Introduction to Medical Terminology

Medical terms are composed of parts. These parts can be easily learned and recognized through a systematic process. The usual approach to learning medical terms is to examine body system roots, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes. Each body system has its own set of specialized word parts and words to describe the general structure of that system, along with its anatomy and physiology and the pathological conditions that affect the system. Depending upon how they are classified, there are 11 to 12 body systems. In this course, we will look at 12 body systems.

The first step in the process is to learn the component parts, what they mean, and how they combine to form words.

Please note, many of the colored words in this lecture display hidden content when you roll your mouse over them.

Word parts are key in learning medical terminology. There are five basic types of word parts used to create complex medical terms:

• Word roots
• Combining vowels
• Combining forms
• Suffixes
• Prefixes

Word Parts Explanation
Word Part	Explanation
arthr / o / scope	The combining vowel (o) acts as a bridge to link a root to a root or a root to a suffix. In this example, the "o" joins the root (arthr) to the suffix (- scope).
arthr / itis	The combining vowel is dropped when the suffix (-itis) begins with a vowel. (A vowel is a, e, i, o, and sometimes u.)
arthr / o / scope	To read a medical term, start first with the suffix, which comes at the end of the word. Define the suffix. (- scope means an instrument to visually examine.) Move to the beginning of the term. Define the root. (arthr- means a joint.) So the meaning of arthroscope is an instrument to visually examine a joint. If there is more than one root in the word, continue reading across until you define all roots: thrombophlebitis -itis is a suffix that means inflammation. thromb is a root that means a blood clot. phleb is a root that means a vein. Sum the meaning of the parts: thrombophlebitis = inflammation of a vein with clot formation

Word roots usually, but not always, indicate the part of the body involved. Some examples include:

• cardi = heart
• gastr = stomach
• neur = nerve

Click here to learn more about how Word Parts Work Together (the interactive has audio, click here for the Transcript).

Combining vowels are used to join parts. Combining vowels are usually the letter "o." Think of the combining vowel as a bridge that links roots to other roots and roots to suffixes.

Click here for the text version.

Drag and Drop Click on the link above to view the Drag and Drop activity. Drag the different prefixes, roots, combining and suffixes to form 10 medical terms that will appear on the right. Use the hint buttons to help figure out the words. You do not have to use all 4 parts to form a word. Work from left to right, start from the beginning of the word to the end.

Combining forms are created by adding a vowel (usually the letter "o") to the end of a word root and are designated by placing a diagonal, or slash, after the last letter of the root and then adding the combining vowel. The combining vowel is used when connecting word roots or when the word root is joined to a suffix that begins with a consonant. The combining vowel is dropped if the first letter of the suffix is a vowel. Some examples include:

• cardi/o = heart
• gastr/o = stomach
• neur/o = nerve

Click here to learn more about click here Combining Vowels (the interactive has audio, click here for the Transcript).

Suffixes usually, but not always, indicate the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. Some examples include:

• cardio megaly
• gastralgia
• neuritis

Prefixes usually, but not always, indicate location, time, number, or status. Some examples include:

• pericardium
• epigastric
• polyneuritis

Anatomically, terms can be used that define the location and function of body parts, which include the following:

• Body planes
• Body directions
• Body cavities
• Structural units

Click here to see learn more about click here Body Planes (the interactive has audio, click here for the Transcript).

Cytology is concerned with the structure and function of cells, including chromosomes, DNA, and genetics. Cells may be described as the basic building blocks of the human body. They have many different shapes and vary in size and function. Histology is the study of tissues. Tissues are groups of cells that perform the same specialized function and include epithelial tissue, which forms the outer layer of the body's surface and forms the lining of hollow organs, connective tissue, which supports, connects, and binds other tissues together, and muscle tissue, which has the ability to contract and expand.

In order of increasing levels of organization, the functional units of the human body are:

• cells
• tissues
• organs
• organ systems
• organism (you!)

Glossary of Mouseover Terms Used in Lecture
Term	Mouseover Popup
-algia	-algia is a suffix meaning pain
-itis	-itis is a suffix meaning inflammation
-megaly	-megaly is a suffix meaning enlarged
peri-	peri- is a prefix meaning surrounding
poly-	poly- is a prefix meaning many
roots	Give the essential meaning of the terms

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

Upon entering the Flashcard Review: Step 1: You will first be given a prefix, suffix, or term. Step 2: By clicking on the button, the correct answer will appear. Step 3: To go to the previous or next flashcard, click on the or buttons. If you would like to practice with the answer first, click on the button, and follow steps 1-3. Use the Flashcards as many times as you like, as your own private tutor to help you learn the terminology.