Med term CH02

Introduction to Medical Terminology

• Overview of the importance of suffixes in medical language.

• Based on "Medical Terminology Systems, Eighth Edition" by Barbara A. Gylys and Mary Ellen Wedding.

Suffixes

• Definition: A suffix is a word element that is placed at the end of a word.

• Functions:

  • Changes the meaning of a medical word.

  • Denotes singular and plural forms.

  • Indicates a part of speech.

Major Types of Suffixes

• Surgical Suffixes:

  • Describe types of invasive procedures.

  • Examples:

    • append/ectomy: surgical removal of the appendix.

    • arthr/o/centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid from a joint.

    • lith/o/tripsy: procedure to crush stones.

• Diagnostic and Pathological Suffixes:

  • Diagnostic Suffixes: Relate to procedures/tests to identify illnesses.

  • Examples:

    • electr/o/cardio/gram (ECG): record of heart's electrical activity.

    • gastr/o/scopy: visual examination of the stomach.

    • encephal/o/graphy: imaging of the brain.

  • Pathological Suffixes: Describe disease or abnormal condition.

  • Examples:

    • neur/algia: nerve pain.

    • gastr/itis: inflammation of the stomach.

    • hem/o/rrhage: bleeding.

• Grammatical Suffixes:

  • Form parts of speech like adjectives and nouns.

  • Examples:

    • gastr/ic: pertaining to the stomach (adjective).

    • obstetr/ician: specialist in obstetrics (noun).

• Diminutive Suffixes:

  • Denote smaller versions.

  • Examples:

    • tub/ule: a small tube.

    • arteri/ole: a small artery.

Linking Suffixes

• Word Roots and Combining Forms:

  • A word root links to a suffix starting with a vowel. Example: gastr/itis.

  • A combining form links to a suffix that begins with a consonant. Example: gastr/o/scopy.

Singular and Plural Suffix Changes

• Transformation of words from singular to plural:

  • diagnosis changes to diagnoses.

  • bronchus changes to bronchi.

  • deformity becomes deformities.

Exercises and Applications

• Practice identifying suffixes and their meanings.

• Exercises for reinforcing grammatical and diminutive suffixes.