Introduce To Medical Terminology!Chapter #1

By: Precious Blanton

Objectives1.Distinguish between the three elements which make up medical words:

prefix, root, and suffix, and give the meaning of each.

2.Define commonly used prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

3.Identify clearly definable medical abbreviations.

4.Identify the list of “Do Not Use” Abbreviations and the risks of usage.

5.Apply knowledge of word parts (prefix, root, and suffix) by defining commonly used medical terms and by determining the most likely meaning of rarely used terms.

6.Identify selected careers in which knowledge of medical terminology is essential.

Introduction During the first chapter, you may be able to understand an unknown

word because of the context in which it is used and because you have some familiarity with the general subject. In reading documents with a lot of medical terminology, you may find nothing familiar about the terms. It will seem like a foreign language. Throughout this presentation we will learn and recognize four parts of medical terms, word roots and combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes used in medical language today. Learn how to combine words to create meaningful medical conditions as well as comprehend their definition and know the correct spelling. Whether you are new to the medical profession, or you just need a refresher class, this medical terminology course is for you!

Building Medical Terms Forms Words Parts

Four different words parts or elements can be used to construct medical terms.

• Word Root – is the foundation of a medical term and provides us with the general meaning of the word. A term may have more than one word root. For example, osteoarthritis (

• Prefix – are added to the front of a term. For example, • Brady – slow• Let’s do another one, Endo- within• Suffix – are added to the end of a term. For example,• Tomy – cutting• Here goes another one, Phobia - fear• Combining Vowels – is a vowel ( usually o ) that links the word

root to another word root or a suffix.

Word Building• Wording building consists of putting together several word elements to

form a variety of terms. The combining form of a word may added to another combining form along with a suffix to create a new descriptive. Here are two examples of word building.

• Gingiv( means gum) , along with Itis (means inflammation) to form the word

• Gingivitis which means inflammation of the gum.• Cardio (means heart) pneumo (means lung) graph (means record)• Cardiopnuemograph which means device for recording motion of heart

and lungs.• If you notes that the combining vowel o is dropped when adding the

suffix –ograph since two vowels are not necessary.

Interpreting Medical Terms• Divide the term into its word part.• Define each word part.• Combine the meaning of the word parts.

For example, gastr- stomach- itis- inflammation

Gastristis - inflammation of the stomach.

Spelling• Although sometimes words sound alike they have different

meaning. If you are not sure of the correct spelling of a word take time to look it up in your medical dictionary.

Here are a good example, Hemi –mean half and Hem- mean blood.

Singular and plural ending

There are many medical terms originate from Greek and Latin words. You have to just remember the rules for forming the singular and plural forms of some words follow the rules of these languages rather than English.

For example, epididymis becomes epdidymides

Abbreviation

Are sometime used to shorten a word. If at some time you have any concern about abbreviation and someone will be confuse spell out the word instead.

For example, MD - Medical Doctor and R.N –Registered Nurse

The Medical Record• In the medical field patient medical record or charts are

very important, because it give you details of a patient’s hospital stay. These are a few examples of what’s in a patient chart concise of.

• History and physical• Physician’s order• Nurse’s notes• Physician’s progress notes

Health Care Setting

These are some different types of setting that medical terminology is used.

• Acute care or general hospitals• Specialty care hospitals• Nursing homes or long – term facilities• Ambulatory care, surgical center or out patient clinics.

Confidentiality • When you are working in the medical field, all

profession must have a firm understanding of confidentiality .You cannot discuss patient medical records and health information.

Conclusion I have explained through my example in this presentation, how

important medical terminology can initially seem like studying a strange new language. I hope throughout this presentation you all have learn and recognize four parts of medical terms, word roots and combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes used in medical language today. I believe that medical terminology covers the basic knowledge and understanding of medical language and terminology used by health care professionals everywhere. If you're interested in pursuing a health and science career requiring the ability to communicate with physicians, dentists, or other medical professionals, this class will meet all your needs.