Lesson 3.1 | Terminology & Abbreviations Flashcards
What are the components that medical terms are comprised of?
- Root word (Foundation)
- Prefix (Before Root)
- Suffix (After Root)
- Combining Vowels (Joins Components together)
Explain a Root Word?
- Main part or stem of a word
- Conveys the essential meaning
- Frequently indicates a body part
Ex:
Cardiopulmonary breaks down into:
Cardi is the root word meaning “heart”
Pulmon is the root word meaning “lungs”
Explain Prefixes?
- Appear at the beginning of a word
- Often Describe location or intensity
- Gives the root word it’s meaning
Note:
- Not all medical terms have prefixes
- Can create entirely different words or meanings
- Helps Indicate the meaning of unknown terms
Ex:
For the root word pnea (Breath), one can add the prefix
a- (without)
brady- (slow)
tachy- (rapid)
Explain Suffixes?
- Appear at the end of words
- Indicate:
- Procedure
- Condition
- Disease
- Part of Speech
Explain Combining Vowels?
- Connects root word to a suffix or other root word.
- Mostly cases are O, but can also be i or e
Ex:
Gastroenterology
Gastr/o + enter/o + logy
Stomach + intestines + study of
cardi?
Heart (root)
ex:
tachycardia ( Fast heart rate)
hepat?
Liver (root)
ex:
hepatomegaly (Enlargement of Liver)
nephr?
Kidney (root)
ex:
nephropathy (Disease of the kidney)
neur?
Nerves (root)
ex:
neurologist (Study of the mind)
psych?
Mind (root)
Ex:
psychology (Study of the mind)
thorac?
Chest (root)
Ex:
thoracic (study of the mind)
hyper-?
over, excessive, high (Prefix)
Ex:
hyperventilation (fast Ventilation)
hypo-?
under, below normal (prefix)
Ex:
hypothermia (Below normal body temperature)
tachy-?
rapid, fast (prefix)
Ex:
tachycardia (fast heart rate)
brady-?
slow (prefix)
Ex:
bradypnea (slow breathing)
pre-?
before (prefix)
Ex:
prenatal (occurring before birth)
post-?
after, behind (prefix)
ex:
post surgical (occurring after surgery)
-al?
pertaining to (suffix)
ex:
syncopal (pretaining to syncope)
-algia:
pertaining to pain (suffix)
ex: arthralgia (joint pain)
-ectomy?
surgical removal of (suffix)
ex:
appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix)
vasectomy
-ic?
pertaining to (suffix)
ex:
diaphoretic (pertaining to diaphoresis)
-itis?
inflammation (suffix)
ex:
epiglottitis (inflammation of epiglottis)
-logy?
study of (suffix)
ex:
cardiology (study of the heart)
-logist?
specialist (suffix)
ex:
pulmonologist (spealist in the disease of the lung)
-megaly?
enlargement (suffix)
ex:
cardiomegaly (enlargement of heart)
-meter?
measuring instrument (suffix)
ex:
sphygmomanometer (measures blood pressure)
-oma?
tumor (suffix)
ex:
lymphoma (cancer of the lymphicsystem)
-pathy?
disease (suffix)
ex:
nephropathy (diseases of the kidneys)
pathogen
What is the plural ending for a term ending in, a?
a = ae
ex:
vertebra to vertebrae
What is the plural ending for a term ending for, is?
is = es
ex:
diagnosis to diagnoses
What is the plural ending for a term ending in, ex or ix?
ex or ix = ices
ex:
apex to apices
What is the plural ending for a term ending in, on or um?
on or um = a
ex:
ganglion to ganglia
ovum to ova
What is the plural ending for a term ending in, us?
us = i
ex:
bronchus to bronchi
Amongus to Amongi
Fungus to Fungi
cyan/o?
Blue
leuk/o?
White
erythr/o?
Red
cirrh/o?
Yellow/Orange
melan/o?
Black
poli/o?
Gray