Studying Medical Terminology

1. Analyze words by dividing them into component parts.

2. Relate the medical terms to the structure and function of the human body.

3. Be aware of spelling and pronunciation problems.

Origins of Medical Terminology

• Greek and Latin languages

• Ancient Greeks are considered the fathers of modern medicine

• Origins of some medical terms relate to history, poetry, mythology, geography, physical objects and ideas.

Medical Terminology

• Functional language

• Has rules for grammar, spelling and pronunciation

Medical Terms

• Two main categories:

1. Constructed terms

2. Nonconstructed terms

Constructed Terms

• Made up of multiple word parts

• Parts are combined to form a new word

• Know word parts know constructed term

Nonconstructed Terms

• Not formed by word parts

• Must be memorized

Nonconstructed Terms

• Can be derived from:

1. Names of people Eponyms –

ex: Bartolommeo Eustachio

eustachian tube

Nonconstructed Terms

• Can be derived from:

2. Other languages

ex: plate = flat object in Old French

Nonconstructed Terms

• Can be derived from:

3. Acronyms = initial letters of words in a compound term

ex: LASIK = laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

in situ = in the natural or original position or place keratomileusis = keratoplasty in which a piece of the cornea is

removed, frozen, shaped to correct refractive error, and reinserted

Nonconstructed Terms

• Can be derived from:

4. Abbreviations

ex: UA = Urinalysis

Word Analysis

• When a constructed term is formed, individual __________ ___________ are assembled to create a term with a new meaning.

word parts

Word Analysis

• What is the main component or the foundation of any word?

word root

ex: cardi = heart

Word Analysis

• What is the word part that is affixed to the beginning of a word?

Prefix

ex: epi = upon, over, above

epi- + gastric epigastric

Word Analysis

• What is the word part that is affixed to the ending of a word?

Suffix

ex: -ectomy = surgical removal

bunion + -ectomy bunionectomy

Word Analysis

• Some word roots require a vowel to add:

1. a suffix that begins with a consonant

ex: -logy = study of

cardi / o / logy cardiology

Word Analysis

• Some word roots require a vowel to add:

2. another word root when forming a term.

ex: gastr / o + enterology gastroenterology

Word Analysis

• What is the term for this vowel?

combining vowel

Most commonly “o”

sometimes “i” or “e”

Word Analysis

• What is the term for a word root plus a combining vowel?

combining form

ex: cardi / o

Singular to Plural

• If the term ends in:

1. -a add an -e

ex: vertebra vertebrae

Singular to Plural

• If the term ends in:

2. -is change to -es

ex: diagnosis diagnoses

Singular to Plural

• If the term ends in:

3. -itis change to -itides

ex: gastritis gastritides

Singular to Plural

• If the term ends in:

4. -on drop the –on and add –a

ex: ganglion ganglia

Singular to Plural

• If the term ends in:

5. -um drop the –um and add –a

ex: myocardium myocardia

Other Rules to Remember

1. When adding a suffix starting with a vowel to a combining form, drop the combining vowel.

ex: arthr / o + -itis arthritis

Other Rules to Remember

2. Prefixes do not require combining vowels to join with other word parts.

Example: epi- / gastric epigastric

Other Rules to Remember

3. Infrequently, a prefix drops its ending vowel to combine with another word part.

ex: ____________

Other Rules to Remember

4. Deciphering of a medical term:

a. Breaking the word into its word parts

b. Defining the suffix

c. Defining the prefix

d. Defining the word root or combining form

ex: epigastric