Chapter One
Introduction to Medical Terminology
Objectives
• Upon completion of this chapter, you should be
able to:
• Identify the roles of the three types of word
parts in forming medical terms.
• Analyze unfamiliar medical terms using your
knowledge of word parts.
• Describe the steps in locating a term in a
medical dictionary
• Define the commonly used prefixes, word
roots, and suffixes introduced in this chapter.
• Pronounce medical terms correctly after using
the Sounds-Like system.
• Recognize the importance of always spelling
medical terms correctly.
• State why caution is important when using
abbreviations.
• Recognize, define, spell and pronounce the
medical terms in this chapter.
Word Parts
• Word roots - contain the basic meaning of the
term. They usually, but not always, indicate the
involved body part.
• Suffixes - usually, but not always, indicate the
procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.
• Prefixes - usually, but not always, indicate
location, time, number, or status.
Word Roots
• Foundation of most medical terms
• Usually, but not always, describe the part of the
body that is involved.
• Cannot stand alone - a suffix must be added to
complete the term
• Combining vowels are used between word
roots and suffixes.
• Word roots can also indicate color.
Colors
Cyan/o = Blue
Erythr/o = Red
Leuk/o = White
Melan/o = Black
Poli/o = Gray
Examples:
cyanosis
erythrocytes
leukocytes
melanosis
poliomyelitis
Rules for Combining Vowels
• A combining vowel is used when the sufix
begins with a consonant.
• A combining vowel is not used when the suffix
begins with a vowel.
• A combining vowel is always used when two or
more root words are joined.
• A prefix does not require a combining vowel.
Suffixes
• Added to the end of a root word to complete
the term.
• Some suffixes change the word to an adjective defined as “pertaining to”
• Some suffixes change the word to a noun
• Some suffixes have a general meaning of
“abnormal condition”
cardiac
cranium
psychosis
Suffixes related to pathology
• -algia = pain and suffering
• -dynia = pain
• -itis = inflammation
• -malacia = abnormal softening
• -megaly = enlargement
• -necrosis = tissue death
fibromyalgia
gastrodynia
tonsilitis
trachialmalacia
cardiomegaly
enteronecrosis
Suffixes related to procedures
• -centesis = surgical procedure to remove fluid
• -ectomy = surgical removal
• -graphy = the process of recording a picture or
record
• -plasty = surgical repair
amniocentesis
hysterectomy
electrocardiography
rhinoplasty
endoscopy
• -scopy = visual examination, to look at it
Double RR’s
• -rrhage = bursting forth, as in an abnormal
excessive fluid discharge or bleeding.
• -rrhaphy = to suture or stitch
• -rrhea = abnormal flow or discharge
• -rrhexis = to rupture
It is all about the flow!
Prefixes
• Added to the beginning of a word to change
the meaning of that term.
• Usually indicate location, time, or number
• Some are confusing because they are similar in
spelling but opposite in meaning.
Natal
prenatal
perinatal
postnatal
Contrasting and Confusing
Prefixes
• ab- = away from
• ad- = toward
• dys- = bad, difficult
• eu- = good, normal
• hyper- = increased
• hypo- = decreased
• inter- = between
• intra- = inside
• sub- = under, below
• supra- = above
Determining the Meaning
• Always start at the end of the word, with the
suffix and work toward the beginning.
• As you separate the word parts, identify the
meaning of each.
• Because some word parts have more than one
meaning, you must determine the context of
the word
• When in doubt...look it up.
Using a Medical Dictionary
• Some words can have double meanings
• Spelling is important. If you know how to spell
the word, double check the spelling and the
definition together. If you don’t know how to
spell a word, try alternate spellings using the
guidelines on page 10.
• Look under categories in the dictionary if you
know part of the word.
Guidelines to unusual plural
forms
•
Look at Table 1.6 on page 12
bursa = bursae
vertebra = vertebrae
•
if a, then add e
•
if ex or ix, then change to ices
•
if is, then change to es
•
if itis, then change to ides
•
if nx, then change to ges
criterion = criteria
ganglion = ganglia
•
if on, then change to a
diverticulum = diverticula
ovum = ova
•
if um, then change to a
alveolus = alveoli
malleolus = malleoli
•
if us, then change to i
appendix = appendices
index = indices
diagnosis = diagnoses
metastasis = metastases
arthritis = arthritides
meningitis = meningitides
phalanx = phalanges
meninx = meninges
Basic Medical Terms
• sign = evidence that can be observed by others
• symptom = evidence that can only be observed
by patient
• syndrome = a set of signs and symptoms that
occur together as part of a specific disease.
• objective = can be measured or evaluated by
others
• subjective = can only be evaluated by the patient
• diagnosis = identification of disease
• differential diagnosis = attempt to determine
which one of several diseases it is.
• prognosis = prediction of probable outcome of
the disease.
Fever vs. pain
MS vs. Lupus
the flu or cancer
recovery in 1-2 days or death in 2-3 months
• acute = rapid onset of illness, short duration
• chronic = long lasting disease, rarely cured
• remission = temporary absence of symptoms
flu, pneumonia, cold,
stomach virus
diabetes, cancer, MS
MS, cancer
• diseases get their names from
• the condition described
• the person who discovered it = eponym
• a name made out of the letters of the
major parts of a compound term =
acronym
chronic fatigue syndrome
alzheimer’s , Alois Alzheimer a German neurologist
from the late 1800s
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Career Opportunities
• Medical records administrator
• Medical illustrator, photographer or writer
• Medical transcriptionist
• Medical billing clerk
• Administrative medical assistant
• Biomedical equipment technician
• Pharmaceutical sales representative