Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Get your Greek (and Latin) on…
• Nearly all medical terms come from Greek or Latin words
• Chances are you aren’t studying either of these languages in high
school but you still use words every day that stem from Greek or
Latin
• For example, angel, holistic and microscope all have Greek origins
• Try thinking about how words you know match the meanings of
new medical terms you learn
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
See the Patterns in Words…
• Most medical terms can be broken down into smaller parts.
• These parts are typically a combination of a root word (the base of
the word), a prefix (the first few letters of a word) and a suffix (the
ending of a word)
• Does anyone have an example of a medical term to share?
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
See the Patterns in Words…
• For example the root word “patho” means “of or relating to a
disease” and the suffix “logy” means “the study of a [certain
subject],” so pathology is the study of disease
• Breaking down words in this way reduces the amount of
memorization you’ll have to do to master medical terminology
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Imagine It…
• Connecting visual imagery with new vocabulary words is a great
association technique
• When you are studying medical terminology, try to picture each
word
• The more specific and detailed of an image you can picture the
more the word will be imprinted in your brain
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Imagine It…
• For example for encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain,
you might try picturing a helium balloon in the shape of a brain
being inflated
• As you picture it think about the color of the balloon, how big it is
and exactly how it is growing
• INSERT A PICTURE HERE FROM VIDEO (change word to
pain
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Flash Cards
• Flash cards are a tried-and-true way to learn new words
• Writing the term you are trying to learn on one side and the
definition on the other side can be a helpful memorization
technique
• You can quiz yourself while waiting at the bus stop, right before
bed, while you’re getting your haircut or anytime you have a spare
moment
• Bring your flash cards into the digital with apps like Ankidroid,
StudyDroid, Dictonary.com Flashcards, StudyBlue and Quizlet.
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Group Work
• Find your 8 o’clock partner from your clock diagram
• Partners will create 10 realistic medical words using the word parts
from the word list to follow
• Check to see that your medical words are legitimate words by
using a medical dictionary or www.dictionary.com
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
Create Your Own Medical Terms
• INSERT WORD LISTS HERE
Memorization TIPS
Medical Terminology
EXTRA CREDIT
• Turn in your completed AND legitimate 10 terms before leaving
class TODAY for 1 point extra credit on your Unit 1 Exam
• List your source for verification of terms, ie a class medical
dictionary or www.dictionary.com