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
