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Medical terminology (1)

History of medical terminology

➢ Most of the medical terms figure)1,2,7) have a Greek or Latin origins.
- These terms date back to the finding of modern medicine by the Greeks, and then influenced by Latins (at
that time the Latin was the universal language in the western world.
- Other languages such as German and French also influence the medical terms.
- Nowadays, many new terms are derived from English (the universal language nowadays).
➢ Most of the terms that describe the diagnosis or surgery have Greek origin, while most of the anatomical
terms have Latin origin.

Why is it important to learn medical terminology?

1- To Learn a new language.
2- To Learn the basic rules for constructing terms and translating many different words.
3- To Learn how to put words together or build words from their parts.
4- To Help in memorizing all the medical terms.
5- Differentiate the meaning of several different words by analyzing the word parts, which are:
-roots word ‫ جذور المصطلحات‬figure (3)
- combining forms (vowels) ‫ أدوات الربط‬figure (4,5,6)
-Prefixes ‫البادئات‬
-Suffixes ‫اللواحق‬

➢ So, we will explain in details each component of the word (the medical term) and we will take common
examples on each of them.
➢ Each element is essential in understanding the meaning of the medical term.

Common Prefixes

Prefixes Meaning Example

A- Without, away from Asepsis (without living organisms).

An- Without Anencephaly (without a brain)

Ana- Up, toward Anaphylactic (exaggerated reaction to

antigen)
Anti- Against Antibacterial (preventing bacterial
growth)
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Prefixes Meaning Example

Ante- Before Antemortem (before death)

Auto- Self Autoimmune (against an individual’s

own tissue)
Brady- Slow Bradycardia (abnormally slow
heartbeat)
Dys- Painful, abnormal Dysfunctional (functioning abnormally)

Endo- Within, inner Endoabdominal (within abdomen)

Epi- Upon, over Epicondyle (projection over or near

condyle)
Eu- Normal, good Eupepsia (normal digestion)
Ex- External, outward Exhale (breathe out)
Extra- Outside of Extracorporeal (outside of body)
Hetero- Different Heterograft (skin graft using donor skin
from one species to another).
Homo- Same Homograft (skin graft using donor skin
from one person to another)
Hyper- Over, above Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Hypo- Under, below Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
De- Without Decapitation (removal of a head)
Inter- Among, between Interdental (between teeth)
Intra- Within, inside Intramuscular
Macro- Large Macromolecules
Micro- Small Micromolecules
Neo- New Neonatal
Pre- Before, in front of Prenatal (before birth)
Peri- around Periapical region
Post- after Postnatal (after birth)
Pro- before Prodrome (symptoms occurs before
disease shows up)
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Prefixes Meaning Example

Uni- one Unicellular (organism composed of single cell)
Di- Two Diplegia (paralysis affecting both sides of body)
Bi- Two Bicuspid (having two cusps)
Trans- Through Transocular (across the eye).
Hemi- Half Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of body)
Un Not Unconscious (not conscious)

Pseudo- false Pseudopregnancy (presence of all signs and

symptoms of pregnancy without presence of
fetus)
Re- again Reflux (backward flow)
Sub- Below, under Subcutaneous (beneath skin)
Tachy- Fast Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
Multi- Many Multicellular.
Quadri Four Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)
Pan- All Panplegia (total paralysis)
Poly- Many Polypeptide
Semi Partial, half Semiconscious (drowsy and inactive, but not in a
full coma)
Tri- Three Tricuspid valve (has three flaps)
Tetra Four Tetraplegia (paralysis of the four limbs)
Diplo- Double Diplopia (double vision)
Super- Above, excess Superinfection (second infection occurs after or on
top of earlier I nfection )
Dextr/o- Right Dextrocardia (location of heart in right side of
chest).
Sinistr/o- Left Sinistrad (moving toward left).
Ecto- Out, outside Ectopic (outside normal position).
Ex/o- Away from Excise (to cut out).
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Common Combining Forms

Combining Form Meaning Example

Aer(o) Air Aerogen (gas-producing microorganism)
Bacteri(o) Bacteria Bacteriogenic (caused by bacteria)
Bas(o), basi(o) Base Basophilic (having affinity for basic dyes)
Cry(o) Cold Cryosurgery.
Cyan(o) Blue Cyanosis.
Electr(o) Electricity Electrocardiogram (graphic record of heart's
electrical currents).
Erythr(o) Red, redness Erythrocyte (red blood cell)
Ethmo Ethmoid bone Ethmonasal (relating to ethmoid and nasal
bones)

Fibr(o) Red, redness Erythrocyte (red blood cell)

Fungi Fungus Fungicide (substance that destroys fungi)
Glyco Sugars Glycopenia (sugar deficiency)
Granulo Granular Granuloma (small, granular lesion)
Hydr(o) Hydrogen, water Hydrocephaly (excessive fluid accumulation in
head)
Idio Distinct; unknown Idiopathic (of unknown origin).
Immun(o) Safe; immune Immunodeficient (lacking in some essential
immune function)
Kal(i) Potassium Kalemia (presence of potassium in blood).
Latero Lateral, to one side Lateroduction (movement to one side).
Medi(o) Middle; medial Mediolateral (relating to medial plane and one
plane side of body)
Meg(a), Large; million Megaloencephaly (abnormally large brain).
megal(o)
Micr(o) Small; tiny Microorganism (tiny organism).
Nucle(o) Nucleus Nucleotoxin (poison that acts on nucleus).
Path(o) Disease Pathogen (disease-causing substance)
Pharmaco Drugs; medicine Pharmacology (science of drugs).
Phon(o) Sound; voice Phonometer (instrument for measuring sound).
Phot(o) Light Photometer (instrument for measuring light).
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Combining Form Meaning Example

Somat(o) Body Somatogenic (originating in body).
Therm(o) Heat Thermometer (instrument for measuring
temperature)

Common Suffixes

Suffixes Meaning Example

-algia Pain Neuralgia (nerve pain)
-cyte Cell Thrombocyte (blood platelet)
-dynia Pain Neurodynia (nerve pain)
-ectasis Dilatation Neurectasia (dilation of a nerve)
-gen That which produces Carcinogen (cancer-causing agent)
-pnea Breath Eupnea (normal respiration)
-ia State, condition Anemia (low blood)
-iasis Abnormal condition Psoriasis (chronic skin disease)
-ism State of Dwarfism (condition characterized by
abnormally small size)
-logy Study of Dermatology (study and treatment of skin
disorders)
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Suffixes Meaning Example

-lytic Destruction Thrombolytic (dissolving thrombus)

-malacia Abnormal softening Osteomalacia (gradual softening of bone)

-logy Enlargement, large Cephalomegaly (abnormal enlargement

of head)
-megaly Tumor, mass Myoma (neoplasm of muscle tissue)

-oma View of Biopsy (cutting from living tissue to be

viewed)
-opsy Abnormal condition Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
-logist One who studies Dermatologist

-plegia Paralysis Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)

-therapy Treatment Chemotherapy (treatment that uses

powerful chemicals to kill cells in body)
-spasm Contraction Esophagospasm
-rrhea Discharge, flow Dysmenorrhea (difficult menstrual flow)

-sclerosis Hardening Atherosclerosis

-stenosis Narrowing Stenostenosis (narrowing of the parotid
duct)

Adjective suffixes ) figure 8 (

➢ Suffix may be used to modify a complete word .
➢ New word can be used to alter another word .
➢ For example, to state that the patient has an ulcer in his or her stomach:
- We say Gastric ulcer > ulcer in the stomach
Gastr/o = stomach & Gastric = related to the stomach.
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How do we interpret with medical term?

➢ The components of the medical term: 1st the prefix then the word root then the combining vowel & finally
the
suffixes.
➢ So, how do we know the meaning of a medical term:
1- Break/divide this medical term into its parts .
✓ Example: gastroenterology. > gastr/o/enter/o/logy
2- Define each word part .
✓ Gastr = stomach, o = combining vowel,
✓ Enter = small intestine, o = combining vowel, logy = study of
3- Combine the meaning of the word parts .
✓ Study of the stomach & small intestine

Medical terms
❖ Medical terms are constructed from word parts.

Word part Example

Cardiogram (record of the heart ‫( مخطط القلب‬
Word root
Pericardium (around the heart ‫) الغشاء حول القلب‬
Prefix
Carditis (inflammation of the heart ‫) التهاب القلب‬
Suffix
Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease ‫) اعتالل عضلة القلب‬
Combining form /vowel

❖ Pronunciation
➢ Differ according to place of birth and education.
- For example, person who was born in England has a different accent in pronunciation.
➢ Ask for spelling, when in doubt .
- The spelling of word doesn’t change so ask for the spelling in order to know the correct pronunciation .
➢ New terms in the book are introduced in boldface type, with phonetic spelling in parentheses, Some books
provide audio as well .
➢ Stressed syllable will be in capital letters:
pericarditis (per ih car DYE tis)
Peri=around, card=heart, itis=inflammation
- So pericarditis means an inflammation in the membrane around the heart muscle
✓ Notice DYE written in capital, which tell us that there’s a stress in these letters
❖ Spelling
➢ Spelling Is extremely important, if you change one letter you will change the word completely (Altering one
letter can alter the meaning of a word)
➢ Only one correct way to spell a term .
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➢ Same Sounds but spelled Differently:
1- Sounds like si:
✓ Psy >> psychiatry (sigh-KIGH-ah-tree)
✓ Cy >> cytology (sigh-TALL-oh-gee)
2- Sounds like Dis:

✓ Dys >> dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-ah) “means have a pain in the upper abdomen after eating”

✓ Dis >> dislocation (dis-low-KAY-shun) “movement from its (the organ) original location”

✓ Ex: shoulder dislocation.

❖ Abbreviation

➢ Usually/frequently used in the medical field because they save time .

- For example, when the doctor asks the nurse or laboratory to do some test he will ask her in abbreviated
word like do CBC & it will be easier for here So she understands what he means by CBC (complete blood
(‫تعداد الدم الكامل‬count

➢ Normally used to save time but sometimes can be confusing.

- If you are confused about the abbreviation always ask about the spelling (The spelling is something fixed)

➢ If you are concerned‫ قلق‬about confusion, spell out the term

➢ Do NOT use your own personal abbreviations

- So always use abbreviations that are used in the medical field & don’t make your own .
“Sometimes it can be confusing and lead to errors but be careful when interpreting with these abbreviations
especially when you are working in the hospital later on”

Body organization
➢ We will see how the body is organized; we have this pyramid.

1- At the bottom of the pyramid there are chemicals, they are atoms or
molecules which are the building blocks for any cell component
(Proteins, oxygen, nitrogen )
2- Now these chemicals will build up the cell

✓ What are cells: cells are the smallest living unit in the body

✓ For example, hepatocyte = a liver cell figure(9) )‫)خلية كبدية‬

✓ neuron=nerve cell, intestinal cell >cell of the intestine

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3- Now group of cells will produce a tissue so, the tissue is group of cells
that are similar in the structure and function
- Usually in the body there are four types of tissues

✓ Epithelial tissue .

✓ Connective tissue which are the fibrous substance that supports the body .
✓ Muscular tissue .

✓ Nervous tissue.

4- a group of tissue will form an organ (the tissues work together to do a specific function), so the organ is a
group of tissues working together to do a specific function

✓ Examples: liver, heart, lungs, brain, GIT.

5- The organ system is a group of organs that contributes to a specific function within the body

✓ For example, the gastrointestinal system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system.

‫ الجهاز الدوري‬،‫ جهاز الغدد الصماء‬،‫الجهاز الهضمي‬

6- All of these systems will form the body or the organism

➢ So, from top to bottom: The organism is composed of different systems, each system composed of

organs, each organ composed of tissues, and the tissue is composed from group of cells, and the cells are
composed of chemicals.
Atoms >> Cell >> Tissue >> Organ >> System >> Organism or Body

The Cardiovascular system

➢ components of the CVS:

1- Heart. ‫القلب‬
2- Blood vessels. ‫االوعية الدموية‬
3- The circulating blood. .‫الدم‬

➢ Blood vessels are:

- arteries )‫ (الشرايين‬: moving blood away from the heart ‫طالعة من القلب‬
- Capillaries )‫ (الشعيرات الدموية‬: are networks responsible for blood
‫ تبادل الغازات‬exchange
- vein ‫ االوردة‬: moving blood directing to the heart ‫رايحة للقلب‬

➢ In the picture, you see the heart & blood vessels; the red part represents

the oxygenated blood & the blue part represents the deoxygenated
blood (full of CO2).
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➢ The heart is composed of chambers (4 chambers ‫) حجرات‬

- The lower bigger chambers are called the ventricles) ‫ (البطينين‬. There
are two ventricles: the left ventricle & the right ventricle
- The upper (superior) chambers are called the atriums) ‫) االذينين‬there are two atriums: left & right
- The left side carries the oxygenated blood & the right side carries the deoxygenated blood (the blood rich
in carbon dioxide CO2).

❖ How the heart works?

➢ The left side of the heart will pump the oxygenated blood to all the body parts then the wastes from body parts

will drain in the blood to the right side of heart through the vena cava (inferior vena cava ‫&وريد اجوف سفلي‬
cava vena superior ‫) وريد اجوف علوي‬

➢ So, the right side of the heart will take these wastes (means the blood rich in CO2) and go directly through the

pulmonary arteries to both lungs, and the lungs will exchange the blood gases & return the blood to the
oxygenated state and through the pulmonary veins the blood will reach the left side of heart &then the left side
will pump (eject) the blood again to all body.

❖ Functions of the heart

➢ Distribute blood to all areas of body.

➢ Delivery of needed substances to cells and removal of wastes.

Note: the pictures below are not for memorization, we added them to to make everything easier to Understand
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Medical Terms-CVS

Term Definition
Cardiovascular Relating to the heart and blood vessels

Blood vessel Any of tubular passageways in cardiovascular system through

which blood travels
Coronary artery Blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart

Atrium Either of the two upper chambers of heart

Ventricle Either of the two lower chambers of heart

Aorta Largest artery of the body

Arteriole A tiny artery connecting to a capillary

Artery A thick-walled blood vessel (carries oxygenated blood away from

heart)
Vein Blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood toward heart

Diastole Relaxation phase of a heartbeat

Systole Contraction phase of the heartbeat

Endocardium Membranous lining of chambers and valves of heart; the

innermost layer of heart tissue
Endothelium Lining of the arteries that secretes substances into the blood

Epicardium Outermost layer of heart tissue

Myocardium Muscular layer of heart tissue between epicardium and

endocardium
Pericardium Protective covering of heart
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Sinoatrial node Region of right atrium that sends electrical impulses and excite
heart for contraction
Pulse Rhythmic expansion and contraction of a blood vessel

Sinus rhythm Normal heart rhythm

Combining Forms-CVS

Combining Form Meaning Example

Angi(o) Blood vessel Angiogram (image of blood vessel)

Arteri(o), Artery Arteriosclerosis (hrdening of arteries)

arter(o)
Atri(o) Atrium Atrioventricular

Cardi(o) Heart Cardiomyopathy (disease of heart muscle)

Phleb(o) Vein Phlebitis (inflammation of vein)

Sphygm(o) Pulse Sphygmomanometer (instrument for measuring

blood pressure)
Vaas(o) Blood vessel Vasodepressor (agent that lowers blood pressure by
relaxing blood vessels)
Ven(o) Vein Venography (radiographic imaging of vein)

Thromb(o) Blood clot Thrombocytosis (abnormal increase in blood

platelets in blood)
Ather(o) Fatty matter Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries with
irregular plaque deposits)
Pericardi(o) Pericardium Pericarditis (inflammation of pericardium)
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Abbreviations-CVS

Abbreviation Meaning
Bp Blood pressure
AV Atrioventricular
CO Cardiac output
HR Heart rate
bpm Beats per minute
Echo Echocardiogram

❖ Examples of Building Terms :

- Interventricular (between the ventricles) >> inter- + ventricul/o + -ar
- Arterial (artery) >> arteri/o + -al
- Arteriole (small artery) >> arteri/o + -ule
- Venule (small vein) >> ven/o + -ule

➢ The blood is a complex mixture. It has cells, water and a lot of biochemical agents
like proteins and sugars.
➢ There are 3 main components of blood:
1- Red blood cells – transport oxygen to body cells by the attachment of oxygen
to hemoglobin.
2- White blood cells – fight infections and diseases.
3- Platelets – initiate blood clotting process.

➢ Some substances are also dissolved in plasma. Plasma is the fluid part of the blood. It contains some
proteins,
like albumin, globulin, fibrinogen and thrombin.
➢ We have about 5L of blood in our body.

Medical Terms-Blood System

Term Definition
Blood Fluid circulated throughout arteries, veins, capillaries, and
heart.
Albumin Simple protein found in plasma
Erythrocyte Mature red blood cell
Globulin Any of a family of proteins in blood plasma

Leukocyte Mature white blood cell

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Term Definition
Hemoglobin Protein in red blood cells essential to the transport of
oxygen
Heme Blood pigment containing iron in hemoglobin
Hematocytoblast Most immature blood cell
Megakaryocyte Large cells in red bone marrow that form platelets
Neutrophil, monocyte, Type of leukocytes
lymphocyte

Plasma Portion of un-clotted blood

Thrombin Enzyme that helps in clot formation
Serum Liquid left after blood has clotted
Hematocrit Measure of the percentage of red blood cells in a blood
sample
Transfusion Injection of donor blood into a person needing blood

Abbreviations- Blood System

Term Definition
Diff Differential blood count
HGB, Hgb, HB Hemoglobin
PLT Platelet count
RBC Red blood cell count
WBC White blood cell count
CBC Complete blood count
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Adjective Forms :
INTRO
➢ Basophilic: WBC that attracts a basic pH stain.

➢ Eosinophilic: WBC that attracts a rosy red stain.

➢ Erythrocytic: A red blood cell.

➢ Leukocytic: A white blood cell.

➢ Lymphocytic: WBC formed in lymphatic tissue.

➢ Monocytic: WBC with single large nucleus.

➢ Neutrophilic: WBC that attracts neutral pH stain.

➢ Thrombocytic: A clotting cell, platelets.

➢ Fibrinous: Pertaining to having fibers.

➢ Hematic: Pertaining to blood.

❖ Example of Building Terms :

- Erythrocyte (Red cell) >> erythr/o + -cyte

- Agranulocyte (Cell without granules) >> A- + granul/o + -cyte

➢the respiratory system

➢ As you know, the respiratory system is the breathing system of the body.
It is responsible for exchanging air between the outside environment and the lungs
➢ We have two important processes: inhalation and exhalation (expiration).

➢ The process begins when the air passes through the nose which filters and warms the air, then passes to the
pharynx, then to the larynx which is important for voice production, and then to the trachea which connects
the larynx with the bronchi (found in the lungs). So, the lungs is responsible for the oxygenation of blood.
➢ At the end of bronchioles, we have something called the alveoli, which are sac-like structures (look at the left
picture below), they are the site of gas exchange with the blood stream, O2 will pass to the blood, and CO2 &
wastes will pass to the lungs to be exhaled to the outside.
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Medical Terms-Respiratory System

Term Definition
Term Definition
Adam’s apple Thyroid cartilage (supportive structure of the larynx)
Alveolus (pl., Alveoli) Air sac at the end of each bronchiole
Bronchiole Fine subdivision of the bronchi made of smooth muscle and
elastic fibers
Bronchus (pl., One of the two airways from the trachea to the lungs
Bronchi)
Cilia (plural of cilium)
Hairlike extensions of a cell’s surface (provide protection by
sweeping foreign particles away)
Diaphragm Membranous muscle between abdominal and thoracic cavities
Exhalation, expiration Breathing out
Inspiration, Breathing in
inhalation
Lung One of two organs of respiration responsible for oxygenation of
blood
Pleura Double layer of membrane making up the outside of lungs

Combining Forms-Respiratory System

Combining Form Meaning Example

Alveol(o) Alveolus Alveolitis (inflammation of alveoli)
Bronch(o),bronchi(o) Bronchus Bronchitis (inflammation of lining of bronchial
tubes)
Capn(o) Carbon Capnogram (recording of the carbon dioxide in
dioxide expired air)
Laryng(o) Larynx Laryngoscope (device used to examine larynx
through mouth)
Lob(o) Lobe of lung Lobectomy (removal of a lobe)
Nas(o) Nose Nasogastric (of nasal passages and stomach)
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Combining Form Meaning Example

Or(o) Mouth Oropharynx (part of pharynx that lies behind mouth)
Ox(o), oxi-, oxy Oxygen Oximeter (instrument for measuring oxygen
saturation of blood
Steth(o) Chest Stethoscope (instrument for listening to sounds in
chest)
Phren(o) Diaphragm Phrenitis (inflammation in diaphragm)
Pneum(o) Air, lung Pneumonitis (inflammation of lungs)
Rhin(o) Nose Rhinitis (inflammation of nose)
Spir(o) Breathing Spirometer (instrument used to measure respiratory
gases)

❖ Adjective forms:
➢ Alveolar pertaining to alveoli
➢ Bronchial pertaining to bronchus
➢ Epiglottic pertaining to epiglottis ‫مزمار اللسان‬
➢ Laryngeal pertaining to larynx
➢ Nasopharyngeal pertaining to nose and pharynx
➢ Paranasal pertaining to beside nose
➢ Pleural pertaining to pleura
➢ Pulmonary pertaining to lung
➢ Thoracic pertaining to chest
➢ Tracheal pertaining to trachea
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❖ Respiratory System Abbreviations:

ABG Arterial Blood Gases (Diagnostic test)

‫اختبار تشخيصي لنشوف نسبة مركبات مختلفة بالدم‬
BS Breath Sounds

ENT Throat and Nose, Ear

‫ بتسمعو بالدكاترة المتخصصين أنف وأذن وحنجرة؟‬،‫ مرتبطين ببعض‬3‫هذول ال‬
ET tube Endo-Tracheal intubation tube

CXR Chest X-Ray

TPR Temperature ،Pulse،Respiration

❖Examples Building of Examples

- Bronchial (Pertaining to a bronchus) >> bronchi/o + -al
- Bronchiolar (Pertaining to a bronchiole) >> bronchiol /o + -ar
- Laryngeal (Pertaining to larynx) >> laryng /o + -eal
- Pharyngeal (Pertaining to pharynx) >> pharyng /o + -ea