Medical Terminology (MD 031)

Medical Terminology (MD 031)

• Medical terminology is composed of three core parts: root, prefix, and suffix.
• The root is the central part of a term and often describes a core aspect. This might be an organ, tissue, or cell.
• The prefix sits at the beginning and often qualifies or sub-divides the meaning of the root.
• The suffix sits at the end of a term and often modifies or gives further meaning.

Example Medical Term Breakdown

• Myocarditis:
  • Myo- prefix; meaning muscle
  • Card- root; meaning heart
  • Itis- suffix; meaning inflammation
• Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle.

Further Medical Term Examples & Parts

• Example 1 (Hypothermia):
  • Therm- root; meaning heat
  • Hypo- prefix; meaning less or below.
  • Hypothermia implies a low body temperature.
• Example 2 (Cardiomegaly):
  • Cardio- root; meaning heart.
  • Megaly- suffix; meaning enlargement
  • Cardiomegaly describes an enlarged heart
• Example 3 (Polioencephalitis):
  • Polio- root; meaning grey
  • Encephal- root; meaning brain
  • Itis- suffix; meaning inflammation.
  • Polioencephalitis is inflammation of the grey matter in the brain.

Plural Endings

• Plural endings change the form of a word depending on the root.
• Some examples include:
  • Singular: vertebra, lumen, ovum, fungus
  • Plural: vertebrae, lumina, ova, fungi

Prefixes Related to Numbers

• Primi-: first
• Mono-: one
• Uni-: one
• Bi-: two or twice

Prefixes Related to Number and Example

• Di-: Two, twice
• Example: Diplegia is paralysis on both sides of the body (Symmetrical).
• Hemi-: Half, one side
• Example: Hemiplegia is paralysis on just one side of the body.

Prefixes Related to Doubling, and Example

• Diplo-: Double
• Example: Diplopia is double vision.

Prefixes Related to Parts of a Whole

• Semi-: Half, partial
• Example: Semilunar: resembling a half moon.
• Tri-: Three
• Example: Triphasic: having three phases.
• Terti-: Third
• Example: Tertigravida: a women who has been pregnant three times.

Prefixes Relating to Numbers

• Tetra-: Four
• Example: Tetradactyl: four fingers.
• Quadr-: Fourth
• Example: Quadrant: one-fourth of an area.
• Penta-: Five
• Example: Pentose; simple sugar with five carbons

Additional Prefixes

• Multi-: Many
• Example: Multipara: a women who has delivered more than one child.
• Poly-: Many, much
• Example: Polyarthritis: inflammation involving more than one joint.

Colour-Related Prefixes

• Cyan-: Blue
• Example: Cyanosis: bluish discoloration of skin, due to lack of oxygen.
• Erythr-: Red
• Example: Erythrocyte: red blood cell
• Leuk-: White, colourless
• Example: Leukocyte: white blood cell

Other Prefixes

• Melan-: Black, dark
• Example: Melanin is the dark pigment in skin and hair.
• Xanth-: Yellow
• Example: Xanthoma: yellow raised area on the skin.
• Polio-: Grey
• Example: Polioencephalitis: Inflammation of the grey matter of the brain.

Explore the foundational components of medical terminology, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Understand how these elements combine to form terms that describe various medical conditions and concepts. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of key medical terms and their meanings.