Medical Terminology

http://www.dmu.edu/medterms/basics/

Basics

Before we can start in with some new and interesting medical terms, you need to learn a few fundamentals of how medical terminology is constructed as a language.

There are three basic parts to medical terms: a word root (usually the middle of the word and its central meaning), a prefix (comes at the beginning and usually identifies some subdivision or part of the central meaning), and a suffix (comes at the end and modifies the central meaning as to what or who is interacting with it or what is happening to it). An example may make better sense.

Word root

therm = heathypothermia (less heat), thermometer (measuring heat)

Let’s look at a real medical term and take it apart.Myocarditis(prefix) (root) (suffix)myo = muscle card = heart itis = inflammation

Don’t get blown away by that big, intimidating word! We haven’t introduced word roots yet. I just wanted to demonstrate the major parts of a medical term. Let’s see how prefix and suffix changes can alter the meaning of a term without changing its central meaning by keeping the root the same.

Prefix change:

myocarditis = muscle layer of heart inflamedpericarditis = outer layer of heart inflamedEndocarditis = inner layer of heart inflamed

Suffix change:cardiologist = a physician specializing in the heartcardiomyopathy = damage to heart muscle layercardiomegaly = enlargement of the heart

Again, we haven’t introduced heart terms yet. These basics are just to introduce the parts of medical terms and demonstrate how moving the parts around modifies the central meaning without changing the “root” (cardio).

Useful prefixes and suffixes

Following, in no particular order, are frequently used word beginnings (prefixes) and word endings (suffixes) used to make up many medical terms. You don’t need to memorize whether an item is a prefix or suffix, or even if it is a word root, just what it means! I know this is all “Greek” to you (and some of it really is!), but there will be so much reinforcement as we go along that you can’t help but remember meanings. Be patient with yourself.

-itis = inflammation tonsillitis, appendicitis-osis = abnormal condition cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or

low oxygen)-ectomy = to cut out (remove) appendectomy, tonsillectomy -otomy = to cut into tracheotomy (to cut into the windpipe,

temporary opening)-ostomy = to make a “mouth” colostomy (to make a permanent

opening in colon)a/an = without, none anemia (literally no blood but means

few red cells)micro = small microstomia (abnormally small mouth,

see “stomy” in colostomy above?)macro = large macrostomia (abnormally large mouth)Mega/megaly = enlarged megacolon (abnormally large colon =

large intestine)-scopy/scopic = to look, observe colonoscopy (look into colon)

-graphy/ -graph = recording an image mammography (imaging the breasts)

-gram = the image (X-ray) mammogram

-ology/ -ologist = study, specialize in cardiologist, nephrologist (study the heart, the kidneys)

WORD ROOTS

Stomato = mouth stomatitisDento = teeth dentistGlosso/linguo = tongue glossitis, lingual nerveGingivo = gums gingivitisEncephalo = brain encephalitisGastro = stomach gastritisEntero = intestine gastroenteritisColo = large intestine colitis, megacolonProcto = anus/rectum proctitis, proctologistHepato = liver hepatitis, hepatomegalyNephro/rene = kidney nephrosis, renal artery

Orchido = testis orchiditis, orchidectomyOophoro = ovary oophorectomyHystero/metro =uterus hysterectomy,endometritisSalpingo = uterine tubes hysterosalpingogramDermo = skin dermatitisMasto/mammo = breast mammography, mastectomyOsteo = bones osteoporosisCardio = heart electrocardiogram (ECG)Cysto = bladder cystitisRhino = nose rhinitis (runny nose!)Phlebo/veno = veins phlebitis, phlebotomyPneumo/pulmo = lung pneumonitis, pulmonologistHemo/emia = blood hematologist, anemia

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Oste/o Bone Osteitis, osteoma, osteocyteChondr/o Cartilage Chondritis, chondroma, chondrocyteArthr/o Joint Arthritis, arthroplastyMyel/o Bone marrow MyelomaTen/o, tendin/o Tendon Tendonitis, tenorrhaphyLigament/o Ligament Ligamentous injuryBurs/o Bursa, “bag” BursitisMy/o, myos/o Muscle Myoma, myositis-malacia Softening Osteomalacia, chondromalacia-porosis Porous Osteoporosis-asthenia Weakness, loss of strength Myasthenia gravis-trophy Development, stimulation, maintenance: Atrophy (shriveling of muscles), hypertrophy (increase in size and strength of muscles)

-algia, algesia Pain Myalgia, arthralgia, analgesia

AbbreviationsAC acromioclavicular jointACL anterior cruciate ligamentADL activities of daily livingAIIS anterior inferior iliac spineAMA against medical adviceAP anterior-posteriorAROM active range of motionASIS anterior superior iliac spineATC athletic trainer, certifiedATF anterior talo-fibular ligamentb.i.d. twice a day

BP blood pressurebpm beats per minuteCBC complete blood countCF calcaneo-fibular lig.CNS central nervous systemc/o complains ofCSF cerebral spinal fluidCT computerized tomographyD/C discontinued or discharge

DIP distal interphalangealjoints

DTR deep tendon reflexDx diagnosisECG, EKG electrocardiogramEENT Ear,eyes,nose, throatEMG electromyogramER external rotationFH family historyFWB full weight bearingFx fractureGI gastrointestinalHR heart rateHx historyICU intensive care unitIM intramusclarIR internal rotationIV intravenous

L leftLBP lower back painLCL lateral collateral ligamentLE lower extemityLLQ left lower quadrantLOC loss of consciousnessLUQ left upper quadrantMeds medicationsMCL medial collateral ligamentMI myocardial infarctionMMT manual muscle testMCP/MTP metacarpal/tarsalphalangealMRI magnetic resonance imagingneg. negativeNPO nothing by mouthNWB non weight bearing

O.R. operating roomORIF open reduction, internal

fixationPA or PAC phyician’s assitantPCL posterior cruciate ligamentPEARL pupils, equal, and

reactive to lightPIP proximal interphalangeal jt.PNF propriceptive

neuromuscularfacilitation

pos. positivepost-op after surgerypre-op before surgeryPRE progressive resistive

exercisePROM passive range of motionprn whenever necessary

PSIS posterior superior iliac spinePT physical therapy,

physical therapistPt., pt. patientPTF posterior talo-fibular lig.PWB partial wieght bearingq everyq.d. every dayq.h. every hourq.i.d. four times a dayq.2 h. every 2 hoursR rightRCL radial collateral ligamentRLQ right lower quadrantr/o rule outROM range of motion

RROM resistive range of motionRUQ right upper quadrantRx prescriptionSC sternoclavicular jointSI sacroliacSLR straight leg raiseSOAP subjective, objective,

assessment, planstat. immediately, at onceSx symptomstab tabTENS transcutaneous electrical

nerve stimulationt.i.d. three times dailyTMJ temporomandibular jointTx treatmentUCL ulnar collateral ligamentUE upper extremityUS ultrasound

VMO vastus medialis obliqueW/cm2 watts per square cmWNL within normal limitsWP Whirlpooly/o years old@ atc withs withouta before (ante)p after (post)x times (i.e. 3 x week)> greater than< less than= equals+ plus, positive- minus, negative~ approximatelydown:decrease up:increase