Terminology Basics
- 1. Charter College T.Miller 7/2017
- 2. Week 1 Objectives Identify the roles of the four types of word parts in forming medical terms. Describe the importance of spelling medical terms correctly. Define commonly used prefixes, word roots, combining forms, and suffixes introduced in the course. Identify and demonstrate use of the approved abbreviations used within the medical record. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the body systems and how they work.
- 3. Hysterosalpingo-oopherectomy WHAT??? This is a real medical term, and I promise you that you will understand how putting the word parts together can form words like this one, and I also promise you that you will be able to understand these words by the end of this course!
- 4. Terminology Introduction This is an introduction to medical vocabulary. Topics include : • definitions • spelling • pronunciation • prefixes and suffixes • combining forms. • plurals
- 5. Medical terminology is made up of the terms that describe human anatomy and physiology (body organs, systems and their functions), body locations, diseases, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing, together with clinical procedures, surgeries and diagnoses. It’s important for every one of these things to have a specific name – just like you have your own unique name – because otherwise medical professionals would not be able to communicate effectively or clearly with one another. The beauty of medical terminology is that it makes our communication more to the point. A medical term usually describes in one word a disease or condition that would normally take several words to describe. For example, appendectomy is a one word medical term that means “surgical removal of the appendix”. Medical terminology’s foundation is based both in Greek and Latin origin, with most medical terms made up of Latin origins. The first medical dictionary appeared in the 1830’s.
- 6. Word Building Medical words are composed of word parts that generally have Greek or Latin origins. Although familiarity with these two languages would simplify medical terminology, it definitely is not necessary. We can determine the literal meaning of an unfamiliar term by knowing the meaning of it’s word parts. Medical words are composed of word roots, combining forms, prefixes and suffixes.
- 7. Terminology Word Parts There are four word parts you will need to know: 1. Prefix Appears at the beginning of a word Tells the how, why, where, when, how much, how many, position, direction, time or status 2. Root Word Specifies the body part to which the term refers 3. Combining Form/Vowel A combining vowel (usually o or i) that connects word parts together 4. Suffix Appears at the end of a word Indicates a procedure, condition or disease
- 8. Root Words We have learned that medical words are composed of word roots, combining forms, prefixes and suffixes. Most words have a root word, even ordinary words. The word root is the main body of the word. It is usually accompanied by a prefix or a suffix, or both. Some compound words are composed of two word roots, as in collarbone (collar and bone).
- 9. Combining Forms Many words would be difficult to pronounce if they were written without a vowel to join the word roots. A vowel (usually “o”) is often inserted between word roots to make the word easier to pronounce, as in speed/o/meter. Speed/o is considered a combining form because it is joined with another part of the word, meter. In cephal/o/meter, the word roots are and . cephal and meter
- 10. Prefixes A prefix is placed before a word to modify its meaning. When written alone, a prefix is usually followed by a hyphen (as in peri-). In anhydrous, an- is a prefix that means without. Hydrous means related to water. If we put the word together, it means “without water”. In the word subnormal, sub- is the prefix that means below. So, subnormal means “below normal”.
- 11. Suffixes A suffix is attached to the end of a word or word part to modify it’s meaning. Suffixes are joined to combining forms to write nouns, adjectives, and verbs. A suffix written alone is usually preceded by a hyphen, indicating another word part precedes it. Carditis means inflammation of the heart. Card/o is the word root and means heart; -itis is the suffix and means inflammation. Occasionally a word is composed of only a prefix and a suffix. Joining dys- and –pnea to write dypnea, which means painful or difficult breathing.
- 12. Combining Word Parts Now that you have learned that medical terms are composed of word roots, combining forms, prefixes and suffixes, you will learn to combine these word parts to write medical terms. We do not always use the vowel that is at the end of a combining form. A rule that will help you in writing medical terms is this: The combining vowel is used before suffixes that begin with a consonant and before another word root. Of course there are exceptions to this rule The combining vowel is also used to join two combining forms. Combine gastr/o (stomach) and enter/o (intestine) with the suffix –ology (the study of). . Gastroenterology
- 13. Prefixes The beginning of some words: Examples of Words: dys- pain or difficult Dysuria hyper- above, excessive Hypertension hypo- below Hypotension Post- coming after, behind Postnatal tachy- fast Tachycardia brady- slow Bradychardia epi- above, upon, on Epigastric, Epidural quad- four Quadriceps
- 14. Root Words with Combining Forms Root words with combining form: Examples of Words: Cardi/o Heart Cardiovascular, Cardiomegaly Hepat/o Liver Hepatic Gastr/o Stomach Gastritis, Gastroenterologist Pneum/o Air, Lung Pneumonia Gynec/o Female Gynecomastia Bronch/o Lungs Bronchitis, Bronchodilators Abdomin/o Abdomen Abdominoplasty Enter/o Intestines Enteritis, Enterolith Pulmon/o Lung Pulmonologist Arthr/o Joint Arthritis, Arthroscopy Crani/o Skull Craniofacial, Craniological Ur/o Urinary Tract, Urine Urologist, Ureter Neur/o Nerves Neuroblastoma, Neurfibroma Vascul/o Blood, Blood Vessels Vascularity My/o Muscle Myoblast Sarc/o Flesh Sarcoma, Sarcoidosis Kyph/o Humped, Thoracic Curvature Kyphosis Lamin/o Lamina (part of the vertebral arch) Laminectomy Lord/o Curve of the lumbar spine Lordosis Lumb/o Lower back, lumbar region Lumbar Vertebrae Myel/o Bone marrow Myeloblastoma Oste/o Bone Osteopathy, Osteoporosis Orth/o Straight Orthopedic Scoli/o Curvature of the Spine, Twisted Scoliosis
- 15. Suffixes The ending of words: Examples of Words: -itis inflammation Carditis, Arthritis -ectomy surgical removal Cholecystectomy -ology study of Gynecology, Oncology -algia pain Gastralgia, Fibromyalgia -osis condition Cyanosis, Diverticulosis -rrhea flow, discharge Menorrhea, Diarrhea -plasty surgical repair Rhinoplasty -centesis surgical puncture Amniocentesis, Arthrocentesis -scopy visual exam with scope Cystoscopy, Hysteroscopy -malacia softening Osteomalacia, -megaly enlargement Cardiomegly, Hepatomegaly -cyte cell Oocyte -trophy nourishment, development Hypertrophy (condition of) -rrhaphy surgical suturing Colporrhaphy -dynia pain Vulvodynia
- 16. Body Systems We will be learning each of these systems and the medical terms that go with these systems in this course. • The Skeletal System Bones, Ligaments, Cartilage, Tendons A framework to protect soft tissue, attaches to muscles and produces blood cells • The Muscular System Muscles Causes Movement, Produces Body Heat • The Cardiovascular System Heart, Blood Vessels Moves Blood and Transports Substances
- 17. • The Digestive System Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Gallbladder, Pancreas, Small and Large Intestine Receive, Breakdown and Absorb Food, Elimination • The Urinary System Kidneys, Ureters, Urinary Bladder, Urethra Removes Waste from the Blood, Maintains water and electrolyte Balance, Stores and Transports Urine • The Respiratory System Nasal Cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Lungs Controls Input and Output of Air, Gas Exchange
- 18. • The Nervous System Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves, Sense Organs Detects Changes, Receives and Interprets Sensory Information, Stimulates Muscles and Glands • The Integumentary System Skin, Hair, Nails, Sweat Glands Protects, regulate temperature Sensory receptors • The Endocrine System Glands that Secrete Hormones Controls metabolism
- 19. Body Cavities Cranial Cavity Contains the brain within the skull Thoracic Cavity Contains the heart, lungs, thymus gland, trachea, esophagus and numerous blood vessels and nerves The Abdominal Cavity Separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm Contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys The Pelvic Cavity Contains the urinary bladder, part of the large intestine, rectum, anus and reproductive organs The Spinal Cavity Contains the spinal cord
- 20. Body Cavities Body cavities are spaces within the body that contain vital organs. The two major cavities in the body are the dorsal and ventral cavities. ▫ The dorsal cavity is a long, continuous cavity located on the back of the body. ▫ The ventral cavity is located on the front side of the body.
- 21. Dorsal Cavity The dorsal cavity is divided into two sections: ▫ The cranial cavity contains the brain. ▫ The spinal cavity contains the spinal cord.
- 22. Ventral Cavity The ventral cavity is divided into three sections: The thoracic cavity contains the trachea, esophagus, bronchi, lungs, heart, and major blood vessels. It is also known as the chest cavity. The abdominal cavity contains the stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. The pelvic cavity contains the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum.
- 23. Small Body Cavities The orbital cavity contains the eye structures. The nasal cavity contains the parts that form the nose. The oral cavity, or buccal cavity, contains the teeth and the tongue in the mouth.
- 24. Abdominal Regions: Quadrants Because the abdominal cavity is so large, it helps to divide it into regions. We medically divide the body into quadrants, or four regions: ▫ Right upper quadrant (RUQ) ▫ Left upper quadrant (LUQ) ▫ Right lower quadrant (RLQ) ▫ Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
- 25. Abdominal Regions: Nine Regions Another method of dividing the abdominal cavity results in nine regions: ▫ Epigastric – above the stomach ▫ Umbilical – near the umbilicus ▫ Hypogastric – below the stomach ▫ Left Hypochondriac – below the ribs, left side ▫ Right Hypochondriac – below the ribs, right side ▫ Left Lumbar – near the waist, left side ▫ Right Lumbar – near the waist, right side ▫ Left Iliac – near the hips, left side ▫ Right Iliac – near the hips, right side
- 26. Body System Terminology Root Terms Cardi/o Pneumo/o Hepat/o Thorac/o Dermat/o Arthr/o Gastr/o Gynec/o Bronch/o Crani/o Abdomin/o Ur/o Enter/o Neur/o Pulmon/o Vascul/o
- 27. Body System Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes Dys- -megaly -rrhea -sclerosis -ectomy Hyper- -plasty -malacia Brady- -scopy Hypo- Tachy- -rrhea -centesis -algia -itis
- 28. Anatomic References Body Direction Health care workers need to be able to clearly identify areas of the body. They must do so in order to correctly apply treatments, injections, and diagnoses. Such directional terms are based on anatomical position. In this position, the body is upright and facing forward, with the arms at the sides and the palms toward the front.
- 29. Body Planes Body planes are imaginary lines drawn through the body. They separate the body into sections and are used to create directional terms. The three body planes are: ▫ Transverse ▫ Midsagittal ▫ Frontal
- 30. Transverse Plane and Related Directional Terms The transverse plane is horizontal and divides the body into a top half and a bottom half. ▫ Body parts above other parts are called superior. ▫ Body parts below other body parts are called inferior. Two other terms related to this plane also refer to direction. ▫ Cranial refers to body parts toward the head. ▫ Caudal refers to body parts toward the lower end of the spine or feet.
- 31. Midsaggital Plane and Related Directional Terms The midsaggital plane is also known as the median plane or the midline. The midsaggital plane is vertical and divides the body into equal right and left halves. ▫ Body parts toward this plane are called medial. ▫ Body parts away from this plane are called lateral
- 32. Frontal Plane and Related Directional Terms The frontal plane is also known as the coronal plane. The frontal plane is vertical. It divides the body into front and back sections. ▫ Body parts toward the front section are called ventral, or anterior. ▫ Body parts toward the back section are called dorsal, or posterior.
- 33. Other Directional Terms Two other terms are used to describe the location of a body part in relation to the point of attachment, or point of reference. ▫ Body parts toward the point of attachment are called proximal. ▫ Body parts distant from this point are called distal.
- 34. Other Anatomical Directional Terms: Anterior: In front of, front Posterior: After, behind, following, toward the rear Superior: Above, over Inferior: Below, under Lateral: Toward the side, away from the mid-line Medial: Toward the mid-line, middle, away from the side Bilateral: Involving both sides of the body Unilateral: Involving one side of the body Parietal: Relating to a body cavity wall Visceral: Relating to organs within body cavities Axial: Around a central axis Intermediate: Between two structures Ipsilateral: On the same side of the body Contralateral: On opposite sides of the body
- 36. Hysterosalpingo-oopherectomy Let’s break it down: Hyster/o (uterus) + salping/o (fallopian tubes) + oo (egg/ovary) + pherectomy (surgical removal). Now, back to the word I introduced at the beginning of this lesson: So, the word means: surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.