Chapter 1 Introduction to Medical Terminology Word Parts Are the Key • Understanding word parts and how they work together to form medical terms will reinforce your word-building skills • Most word parts in medical terminology are of Latin origin • Others are of Greek origin, or other languages Four Types of Word Parts • Word root – (Example, gastr: stomach) • Combining form – (Example, gastr/o) • Suffix – (Example, -itis) • Prefix – (Example, hyper-) Word Parts Word Roots • Cannot stand alone • Basic meaning of the word • Usually describe the part of the body that is involved • Suffixes are placed at the end of the word root • Prefixes are placed at the beginning of the word root Combining Forms • Include a vowel, usually an "o," added to the end of a word root • Aids in pronunciation • In combining two word roots, a combining form is added to the first word root • Combining form is used at the end of the second word root if the suffix begins with a vowel Word Roots/Combining Forms Suffixes • Added at the end of a word to complete the term • May indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease Suffixes • A combining vowel is used when suffix begins with a consonant • Example, neuroplasty – When joining neur/o (nerve) with suffix -plasty (surgical repair), combining vowel "o" is used because suffix begins with a consonant Suffixes • A combining vowel is not used when suffix begins with a vowel • Example, tonsillitis – When joining tonsill (tonsils) with suffix -itis (inflammation), combining vowel "o" is not used because suffix begins with a vowel Suffixes Suffixes as Noun Endings • Suffix may change a word root into a noun – Noun: person, place, or thing – Example, cranium • crani: skull • -um: noun ending Suffixes that Mean "Pertaining To" • Suffixes may change the meaning of word root into an adjective – Adjective: defines or describes – Example, cardiac • cardi: heart • -ac: pertaining to Suffixes that Mean "Abnormal Condition or Disease" • Suffixes may be used to change the meaning of a wood root to describe an abnormal condition – Example, gastrosis • gastr: stomach • -osis: abnormal condition or disease Suffixes Related to Pathology • Suffixes may be used to describe a disease • Pathology: study of all aspects of disease • Examples: – -algia: pain and suffering – -itis: inflammation – -megaly: enlargement Suffixes Related to Procedures • Suffix may be used to describe a procedure • Examples: – -centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid – -graphy: producing a picture or record – -scopy: visual examination The "Double R" Suffixes • Suffixes that begin with two of the letter "r" • Greek origin • Study them and learn the differences The "Double R" Suffixes • -rrhage and -rrhagia: bleeding – Mostly used to describe sudden, severe bleeding – Example, • Hemorrhage: the loss of a large amount of blood in a short time • (hem/o: blood; -rrhage: abnormal excessive fluid discharge) The "Double R" Suffixes • -rrhaphy: surgical suturing • Example: – Myorrhaphy: the surgical suturing of a muscle wound – (my/o: muscle; -rrhaphy: surgical suturing) The "Double R" Suffixes • -rrhea: flow or discharge of body fluids • Example: – Diarrhea: the frequent flow of loose or watery stools – (dia-: through; -rrhea: flow or discharge) The "Double R" Suffixes • • • • -rrhexis: rupture Example, myorrhexis: the rupture of a muscle my/o: muscle; -rrhexis: rupture Prefixes • Added at the beginning of a word • Usually indicates location, time, or number • Examples, – Prenatal: before birth • (pre-: before; nat: birth; -al: pertaining to) Prefixes Contrasting and Confusing Prefixes • May have similar spellings, but different meanings • Examples, – ab-: away from – ad-: toward – inter-: between or among – intra-: within or inside Determining Meanings on the Basis of the Word Parts • Knowing the meaning of the word parts often makes it possible to figure out the definition of an unfamiliar medical term. Taking Terms Apart • First, separate into word parts • Start from the suffix and move toward the beginning, identifying the meaning of each part • Determine the context in which the term is used; some word parts may have more than one meaning Taking Terms Apart • Refer to medical dictionary or trusted online source to double-check your definition • Be aware, not all terms are made up of word parts Taking Terms Apart • Example, • Otorhinolaryngology – Suffix -ology: the study of – Word root laryng: larynx or throat • Combining vowel is not used here because word root is joining a suffix that begins with a vowel – Combining form rhin/o: nose • Combining vowel is used here because word root rhin is joining another word root Taking Terms Apart Guessing at Meanings • Attempt to decide the meaning of the word • Always double-check for accuracy because some terms have more than one meaning Medical Dictionary Use • Assists with mastering correct use of medical terms • Guidelines: • Review user guide, table of contents, and appendices • Check the medical term alphabetically • Check each letter, since similar spellings may have different meanings • Check all the definitions listed Searching for Definitions on the Internet • • • • Only use reliable Web sites Refer to at least two Web sites Be aware of search terms Double-check spelling and meaning of the term for which you are searching Pronunciation • Commonly accepted pronunciation appears in parenthesis next to the term • Pronounce a new word by saying it as it is spelled in the parentheses. • Primary emphasis shown in uppercase boldface letters (eh-DEE-mah) • Secondary emphasis shown in boldface lowercase letters (ah-pen-dih-SIGH-tis) Spelling is Always Important • Changing just one or two letters may completely change the meaning of a word • Many medical terms are known as "lookalike, sound-alike" Singular and Plural Endings • Unusual rules apply since many medical terms are of Latin or Greek origin • English endings have been adopted for some commonly used terms Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases • Further study may be required in learning medical terms that describe diseases and disease conditions Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts • Many medical terms may look and sound similar but their meanings are different • Study these terms carefully Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts • • • • • Example, arteri/o, ather/o, arthr/o arteri/o: artery ather/o: plaque or fatty substance arthr/o: joint Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts • • • • Example, -ectomy, -ostomy, -otomy -ectomy: surgical removal -ostomy: surgical creation of an artificial opening to the body surface • -otomy: cutting or a surgical incision Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts • Example, • ileum and ilium • ileum (ILL-ee-um): the last and longest portion of the small intestine. Memory aid: ileum is spelled with an "e" as in intestine. • ilium (ILL-ee-um): part of the hip bone. Memory aid: ilium is spelled with an "i " as in hip. Using Abbreviations • Used frequently to record long and complex medical terms • May lead to confusion and errors • Be familiar with the "Do Not Use" abbreviations of your facility • Use only accepted abbreviations • When in doubt, spell it out