Mastering Medical Terminology: A Beginner's Guide

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology

2. MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY • The process of dividing medical words into component parts. • Analysis of words will make medical terminology easier to understand and remember.

3. ORIGINS • Word parts generally come from two language origins: • Greek • Latin

4. 5 BASIC WORD PARTS • Root word • Suffix • Prefixes • Combining vowel • Combining form

5. ROOT WORD • Root Word – foundation of the word, usually indicates the involved body part • Examples: • cardi -  • cephal – • gastr – • cyt – • A medical term can have one or more root words. • Ex. – cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest

6. SUFFIXES • Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder or disease. • Read from the suffix backwards to the root word for the correct meaning. • Suffixes can be nouns or adjectives • All medical words have suffixes • Examples: -itis -ic -logy -lysis

7. PREFIXES • Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number • Notall medical words have prefixes • Examples: • a- • pre- • hyper- • sub-

8. COMBINING VOWELS AND FORMS Combining Vowel • A vowel that links two word parts together • Usually an ‘o’ • Has no meaning of it’s own Combining Form – root word plus a combining vowel • Examples: • Hemat/o – • Cardi/o – • Gastr/o – • Oste/o –

9. RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS • When the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants, use a combining vowel. • Example – hemat/o/logy • When the ending of the root word is a consonant, and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel, do not use a combining vowel. • Example – gastr/itis

10. RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS 3. A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined. Example – cardi/o/thorac/ic 4. A prefix does not require a combining vowel Example – epi/gastr/ic

11. TAKING TERMS APART • Determine a medical word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces. • Start at the suffix (all medical terms will have one) • Identify if there is a prefix (not all medical terms will have one) • Locate the root words (there may be more than one) • Identify the meaning of each word part as you separate them

12. TAKING TERMS APART Remember! If you have any doubt about the correct meaning of a word, use a medical dictionary (appendix, internet) to double check the definition.

13. SPELLLING • In medicine, spelling is critical!!! • One wrong letter could mean an entirely different place on the body or test to be performed • Examples – ilium and ileum, PAC and PVC, etc…

14. TIME TO PRACTICE!!! • In order to break words into their component parts, you will need to become familiar with Appendix A in your textbook (starting on page 293). • Write the following words on your paper leaving 4 spaces between words: • Endocardium • Pneumonia • Using the appendix, break each word into word parts by placing a line in between the breaks (a / pnea) • Then, define the meaning of each word part by using the definition in the appendix (a = no, not, without and -pnea = breathing) • Finally, write the definition of each medical word (apnea = without breathing or no breathing) • Hyperthermia • Gastroenteritis