Introduction to Medical Terminology
Foundational concepts for understanding and using the language of health care.
1. Why Learn Medical Terminology?
| Benefit |
Explanation |
| Effective communication |
Enables clear exchange of information among clinicians, patients, and allied‑health professionals. |
| Accurate documentation |
Reduces errors in charts, prescriptions, and billing. |
| Enhanced learning |
Facilitates reading of textbooks, research articles, and lab reports. |
| Professional credibility |
Demonstrates competence in a clinical environment. |
2. Building Blocks of Medical Words
| Component |
Definition |
Example |
| Root (or base) |
The core meaning, usually indicating a body part or system. |
cardi = heart, neur = nerve |
| Combining vowel |
Usually ‑o‑ (sometimes ‑i‑) to link roots and affixes, making pronunciation smoother. |
cardi‑o‑logy |
| Prefix |
Modifies the root’s meaning (location, number, time, or status). |
hyper‑ = excessive → hyperglycemia |
| Suffix |
Alters the word’s grammatical function (procedure, condition, specialty, etc.). |
‑itis = inflammation → appendicitis |
| Combining form |
Root + combining vowel (treated as a single unit). |
cardi‑ = “heart” + “‑o‑” |
3. Common Prefixes
| Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
| a‑ / an‑ |
Without, lack of |
anemia (lack of blood) |
| ab‑ |
Away from |
abduction (movement away from midline) |
| ad‑ |
Toward, addition |
adduction (movement toward midline) |
| ante‑ |
Before (in time/space) |
anterior (front) |
| contra‑ / counter‑ |
Against |
contralateral (opposite side) |
| hyper‑ |
Excessive, above normal |
hypertension |
| hypo‑ |
Below normal, deficient |
hypoglycemia |
| post‑ |
After, behind |
postoperative |
| pre‑ |
Before |
prenatal |
| sub‑ |
Under, below |
subcutaneous |
4. Common Suffixes
| Suffix |
Part of Speech |
Meaning |
Example |
| ‑algia |
Noun |
Pain |
neuralgia (nerve pain) |
| ‑ectomy |
Noun |
Surgical removal |
appendectomy |
| ‑emia |
Noun |
Blood condition |
anemia |
| ‑itis |
Noun |
Inflammation |
tonsillitis |
| ‑logy |
Noun |
Study of |
dermatology |
| ‑ology |
Noun |
Specialty |
cardiology |
| ‑oma |
Noun |
Tumor, mass |
carcinoma |
| ‑osis |
Noun |
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