Introduction to Medical TerminologyBy: Cindy Quisenberry

Medical Terminology

Most of the foundational terms used in the health care field are derived from older languages such as Latin or Greek. Health care workers must know medical terms fluently just like a foreign language in order to be able to function well in their jobs

Medical Terminology

Much of the medical terminology we use today is attributed to Hippocrates, who is considered the

“____________ __ _______________,” and Claudius Galen, one of the

most legendary doctors in the Roman Empire.

Father of Medicine

Medical Terminology

Medical dictionaries assist health care workers by helping them to check the definition of a medical term or ensure that they write a term accurately. Spelling words accurately is very important in the health care field; it can be the difference between getting the right organ removed and getting the wrong organ removed.

Medical Terminology

Examples: Ilium – hip Ileum – small intestine -ectomy – surgical removal -stomy – creating an opening -tomy – cutting into, incision

Type of Medical Terminology

Most health care terms fit into the following categories: Decodable terms Non-decodable terms Eponyms Abbreviations Symbols

Decodable Terms These terms have Greek/Latin component

parts that can be analyzed and defined. Once the code is learned, complex terms are easier to decipher or build. For example:

Term: Gastr/itis Gastr – (word root) stomach -itis – (suffix) inflammation Definition: Inflammation of the stomach Term: Hyster/ectomy Hyster (word root) – uterus -ectomy (suffix) – surgical removal Definition: Surgical removal of the uterus

Decodable Terms Finding the meaning of an unknown

decodable word can be done by breaking a word down into parts, as we did in the previous examples. Separate the word into parts by using slashes to distinguish what the terms mean. For example, take the term electrocardiogram: Word separated: electro/cardi/o/gram Word part meanings:

electricity/heart/combining vowel/unit of measurement

Word meaning: measurement of the heart's electricity (electric impulses)

Non-Decodable Terms These are terms that can’t be divided

into component parts. The entire definition must be memorized Examples:

Cataract – defined as progressive opacification of the lens. This term is derived from Greek meaning “waterfall”; this is not a very helpful deriviation.

Asthma – defined as a respiratory disorder characterized by recurring episodes of paroxysmal dyspnea (difficulty breathing). This term means “panting” in Greek

Eponyms These are terms that are named after a

person who either first described the condition, procedure, or object devised. Examples:

Alzheimer’s – defined as a profressive mental deterioration, it is named after German neurologist Alois Alzheimer

Cesarean section – defined as removal of the infant from the uterus by incision of the uterine wall, it is named after the manner in which Julius Caesar was born

Abbreviations These are terms shortened to a number of letters

for the sake of convienience (documentation or charting purposes). Examples:

CAD – coronary artery disease MI – myocardial infarction BID – twice a day

Some abbreviations are acronyms, which are pronounceable words from initial letters of a term. Example:

CABG – coronary artery bypass graft

Abbreviations are common in written and spoken health care terminology but can pose a hazard.

Symbols These graphic representations are also

used in medical terminology. Examples:

Symbol for female: ♀ Symbol for male: ♂ Positive or present condition: + Negative or deficient condition: - Increase: ↑ Decrease: ↓

Determining Meaning on the Basis of Word Parts Knowledge of word parts helps

decipher medical terms.

Spelling Is Always Important

A one-letter spelling error can change the entire meaning of the word/term.

Using Abbreviations

Caution is always important when using abbreviations.

Word Part Guidelines A word root cannot stand alone. A

suffix must always be added at the end of the word to complete the term.

The rules for creating a combining form by adding a vowel apply when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added to a word root.

When a prefix is added, it is always placed at the beginning of the word.

Subcutaneous Sub = under (prefix) Cutane = skin (word root) Ous = pertaining to (suffix)

Once each part of a medical term is identified, the basic meaning of the word is defined.

Break a Medical Term Apart and “Read” it as a Sentence Step 1 – Start with the suffix, and

define the suffix Step 2 – Go to the prefix, and define

the prefix Step 3 – Go to the middle of the word;

define the word root, combining form, or both if they exist

Step 4 – Combine the definitions to decode the complete medical term or phrase