Medical Terminology CH5

Combining Vowels and Word Roots

• Combining vowels in a medical term connect a word root to a suffix or prefix.
• The main part or stem of a word, conveying the essential meaning of the word, is called the word root.

Medical Terminology Basics

• The suffix -pathy indicates disease or suffering.
• Bilateral refers to a condition or feature that affects both sides of the body.

Directional Terms

• The directional term that refers to the portion nearer to the head from a specific reference point is cephalic.

Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes are used to modify or adjust the meaning of a medical term.
• A purpose of using prefixes is to indicate a direction, time, or size, but NOT to indicate the procedure or surgery.
• Suffixes usually describe location or intensity.
• Changing or deleting a suffix or prefix can significantly change the function or meaning of a medical term.

Word Components

• The component of a medical term that occurs after the word root is the suffix.
• The component that joins one or more word roots to other components of a term is the combining vowel.
• The word root frequently indicates a body part, organ, or organ system.

Medical Terms and Definitions

• Dysuria refers to painful or difficult urination.
• The prefix 'hyper-' means excessive or above normal.
• The word root 'emesis' means vomiting.
• An analgesic is a medication that reduces pain.

Medical Abbreviations and Symbols

• Medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols were developed to save time and space in medical communication.
• When using acronyms, it is important to ensure that they are clearly understood and universally accepted.
• Only standard, accepted abbreviations should be used in the medical field to avoid confusion and ensure accuracy.
• The approach to using symbols in medical communication should be cautious and limited, ensuring that they are universally recognized and understood.