Overview
This lecture introduces the structure of medical terms, focusing on roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms, and explains their meanings and how they build medical vocabulary.
Word Elements in Medical Terms
- Medical terms are divided into word elements: prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
- The root is the core element of any term and is usually of Greek or Latin origin.
- Prefixes come before the root and modify its meaning.
- Suffixes come at the end and can indicate procedures, conditions, or specialists.
- A root plus a combining vowel creates a combining form (e.g., pneum/o).
Common Roots and Combining Forms
- Common roots: pneum- (lung/air), pulmon- (lung), respir- (to breathe), bronch- (bronchus), hem- (blood), dermat- (skin), arthr- (joint).
- Combining forms: pneum/o (lung/air), pulmon/o (lung), bronch/o (bronchus), respir/a (breathing).
- Combining vowels (usually 'o' or 'a') are used to connect roots and suffixes/other roots.
Common Suffixes and Their Meanings
- -thorax (chest), -logist (one who studies), -logy (study of), -plasty (surgical repair), -rrhaphy (surgical suture), -scopy (visual examination), -desis (fixation), -algia (pain), -itis (inflammation), -lysis (destruction), -osis (condition), -centesis (surgical puncture), -stomy (formation of opening), -tripsy (crushing).
- Adjectival suffixes: -ac, -al, -ary (all mean "pertaining to").
Sample Medical Terms and Definitions
- Hemopneumothorax: blood and air in the chest.
- Dermatologist: one who studies the skin.
- Gastroenterology: study of the intestines and stomach.
- Neurology: study of diseases of the nervous system.
- Arthroscopy: visual examination of a joint.
- Arthrodesis: surgical fixation of a joint.
- Arthroplasty: surgical repair of a joint.
- Cyanosis: blue coloration of blood from lack of oxygen.
- Rhinitis: inflammation of the nose.
- Patent: open.
- Toxin: poison.
- Malleolus: bony protuberance in the ankle.
- Myology: study of muscle structure and function.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Root — basic meaning of a word, often a body part.
- Combining vowel — usually 'o' or 'a', connects roots to suffixes or another root.
- Combining form — root plus combining vowel (e.g., pulmon/o).
- Prefix — element before the root, alters meaning.
- Suffix — element after the root, indicates procedure or condition.
- Diagnostic suffix — identifies the nature of an illness (e.g., -osis, -itis).
- Surgical suffix — refers to surgical procedures (e.g., -plasty, -desis).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions and examples of roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
- Memorize common combining forms and their meanings.
- Practice building and breaking down medical terms using these word elements.