Intimidated by large medical words that your physician or other health care worker may use? Don’t be, after this article you too will be able to speak “medical” with the best of them.
First of all in medical terminology you will find history in the words. Medical terminology is based largely on Greek and Latin languages. Greek and Roman mythology have contributed many terms. Some terms are based upon the appearance, the shape, or the originally supposed function of a part. The first cervical vertebra upon which the head is supported is named for Atlas the famous Greek Titan who according to mythology was condemned by Zeus to bear the heavens on his shoulders.
Medical terms can have three basic components: the prefix, the root word, and the suffix. These three basic components can be used in a variety of ways. However, remember that each component signifies an important piece of information, but with a little concentration, you too can speak “medical” or at least understand it.
EXAMPLES OF PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES:
Some common prefixes:
bi- two
dys-difficult, painful
hyper-excessive (think hyperactive: excessive activity)
cardio-heart
cyte- cell
hemo-blood
gastro-stomach
myo- muscle
osteo-bone
cephal- head
appendo- appendix
bronch-bronchus
rhino-nose
Some common suffixes:
algia-pain
ectomy-excision, cutting out.
emia- blood
itis- inflammation of
oma- tumor
pathy-disease
ology- study of
rhea-discharge
pnea-breathing
Now lets play with combining to make medical words.
Cardi ology- study of the heart.
Cephal algia- head pain or head ache
Append ectomy- appendix removal.
Bronch itis- inflammation of the bronchus.
Dys pnea- difficult breathing.
See how easy it is, all you have to do is break down the word parts and they become self-explanatory. Of course we all wonder why healthcare providers use all of these large words instead of simple English. Medical language is somewhat like jargon or lingo, which the medical profession feels comfortable with. However, you must realize that these medical words are spoken identically in all languages, making recording medical data and information much easier. A headache in cephalalgia to the German speaking Dr., the English speaking Dr. and the Chinese Dr.
Also the medical record is a legal document, which must have the proper terminology. I am a medical transcriptionist, so I understand the importance of conformity and correctness. Speaking of correctness in medical transcription, the following errors were observed in our department.
Correct:
Typed:
The patient arrived in acute distress. The patient arrived in a cute dress.
The patient had a below knee amputation. The patient had a bologna amputation.
The patient spent the night with her mother
The patient spent the night with her moaner
So you see even medical professionals have their moments.
Here are some more word parts, and how to put them together.
Prefixes:
Hemato- blood
Leuko- white
Thrombo-clot
Phlebo-vein
Veno- vein
Artrerio- artery
Melano- pigment, color
Adeno- gland
Suffixes
-sclerosis- hardening
-stasis- stopping
-ology- study of
-carcinoma- form of cancer
-penia-deficiency
-emesis- vomiting
-cytes- cells
Examples of words you can make with the above:
Hematology- study of the blood
Hematemesis- throwing up blood
Leukocytes- white blood cells
Thrombocyte- cells that aid in clotting
Venostasis- stopping of the flow in the veins
Phlebotomy- incision into the vein
Melanoma- tumor affecting pigment cells
Adenocarcinoma- cancer of the glands
Thrombocytopenia- lack of cells that aid in clotting
Arteriosclerosis- hardening of the arteries.
Now when you go to your doctor you can amaze him or her with your new medical lingo, and if you’re being seen for a runny nose what is the correct term?
Rhino (nose) rhea (discharge)=rhinorhea
