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Understanding Medical Terminology Basics

Sep 10, 2024

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Medical Terminology Overview

Introduction

  • Medical terminology is akin to learning a new language.
  • Words are broken down into three parts:
    • Prefix: Describes number, size, location, color, etc.
    • Root: The main subject, often a body part.
    • Suffix: Describes condition, process, or procedure.

Common Prefixes

  1. Size & Visibility
    • Macro: Large, visible to the naked eye.
    • Micro: Small, not visible to the naked eye.
  2. Amount
    • Hyper: High, above normal.
    • Hypo: Low, below normal.
    • Eu-/Normo-: Normal condition.
    • Pan/Omni: All-encompassing.
    • A/An: Absent or lacking.
    • Megalo: Larger than average.
  3. Numerical
    • Mono: Single.
    • Di: Two.
    • Tri: Three.
    • Quad: Four.
    • Poly: Many.
    • Oligo: Few or little.
  4. Speed
    • Tachy: Rapid or fast.
    • Brady/Brachy: Slow.
  5. 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.
  6. Movement
    • AB: Away from.
    • Ad: Toward.
    • Dis: Separate.
  7. Color
    • Chromo/Chromato: Color.
    • Leuko: White.
    • Erythro: Red.
    • Cyano: Blue.
    • Chloro: Green.
    • Melan/Melano: Black.
    • Flav: Yellow.

Body Terms

  • 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.

Thoracic and Abdominal Organs

  • Thyro: Thyroid.
  • Tracheo: Trachea.
  • Esophago: Esophagus.
  • Thymo: Thymus.
  • Masto/Mammo: Breast.
  • Pulmo/Pneumo: Lung.
  • Cardio: Heart.
  • Gastro: Stomach.
  • Hepato: Liver.
  • Cholecysto: Gallbladder.
  • Spleno: Spleen.
  • Pancreato: Pancreas.
  • Adreno: Adrenal gland.
  • Nephro: Kidney.
  • Entero: Intestine.
  • Colo: Colon.

Common Suffixes

  • -ology: Study of.
  • -philia: Love of.
  • -phobia: Fear of.
  • -tension: Pressure.
  • -xia: Condition relating to oxygen.
  • -capnea: Related to carbon dioxide.
  • -pnea: Related to air or breathing.
  • -ase: Enzyme.

Conclusion

  • Future lessons will cover suffixes related to diseases and practice problems.
  • Encouragement to like and subscribe.

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