Medical Terminology

1120 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF MIDWIFERY

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYJustine Clegg, MS, LM, CPM, LMHC

Chair/Professor Emeritus, Miami Dade College Midwifery Program

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Using medical terminology• Medical terminology is used in:– conversation with other

professionals–medical charting and

documentation– professional texts, journal articles

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Using medical terminology• Understanding and using medical

terminology correctly is essential

to a successful midwifery career

• Why is this essential?

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Medical 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 terminology

• 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 language

• 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 language

3 principle elements make up medical terms:

1. roots and combining forms2. prefixes3. suffixes

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Each element is essential to understanding the meaning of

the medical term

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Prefix RootCombining

Vowel Suffix

The 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

root

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Combining forms• Combining 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 vowel• The letter “o” is called the

combining vowel• It links the root to the “suffix,” the

next element in the medical term• Used if the suffix begins with a

consonant.• Not needed if the suffix begins with

a vowel

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Roots and combining forms• There 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 wordsAdip/o fatArteri/o arteryArthr/o jointAxill armpitBlephar eyelidBucca cheekCardi/a heartCephal headCerebr/o brain

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Basic 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 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 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 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 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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Suffixes

• 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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Suffixes

• Each suffix can be added to many

roots

itis = inflammation

appendicitis = inflamed

appendix

arthritis = inflamed joint

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Suffixes

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

Example: cardi + o + megaly = cardiomegalycardiomegaly = enlarged heart

cardi = heart, megaly = enlarged

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Suffixes

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

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Suffixes

• 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 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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Common suffixes

-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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Common suffixes

-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 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 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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Prefixes• Prefixes 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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Prefixes

Common meanings of prefixes:Location

PositionDirectionTimeNumberNegation, absence ofColor

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Prefixes

• 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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Prefixes• Prefixes can dramatically change the

meaning of a word• Example: “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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Prefixes• When 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 given• Example:

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

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Common prefixes

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

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Common prefixes

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

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Common prefixes

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 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 components to define the term

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Vowel Suffix


• When you see a new term, break it down into the elements

• Start at the end of the word and work to the left

• Identify and define each element• As you define each element you will

define the medical term

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Start at the end of the word and work to the left

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Vowel Suffix

Example: “Echocardiogram”

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echo cardi o gram

Define Echocardiogram reading from left to right

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Echo = reflections of sounds

Cardi =heart

O = connecting

vowel

Gram =Written, record

Define Echocardiogram reading from left to right

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Echo = reflections of sounds

Cardi =heart

O = connecting

vowel

Gram =Written, record

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


Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Echocardiogram• echo = reflections of sounds• cardi = heart• o = connecting vowel• gram = written, recordEchocardiogram is a written recording of the

heart using reflections of sounds

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Example: “Cytology”

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No Prefix Cyt o logy


Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Cytology• Cyt (root) = cell • o = the connecting vowel• logy = (suffix) study ofCytology means study of the cellA cytologist is someone who studies cells

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Example: “Bradycardia”

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Brady cardiNo

Connec-ting

vowel

ia


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”

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No prefix splen

No Connec-

ting vowel

ectomy


Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Splenectomy• splen = (root) spleen • no connecting vowel is needed because

the suffix begins with a vowel• ectomy = (suffix) removal ofSplenectomy means removal of a spleen

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Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix Dyspnea• Dys = bad, difficult, painful • pnea = breathing, respiration• ia, a = condition, esp. an abnormal stateDyspnea means an abnormal condition of

difficult breathing

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Prefix + root + (connecting vowel) + suffix

Hemocyte• hem = blood• o = connecting vowel • cyte = cellHemocyte is a blood cell

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Changing the meaning of the term

Changing one element

modifies the meaning of

the term

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tachy

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brady

cardiNo

Connec-ting

vowel

a

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

cardi

tachy

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pne

No Connec-

ting vowel

a

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

Spelling

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

medication and treatment errors• Some words look or sound similar and can

be confused

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Spelling

• 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 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

words

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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 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 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 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 & symbols• Medical abbreviations and symbols

are a “short hand” for medical professionals

• Most have been standardized and are universally accepted

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Abbreviations & 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 meaning

• Client S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation, c/o 1st bleeding

• Client S.J., 24 yo, 8 weeks gestation, c/o constipation. Recommend her PNV Rx @ her next PNV.

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Abbreviations & 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 & symbols• Don’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 & 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 & 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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Medical abbreviations & symbols

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

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Medical abbreviations & symbolsp.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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Medical abbreviations & symbolsT temperaturet.i.d. Three times a dayTPR temperature, pulse and

respirationTx Treatment; tractionVS vital signsWt. Weightx multiplied by

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Medical symbols

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

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

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

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Medical Dictionary• Taber’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 dictionary

• Explanations of medical procedures, conditions, disorders and diseases

• Clear, easy to understand definitions• Pronunciation guidelines• Abbreviations and symbols• Useful 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 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 ASPECTS OF MIDWIFERY

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGYTHE END

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Education

Medical Terminology