Medical Terminology: Breaking Down Components

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in analyzing components of a medical term?

Label the word parts

Underline and label each combining form

Define each word part in the term

Divide the term into word parts (correct)

What is the purpose of adding slashes between components and on each side of a combining vowel?

To separate the word parts (correct)

To identify the combining form

To indicate the pronunciation of the term

To define the suffix

In what order do you define the word parts of a medical term?

From the end of the term to the beginning

From the beginning of the term to the end (correct)

In alphabetical order

In random order

What is the suffix of the medical term 'osteoarthropathy'?

-pathy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of labeling each combining form in a medical term?

To identify the word parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence for defining a medical term?

Analyze components, define components, build definition Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of underlining and labeling each combining form in a medical term?

To emphasize the combining form Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of breaking down the medical term 'osteoarthropathy' into its components?

A definition of the entire term Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the suffix '-itis' in medical terminology?

inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the word root 'arthr' in medical terminology?

joint Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of language rules in medical terminology?

to build foundational knowledge of medical terminology Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pronunciation markings in medical terminology?

to indicate the proper phonetic sounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 'intra-' in medical terminology?

within Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the word 'intravenous' in medical terminology?

pertaining to within a vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of emphasizing certain syllables in medical terminology?

to indicate the primary emphasis of pronunciation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of following language rules in medical terminology?

students become proficient at using medical vocabulary Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defining Medical Terms by Breaking Down Components

Defining medical terms can be accomplished by analyzing the components of the term, defining each component, and then building the overall definition of the medical term.
Table 1.2c provides instructions on how to define medical terms by breaking down their components into word parts, labeling and underlining combining forms, defining each word part, and building the definition.

Technique for Defining Medical Terms

Divide the term into word parts
Label the word parts
Underline and label each combining form
Define each word part in the term
Place word parts together to define the term, starting with the suffix and then moving to the beginning of the term in the order they appear
Add combining vowels to pronounce the term

Examples of Defining Medical Terms

Osteoarthropathy: disease of the bone and joint
Osteoarthritis: inflammation of bone and joint
Intravenous: pertaining to within a vein or within the vein

Language Rules

Many medical terms can be translated literally by breaking down their components
Suffixes can often be assumed and not stated
Exceptions to language rules are often referred to as "rebels"
By learning language rules and processes, hundreds of medical terms can be easily learned

Pronunciation Guidelines

Special markings above vowels indicate the proper pronunciation
A macron (straight line) above a vowel indicates a long vowel sound
A u-shaped symbol above a vowel indicates a short vowel sound
Capital letters indicate where to place the emphasis when pronouncing a word
Examples of pronunciation markings include doctor (dŏk-tŏr), prorate (prō-rāt), medical (mĕd-ĭ-căl), debride (di-BRĒD), and dehydration (dē-hī-DRĀ-shŏn)

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Description

Learn how to define medical terms by breaking them down into word components, analyzing each part, and building the overall definition. Understand the technique and instructions for dividing, labeling, and underlining word parts.