Medical Terminology
http://www.dmu.edu/medterms/basics/
Basics
Before we can start in with some new and interesting medical
terms, you need to learn a few fundamentals of how medical
terminology is constructed as a language.
There are three basic parts to medical terms: a word root (usually
the middle of the word and its central meaning), a prefix (comes
at the beginning and usually identifies some subdivision or part of
the central meaning), and a suffix (comes at the end and modifies
the central meaning as to what or who is interacting with it or
what is happening to it). An example may make better sense.
Word root
therm = heat
hypothermia (less heat), thermometer (measuring heat)
Let’s look at a real medical term and take it apart.
Myocarditis
(prefix) (root) (suffix)
myo = muscle card = heart
itis = inflammation
Don’t get blown away by that big, intimidating word! We haven’t
introduced word roots yet. I just wanted to demonstrate the major parts
of a medical term. Let’s see how prefix and suffix changes can alter the
meaning of a term without changing its central meaning by keeping the
root the same.
Prefix change:
myocarditis = muscle layer of heart inflamed
pericarditis = outer layer of heart inflamed
Endocarditis = inner layer of heart inflamed
Suffix change:
cardiologist = a physician specializing in the heart
cardiomyopathy = damage to heart muscle layer
cardiomegaly
= enlargement of the heart
Again, we haven’t introduced heart terms yet. These
basics are just to introduce the parts of medical terms
and demonstrate how moving the parts around modifies
the central meaning without changing the “root”
(cardio).
Useful prefixes and suffixes
Following, in no particular order, are frequently used word
beginnings (prefixes) and word endings (suffixes) used to make up
many medical terms. You don’t need to memorize whether an
item is a prefix or suffix, or even if it is a word root, just what it
means! I know this is all “Greek” to you (and some of it really is!),
but there will be so much reinforcement as we go along that you
can’t help but remember meanings. Be patient with yourself.
-itis
-osis
= inflammation
= abnormal condition
-ectomy
-otomy
= to cut out (remove)
= to cut into
-ostomy
= to make a “mouth”
a/an
= without, none
micro
= small
macro
= large
Mega/megaly = enlarged
-scopy/scopic = to look, observe
tonsillitis, appendicitis
cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or
low oxygen)
appendectomy, tonsillectomy
tracheotomy (to cut into the windpipe,
temporary opening)
colostomy (to make a permanent
opening in colon)
anemia (literally no blood but means
few red cells)
microstomia (abnormally small mouth,
see “stomy” in colostomy above?)
macrostomia (abnormally large mouth)
megacolon (abnormally large colon =
large intestine)
colonoscopy (look into colon)
-graphy/ -graph
= recording an image
-gram
= the image (X-ray)
-ology/ -ologist
= study, specialize in
mammography (imaging the
breasts)
mammogram
cardiologist, nephrologist (study
the heart, the kidneys)
WORD ROOTS
Stomato
Dento
Glosso/linguo
Gingivo
Encephalo
Gastro
Entero
Colo
Procto
Hepato
Nephro/rene
= mouth
= teeth
= tongue
= gums
= brain
= stomach
= intestine
= large intestine
= anus/rectum
= liver
= kidney
stomatitis
dentist
glossitis, lingual nerve
gingivitis
encephalitis
gastritis
gastroenteritis
colitis, megacolon
proctitis, proctologist
hepatitis, hepatomegaly
nephrosis, renal artery
Orchido
Oophoro
Hystero/metro
Salpingo
Dermo
Masto/mammo
Osteo
Cardio
Cysto
Rhino
Phlebo/veno
Pneumo/pulmo
Hemo/emia
= testis
= ovary
=uterus
= uterine tubes
= skin
= breast
= bones
= heart
= bladder
= nose
= veins
= lung
= blood
orchiditis, orchidectomy
oophorectomy
hysterectomy,endometritis
hysterosalpingogram
dermatitis
mammography, mastectomy
osteoporosis
electrocardiogram (ECG)
cystitis
rhinitis (runny nose!)
phlebitis, phlebotomy
pneumonitis, pulmonologist
hematologist, anemia
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Oste/o
Chondr/o
Arthr/o
Myel/o
Ten/o, tendin/o
Ligament/o
Burs/o
My/o, myos/o
-malacia
-porosis
-asthenia
-trophy
Bone
Osteitis, osteoma, osteocyte
Cartilage
Chondritis, chondroma, chondrocyte
Joint
Arthritis, arthroplasty
Bone marrow
Myeloma
Tendon
Tendonitis, tenorrhaphy
Ligament
Ligamentous injury
Bursa, “bag”
Bursitis
Muscle
Myoma, myositis
Softening
Osteomalacia, chondromalacia
Porous
Osteoporosis
Weakness, loss of strength
Myasthenia gravis
Development, stimulation, maintenance: Atrophy (shriveling
of muscles), hypertrophy (increase in size and strength of muscles)
-algia, algesia
Pain
Myalgia, arthralgia, analgesia
Abbreviations
AC
ACL
ADL
AIIS
AMA
AP
AROM
ASIS
ATC
ATF
b.i.d.
acromioclavicular joint
anterior cruciate ligament
activities of daily living
anterior inferior iliac spine
against medical advice
anterior-posterior
active range of motion
anterior superior iliac spine
athletic trainer, certified
anterior talo-fibular ligament
twice a day
BP
bpm
CBC
CF
CNS
c/o
CSF
CT
D/C
blood pressure
beats per minute
complete blood count
calcaneo-fibular lig.
central nervous system
complains of
cerebral spinal fluid
computerized tomography
discontinued or discharge
DIP
distal interphalangeal
joints
DTR
deep tendon reflex
Dx
diagnosis
ECG, EKG electrocardiogram
EENT
Ear,eyes,nose, throat
EMG
electromyogram
ER
external rotation
FH
family history
FWB
full weight bearing
Fx
fracture
GI
gastrointestinal
HR
heart rate
Hx
history
ICU
intensive care unit
IM
intramusclar
IR
internal rotation
IV
intravenous
L
left
LBP
lower back pain
LCL
lateral collateral ligament
LE
lower extemity
LLQ
left lower quadrant
LOC
loss of consciousness
LUQ
left upper quadrant
Meds
medications
MCL
medial collateral ligament
MI
myocardial infarction
MMT
manual muscle test
MCP/MTP
metacarpal/tarsalphalangeal
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
neg.
negative
NPO
nothing by mouth
NWB
non weight bearing
O.R.
ORIF
operating room
open reduction, internal
fixation
PA or PAC phyician’s assitant
PCL
posterior cruciate ligament
PEARL pupils, equal, and
reactive to light
PIP
proximal interphalangeal jt.
PNF
propriceptive
neuromuscular
facilitation
pos.
positive
post-op after surgery
pre-op before surgery
PRE
progressive resistive
exercise
PROM passive range of motion
prn
whenever necessary
PSIS
PT
Pt., pt.
PTF
PWB
q
q.d.
q.h.
q.i.d.
q.2 h.
R
RCL
RLQ
r/o
ROM
posterior superior iliac spine
physical therapy,
physical therapist
patient
posterior talo-fibular lig.
partial wieght bearing
every
every day
every hour
four times a day
every 2 hours
right
radial collateral ligament
right lower quadrant
rule out
range of motion
RROM
RUQ
Rx
SC
SI
SLR
SOAP
stat.
Sx
tab
TENS
t.i.d.
TMJ
Tx
UCL
UE
US
resistive range of motion
right upper quadrant
prescription
sternoclavicular joint
sacroliac
straight leg raise
subjective, objective,
assessment, plan
immediately, at once
symptoms
tab
transcutaneous electrical
nerve stimulation
three times daily
temporomandibular joint
treatment
ulnar collateral ligament
upper extremity
ultrasound
VMO
vastus medialis oblique
W/cm2 watts per square cm
WNL
within normal limits
WP
Whirlpool
y/o
years old
@
at
c
with
s
without
a
before (ante)
p
after (post)
x
times (i.e. 3 x week)
>
greater than
<
less than
=
equals
+
plus, positive
minus, negative
~
approximately
down:decrease up:increase