Medical Terminology Health Science Technology

Medical Terminology Health Science Technology

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

Word Parts Word roots Suffixes Prefixes Combining vowels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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