Med-Term-Part-1

ME DISAL TERMINOLOGY

PART 1

  • Blood & Lymphatic System

Constructed Medical Terms

  • Definition: Many medical terms are constructed from a combination of word parts, including:

    • Prefixes

    • Greek or Roman root words

    • Suffixes

  • Deciphering Terms: To understand a constructed term:

    1. Identify the suffix meaning.

    2. Identify the prefix meaning.

    3. Identify the root word meaning.

    4. Combine the meanings of all three parts.

  • Example: MICRO / SCOP / IC

    • Prefix: "micro" meaning "small"

    • Root: "scop" meaning "viewing instrument"

    • Suffix: "ic" meaning "pertaining to"

  • Combining Vowels: When a root word is followed by a suffix starting with a consonant or another root word, a combining vowel (usually 'o', 'i', or 'e') connects the parts.

    • Example: HEM / O / PHILIA

      • HEM: root for "blood"

      • O: combining vowel

      • PHILIA: suffix meaning "love of"

Nonconstructed Medical Terms

  • Definition: Terms not constructed from word parts. Derived from:

    • Other languages

    • Names of people

    • Initials (acronyms)

    • Abbreviations

  • Learning Nonconstructed Terms: Require memorization of their meanings.

Medical Root Words of the Blood and Lymphatic System

  • Roots and Definitions:

    • ERYTHR: Red

    • FUSION: Merger or blending

    • GLOBIN: Protein

    • HEM or HEMAT: Blood

    • IMMUN: Exempt or immunity

    • LEUK: White

    • LYMPH: Clear water or fluid

    • NECR: Death

    • NUCLE: Kernel or nucleus

    • PHYLAXIS: Protection

    • SEPT: Putrefying; wall

    • THROMB: Clot

    • TOX: Poison

Medical Prefixes for the Blood and Lymphatic System

  • Prefixes and Definitions:

    • AN-: Without or absence of

    • ANA-: Up or toward

    • ANTI-: Against or opposite of

    • MAL-: Bad

    • MONO-: One

    • TRANS-: Across

Medical Suffixes for the Blood and Lymphatic System

  • Suffixes and Definitions:

    • -EMIA: Condition of blood

    • -IA: Condition of

    • -IC: Pertaining to

    • -LYSIS: Loosen or dissolve

    • -OLOGY: Study or science of

    • -OMA: Tumor

    • -OSIS: Condition of

    • -PATHY: Disease

    • -PENIA: Abnormal reduction in number or deficiency

    • -PHILIA: Loving, love of, or affinity for

    • -RRHAGE: Profuse bleeding; hemorrhage

Hematology

  • Definition: General field of medicine focusing on blood-related diseases.

  • Specialist: Physician specializing in blood diseases is called a hematologist.

Medical Terms, Signs, & Symptoms of the Blood and Lymphatic System

Erythropenia

  • Definition: Abnormally reduced number of red blood cells in a blood sample.

Leukopenia

  • Definition: Abnormally reduced number of white blood cells in a blood sample.

Hemolysis

  • Definition: Rupture of red blood cells, may occur if a transfusion is incompatible with the recipient.

  • Process: Mismatched blood penetrates and enlarges red blood cells, potentially causing them to burst.

Hemorrhage

  • Definition: Abnormal loss of blood, often due to trauma or illness.

Diseases and Disorders of the Blood and Lymphatic System

Anaphylaxis

  • Definition: Life-threatening, immediate reaction to a foreign substance.

Anemia

  • Characteristics: Reduced number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying ability.

Dyscrasia

  • Definition: Abnormal condition of the blood, from Greek "difficult temperament."

Edema

  • Definition: Leakage of fluid from the bloodstream into the interstitial space, resulting in swelling.

Hematoma

  • Definition: Mass of blood outside vessels, often clotted; commonly known as a bruise.

Hemoglobinopathy

  • Definition: Disease affecting hemoglobin or protein within red blood cells (e.g., sickle cell anemia).

Hemorrhagic Fever

  • Definition: Infectious disease causing internal bleeding and high fevers, often caused by viruses (e.g., ebola).

Hemophilia

  • Definition: Inherited disorder with a deficiency in blood-clotting proteins, leading to excessive bleeding.

Hodgkin’s Disease

  • Definition: Malignant cancer of lymphatic tissue characterized by enlarged lymph nodes and immune deficiency.

Immunodeficiency

  • Definition: Condition with insufficient lymphocytes to fight infections, leading to being immunocompromised.

Inflammation

  • Definition: Derived from Latin "inflammatio"; characterized by edema, redness, heat, and pain.

Leukemia

  • Definition: Cancer originating in the bone marrow producing abnormal white blood cells.

Malaria

  • Definition: Infectious disease caused by parasitic bacteria transmitted by mosquitoes.

Mononucleosis

  • Definition: Virus-induced disease marked by enlarged lymph nodes and spleen, typically transmitted via saliva.

Necrosis

  • Definition: Death of cells or tissue; may result from injury, frostbite, or lack of circulation.

Septicemia

  • Definition: Presence of bacteria and toxins in the blood, commonly referred to as blood poisoning.

Thrombosis

  • Definition: Presence of blood clots that may block arteries or veins.

Treatments and Procedures of the Blood and Lymphatic System

Anticoagulant

  • Definition: Chemical agent that prevents blood clotting, e.g., warfarin (Coumadin).

  • Safety: Patients on anticoagulants should wear medical alert bracelets.

Attenuation

  • Definition: Process of weakening a pathogen to reduce its infectiousness, used in vaccines.

Transfusion

  • Definition: Process of restoring blood volume through introducing blood into the body.

    • Homologous: Donor blood

    • Autologous: Patient's own blood

Abbreviations Associated with the Blood and Lymphatic System

AIDS

  • Full Name: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

  • Definition: Disease caused by HIV that attacks helper T cells, compromising the immune response.

CBC

  • Full Name: Complete Blood Count

  • Definition: Laboratory test providing diagnostic health information, including RBC and WBC counts.

HCT or Hct

  • Full Name: Hematocrit

  • Definition: Measures percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample after centrifugation.

HGB

  • Full Name: Hemoglobin

  • Definition: Protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.

PLT

  • Full Name: Platelet Count

  • Definition: Procedure calculating number of platelets in blood, indicators of hemostasis ability.

ME DISAL TERMINOLOGY

PART 1

  • Blood & Lymphatic System