Medical Terminology Categories

Which term specifically refers to a device used for delivering medication through mist for respiratory treatment?

What type of medical term is 'bronchopneumonia' classified as?

Which category of medical term pertains to identifying a disease or condition?

The term 'medial' is best associated with which aspect of medical terminology?

A term like 'transrectal ultrasound' falls under which category of medical terms?

Which category would not typically include terms used to describe the structural or functional state of an organism?

Categories of Medical Terms

Medical terms can be classified into four general categories: anatomical, disease and disorder, diagnostic/procedural, and therapeutic terms.

Anatomical Terms

Describe specific areas and movement of the body, as well as the relation of body parts to each other.
Example: medial, which describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Disease and Disorder Terms

Describe deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, generally associated with certain signs and symptoms.
Example: bronchopneumonia, an infection of the bronchi in the lungs.

Diagnostic/Procedural Terms

Relate to the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury.
Example: transrectal ultrasound, an ultrasound procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer.

Therapeutic Terms

Regard the treating or curing of diseases.
Example: nebulizer, a device that creates a mist used to deliver medication for respiratory treatment.

Importance of Categories

These categories will be used to discuss medical terms by body systems throughout the remaining chapters.

Learn about the four main categories of medical terms: anatomical, disease and disorder, diagnostic/procedural, and therapeutic terms. Understand how to describe body parts and movements, diseases, and medical procedures.