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What is the main purpose of medical terminology?
What is the main purpose of medical terminology?
Medical terminology is used by medical professionals to obtain effective and accurate communication.
What are the three main components of a medical term?
What are the three main components of a medical term?
The root of a medical term holds the primary meaning and location of the word.
The root of a medical term holds the primary meaning and location of the word.
False
What are the rules for forming plurals in medical terminology? Provide three examples using different rules.
What are the rules for forming plurals in medical terminology? Provide three examples using different rules.
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What is the general rule for pronouncing medical terms?
What is the general rule for pronouncing medical terms?
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Which of the following suffixes indicates that a medical procedure is performed to surgically remove something?
Which of the following suffixes indicates that a medical procedure is performed to surgically remove something?
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What is the meaning of the root word 'cardi'?
What is the meaning of the root word 'cardi'?
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Which prefix means 'around'?
Which prefix means 'around'?
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The anatomical position is defined as standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides (palms facing forward), feet parallel.
The anatomical position is defined as standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides (palms facing forward), feet parallel.
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Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior sections?
Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior sections?
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Describe the location of the ventral cavity and list its major subdivisions.
Describe the location of the ventral cavity and list its major subdivisions.
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What is the purpose of the hypogastric region?
What is the purpose of the hypogastric region?
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Trendelenburg's position involves lying flat on the back with the head lower than the body and elevating the feet.
Trendelenburg's position involves lying flat on the back with the head lower than the body and elevating the feet.
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The root word 'cephal' refers to the ______.
The root word 'cephal' refers to the ______.
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Match the following prefixes with their meanings:
Match the following prefixes with their meanings:
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Study Notes
Medical Terminology: Building Medical Vocabulary
- Medical terminology uses specialized words, jargon, and terms. This is used to ensure effective and accurate communication among medical professionals.
- It ensures accuracy in patient medical histories to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Errors from poor communication and documentation are reduced.
Components of Medical Terminology
- Prefix: Placed at the beginning of a medical word.
- Root: Contains the core meaning of the word.
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Suffix: Placed at the end of a medical word, modifying the root's meaning.
- Example: Hyperthyroidism (hyper- root- thyroid-ism)
Medical & English Rules in Forming Plurals
- a to ae: axilla - axillae, scapula - scapulae, vertebra - vertebrae
- us to i: thrombus - thrombi, alveolus - alveoli, bronchus - bronchi
- um to a: jejunum - jejuna, ileum - ilea, bacterium - bacteria
- is to es: diagnosis - diagnoses, metastasis - metastases, analysis - analyses
- ma/oma to mata: sarcoma - sarcomata, carcinoma - carcinomata, stoma - stomata
- x, y, ch, sh (consonant-ending words): add "es." Example: appendix - appendices. If 'y' is preceded by a vowel, you add s.
- e to i, ex to es (vowel-ending words): add "es." Example vortex - vortices
- nx/gx to nx/ges: add "es." Example larynx - larynges
- add s: Some words use the simple addition of 's' to form the plural, e.g., eye - eyes.
- lowercase to abbreviations/acronyms: Add 's' with an apostrophe and s (e.g., rbc's).
- uppercase to abbreviations/acronyms: Add 's' without the apostrophe and s (e.g., RBCs).
Combining Forms
- Roots are frequently combined with a combining vowel "O", but occasionally "A", "E", or "U".
- Example: Electrocardiogram (combining electrocardio+gram)
Rules of Pronunciation
- Pronunciation can vary by region and country.
- A general rule is to use the most frequent pronunciation.
Silent Letters and Unusual Pronunciations
- Some word parts have silent letters that are not pronounced, example: Chemistry, Pneumonia (ch-k), (pn-n)
Common Prefixes
- AN-, A- (without, lack of); AB- (away from); AD- (near, onto); ANTE-, PRE- (forward, before); ANTI-, CONTRA- (against); BI- (two, both); DYS- (difficult); ECTO-, EXO- (out, external); ENDO-(within); HEMI- (half); HYPER-(high); HYPO- (low); INTRA-(within); NEO-(new); NULLI-(none); PERI- (around); POST- (after); RETRO-(backward); INTER- (between)
Common Suffixes
- -AC, -IC, -AL, -OUS (related to); -ATE, -IZE (subject to); -ECTOMY (surgical removal); -ENT, -ER, -IST (person); -GENIC (produced by); -GAM (written record); -GRAPH (instrument); -GRAPHY (process); -ISM (condition, theory); -ITIS (inflammation); -OLOGIST (specialist); -LOGY (study); -OMA (tumor); -OTOMY (cut); -OSTOMY (creation of an opening); -PATHY (disease process); -PHOBIA (morbid fear); -SCOPE (instrument); -SCOPY (process)
Common Root Words
- Body parts and systems, e.g., abdomen, arteries, brain, blood, intestine, muscle, eye.
Anatomical Directions & Body Planes
- Anatomical Position: Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet parallel.
- Directional Terms: Anterior, Posterior, Medial, Lateral, Proximal, Distal, Superior, Inferior, Cephalad, Caudal, Superficial, Deep
- Body Planes: Sagittal, Midsagittal, Parasagittal, Frontal, Transverse (Coronal)
Body Cavities
- Ventral Cavity: Anterior aspect (thoracic and abdominopelvic).
- Dorsal Cavity: Posterior aspect (cranial and spinal)
- Thoracic Cavity: Above the diaphragm, contains heart and lungs
- Abdominopelvic Cavity: Below the diaphragm, contains abdominal and pelvic organs
- Cranial Cavity: Houses the brain.
- Spinal Cavity: Contains the spinal cord.
Abdominal Regions
- Subdivisions of the abdomen, e.g., hypochondriac, epigastric, umbilical, inguinal.
Abdominal Quadrants
- Four quadrants of the abdomen, e.g., right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower.
Body Positions
- Lithotomy: Lying on back with legs raised and spread, hips and knees flexed.
- Fowler's: Lying supine with torso raised.
- Sims': Lying on one side with the leg drawn up.
- Supine: Lying flat on the back.
- Prone: Lying flat on the stomach (chest down)
- Trendelenburg's: Lying flat with the head lower than the feet.
Head & Trunk / Extremities (Roots) / Position & Direction (Prefixes)
- List of various body structures, extremity parts, and directional/positional words associated with parts of the body.
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Description
Test your knowledge of medical terminology and vocabulary structure. This quiz covers components like prefixes, roots, and suffixes, along with rules for forming plurals. Enhance your understanding of effective communication in the medical field.
