Chapter 1 Medical Terminology

The full word for "IV"?

Intravenous

Tachypnea

rapid breathing

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [All the 'a's]:

-ac -al -ale -alis -ar -aris -ary -atic -ative

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [all the 'e's]:

-eal -ent -etic

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [all the 'i's]:

-ial -ic -ica -ical -ine -ior -iosum -ious -istic -ius

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [n]:

-nic

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [o]:

-ous

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [all the 't's]:

-tic -tiz -tous

Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to [u]:

-us

microcytic (adj) (Note: The "e" in cyte is deleted to allow the word to flow.) (my-kroh-SIT-ik)

P/micro- small R/-cyte cell S/-ic pertaining to Pertaining to a small cell

microcyte (MY-kroh-site)

P/micro- small R/-cyte cell Small cell

prognosis (noun) (prog-NO-sis)

P/pro- before, project forward R/-gnosis knowledge of an abnormal condition A forecast of the probable course and outcome of a disease

Prefixes and Birth Example

Prefixes usually indicate time, number, color, or location. Examples of prefixes defining time are as follows: An infant born before 37 weeks is called premature. The prefix pre- means before. Premature means that the infant was born before 37 weeks. An infant born after 42 weeks is called postmature. The prefix post- means after. Postmature means that the infant was born after 42 weeks.

axillary (adj) (AK-sill-air-ee)

R/ -ary pertaining to R/ axill- armpit Pertaining to the armpit

respiratory (adj.) (RES-pih-rah-tor-ee)

R/ respir- to breathe S/-atory pertaining to Pertaining to respiration

transfusion (trans-FYU-zhun)

R/-fusion- to pour P/trans- across, through Transfer of blood or a blood component from a donor to a recipient

postmature (post-mah-TYUR)

R/-mature fully developed P/post- after Infant born after 42 weeks of gestation

premature (pree-mah-TYUR)

R/-mature fully developed P/pre- before Occurring before the expected time; e.g., an infant born before 37 weeks of gestation.

pulmonologist (PULL-moh-NOL-oh- jist)

R/CF --> pulmon/o- lung S/ -logist one who studies, specialist Specialist in treating disorders of the lungs

pneumothorax (new-moh-THOR-ax)

R/CF -->pneum/o- air, lung S/-thorax chest Air in the pleural cavity

urology (you-ROL-oh-jee)

R/CF--> -logy study of R/CF-->ur/o- urine Medical specialty of disorders of the urinary system

cardiology (kar-dee-OL-oh-jee)

R/CF-->cardi/o- heart S/-logy study of Medical specialty of diseases of the heart

myocardium (MY-oh-KAR-dee-um)

R/CF-->my/o- muscle R/-cardi- heart S/-um-structure All the heart muscle

neurologist (nyu-ROL-oh-jist)

R/CF-->neur/o- nerve S/ -logist one who studies and is a specialist in Medical specialist in disorders of the nervous system

urethra (you-REE-thrah)

R/CF-->ur/o- urine S/ Greek passage for urine Canal leading from the bladder to the outside

ischemic (adj) (is-KEY-mik)

R/isch- to block S/-emic pertaining to a condition of the blood Pertaining to the lack of blood supply to tissue

mucus (noun) (MYU-kus)

R/muc- mucus Greek: slime Sticky secretion of cells in mucous membranes

mucosa (myu-KOH-sah)

R/muc- mucus S/-osa full of; like Lining of a tubular structure that secretes mucus

mucous (adj) (MYU-kus)

R/muc- mucus S/-ous pertaining to Pertaining to mucus or the mucosa

respiration (RES-pih-RAY-shun)

S/ -ation process R/ respir- to breathe Process of breathing; fundamental process of life used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

ureter (you-REE-ter)

S/ Greek urinary canal R/CF-->ur/o- urine Tube that connects a kidney to the urinary bladder

axilla (AK-sill-ah) axillae (pl) (AK-sill-ee)

S/ Latin armpit R/ axill- armpit Medical term for the armpit

cervix (SER-viks)

S/-al pertaining to R/ cervic- neck Latin neck Pertaining to the cervix or to the neck region

cervical (adj) (SER-vih-kal)

S/-al pertaining to R/ cervic- neck Lower part of the uterus

myocardial (adj) (MY-oh-KAR-dee-al)

S/-al pertaining to R/CF-->my/o- muscle R/-cardi- heart Pertaining to heart muscle

bilateral (by-LAT-er-al)

S/-al pertaining to R/later- side P/ bi- two Pertaining to both sides of the body

unilateral (you-nih-LAT-er-al)

S/-al pertaining to R/later- side P/ uni- one Pertaining to one side of the body only

lateral (LAT-er-al)

S/-al pertaining to R/later- side Pertaining to one side of the body

perinatal (per-ih-NAY-tal)

S/-al pertaining to R/nat- birth, born P/peri- around Around the time of birth

postnatal (post-NAY-tal)

S/-al pertaining to R/nat- birth, born P/post- after After the birth

prenatal (pree-NAY-tal)

S/-al pertaining to R/nat- birth, born P/pre- before Before the birth

natal (NAY-tal)

S/-al pertaining to R/nat- birth, born Pertaining to birth

pulmonary (PULL-moh-NAR-ee)

S/-ary pertaining to R/pulmon- lung Pertaining to the lungs

ischemia (is-KEY-me-ah)

S/-emia a blood condition R/isch- to block Lack of blood supply to tissue

electrocardiogram (ee-lek-troh-KAR-dee-oh-gram)

S/-gram record R/CF-->electr/o- electricity R/CF-->-cardi/o- heart Record of the heart's electrical signals

diabetes mellitus

diabet- diabetes -ic pertaining to metabolic syndrome caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency and/or insulin ineffectiveness

tachy-

prefix- rapid

Suffixes

A group of letters attached to the end of a root or combining form. Changes the meaning of the word. If the suffix begins with a consonant, it must follow a combining vowel. If the suffix begins with a vowel, no combining vowel is needed. A few medical terms can have two suffixes. Always appears at the end of a term. Suffixes that are different can have the same meaning. A suffix is an element added to the end of a root or combining form to give it a new meaning. You can add different suffixes to the same root to build new words, all with different meanings. Suffixes are universal and can be applied to all body systems and specialties.

Prefixes

A prefix always appears at the beginning of a term or combining form to further expand the meaning of a medical term. A prefix precedes a root to change its meaning. Prefixes can have more than one meaning. Prefixes never require a combining vowel. An occasional medical term can have two prefixes. Not every term has a prefix.

When you see an unfamiliar medical term, what do you identify first?

First identify the suffix.

Many words, when they are written or pronounced, have an element that if misspelled or mispronounced gives the intended word an entirely different meaning. So, what would happen if misspelled or mispronounced?

A treatment response to the different meaning could cause a medical error or even the death of a patient. Precision in written and verbal communication is essential to prevent errors in patient care.

What should you do first when you don't know know a word?

Always begin deconstructing a medical term by identifying its suffix.

Some medical terms are pronounced the same but spelled differently. What are some examples?

Both mucus and mucous are pronounced MYU-kus. Mucus is a noun and is the name of a fluid secreted by mucous (adjective) membranes that line body cavities.

How should one communicate in the Medical Field?

Communicate verbally and in writing with attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.

Plural Ending: -ices

Example: appendices

Singular Ending: -ix

Example: appendix

Singular Ending: -a

Example: axilla

Plural Ending: -ae

Example: axillae

Plural Ending: -ices

Example: calices

Singular Ending: -yx

Example: calyx

Singular Ending: -ma

Example: carcinoma

Plural Ending: -mata

Example: carcinomata

Plural Ending: -ora

Example: corpora

Singular Ending: -us

Example: corpus

Singular Ending: -ex

Example: cortex

Plural Ending: -ices

Example: cortices

Plural Ending: -es

Example: diagnoses

Singular Ending: -is

Example: diagnosis

Plural Ending: -ides

Example: epididymides

Singular Ending: -is

Example: epididymis

Plural Ending: -a

Example: ganglia

Singular Ending: -on

Example: ganglion

Singular Ending: -en

Example: lumen

Plural Ending: -ina

Example: lumina

Plural Ending: -ies

Example: ovaries

Singular Ending: -y

Example: ovary

Plural Ending: -ges

Example: phalanges

Singular Ending: -x

Example: phalanx

Plural Ending: -a

Example: septa

Singular Ending: -um

Example: septum

Plural Ending: -aces

Example: thoraces

Singular Ending: -ax

Example: thorax

Plural Ending: -i

Example: villi

Singular Ending: -us

Example: villus

Plural Ending: -era

Example: viscera

Singular Ending: -us

Example: viscus

prostate (PROS-tate)

Greek one who stands before Organ surrounding the urethra at the base of the male urinary bladder

Bronchitis (Brong-KI-tis)

Inflammation of the bronchi S/ -itis inflammation R/ -bronch- bronchus

pneumonia (new-MOH-nee-ah) pneumonitis (new-moh-NI-tis) (same as pneumonia)

Inflammation of the lung parenchyma (tissue) S/-ia condition R/ pneumon- lung, air S/-itis inflammation

reflux (REE-fluks)

Latin backward flow Backward flow

reflex (REE-fleks)

Latin bend back An involuntary response to a stimulus

prostrate (pros-TRAYT) prostration (noun) (pros-TRAY-shun)

Latin to stretch out To lay flat or to be overcome by physical weakness and exhaustion

vertebra (VER-teh-brah) vertebrae (pl) (VER-teh-brae)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix Latin bone in the spine One of the bones of the spinal column

protocol (PRO-toe-kol)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix Latin contents page of a book Detailed plan; in this case, for a regimen of therapy

uterus (YOU-ter-us)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix Latin womb Organ in which an egg develops into a fetus

ganglion (GANG-lee-on) ganglia (pl) (GANG-lee-ah)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix. Greek a swelling or knot A fluid-filled cyst or a collection of nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord

septum (SEP-tum) septa (pl) (SEP-tah)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix. Latin a partition A thin wall separating two cavities or two tissue masses

ilium (ILL-ee-um) ilia (pl) (ILL-ee-ah)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix. Latin groin Large wing-shaped bone at the upper and posterior part of the pelvis

ileum (ILL-ee-um)

No Prefix, Root, or Suffix. Latin to twist or roll up Third portion of the small intestine.

mature (mah-TYUR)

P/Latin ready R/-mature fully developed Fully developed

diagnose (verb) (die-ag-NOSE)

P/dia- complete R/-gnose recognize an abnormal condition To make a diagnosis

diagnostic (adj) (die-ag-NOS-tik) (Note: The "is" in -gnosis is deleted to allow the word to flow.)

P/dia- complete R/-gnosis knowledge of an abnormal condition S/-tic pertaining to Pertaining to or establishing a diagnosis

diagnosis (noun) (die-ag-NO-sis) diagnoses (pl) (die-ag-NO-seez)

P/dia- complete R/-gnosis knowledge of an abnormal condition The determination of the cause of a disease

hypertensive (adj) (HIGH-per-TEN-siv)

P/hyper- above normal R/-tens- pressure S/-ive pertaining to Pertaining to or suffering from high blood pressure

infarct (in-FARKT)

P/in- in R/-farct area of dead tissue An area of cell death resulting from blockage of its blood supply

infarction (in-FARK-shun)

P/in- in R/-farct area of dead tissue S/-ion action, condition Sudden blockage of an artery

infusion (in-FYU-zhun)

P/in- in (as in 'in') R/-fusion- to pour Introduction of a substance other than blood intravenously

macrocyte (MACK-roh-site)

P/macro- large R/-cyte cell Large cell

macrocytic (adj) (Note: The "e" in cyte is deleted to allow the word to flow.) (mack-roh-SIT-ik)

P/macro- large R/-cyte cell S/-ic pertaining to Pertaining to a macrocyte

dementia (dee-MEN-she-ah)

S/-ia condition P/ de- without R/-ment- mind Chronic, progressive, irreversible loss of intellectual and mental functions

gastric (GAS-trik)

S/-ic pertaining to R/ gastr- stomach Abdominal region below the stomach

epigastric (ep-ih-GAS-trik)

S/-ic pertaining to R/ gastr- stomach P/ epi- above Pertaining to the stomach

hypogastric (high-poh-GAS-trik)

S/-ic pertaining to R/ gastr- stomach P/ hypo- below Abdominal region above the stomach

hypertension (HIGH-per-TEN-shun)

S/-ion condition, action P/hyper- above normal R/-tens- pressure Persistent high arterial blood pressure

hypotension (HIGH-poh-TEN-shun)

S/-ion condition, action P/hypo- below normal R/-tens- pressure Persistent low arterial blood pressure

hypertensive (adj) (HIGH-per-TEN-siv)

S/-ive pertaining to P/hyper- excessive R/-tens- pressure Pertaining to or suffering from high blood pressure

hypotensive (adj) (HIGH-poh-TEN-siv)

S/-ive pertaining to P/hypo- below normal R/-tens- pressure Pertaining to or suffering from low blood pressure

cardiologist (kar-dee-OL-oh-jist)

S/-logist one who studies and is a specialist in R/CF-->cardi/o- heart A medical specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the heart

pulmonology (PULL-moh-NOL-oh-jee)

S/-logy study of R/CF --> pulmon/o- lung Study of the lungs, or the medical specialty of disorders of the lungs

neurology (nyu-ROL-oh-jee)

S/-logy study of R/CF-->neur/o- nerve Medical specialty of disorders of the nervous system

intravenous (IN-trah-VEE-nus)

S/-ous pertaining to P/ intra- within, inside R/ -ven- vein Inside a vein

cardiomyopathy (KAR-dee-oh-my-OP-ah-thee)

S/-pathy disease R/CF-->cardi/o- heart R/CF--> -my/o- muscle Disease of the heart muscle, the myocardium

What are the Combining Vowel?

Such as the letter "o," to the end of the root, like pneum-, to form pneum/o- Any vowel, "a," "e," "i," "o," or "u," can be used as a combining vowel. (Must Memorize the combinig vowels for words because there in no logic to follow.)

Roots

The constant foundation and core of a medical term. Usually of Greek or Latin origin. All medical terms have one or more roots. Can appear anywhere in the term. More than one root can have the same meaning. A root plus a combining vowel creates a combining form. Different roots can have the same meaning. Pulmon- and pneumon- both mean lung, air. Most roots are specific to body systems and medical specialties. A root can start a term and does not become a prefix. A root can end a term and does not become a suffix.

Can medical records be used in court?

The medical record in which you document a patient's care and your actions is a legal document. It can be used in court as evidence in professional medical liability cases.

A medical term may relate to more than one anatomical structure. What are some examples?

The term cervical means relating to a neck in any sense. It can pertain to the neck that joins the head to the trunk with the cervical vertebrae. It can also pertain to the cervix of the uterus, with its cervical canal.

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

retinopathy

any disease of retina -retina/o--retina -pathy-- disease

CXR

chest x-ray

ECG/EKG

electrocardiogram

IV

intravenous

tachycardia

rapid heartbeat above 100 beats per minute -ia --condition -card-- heart

pnea

root- breathe