Medical
Terminology
Coders Using ICD 10
What More With 10?
Thousands of more terms:
Prefixes, suffixes, roots and combining
forms
Commonly accepted and approved
medical abbreviations
Alternative names and descriptions for
diseases
Verbs and terms used to describe
surgical approaches and techniques
(resect, dissect, incise, excise,
aspirate, -scopic, -otomy, -ectomy, etc.)
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Let’s Discuss/Review
The pulmonary trunk is
a short wide vessel the
moves deoxygenated
blood from the heart
directly to the heart.
Short and wide is useful!
Who knew?
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Principles of Word Building
Prefix
Suffix
Root Words
Memorizing or locate and
mark a good resource
Start with Basics
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Word Building
Word Parts
Group Discussion: useful
Crazy word
“When I left you, I was but the
learner, now I am the master.”
From Star Wars
Medical Terminology is the
Language of Medicine
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Spoken in clinics and hospitals
around the world
It is a language, like Spanish, that
includes rules of pronunciation,
vocabulary, and grammar
To learn the medical language you
must learn the rules and practice
speaking the words
History of Medical
Terminology
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Developed gradually over the years from
older languages
Began nearly 3,000 years ago when
Hippocrates and Aristotle began
describing ailments and parts of the body
Romans used Latin and Greek to
describe ailments and parts of the body
Today, most medical terms use mainly
Greek and Latin word parts
Additional Medical Terms
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Acronym
 Words
created from abbreviations
or the first letter of a group of
words
 CAT
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scan
Eponyms
A
word based on the personal
names of people to describe a
disease or body part
 Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma
Two Main Groups of
Medical Terms
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First group are called constructed terms
and they are constructed from multiple
Greek or Latin word parts
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Break these down into word parts
Second group are medical terms that
consist of words composed of only one
Greek or Latin word part, and common
terms
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Commit these to memory as you can!!
Medical Terms
Constructed Terms
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There are four word parts that
have Greek or Latin origins
 Word
roots
 Prefixes
 Suffixes
 Combining vowels
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Constructed terms can be learned
by learning the parts
Word Root
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Contains the primary meaning
Most medical terms contain at
least one and sometimes more
word roots
 ab/norm/al
 The
word root is norm, it is the
primary meaning of the word and it
means away from a normal state
Word Roots
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arter, arteri = artery
arthr = joint
card, cardi = heart
gastr = stomach
hepat = liver
later = side
norm = a common state
oste = bone
path = disease
tens = to stretch
ven = vein
Prefix
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The word part that is placed before
the word root to modify its meaning
 ab/norm/al
 The
prefix ab is placed before the
root to modify the word meaning,
and means away from
Prefixes
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ab- = away from
bi- = two
endo- = within
hyper- = above, beyond, excessive
hypo- = below, under, deficient
intra- = within
pre- = to come before
post- = to follow after
sub- = under
Suffix
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The word part that is placed at the
end of the word root to modify its
meaning
 ab/norm/al
 The
suffix al is placed after the root
to modify the word meaning and
means pertaining to
Suffixes
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-al = pertaining to
-ic = pertaining to
-ous = pertaining to
-itis = inflammation
-logy = study of
-meter = measure
-pathy = disease
-scope = an instrument used for viewing
-scopy = use of an instrument for viewing
A Combining Vowel
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Is a word part that is used to connect
other word parts together, but it does not
modify the meaning
The combining vowel is usually an o, but
i and e are sometimes used
 The vowel is used between two word
roots or between a word root and a suffix
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In the term gastr/o/logy a combining vowel
is used between a word root and a suffix
to ease pronunciation
Combining Form
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When a word root is shown with
the combining vowel attached it is
called the combining form
 It
is written with a slash separating
the word root and combining form
 oste/o
Combining Forms
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arteri/o = artery
arthr/o = joint
cardi/o = heart
gastr/o = stomach
hepat/o = liver
oste/o = bone
path/o = disease
ven/o = vein
Defining Medical Terms
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If the word parts of a medical term are
known then the term’s definition can
usually be determined
Three steps to define a term
Arteriopathy
Break down the term into individual parts
 arteri/o/pathy
 Define each word part
 arteri/o = artery pathy = disease
 Combine and interpret the definition of
the parts
 Disease of the arteries
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Constructing Medical
Terms
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Most medical terms are formed by
assembling various word parts to
construct a term
Start with the definition: determine
what you want to communicate
Select the word parts based on
their particular meanings until the
term is constructed
Constructing Medical
Terms
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Let’s create a term for a disease of bone
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Start with the definition
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Find the suffix for disease
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-pathy
Find the word root and combining vowel
for bone
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Disease of bone
oste/o
Arrange the word parts properly

osteopathy
Assembling Word Parts
Pronunciation of
Medical Terms
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Use a phonetic (sounds like)
pronunciation system
To pronounce a word, just say it as
it is spelled out in parentheses
 The
term cardiology
 kar-de-OL-oh-jee
 The
term gastrohepatic
 gas-troh-heh-PAT-ik
Spelling of
Medical Terms
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Spelling is very important
A spelling error that changes one
or two letters can completely
change a word’s meaning
Ileum
 Is
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part of the small intestine
Ilium
 Is
part of the hip bone
Singular and Plural Endings
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Rules for changing a singular word into a plural word are
different than the English language
Helpful guidelines
 If the term ends in a, the plural is formed by adding an e
 Verterbra to vertebrae
 If the term ends in is, the plural is formed by changing
the is to es
 Diagnosis to diagnoses
 If the term ends in itis, the plural is formed by changing
the itis to itides
 Gastritis to gastritides
 If the term ends in on or um, the plural is formed by
changing the on or um to a
 Ganglion to ganglia, myocardium to myocardia
Stop and Think!
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What prefixes and suffixes do you know?
What root words do you use on a regular
basis in your work?
Have you thought of ‘building a term’ or
‘breaking down a word’ ?
Think Time: In honor of Mary Poppins:
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
(Above) (fragrant) (delicate) (explain) (educable)
Prefix, root words, combining form
and suffix (from the writer, Richard
Sherman’s child hood)
The Body’s Normal
Structure and Function
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Anatomy
 The
study of body structure
 ana-
= up, toward, apart
 tom = cut
 -y = action, process or condition
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Physiology
 The
study of body function
 physi/o
= nature
 logy = study of
The Eleven (11) Organ Systems
and Their Organ Components
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Integumentary System
 Skin
Skeletal System
 Bones, joints
Muscular System
 Muscles
Nervous System
 Brain, spinal cord, nerves
Endocrine System
 Pituitary gland, thyroid gland,
parathyroid glands, adrenal glands,
pancreas, thymus, gonads
Organ Systems and Their Organ
Components (cont.)
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Cardiovascular System
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Lymphatic System
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Spleen, lymphatic vessels
Respiratory System
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Heart, blood vessels
Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi,
lungs
Digestive System
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Tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach,
liver, salivary glands, pancreas, small
intestine, large intestine, rectum
Organ Systems and Their Organ
Components (cont.)
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Urinary System
 Kidneys,
ureters, urinary bladder,
urethra
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Reproductive System
 Male:
testes, epididymus, vas
deferens, prostate gland, seminal
vesicles, bulbourethral glands
 Female: ovaries, uterus, fallopian
tubes, vagina, vestibular glands
 ICD 10 new term-Adnexal
(structures of the Uterus
Medical Terms Prefix and Suffix
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a-, an-Denotes an absence of
ab-away from
abdomin(o)-Of or relating to the
Abdomenacpertaining to
acanth(o)-thorn or spine
acous(o)-Of or relating to hearing
acr(o)-extremity, top most
Acusis hearing
-ad toward, in the direction of
ad-increase, adherence, motion toward,
very
Medical Terms – Prefixes
and Suffixes
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aden(o)-, aden(i)-Of or relating to a
gland
adip(o)-Of or relating to fat or fatty
tissue
adren(o)-Of or relating to adrenal
glandsaemia blood condition
aer(o)-air, gas
aesthesio- sensation
-alpertaining to
alb-Denoting a white or pale color
Medical Terms – Prefixes
and Suffixes
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alge(si)-pain
-algiapainalg(i)o-pain
allo-Denoting something as different, or
as an addition
ambi-Denoting something as positioned
on both sides; Describing both of two
amnio-Pertaining to the membranous
fetal sac (amnion)
an-not, without
an(o)anus
andr(o)-pertaining to a man
Medical Terms – Prefixes
and Suffixes
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angi(o)-blood vessel
aniso-Describing something as unequal
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)-Denoting something as
crooked or bent
ante-Describing something as positioned in
front of another thing
anti-Describing something as 'against' or
'opposed to' another
apo-separated from, derived from
arteri(o)-Of or pertaining to an artery
arthr(o)-Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs
articul(o)-joint
Medical Terms – Prefixes
and Suffixes
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-arypertaining toaseenzymeastheniaweaknessAtionprocess
aur(i)-Of or pertaining to the ear
aut(o)-self
axill-Of or pertaining to the armpit
bi-twice, double
bio-life
blast(o)-germ or bud
blephar(o)-Of or pertaining to the eyelid
brachi(o)-Of or relating to the arm
Dysplasia refers to abnormal tissue
growth…how many in your family?
Medical Terms – Prefixes
and Suffixes
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brachy-Indicating 'short' or less
commonly 'little‘
brady-Indicating 'slow‘
bronch(i)-bronchus
bucc(o)-Of or pertaining to the cheek
burs(o)-bursa
capit-Pertaining to the head (as a whole)
carcin(o)-cancer
cardi(o)-Of or pertaining to the heart
cephal(o)-Of or pertaining to the head
(as a whole)
cerebr(o)-Of or pertaining to the brain
cervic-Of or pertaining to the neck, the
cervix AND More!!
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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Digestion-pepsia
Disease-pathy
Eating-phagia
abdomenlapar(o)aortaaort(o)armbrachi(o)arteryarteri(o)-
Heartburn describes a burning in the
chest caused by esophagus irritated by
the reflux of stomach acid
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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bladdercyst(o)bloodhaemat-, hemat- (haem-,
hem-)
blood clotthromb(o)blood vesselangi(o)bodysomat-, somboneoste(o)bone marrow, marrowmyel(o)
brainencephal(o)breastmast(o)-
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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cheststeth(o)earot(o)-eggs,
ovaoo- egg
eyeophthalm(o)eyelidblephar(o)fallopian tubessalping(o)fat, fatty tissuelip(o)fingerdactyl(o)-
Extrinsic eye muscles are some of the
fastest and most exact Reacting
muscles of the body
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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gallbladdercholecyst(o)genitals, sexually
undifferentiatedgon(o)-, phall(o)
glandaden(o)glans penis or clitoridisbalan(o)gums gingivhairtrich(o)handcheir(o)-, chir(o)headcephal(o)heartcardi(o)-
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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hip, hip-joint coxintestineenter(o)jawgnath(o)kidneynephr(o)-kneegonlipcheil(o)-, chil(o)liverhepat(o)- (hepatic-)
loins, pubic regionepisi(o)
lungspneumonmarrow, bone marrowmyel(o)-
Cardiac muscle is found
only in the heart. Duh!!
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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mindpsychmouthstomat(o)musclemy(o)nailonych(o)navelomphal(o)necktrachel(o)nerve; the nervous systemneur(o)
nipple, teatthelenoserhin(o)-
Did you know that the left side of the brain controls the
right side of the body? No wonder we can’t tell our right
from our left!! Our brain send signals to the ‘other side’.
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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ovaryoophor(o)pelvispyel(o)penispe(o)pupil (of the eye)cor-, core-, coro
ribpleur(o)rib cagethorac(i)-, thorac(o)
shoulderom(o)skindermat(o)- (derm-)
skullcrani(o)stomachgastr(o)-
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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testisorchi(o)-, orchid(o)throat (upper throat cavity)pharyng(o)
throat (lower throat cavity/voice
box)laryng(o)thumb pollictoothodont(o)-dent(i)tonguegloss-, glott-lingu(a)toedactyl(o)-digittumourcel-, onc(o)-tum-
Medical Terms Root Words
Roots of the Body Roots of
Bodily Concepts
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ureterureter(o)-ureter(o)urethraurethr(o)-, urethr(a)-urethr(o)-,
urethr(a)urine, urinary Systemur(o)urin(o)-uterine
tubessarping(o)-sarping(o)
uterushyster(o)-,
metr(o)-uter(o)vaginacolp(o)-vaginveinphleb(o)-venvulvaepisi(o)-vulvwristcarp(o)-
What This Means
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Review helpful?
Too many terms/words?
ICD 10 Revision:
Resection (take out part-includes
biopsy) vs
Excision (take it all)
Who said?
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“Houston, we have a problem”
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall - who is the fairest of
them all?”
“Luke, I am your father.”
“If you build it, they will come.”
“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.
“Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn.”
"My momma always said, 'Life is like a box of
chocolates. You never know what you're
gonna get.”
Thousands of more terms with ICD 10
More?
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"Here's looking at you, kid.”
"E.T. phone home.“
"Bond. James Bond.“
"Show me the money!“
"There's no crying in baseball!“
"As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry
again.“
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner.“
The seaweed is always greener in
somebody else’s lake
Next Week
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More review
Bring questions
Message to Pat Cox:
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re
my only hope.”