MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Using medical terminologyUsing medical terminologyMedical terminology is used in:

◦conversation with other professionals

◦medical charting and documentation

◦professional texts, journal articles

Using medical terminologyUsing medical terminologyUnderstanding and using medical

terminology correctly is essential

to a successful midwifery career

Why is this essential?

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Medical terminologyMedical terminology• Each health care specialty has its own

terminology and abbreviations

• Health care professionals become so used

to the language of their specialty they

forget others don’t understand these terms

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When not to use medical When not to use medical terminologyterminology

Medical conditions, diagnoses, treatments and terms should always be explained in lay person’s language when talking to patients, family and community members

Be aware of the client’s literacy level and language of origin

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Building blocks of medical Building blocks of medical languagelanguage

Medical terms are made up of several

parts – elements - that can be combined

to make many different words

Learning the meaning of these elements

helps understand many medical terms

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Building blocks of medical Building blocks of medical languagelanguage

3 principle elements make up medical terms:

1. roots and combining forms2. prefixes3. suffixes

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Each element is essential to Each element is essential to understanding the meaning of understanding the meaning of the medical termthe medical term

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Prefix RootCombining

Vowel Suffix

The RootThe Root• The root is the part of the medical

term that gives the main meaning• It usually refers to a structure and/or

function of the body• Roots are usually Latin or Greek in

origin• All medical terms have at least one

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Combining formsCombining formsCombining forms consist of roots plus a

vowel, usually the letter “o”In the dictionary, the vowel is separated

from the root with a slash mark, example: Gastr/o - stomach Enter/o – small intestine Cardi/o - heart

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Combining vowelCombining vowelThe letter “o” is called the

combining vowelIt links the root to the “suffix,” the

next element in the medical termUsed if the suffix begins with a

consonant.Not needed if the suffix begins with

a vowel

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Roots and combining formsRoots and combining formsThere are thousands of roots and

combining forms that make up medical language

You need to learn the roots and combining forms used in general medical terminology and what is specific to maternity care

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Basic root wordsBasic root wordsAdip/o fatArteri/o arteryArthr/o jointAxill armpitBlephar eyelidBucca cheekCardi/a heartCephal headCerebr/o brain

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Basic root wordsBasic root wordsCervic neckCholecyst gallbladderCol/o large intestineCost/o ribCrani/o skullCyst/o urinary bladderCyt/o cellDerm skinEnter small intestine

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Basic root wordsBasic root wordsEsophag esophagusGastr/o stomachHem/o bloodHepat/o liverRen/o, nephr/o kidneysLapar abdominal wallLaryng/o larynxLumbus loin, lower part of

the back

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Basic root wordsBasic root wordsMyel/o spinal cordMy/o, muculo muscleNas/o, rhino noseNeur/o nerveOphthalm/o, ocul/o eyeOr/o, stomat/o mouthOste/o boneOt/o earPancreat/o pancreasPharyng/o throat

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Basic root wordsBasic root wordsPneum/o, pneumon/o lungSplen/o spleen Thorac/o chestThyroid thyroid glandTrache/o windpipe,

tracheaVen/o, phleb/o veinVertebr/o vertebraViv/o life

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Combining formsCombining forms

The letter “o” is called the combining vowel

It links the root to the “suffix,” the next element in the medical term, if the suffix begins with a consonant.

The combining form is always used when linking two roots, even if the second one starts with a vowel.

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SuffixesSuffixes

Suffixes are word elements that are

attached to the end of roots and

combining forms to add to or change

their meaning

All medical terms have a suffix

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SuffixesSuffixes

Each suffix can be added to many

itis = inflammation

appendicitis = inflamed

appendix

arthritis = inflamed joint

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SuffixesSuffixes

The combining vowel is used between the root and the suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant:

Example: cardi + o + megaly = cardiomegaly

cardiomegaly = enlarged heart

cardi = heart, megaly = enlarged

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SuffixesSuffixes

When the suffix begins with a vowel, there is no need for a combining vowel between the root and the suffix

The suffix is attached to the root wordExample: gastr + itis = gastritisgastritis = inflammation of the

stomachgastr = stomach, itis = inflammation

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SuffixesSuffixesSome common meanings of suffixes:• Pathological (disease) conditions• Diagnostic procedures• Surgical procedures• Pertaining to• Produced by• Resembling

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SuffixesSuffixes

• When suffixes are listed in medical dictionaries or word lists, they are listed alphabetically

• The word is preceded by a dash and identified as a word element

• The dash indicates something precedes it

• Dictionary entries will give the language of origin, usually Latin or Greek

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Common suffixesCommon suffixes

Pertaining to:-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -iac, -ic, -ical, -ose, -ous, -tic

Examples: Cardiac (pertaining to the heart)Cellular (pertaining to the cell)Psychotic (pertaining to psychosis)Corporeal (pertaining to the body)

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-algia pain-centesis surgical puncture to

remove fluid-cide to kill, destroy-cyte cell-ectomy removal of-emia blood-gram record

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-graph instrument used to record-graphy process of recording-ia, - a condition, esp. an

abnormal state-ism condition-itis inflammation of-lithiasis presence of or formation

of stones

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Common suffixesCommon suffixes-logy study of-logist person who studies it-megaly enlargement-oid resembling-oma tumor-otomy surgical incision-pathy disease -plasty surgical repair

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Common suffixesCommon suffixes-plegia paralysis-pnea breathing, respiration-rrhea drainage, flow-scope examination, instrument-scopy examination using a scope-stasis stoppage-stomy surgically create an

artificial mouth or stoma

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PrefixesPrefixesPrefixes are word elements that are

attached to the beginning of roots and combining forms to add to or change their meaning

Many (but not all) medical terms have a prefix

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PrefixesPrefixes

Common meanings of prefixes:Location

PositionDirectionTimeNumberNegation, absence ofColor

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PrefixesPrefixes

The same prefixes can be attached to many root words, resulting in thousands of variations

The prefix “hyper” means “abnormally increased or excessive”

Hyperacid = excessively acidicHyperactive = abnormally activeHypertension = persistently high blood pressure

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PrefixesPrefixesPrefixes can dramatically change the

meaning of a wordExample: “systole” means “contraction

of the heart”The one letter prefix “a” means

“without”“Asystole” means “no contractions of

the heart” -- Just one letter makes the difference between life and death!

Correct spelling is critical in health care

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PrefixesPrefixesWhen prefixes are listed in medical

dictionaries and word lists, they are located alphabetically followed by a dash and identified as a word element

Their origin (Latin, Greek) is usually givenExample:

epi- word element (Gr) meaning overpoly- word element (Gr) meaning many, much

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Common prefixesCommon prefixes

A-/an- without, notAnti- againstAuto- selfBi- two, doubleBrady- slowDys- bad, difficult, painfulEpi- over

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Eu- good, normal Hemi- halfHyper- above, excessiveHypo- less than, underInter- betweenIntra- withinMulti- manyNon- notPeri- around

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Poly- many, muchPost- after, behindPre- before, in frontPseudo- falseQuadri- fourSemi- halfSub- under, belowSupra- above, overTachy- fast, rapidTri- three

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Putting it all togetherPutting it all together

Learn the meanings of commonly used word elements and understanding how they combine to make a medical term

Then you can figure out the meaning of thousands of medical terms

Think of each word as a combination of building blocks or railroad cars, fitted together to create a precise meaning

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The medical term is put together like a series of building blocks or train cars

Prefix +Root +Combining vowel (if needed) +Suffix

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Putting it all together – linking the Putting it all together – linking the components to define the termcomponents to define the term

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Vowel Suffix

Putting it all togetherPutting it all togetherWhen you see a new term, break

it down into the elements Start at the end of the word and

work to the leftIdentify and define each elementAs you define each element you

will define the medical term

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Start at the Start at the endend of the word and of the word and work to the leftwork to the left

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Vowel Suffix

Example: “Echocardiogram”Example: “Echocardiogram”

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echo cardi o gram

Define Echocardiogram reading Define Echocardiogram reading from left to rightfrom left to right

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Echo = reflections of sounds

Cardi =heart

O = connecting

Gram =Written, record

Define Echocardiogram reading Define Echocardiogram reading from left to rightfrom left to right

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Echo = reflections of sounds

Cardi =heart

O = connecting

Gram =Written, record

Echocardiogram is defined as a written recording of the heart using reflections of sounds

Putting it all together Putting it all together

Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Echocardiogramecho = reflections of soundscardi = hearto = connecting vowelgram = written, recordEchocardiogram is a written recording of

the heart using reflections of sounds

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Example: “Cytology”Example: “Cytology”

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No Prefix Cyt o logy

Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix

CytologyCyt (root) = cell o = the connecting vowellogy = (suffix) study ofCytology means study of the cellA cytologist is someone who studies cells

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Example: “Bradycardia”Example: “Bradycardia”

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Brady cardiNo

Connec-ting

Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Bradycardia• Brady = abnormally slow • no connecting vowel is needed because

the prefix ends with a vowel• cardi = heart• ia, a = condition, esp. an abnormal stateBradycardia means a condition of

abnormally slow heart

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Example: “Splenectomy”Example: “Splenectomy”

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No prefix splen

No Connec-

ting vowel

ectomy

Putting it all togetherPutting it all togetherPrefix + root + (connecting vowel) +

suffix Splenectomysplen = (root) spleen no connecting vowel is needed

because the suffix begins with a vowelectomy = (suffix) removal ofSplenectomy means removal of a

spleen

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DyspneaDys = bad, difficult, painful pnea = breathing, respirationia, a = condition, esp. an abnormal stateDyspnea means an abnormal condition of

difficult breathing

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Hemocytehem = bloodo = connecting vowel cyte = cellHemocyte is a blood cell

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Changing the meaning of Changing the meaning of the termthe term

Changing one element

modifies the meaning of

the term

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cardiNo

Connec-ting

Bradycardia: a condition of abnormally slow heartTachycardia: a condition of abnormally fast heart

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No Connec-

ting vowel

Tachycardia: a condition of abnormally fast heartTachypnea: a condition of abnormally fast breathing

SpellingSpelling

Correct spelling is critical in health care. Misspelled words can lead to diagnostic,

medication and treatment errorsSome words look or sound similar and

can be confused

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SpellingSpelling

Pay attention to the context to help you

figure out the correct meaning of a term

Example: “The client has a fractured ilium”

ilium = part of the hip bone

ileum = part of the intestine

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Singular and pluralSingular and plural

Because many medical terms come from Greek and Latin words, the plural forms of the words are not made by adding an “s” as in English

Memorize the guidelines When in doubt, memorize the specific

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If the word ends in

Change it to

Examples: singular, plural

-a -ae vertebra, vertebrae

-ex or -ix -ices index, indices

-is -es diagnosis, diagnoses

-itis -ides arthritis, arthritides

-nx -ges phalanx, phalanges

-on -a ganglion, ganglia

-um -a ovum, ova

-us -i alveolus, alveoli

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Changing singular to plural

Pronunciation guidelinesPronunciation guidelines• The “soft” pronunciation of the consonant

is used when followed by e, i or y• “c” sounds like “s”

cell, circulation, cyst• “g” sounds like “j” when followed by e, i or

ygenetic, gingivitis, gestation

• “ch” sounds like “k”chronic, chromium, cholecystitis, psychologist

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Pronunciation guidelinesPronunciation guidelines

When a word ends in “i” it is pronounced like “eye” as in

bacilli“x” is pronounced “z” as in

xylocainexenophobic

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Pronunciation guidelinesPronunciation guidelinesWhen “P” is at the beginning of words followed

by a consonant: “ph” is pronounced “f” as in

pharmacy“pn” is pronounced “n” (silent “p”) as in

pneumonia, pneumococcus“ps” is pronounced “s” (silent “p”) as in

psychotic, psychosocialpsychologist

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Abbreviations & symbolsAbbreviations & symbolsMedical abbreviations and symbols

are a “short hand” for medical professionals

Most have been standardized and are universally accepted

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Abbreviations & symbolsAbbreviations & symbols

• Individual facilities and specialties may use their own specific abbreviations and symbols or use a symbol differently

Example: Means “change” • In maternity care it is also used to

mean “trimester”

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The context indicates the The context indicates the meaningmeaningClient S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation,

c/o 1st bleedingClient S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation,

c/o constipation. Recommend her PNV Rx @ her next PNV.

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Abbreviations & symbolsAbbreviations & symbols

Don’t assume you know what an abbreviation or symbol means.

Learn the abbreviations and symbols used on your clinical site during orientation to the practice, through chart review, and by asking.

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Abbreviations & symbolsAbbreviations & symbolsDon’t use your own personal

abbreviations in health care documents. Use only standard medically accepted

abbreviations and those used by the facility on your clinical site

Use capital and small letters appropriately

Non-standard abbreviations can result in medical errors and fines for the agency when discovered during chart audits

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Common abbreviations & symbolsCommon abbreviations & symbols

ā beforead lib freely; at willa.c. before a mealb.i.d. twice a dayBM bowel movementBP blood pressurec withCDC Centers for Disease Control

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Medical abbreviations & symbolsMedical abbreviations & symbols

c/o complains ofd/c discontinueh. hourH2O waterh.s. At night, at bedtimeI&O intake and outputlab. Laboratoryn.p.o. Nothing by mouthn&v nausea and vomiting

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O2 oxygenO.D. Right eyeO.S. Left eyeO.U. Each eyep afterP pulsep.c. After mealsP.O. By mouth

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p.r.n. As neededq.d. Daily, once a dayq.h. Every hourq.i.d. Four times a dayR respirationRR respiration rates withoutstat. immediately

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T temperaturet.i.d. Three times a dayTPR temperature, pulse and

respirationTx Treatment; tractionVS vital signsWt. Weightx multiplied by

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Medical symbolsMedical symbols

> greater than< less than↓ decreased, down, lower

↑ increased, higher, up, elevate↘ decreasing↗ increasing# pound or number

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Medical symbolsMedical symbols′ foot or minute″ inch or secondo degree♂ male♀ female∆ change, trimester@ at

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Medical DictionaryMedical DictionaryTaber’s or Mosby’s available in

bookstores, come with textbooks and CDs

Medical dictionaries are available online

Add medical terms to your computer’s spell check program

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Choosing a medical dictionaryChoosing a medical dictionary

Explanations of medical procedures, conditions, disorders and diseases

Clear, easy to understand definitionsPronunciation guidelinesAbbreviations and symbolsUseful diagrams, charts, reference tables

containing information like lab values, conversion tables (metric to standard), etc

Vocabulary useful to your chosen field

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Learn medical terminologyLearn medical terminology• Study and learn a few words every day• Make flash cards• Practice using terms verbally • Use symbols and abbreviations when you

write notes • Use a medical dictionary for reference• Ask for a definition when you hear a term

or see an abbreviation that you don’t know

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1120 LEGAL AND ETHICAL 1120 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF MIDWIFERYASPECTS OF MIDWIFERY

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYTHE END

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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

Documents

Medical Transcription + Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology

Medical Terms Medical Terminology. Utah State Office of Education Introduction: Medical terminology is a language in itself. Learning medical terminology

Medical Terminology

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 1. Using medical terminology Medical terminology is used in: ◦ conversation with other professionals ◦ medical charting and documentation