INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
How do we come up with words such as POLYNEURITIS,
ACROMEGALY, and BRADYCARDIA?
BEFORE WE BEGIN…
 It is nearly impossible for even the most experienced healthcare
professional to be familiar with every medical term.
 However, knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and root words is
ESSENTIAL.
 It is vital that every healthcare professional be familiar with
commonly used medical terminology.
BUILDING BLOCKS
 AKA word parts
 Most medical terms are formed by a combination of basic
word parts.
 An understanding of how these parts work together makes
interpreting medical language easier.
BUILDING BLOCKS CONT’D
Prefixes
• Usually indicate location, time, or number
• Come at the beginning of the word
Suffixes
• Usually indicate the procedure, disease, or condition
• Come after the root word
BUILDING BLOCKS CONT’D
 Root Words
• Usually indicate the part of the body involved
 Combining Vowel
•
•
•
•
•
Usually “o”
Attached to the root word
Makes medical terms easier to pronounce
Is NOT used when the suffix begins with a vowel
IS used when the suffix begins with a consonant
PUT THE BUILDING
BLOCKS TOGETHER
Prefix
+
Root Word
+
Suffix
=
Medical Term
POLY
+
NEUR/O
+
ITIS
=
POLYNEURITIS
many
+
nerves
+
inflammation
=
inflammation
of many nerves
PUT THE BUILDING
BLOCKS TOGETHER
Prefix
+
Root Word
+
Suffix
=
N/A
+
ACRO
+
MEGALY
N/A
+
extremities
+
inflammation
Medical Term
=
ACROMEGALY
=
enlargement of
the extremities
PUT THE BUILDING
BLOCKS TOGETHER
Prefix
+
Root Word
+
Suffix
=
Medical Term
BRADY +
CARDI/O
+
N/A
=
BRADYCARDIA
slow
heart
N/A
=
slower than normal
+
+
heart rate
MEDICAL
ABBREVIATIONS
Why is abbreviation such a long word?
WHAT ARE
ABBREVIATIONS?
 Abbreviations are shortened forms of words, usually just letters.
 Abbreviations are used in every healthcare field. As a healthcare
worker, you will see many abbreviations and be expected to recognize
the most common ones.
 Abbreviations may vary from one area to another. Some are banned.
Make sure to learn the policies and procedures of your specific facility.
BUILDING BLOCKS?
 Unfortunately, the “building blocks” of abbreviations are not always
as clear as those we learned for medical terminology.
 Many of the abbreviations come from Latin roots, which may be
counterintuitive for some of us.
 Repetition is often the best way to learn the abbreviations. Take the
time to study using flashcards, or a similar method of your choice.