Introduction to Medical Terminology

1. Introduction to Medical Terminology TEST 1-1

2. Word Parts are the Key

3. Word Roots • Combining Forms (combining vowels) • Suffixes • Prefixes The 4 types of Word Parts

4. Can a word root stand alone? • If not, what must be present? • The rule for creating a combining form (root form) applies when a suffixbeginningwitha ? is added to a root. • Is a prefix always necessary? • If it is, where is it placed? Word Part Guidelines

5. Foundation of most medical terms • Usually, but not always, describe ?. • Combining form vowels are added to the end of a root to ?. • The most common combining vowel is ?. • When a word root is show alone as a combining form (word form), it will include a ?and its combing vowel. Word Roots

6. Where is the suffix found? • Suffixes usually, but not always, indicate • A ?, ?, ? or ? • Example: Tonsill/o= ? • The suffix will tell what is happening to the ? • Tonsillectomy= ? • Tonsillitis= ? Suffixes

7. A noun is a word that is the name of a ?. • In medical terminology, some suffixes change the word root into a noun… • Example: Crani= ?, -um= ?, Cranium • Common Noun Suffixes: -a, -e, -um (singular noun ending), -us (singular noun ending), -y Suffixes as Noun Endings

8. An adjective is a word that ? And ?. • Example: Cardi/o + -ac = Cardiac • Common Suffixes Meaning Pertaining To: -ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ical, -ial, -ic, -ine, -ior, -ory, -ous, -tic Suffixes Meaning “Pertaining To”

9. Common Suffixes Meaning Abnormal Condition or Disease: -ago, -esis, -ia, -iasis, -ion, -ism, -osis Suffixes Meaning Abnormal Condition or Disease

10. Definition • Common Pathology Suffixes: -algia, -dynia, -it is, -malacia, -megaly, -necrosis, -sclerosis, -stenosis Suffixes Related to Pathology

11. Common Procedural Suffixes: -centesis, -graphy, -gram, -plasty, -scopy Suffixes Related To Procedures

12. Common “Double R” Suffixes -rrhage/-rrhagia, -rrhaphy, -rrhea, -rrhexis The “Double R” Suffixes

13. Added to the beginning of a word to influence the meaning of the term. • Usually, but not always, indicate ?, ?, or ?. • Common Prefixes pre-, peri-, post- Prefixes

14. ab- and ad- • dys- and eu- • hyper- and hypo- • inter- and intra- • sub- and super-/supra- Contrasting and Confusing Prefixes

15. Take the term apart. -Start at the suffix and work your way to the front. • As you separate the word parts, identify the meaning of them. • When word parts have more than one meaning, you may have to determine the context in which it is used. • When in doubt, use a medical dictionary. • Be aware that not all medical terms are made up of word parts. Determining Meanings on the Basis of Word Parts

16. Otorhinolaryngology • Suffix=ology= _____________ • Word root laryng= ______________ • Combining form rhin/o= __________ • Combining form ot/o= ____________ Example:

17. If you attempt to guess, always verify (remember some words have multiple meanings) • Example: Lithotomy • Knowing how to use a medical dictionary (either traditional or electronic) is important. • With an unfamiliar source, spend a few minutes reviewing the user’s guide, table of contents, and appendix. Guessing at Meanings and Using the Medical Dictionary

18. Based on the first letter of the term, use the top of the pages to direct you to the appropriate section of the dictionary. (Top left is 1st word; top right is last word on that page) • Next, look alphabetically with the following letters of the term. • When you think you have found it, check the spelling carefully by reading from left to right (similar spellings have different meanings) • When you find the term, carefully check all definitions to ensure the correct meaning is there. Medical Dictionary:When You Know How to Spell It!

19. Listen carefully to the term and write it down; if no luck, begin using alternative spellings based on beginning sound. Medical Dictionary: When You Don’t Know How to Spell It!

21. For example, disorders are grouped with the terms in their names, such as: Venereal Disease would be found under Disease, Venereal Fetal Alcohol Syndrome would be found under Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Medical Dictionary: Look Under Categories

22. Begin your search with the last term, if no luck there, move forward to the next term • Example: Congestive Heart Failure may be under Heart Failure, Congestive Medical Dictionary: Multiple Word Terms

23. Use reliable sites for medical term spellings and definitions. • Reliable sites can also help you to master the pronunciation of a word. • Example: National Institutes of Health (NIH) www.nih.gov Searching for Definitions on the Internet

24. A term is easier to understand and remember when pronounced correctly. • Caution: there is often more than one correct way to pronounce medical terms • Typically based on Greek, Latin, or other foreign origin; however, there is a trend toward pronouncing terms as they are said in English. Pronunciation

25. EXTREMELY!!!! • Changing one letter of a word can completely change the meaning to a life or death situation. • Be aware of Look-Alike Sound-Alike words • There may be alternative spellings in different countries. Is Spelling Always Important?

26. A shorthand way of writing long and complex medical terms • Often lead to confusion and errors! Example: BE • Facilities have policies on “Accepted Abbreviations” • If in doubt….. SPELL IT OUT!!! Using Abbreviations

27. Rule is based on its origin- • Add an –e to words ending in –a axilla - axillae • Drop the –ax at the end of a word and add –aces thorax – thoraces • Change the –x to –gin words ending in –nxand add –es phalanx – phalanges Singular and Plural Endings

28. Drop the –ix or –ex at the end of the word and add –ices apex – apices, appendix – appendices • Drop the –y at the end of a word and add –ies myringotomy – myringotomies • Drop the –usat the end of a word and add an –i alveolus – alveoli Singular and Plural Endings

29. Drop the –onat the end of a word and add–a ganglion– ganglia • Drop the –isat the end of a word and add –es metastasis – metastases • Drop the –umat the end of the word & add–a • ischium– ischia • Drop the –maat the end of a word and add –mata • stoma– stomata Singular and Plural Endings

30. Sign, Symptom, Syndrome • Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis, Prognosis • Acute, Chronic, Remission • Disease, Eponym, Acronym Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases

31. Arteri/o, ather/o, arthr/o • -ectomy, -ostomy, otomy • Myc/o, myel/o, my/o • -ologist, -ology • Pyel/o, py/o, pyr/o Look-Alike Sound-Alike Words/Terms

32. Fissure and fistula • Ileum and ilium • Infection and inflammation • Laceration and lesion • Mucous and mucus • Palpation and palpitation • Prostate and prostrate • Supination and suppuration • Triage and trauma • Viral and virile Look-Alike Sound-Alike Words/Terms

33. c/o • Hx • PMH • Dx • IM, IV, SQ • Px • Tx (See handout for additional abbreviations) Abbreviations related to the Intro of Medical Terminology