Medical Terminology Overview

Medical Terminology

• Medical terminology is a specialized vocabulary used by healthcare professionals for effective and accurate communication.
• Word components fall into three categories: root, suffix, and prefix.
• The root is the fundamental unit of a medical word, establishing its basic meaning.
• A suffix is a short word part or series of parts added at the end of a root to modify its meaning.
• A prefix is a short word part added before a root to modify its meaning.
• Compound words contain more than one root.
• Combining forms are created when a suffix begins with a consonant, and a vowel is inserted between the root and the suffix.
• A combining vowel is added between a root and a suffix to aid in pronunciation when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added.
• When a suffix is added to a word ending in 'x', the 'x' is changed to 'g' or 'c'.
• When a suffix beginning with 'rh' is added to a root, the 'r' is doubled.
• Medical words use derived words from other languages, which may be helpful to understand the meaning.
• Some examples of medical words and their meanings are provided.
• Medical terminology covers different parts of the human body and their corresponding specialties, their processes and structure.
• Medical terminology uses different suffixes to denote different medical specialities:ist, -er, -iatrics, -ology.
• Surgical procedures are referenced, with the suffix -ectomy, meaning surgical removal.

Surgical Procedures

• Medical terms often refer to surgical procedures.
• Suffixes such as -ectomy (surgical removal), -centesis (surgical puncture), -lysis (loosening), -pexy (surgical fixation), and -plasty (surgical repair) provide insight into the type of procedure performed.
• Examples of word associations for different types of surgical procedures are used to illustrate their meaning.

Four Techniques in Physical Examination

• Physical examination is a means of gathering clinical data from the client using the examiner's senses: sight, hearing, and touch.
• Inspection is a technique in which eyes are used to observe.
• Palpation is a technique in which hands are used to feel for the texture and consistency.

Body Structures and Systems

• Body structures and systems are described in medical terminology terms.
• Combining forms are associated with medical specialities and used in naming different parts of the body.
• Examples of organ systems and components are given, as well as their function.
• Organs and their corresponding word associations are provided.

Body Organs and Organ Systems

• Body organs are arranged into tissues and systems.
• Tissues group into organs, and organs group into organ systems.
• Systems serve specific functions related to the human body.
• Examples of organ systems are given to explain their roles.

Numbers and Quantities

• Medical terminology uses prefixes for numbers frequently.
• Examples of various prefixes and their meanings and word associations are provided.

Miscellaneous Word Parts

• Various word parts in medical terminology are described.
• Word parts and their meanings and associations are given as examples

Blood and Immunity

• Blood is a vital body fluid that circulates through vessels, carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells.
• Blood has a liquid portion (plasma) and formed elements (blood cells).
• Erythrocytes are red blood cells, crucial for oxygen transport.
• Leukocytes, or white blood cells, play a role in the immune system.
• Platelets are crucial for blood clotting.
• The breakdown of blood vessel valves and chronic swelling are related to varicose veins.

Respiratory System

• The respiratory system's primary function is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Air is inhaled, warmed, filtered, and moistened.
• Air passageways include the nose and pharynx.
• Air is exchanged in the lungs through bronchioles and alveoli.
• Respiratory system conditions such as pneumonia and rhinitis are mentioned.

Nervous System

• The nervous system is the body’s control center, which has two parts: CNS and PNS.
• CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
• PNS consists of all nervous tissue outside of the brain and spinal cord.
• The nervous system includes somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
• Structures and their function in the nervous system are described.
• Neurons and neuroglia are the major types of cells within the nervous system.

Cardiovascular System

• The heart has three layers: endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium.
• Fibrous sac, the pericardium, surrounds the heart.
• The heart has four chambers: right and left atria, and right and left ventricles.
• Blood flow and circulation through the heart are described.
• Blood vessels: Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins are included.
• The vascular system, blood pressure (BP), and blood disorders like atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and embolism are discussed.
• Heart function, heart rate (bpm), and disorders like heart failure are highlighted.

Infections in the Digestive/Urinary System

• Infections can impact the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
• Examples like ulcers, inflammation, infections are described.
• Common organisms causing infections are outlined.

Diagnosis of Respiratory Disorders

• Methods used for diagnosing respiratory disorders are discussed.

The Digestive Tract

• The gastrointestinal (GI) tract (digestive tract) is a long tube of modified organs, with special functions..
• The activities of organs in the digestive tract and their functions are described.

The Large Intestine

• The large intestine forms, stores, and eliminates undigested materials. Structures, functions, and aspects of the digestive tract are described in the notes.

The Urinary System

• The urinary system filters metabolic waste from the blood, regulates blood composition and volume, and maintains acid-base balance.
• Components of the urinary system, such as the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra are outlined.
• Kidney structure, location, and function are included.
• Infections and related conditions are described.

Transport and Removal of Urine

• Urine is drained from the renal pelvis, channeled to urine collecting points, stored in the bladder, and finally expelled through the urethra.

Neoplasms

• Tumors of nonconducting support cells (neuroglia) in the nervous system are termed gliomas.

Anxiety Disorders

• Disorders involving chronic or extreme fear, worry, and dread are referenced.

Psychosis

• Gross misperception of reality, involving delusions and hallucinations, is mentioned.

Infections

• Infections of the meninges, also known as meningitis, are detailed.
• Lumbar puncture, a diagnostic procedure used for infections in the meninges

Degenerative Diseases

• Diseases like multiple sclerosis, parkinsonism, and epilepsy are mentioned, as well as the conditions that accompany these diseases.

Sleep Disturbances

• Sleep disturbances, like excessive sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep apnea are mentioned.

Head Injury

• Injuries to the head, and problems like contusions and concussions are described