term chapter 1 part 2

Word Building in Medical Terminology

Introduction to Word Roots

• Medical terminology often requires combining different word parts to convey precise meanings.

• Example: The word for an instrument measuring temperature is thermometer (therm = heat, meter = measure).

• When combining different roots, a combining vowel (often 'o') is inserted for pronunciation ease.

Combining Forms

• A combining form consists of a word root and a combining vowel.

• Importance of understanding that multiple word parts can share the same meaning (e.g., dermo, dermato, cutano = skin).

Examples of Same Meaning Combining Forms

• Abdomino and liparo both refer to the abdomen:

  • Abdominocentesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity.

  • Laparoscopy: visual examination of the abdominal cavity using a lighted instrument.

• Explanation of suffixes in this context:

  • -centesis: surgical puncture.

  • -scopy: visual examination.

Suffixes in Medical Terms

• Suffix: added to a word root or combining form to indicate a condition, procedure, or symptom.

  • Example: pathology (patho = disease, -logy = study of).

• Analyzing terms based on suffixes:

  • Arthro (joint):

    • Arthropathy: disease of a joint.

    • Arthritis: inflammation of a joint.

    • Arthralgia: pain in a joint.

    • Arthroplasty: surgical repair of a joint.

Prefixes in Medical Terms

• Prefix: placed before a word root, adding detail to the medical term.

  • Example: intercostal (inter = between, costo = rib, -al = pertaining to).

• Prefixes often indicate position or direction (e.g., epi = above, sub = below).

Sorting Word Parts

• Understanding the categorization of medical terminology:

  • Word Roots: costo, therm, patho.

  • Prefixes: epi, sub, inter.

  • Suffixes: -centesis, -scope, -logy.

Building Medical Terms

• The term hepatomegaly means enlargement of the liver (hepato = liver, -megaly = enlargement).

• Importance of combining vowels for pronunciation and clarity.

Rules for Combining Word Parts

1. A combining vowel is used when joining roots, regardless of whether they start with vowels or consonants.

   • Example: Osteoarthritis (oste = bone, arthro = joint, -itis = inflammation).

2. No combining vowel is needed if the suffix starts with a vowel.

   • Example: Arthritis uses no combining vowel.

3. If a word root ends and a suffix begins with the same vowel, drop one vowel.

   • Example: Ostectomy (from osteo + ectomy).

Unusual Letter Combinations

• Medical terminology often features unusual combinations or pronunciations:

  • Dys- = bad or difficult, pneumonitis = inflammation of the lung.

  • Psycho (psychology) begins with 'p' but sounds like 's'.

Pronunciation Tips for Medical Terms

• u = good (euthyroid).

• Ph pronounced as 'f' (e.g., phalanges).

• Pt pronounced as 't' (e.g., ptosis).

Healthcare Terminology Resources

• Familiarize with organizations for further reference:

  • AMA: American Medical Association

  • USP: United States Pharmacopoeia

  • WHO: World Health Organization

  • CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.