Overview
This lecture explains how to break down and understand complex medical terms, using "hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy" as the main example, and describes strategies for learning medical terminology.
Basics of Medical Terminology
- Medical terms are often created by combining prefixes, suffixes, and word roots.
- Prefixes appear at the beginning to make a word more specific.
- Suffixes are added at the end to indicate conditions or actions, such as "-ectomy" for surgical removal.
- Word roots are the main subject or body part referenced in the term.
- Medical terms are typically analyzed from right (suffix) to left (prefix).
Deciphering Medical Terms
- To understand a term, start with the suffix, move to the word root, and end with the prefix.
- Example: "Cardiomegaly" — "megaly" (enlargement) + "cardi/o" (heart) = enlargement of the heart.
- Example: "Appendicitis" — "itis" (inflammation) + "append" (appendix) = inflammation of the appendix.
- Example: "Pseudoappendicitis" — "pseudo" (false) + "appendicitis" = false inflammation of the appendix.
Combining Vowels and Pronunciation
- Combining vowels (usually "o") are used for easier pronunciation, not to change meaning.
- Use a combining vowel if the suffix starts with a consonant (e.g., "encephalogram").
- Do not use a combining vowel if the suffix starts with a vowel (e.g., "encephalitis").
- Combining vowels can also join two word roots.
Example: Hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy
- Suffix: "-ectomy" (surgical removal)
- Roots: "oophor/o" (ovary), "salping/o" (fallopian tube), "hyster/o" (uterus)
- The term means surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Strategies for Learning Medical Terms
- Learning prefixes, suffixes, and word roots helps with understanding many medical terms.
- Flashcards are effective for memorizing medical term elements.
- Applying learned terms during anatomy and physiology lessons reinforces understanding.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Prefix — syllable placed at the beginning to modify meaning
- Suffix — syllable at the end indicating condition or action (e.g., "-ectomy": removal)
- Word root — main part of the word, usually a body part or system
- Combining vowel — usually "o," added for easier pronunciation
- Hystero — uterus
- Salpingo — fallopian tube
- Oophoro — ovary
- -ectomy — surgical removal
Action Items / Next Steps
- Make flashcards for commonly used prefixes, suffixes, and word roots.
- Practice breaking down unfamiliar medical terms into their components.
- Apply knowledge by learning terms as you study each organ system.