1 / 15

Chapter 10: Medical Terminology Basics

Chapter 10: Medical Terminology Basics. Introduction. Greek & Latin influences Understanding medical terminology: Adds precision Helps prevent medical mistakes. Word Parts. Root Fundamental element of every medical term Establishes basic meaning Suffix

Jimmy
Download Presentation

Chapter 10: Medical Terminology Basics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 10: Medical Terminology Basics

  2. Introduction • Greek & Latin influences • Understanding medical terminology: • Adds precision • Helps prevent medical mistakes

  3. Word Parts • Root • Fundamental element of every medical term • Establishes basic meaning • Suffix • Short element added to end of root to modify its meaning • Prefix • Short element added before root to modify its meaning

  4. Word Parts (cont’d) • Most medical terms are composed of roots, suffixes, & prefixes

  5. Word Parts (cont’d) • Root and Combining Form • Basis for term’s meaning • Most derived from Greek or Latin • Compound word: contains more than one root • Vowel (usually o) inserted between root & suffix • Example: cardi + o + logy = cardiology (“study of the heart”) • Root + combining vowel = combining form

  6. Word Parts (cont’d) • Some terms include a root, a combining vowel, and a suffix

  7. Word Parts (cont’d) • Suffix • Letter or combination of letters added to end of a root • Modifies root’s meaning • Can indicate part of speech or number • Typically adds meaning to beginning of a word’s definition • Often used to describe a symptom, disease, or surgical treatment • Example: psych + o + -logy = psychology (“study of the mind”)

  8. Word Parts (cont’d) • Prefix • Changes meaning of word to which it is added • Attached to beginning of root word or combing form • Indicates position or direction (anti-) • Indicates size or quantity of measurement (micro-) • Denotes time or rate of change (tachy-)

  9. Decoding Medical Terms • 1. Break term into its parts • echocardiogram: echo- + cardio + -gram • 2. Determine meaning of each part • echo- = “a returned or reflective sound” • cardio = “heart” • -gram = “record” • 3. Join definitions of each part to create overall meaning • “a record of the heart made by using returned or reflective sounds”

  10. Spelling • Watch Out for the Following • Same sound, different spelling & meaning • Example: ileum (part of intestine) vs. ilium (part of hip bone) • Similar sound, different spelling & meaning • Example:abduction (to draw away from) vs. adduction (to draw towards • Silent letters in a term: p in pterygium • Pay attention to context

  11. Pronunciation • Pronunciation of word parts often changes when combined in different ways • Pronunciations vary by region

  12. Abbreviations and Symbols • Shortened forms of a word or group of words • Time savers • Can cause confusion when not universally used • Usage varies in different institutions • Follow policies of your institution • Acronym: an abbreviation formed from first letter of each word in a phrase (ASAP = as soon as possible)

  13. Using a Medical Dictionary • Specialized reference books used by health care professionals • Includes • Meaning & pronunciation of terms • Synonyms • Origins of words (etymology)

  14. Using a Medical Dictionary (cont’d) • Common Information Found in Appendices • Measurements • Clinical tests • Drugs • Diagnoses • Body structures • Information resources

  15. Using a Medical Dictionary (cont’d) • Special Dictionary Formats • Specialized for a certain field (Nursing) • Portable size • CD format • Online format • Medical acronyms & abbreviations books

More Related