MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
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Using medical terminology• Medical terminology is used in:– conversation with other
professionals–medical charting and
documentation– professional texts, journal articles
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Using medical terminology• Understanding and using medical
terminology correctly is essential
to a successful midwifery career
• Why is this essential?
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Medical terminology• Each health care specialty has its own
terminology and abbreviations
• Health care professionals become so used to
the language of their specialty they forget
others don’t understand these terms
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When not to use medical terminology
• Medical conditions, diagnoses, treatments and terms should always be explained in lay person’s language when talking to patients, family and community members
• Be aware of the client’s literacy level and language of origin
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Building blocks of medical language
• Medical terms are made up of several
parts – elements - that can be combined
to make many different words
• Learning the meaning of these elements
helps understand many medical terms
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Building blocks of medical language
3 principle elements make up medical terms:
1. roots and combining forms2. prefixes3. suffixes
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Each element is essential to understanding the meaning of
the medical term
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Prefix RootCombining
Vowel Suffix
The Root• The root is the part of the medical
term that gives the main meaning• It usually refers to a structure and/or
function of the body• Roots are usually Latin or Greek in
origin• All medical terms have at least one
root
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Combining forms• Combining forms consist of roots plus a
vowel, usually the letter “o”• In the dictionary, the vowel is separated
from the root with a slash mark, example:• Gastr/o - stomach• Enter/o – small intestine• Cardi/o - heart
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Combining vowel• The letter “o” is called the
combining vowel• It links the root to the “suffix,” the
next element in the medical term• Used if the suffix begins with a
consonant.• Not needed if the suffix begins with
a vowel
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Roots and combining forms• There are thousands of roots and
combining forms that make up medical language
• You need to learn the roots and combining forms used in general medical terminology and what is specific to maternity care
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Basic root wordsAdip/o fatArteri/o arteryArthr/o jointAxill armpitBlephar eyelidBucca cheekCardi/a heartCephal headCerebr/o brain
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Basic root wordsCervic neckCholecyst gallbladderCol/o large intestineCost/o ribCrani/o skullCyst/o urinary bladderCyt/o cellDerm skinEnter small intestine
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Basic root wordsEsophag esophagusGastr/o stomachHem/o bloodHepat/o liverRen/o, nephr/o kidneysLapar abdominal wallLaryng/o larynxLumbus loin, lower part of
the back
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Basic root wordsMyel/o spinal cordMy/o, muculo muscleNas/o, rhino noseNeur/o nerveOphthalm/o, ocul/o eyeOr/o, stomat/o mouthOste/o boneOt/o earPancreat/o pancreasPharyng/o throat
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Basic root wordsPneum/o, pneumon/o lungSplen/o spleen Thorac/o chestThyroid thyroid glandTrache/o windpipe,
tracheaVen/o, phleb/o veinVertebr/o vertebraViv/o life
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Combining forms
• The letter “o” is called the combining vowel
• It links the root to the “suffix,” the next element in the medical term, if the suffix begins with a consonant.
• The combining form is always used when linking two roots, even if the second one starts with a vowel.
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Suffixes
• Suffixes are word elements that are
attached to the end of roots and
combining forms to add to or change
their meaning
• All medical terms have a suffix
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Suffixes
• Each suffix can be added to many
roots
itis = inflammation
appendicitis = inflamed
appendix
arthritis = inflamed joint
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Suffixes
• The combining vowel is used between the root and the suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant:
Example: cardi + o + megaly = cardiomegalycardiomegaly = enlarged heart
cardi = heart, megaly = enlarged
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Suffixes
• When the suffix begins with a vowel, there is no need for a combining vowel between the root and the suffix
• The suffix is attached to the root wordExample: gastr + itis = gastritisgastritis = inflammation of the
stomachgastr = stomach, itis = inflammation
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SuffixesSome common meanings of suffixes:• Pathological (disease) conditions• Diagnostic procedures• Surgical procedures• Pertaining to• Produced by• Resembling
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Suffixes
• When suffixes are listed in medical dictionaries or word lists, they are listed alphabetically
• The word is preceded by a dash and identified as a word element
• The dash indicates something precedes it• Dictionary entries will give the language
of origin, usually Latin or Greek
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Common suffixes
Pertaining to:-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -iac, -ic, -ical, -ose, -ous, -tic
Examples: Cardiac (pertaining to the heart)Cellular (pertaining to the cell)Psychotic (pertaining to psychosis)Corporeal (pertaining to the body)
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Common suffixes
-algia pain-centesis surgical puncture to
remove fluid-cide to kill, destroy-cyte cell-ectomy removal of-emia blood-gram record
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Common suffixes
-graph instrument used to record-graphy process of recording-ia, - a condition, esp. an
abnormal state-ism condition-itis inflammation of-lithiasis presence of or formation
of stones
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Common suffixes-logy study of-logist person who studies it-megaly enlargement-oid resembling-oma tumor-otomy surgical incision-pathy disease -plasty surgical repair
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Common suffixes-plegia paralysis-pnea breathing, respiration-rrhea drainage, flow-scope examination, instrument-scopy examination using a scope-stasis stoppage-stomy surgically create an
artificial mouth or stoma
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Prefixes• Prefixes are word elements that are
attached to the beginning of roots and combining forms to add to or change their meaning
• Many (but not all) medical terms have a prefix
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Prefixes
Common meanings of prefixes:Location
PositionDirectionTimeNumberNegation, absence ofColor
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Prefixes
• The same prefixes can be attached to many root words, resulting in thousands of variations
• The prefix “hyper” means “abnormally increased or excessive”
Hyperacid = excessively acidicHyperactive = abnormally activeHypertension = persistently high blood pressure
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Prefixes• Prefixes can dramatically change the
meaning of a word• Example: “systole” means “contraction
of the heart”• The one letter prefix “a” means
“without”• “Asystole” means “no contractions of
the heart” -- Just one letter makes the difference between life and death!
• Correct spelling is critical in health care
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Prefixes• When prefixes are listed in medical
dictionaries and word lists, they are located alphabetically followed by a dash and identified as a word element
• Their origin (Latin, Greek) is usually given• Example:
epi- word element (Gr) meaning overpoly- word element (Gr) meaning many, much
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Common prefixes
A-/an- without, notAnti- againstAuto- selfBi- two, doubleBrady- slowDys- bad, difficult, painfulEpi- over
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Common prefixes
Eu- good, normal Hemi- halfHyper- above, excessiveHypo- less than, underInter- betweenIntra- withinMulti- manyNon- notPeri- around
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Common prefixes
Poly- many, muchPost- after, behindPre- before, in frontPseudo- falseQuadri- fourSemi- halfSub- under, belowSupra- above, overTachy- fast, rapidTri- three
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Putting it all together
• Learn the meanings of commonly used word elements and understanding how they combine to make a medical term
• Then you can figure out the meaning of thousands of medical terms
• Think of each word as a combination of building blocks or railroad cars, fitted together to create a precise meaning
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Putting it all together
The medical term is put together like a series of building blocks or train cars
Prefix +Root +Combining vowel (if needed) +Suffix
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Putting it all together – linking the components to define the term
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Prefix RootCombining
Vowel Suffix
Putting it all together
• When you see a new term, break it down into the elements
• Start at the end of the word and work to the left
• Identify and define each element• As you define each element you will
define the medical term
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Start at the end of the word and work to the left
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Prefix RootCombining
Vowel Suffix
Example: “Echocardiogram”
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echo cardi o gram
Define Echocardiogram reading from left to right
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Echo = reflections of sounds
Cardi =heart
O = connecting
vowel
Gram =Written, record
Define Echocardiogram reading from left to right
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Echo = reflections of sounds
Cardi =heart
O = connecting
vowel
Gram =Written, record
Echocardiogram is defined as a written recording of the heart using reflections of sounds
Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Echocardiogram• echo = reflections of sounds• cardi = heart• o = connecting vowel• gram = written, recordEchocardiogram is a written recording of the
heart using reflections of sounds
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Example: “Cytology”
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No Prefix Cyt o logy
Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Cytology• Cyt (root) = cell • o = the connecting vowel• logy = (suffix) study ofCytology means study of the cellA cytologist is someone who studies cells
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Example: “Bradycardia”
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Brady cardiNo
Connec-ting
vowel
ia
Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Bradycardia• Brady = abnormally slow • no connecting vowel is needed because
the prefix ends with a vowel• cardi = heart• ia, a = condition, esp. an abnormal stateBradycardia means a condition of
abnormally slow heart
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Example: “Splenectomy”
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No prefix splen
No Connec-
ting vowel
ectomy
Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Splenectomy• splen = (root) spleen • no connecting vowel is needed because
the suffix begins with a vowel• ectomy = (suffix) removal ofSplenectomy means removal of a spleen
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Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Dyspnea• Dys = bad, difficult, painful • pnea = breathing, respiration• ia, a = condition, esp. an abnormal stateDyspnea means an abnormal condition of
difficult breathing
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Putting it all together
Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix
Hemocyte• hem = blood• o = connecting vowel • cyte = cellHemocyte is a blood cell
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Changing the meaning of the term
Changing one element
modifies the meaning of
the term
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tachy
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brady
cardiNo
Connec-ting
vowel
a
Bradycardia: a condition of abnormally slow heartTachycardia: a condition of abnormally fast heart
cardi
tachy
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pne
No Connec-
ting vowel
a
Tachycardia: a condition of abnormally fast heartTachypnea: a condition of abnormally fast breathing
Spelling
• Correct spelling is critical in health care. • Misspelled words can lead to diagnostic,
medication and treatment errors• Some words look or sound similar and can
be confused
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Spelling
• Pay attention to the context to help you
figure out the correct meaning of a term
• Example: “The client has a fractured ilium”
ilium = part of the hip bone
ileum = part of the intestine
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Singular and plural
• Because many medical terms come from Greek and Latin words, the plural forms of the words are not made by adding an “s” as in English
• Memorize the guidelines • When in doubt, memorize the specific
words
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If the word ends in
Change it to
Examples: singular, plural
-a -ae vertebra, vertebrae
-ex or -ix -ices index, indices
-is -es diagnosis, diagnoses
-itis -ides arthritis, arthritides
-nx -ges phalanx, phalanges
-on -a ganglion, ganglia
-um -a ovum, ova
-us -i alveolus, alveoli
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Changing singular to plural
Pronunciation guidelines
• The “soft” pronunciation of the consonant is used when followed by e, i or y
• “c” sounds like “s”cell, circulation, cyst
• “g” sounds like “j” when followed by e, i or ygenetic, gingivitis, gestation
• “ch” sounds like “k”chronic, chromium, cholecystitis, psychologist
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Pronunciation guidelines
• When a word ends in “i” it is pronounced like “eye” as in
bacilli• “x” is pronounced “z” as in
xylocainexenophobic
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Pronunciation guidelinesWhen “P” is at the beginning of words followed
by a consonant: • “ph” is pronounced “f” as in
pharmacy• “pn” is pronounced “n” (silent “p”) as in
pneumonia, pneumococcus• “ps” is pronounced “s” (silent “p”) as in
psychotic, psychosocialpsychologist
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Abbreviations & symbols• Medical abbreviations and symbols
are a “short hand” for medical professionals
• Most have been standardized and are universally accepted
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Abbreviations & symbols
• Individual facilities and specialties may use their own specific abbreviations and symbols or use a symbol differently
Example: Means “change” • In maternity care it is also used to
mean “trimester”
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The context indicates the meaning
• Client S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation, c/o 1st bleeding
• Client S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation, c/o constipation. Recommend her PNV Rx @ her next PNV.
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Abbreviations & symbols
• Don’t assume you know what an abbreviation or symbol means.
• Learn the abbreviations and symbols used on your clinical site during orientation to the practice, through chart review, and by asking.
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Abbreviations & symbols• Don’t use your own personal
abbreviations in health care documents. • Use only standard medically accepted
abbreviations and those used by the facility on your clinical site
• Use capital and small letters appropriately
• Non-standard abbreviations can result in medical errors and fines for the agency when discovered during chart audits
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Common abbreviations & symbols
ā beforead lib freely; at willa.c. before a mealb.i.d. twice a dayBM bowel movementBP blood pressurec withCDC Centers for Disease Control
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Medical abbreviations & symbols
c/o complains ofd/c discontinueh. hourH2O waterh.s. At night, at bedtimeI&O intake and outputlab. Laboratoryn.p.o. Nothing by mouthn&v nausea and vomiting
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Medical abbreviations & symbols
O2 oxygenO.D. Right eyeO.S. Left eyeO.U. Each eyep afterP pulsep.c. After mealsP.O. By mouth
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Medical abbreviations & symbolsp.r.n. As neededq.d. Daily, once a dayq.h. Every hourq.i.d. Four times a dayR respirationRR respiration rates withoutstat. immediately
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Medical abbreviations & symbolsT temperaturet.i.d. Three times a dayTPR temperature, pulse and
respirationTx Treatment; tractionVS vital signsWt. Weightx multiplied by
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Medical symbols
> greater than< less than↓ decreased, down, lower
↑ increased, higher, up, elevate↘ decreasing↗ increasing# pound or number
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Medical symbols′ foot or minute″ inch or secondo degree♂ male♀ female∆ change, trimester@ at
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Medical Dictionary• Taber’s or Mosby’s available in bookstores,
come with textbooks and CDs• Medical dictionaries are available online• Add medical terms to your computer’s
spell check program
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Choosing a medical dictionary
• Explanations of medical procedures, conditions, disorders and diseases
• Clear, easy to understand definitions• Pronunciation guidelines• Abbreviations and symbols• Useful diagrams, charts, reference tables
containing information like lab values, conversion tables (metric to standard), etc
• Vocabulary useful to your chosen field
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Learn medical terminology• Study and learn a few words every day• Make flash cards• Practice using terms verbally • Use symbols and abbreviations when you
write notes • Use a medical dictionary for reference• Ask for a definition when you hear a term
or see an abbreviation that you don’t know
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1120 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF MIDWIFERY
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYTHE END
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