By Athena Corbishley
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What is Medical Terminology?
Have you ever watched Grey's Anatomy? The Good Doctor? The Resident? If so, you've probably heard some complicated, and unfamiliar words pop up during the shows. Those unfamiliar words are called medical terminology. Medical terminology is a descriptive language used between health professionals to communicate effectively.
The terminology is used to describe anatomical structures, procedures, positions, diseases, and treatments. It is important because it helps create a standardized language for doctors to accurately relay complex medical information. If you have any background with Greek or Latin this will come in handy! Much of medical terminology is derived from Greek and Latin.
Word Parts of Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology can be broken into three standard word parts. The word root, prefix, and suffix. Let's take a look at each of these word parts in more detail.
Word Root
The word root of a term provides the general meaning. it commonly indicates which body system or part of the body is being described. Almost all medical terms include a word root. Some medical terms include more than one root. Let's practice with an example: cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardio is one of the root words. It means heart.
Myo is the second root word. It means muscle.
The two roots put together give a general understanding that the term cardiomyopathy relates to the heart muscle.
Prefix
The prefix typically comes at the beginning of a term. It most commonly indicates location, direction, or quantity. Prefixes do not appear in all medical terms. Lets practice an example: pericardial.
Pericardial
We can identify our word root as cardi, meaning heart.
Peri- is the prefix. It means around.
Combining our knowledge on the root and prefix, we can see pericardial relates to around the heart.
Suffix
A suffix is what is added to the end of a term. It indicates the condition, disease, or procedure. Every medical term has a suffix. Let's go back to our two examples earlier.
Cardiomyopathy
Pericardial
-pathy is a suffix. It means disease.
-al is also a suffix. It means pertaining to.
Now that we understand all of the word parts the meaning of theses terms become clear. Cardiomyopathy refers to disease of the heart muscle and pericardial is pertaining to around the heart.
Once you learn the parts of medical terminology dissecting the terms are easy!
Common Word Parts
To understand any medical term, you have to learn the meanings of different word parts. Listed below are some of the most common of each word parts.
Common Word Roots
Common Prefixes
Common Suffixes
Lets Practice!
The longest word in the English language, Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, can be broken down and understood through medical terminology. Lets give it a shot!
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Pneumono- is a prefix. It refers to the lungs.
Ultra- is another prefix. It means excessively.
Microscopic is a root. It means very small.
Silico- is another root. It refers to silicon.
Volcano- is another root. It means volcano.
-Coniosis is the suffix. It means disease.
From these word parts we can figure out what the term means! Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a lung disease that is caused by excessively inhaling very small silica dust, typically found in volcanos.
Congrats! You've mastered the basics of medical terminology! Now when you put on your favorite medical drama you'll understand what they are saying perfectly.
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