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Nicole's Med Terms
Nicole's Med Terms
Medical Terminology
Medical terminology is a specialized language used by healthcare professionals worldwide. Like all languages, it follows systematic rules. Most medical terms derive from Greek and Latin roots, which means once you learn these word elements, you can decode thousands of medical terms. This foundational lesson introduces the anatomy of medical words and the human body's organizational levels.
Medical terms are constructed from four basic word elements:
Word Root (WR): The foundation of the term; contains the core meaning. Example: *cardi* (heart).
Combining Form (CF): A word root with a combining vowel (usually 'o') attached. Example: *cardi/o*. The combining vowel makes pronunciation easier when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant.
Prefix: A word element attached to the beginning of a term that modifies its meaning. Example: *tachy-* (rapid). Not all terms have a prefix.
Suffix: A word element attached to the end of a term that often indicates a procedure, condition, or disease. Example: *-itis* (inflammation). All medical terms have a suffix.
Rule 1: When the suffix begins with a vowel, drop the combining vowel from the combining form. Example: *gastr/o* + *-itis* = gastritis (not gastrOitis).
Rule 2: When the suffix begins with a consonant, keep the combining vowel. Example: *gastr/o* + *-scope* = gastroscope.
Rule 3: When a word root is joined to another word root, a combining vowel is usually used. Example: *gastr/o* + *enter/o* + *-logy* = gastroenterology.
The human body is organized in increasing complexity:
Chemical Level → Cellular Level → Tissue Level → Organ Level → System Level → Organism Level
There are 11 major body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.
Directional Terms:
Body Planes (imaginary flat surfaces):
Body Cavities: