Med term 1

Title Page

• Exploring Medical Language, 11th Edition

  • Authors: Danielle LaFleur Brooks, Myrna LaFleur Brooks, Dale Levinsky

Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Language

Importance of Understanding Chapter 1

• Key Focus: Introduction to word parts (word roots, prefixes, suffixes, combining vowels)

• Significance: Essential for building and understanding medical terminology in subsequent chapters

• Application: Information learned will be used to analyze, build, and spell terms built from word parts.

Lesson 1.1: Medical Language

• Objectives:

  1. Describe the origins of medical language.

  2. Define two categories of medical terms.

  3. Identify and define the four word parts and the combining form.

  4. Analyze and define medical terms using the meanings of word parts.

  5. Build medical terms using the meanings of word parts.

What is Medical Terminology?

• Definition: Specialized vocabulary used for communication among healthcare professionals.

Origins of Medical Language

• Greek and Latin Word Parts: Form the basis of many medical terms.

• Eponyms: Terms derived from the name of a person or place.

• Acronyms: Formed from the first letters of words in a phrase.

• Modern Language: Derived from English vocabulary.

Categories of Medical Terms

• Terms Built from Word Parts: Terms composed of the components like roots and affixes.

• Terms NOT Built from Word Parts: Terms that include eponyms, acronyms, and other vocabulary outside core roots.

Medical Terms Built from Word Parts

• Components:

  • Word Roots: Fundamental meaning of the term.

  • Suffixes: Modify the meaning at the end of the term.

  • Prefixes: Modify the meaning at the beginning of the term.

  • Combining Vowel: A vowel (usually an "o") used to ease pronunciation between components.

Four Word Parts

• 1. Word Root (WR): Provides the primary meaning of the term.

• 2. Suffix (S): Attaches at the end to change or specify the meaning.

• 3. Prefix (P): Attaches at the start to provide additional context.

• 4. Combining Vowel (CV): Eases the pronunciation of terms.

Combining Vowel Guidelines

• 1: Used when connecting a word root and a suffix that does NOT start with a vowel.

• 2: Not used when connecting a word root and a suffix that DOES begin with a vowel.

• 3: Generally used between two word roots, even if both start with vowels.

• 4: Not used when connecting a prefix and a word root.

Combining Form

• Definition: A word root combined with its combining vowel (e.g., arthr/o).

Techniques for Learning Medical Terms Built from Word Parts

• Strategies:

  • Analyzing: Breakdown of terms into components.

  • Defining: Understanding meaning based on parts.

  • Building: Creating terms from the defined parts.

Analyzing Terms Example

• Example: arthropathy

  • Steps:

    • Divide term into components: arthr/o/pathy

    • Label parts: WR, S

    • Identify combining forms with underlining.

Defining Medical Terms

• Example: Applying definitions from parts: -pathy (disease), arthr/o (joint).

• Complete Definition: arthr/o/pathy = disease of the joint.

Word Parts List

• Word Roots:

  • arthr: joint

  • hepat: liver

  • ven: vein

  • oste: bone

• Suffixes:

  • -itis: inflammation

  • -ic: pertaining to

  • -ous: pertaining to

  • -pathy: disease

  • -megaly: enlargement

• Prefixes:

  • intra- : within

  • sub- : under

  • Combining Vowel: usually "o".

Building Medical Terms

• Process: Combine word parts; typically, the definition starts with the suffix.

• Example: Combine as arthr/o/pathy, indicating joint disease.

Medical Terms NOT Built from Word Parts

• 1. Eponyms: Example: Alzheimer disease.

• 2. Acronyms: Example: AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

• 3. Modern language terms: Example: Complete blood count with differential.

• 4. Words from Greek and Latin: Example: Orthopedics.