C H A P T E R 5 5 Medical Terminology. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of...

C H A P T E RC H A P T E R

55 Medical Terminology

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Introduction to Medical Terminology11

U N I TU N I T


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Basic Principles behindMedical Terminology

Most medical terminology stems from Greek or Latin origin.

Some medical terms are associated with the physician or scientist who discovered the organ or created the procedure.

(continued)


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Basic Principles behindMedical Terminology

Most medical terms have three parts:1. Prefix

Modifier Appears at the beginning of the term

2. Combining form or word root Main meaning

3. Suffix Modifier Appears at the end of the term


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Properly Breaking Up Medical Terms to Help Define the Meaning

First, identify the suffix to determine the meaning of the term.

Then look for any prefix at the beginning of the term.

Finally, look for the meaning of the word root.


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Remember the Rules

A prefix always goes to the left (in front of the word) and is denoted with a hyphen to the right.

A suffix always goes to the right (after the word) and is denoted with a hyphen to the left.

The word root or combining form is the part of the word that applies to anatomy; there can be more than one of these in a medical term.


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Unit Summary

Does the prefix go on the left or on the right?

Does the suffix go on the left or on the right?

Where is the combining form placed?


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Prefixes, Suffixes, Word Roots, and

Combining Forms22U N I TU N I T


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How Prefixes Alter Word Meaning

Prefixes indicate: A location Presence or absence of something Quantity or lack of quantity Size Frequency Position

(continued)


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Prefix Meaning Example

a-, an- without Arrhythmia is without a rhythm.

bi- two Bilateral means pertaining to two sides.

dys- abnormal, painful

Dysuria is the condition of painful urination.

(continued)


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Exceptions Choose the prefix based on the word root. If the word root begins in a vowel, choose a

prefix that ends in a consonant.


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How Suffixes Change Medical Terms

Suffixes always appear at the end of the word.

Suffixes identify the disorder or procedure.

(continued)


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How Suffixes Change Medical Terms

Suffix Meaning Example

-cyte cell A leukocyte is a white blood cell.

-itis inflammation Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach.

-logy the study of Cardiology is the study of the heart.


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The Difference betweenCombining Forms and Word Roots

Combining forms are word roots that already have a vowel added to the end of the root to make it easy to combine the word root with the suffix.


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Common Combining Forms and Word Roots

Combining Form

Word Root Meaning

muscul/o muscul muscle

cardi/o cardi heart

neur/o neur nerve

lip/o lip fat


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Using the Combining Vowel

Use the combining vowel whenever the suffix begins with a consonant.

Do not use the combining vowel when the suffix begins with a vowel.


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Unit Summary

True or false: Prefixes indicate location, presence or absence, quantity, lack of quantity, position, and frequency.

True or false: Suffixes serve to pluralize a medical term.


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Forming Plurals from Singulars33

U N I TU N I T


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Determine Whether a Term is Singular or Plural

In the English language, most terms that end in “s” or “es” are plural.

To take a singular term that has an English origin and make it plural, you would simply add “s” or “es.”

Runner becomes runners. Business becomes businesses.


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Changing Greek and Latin Terms

It is important that you learn to recognize the proper conversion rules for Greek and Latin terms.

Once you have worked with the conversion rules, you should practice them and, if possible, memorize them.


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Changing Singular to Plural

Singular Plural Example

-a -ae Vertebra becomes vertebrae.

-is -es Diagnosis becomes diagnoses.

-um -a Atrium changes to atria.

-us -i Bacillus becomes bacilli.

-ex -ices Apex changes to apices.

-nx -nges Phalanx changes to phalanges.


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Unit Summary

Are the following words singular or plural?

Appendix Bacteria Indices


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Understanding and Building Medical Terms

of Body Systems44U N I TU N I T


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Anatomical Position

The universal point of reference used to identify directional terms

The body is imagined as being upright, with arms at the sides and facing forward.


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Important Directional Terms

Anterior or ventral Front

Posterior or dorsal Back

(continued)


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Important Directional Terms

Inferior: below Superior: above Lateral: to the side Medial: middle Internal: inside Superficial: on the surface


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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System

Integumentary system (Table 5-7) Made up of the skin

Musculoskeletal system (Table 5-8) Made up of the bones and muscles that form

our frame and provide support and protection, as well as permit movement

(continued)


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Cardiovascular system (Table 5-9) Made up of the heart, blood vessels, and

lymphatics Respiratory system (Table 5-10)

Made up of the nose, mouth, trachea, esophagus, bronchi, and lungs

(continued)


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Gastrointestinal system (Table 5-11) Consists of the organs that allows us to

break down food, use nutrients, and eliminate waste

Urinary system (Table 5-12) Made up of the organs that filter the blood

and eliminate liquid waste

(continued)


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Nervous system (Table 5-13) Contains the brain and spinal cord

Endocrine system (Table 5-14) Made up of the glands that control mental,

emotional, and physical development

(continued)


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The special senses (Table 5-15) Organs that help us to see, hear, maintain

our balance and upright stature, smell, and taste

Reproductive system (Table 5-16) Made up of all the specific male and female

organs that allow us to reproduce


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Common Medical Abbreviations

Abbreviations are frequently used to save time when charting.

The medical community has developed many common abbreviations.

These abbreviations must be universally recognized and never just made up.

(continued)


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Common Medical Abbreviations

UTI CA, ca EGD GERD GI UGI UA GYN GU

IV CVA ECG/EKG EEG MS ASHD MI COPD URI


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Unit Summary

Using the knowledge learned in this chapter, build the following medical terms:

Surgical removal of the appendix Abnormal enlargement of the extremities Inflammation of the voice box


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Keys to Career Success

Medical terminology is the language of health care when working with patients and other health care professionals.

Incorrect use or spelling of medical terminology can adversely affect patient care.


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Hot Links to Career Success

www.medterms.com MedTerms medical dictionary

www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary Medical dictionary, medical terminology

http://www.medterms.com/

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary

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