Medical Terminology

1. Medical Terminology Introduction to Basic Word Elements Spelling & Pronunciation

2. What is Medical Terminology • Language of medical terms or words • Derived from Latin or Greek • Used to describe diseases, diagnosis, investigations, procedures, signs and symptoms, anatomy and physiology

3. Structure / Elements of medical words • Are a combination of smaller words / or word parts • Consist of one or more of the following parts 1. Root words 2. Prefixes 3. Suffixes 4. Combining vowels 5. Combining forms

4. 1. Word Root • Is the basic word part or foundation of the word • Provides the meaning to the word • Usually refers to a body part • E.g. cardi refers to the heart gastr refers to the stomach

5. Examples of word roots Word Root Body Part Gastr Stomach • Gastric juices means acids in the stomach

6. Example Word Root Body Part cardi heart Cardiac Arrest means heart attack

7. Example Word Root Body Part trache Trachea i.e. windpipe Tracheitis means inflammation of the trachea Pg 1

8. 2.Prefixes ( pre means before) • Is the element at the beginning of the word • Comes before the word root • Prefix modifies or changes the meaning of the root word

9. Application of prefixes • The prefix pan means whole E.g. pan + arthritis = panarthritis arthritis of the joints

10. Application of prefixes • E.g. INTER/COSTAL inter (between) + costal (ribs) (prefix) (word root) INTERCOSTAL pg1.

11. 3.Suffixes • Come at the end of the word root • Modifies the word root • Adds to the meaning to the word root • Pg 2

12. Application of Suffixes • Itis - means inflammation E.g. appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix • Algia - means pain E.g. pharynalgia means pain of the throat Pg 2

13. Suffixes that mean relating to

14. 4.Combining vowels • used to join various parts of the word • a,e,i,o,u • Most common vowels used are “o” and “i” • Acts like a maths “+” sign • E.g. cardi /o/ logist Pg 2,3

15. 5.Combining form • Is simply a root word plus a combining vowel • E.g. gastr = root word for stomach gastro = combining form of stomach • Gastro can now be joined to another root word or suffix • Makes words easier to pronounce

16. More combining forms

17. Interpreting the meaning of medical terms • Breaking the words down makes it easier E.g. Gastro /enter / itis • then look up meaning of each component • Read the word backwards beginning with the suffix • Listen to experts • Ask your supervisor for clarification if unsure

18. Interpreting medical termse.g. Gastroenterology 1.break up the word into its components 2.e.g.gastro / entero / logy 3.then read the meaning backwards i.e. 1.logy = study of 2.entero = intestines 3.gastro = stomach Meaning – study of the intestines and stomach

19. Interpreting medical termse.g. gastroenteric Gastr (stomach) / o / enter (intestines) / ic root combining root suffix vowel • Gastroenteric means relating to the stomach & intestines

20. Interpreting medical termse.g.Rhinoplasty Rhin (nose) / o / plasty (surgical repair of) root combining suffix vowel • Rhinoplasty means surgical repair of the nose

21. Dermatologist Dermat (skin) / o / logist (specialist) root combining suffix vowel • Dermatologist means specialist who studies the skin

22. Dropping a vowel when joining words • If root word ends in a vowel & suffix begins with a vowel, combining vowel is dropped e.g. gastr/o + -itis = gastritis (stomach) (inflammation of) • If a prefix ends in a vowel & root word begins with a vowel the combining vowel is dropped e.g. anti + acid = antacid (not antiacid) (against) (acid) (works against acid)

23. When to leave the combining vowel in • If the suffix begins with a consonant the combining vowel stays e.g. cardio + pathy = cardiopathy

24. Pronunciation • Lightly emphasise the first syllable • Break up the words • E.g. pericarditis peri card it is gastroenteritis gastro entero it is Myocardium myo cardi um

25. Using dictionaries • Stress marks used when word has > one syllable • Stress mark ‘ or , placed before syllable to be stressed • Symbol “ə” is a neutral or unstressed vowel e.g. “a”in above or “e” in sicken Look up respiration gastrostomy

26. Hints for pronouncing

27. Hints for pronouncing

28. Spelling medical terms correctly

29. Plurals • Most words are made plural by adding used “s”, or replacing “y” with “ies” but • Latin words use other letters

30. Application of plurals

31. English & American Spelling • American spelling drops any silent vowels i.e an “o” or “a” that is silent is left out of the spelling • If “c” is pronounced as a hard “k” sound the Americans will spell it with a “k” • Both English & American is used

32. American versus English spelling

33. Medical termsDiseases and disorders • Aetiology - study of cause of diseases • Signs – clinical evidence of cause of diseases or disorders • Symptoms – indicators of disease that the patient is experiencing • Disease – set of signs and symptoms that disrupts normal function of a body system or organ • Diagnosis – is when the doctor finds or decides what is causing the signs and symptoms i.e. the disease or disorder

34. Diseases and disorders • Prognosis – forecast of the outcome / recovery from the disease • Morbidity – presence of illness or disease • Mortality – death • Acute – beginning abruptly and usually intense • Chronic – refers to something lasting for a long time • Terminal - will cause death Pg 6

35. Disorder prefixes

36. Disorder Suffixes pg 6