Medical Terminology

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Language Medical Terminology

2. Origins of Medical Language • Medical Terms are divided into two categories • 1. Built from Word Parts • Ex) arthr/itis • 2. Not built from Word Parts • Acronyms (ex: AIDS) • Eponyms (ex: Parkinson’s Disease) • Modern Language (ex: nuclear medicine scanner)

3. Terms from Word Parts • Med terms from word parts consist of some or all of the following components: • Word Root • The core of the word • Ex) Hepat/ic • Prefix • Attached to the beginning of a word root to modify its meaning • Ex) Sub/hepat/ic

4. Terms from Word Parts • Suffix • Attached to the end of the word root to modify its meaning • Ex) Hepat/ic • Combining Vowel • Usually an o, used to ease pronunciation • Oste/o/arthr/o/pathy • Combining Form • Word root with the combining vowel attached, separated by a vertical slash • Ex) cyt/o, hepat/o, arthr/o, ven/o

5. Defining Medical Terms • To define terms, apply the meaning of each word part contained in the term • Word Part List • Page 12

6. Defining Medical Terms • Word Roots • arthr • hepat • ven • oste • Suffixes • -itis • -ic • -ous • -pathy • -megaly = Definition • joint • liver • vein • bone • inflammation • pertaining to • pertaining to • disease • enlargement

7. Defining Medical Terms • Prefixes • Intra- • Sub- • Combining Vowel • o = Definition • within • under

8. Chapter 1 Abbreviations • ā • c • p • s • DX • HX • Rx • TX = before = with = after = without = diagnosis = history = take/prescribe = treatment • C • F • c/o • CC • d/c, DC • H&P • PE • Pt or PT • R/O = Celsius = Fahrenheit = complains of = chief complaint = discontinue = History & Physical = physical exam = patient = rule out (may or may not have)

9. Chapter 1 Abbreviations • DOB • y/o • Yr • ft • h., hr. • in • min • . = date of birth = years old = year = feet = hour = inches = minute = change