Medical Terminology Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Medical terminology is akin to learning a new language.
• Words can be broken down into components: prefix, root, and suffix.

Word Structure

• Prefix: Describes number, amount, size, location, color, etc.
• Root: Subject of the word, often a body part.
• Suffix: Condition of the word, detailing process, procedure, amount, location, etc.

Common Prefixes

Size and Amount

• Macro: Large, visible to the naked eye.
• Micro: Small, not visible to the naked eye.
• Hyper: High, above normal, elevated.
• Hypo: Low, below normal, decreased.
• Eu- / Normo-: Normal condition.
• Pan / Omni: All.
• A / An: Absent or lacking.
• Megalo: Large or larger than average.

Numerical

• Mono: Single.
• Di: Double.
• Tri: Triple.
• Quad: Quadruple.
• Poly: Many.
• Oligo: Few or very little.

Speed

• Tachy: Fast.
• Brady / Brachy: Slow.

Location

• Epi / Peri / Circum: Around.
• Endo / Intra: Inside.
• Exo / Extra: Outside.
• Inter: Between.
• Trans: Across.
• Dia / Per: Through or complete.
• Medi: Middle.
• Para: Nearby.
• Juxta: Next to or beside.

Movement

• AB: Away.
• Ad: Towards.
• Dis: Separate.

Colors

• Chromo / Chromato: Color.
• Leuko: White.
• Erythro: Red.
• Cyano: Blue.
• Chloro: Green.
• Melan / Melano: Black.
• Flav: Yellow.

Body Parts

• Homeo: Body.
• Cephalo: Head.
• Cerv: Neck.
• Thoraco: Chest.
• Abdomino: Abdomen.
• Pelvo: Pelvis.
• Periton: Peritoneum.
• Derm: Skin.
• Neuro: Nerve.
• Hemo: Blood.
• Arterio / Angio: Arteries.
• Veno / Vena: Veins.
• Vasculo: Vascular.
• Musculo / Sarco: Muscle.
• Skelet- / Osteo: Bone.
• Cyto: Cell.

Neck and Thoracic Organs

• Thyro: Thyroid.
• Tracheo: Trachea.
• Esophago / Esophageo: Esophagus.
• Thymo: Thymus.
• Masto / Mammo: Mammary gland.
• Pulmo / Pneumo: Lung.
• Cardio: Heart.

Abdominal Organs

• Gastro: Stomach.
• Hepato: Liver.
• Cholecysto: Gallbladder.
• Spleno: Spleen.
• Pancreato: Pancreas.
• Adreno: Adrenal gland.
• Nephro: Kidney.
• Entero: Intestine.
• Colo: Colon or large intestine.

Common Suffixes

• -ology: Study of.
• -philia: Love of.
• -phobia: Fear of.
• -tension: Pressure.
• -xia: Oxygen.
• -capnea: Carbon dioxide.
• -pnea: Air.
• -ase: Enzyme.

Conclusion

• Next lesson will cover suffixes related to disease states and processes.
• Will include practice problems.
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