Medical Terminology

1. Medical Terminology

2. Learning a New Language • Medical terminology is used in every sector of the health care industry. • It is impossible to memorize the meaning of every single medical term. • Thankfully, medical terminology is based off of Latin and Greek roots with common prefixes and suffixes. • By learning these roots, prefixes, and suffixes, you can build complex words whose meanings are easily translated.

3. The Elements of Medical Words • There are four basic elements to medical words: • 1. Root word • 2. Prefix • 3. Suffix • 4. Combining vowels

4. Root Words • Most root words are derived from Latin or Greek. • This is the main part of the medical word. • All medical words have at least one root. • Roots usually refer to a body part or a body system.

5. Common Root Words

8. Prefixes • A prefix is added to the beginning of a root word. • Prefixes add a meaning to the root word, usually indicating location, number or parts, or a specific time. • Not all medical terms have a prefix.

9. Common Prefixes      

10.      

11.        

12.  

13. Number Prefixes          

14. Suffixes • A suffix is added to the end of a root word. • Prefixes add meaning to the root word and can describe a condition, disease, or procedure. • All medical terms have a suffix.

15. Common Suffixes     

16.       

17.     

18.   

19. Adjective Suffixes • These suffixes are used to turn root words into complete words. • These new words can be used as adjectives. • Ex: gastr- + -ic = gastric, which means “pertaining to the stomach”. • All adjective suffixes mean “pertaining to”.

20. Common Adjective Suffixes –ac –al –an –ar –ary –eal –iac –ic –ical –ile –ior –ory –ose –ous –tic

21. Surgical Suffixes   

22. Procedural Suffixes   

23. Combining Vowels • Combining vowels (usually an “o”) are used to make long terms easier to pronounce. • Combining vowels can be used to connect two root words or a root word and a suffix.

24. Combining Vowel Rules • When connecting a root word and a suffix: • 1. If the suffix begins with a vowel, DO NOT use a combining vowel. • Ex: Arthr- + -itis = arthritis • 2. If the suffix begins with a consonant, use a combining vowel. • Ex: Arthr- + -scope = arthroscope • When connecting two root words, always use a combining vowel. • Ex: Gastr- + enter- + -itis = gastroenteritis

25. How to “Translate” Medical Terms • Break the long word into its parts. • Define each part separately. • Put the definitions together.

26. gastroenterology gastr / o / enter / o / logy stomach small intestine the study of combining vowel combining vowel “the study of the stomach and small intestine”

27. Singular and Plural Endings • Since many medical terms come from Latin and Greek, the rules for forming plurals are different from English. • Other words can be turned into plurals by adding “s” or “es”.