Ch.1 Introduction to Medical Terminology

Medical Term Components

Medical terminology is constructed from specific word parts, each contributing to the overall meaning of the term. Understanding these components is essential for interpreting and forming medical terms.

• Constructed Terms: Built from word parts or components such as prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining vowels.

• Eponyms: Words derived from the names of people, not built from word parts.

Suffix: Added to the end of the term, modifies meaning and provides information about condition, disease, procedure, action, or location.

Prefix: Not every term has a prefix. Prefixes can indicate direction, position, quantity, time, size, or opposites.

Defining Medical Terms

To define a medical term, follow these steps:

1. First define the suffix (condition/disease, procedure, etc.).

2. Then the prefix (direction, position, quantity, etc.).

3. Finally, the word root (core meaning).

• Example: Hypoglycemia: hypo- (under, below), glyc (sugar), -emia (condition of the blood).

• Example: Perinephrectomy: peri- (around), nephr (kidney), -ectomy (surgical removal).

• Example: Polyneuropathy: poly- (many), neur/o (nerve), -pathy (disease).

Forming Terms from Word Parts

Medical terms are formed by combining word parts according to specific rules:

1. Use a combining vowel when the suffix starts with a consonant or when combining two word roots.

2. Add the suffix to the end of the word root.

3. Add the prefix to the beginning of the word root.

4. Interpret the meaning by combining the components.

• Example: anti- (against) + path/o (disease) + -genic (producing) = antipathogenic (producing against disease).

• Example: epi- (above/over) + gastr/o (stomach) + -algia (pain) = epigastralgia (pain above the stomach).

Word Roots and Combining Forms

Common Word Roots

Word roots are the foundation of medical terms, providing the core meaning. Combining forms are word roots with a vowel added for easier pronunciation.

Example: Etiology is the study of the causes of disease or condition.

• Pulm/o: Lung

• Cis/o: To cut

• Rhin/o: Nose

• Hemat/o: Blood

Example: Encephalogram: A record or image of the brain.

Example: Hypomammoplasty: Surgical reconstruction of the breast.

Prefixes

Prefixes on Numbers and Amount

Prefixes are used to provide details on numbers, sizes, or amounts. They modify the meaning of the root word.

Prefixes That Indicate a Quality

These prefixes modify the meaning of a word to describe a particular attribute, degree, or characteristic.

Suffixes

General Use Suffixes

Suffixes are added to the end of word roots to modify their meaning. They often indicate condition, action, body component, specialty, or treatment.

Grammatical Suffixes: Nouns and Diminutives

Some suffixes indicate grammatical function, such as nouns or diminutives (small or minute forms).

Pathological Conditions – Standalone Terms

Some suffixes can be medical terms on their own, often indicating pathological conditions.

Pathological Conditions – Other Suffixes

Other suffixes indicate specific pathological conditions.

Diagnostic & Surgical Procedures

Suffixes are also used to describe diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Plural Endings

Formation of Plural Endings

Many medical terms have singular and plural forms based on Latin or Greek origins. Understanding these endings is important for proper usage.

Example: The plural form of metastasis is metastases. The plural form of flagellum is flagella. The plural form of cortex is cortices.

Example: Paracentesis: The plural form is paracenteses. It refers to a surgical puncture to remove fluid from a body cavity.