Lecture Notes: Medical Terminology Lecture

Introduction

• Overview of medical terminology
• Importance in healthcare professions

Word Structure

• Root words
  • Foundation of medical terms
  • Often indicate a body part
• Prefixes
  • Added to the beginning of words
  • Modify the meaning of the root
  • Examples: "pre-" (before), "post-" (after)
• Suffixes
  • Added to the end of words
  • Often indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease
  • Examples: "-itis" (inflammation), "-ectomy" (removal)

Combining Forms

• Combination of the root and a vowel
• Eases the pronunciation of medical terms
• Example: "oste/o" (bone)

Common Medical Terms

• Definitions and uses
• Example terms:
  • "cardiologist"
  • "neurology"
  • "gastroenteritis"

Clinical Application

• Using medical terminology in patient records
• Communication between healthcare professionals
• Importance of accuracy and clarity

Summary

• Mastery of terminology improves communication
• Reduces errors in the healthcare setting
• Enhances professional development

Resources for Further Study

• Flashcards
• Online courses
• Medical dictionaries

These notes provide a structured overview of the key components and significance of medical terminology, crucial for anyone in the healthcare field.