Medical Terminology Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Instructor: Sean Holt
• Organization: RC Health Services
• Chapter: 5 - Medical Terminology
• Importance: Essential for communication and documentation in EMS and healthcare.

Structure of Medical Terms

• Components: Word Root, Prefix, Suffix, Combining Vowels
  • Word Root: Foundation of the word; indicates body parts.
  • Prefix: Occurs before the word root; indicates location, intensity.
  • Suffix: Occurs after the word root; indicates procedure, condition, disease.
  • Combining Vowels: Typically 'o'; connects roots to suffixes or other roots.

Examples

• Facia (s): Means speaking.
• Phasia (g): Means eating or swallowing.
• Dysphasia: Difficulty speaking.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty eating or swallowing.

Word Roots

• Essential meaning of the word.
• May have multiple roots (e.g., cardiopulmonary: cardio=heart, pulmon=lungs).

Prefixes

• Describe location, intensity.
• Provide specific meaning to a term.

Suffixes

• Indicate procedure, condition, or disease.

Combining Vowels

• Used to ease pronunciation.
• Example: Combining 'o' or 'i' between roots or suffixes.

Plural Endings

• Rules for conversion:
  • 'a' to 'ae' (vertebra to vertebrae).
  • 'is' to 'es' (diagnosis to diagnoses).
  • 'ex' or 'ix' to 'ices' (apex to apices).
  • 'on' or 'um' to 'a' (ganglion to ganglia).
  • 'us' to 'i' (bronchus to bronchi).

Special Word Parts

• Numbers: Indicate parts or sides (e.g., uni, bi).
• Colors: (e.g., cyanosis for blue).
• Positions & Directions: (e.g., ab, ad, peri, trans).

Directional Terms

• Right/Left: Patient's perspective.
• Superior/Inferior: Closer to head/feet.
• Lateral/Medial: Farther/closer to midline.
• Proximal/Distal: Closer/farther from trunk.
• Superficial/Deep: Closer/farther from skin.
• Ventral/Dorsal: Belly/spinal side.

Movement Terms

• Flexion: Bending joint.
• Extension: Straightening joint.
• Adduction: Toward midline.
• Abduction: Away from midline.

Anatomic Positions

• Prone: Face down.
• Supine: Face up.
• Fowler: Semi-reclining.
  • Semi-Fowler: 45-degree angle.
  • High-Fowler: 90-degree angle.

Breaking Down Terms

• Use suffix, prefix, then word root.
• Examples:
  • Nephropathy: Disease of the kidney.
  • Dysuria: Painful urination.
  • Hyperemesis: Excessive vomiting.
  • Analgesic: Pertains to no pain.

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols

• Purpose: Faster communication.
• Guidelines: Use commonly understood abbreviations to avoid errors.
  • Joint Commission and ISMP provide do-not-use lists.

Exam Questions

1. Word Root: Essential meaning.
2. Prefixes: Indicate color.
3. Bronchus plural: Bronchi.
4. Lungs superior to bladder: Closer to head.
5. Movement toward midline: Adduction.
6. Closer to midline: Medial.
7. Belly side of body: Ventral.
8. Semi-Fowler position: 45-degree angle.
9. Plantar surface laceration: Sole of foot.
10. Use of abbreviations: Use medically accepted ones, familiarize with agency standards.

Conclusion

• Speaker: Sean Holt
• Organization: RC Health Services
• Closing: Thanks for attending.