The Basics Of Medical
Terminology
Session 1
Tutors:
Dima Hiwa
Sana Shirwan
Learning Objectives
Explain what medical terminology is and its importance.
Identify common prefixes, roots and suffixes used in medical
terms.
Explain the Greeks and Latin origins of the major medical
terms.
Construct new terms by combining appropriate word
elements.
Recognize patterns that help interpret unfamiliar terminology.
Pronounce and spell medical terms accurately and confidently.
Medical Terminology
Is a language that is used to describe anatomical
structures, processes, conditions, medical
procedures, and treatments.
Importance of Medical Terminology
Allows clear communication among healthcare professionals.
Accuracy in documentation for medical coding.
Efficiency in Healthcare.
Basic Word Elements
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] Vowel
[Link]
A Prefix is a word element that appears at the
beginning of a word, usually indicating locations,
directions, types, quality and quantities.
Common Prefixes
Size and amount
A/An (without,absent)
Macro (large)
Micro (small)
Hyper (excessive,above)
Hypo (deficient,below)
Eu (normal)
Common Prefixes example
A/An(without,absent)
Example: Apnea= Without Breathing.
Common Prefixes
Numbers and measurements
Mono/uni (one)
Bi/Di (two)
Tri (three)
Quadr/i (four)
Poly (many)
Oligo (few)
Hemi/semi (half)
Common Prefixes example
Poly(many)
Example: Polydactyly= Extra fingers/toes.
Common Prefixes
Color
Process Leuko (white)
Dys (painful,difficult) Erythro (red)
Meta (change) Cyano (blue)
Mal (abnormal) Melan (black)
Movements Speed
Ab (away from) Tachy (fast)
Ad (to,toward,near) Brady (slow)
Common Prefixes
Locations
Epi (upon)
Super/Supra (above)
Infra (below)
Sub (below,deficient)
En/Endo (within)
Intra (within)
Para (alongside,next to)
Common prefixes
Anti (against)
Ante (before,infront of)
Post (after,behind)
Pre/Pro (before)
Inter (between)
Circum (around)
Peri (around)
Con (together,with)
Common Prefixes Example
Con(With)
Example: Congenital= With Birth .
[Link] Root
Word Root is the main part and core of medical terms, a word
root may be used alone or with other elements to form a
complete word.
Often Originate from Greek or Latin.
[Link] Root
Sometimes different roots give the same meaning
like 'Dermatos' in Greek and 'Cutane' in Latin, both
referring to the skin.
Greek roots describe medical conditions, while
Latin roots describe anatomy.
History of Medical Terminology
Medicine began in Ancient Greece, by Hippocrates and
was later adopted by the Romans, making Greek and
Latin the original languages of medical science and the
lasting foundation of medical terminology.
Word Root Examples:
Greek word (cardi) is a root =Heart.
Latin word (pulmo) is a root = Lung.
Both Greek + Latin roots:
nephr (Greek), ren (Latin) = Kidney.
The same root may have different meanings:
-myel
[Link] = Bone marrow cells
[Link] = Spinal cord inflammation
[Link]
A suffix is added to the end of a word root or combining form
to modify its meaning. may indicate a specialty, test,
procedure,function,disorder, or status.
Common Suffixes
Common adjectives and nouns
-ac/-al/-ar/-ary/-eal/-ic/-tic (pertaining to)
-ous (full of/pertaining to)
-ism/-ia (condition)
Example:
Albinism= albin(White) + ism(Condition)
Common suffixes
Conditions and Disease
-plegia (paralysis)
-plasia (formation/growth)
-phasia (speech)
-phagia (eating/swallowing)
-lepsy (seizure)
-pepsia (digestion)
-penia (decrease/deficiency)
Common Suffix Example:
Pepsia ( Digestion )
Example: Dyspepsia= Indigestion.
Common Suffixes
Conditions and diseases
-algia/-dynia (pain)
-emia (blood conditions)
-itis (inflammation)
-malacia (softening)
-osis (abnormal conditions)
-megaly (enlargement)
Common Suffixes
Procedures
-ectomy (excision)
-tomy (incision)
-stomy (creating an opening)
-plasty (surgical repair)
-centesis (puncture for aspiration)
-tripsy (Crushing)
-rrhaphy (suture)
Common Suffix Example:
Plasty (Surgical repair)
Example: Rhinoplasty= nose job.
Common Suffix Examples:
Tracheostomy Amniocentesis
Laparotomy
Arthrocentesis
Common Suffixes
Body functions and processes
-pnea (breathing)
-acusis (hearing)
-rrhage/rrhagia (to burst forth)
-rrhea (discharge)
-emesis (vomiting)
-lysis (breakdown/dissolution)
-rrhexis (rupture)
Common Suffixes example:
Rrhexis ( Rupture)
Example: Angiorrhexis=Rupture of Blood Vessels.
Common Suffixes
Diagnostic tests and recordings
-gram (record)
-graphy (process of recording)
-scope (instrument for examination)
-scopy (process of examination)
-meter (instrument for measuring)
Common Suffixes example
scope (instrument for examination)
Example: Gastroscope = instrument for examining stomach.
Common Suffixes
Specialties
-logy (study of)
-logist (one who specializes in the study of)
-iatric/iatry (treatment)
Others
-oma (tumor)
-cele (pouching/hernia)
-arche (beginning)
-ium (structure/tissue)
-y (condition/process of)
Common Suffixes example
Cele (Hernia)
Example: Abdominocele = Herniation of Abdomen.
[Link] vowel
Typically the letter 'O' but others may be used.
Combination of a word root with a vowel makes Combining
Form.
Typically used to connect two word roots or a word root and a
suffix.
Not used between a prefix and a root.
Combining Form Meaning
bi/o life
Carcin/o cancer
Cardi/o heart
Chem/o chemical
2 Types of Words:
I. Simple Words:
Consist of only one root(e.g.,femur...).
II. Compound Words:
Consist of two or more roots(e.g.,Cardiovascular).
Building Medical Words:
Rule 1:
Word root + Suffix (begins with vowel)
E.g., Gastr + itis = Gastritis
Cardi + itis = Carditis
Building Medical Words:
Rule 2:
Word root + vowel + Suffix (starts with consonant)
E.g., Cardi + o + megaly = Cardiomegaly
Building Medical Words:
Rule 3:
Word root + vowel + Word root + Suffix
E.g., Gastr + o + enter + itis = Gastroenteritis
Note: Prefixes can be used with the other rules
Common Misnomers:
Mistaken for: Actual meaning:
Anemia Absence of blood Blood deficiency
Leukemia White blood Blood cancer
Hemophilia Blood loving Clotting deficiency
Summary of the session:
Medical terminology is a structured language used to describe
anatomical structures, conditions, procedures and processes.
The basic word elements include prefixes (at the beginning), root
words, suffixes (at the end)and combining vowels, each
contributing to a specific meaning.
Most medical terms originate from Greek and Latin, forming the
historical foundation of modern medical vocabulary.
Thanks for
Listening!
Any Questions?