Introduction to Medical
Terminology
After completing this unit, you
will be able to:
• Discuss the four parts of medical
terms.
• Recognize word roots and combining
forms.
• Identify the most common prefixes and
suffixes.
• Define word building and describe a
strategy for translating medical terms.
You will also be able to:
• State the importance of correct
spelling of medical terms.
• State the rules for determining singular
and plural endings.
• Discuss the importance of using caution
with abbreviations.
• Understand the importance of
confidentiality.
Why take this class?
Mrs. T’s top reasons to learn med
terms.
10. I needed a semester class and
got put in here.
9. This might be a foreign
language I can actually become
fluent in.
8. I might meet my future wife
who is studying to become a
physician and I can become a
kept man.
7. I can understand what the
paramedics on Chicago Fire are
talking about.
6. So I can know where the
doctor plans to insert the scope.
5. Mrs. Tackett is awesome!
4. If I learn and speak really big
words, people will think I am very
smart.
3. So I can check my hospital bill
and know what they charges me
$800 for.
2. I can make sure CVS gave me
eye drops not ear drops.
1. I want to compete in the
medical terminology event with
HOSA and go to nationals at
Disney.
Learning medical terminology is
like learning a foreign a foreign
language. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07v53fCRzOQ
Once you understand some the
basic rules of how med terms are
formed using word building it
becomes easy. Like putting a
puzzle together.
It is impossible to memorize
thousands of medical terms;
however, once you know some
basics you can break down most
terms and figure out what it
means.
Let’s Review…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJrjNR7ZZM
Build Medical Terms from Word
Parts
• Four different word parts or elements
can be used to build medical terms:
• 1. Word Root
cardiogram
• 2. Prefix
pericardial
• 3. Suffix
carditis
• 4. Combining Vowel cardiomyopathy
pericarditis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gamvVNAoGiU
Word Roots
• Gives us the general meaning of the
word.
• Often indicates the body system or
part of the body being discussed.
(cardi)
• May also indicate an action. (cis means
to cut) Incision
• May have more than one root word.
(osteoarthritis)
Combining Vowel/Form
• To make it possible to pronounce long
medical terms with ease and to combine
several word parts, a combining vowel is
used. Most common vowel used is o.
• Combining vowels are utilized in two
places: between a root and a suffix or
between two word roots.
When should I use a combining
vowel?
• Don’t use a combining vowel if the suffix
begins with a vowel.
• arthr -scope -it is
• Do use combining vowel even if the
second word root begins with a vowel.
Makes it easier to pronounce.
• gastroenteritis
When should I use a combining
vowel?
• When writing a word root by itself, its
combining form is typically used. Easier
to pronounce.
• cardi/o
Do not try to memorize every
medical term. Learn to break the
word down into its components.
Prefixes
• Give information about the location of
an organ, number of parts, or the time
(frequency).
bisubmulti-
Suffixes
• Attached to the end of a word to add
meaning, such as a condition, disease, or
procedure.
-itis
-pathy
-algia
Adjective Suffixes
• Converts the root word into an adjective.
Means pertaining to.
-ac
-al
-eal
-ical
-ory
-tic
Surgical Suffixes
• -ectomy
• -otomy
• -plasty
surgical removal
cutting into
surgical repair
-centesis = puncture to
withdraw fluid
thoracentesis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0dCL4CHGSk
-ostomy = surgically create an
opening
colostomy
tracheostomy
Procedural suffixes
-meter = instrument for
measuring
audiometer
-scopy = process of visually
examining
gastroscopy
Interpreting Medical Terms
1. Divide the term into its word parts.
gastr/o/enter/o/logy
2. Define each word part.
3. Combine the meaning of the words.
stomach, small intestines, study of
Pronunciation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYRRb-M0hPk
Pronunciation
• Depending on where they are from or
where they were educated, you may here
different pronunciations for the same
term. As long as it is clear which term is
being discussed it is acceptable.
• Telephones and transcription tapes can
make it difficult to understand a term. If
unsure, ask for the person to spell the
term and read back to them the term.
(RBV; TO/RBV).
Spelling
Spelling
• It is critical that
every term is spelled
correct.
• Even a one letter
mistake can cause
harm to a patient.
• ileum
• ilium
Singular and Plural Endings
• Many terms originate
from Greek and Latin
words. The rules for
forming the singular
and plural form of
some words follow
these languages.
• Other terms follow
English rules.
• -a
• Vertebra
• Vertebrae
• -ax
• Thorax
• Thoraces
• -um
• Ovum
• Ova
Abbreviations
• Save time.
• Can be confusing.
• Wrong use could
cause harm to
patient and possible
insurance processing
problems.
• If unsure of correct
abbreviation, always
write the word out.
• Most institutions
have a list of
approved
abbreviations.
The Medical Record (Chart)
The Medical Record
• Details patient’s
hospital stay.
• Many medical staff
write in it.
• Records patient
conditions,
treatments,
progress.
• Unit clerk
responsible to keep
in order and add
documents to it.
• All pages must be
signed, dated, time,
have patient’s name
and ID #.
Parts of the Medical Record
H&P
Physician’s Orders
Nurse’s Notes
Physician Progress
Notes
• Consultation Reports
• Ancillary Reports
• Diagnostic Reports
•
•
•
•
• Informed Consent
• Operative Report
• Anesthesiologist’s
Report
• Pathologist Report
• Discharge Summary
Electronic Records
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJDPAiGC28o
Healthcare Settings
• Acute Care or General Hospitals
• Specialty Care Hospitals
• Nursing Homes or Long-Term Care Faculties
(LTACs)
• Ambulatory Care, Surgical Centers, or
Outpatient Clinics
• Physician’s Offices
• Health Maintenance Organization (HM0)
• Home Health Care
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Hospice
Confidentiality and Authorization
• If you are asked to supply
documentation related to a patient, the
proper authorization must be signed by
the patient.
• You must sign authorization to look at
your own records.
• HIPAA (1996) The Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act.
HIPAA