HRPT 2303
Technical language of medicine is derived from Latin and Greek.
[2024-08-26] Monday
Roots
Suffixes and prefixes combined with root words is what makes up medical terminology. Every medical term has
a ‘root’…EX: pneumonia… ‘pneum’ is taken from the Greek word for lung/air.
Some words already sound similar to their meaning, easy to pin-poin their meanings. Roots are often connected
to the remaining full form by using a ‘combining vowel’
When more than two roots occur it is always joined by a combining vowel.
Hem- = blood
Pneum- or Pulmon- = air/lung
Thorax- = Chest
So added together, Hemopnuemothorax, is the presence of blood in the air within the lungs.
REMEMBER: DIFFERENT ROOTS CAN HAVE THE SAME MEANING
Suffi xes
Suffixes come at the end of the word, usually giving the word a new meaning.
-ary = pertaining to/ relating to
So adding that suffix to ‘pulmon’, would create ‘pulmonary’ or ‘in relation to the lungs.
-logy = study of
-ia = condition of
-ation = process
-itis = inflammation
,EX: Respir+ation= Respiration, which is the process of breathing.
A suffix changes the meaning of the word.
Prefixes
Prefixes. Usually indicate time, number, size, or location
Later- = side
-al = pertaining to
Lateral = pertaining to the side
Gastr- = stomach
Epi- = above the stomach
HYPO = less than/below/too little
HYPER = more than/above/too much
Peri- = around
Post- = after
Pre- = before
Macro- = large
Micro- = small
A root can start a term and does not have to become a prefix nor a suffix
[2024-08-27] Tuesday
WAD - Word Analysis and Definition
W ord Deconstruction
My-= muscle
-um = structure
,-al = pertaining to
Myocardial = pertaining to the heart muscle
-pathy = disease
-emia = blood condition
Isch- = to block
Isch+emia= Ischemia or the blockage of blood flow
Myocardial Ischemia = the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle
Dia- = complete
Pro- = prior/before
-gnosis = knowledge of an abnormal condition
-gram = record
-emic = pertaining to a condition of the blood
Isch+emic= Ischemic or pertaining to a blockage of blood flow
Always begin deconstructing a medical term by identifying its suffi x
Abbreviation are listed in Abbreviation Boxes throughout the book
-farct = area of dead tissue
Plurals
-a -> -ae
-ax -> -aces
-en -> -ina
-ex -> -ices
-is -> -es
-is -> -ides
-ix -> -ices
-ma -> -mata
-on -> -a
-um -> -a
-us -> -era
-us -> -i
-us -> -ora
, -x -> -ges
-y -> -ies
-yx -> -ices
Hypotensive = low blood pressure
Hypertensive = high blood pressure
Communication
Know the difference between homophones
EX:
Ilium and Ileum
Mucus and Mucous
Know the difference between homographs
EX: cervical
Relating to the neck
OR
The cervix of the uterus
Careful when pronouncing, some words could be interpreted different
Prostate and Prostrate
Reflex and Reflux
Many words, when they are written or pronounced, have an element that if misspelled or
mispronounced gives the intended word an entirely different meaning. A treatment response to the
different meaning could cause a medical error or even the death of a patient.
Precision in written and verbal communication is essential to prevent errors in patient care.
The medical record in which you document a patient’s care and your action is a legal document. It can
be used in court as evidence in professional medical liability cases.
Communicate verbally and in writing with attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Technical language of medicine is derived from Latin and Greek.
[2024-08-26] Monday
Roots
Suffixes and prefixes combined with root words is what makes up medical terminology. Every medical term has
a ‘root’…EX: pneumonia… ‘pneum’ is taken from the Greek word for lung/air.
Some words already sound similar to their meaning, easy to pin-poin their meanings. Roots are often connected
to the remaining full form by using a ‘combining vowel’
When more than two roots occur it is always joined by a combining vowel.
Hem- = blood
Pneum- or Pulmon- = air/lung
Thorax- = Chest
So added together, Hemopnuemothorax, is the presence of blood in the air within the lungs.
REMEMBER: DIFFERENT ROOTS CAN HAVE THE SAME MEANING
Suffi xes
Suffixes come at the end of the word, usually giving the word a new meaning.
-ary = pertaining to/ relating to
So adding that suffix to ‘pulmon’, would create ‘pulmonary’ or ‘in relation to the lungs.
-logy = study of
-ia = condition of
-ation = process
-itis = inflammation
,EX: Respir+ation= Respiration, which is the process of breathing.
A suffix changes the meaning of the word.
Prefixes
Prefixes. Usually indicate time, number, size, or location
Later- = side
-al = pertaining to
Lateral = pertaining to the side
Gastr- = stomach
Epi- = above the stomach
HYPO = less than/below/too little
HYPER = more than/above/too much
Peri- = around
Post- = after
Pre- = before
Macro- = large
Micro- = small
A root can start a term and does not have to become a prefix nor a suffix
[2024-08-27] Tuesday
WAD - Word Analysis and Definition
W ord Deconstruction
My-= muscle
-um = structure
,-al = pertaining to
Myocardial = pertaining to the heart muscle
-pathy = disease
-emia = blood condition
Isch- = to block
Isch+emia= Ischemia or the blockage of blood flow
Myocardial Ischemia = the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle
Dia- = complete
Pro- = prior/before
-gnosis = knowledge of an abnormal condition
-gram = record
-emic = pertaining to a condition of the blood
Isch+emic= Ischemic or pertaining to a blockage of blood flow
Always begin deconstructing a medical term by identifying its suffi x
Abbreviation are listed in Abbreviation Boxes throughout the book
-farct = area of dead tissue
Plurals
-a -> -ae
-ax -> -aces
-en -> -ina
-ex -> -ices
-is -> -es
-is -> -ides
-ix -> -ices
-ma -> -mata
-on -> -a
-um -> -a
-us -> -era
-us -> -i
-us -> -ora
, -x -> -ges
-y -> -ies
-yx -> -ices
Hypotensive = low blood pressure
Hypertensive = high blood pressure
Communication
Know the difference between homophones
EX:
Ilium and Ileum
Mucus and Mucous
Know the difference between homographs
EX: cervical
Relating to the neck
OR
The cervix of the uterus
Careful when pronouncing, some words could be interpreted different
Prostate and Prostrate
Reflex and Reflux
Many words, when they are written or pronounced, have an element that if misspelled or
mispronounced gives the intended word an entirely different meaning. A treatment response to the
different meaning could cause a medical error or even the death of a patient.
Precision in written and verbal communication is essential to prevent errors in patient care.
The medical record in which you document a patient’s care and your action is a legal document. It can
be used in court as evidence in professional medical liability cases.
Communicate verbally and in writing with attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
