Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology – Study Notes

Introduction to Medical Terminology

Overview

Medical terminology is the specialized language used by health professionals to describe the human body, its conditions, processes, and procedures in a precise and standardized way. Understanding the structure and meaning of medical terms is essential for effective communication in healthcare settings.

• Medical terms are often constructed from Latin and Greek word parts.

• Most terms can be broken down into word roots, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes.

The Four Types of Word Parts

Word Roots

Word roots form the foundation of most medical terms and usually indicate the involved body part.

• Examples of word roots indicating color:

  • cyan/o: blue

  • erythr/o: red

  • leuk/o: white

  • melan/o: black

  • poli/o: gray

Combining Forms

A combining form is a word root with a vowel (usually 'o') added to make pronunciation easier.

• Used when joining two word roots or when the suffix begins with a consonant.

• Example: neur/o (nerve), oste/o (bone)

Suffixes

Suffixes are added to the end of word roots to complete the term and usually indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.

• Examples: -itis (inflammation), -algia (pain), -osis (abnormal condition), -ology (study of)

Prefixes

Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, often indicating location, time, number, or status.

• Examples: pre- (before), sub- (under), hyper- (excessive), hypo- (deficient)

Building and Analyzing Medical Terms

Steps to Analyze Medical Terms

1. Start at the end (suffix) and work toward the beginning.

2. Identify and define each word part.

3. Combine the meanings to understand the full term.

• Example: Otorhinolaryngology

  • ot/o: ear

  • rhin/o: nose

  • laryng: throat

  • -ology: study of

  • Meaning: Study of the ears, nose, and throat

Combining Word Parts

• When a suffix begins with a vowel, a combining vowel is not used (e.g., tonsillitis).

• When a suffix begins with a consonant, a combining vowel is used (e.g., neuroplasty).

Suffixes: Types and Functions

Suffixes as Noun Endings

• Change the word root into a noun (e.g., crani + -um = cranium).

Suffixes Meaning "Pertaining To"

• Common suffixes: -ac, -al, -ary, -eal, -ior, -tic

• Example: cardiac (pertaining to the heart)

Suffixes Meaning "Abnormal Condition or Disease"

• Common suffixes: -osis, -ago, -iasis, -pathy

• Example: gastrosis (any disease of the stomach)

Suffixes Related to Pathology

• -algia: pain and suffering

• -itis: inflammation

• -megaly: enlargement

• -sclerosis: abnormal hardening

Suffixes Related to Procedures

• -centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid

• -graphy: process of producing a picture or record

• -gram: a picture or record

• -plasty: surgical repair

• -scopy: visual examination

The "Double R" Suffixes

• -rrhage, -rrhagia: bleeding, especially sudden and severe

• -rrhaphy: surgical suturing

• -rrhea: flow or discharge

Prefixes: Modifying Meaning

• Prefixes can indicate location, time, number, direction, quantity, size, or amount.

• Examples:

  • pre-: before

  • peri-: surrounding

  • post-: after

  • ab-: away from

  • ad-: toward

  • hyper-: excessive

  • hypo-: deficient

Medical Dictionary Use

Finding Terms

• If you know the spelling, search alphabetically.

• If unsure, consider alternative spellings based on pronunciation (e.g., F/PH, J/G, K/C/CH/QU, S/C/PS, Z/X/Z).

• Check categories (e.g., Diseases, Syndromes) if the term is not found directly.

• For multiple-word terms, start with the last word (e.g., "Heart failure, congestive").

Online Searches

• Use reputable sources and cross-check definitions.

• Be cautious of suggested search terms and ensure accuracy.

Pronunciation and Spelling

Pronunciation

• The "sounds-like" system helps with correct pronunciation.

• Primary emphasis is shown in uppercase boldface; secondary in lowercase boldface.

• There may be more than one correct pronunciation, often based on origin.

Spelling

• Accurate spelling is critical; small changes can alter meaning significantly.

• Be aware of alternative spellings in different English-speaking countries.

Singular and Plural Endings

• Medical terms often have irregular plural forms due to their language origins.

• Example: phalanx (singular), phalanges (plural)

Basic Medical Terms to Describe Diseases

• Acute: Rapid onset, severe course, short duration

• Chronic: Long duration

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Terms and Word Parts

Commonly Confused Terms

• arteri/o: artery

• ather/o: plaque or fatty substance

• arthr/o: joint

• -ectomy: surgical removal

• -ostomy: creation of an artificial opening

• -otomy: cutting or surgical incision

• fissure: groove or crack-like sore

• fistula: abnormal passage

• ileum: last portion of the small intestine

• ilium: part of the hip bone

• infection: invasion by pathogenic organism

• inflammation: localized response to injury

• laceration: torn or jagged wound

• lesion: pathologic tissue change

• mucous: describes membranes

• mucus: fluid secreted by membranes

• myc/o: fungus

• myel/o: bone marrow or spinal cord

• my/o: muscle

• -ologist: specialist

• -ology: study of

• palpation: examination technique

• palpitation: pounding or racing heart

• pyel/o: renal pelvis

• py/o: pus

• pyr/o: fever or fire

• supination: rotating the arm so the palm is forward/upward

• suppuration: formation of pus

• triage: medical screening for priority

• trauma: wound or injury

• viral: pertaining to a virus

• virile: qualities of an adult male

Using Abbreviations

• Abbreviations are common but can cause confusion and errors.

• Follow facility policies and use only accepted abbreviations.

• When in doubt, spell out the term.

• The Joint Commission maintains a "Do Not Use" list to prevent errors (e.g., MS, QD, QOD, U).

Summary Table: Common Medical Word Parts

Word Part	Meaning	Example
-itis	inflammation	tonsillitis
-algia	pain	neuralgia
-ology	study of	cardiology
-osis	abnormal condition	gastrosis
leuk/o	white	leukocyte
neuro-	nerve	neurology
gastro-	stomach	gastrectomy
hypo-	deficient	hypoglycemia
pre-	before	prenatal
sub-	under	subcutaneous