C H A P T E RC H A P T E R
55 Medical Terminology
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Introduction to Medical Terminology11
U N I TU N I T
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Basic Principles behindMedical Terminology
Most medical terminology stems from Greek or Latin origin.
Some medical terms are associated with the physician or scientist who discovered the organ or created the procedure.
(continued)
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Basic Principles behindMedical Terminology
Most medical terms have three parts:1. Prefix
Modifier Appears at the beginning of the term
2. Combining form or word root Main meaning
3. Suffix Modifier Appears at the end of the term
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Properly Breaking Up Medical Terms to Help Define the Meaning
First, identify the suffix to determine the meaning of the term.
Then look for any prefix at the beginning of the term.
Finally, look for the meaning of the word root.
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Remember the Rules
A prefix always goes to the left (in front of the word) and is denoted with a hyphen to the right.
A suffix always goes to the right (after the word) and is denoted with a hyphen to the left.
The word root or combining form is the part of the word that applies to anatomy; there can be more than one of these in a medical term.
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Unit Summary
Does the prefix go on the left or on the right?
Does the suffix go on the left or on the right?
Where is the combining form placed?
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Prefixes, Suffixes, Word Roots, and
Combining Forms22U N I TU N I T
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How Prefixes Alter Word Meaning
Prefixes indicate: A location Presence or absence of something Quantity or lack of quantity Size Frequency Position
(continued)
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How Prefixes Alter Word Meaning
Prefix Meaning Example
a-, an- without Arrhythmia is without a rhythm.
bi- two Bilateral means pertaining to two sides.
dys- abnormal, painful
Dysuria is the condition of painful urination.
(continued)
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How Prefixes Alter Word Meaning
Exceptions Choose the prefix based on the word root. If the word root begins in a vowel, choose a
prefix that ends in a consonant.
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How Suffixes Change Medical Terms
Suffixes always appear at the end of the word.
Suffixes identify the disorder or procedure.
(continued)
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How Suffixes Change Medical Terms
Suffix Meaning Example
-cyte cell A leukocyte is a white blood cell.
-itis inflammation Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach.
-logy the study of Cardiology is the study of the heart.
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The Difference betweenCombining Forms and Word Roots
Combining forms are word roots that already have a vowel added to the end of the root to make it easy to combine the word root with the suffix.
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Common Combining Forms and Word Roots
Combining Form
Word Root Meaning
muscul/o muscul muscle
cardi/o cardi heart
neur/o neur nerve
lip/o lip fat
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Using the Combining Vowel
Use the combining vowel whenever the suffix begins with a consonant.
Do not use the combining vowel when the suffix begins with a vowel.
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Unit Summary
True or false: Prefixes indicate location, presence or absence, quantity, lack of quantity, position, and frequency.
True or false: Suffixes serve to pluralize a medical term.
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Forming Plurals from Singulars33
U N I TU N I T
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Determine Whether a Term is Singular or Plural
In the English language, most terms that end in “s” or “es” are plural.
To take a singular term that has an English origin and make it plural, you would simply add “s” or “es.”
Runner becomes runners. Business becomes businesses.
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Changing Greek and Latin Terms
It is important that you learn to recognize the proper conversion rules for Greek and Latin terms.
Once you have worked with the conversion rules, you should practice them and, if possible, memorize them.
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Changing Singular to Plural
Singular Plural Example
-a -ae Vertebra becomes vertebrae.
-is -es Diagnosis becomes diagnoses.
-um -a Atrium changes to atria.
-us -i Bacillus becomes bacilli.
-ex -ices Apex changes to apices.
-nx -nges Phalanx changes to phalanges.
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Unit Summary
Are the following words singular or plural?
Appendix Bacteria Indices
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Understanding and Building Medical Terms
of Body Systems44U N I TU N I T
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Anatomical Position
The universal point of reference used to identify directional terms
The body is imagined as being upright, with arms at the sides and facing forward.
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Important Directional Terms
Anterior or ventral Front
Posterior or dorsal Back
(continued)
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Important Directional Terms
Inferior: below Superior: above Lateral: to the side Medial: middle Internal: inside Superficial: on the surface
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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System
Integumentary system (Table 5-7) Made up of the skin
Musculoskeletal system (Table 5-8) Made up of the bones and muscles that form
our frame and provide support and protection, as well as permit movement
(continued)
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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System
Cardiovascular system (Table 5-9) Made up of the heart, blood vessels, and
lymphatics Respiratory system (Table 5-10)
Made up of the nose, mouth, trachea, esophagus, bronchi, and lungs
(continued)
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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System
Gastrointestinal system (Table 5-11) Consists of the organs that allows us to
break down food, use nutrients, and eliminate waste
Urinary system (Table 5-12) Made up of the organs that filter the blood
and eliminate liquid waste
(continued)
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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System
Nervous system (Table 5-13) Contains the brain and spinal cord
Endocrine system (Table 5-14) Made up of the glands that control mental,
emotional, and physical development
(continued)
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Select and Define Combining Forms for Each Body System
The special senses (Table 5-15) Organs that help us to see, hear, maintain
our balance and upright stature, smell, and taste
Reproductive system (Table 5-16) Made up of all the specific male and female
organs that allow us to reproduce
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Common Medical Abbreviations
Abbreviations are frequently used to save time when charting.
The medical community has developed many common abbreviations.
These abbreviations must be universally recognized and never just made up.
(continued)
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Common Medical Abbreviations
UTI CA, ca EGD GERD GI UGI UA GYN GU
IV CVA ECG/EKG EEG MS ASHD MI COPD URI
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Unit Summary
Using the knowledge learned in this chapter, build the following medical terms:
Surgical removal of the appendix Abnormal enlargement of the extremities Inflammation of the voice box
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Keys to Career Success
Medical terminology is the language of health care when working with patients and other health care professionals.
Incorrect use or spelling of medical terminology can adversely affect patient care.
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Hot Links to Career Success
www.medterms.com MedTerms medical dictionary
www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary Medical dictionary, medical terminology