Chapter 5: Medical Terminology Flashcards
What are the components of a medical term?
Word Root - The foundation of the word
Prefix - What Occurs before the Word Root
Suffix - What occurs after the word root
Combining vowel - a vowel that joins one or more word roots to other components or terms
Thinking in terms of the pre-root-suffix structure, break down Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
cardio - root word meaning heart
pulmon - root word meaning lungs
By performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation you are introducing air into the lungs and circulating blood by compressing the heart to resuscitate the patient.
What does a medical prefix usually describe?
Found at the beginning of a word a prefix generally describes location and intensity and give the root word a specific meaning.
EX. pnea - root word for breathing
a/pnea - without breathing
brady/pnea - slow breathing
tachy/pnea - fast breathing
What is a word root and what does it mean in medical terminology?
The main part of a word the word root (or root word) conveys the essential meaning of a word and frequently indicates a body part, organ or organ system. Adding a prefix or suffix creates a term and changing the prefix or suffix will change the meaning of the term.
EX. pnea - root word for breathing
a/pnea - without breathing
brady/pnea - slow breathing
tachy/pnea - fast breathing
What does a medical suffix usually describe?
Suffixes appear at the end of words and usually indicate a procedure, condition, disease or part of speech.
EX.
-itis - inflamation
arthro - joint
arthr/itis - inflamation of the joints
What is a combining vowel in medical terminology?
A combining vowel is the part of a term that connects a word root to a suffix or another root word. Usually used when joining a suffix that begins with a consonant or when joining another word root. The combining vowel often helps ease the pronunciation of a term.
EX.
gastr/o + enter/o + logy
Stomach + small intestines + the study of
The combining vowel is used twice (“o”), without which the word becomes a mouthful - gasterenterlogy
What are the word building rules?
- The prefix is always at the beginning of a term; however, not all terms will have a prefix.
- The suffix is always at the end of the term.
- When a suffix begins with a consonant, a combining vowel is used between the word root and suffix to make pronunciation easier.
- When a term has more than one word root, a combining vowel must be placed between the two word roots, even if the second root begins with a vowel.
When combining words into a medical term, where do you place a combining vowel?
- When a suffix begins with a consonant, a combining vowel is used between the word root and suffix to make pronunciation easier.
- When a term has more than one word root, a combining vowel must be placed between the two word roots, even if the second root begins with a vowel.
What are the rules regarding plural endings in medical terminology?
- Singular words that end in a change to ae when plural.
Example: vertebra becomes vertebrae. - Singular words that end in is change to es when plural.
Example: diagnosis becomes diagnoses. - Singular words that end in ex or ix change to ices.
Example: apex becomes apices. - Singular words that end in on or um change to a.
Examples: ganglion becomes ganglia, ovum becomes ova. - Singular words that end in us change to i.
Example: bronchus becomes bronchi.
When pluralizing vertebra what rule are we following?
- Singular words that end in a change to ae when plural.
Example: vertebra becomes vertebrae.
When pluralizing diagnosis what rule are we following?
- Singular words that end in is change to es when plural.
Example: diagnosis becomes diagnoses.
When pluralizing apex what rule are we following?
- Singular words that end in ex or ix change to ices.
Example: apex becomes apices
When pluralizing ganglion what rule are we following?
- Singular words that end in on or um change to a.
Examples: ganglion becomes ganglia, ovum becomes ova.
When pluralizing bronchus what rule are we following?
- Singular words that end in us change to i.
Example: bronchus becomes bronchi.
What is the directional term associated with the front and back?
Anterior (ventral) - The front surface of the body
Posterior (dorsal) - The back surface of the body
What are the directional terms associated with Top and Bottom?
Superior - Closest to the head
Inferior - Closest to the feet
What are the directional terms associated with Closest and Farthest?
Proximal - Closest to the point of attachment
Distal - Farthest from the point of attachment
What are the directional terms associated with Middle and Side?
Medial - Closest to the midline
Lateral - Farthest from the midline
Define Flexion
Flexion is decreasing the angle of the joint
Define Extension
Extension is increasing the angle of the joint
Define Adduction?
Adduction is motion towards the midline
Define Abduction?
Abduction is motion away from the midline
