Alexander ch07 lecture

Copyright © 2017, 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Advanced EMT
A Clinical-Reasoning Approach, 2nd Edition
Chapter 7
Medical Terminology

• The Advanced EMT uses foundational anatomical
and medical terms and abbreviations in written
and oral communications with colleagues and
other health care professionals.
Advanced EMT
Education Standard

1. Define key terms introduced in this chapter.
2. Use terms of anatomical position, planes, and direction
and movement to describe the anatomy of the body.
3. Apply knowledge of common medical prefixes, suffixes,
and roots (combining forms) to determine the meaning of
medical terms.
4. Use common medical terminology in communication with
other health care providers, including inpatient care
documentation.
5. Differentiate between accepted standard and
nonstandard medical symbols and abbreviations.
Objectives

• Medical terminology
– Roots in Latin and ancient Greek
– Common prefixes, root words, suffixes
– Common symbols, abbreviations, conventions for
writing numbers
Introduction

• How could Cameron rewrite the report using
medical terms?
• What are the advantages of using medical terms
in patient care documentation?
• What are some possible disadvantages of using
medical terms?
• What should you do if you cannot remember or
are unsure of a medical term when
communicating orally or in writing?
Think About It

• Root word
– Foundation of medical term
• Prefix
– Placed at beginning of root word to modify meaning
• Suffix
– Placed at end of root word to modify meaning
• Combining vowel
– Connects root word to suffix, or combines two root
words
Medical Terminology Basics (1 of 2)

Table 7-1
Commonly Used Root Words with Combining Forms
Root/Combining Form Meaning Example
aden (adeno) gland adenoma (glandular tumor)
carcin (carcino) cancer carcinogenic (causes cancer)
cardi (cardio) heart cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart)
cyt (cyto) cell cytology (study of cells)
derma (dermato) skin dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
enter (entero) small intestine gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestine)
gastr (gastro) stomach gastric (pertaining to the stomach)
gyne (gyneco) female gynecology (study of females; particularly of problems of
the female reproductive system)
hema (hemato) blood hematoma (blood tumor [literally], referring to a collection
of blood within a tissue)
hydr (hydro) water hydrostatic (pressure exerted by nonmoving water)
necr (necro) death necrosis (condition of death, such as death of tissues)
path (patho) disease pathogenic (disease causing)
somat (somato) body somatic (pertaining to the body)

Table 7-2
Numeric/Quantitative Prefixes
Prefix Meaning Example
nulli- none nullipara (a woman who has not given birth)
hemi- half hemithorax (half of the thoracic [chest] cavity)
semi- half or partial semilunar (half-moon shaped)
uni- one unilateral (one side)
mono- one monocular (pertaining to one eye)
bi- two biphasic (occurring in two phases)
tri- three triceps (muscle with three heads)
tetra- four tetralogy (combination of four symptoms)
quad- four quadrisect (cut into four pieces)
poly- many polycythemia (too many blood cells)
multi- many multipara (woman who has given birth more than once)

Table 7-3 (1 of 2)
Common Prefixes
a- without afebrile (without fever)
an- without anuria (without urine)
ante- before, in front (of) antemortem (before death)
anti- against anticoagulant (against clotting)
brady- slow bradycardia (slow heart rate)
con- together or with congenital (present at birth; literally, “born together”)
dys- painful or difficult dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
epi- above or upon epidural (above the dura, the outermost lining of the brain)
eu- normal eupnea (normal breathing)
hyper- above, over hypertension (blood pressure above normal)
hypo- under, below hypotension (blood pressure below normal)
inter- between intercostal (between the ribs)
intra- within intraocular (within the eye)

Table 7-3 (2 of 2)
Common Prefixes
macro- large macroscopic (large, visible to the eye)
micro- small microvasculature (small blood vessels, not visible to the eye)
neo- new neoplasm (new growth of cells)
Par-
para-
equal; pair
beyond, alongside
paranasal (alongside the nose) sinuses; paraplegic (paralysis
of both lower extremities)
per- through percutaneous (through the skin)
peri- around periumbilical (around the navel)
post- after postoperative (after surgery)
pre- before prenatal (before birth)
pseudo- false pseudomembrane (false membrane)
retro- backward, behind retrosternal (behind the sternum)
sub- below, under subcutaneous (below the skin)
supra- /super- above, over supraventricular (above the ventricles of the heart)
tachy- rapid, fast tachypnea (rapid breathing)

Table 7-4 (1 of 3)
Common Suffixes
Suffix Meaning Example
-ac, -al, -an, -ar, -ary, -eal,
-iac, -ic, -ical, -ile, -ior, -ory,
-ose, -ous, -tic
pertaining to cardiac (pertaining to the heart)
renal (pertaining to the kidney)
hepatic (pertaining to the liver)
cervical (pertaining to the neck)
optic (pertaining to vision)
-algia pain arthralgia (joint paint)
-cise cut excise (cut out, cut away)
-cyte cell hepatocyte (liver cell)
-ectasis dilation atelectasis (imperfect dilation [collapse] of the alveoli of
the lungs)
-ectomy surgical removal of pulmonectomy (surgical removal of a lung)
-genic produces, produced by cardiogenic (produced by the heart, such as cardiogenic
shock)
-gram picture or recording electrocardiogram (recording of the activity of the heart)
-graph instrument for recording electrocardiograph
-graphy process of recording capnography (measuring the level of carbon dioxide)

Table 7-4 (2 of 3)
Common Suffixes
-ia state, condition tachycardia (state of having a fast heart rate)
-iasis abnormal condition lithiasis (condition of having stones, such as cholelithiasis,
or gallstones)
-ism state of bruxism (state of grinding the teeth)
-itis inflammation of stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)
-lysis destruction, break down lipolysis (break down of fat cells)
-megaly enlargement splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen)
-meter instrument for measuring thermometer (instrument for measuring heat)
-metry process of measuring oximetry (measuring oxygen levels)
-ology study of hematology (study of the blood)
-oma tumor, mass angioma (tumor consisting of blood vessels)
-osis abnormal condition cyanosis (abnormal condition of being blue [an indication of
lack of oxygen])
-ostomy surgically created opening tracheostomy (surgically created opening into the trachea)
-otomy cutting into hysterotomy (cutting into the uterus)

Table 7-4 (3 of 3)
Common Suffixes
-pathy disease cardiopathy (disease of the heart)
-plasia/plasm growth or formation hyperplasia (growth above normal, such as tissue hyperplasia)
-plasty surgical repair of rhinoplasty (surgical repair of the nose)
-rrhage excessive or abnormal flow hemorrhage (abnormal bleeding)
-rrhea discharge or flow rhinorrhea (discharge from the nose)
-sclerosis hardening arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
-scope instrument for viewing laryngoscope (instrument for viewing the larynx)
-scopy process of viewing otoscopy (process of using an instrument to view the structures
of the ear)
-stenosis Narrowing mitral stenosis (narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve
of the heart)
-trophy Development dystrophy (absence of development, such as muscular
dystrophy)

Medical Terminology Basics (2 of 2)
• Spelling and pronunciation are important.
– Can result in patient care errors
• Rules for pluralizing medical terms based on
letter(s) in which the term ends.
• Avoid jargon or slang

Table 7-5
Rules for Pluralizing Medical Terms
Singular Word
Ending in Examples Plural Form
-a aorta
vertebra
aortae, aortas
vertebrae
-ax thorax (chest) thoraces
-en foramen (opening, such as the foramen magnum at the base of the skull) foramina
-ex or -ix cortex (rind, meaning the outer portion of a structure, such as the adrenal
cortex of the adrenal gland)
appendix
cortices
appendices
-is pelvis
diagnosis
pelves
diagnoses
-ma hematoma hematomata
-nx phalanx
salpinx ([Fallopian] tube)
phalanges
salpinges
-on phenomenon phemonena
-um ilium (bone of the pelvis)
ovum
ilia
ova
-us viscus (organ)
locus
viscera
loci
-y autopsy (postmortem exam; literally, to see for oneself) autopsies

Figure 7-1
Terms of position and direction.

Figure 7-3
For reference, the body, or any of its parts, can be divided by imaginary planes.

Figure 7-4
Many medical terms refer to the main body cavities.

Anatomical Terms
• Terms of position and direction useful in
describing location of body structures and
abnormal findings.
• Anatomical position and body planes are points of
reference.

Table 7-6 (1 of 2)
Terms of Position and Direction
Term Meaning Example
abduction movement away from the midline Lifting the arm out to the side.
adduction movement toward the midline Lowering the arm back to the side of the body.
anterior toward the front The umbilicus (navel) is on the anterior aspect of
the body.
apex the tip of a structure The apex of the heart points downward.
base the lower part of a structure The bases of the lungs rest against the diaphragm.
caudal toward the tail (in humans, the feet) Moving from head to toe is the same as moving in
a caudal direction.
cephalad toward the head Moving from toe to head is the same as moving in a
cephalad direction.
deep toward the inside of the body The muscles are deep with reference to the skin.
distal away from the midline or other point of reference The foot is distal to the knee.
dorsal toward the back (posterior) A shark’s dorsal fin is on its back.
extension straightening a joint to move the two parts further
apart
When you straighten the knee, you are extending it.
flexion bending a joint to bring the two parts closer
together
Bending the elbow is the same thing as flexing
the elbow.

Table 7-6 (2 of 2)
Terms of Position and Direction
Term Meaning Example
inferior below The inferior vena cava brings blood from the areas below
the heart back to the right atrium of the heart.
lateral toward the side (away from the midline) The thumb is on the lateral aspect of the hand.
medial toward the midline or middle The inside of the leg is the medial aspect.
midline vertical line dividing the body into equal left
and right sides
The nose is in the midline.
posterior toward the back (dorsal) The shoulder blades (scapulae) are on the posterior
aspect of the body.
prone lying face down Sleeping on your “stomach” is sleeping in a prone
position.
proximal near the midline or point of reference The elbow is proximal to the hand.
superficial toward the outer surface of the body The skin is superficial with respect to the muscles.
superior Above The superior surface of the tongue rests against the roof
of the mouth.
supine lying on the posterior aspect of the body When you sleep on your back, you are in a supine
position.
ventral toward the front (anterior) The sternum is on the ventral aspect of the body.

Patient Position
• Proper patient positioning can reduce pain,
improve breathing, and increase patient comfort.
– Prone
– Left lateral recumbent
– Right lateral recumbent
– Supine
– Fowler
– Semi-Fowler

Terms by Body System
• Each body system has particular terms associated
with it.
– Musculoskeletal system
– Cardiovascular
– Blood and immune system
– Nervous system
– Respiratory system
– Gastrointestinal system

Table 7-13 (1 of 2)
Commonly Accepted Medical Abbreviations and Symbols
ā before
with
NTG nitroglycerin
O2 oxygen
OB obstetrics
after
PE physical exam, pulmonary embolism
PO orally, by mouth
Pt patient
every
QID four times a day
R/O rule out
Rx Prescription
c
p
q

Table 7-13 (2 of 2)
Commonly Accepted Medical Abbreviations and Symbols
Without
s/s signs/symptoms
SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
SL sublingual
SOB shortness of breath
stat immediately
Sx symptoms
TIA transient ischemic attack
TID three times a day
TKO to keep open
X times
y/o years old
↑ increased
↓ Decreased
s

Chapter Summary (1 of 2)
• Unique language identifies particular professions
used by its members.
• Proper use of medical terminology, symbols, and
abbreviations required of all health care providers.
• Medical terms identified by common root words,
prefixes, and suffixes.

Chapter Summary (2 of 2)
• Use proper term, proper spelling, and accepted
symbols and abbreviations.
• When in doubt, use medical dictionary to confirm
meanings.
• If you cannot find clarification, use plain language
to express ideas.

Alexander ch07 lecture

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