1. Health Science Technology
Medical Terminology
Health Science Technology

2. Objectives
Identify basic medical abbreviations selected from a standard list
Define prefixes, suffixes and word roots selected from a list of words
Spell and pronounce medical terms correctly

4. Word Parts
Word roots
Suffixes
Prefixes
Combining vowels

5. Word Root A word root is the word part that is the core of the word
Contains the fundamental meaning of the word and explains what part of the body is being talked about
Examples
Neur/o= nerves
Hepat/o= liver
Arthr/o= joint

6. Word Root
Because the word root contains the fundamental meaning of the word, each medical term contains one or more word roots.

7. Suffix
A word part attached to the end of the word root to modify its meaning; indicates the procedure, disease, or condition
Examples
-itis= inflammation
algia= pain
ic= pertaining to
ous= pertaining to

8. Prefix
A word part attached to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning; usually indicates location, time, or number. Not all words have prefixes.
Examples
Sub= under or below
Poly= many
Post= after
Intra= within
Peri= surround or protect
Pre= before

9. Combining Vowel
Combining vowel is a word part, usually an O, and is used:
Between two word roots
It is NOT used when a suffix begins with a vowel
-IS used when a suffix begins with a consonant

10. Combining Form
A word root with the combing vowel attached, separated by a vertical slash
Arthr/o= joint
Oste/o= bone
ven/o= vein

11. Defining Medical Terms
Begin by defining the suffix, then move to the beginning of the term to complete the definition (does not apply to all medical terms)

12. Putting Medical Terms Together
Poly+neur/o+itis = Polyneuritis
Inflammation of many nerves
Arthr/o+itis= Arthritis
Inflammation of the joint
Hepat/o+itis= Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
Sub+Hepat/o+ic = Subhepatic
Pertaining to under the liver

13. Medical Terms Intra+ven/o+ous =Intravenous Arthr/o+path+y =Arthropathy
Pertaining to within the vein
Arthr/o+path+y =Arthropathy
Condition of disease of the joint
Oste/o+itis =Osteitis
Inflammation of the bone

14. Word Roots Indicating Color
Cyan/o= blue;
-sis= state of or condition
cyanosis
Erythr/o= red
Cyte=cell
erythrocytes
Leuk/o= white
Leukocytes
Melan/o= black
Melanosis
polio/o=gray matter
myel/o=spinal cord or bone marrow
-itis= inflammation
Poliomyelitis

15. Suffixes Related to Procedures
-centesis
Surgical puncture to remove fluid
-ectomy
Surgical removal
-graphy
Process of recording a picture or record
-gram
Record or picture
-plasty
Surgical repair
-scopy
Visual examination

16. The Double RRs -rrhage and –rrhagia
Mean bursting forth, an abnormal excessive fluid discharge or bleeding
Ex: Hem/o+rrhage= hemorrhage
- means the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time