34 Questions
75% of all medical terms are derived from ______ and ______ words
GREEK, LATIN
ETYMOLOGY is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over ______
time
The prefix of a medical term gives you a clue into what to expect in a word’s ______
meaning
The suffix of a medical term tells you what is happening with a specific body part or ______
system
All medical terms have at least one ______ word
root
When connected to other word elements, root words are converted into combining ______
forms
____ barked
dog
Physicians’ Desk Reference: P___
PDR
Pulseless electrical activity: P___
PEA
Pregnancy induced hypertension: P___
PIH
Post-operative: p___-op
post
By mouth (per os): _O
P
The abbreviation for sexually transmitted diseases is ___
STD
The abbreviation for short of breath is ___
SOB
The abbreviation for total parenteral nutrition is ___
TPN
The abbreviation for temperature, pulse, respiration is ___
TPR
The abbreviation for transurethral resection of the prostate is ___
TURP
The abbreviation for three times a day is ___
t.i.d. or TID
By adding the e to the plural, the “aah” sound ending pronunciation becomes “eh.” Axilla, ______
axillae
The exceptions to changing the ma or oma ending to mata are: Carcinoma, ______
carcinomata
When a term ends in nx, change the x to g and add es. Larynx, ______
larynges
Medical Rule 8: For Latin medical terms that consist of a noun and adjective, pluralize both terms. Condyloma acuminatum, ______
condylomata
The es is pronounced “eez.” Analysis, ______
analyses
Medical Rule 6: When a term ends in yx, ax, or ix, change the x to c and add es. Calyx, ______
calyces
Medical Rule 4: Change the is ending to es. Placenta previa, placentae ______
previae
English Rule 2: When a term ends in s, x, ch, or sh, add es. Stress, ______
stresses
English Rule 3: When a term ends in y after a consonant, change the y to I and add es. Artery, ______
arteries
English Rule 4: When a term ends in o after a consonant, add nes. Comedo, ______
comedones
Nursing Assistant. Person who performs routine patient care tasks under the supervision of a registered ______.
nurse
Nutritionist – Dietitian. Person professionally trained to work on the procedures of the use of food for therapeutic purposes in the management of persons suffering from a ______.
disease
Orthopedic Surgeon. Physician specializing in surgical treatment of diseases of the ______ and joints.
bones
Osteopath. Doctor of osteopathy; physician specializing in the treatment of disorders by ensuring proper formation and alignment of the muscles and bones as well as by traditional ______.
methods
Otolaryngologist. Physician specializing in diseases of the head and neck, especially the ears and respiratory ______.
system
Pediatrician. Physician specializing in the treatment of ______.
children
Study Notes
Medical Rule 1: Adding the e to the plural, "aah" sound ending pronunciation becomes "eh"
- Axilla, axillae
- Bursa, bursae
- Conjunctiva, conjunctivae
- Scapula, scapulae
- Sclera, sclerae
Medical Rule 5: Change the ma or oma ending to mata
- Carcinoma, carcinomata
- Condyloma, condylomata
- Fibroma, fibromata
- Leiomyoma, leiomyomata
- Note: English plural is also acceptable (e.g., carcinomas, leiomyomas, fibromas)
Medical Rule 7: Change the nx ending to g and add es
- Larynx, larynges
- Phalanx, phalanges
Medical Rule 3: Change the us ending to i
- Analysis, analyses
- Diagnosis, diagnoses
- Exostosis, exostoses
- Metastasis, metastases
- Prognosis, prognoses
- Testis, testes
Medical Rule 6: Change the yx, ax, or ix ending to c and add es
- Appendix, appendices
- Calyx, calyces
- Calix, calices
- Thorax, thoraces
Medical Rule 2: Change the um ending to a
- Alveolus, alveoli
- Bronchus, bronchi
- Coccus, cocci
- Embolus, emboli
- Fungus, fungi
- Glomerulus, glomeruli
- Meniscus, menisci
- Syllabus, syllabi (or syllabuses)
Medical Rule 4: Change the is ending to es
- Acetabulum, acetabula
- Antrum, antra
- Atrium, atria
- Bacterium, bacteria
- Diverticulum, diverticula
- Labium, labia
- Medium, media
English Rule 2: Add es when a term ends in s, x, ch, or sh
- Crutch, crutches
- Distress, distresses
- Patch, patches
- Stress, stresses
English Rule 3: Change the y to I and add es when a term ends in y after a consonant
- Artery, arteries
- Bronchoscopy, bronchoscopies
- Endoscopy, endoscopies
- Ovary, ovaries
- Therapy, therapies
English Rule 4: Add nes when a term ends in o after a consonant
- Comedo, comedones
- Exceptions: Embryo, embryos
- Placebo, placebos
- CVA, CVAs
- EEG, EEGs
- WBC, WBCs
Abbreviations and Terms
- Afferent: towards the center
- Efferent: away from the center
- Pons: bridge
- Vas: vessel
- CNS: central nervous system
- PCP: pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
- PE: physical examination
- EEG: electroencephalogram
- PFT: pulmonary function test
- PM: after death (post mortem)
- PNS: peripheral nervous system
- PO: by mouth (per os)
- Poly: polymorphonuclear leukocyte; neutrophil
- PP: after a meal (post prandial)
- Prep: prepare
- PR: pro time (prothrombin time)
- PT: prothrombin time
- Pts: patients
- Rx: treatment
Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Medical terminology is made up of terms that describe human anatomy and physiology, body locations, diseases, clinical, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing, together with clinical procedures, surgeries, and diagnoses.
- 75% of all medical terms are derived from Greek and Latin words.
Etymology
- The study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.
- Eponyms: words named after people
- Acronyms: modern language terms that stand for longer phrases.
Parts of Medical Terms
- Rootword: central meaning of a term, conveyed by a word element
- Prefix: gives a clue into what to expect in a word's meaning
- Suffix: tells what is happening with a specific body part or system
Allied Health Professionals
- Nursing Assistant: performs routine patient care tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse
- Nutritionist: person professionally trained to work on the procedures of the use of food for therapeutic purposes in the management of persons suffering from a disease
- Orthopedic Surgeon: physician specializing in surgical treatment of diseases of the bones and joints
- Osteopath: doctor of osteopathy; physician specializing in the treatment of disorders by ensuring proper formation and alignment of the muscles and bones as well as by traditional methods
- Otolaryngologist: physician specializing in diseases of the head and neck, especially the ears and respiratory system
- Paramedic: person trained to provide emergency care to patients being transported to a hospital
- Pathologist: physician specializing in the diagnosis of disease by means of clinical and laboratory studies of tissues and cells
- Pediatrician: physician specializing in the treatment of children
- Periodontist: dentist specializing in the treatment of diseases affecting the structures that support the teeth, such as the gums
- Pharmacist: person professionally trained to dispense medications and advise patients on their use
Learn about medical terminology related to human anatomy, physiology, diseases, clinical procedures, and more. Discover how 75% of medical terms are derived from Greek and Latin words, and delve into the study of word origins in etymology.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
