1. Introduction to Medical Terminology

2. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Professional Socialization: Learning the Language
Entering the world of nursing is like going to a country
where you do not speak the language. It can be unsettling,
so you must make a conscious effort to learn. You must
ask for definitions of acronyms and/or words the faculty and others use. You
must also study the terminology since a vast amount of medical terminology is
used day to day in the nursing profession.
Professional Socialization
As you become more familiar with the terminology and language in the
nursing profession, it will roll off your tongue with ease. This process is
called professional socialization and it allows you to fit in and communicate with
confidence.

3. Introduction to Medical Terminology
“Medical terminology is the professional language of
those who are directly or indirectly engaged in the art
of healing.” (Frenay and Mahoney, 1998)
Most medical terms have Greek or Latin origins,
though some are derived from modern languages,
particularly German, French, and English. In general,
terms dealing with diagnosis and surgery have Greek
origins, whereas anatomical terms have Latin origins.
An understanding of the structure of medical terms,
and an ability to break down a medical term into its
parts helps you get the most out of using a medical
dictionary, and makes dealing with medical
terminology less challenging than it first appears.

4. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical terms are formed from word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and
combining vowels/forms, defined below:
 Root – the foundation of the word, it can be combined with a
prefix or suffix
 Prefix – placed before the root to modify its meaning
 Suffix – placed after the root to modify and give essential
meaning to the root; forms a noun, verb, or adjective
 Combining form – root with a combining vowel attached (e.g.
lip/o-); o is the most common combining vowel
In “decoding” medical terms, it is best to look first at the
meaning of the suffix, then at the meaning of the root or root and
prefix.

5. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Example: hyperlipoproteinemia
hyper- (prefix) = excessive
lip (root) = fat
o (vowel used to create a combining form, lipo-
)
protein (root) = protein
-emia (suffix) = blood condition
Hyperlipoproteinemia is a blood condition, characterized by an
excessive amount of fat and protein.

6. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Example: pericarditis
peri- (prefix) = around
cardi (root) = heart
-itis (suffix) = inflammation
Pericarditis literally means “inflammation around the heart” but
the dictionary states that this terms means inflammation of the
pericardium (-ium is a suffix meaning tissue), the sac that
encloses the heart.

7. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Body Language
Various medical terms refer to divisions of
the body, body position and direction, planes
of the body, and body cavities.
Examples of these are: epigastric region and
lower right quadrant of the abdomen; sacral
region of the back; superficial position; efferent
direction; horizontal plane; and frontal sinus. It
may be helpful to familiarize yourself with some
of these terms.

8. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical
Terminology:
Prefixes

9. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical
Terminology:
Suffixes

10. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical
Terminology:
Root Terms
Root Definition Example
aden- [Gr.] gland adenoma
blephar- [Gr.] eyelid blepharoplasty
cardi- [Gr.] heart cardiography
derm(at)- [Gr.] skin dermatitis
gastr- [Gr.] stomach gastrostomy
grav- [L.] heavy multigravida
lingu- [L.] tongue sublingual
phob- [Gr.] fear agoraphobia
spirat- [L.] breathe inspiratory
thorac- [Gr.] chest thoracoplasty

11. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology: Other
Terms that reflect an aspect of a disease/condition:
 anatomy – science of the structure of the body; relation of its
parts
 physiology – science dealing with the function of the body and
its parts
 etiology – what causes the disease
 diagnosis – determining what disease
 therapy – treatment of a disease
 prognosis – forecast of outcome of a disease
 signs – objective evidence of a disease; perceptible to the
practitioner
 symptoms – subjective sensations of the patient

12. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Drug terminology:
 brand name – name used for a drug made by a particular
company (e.g. Advil)
 generic name – name used for the drug, regardless of which
company makes it (e.g. ibuprofin)
 indication – condition for which you are taking the drug
 contraindication – condition that would preclude your taking
the drug
 precautions – things you need to watch for when taking the
drug
 side effects – effects other than the therapeutic effect of the
drug
 adverse reactions – potentially harmful side effect
 monograph – information on a single drug

13. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology Resources
Medical Terminology Certificate
Students will gain a basic understanding of medical
terminology by reviewing the material and
answering the questions within the online Medical
Terminology course offered by Des Moines
University and available at:
http://www.dmu.edu/medterms/
Students may, if they wish, pay $50.00 for a
certificate upon course completion.

14. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology Dictionaries
You may find it useful to have some resources at the ready for
yourself. The following resources are available online for a fee:
 Dorland, N.W. (2011). Dorland's illustrated medical dictionary.
(32nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
 Stedman, T.L. (2006). Stedman’s medical dictionary. (28th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
 Thomas, C. L. (2009) Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary. (21st
ed.). Philadelphia: Davis.
The following medical dictionary is available online free of charge:
 The Free Medical Dictionary by Farlex:
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/

15. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology Books
Building your own library of reference books can also support your
learning and be resources throughout your nursing career.
 Davis, B.J. (2008). Comprehensive medical terminology. Clifton
Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.
 Erlich, A. & Schroeder, C. L. (2013). Medical terminology for
health professions (7th ed.). New York, NY: Delmar, Cengage
Learning.
 Henderson, B. & Dorsey, J. L. (2009). Medical terminology for
dummies. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
 Chabner, Davi-Ellen. (2012). Medical terminology: A short course.
(6th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Sanders/Elsevier.

16. Introduction to Medical Terminology
Online Medical Terminology Information, Tools, Quizzes
 Prefixes Test - http://www.medword.com/prefixes_test.html
 List of Medical Roots - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_roots
 Basic Medical Terminology Quiz -
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz4508452c228.html
 Basic Medical Terminology - http://www.tpub.com/content/armymedical/MD0010/
 AAMA CMA Practice Exam: Medical Terminology - http://www.aama-
ntl.org/becomecma/practice_term.aspx
 Ed's Medical Terminology Page - http://www.pathguy.com/medvocab.htm
 Free Medical Terminology Web Game -
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab_med.htm
 Medical Terminology Activities - http://msjensen.cehd.umn.edu/APModules/medterms/
 MediLexicon (pharmaceutical and medical abbreviations) – http://www.medilexicon.com/
 Medical Terminology Prefixes (match words, flashcards, concentration games) -
http://www.quia.com