MRS. OLIVER ST 110 Introduction to Medical Terminology Objectives Identify word parts and their role in forming medical terms Analyze unfamiliar terms Define commonly used prefixes, word roots, combining forms, and suffixes Objectives, contd Pronounce medical terms correctly Recognize the importance of spelling medical terms correctly Correctly use abbreviations Recognize, define, spell, and pronounce medical terms Word Parts Four Types Word Roots Combining Forms/vowels Suffixes Prefixes Word Root Usually describe body part involved heminephroplasty May also indicate color Examples: cyan/o, erythr/o cyanosis erythrocyte Combining Vowels May be needed between the word root and suffix heminephroplasty O is the most common Suffixes Added to the end of a word root Usually indicates procedure, condition, disorder or disease tonsillitis tonsillectomy Can mean pertaining to, abnormal condition Also used as a noun, to indicate pathology, or relate to the type of procedure Suffixes Can be used as noun endings Name of person, place or thing In medical terminology, suffixes can change the word root into a noun. EX. Cranium Crani-skull Um-noun ending Appendix A Suffixes Pertaining to Adjective- describes or defines a thing In medical terminology, suffixes can change the word root into an adjective. EX. Cardiac Cardi heart Ac- pertaining to Suffixes Abnormal condition or disease EX gastrosis Gastro- stomach Osis- abnormal condition or disease Suffixes Related to pathology Study of all aspects of diseases. path- disease ology- study of Describe specific disease conditions Gastralgia gastr-stomach algia-pain and suffering Common Medical Common Surgical -osis: -ac: -algia: -itis: -malacia: -necrosis: -stenosis: -otomy -ectomy -plasty -ostomy - rrhaphy -pexy -lysis -scopy -graphy -desis Suffixes Double R Suffixes -rrhage -rrhaphy -rrhea -rrhexis Prefixes Added to beginning of word Usually indicates location, time, or number heminephroplasty Some can be similar in spelling, but opposite in meaning Prefixes Pre- Peri- Post- Ab- Dys- Hyper- Hypo- How Can I Determine the Meaning of a Word Just by Looking At It? Take the term apart Guess Use a medical dictionary Look on the net Using a Medical Dictionary Spelling If you dont know how to spell the word, sound it out and write it down If that doesnt work, look for alternative spellings based on the beginning sound Spelling ACCURACY is extremely important Changing just one or two letters can change the entire meaning of a word Example: ileum is a part of the small intestine, and ilium is part of the hip bone Pronunciation New terms will be written in bold The pronunciation will be in parentheses Just say the word like it is written in the parentheses The part that receives the most emphasis will be in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS The part with secondary emphasis will be in bold lowercase letters nephrectomy root suffix nephr/ectomy kidney/surgical removal of The surgical removal of the a kidney nephroplasty root cv suffix nephr/o/plasty kidney/surgical repair Surgical repair of a kidney gastroenteritis root cv root suffix gastr/o/enter/itis stomach / small intestine /inflammation of Inflammation of the stomach & small intestine Singulars and Plurals There are unusual rules for changing a singular word into a plural one The rules are foreign to us because most medical terms are of Greek or Latin origins The Rules If a word ends in a, the plural will have an e added. Ex. Bursa to bursae If it ends in ex or ix, change it to ices Ex. Appendix becomes appendices If the term ends in um, change it to an a Ex. Ovum changes to ova See table 1.6 for the others Dont Panic!!!! All of these rules may seem overwhelming, but they will soon become second nature If in doubt, look for the plural form in a medical dictionary Abbreviations Frequently used as a short-hand method of writing long and complex words or phrases Some can be confusing, so watch out! Example: BE means below elbow and barium enema A patient would be UPSET if these two terms were confused! Basic Terms Sign Symptom Syndrome Diagnosis Prognosis Acute Chronic remission Review What are the four types of word parts? Review What are the four types of word parts? Word roots, combining forms, suffixes, prefixes Review What does a word root usually describe? Review What does a word root usually describe? The body part involved Review Where is a suffix added to a word? Review Where is a suffix added to a word? At the end of a root word Review What are some examples of Double R suffixes? Review What are some examples of Double R suffixes? -rrhaphy, -rrhage, -rrhea, -rrhexis Review What part of the root word are prefixes added to? Review What part of the root word are prefixes added to? The beginning of the word Review Is accuracy important when spelling a medical term? Review Is accuracy important when spelling a medical term? ABSOLUTELY!!! Review What are some examples of basic medical terms? Review What are some examples of basic medical terms? Sign, symptom, syndrome, acute, chronic