Introduction to Medical Terminology - Delmar Learning - OPG Tools

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Introduction to Medical
Terminology
OBJECTIVES
In this chapter,
you should learn to
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY
Medical terms are used every day in medical offices,
newspapers, television, and conversational settings.
Most of us are familiar with many medical terms; however,
other medical terms seem complicated and foreign.
Learning and understanding how medical terminology
developed can help us understand these terms.
Current medical vocabulary is based on terms of
Greek and Latin origin, eponyms (words formed
from a person’s name), and modern language terms.
The majority of medical terms are derived from word
parts based on Greek and Latin words. Becoming familiar
with these Greek and Latin terms and identifying
word parts will enable one to learn common medical
terms and to recognize unfamiliar medical terms
by word analysis. Medical terminology may seem
daunting at first because of the length of medical
words and seemingly complex spelling rules, but once
you learn the basic rules of breaking a word down
into its constituents the words become easier to read
and understand.
Identify and recognize the parts of a medical term
Define commonly used prefixes, combining forms, and suffixes
presented in this chapter
Analyze and understand basic medical terms
Recognize the importance of spelling medical terms correctly
Practice pronunciation of medical terms
Recognize the importance of medical dictionary use
Practice medical dictionary use
ANATOMY OF A MEDICAL TERM
Many medical terms are composed of word part combinations.
Recognizing these word parts and their
meanings simplifies learning medical terminology.
These word parts are
prefix: word part found at the beginning of a word.
Usually indicates number, location, time, or status.
root: word part that gives the essential meaning of
the word.
combining vowel: single vowel, usually an “o,” that is
added to the end of a root to make the word easier
to pronounce.
combining form: combination of the root and combining
vowel.
suffix: word part found at the end of a word. Usually
indicates procedure, condition, disease, or disorder.
Understanding the meaning of the word parts allows
one to dissect medical terms in a logical way. By breaking
down unfamiliar terms into recognizable word
parts, one’s medical vocabulary can be greatly increased.
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TABLE 1–1
Contrasting Prefixes
Without a prefix the root traumatic means pertaining to
injury.
Without a prefix the root uria means urination.
ab- (ahb) means away from.
abduction means to take away from midline.
Without a prefix the root emetic means pertaining to
vomiting.
dys- (dihs) means difficult, painful, or bad.
dysphagia means difficulty eating or swallowing.
endo- (ehn-dō) means within or inside.
endocrine means to secrete internally.
endo- means within or inside.
endoparasite is an organism that lives within the body of
the host.
hyper- (hī-pər) means elevated or more than normal.
hyperglycemia means elevated amounts of blood
glucose.
inter- (ihn-tər) means between.
intercostal means between the ribs.
poly- (pohl-ē) means many.
polyuria means elevated amount or frequency of
urination.
pre- (prē) means before.
preanesthetic means pertaining to before anesthesia.
sub- (suhb) means below, under, or less.
sublingual means under the tongue.
Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word or root to
modify its meaning. For example, the term operative
can be modified using various prefixes.
The prefix pre- means before. Preoperative means
before or preceding an operation.
The prefix peri- (pehr-e) means around. Perioperative
means pertaining to the period around an operation or
the period before, during, and after an operation.
The prefix post- means after. Postoperative means
after an operation.
Many prefixes have another prefix whose meaning is
opposite of its own. Initially, when learning prefixes it
is helpful to learn them in these pairs or in similar
groups (Table 1–1 and Figure 1–1).
Combining Vowels
A combining vowel sometimes is used to make the
medical term easier to pronounce. The combining
vowel is used when the suffix begins with a consonant,
a- (ah or ā) means without or no.
atraumatic means without injury.
an- (ahn) means without or no.
anuria means absence of urine.
ad- (ahd) means toward.
adduction means move toward the midline.
anti- (ahn-tī or ahn-tih) means against.
antiemetics work against or prevent vomiting.
eu- (yoo) means good, easy, or normal.
euthyroid means having a normally functioning thyroid
gland.
ex- (ehcks) or exo- (ehcks-ō) means without, out of,
outside, or away from.
exocrine means to secrete externally (via a duct).
ecto- (ehck-tō) means outside.
ectoparasite is an organism that lives on the outer surface
of the host.
hypo- (hī-pō) means depressed or less than normal.
hypoglycemia means depressed amounts of blood
glucose.
intra- (ihn-trah) means within.
intramuscular means within the muscle.
oligo- (ohl-ih-gō) means scant or little.
oliguria means depressed amount or frequency of
urination.
post- (pōst) means after.
postanesthetic means pertaining to after anesthesia.
super- (soo-pər) and supra- (soo-prah) mean above,
beyond, or excessive.
supernumerary means more than the regular number.
suprascapular means above the shoulder blade.
Ultra, super, supra
hyper Epi
Per
Inter Intra Extra
Trans
Infra Sub, hypo
FIGURE 1–1 Directional prefixes
Meta
as in the suffix -scope. An arthroscope is an instrument
to visually examine the joint. Because the suffix
-scope begins with a consonant, the combining vowel
“o” is used. “O” is the most commonly used combining
vowel; however, “i” and “e” may be used as well. A
combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins
with a vowel, as in the suffix -itis. Gastritis is inflammation
of the stomach. Because the suffix -itis begins
with a vowel, the combining vowel “o” is not used. A

TABLE 1-2
Directional Prefixes and Their Meanings
Prefix Pronunciation Definition
epi (eh-pē) upper
extra (ehcks-trah) outside
hyper (hi-pər) above, increased, or more
than normal
hypo (hī-pō) below, under, or decreased
infra (ihn-frah) below or beneath
inter (ihn-tər) between
intra (ihn-trah) within
meta (meht-ah) beyond
per (pər) throughout
sub (suhb) below, under, or decreased
super (soo-pər) above, increased, or more
than normal
supra (soo-prah) above, increased, or more
than normal
trans (trahnz) across
ultra (uhl-trah) above, increased, or more
than normal
combining vowel is always used when two or more
root words are joined. For example, when gastr/o
(stomach) is joined with enter/o (small intestine) the
combining vowel is used with gastr/o, as in the term
gastroenteritis. A combining vowel is not used between
a prefix and the root word.
Combining Forms
A word root plus a vowel is the combining form.
Combining forms usually describe a part of the body.
New words are created when combining forms are
added to prefixes, other combining forms, and suffixes.
For example, the term panleukopenia is composed of
the word parts
pan- (pahn), a prefix meaning all
leuk/o (loo-kō), a combining form meaning white
-penia (pē-nē-ah), a suffix meaning deficiency or
reduction in number
Panleukopenia is a deficiency of all types of white
blood cells.
Suffixes
Suffixes are attached to the end of a word part to modify
its meaning. For example, the combining form
gastr/o means stomach and can be modified using various
suffixes.
The suffix -tomy means cutting into or incision.
Gastrotomy is incision into the stomach.
The suffix -stomy means a surgically created opening.
Gastrostomy is a surgically created opening between
the stomach and the body surface.
The suffix -ectomy means surgical removal or excision.
Gastrectomy is surgical removal of the stomach.
Many suffixes can be grouped together by meaning or
by the category they modify. Initially, when learning
suffixes it is easiest if the learner groups them by meaning
or category.
“PERTAINING TO” SUFFIXES
-ac (ahck), as in cardiac (pertaining to the heart)
-al (ahl), as in renal (pertaining to the kidney)
-an (ahn), as in ovarian (pertaining to the ovary)
-ar (ahr), as in lumbar (pertaining to the loin)
-ary (ahr-ē), as in alimentary (pertaining to the gastrointestinal
tract)
-eal (ē-ahl), as in laryngeal (pertaining to the larynx)
-ic (ihck), as in enteric (pertaining to the intestines)
-ine (ihn), as in uterine (pertaining to the uterus)
-ous (uhs), as in cutaneous (pertaining to the skin)
-tic (tihck), as in nephrotic (pertaining to the kidneys)
SURGICAL SUFFIXES
-ectomy (ehck-tō-mē) surgical removal, as in
mastectomy, surgical removal of the breast or mammary
glands
-pexy (pehck-sē) suture to stabilize, as in
gastropexy, surgically stabilizing the stomach to the
abdominal wall
-plasty (plahs-tē) surgical repair, as in rhinoplasty,
surgical repair of the nose
-stomy (stō-mē) surgically created opening, as in
colostomy, a surgically created opening between the
colon and body surface
-tomy (tō-mē) cutting into, as in laparotomy, an
incision into the abdomen
PROCEDURAL SUFFIXES
Introduction to Medical Terminology 3
-centesis (sehn-tē-sihs) surgical puncture to remove
fluid or gas (either for diagnosis or to remove
excess fluid or gas), as in cystocentesis, a surgical
puncture of the urinary bladder with a needle to remove
fluid (urine)
-gram (grahm) record of, as in electrocardiogram,
the electrocardiographic hard copy
record
-graph (grahf) instrument that records (or used
as record), as in electrocardiograph, the machine
that records the electrical activity of the heart
-graphy (grahf-ē) procedure that records, as in
electrocardiography, the procedure used to record
the electrical activity of the heart
-lysis (lī-sihs) separation or breakdown, as in

4 Chapter 1
urinalysis, separation of the urine into its constituents
-scope (skōp) instrument to visually examine, as
in endoscope, an instrument used to visually examine
inside the body
-scopy (skōp-ē) procedure to visually examine, as
in endoscopy, the procedure of visually examining
inside the body
-therapy (thehr-ah-pē) treatment, as in chemotherapy,
treatment with chemical substances or
drugs
DOUBLE “R” SUFFIXES
-rrhagia or -rrhage (rā-jē-ah or rihdj) bursting
forth, as in hemorrhage, bursting forth of blood
from the vessels
-rrhaphy (rahf-ē) to suture, as in enterorrhaphy,
suturing of the intestines
-rrhea (rē-ah) flow, discharge, as in diarrhea,
complete discharge of the bowels
-rrhexis (rehck-sihs) rupture, as in myorrhexis,
rupture of the muscle
What is the difference between human and
veterinary medical terminology?
Most times, the medical terms used in human medical
settings are identical to the ones used in veterinary medical settings.
The greater number of species in veterinary medicine and
the addition of terms used in animal production greatly expand the
vocabulary of veterinary professionals. Species-specific anatomical
differences also influence the terms used in a specific area. Do
you know where the calf muscle is located on a person? Where is
the calf muscle in a calf?
CONDITIONAL SUFFIXES
-algia and -dynia (ahl-jē-ah or dihn-ē-ah) pain,
as in arthralgia and arthrodynia, or joint pain
-itis (ī-tihs) inflammation, as in hepatitis, inflammation
of the liver
-malacia (mah-lā-shē-ah) abnormal softening, as
in osteomalacia, abnormal softening of bone
-megaly (mehg-ah-lē) enlargement, as in cardiomegaly,
enlargement of the heart
-osis (ō-sihs) abnormal condition, as in cardiosis,
an abnormal condition of the heart
-pathy (pahth-ē) disease, as in enteropathy, disease
of the intestines
-sclerosis (skleh-rō-sihs) abnormal hardening, as in
arteriosclerosis, abnormal hardening of the arteries
-um (uhm) structure, as in pericardium, the
structure surrounding the heart
Noun
cyanosis
anemia
mucus
ilium
condyle
carpus
Suffix
-osis
-emia
-us
-um
-e
-us
Adjective
cyanotic
anemic
mucous
iliac
condylar
carpal
Suffix
-tic
Suffixes may change the part of speech of a word.
Different suffixes may change the word from a noun
(naming people, places, or things) to an adjective
(descriptor) (Figure 1-2). Examples of this include
cyanosis is a noun meaning condition of blue discoloration,
whereas cyanotic is an adjective
meaning pertaining to blue discoloration
anemia is a noun meaning a blood condition of deficient
red blood cells or hemoglobin, whereas
anemic is an adjective meaning pertaining to a
blood condition of deficient red blood cells or hemoglobin
mucus is a noun meaning a slime-like substance that is
composed of glandular secretion, salts, cells, and
leukocytes, whereas mucous is an adjective meaning
pertaining to mucus
ilium is a noun meaning a part of the hip, whereas iliac
is an adjective pertaining to the hip
condyle is a noun meaning a rounded projection on a
bone, whereas condylar is an adjective meaning pertaining
to a rounded projection on a bone
carpus is a noun meaning the joint between the radius
and ulna and metacarpal bones, whereas carpal is an
adjective meaning pertaining to the joint between
the radius and ulna and metacarpal bones
ANALYZING MEDICAL TERMS
Medical terminology can be more easily understood if
the following objectives are adhered to:
Dissect: First analyze the word structurally by dividing
it into its basic components.
Begin at the end: After dividing the word into its
basic parts, define the suffix first, the prefix second,
and then the roots. If there are two roots, divide each
and read them from left to right.
Anatomical order: Where body systems are involved,
the words usually are built in the order in
-ic
-ous
-ac
-ar
-al
FIGURE 1–2 Suffix variation depending on usage

which the organs occur in the body. For example,
gastroenteritis is the proper term for inflammation
of the stomach and small intestine. Because food
passes from the stomach into the small intestine, the
medical term for stomach appears before the medical
term for small intestine. The order of word parts
in a medical term may also represent the order of
blood flow through organs. The exception to this involves
some diagnostic procedures in which tools or
substances are passed retrograde or in the opposite
direction of anatomic order. In these cases the words
are built in the order in which the equipment passes
the body part.
Using these guidelines, analyze the term ovariohysterectomy.
First divide the term into its basic components:
ovari/o/hyster/ectomy. Defining from back to front, the
suffix -ectomy is surgical removal, one combining form
ovari/o means ovary,and the other combining form hysteri/o
means uterus. Together the term ovariohysterectomy
means surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.
This term is based on the order in which the ovaries and
uterus are found in the body.
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Proper pronunciation of medical terms takes time and
practice. Listening to how words are pronounced by
medical professionals and using medical dictionaries
and textbooks are the best ways to learn pronunciation.
There will be individual variations in geographic location
or personal preference. Medical dictionaries also
vary in how they present pronunciation of medical
terms. Some sources mark the syllable receiving the
greatest emphasis with a primary accent () and the
syllable receiving the second most emphasis with a secondary
accent (). Other sources boldface and capitalize
the syllable receiving the most emphasis, and other
sources do not emphasize syllables. Consult with your
reference before pronouncing the word.
General Pronunciation Guidelines
Vowels can either be short or long (Table 1–3).
Consonants are generally pronounced as in other
English words.
DOES SPELLING COUNT?
Be aware of spelling when using medical terminology.
Changing one or two letters can change the meaning of
a word. Hepatoma is a liver mass, whereas hematoma
is a mass or collection of blood. The urethra takes
urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the
body, whereas ureters collect urine from the kidney
Introduction to Medical Terminology 5
and transport it to the urinary bladder. Medical terms
may be pronounced the same but have different meanings,
so spelling is important. For example, ileum and
ilium are pronounced the same. However, ileum is the
distal part of the small intestine (e enter/o or
e eating), whereas ilium is part of the pelvic bone
(pelvic has i in it). Some medical terms actually have
the same spelling as terms used for other body parts.
For example, the combining form myel/o represents
the spinal cord and bone marrow (it originates from
the term meaning white substance). Other terms have
different spellings depending on how the term is used
grammatically. For example, when used as a noun
mucus (the slimy stuff secreted from mucous membranes)
is spelled differently than when it is used as an
adjective (as in mucous membrane).
When you are looking a medical term up in the
dictionary, spelling plays an important role.
TABLE 1–3
Pronunciation of Guide
Vowel Sound Example
“a” at the end of a word ah idea
“ae” followed by r or s ah aerobic
“i” at the end of a word ī bronchi
“oe” eh oestrogen (old
English form)
“oi” oy sarcoid
“eu” ū euthanasia
“ei” ī Einstein
“ai” ay air
“au” aw auditory
Exceptions to Consonant Pronunciations
Consonant Sound Example
“c” before e, i, and y s cecum
“c” before a, o, and u k cancer
“g” before e, i, and y j genetic
“g” before a, o, and u g gall
“ps” at beginning of word s psychology
“pn” at beginning of word n pneumonia
“c” at end of word k anemic
“cc” followed by i or y first c k, accident
second
c s
“ch” at beginning of word k chemistry
“cn” in middle of word both c (pro- gastrocnemius
nounce k)
and n (pro-
nounce ehn)
“mn” in middle of word both amnesia
m and n
“pt” at beginning of word t pterodactyl
“pt” in middle of word both p and t optical
“rh” r rhinoceros
“x” at beginning of word z xylophone

6 Chapter 1
However, the term may not be spelled the way it
sounds. The following guidelines can be used to find
a word in the dictionary:
If it sounds like f, it may begin with f or ph.
If it sounds like j, it may begin with g or j.
REVIEW EXERCISES
Matching: Match the word parts in Column I with the definition in Column II.
Column I Column II
1. -itis a. incision or cutting into
2. -gram b. before
3. post- c. surgical puncture to remove fluid
4. -tomy d. difficult, painful, or bad
5. pre- e. enlargement
6. -centesis f. excision or surgical removal
7. -therapy g. liver
8. dys- h. kidney
9. peri- i. inflammation
10. ren/o j. record
11. hepat/o k. after
12. -megaly l. treatment
13. -ectomy m. around
Write the medical term that represents the following definitions.
1. Pertaining to the stomach
2. Inflammation of the liver
3. Abnormal softening of bone
4. Joint pain
5. Procedure to visually examine inside the body
6. Heart enlargement
7. Pertaining to the kidney
8. Bursting forth of blood from vessels
9. Suturing of stomach to body wall
10. Treatment with chemicals or drugs
Multiple Choice: Choose the correct answer.
1. The prefix means away from midline.
a. adb.abc.exd.
endo-
2. The suffix means instrument to visually
examine.
a. -ectomy
b. -scope
c. -scopy
d. -graphy
If it sounds like k, it may begin with c, ch, k, or qu.
If it sounds like s, it may begin with c, ps, or s.
If it sounds like z, it may begin with x or z.
3. The prefix means elevated, while the prefix
means depressed.
a. pre-, postb.
endo-, exoc.
hyper-, hypod.
inter-, intra-
4. The suffix means pertaining to.
a. -al
b. -ary or -ar
c. -ic
d. all of the above

5. The suffix means incision.
a. -ex
b. -tomy
c. -ectomy
d. -graphy
6. The suffix means abnormal condition.
a. -osis
b. -rrhea
c. -rrhagia
d. -uria
7. The suffix means separation or breaking
into parts.
a. -gram
b. -pexy
c. -um
d. -lysis
8. The prefix means below.
a. suprab.superc.interd.
sub-
9. The prefix(es) means many.
a. oligb.
a-, anc.polyd.
eu-
10. The prefix(es) means without or no.
a. a-, anb.oligc.dysd.
hyper-
11. The suffix -algia means
a. pain
b. excessive
c. liver
d. abnormal condition
12. The prefix pre- means
a. after
b. around
c. before
d. during
Word Part Identification: Underline the word root(s) in the following terms.
1. hepat/itis
2. gastr/o/intestin/al
3. cardi/o/logy
Introduction to Medical Terminology 7
13. An instrument to visually examine may have which
suffix in its term?
a. –lysis
b. –scope
c. –rrhexis
d. –scopy
14. Which type of word part is always placed at the end of
a term?
a. combining form
b. prefix
c. suffix
d. root
15. Which type of word part is always placed at the beginning
of a term?
a. combining form
b. prefix
c. suffix
d. root
16. Which word part gives the essential meaning of a term?
a. combining form
b. prefix
c. suffix
d. root
17. Which word association is incorrect?
a. inter- means between
b. sub- means below, under, or less
c. an- means without or no
d. ad- means away from
18. Which suffix means to rupture?
a. -rrhage
b. -rrhaphy
c. -rrhea
d. -rrhexis
19. Which prefix means around?
a. hyperb.hypoc.perid.
supra-
20. In the term panleukopenia, the “o” between the “leuk”
and “penia” is called
a. a combining form
b. a suffix
c. a combining vowel
d. a root
4. intra/ven/ous
5. nephr/osis

8 Chapter 1
Underline the suffix in the following terms.
6. hepat/itis
7. gastr/o/intestin/al
8. cardi/o/logy
9. intra/ven/ous
10. nephr/osis
Underline the prefix in the following terms.
11. hyper/secretion
12. peri/card/itis
13. endo/cardi/um
14. poly/uria
15. ur/o/lith
Case Study: Fill in the blanks to complete the case history.
A 5-yr-old M, neutered cat is presented to a veterinary clinic
with (painful urination) and
(scant urine production). Upon examination the abdomen
is palpated and (an enlarged urinary bladder)
is noted. After completing the examination, the veterinarian
suspects an obstruction of the (the tube
that carries urine from the urinary bladder to outside the
body). Blood is taken for analysis, and the cat is admitted
to the clinic. The cat is anesthetized, and a urinary catheter
is passed. Urine is collected for (breakdown of
urine into its components). In addition to the obstruction,
the cat is treated for (inflammation of the
urinary bladder).
In this case study, the meanings of some unfamiliar
medical terms (underlined) cannot be understood by
breaking up the term into its basic components. Using
a dictionary or dictionary Web site, define the following
medical terms
1. palpated
2. obstruction
3. catheter