FOR THE
MASSAGE THERAPIST
NCBTMB Approved Provider #154019-00
Florida Board of Massage CE Broker Provider #50-1997
CE Broker Course Tracking # 20-6749
The Institute for Advanced Therapeutics, Inc.
P.O. Box 848152
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33084
1-954-441-9553
1
MEDICAL LANGUAGE
FOR THE
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Consultants:
Joel D. Stein, D.O., A.O.B.F.P., A.O.B.O.M.M.
Research and Development:
Charles Edwin Cook, L.M. T., C.R. T.
Editor:
Mark D. Blum, D.D.S.
By:
Renee J. Demmery, C.R.T.
©2002 Renee J. Demmery
All Rights Reserved
2
MEDICAL LANGUAGE
FOR THE
MASSSAGE THERAPIST
Published By:
The Institute for Advanced Therapeutics, Inc.
P.O. Box 848152
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33084
1-954-441-9553 tel
1-954-432-1824 fax
This course was developed to help expand the knowledge and skills of massage
therapists with respect to the subject of medical language.
The information in this course has been carefully researched and is generally
accepted as factual at the time of publication. The Institute for Advanced
Therapeutics, Inc. disclaims responsibility for any contradictory data prior to the
publication of the next revision of this course.
*The image used herein was obtained from IMSI's MasterClips® and
MasterPhotos™ Premium Image Collection, 1895 Francisco Blvd. East, San
Rafael, CA 94901-5506, USA.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE DIRECTIONS
MAILING INSTRUCTIONS
COURSE OBJECTIVES
CHAPTER 1
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF MEDICAL LANGUAGE
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MEDICAL LANGUAGE
ROOTS
COMBINING VOWELS
PLURAL AND SINGULAR WORD ENDINGS
CHAPTER 2
PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
PREFIXES
SUFFIXES
MUSCULOSKELETAL AND ARTICULAR SYSTEM WORDS
MEDICAL LANGUAGE FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST TEST
TEST ANSWER CARD/COURSE EVALUATION
REFERENCE LIST
4
COURSE DIRECTIONS
HOW TO BEST PROCEED WITH THIS COURSE
Each chapter should be approached systematically in a careful and
objective manner. It is important to master each chapter before going
on to the next. Relax, take your time, and go at your own pace. As 2
credits of continuing education are rewarded after successfully
completing this course, the reading of this manual and completion of
the test questions should not take less than 2 hours. Only after you
have successfully mastered all the material in the course should you
proceed to the test questions.
COMPLETING THE TEST
Before beginning, please clearly write your name, address, zip code,
and license number on your test answer card. Read each question
carefully before answering. Please use a ballpoint pen to fill-in your
answers on the answer card by completely shading your choice.
Keep in mind that each question has only one correct answer. The
test consists of 20 questions. For a passing grade, you must correctly
answer 16 questions. We encourage your input and would welcome
any suggestions to improve our course or test questions. Please feel
free to note your suggestions or comments on the course evaluation
found at the bottom of the test answer card.
INFORMATION FOR CERTIFICATION
In order to receive your 2 hours of continuing education credit, you
must be a registered purchaser of this course. Please notify us of
any address or name changes as we keep permanent records for
certification and licensure.
5
MAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Please send your completed test answer card and course evaluation
to:
The Institute for Advanced Therapeutics, Inc.
P.O. Box 848152
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33084
If you have any questions regarding this course, please contact our
Customer Service Department at 1-954-441-9553 or fax us at 1-954432-1824.
6
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
1.
Learn how to break down medical terms into their
component parts.
2.
List singular and plural endings to common medical terms.
3.
Define common prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
4.
Understand the meaning of words used to describe common
conditions of the musculoskeletal and articular system.
7
CHAPTER 1
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF
MEDICAL LANGUAGE
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MEDICAL LANGUAGE
As massage therapists increasingly interact with doctors, nurses, and
other healthcare professionals, understanding the language of
medicine becomes an important tool in communicating effectively.
The language of medicine may seem foreign to most as many are
derived from Greek and Latin words.
In this course, we will attempt to unravel the mystery of medical
terminology by breaking down terms into their component parts.
Most medical terms are made up of small parts that fit together like
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Each word part has a specific meaning.
When one learns to recognize the word parts and their meanings,
previously unfamiliar terms can be unraveled and understood.
The first step in understanding medical language is to break down
terms into their component parts. Most medical terms only contain
two parts: a prefix and root or root and suffix. Some medical terms
contain a prefix, root, and suffix.
1. Root.
2. Prefix.
3. Suffix.
ROOTS
The root is what gives basic meaning to the word. Other names for
root include stem, core, core element, and root element. It is the
foundation or essential core of the word. Medical terms can have one
or more roots. Roots can be combined with prefixes, suffixes, and
other roots to form medical terms. Some examples include:
8
ROOT
MEANING
cervic
cheil
chrond
dactyl
encephal
gastr
gingiv
gnath
hepat
hyster
leiomy
mamm
myring
odont
omphal
onych
opthalm
optic
oophor
pector
pyo
splen
neck
lip
cartilage
finger or toe
brain
stomach
gum
jaw
liver
uterus
smooth muscle
breast
eardrum
teeth
navel
fingernail or toenail
eye
eye or vision
ovary or egg
chest
pus
spleen
COMBINING VOWELS
Many times, a vowel is added between the ending consonant of one
root and the beginning consonant of the next word part. This is done
to make the word easier to pronounce. Some examples include:
Blepharoplasty – Surgical repair of the eyelid.
Cardiopathy – Disease of the heart.
Hepatomegaly – Enlargement of the liver.
Mastopathy – Disease of the breast.
Ovariogenic – Originating from the ovary.
Proctocele – Prolapse of the rectum.
Sideropenia – Abnormally low iron level.
Splenomegaly – Enlargement of the spleen.
Unguiculate – Having nails or claws.
9
PLURAL AND SINGULAR WORD ENDINGS
SINGULAR
PLURAL
antrum
cecum
commisura
curvatura
epididymis
exostosis
folium
folliculus
foramen
fornix
fossa
globus
gumma
gyrus
helix
hilum
ilium
incisura
incus
insula
lamina
lentigo
mandibula
musculus
nervus
oliva
ovarium
papilla
phalanx
pinna
radius
rete
scapula
stoma
tentorium
vertebra
antra
ceca
commisurae
curvaturae
epididymides
exostoses
folia
folliculi
foramina
fornicis or fornices
fossae
globi
gummata or gummas
gyri
helices
hila
ilia
incisurae
incudes
insulae
laminae
lentigines
mandibulae
musculi
nervi
olivae
ovaria
papillae
phalanges
pinnae
radii
retia
scapulae
stomas or stomata
tentoria
vertebrae
10
CHAPTER 2
PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
PREFIXES
As stated previously, many medical terms can be broken down into
three parts: prefix, root, and suffix. A prefix is part of the word that
comes before the root and modifies the meaning of the root word. It
is usually a letter or syllable. Prefixes can be categorized by how
they modify the root. They can indicate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Size.
Location.
Time.
Position.
Amount.
Color.
Negation.
Prefixes are commonly used in the English language but the following
examples are specific to medical language:
PREFIX
MEANING
a-
without, not
ab-
away from, from, off
acro-
extremity, tip, peak
actino-
ray of light, beam
ad-
increase, adherence, toward
adeno-
gland, glandular
adipo-
fat, fatty
aero-
air, a gas
11
PREFIX
MEANING
alge-, algia-, algesi-, algio-, algo-
pain
allo-
differing from the usual
ambi- , ambo-
both, around, double
ambly-
blunt, dull, dim
amphi-, ampho-
on both sides, double
ana-
again, back, up
andro-
masculine
angio-, angi-
blood or lymph vessels
anhydro-
without water
aniso-
unlike, unequal
ankylo-
crooked, bent
ano-
anus
ante-
before
antero-
anterior
anti-
opposing, against
apico-
summit or tip
arche-, archi-
primitive, first, extreme
arthro-
joint
12
PREFIX
MEANING
athero-
soft, pasty
atmo-
steam or vapor
auri-
ear
auto-
self
auxano-, auxo-, aux-
to increase
balan-, balano-
glans penis
baro-
weight, pressure
basi-, baso-, basio-,
base
bathy-, batho-
depth
bi-
twice, double
bili-
bile
bio-
life
blepharo-
eyelid
brady-
slow
bronch-, bronchi-, broncho-
bronchus
caco-, caci-, cac-
bad
carcino-
cancer, malignant
cardio-
the heart
cata-
down
13
PREFIX
MEANING
caud-
tail
celio-
the abdomen
centri-, centro-
center
cephalo-
head
cero-
wax
cervico-
neck, cervix
chemo-
chemistry
chilo-
lips
chiro-
the hand
chloro-
green
chole-
bile
cholecysto-
gall bladder
choledocho-
common bile duct
chorio-
membrane
chromato-, chromo-
color
chrono-
time
chryso-
gold
cine-
movement
14
PREFIX
MEANING
cis-
on this side
cleido-
the clavicle
colo-
the large intestine
colpo-
the vagina
con-
with, together
contra-
opposed, against
copro-
feces
costo-
rib
cranio-
skull
cryo-
cold
crypto-
hidden
cyano-
blue
cysto-
bladder
dactylo-
the fingers or toes
de-
away from, without
denti-, dento-
teeth
dermato-
skin
desmo-
ligament
15
PREFIX
MEANING
dextro-
right side
diplo-
double
dynamo-
force, energy
ec-
away from, out of
ecto-
on the outside
encephalo-
the brain
endo-
inner, within
entero-
the intestine
epi-
following, subsequent to
episio-
the vulva
ergo-
work
erythro-
red, red blood cell
etio-
cause
eu-
good, well
extra-
without, outside of
facio-
the face
ferro-
the presence of iron
galvano-
electrical
16
PREFIX
MEANING
gastro-
the stomach
gen-
birth
geronto-
old age
giganto-
huge
gingivo-
the gums of the mouth
glio-
glue-like
glosso-
tongue
glyco-
relating to sugars
gnatho-
the jaw
gonio-
angle
grapho-
writing
gyne-, gyno-, gyneco-
female
hemato-, heme-, hemo-
blood
hemi-
one-half
hepato-
the liver
hetero-
the opposite, different
hidro-
sweat
histio-, histo-
tissue
17
PREFIX
MEANING
holo-
whole, complete
homeo-, homo-
the same, alike
hydro-
water
hygro-
moisture, dampness
hyo-
U-shaped
hyper-
above normal, excessive
hypno-
sleep
hypo-
below normal, deficient
hystero-
the uterus
ileo-
the ileum
ilio-
the ilium
intra-
inside, within
intro-
into, inward
iso-
like, equal
kerato-
the cornea
kino-, kinesi-, kinesio-, kineso-
movement
labio-
the lips
lacti-, lacto-
milk
laparo-
abdomen
18
PREFIX
MEANING
latero-
to one side
leio-
smooth
lepto-
thin, frail
leuko-
white, white blood cell
levo-
left side
linguo-
the tongue
lipo-
fatty
litho-
a stone
lyso-
dissolution
macro-
large
mal-
bad
malaco-
soft
mammo-
the breasts
masto-
the breast
medio-
middle
melano-
black
meno-
menstruation
meso-
middle
meta-
after, behind
19
PREFIX
MEANING
metra-, metro-
the uterus
micro-
small
mid-
middle
mio-
less
mono-
single, one
morpho-
shape
multi-
many
myco-
fungus
myelo-
bone marrow
myo-
muscle
nano-
dwarfism
narco-
stupor
necro-
death
nemato-
threadlike
neo-
new
nephro-
the kidney
neuri-, neuro-
nerve
noct-
night
normo-
normal
20
PREFIX
MEANING
noso-
disease
odonto-
teeth
odyno-
pain
oligo-
a little, too few
omo-
the shoulder
onco-
a tumor
onycho-
a fingernail or toenail
oophoro-
the ovary
ophthalmo-
relationship to the eye
opistho-
behind, dorsal
orchido-, orchio-
the testes
oro-
the mouth
ortho-
straight, normal
oscheo-
the scrotum
osseo-, osteo-, ossi-
bone
oto-
the ear
ovo-, ovi-
egg
pachy-
thick
paleo-
primitive, early
21
PREFIX
MEANING
pan-
all
parieto-
a wall
path-, patho-
disease
penta-
denoting five
peri-
near, around
phaco-
shaped like a lens
phago-
eating
pharmaco-
drugs
phlebo-
vein
phos-
light
phreno-
the diaphragm
phyllo-
leaf-like
pico-
small
pilo-
hair
plagio-
oblique
plano-
flat
pleo-
more
pleura-, pleuro-
side, rib
pluri-
several
22
PREFIX
MEANING
pneo-
denoting breath
pneumo-, pneumato-
air, gas, lungs, breathing
podo-
foot
poikilo-
irregular
post-
posterior, behind, after
pre-
before, anterior
presby-
old age
proto-
first
proximo-
nearest
pseudo-
false
psycho-
the mind
ptero-
wing or feather
pulmono-
the lungs
pyelo-
pelvis, renal pelvis
pykno-
dense
pyo-
pus
pyro-
fire, heat
quadri-
denoting four
rachio-
the spine
23
PREFIX
MEANING
radio-
radiation
recto-
the rectum
reno-, reni-
the kidney
retro-
behind, backward
rhabdo-
rod-shaped
rhino-
the nose
rhizo-
root
rhodo-
red
salpingo-
a tube
sarco-
flesh or muscular substance
schisto-
division
schizo-
division, split
sclero-
hardness
semi-
half, part
sialo-
saliva
sidero-
iron
somato-
the body
sphygmo-
pulse
spiro-
coil-shaped
24
PREFIX
MEANING
spleno-
the spleen
spondylo-
the vertebrae
steno-
narrowness
stereo-
solid, three-dimensional
stetho-
denoting the chest
stomato-
mouth
strepto-
twisted
sub-
beneath, inferior
super-
excessive, above
supra-
over, above
syn-
joined, together
syndesmo-
ligament
tachy-
fast
talo-
ankle bone
tele-
distant
tendo- or teno-
a tendon
terato-
deformed, misshapen
thermo-
heat
thoraco-
the chest, thorax
25
PREFIX
MEANING
thrombo-
blood clot
toxico-
poison
tracheo-
the trachea
trans-
across
tri-
denoting three
tricho-
the hair
tympano-
drum, eardrum
ultra-
excess
uni-
single, one
uro-
urine
vasculo-
a blood vessel
veno-, veni-
the veins
vivi-
alive
xantho-
yellow
xeno-
foreign substance
xero-
dry
26
SUFFIXES
As stated previously, many medical terms can be broken down into
three parts: prefix, root, and suffix. A suffix is part of the word that
comes after the root and modifies the meaning of the root word. It is
usually a letter or syllable. Suffixes can change roots into nouns or
adjectives. They can describe a condition, appearance, or symptom.
Suffixes can also describe surgical procedures. The following is a list
of some of the common suffixes encountered in medical language.
SUFFIX
MEANING
-agogue, -agog
a promoter or stimulant of
-agra
sudden attack of acute pain
-ase
denotes an enzyme
-ate
a replacement for “-ic acid”
-cele
a swelling, hernia
-ceptor
receiver, taker
-chrome
relationship to color
-cide
an agent that kills
-cleisis
closure
-didymus
fused parts
-ectasia, -ectasis
dilation
-ectomy
removal of part
-esis
condition or process
-facient
causing
27
SUFFIX
MEANING
-form
in the form, shape of
-fugal
to move away from
-fuge
flight
-gen
precursor of
-genia
producing, formed by
-graph
written or recorded
-graphy
a writing
-ia
a condition, usually abnormal
-iasis
a condition, usually unhealthy
-ic
pertaining to
-ics
practice or treatment
-ine
forms names of chemicals
-ism
a condition or disease
-ismus
implies contraction or spasm
-ite
resembling
-itis
denotes inflammatory disorders
-legia
reading
-lepsis, lepsy
a seizure
-logia
the study of
28
SUFFIX
MEANING
-mania
an abnormal love for
-megaly
large
-mer
member of a particular group
-mone
denoting a hormone
-odes
resembling
-oid
resemblance to
-ol
denotes an alcohol
-oma
a tumor
-ology
the study of a subject
-one
indicating a ketone group
-opia
vision
-ose
indicating a carbohydrate
-osis
an abnormal or diseased process
-ostomy
creating an opening
-otomy
cutting into
-pagus
fused parts
-paresis
paralysis
-pathy
disease
-penia
deficiency
29
SUFFIX
MEANING
-phage, -phagia, -phagy
eating
-phil, -phile, -philia, -philic
craving or affinity for
-phrenia
the diaphragm, the mind
-plasty
molding or surgical repair
-plegia
paralysis
-pnea
breath
-poiesis
producing
-ptosis
prolapse or sinking down
-rrhagia
discharge or hemorrhage
-rrhaphy
suturing
-rrhea
flowing
-scope
a device used to view
-scopy
activity involving a device to view
-stat
to keep from changing or moving
-thymia
mind, emotions
-trophic
nutrition
-trophy
nutrition
-tropic
having an affinity for
-uretic
urine
30
MUSCULOSKELETAL AND ARTICULAR SYSTEM WORDS
As a massage therapist, it is important to understand the meaning of
words used to describe conditions of the musculoskeletal and
articular system. This understanding will help you to communicate
with other members of the healthcare team and treat your patients
more effectively. The following is a list of common musculoskeletal
and articular system words broken down into their component parts
and defined.
WORD
COMPONENTS AND MEANING
arthritis
arthr- = joint
-itis = inflammation
inflammation of a joint
bursitis
burs- = bursa
-itis = inflammation
inflammation of a bursa
COMPONENTS AND MEANING
WORD
hemarthrosis
hem- = blood
arthr- = joint
-osis = an abnormal process
blood in a joint
laminectomy
lamin- = lamina
-ectomy = removal of
removal of the lamina
leiomyoma
leio- = smooth
myo- = muscle
-oma = a tumor
a tumor of the smooth muscle
myopathy
myo- = muscle
-pathy = disease
disease of the muscular tissues
myositis
myo- = muscle
-itis - inflammation
inflammation of a muscle
31
myorrhaphy
myo- = muscle
-rrhaphy = suturing
suturing of a muscle
osteomyelitis
osteo- = bone
myel- = bone marrow
-itis = inflammation
inflammation of the bone marrow
osteonecrosis
osteo- = bone
necro- = death
-osis = an abnormal process
the death of bone
osteogenic
osteo- = bone
-genic = formed by
formed by bone
COMPONENTS AND MEANING
WORD
osteoid
osteo- = bone
resembling bone
pseudoarthritis
pseudo- = false
false arthritis
somatology
somat- = the body
-ology = the study of
the study of the body
subpatellar
sub- = beneath
beneath the patella
suprascapular
supra- = above
above the scapula
32
-oid = resemblance to
syndesmitis
syndesm- = ligament
-itis = inflammation
inflammation of a ligament
tenoplasty
teno- = tendon
-plasty = surgical repair
surgical repair of a tendon
END OF BOOK
33
REFERENCE LIST
1.
“Stedman’s Medical Dictionary”.
Edition. 2000.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
27th
2.
“Stedman’s Orthopaedic & Rehab Words”.
Wilkins. Third Edition. 1999.
Lippincott Williams &
3.
“Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary”.
Tenth Edition. 1994.
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
4.
“Stedman’s Medical Speller”. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 3rd Edition.
2001.
5. “The Medical Transcription Workbook”. Health Professions Institute. 1999.
6. “Vera Pyle’s Current Medical Terminology”. Health Professions Institute.
Eighth Edition. 2000.
34
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