis n neuropathy n use your textbook, pg. 150 – 151 for help

13. pericarditis n -itis - suffix meaning inflammation n peri – prefix meaning around n cardi– word root meaning heart n Pericarditis means inflammation around the heart

14. leukocyte n leuko- prefix meaning white n cyte – word root meaning cell n leukocyte means white cell

15. hepatitis n -itis – suffix meaning inflammation n hepat – word root meaning liver n hepatitis - means inflammation of the liver

16. neuropathy n -pathy – suffix meaning disease condition n neuro – word root meaning nerve(s) n neuropathy means a disease pertaining to the nerves

17. THE END