Chapter 1
Introduction to
Medical
Terminology
Word Parts Are the Key
• Understanding word parts and how they work
together to form medical terms will reinforce
your word-building skills
• Most word parts in medical terminology are of
Latin origin
• Others are of Greek origin, or other
languages
Four Types of Word Parts
• Word root
– (Example, gastr: stomach)
• Combining form
– (Example, gastr/o)
• Suffix
– (Example, -itis)
• Prefix
– (Example, hyper-)
Word Parts
Word Roots
• Cannot stand alone
• Basic meaning of the word
• Usually describe the part of the body that is
involved
• Suffixes are placed at the end of the word
root
• Prefixes are placed at the beginning of the
word root
Combining Forms
• Include a vowel, usually an "o," added to the
end of a word root
• Aids in pronunciation
• In combining two word roots, a combining
form is added to the first word root
• Combining form is used at the end of the
second word root if the suffix begins with a
vowel
Word Roots/Combining Forms
Suffixes
• Added at the end of a word to complete the
term
• May indicate a procedure, condition, disorder,
or disease
Suffixes
• A combining vowel is used when suffix begins
with a consonant
• Example, neuroplasty
– When joining neur/o (nerve) with suffix -plasty
(surgical repair), combining vowel "o" is used
because suffix begins with a consonant
Suffixes
• A combining vowel is not used when suffix
begins with a vowel
• Example, tonsillitis
– When joining tonsill (tonsils) with suffix -itis
(inflammation), combining vowel "o" is not
used because suffix begins with a vowel
Suffixes
Suffixes as Noun Endings
• Suffix may change a word root into a noun
– Noun: person, place, or thing
– Example, cranium
• crani: skull
• -um: noun ending
Suffixes that Mean "Pertaining To"
• Suffixes may change the meaning of word
root into an adjective
– Adjective: defines or describes
– Example, cardiac
• cardi: heart
• -ac: pertaining to
Suffixes that Mean "Abnormal Condition or Disease"
• Suffixes may be used to change the meaning
of a wood root to describe an abnormal
condition
– Example, gastrosis
• gastr: stomach
• -osis: abnormal condition or disease
Suffixes Related to Pathology
• Suffixes may be used to describe a disease
• Pathology: study of all aspects of disease
• Examples:
– -algia: pain and suffering
– -itis: inflammation
– -megaly: enlargement
Suffixes Related to Procedures
• Suffix may be used to describe a procedure
• Examples:
– -centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid
– -graphy: producing a picture or record
– -scopy: visual examination
The "Double R" Suffixes
• Suffixes that begin with two of the letter "r"
• Greek origin
• Study them and learn the differences
The "Double R" Suffixes
• -rrhage and -rrhagia: bleeding
– Mostly used to describe sudden, severe
bleeding
– Example,
• Hemorrhage: the loss of a large amount of blood in
a short time
• (hem/o: blood; -rrhage: abnormal excessive fluid
discharge)
The "Double R" Suffixes
• -rrhaphy: surgical suturing
• Example:
– Myorrhaphy: the surgical suturing of a muscle
wound
– (my/o: muscle; -rrhaphy: surgical suturing)
The "Double R" Suffixes
• -rrhea: flow or discharge of body fluids
• Example:
– Diarrhea: the frequent flow of loose or watery
stools
– (dia-: through; -rrhea: flow or discharge)
The "Double R" Suffixes
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•
•
•
-rrhexis: rupture
Example,
myorrhexis: the rupture of a muscle
my/o: muscle; -rrhexis: rupture
Prefixes
• Added at the beginning of a word
• Usually indicates location, time, or number
• Examples,
– Prenatal: before birth
• (pre-: before; nat: birth; -al: pertaining to)
Prefixes
Contrasting and Confusing Prefixes
• May have similar spellings, but different
meanings
• Examples,
– ab-: away from
– ad-: toward
– inter-: between or among
– intra-: within or inside
Determining Meanings on the Basis of the Word
Parts
• Knowing the meaning of the word parts often
makes it possible to figure out the definition
of an unfamiliar medical term.
Taking Terms Apart
• First, separate into word parts
• Start from the suffix and move toward the
beginning, identifying the meaning of each
part
• Determine the context in which the term is
used; some word parts may have more than
one meaning
Taking Terms Apart
• Refer to medical dictionary or trusted online
source to double-check your definition
• Be aware, not all terms are made up of word
parts
Taking Terms Apart
• Example,
• Otorhinolaryngology
– Suffix -ology: the study of
– Word root laryng: larynx or throat
• Combining vowel is not used here because word
root is joining a suffix that begins with a vowel
– Combining form rhin/o: nose
• Combining vowel is used here because word root
rhin is joining another word root
Taking Terms Apart
Guessing at Meanings
• Attempt to decide the meaning of the word
• Always double-check for accuracy because
some terms have more than one meaning
Medical Dictionary Use
• Assists with mastering correct use of medical
terms
• Guidelines:
• Review user guide, table of contents, and
appendices
• Check the medical term alphabetically
• Check each letter, since similar spellings may
have different meanings
• Check all the definitions listed
Searching for Definitions on the Internet
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•
•
•
Only use reliable Web sites
Refer to at least two Web sites
Be aware of search terms
Double-check spelling and meaning of the
term for which you are searching
Pronunciation
• Commonly accepted pronunciation appears
in parenthesis next to the term
• Pronounce a new word by saying it as it is
spelled in the parentheses.
• Primary emphasis shown in uppercase
boldface letters (eh-DEE-mah)
• Secondary emphasis shown in boldface
lowercase letters (ah-pen-dih-SIGH-tis)
Spelling is Always Important
• Changing just one or two letters may
completely change the meaning of a word
• Many medical terms are known as "lookalike, sound-alike"
Singular and Plural Endings
• Unusual rules apply since many medical
terms are of Latin or Greek origin
• English endings have been adopted for some
commonly used terms
Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases
• Further study may be required in learning
medical terms that describe diseases and
disease conditions
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts
• Many medical terms may look and sound
similar but their meanings are different
• Study these terms carefully
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts
•
•
•
•
•
Example,
arteri/o, ather/o, arthr/o
arteri/o: artery
ather/o: plaque or fatty substance
arthr/o: joint
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts
•
•
•
•
Example,
-ectomy, -ostomy, -otomy
-ectomy: surgical removal
-ostomy: surgical creation of an artificial
opening to the body surface
• -otomy: cutting or a surgical incision
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts
• Example,
• ileum and ilium
• ileum (ILL-ee-um): the last and longest
portion of the small intestine.
Memory aid: ileum is spelled with an "e" as in
intestine.
• ilium (ILL-ee-um): part of the hip bone.
Memory aid: ilium is spelled with an "i " as in
hip.
Using Abbreviations
• Used frequently to record long and complex
medical terms
• May lead to confusion and errors
• Be familiar with the "Do Not Use"
abbreviations of your facility
• Use only accepted abbreviations
• When in doubt, spell it out