醫用流體力學
Medical Terminology
Reference
Cohen, B. J. (1998). Medical terminology; An illustrated
guide. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
Gyls, B.A. & Wedding, M.E. (1983). Medical Terminology:
A Systems Approach. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis
Basic Elements of a Medical Word
1.
2.
3.
4.
Word Root
Combining Form
Suffix
Prefix
These four parts of a word are known as
ELEMENTS.
Dr. Joel Gluck
Word Root



Main part or foundation of a word.
All words have at least one word root.
A word root may be used alone or combined
with other elements to form a complete word.
i.e., SPEAK (word root) + ER (suffix) =
SPEAKER (complete word)


The word root usually refers to a body part.
Some root words are derived from the Latin
or Greek language.
Word Root Examples





“dent” means tooth
“dermat” means skin
“cardi” means heart
“gastr” means stomach
“pancreat” means pancreas
Combining Forms



Correct pronunciation of medical words is
important.
In order to make the pronunciation of word
roots easier, sometimes it is necessary to
insert a vowel after the root.
The combination of a word root and a vowel
is known as a COMBINING FORM.


Combining forms consist of a combining
vowel.
The combining vowel is usually an “o”, but
others may be used.
IE: gastr / o
Word root
pronounced GASTRO.
Combining vowel

When a word has more than one root, a
combining vowel is used to link the root to
each other.
Slashes separate elements
IE: osteoarthritis
oste/ o / arthr/ itis
Word root
suffix
Combining
vowel
Word root
Word-Building System

By understanding the meanings of word
roots, one can determine the meaning of
complex medical terms by putting together
the smaller parts.
Leukocytopenia
Word Roots: Leuk / (white)
cyt /
(cell)
Combining Vowel
/o/
Suffix:
/ penia
(decrease)
Suffixes

A suffix is added to the END of a word root or
combining form to modify its meaning.

By adding a suffix to the end of a word root,
we create a noun or adjective with a different
meaning.


A combining vowel is used between a word root and
a suffix that begins with a consonant (not a vowel).
This is to make pronunciation easier.
Word root: scler / (hardening)
Suffix:
/ derma (skin)
Term:
Scler / o / derma
Combining vowel
(hardening of the skin)
Meanings of certain suffixes
-al
-er
-able
pertaining to
dent/al
(pertaining to teeth)
one who
speak/er
(one who speaks)
capable of being
playable
(capable of being played)
-oma
(tumor)
hematoma
(blood tumor)
NOTE: The element that comes before a suffix
can either be a word root or combining form.

The suffixes
-scope (instrument to view)
-rrhexis (rupture)
-rrhea (flow or discharge)
all begin with a consonant, therefore a combining
vowel must be used between the word root and the
suffix.

The suffixes
-algia (pain)
-edema (swelling)
-uria (urine, urination)
These suffixes begin with a vowel, therefore a
combining vowel is NOT used between the word root
and the suffix.
REVIEW

A combining vowel IS used to link one root to
another root, and before a suffix that begins
with a consonant.

A combining vowel IS NOT used before a
suffix that begins with a vowel.
Prefixes

A prefix is a syllable or syllables placed BEFORE a
word or word root to alter its meaning or create a
new word.
Some prefixes:
Hyper- (excessive)
Pre(before)
Post(after)
Homo- (same)
Hypo(under)
Hypoinsulinemia
Hypo / insulin / emia
Prefix
LOW
Word root
INSULIN
suffix
BLOOD
Notice that there is
no combining vowel
in this word because
the prefix ends with
a vowel and the
suffix begins with a
vowel.
Plurality


To make a medical word plural (more than
one), first look at the suffix.
Then, choose the rule that changes the
singular form to the plural form. The rules
appear on page 18 of the text.
Chart of Prefixes
aabadananteanteroantobibradydiadys-
without or not
away from
to, toward
absence of
before
in front
against
two
slow
through
difficult, painful
malmediomesmetamicroorthoparapathoperipolypseudo-
bad
middle
middle
beyond, over
small
straight, correct
beside
disease
outside, around
many
false
Chart of Prefixes
endoepieuexexohyperhypoinfraintra-
within
upon
well, good
away from
outside
over
under or less
below
within
quadriretrosubsupratachytranstriultrauni-
fourfold
backward
beneath
above
fast
across
three
beyond
single, one
Chart of Roots
aden
arteria
arthros
auris
brachion
bronchus
cardium
cephalos
cholecyst
colon
costa
cranium
derma
gland
artery
joint
ear
arm
windpipe
heart
brain
gallbladder
intestine
rib
head
skin
gaster
haemo, hemo
hepar
hydro
hystera
kystis, cysto
larynx
myelos
nasus
nephros
neuron
odons
odynia
stomach
blood
liver
water
womb
bladder
throat
marrow
nose
kidney
neuron
tooth
pain
Chart of Roots
enteron
epithelium
esophaqus
ostium
otis
pes
pharynx
phlebos
pleura
pneumones
psyche
pulmones
pyelos
pyon
intestine
skin
gullet
mouth, orifice
ear
foot
throat
vein
chest
lungs
mind
lungs
pelvis
pus
optikas
os
osteon
pyretos
ren
rhin
rhythmos
spondylos
stoma
thorax
trachea
trophe
vene
vesica
eye
bone
bone
fever
kidney
nose
rhythm
vertebra
mouth
chest
windpipe
nutrition
vein
bladder
Chart of Suffixes
-algia
-centeses
-clasia
-ectasis
-ectomy
-edema
pain
puncture
remedy
dilatation
cut
swelling
-emia
-iasis
-itis
-oma
-sclerosis
blood
a process
inflammation
swelling, tumor
hardening
Relative position in medical usage
• Anterior
• Distal
• Dorsal
situated in front of; forward part of
away from the center of the body
a position more toward the back of an object
of reference
• Frontal
situated at the front
• Inferior
situated or directed below
• Lateral
a position more toward the side of flank
• Proximal toward the center of the body
• Sagital
relating to the median plane of the body or
parallel to it
• Superior situated or directed above
• Anatomy refers to
the internal and
external structures
of human body and
their physical
relationships.
Anatomical
terms
Word
Amylolysis
Glucogenesis
Hydrocephalus
Kalemia
Lactosuria
Lipoma
Lithotrite
Natriuresis
Stearate
Definition
digestion of starch
production of glucose
excess of fluid inside the skull
presence of potassium in the blood
lactose in the urine
benign tumor containing fatty tissue
instrument for crushing a stone in the urinary bladder
abnormal amounts of sodium in the urine
a type of fat
Word
Aboral
Adduction
Adoral
Alloantigen
Allopathy
Antebrachium
Antepartum
Antitoxic
Apophysis
Contraception
Dextrogastria
Diapedesis
Definition
away from the mouth
movement of a limb toward a median line
near or directed toward the mouth (or)
occurs in some but not others of same species
second disease, condition that is incompatible with first
forearm
before childbirth
neutralizing the action of a poison
an outgrowth or projection, especially from a bone
prevention of conception or pregnancy
displacement of the stomach to the right
the passage of blood through the walls of blood
vessels
Dissect
to cut apart or separate the tissue of a body for study
Dorsocephalad
toward the back of the head
Word
Ecchondroma
Encephalopathy
Endoderm
Epicranium
Excementosis
Heterocellular
Heterotypic
Homeostasis
Homomorphic
Infusion
Inhale
Laterotorsion
Levorotation
Opisthotonos
Definition
outgrowth from cartilage, mass protruding from bone
any disease of the brain
innermost of the primary layers of the embryo
the muscle, aponeurosis, and skin covering the
cranium
outgrowth of root surface of a tooth
occurs in some but not others of the same species
different or unusual type
state of equilibrium in the body
two or more structures of similar size
steeping a substance in water
to draw in breath
twisting to one side
turning or twisting to the left
a spasm in which the spine and extremities are bent
Word
Perinatal
Periodontal
Peroral
Postanaesthetic
Postnasal
Precapillary
Predentin
Procephalic
Prochondral
Recuperate
Rehydration
Retrogression
Schizonychia
Schizophrenia
Transfusion
Definition
time period before, during or after the time of birth
around a mouth
through the mouth
after anaesthetic
posterior of the nasal cavity
preceding a capillary
organic fiber of dentin before its calcification
relationing to the anterior part of the head
developmental stage prior to formation of cartilage
to recover, to regain health and strength
return of water to a system after its loss
previous, less complex conditions
splitting of the nails
personality disorder, withdrawal from outside world
transfer of blood
Word
Ankylosis
Brachygnathia
Bradypnea
Chloroma
Cirrhosis
Cyanopsia
Erythrocyte
Glaucoma
Kyphoscoliosis
Leukomyelitis
Melanin
Orthodontist
Stenothorax
Tachycardia
Definition
immobility of a joint due to a disease
abnormal shortness of the lower jaw
abnormal slowness of breathing
greenish-yellow tumour arising from myeloid tissue
hardening of an organ, especially the liver
defect of vision in which objects appear tinged with blue
red blood cell
group of eye diseases
backward and lateral curvature of the spinal column
inflammation of the white substance of the spinal chord
dark pigment of the skin, hair, choroid coat of the
eyes and various tumours.
a dentist who specialists in the branch of dentistry
concerned with irregularities of teeth and malocclusion
abnormal narrowness of the chest
abnormally rapid heart rate
Word
Acardia
Ambilateral
Amphibolic
Anisotropic
Diplopia
Hypodermic
Hyperthermia
Macrocephaly
Megakaryocyte
multi-infection
Oligotrophy
Inert
Isoenergetic
Pananxiety
Polyplegia
Primigravida
Protoneuron
Definition
congential absence of the heart
pertaining to or affecting both sides
having both an anabolic and catabolic function.
having unlike properties in different directions
perception of two images of a singie object
applied below the skin
very high body temperature
excessive size of the head
the giant cell of bone marrow containing a greatly
lobulated nucleus, from which mature blood platelets
orginate
many infections
insufficient nutrition
lacking the power to move
exhibiting equal energy
a diffuse, all pervading anxiety
paralysis of several muscles
a woman pregnant for the first time
the first neuron in a peripheral reflex arc