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Introduction to Medical Terminology

Introduction to Medical Terminology . Medical Terminology Unit 1. Objectives. Identify the three types of word parts found in medical terms Define the commonly used prefixes, word roots and suffixes Discuss the rules for combining medical terms

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Introduction to Medical Terminology

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  1. Introduction to Medical Terminology Medical Terminology Unit 1

  2. Objectives • Identify the three types of word parts found in medical terms • Define the commonly used prefixes, word roots and suffixes • Discuss the rules for combining medical terms • Recognize the importance of correctly spelling medical terms • Recognize how to change a medical term to its plural form. • Recognize the importance of using correct abbreviations for medical terms • Differentiate between terms and word parts that look-alike or sound-alike • Acquire strategies for using a medical dictionary • Define basic medical terms

  3. The Keys • Learning Medical Terminology is easy • Know definitions of word roots (combining forms “/o”) • Know definitions of prefixes • Know definition of suffixes • Understand how to put word parts together • Know how to define medical terms

  4. Types of Word Parts • Word Roots • Suffixes • Prefixes

  5. Word Roots • Also known as combining forms • Foundation of most medical terms • Contain basic meaning of the word • Usually indicate body part involved • Cannot stand alone • Suffix must be added • Some indicate color

  6. Example Word Roots • Ot/o – Ear • Hepat/o – Liver • Rhin/o – Nose • Oste/o - Bone • Cardi/o – Heart • My/o – Muscle • Neur/o - Nerve

  7. Suffixes • Must be added to all words • Rules for using combining vowels apply • Always added to end of word root • Indicate • Procedure • Condition • Disorder • Disease

  8. Prefixes • A prefix always comes before word Root • Usually indicates • Location • Time • Number • Status • Changes the meaning of the word

  9. Combining Vowels • Added between root & suffix or between two word roots • Make it easier to say medical term • Most common vowel is “o” • Combining Form Examples • Cardi/o • Leuk/o

  10. Combining Vowel RulesRule #1 • Combining Vowel is NOTused when the suffixbegins with vowel (a,e,i,o,u) • Root Suffix Neur/o -itis = Neuritis • itis begins with ‘i’ (vowel) • Combining vowel not used – o is dropped

  11. Rule #2 • Combining vowel is used when the suffix begins with consonant • Root Suffix Neur/o -plasty = Neuroplasty • Combining Vowel ‘o’ is used

  12. Rule #3 • Combining vowel is always used when joining two or more roots • Root Root Suffix gastr/o enter/o -itis = Gastroenteritis • Roots gastr/o & enter/o are added together • Combining vowel ‘o’ used • Root enter/o & suffix -itis • Combining vowel not needed-suffix starts with vowel

  13. Rule #4 • A prefix does not require the use of a combining vowel. • The prefix is added to the front of the first word root • Prefix word root suffix peri- cardi/o -centesis = pericardiocentesis • No combining form is used after the prefix peri, but is used after the word root cardi/o, because the suffix –centesis starts with a consonant.

  14. Suffixes Meaning…Pertaining to • Completes term by changing root to an adjective form • ac - al - ar - ary - eal - ical - ial • ic - ine - ior - ory - ous - tic

  15. Suffixes meaning…condition of Noun endings • Completes term by changing root to noun form. • a - e - um - us - y – ia – ism

  16. Suffixes meaning…abnormal condition or disease • -osis and -esis

  17. Suffixes related to pathology • Describes specific disease conditions • algia - dynia - itis - malacia • megaly - necrosis - sclerosis

  18. Suffixes related to procedures • Identify procedure performed on body part • -centesis / -ectomy / -graphy -gram / -plasty / -scopy

  19. Double RR’s suffixes • -rrhage& -rrhagia • A bursting forth, An abnormal excessive fluid discharge or bleeding • Hemorrhage- Loss of large amount of blood in a short time • -rrhea • Abnormal flow or discharge of body fluids • Diarrhea-abnormally frequent loose watery stool

  20. -rrhaphy • To suture or stitch • Myorrhaphy- To suture a muscle wound • -rrhexis • Rupture • Myorrhexis- Rupture of a muscle

  21. Determining Meaning of Term • Knowing meaning of WORD Parts helps in figuring out meaning of a term • Separate term into word Parts Example: prenatal Prefix Root Suffix pre- nat/o -al before birth pertaining to • Begin your definition with the suffix, follow with the prefix and then the word root. Definition: pertaining to the time before birth

  22. More examples • otorhinolaryngology Root RootRoot Suffix ot/o rhin/o laryng/o -ology ear nose throat study of Definition: study of the ears, nose & throat • tonsillectomy Root Suffix tonsill/o -ectomy tonsil Surgical removal of Definition: surgical removal of tonsils Remember to start you definition first with the suffix, then the prefix (if one) and finally the word root.

  23. Medical Dictionary • Used to assist with term definition • Helps to master correct use of terms • Helps to determine correct meaning of word • Helps to identify correct spelling of term

  24. Unsure how to spell it?????? • Write term down • Could be alternate spelling for same sound • Sounds Like May begin with EX F F flatus PH phlegm J G gingivitis J jaundice

  25. Sounds Like May begin with Example K C crepitus CH cholera K kyphosis QU quadriplegia

  26. Sounds Like May begin with Example S C cytology PS psychologist S serology Z X xeroderma Z zygote

  27. Common plural forms

  28. Spelling • Spell all Medical Terms accurately • Changing just one letter can completely change meaning • Could mean life or death to patient • Example: ileum (part of small intestine) or ilium (part of pelvis)

  29. Abbreviations • Used as a medical shorthand • Can lead to confusion & errors • Caution when using or translating them • BE Below elbow & Barium enema • Be familiarwithinstitution guidelines • “When it doubt…write it out. (write out the words if you think there could be any misinterpretation of an abbreviation.

  30. Basic Medical Terms • Sign • Evidence of disease - Fever, Cough • Observed by Patient & Other • Objective: Evaluated & Measured by others • Symptom • Felt by patient only - Headache / Pain • Subjective: Evaluated by Patient only

  31. Syndrome • Set of Signs & Symptoms • Occur together • Part of a Specific Disease • Examples • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Fatigue Syndrome

  32. Diagnosis • Identification of the disease • Congested Heart Failure / Appendicitis • Upper Respiratory Disease / Hepatitis B • Differential Diagnosis • Attempt to diagnosis which of several possible diseases all producing same symptoms • Hepatitis A, B, or C • Prognosis • Prediction or Forecast of the probable course or outcome of disease

  33. Diseases • Acute • Rapid Onset / Severe Course / Short Duration • Appendicitis / Upper Respiratory Infection • Chronic • Long duration / Usually controlled • Hypertension / Diabetes / Cardiac Disease

  34. Remission • Partial or Complete Disappearance of Symptoms of disease without a cure • Usually Temporary • Leukemia / Cancer

  35. How are terms named? • Named for Condition • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Eponym (EP-oh-nim) • Named: Person who Discovered-Described it • Ex: Alzheimer’s Disease: Neurologist • Acronym Word formed by using initial letter(s) of compound term • Ex: LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

  36. Look-Alike & Sound-Alike Confusing Medical Terminology • Arteri/o = Artery • Ather/o = Plaque or Fatty Substance • Arthr/o = Joint • Ileum = Part of Small Intestine • Ilium = Part of the Hip Bone

  37. Infection = Invasion of body by pathogenic organism, local or systemic • Inflammation = Local response to injury or destruction of tissue • Laceration = Torn, Ragged wound • Lesion = Pathological change of tissue due to injury or trauma

  38. Mucous (adj.) = Specialized membranes that line body cavities • Mucus (n.) = Substance secreted by the mucous membranes • Myc/o = Fungus • Myel/o = Bone Marrow or Spinal Cord • My/o = Muscle

  39. -ologist = Specialist • Radiologist-MD reads X-Rays • Cardiologist- MD treats conditions of heart • -ology = Study of • Radiology – Study of X-Ray therapy • Cardiology – Study of the Heart conditions • Neonatology – Study of newborn conditions

  40. -ostomy= Creation of artificial opening • Tracheostomy – Creating opening in Trachea • Colostomy – Creating an opening in Colon • -otomy = Surgical Incision • Thoracotomy – Incision in Chest cavity • Colotomy - Incision into Colon ***these two word parts are VERY commonly confused. Take extra time to memorize these

  41. Palpation- to examine the patient with one’s hands • Palpitation- a pounding or racing heart

  42. Prostate = Male Gland under the urinary bladder • Prostrate = To collapse or lying Flat • Supination = Rotation of arm with palm of hand forward • Suppuration = Formation or discharge of pus

  43. Suturing = Act of closing a wound or incision by stitching • Ligation = Act of binding or tying off blood vessels or ducts • Triage = Medical Screening of patients to determine priority of need • Trauma = Wound or Injury

  44. Viral = Pertaining to a virus • Virile = Possessing masculine traits

  45. Miscellaneous terms • Hypotension: low blood pressure • Hypertension: high blood pressure • Addiction: a strong dependence on a drug or substance. • Edema: Excessive build-up of fluid • Intramuscular: within the muscle • Phalanx: Finger or toe (plural phalanges) • Gerontology: study of aging (old age) • Gerontologist: specialist in the treatment of aging individuals.

  46. The End There is no substitute for daily preparation! Review your flashcards every day.

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