Chapter 1 – " The Structure of Medical Language"
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his study guide in no way replaces reading the textbook. Rather, it is intended to serve as a guide to focus attention on specific areas. While the workbook activities are not assigned as material to be submitted, the Instructor STRONGLY RECOMMENDS completing the activities as an invaluable study method.|
Medical Language |
Just as the English language is made up of smaller words, medicine as a language is made up of smaller medical terms
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Medical Words |
Word Parts |
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The individual terms used in medicine to describe location, description, quantity, etc. |
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots that when combined make up medical terms |
Suffixes
Building Medical Words: Combining Forms and Suffixes
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Laryng/o- Larynx (voice box) |
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-itis inflammation |
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Laryngitis Inflammation of the voice box |
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Combining Form – indicates body part |
Suffix indicates condition - |
Medical Term |
Rules:
If the suffix begins with a vowel
If the suffix begins with a consonant
See Figure 1-4, Figure 1-5, p. 11
Defining Medical Words: Combining Forms and Suffixes
Whenever possible, break the word apart into it’s smaller parts: combining form, suffix, and/or prefix
Define the smaller parts that make up the word
Put the definition of the suffix in front of the definition of the combining form
Add connecting words as needed to give clear, complete definition
See example provided above
Pronouncing Medical Words: Combining Forms and Suffixes
Review "Pronouncing Medical Words Exercise", p. 14
Prefixes
Building Medical Words: Prefixes, Combining Forms, and Suffixes
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Hypo-
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Glyc/o - Sugar |
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-emia condition of the blood |
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Hypoglycemia Condition of low blood sugar |
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Prefix – Indicates amount |
Combining Form -indicates substance |
Suffix – Indicates condition |
Medical Term |
Defining Medical Words: Prefixes, Combining Forms, and Suffixes
Review "Pronouncing Medical Words Exercise", p. 19
Review"
Medical Word Singular and Plural Nouns" p. 21For this chapter, you are responsible for the following terms / word parts AND their meanings:
Combining Forms
Suffixes
Prefixes
The word parts found on the above pages make up the foundation of medical language. These are the basics…your future success in this course is dependent on your mastery of this initial vocabulary.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations are used whenever possible. As you will soon discover, many terms are long, difficult to pronounce, and harder to spell. Medical professionals use abbreviations also as a time saving tool for managing increasingly large patient loads. HOWEVER – medical abbreviations are standardized. You cannot shorten words as you see fit. You may use abbreviations as long as they are medically recognized and universally accepted. During this course, you will be responsible for memorizing common abbreviations that apply to the specialty being discussed.
Chapter 2 – " The Body in Health"
This study guide in no way replaces reading the textbook. Rather, it is intended to serve as a guide to focus attention on specific areas. While the workbook activities are not assigned as material to be submitted, the Instructor STRONGLY RECOMMENDS completing the activities as an invaluable study method.
Body Planes
A plane is an imaginary line used to better describe locations within or on the surface of the body.
Directional Opposites
For every movement the body is capable of making…the opposite movement must also be possible.
Example:
Make a muscle (like Popeye the Sailorman).
To perform this movement, you had to bend your arm at the elbow. However, you cannot keep your arm in this position indefinitely (how would you be able to drive a car, eat a sandwich, or tie your shoes?).
Now straighten out your arm.
To perform this movement, you had to unbend your arm at the elbow.
When using directional opposites, you are describing a relationship of one body part or position to another.
My bellybutton in anterior to my heels.
My backbone is posterior to my breastbone.
When laying on your stomach – you are prone.
When laying on your back – you are supine.
My nose is medial to my ears.
My arms are lateral to my chest.
My eyes are superior to my thighs.
My feet are inferior to my knees.
My toes are distal to my knee. (The hip is the beginning point of the leg – the toes are further away from the hip compared to the knee)
My fingers are distal to my elbow. (The shoulder is the beginning point of the arm – the fingers are further away from the shoulder compared to the elbow)
My forearm is proximal to my wrist. (The shoulder is the beginning point of the arm - the forearm is closer to the shoulder compared to the wrist)
My hip is proximal to my ankle. (The hip is the beginning point of the leg – the hip is the beginning and therefore must be closer compared to the ankle)
My skin is superficial to my bones.
My brain is deep to my skull.
The hair on my head is external.
My body organs are internal.
Body Cavities
A cavity is a hollow space within the body that holds internal organs. The cavities are supported and protected by membranes, muscles, and/or bone.
See Figure 2-14, p. 42
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NOTE: Because the abdominal cavity has no distinct separation from the pelvic cavity – the two are often jointly referred to as the abdominopelvic cavity ¨¨Quadrants and Regions
Because medicine needs to be as precise as possible when describing locations, the abdominopelvic cavity is further subdivided into quadrants and regions.
Example:
Walter complains that his tummy hurts. His mommy rubs it for him, asks does he need to use the restroom (he says no), makes him some chicken soup, and sends him to bed to lie down.
After the pain worsened significantly through the night, Walter’s mom takes him to the doctor’s office first thing in the morning. She tells the nurse that Walter’s stomach has been hurting. The nurse, understanding how many organs are located within the abdomen, asks Walter to point to where his tummy is bothering him. Walter points to the lower right portion of this abdomen.
Using her knowledge of medical anatomy, the nurse recognizes that the appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen (RUQ) and pain in this area may signal a medical emergency – if the appendix ruptures, bacteria will invade the cavity and bloodstream placing a patient is at serious risk for infection, which if not caught early and left untreated will cause death.
Walter is taken to the radiology department for an x-ray. The films show that Walter’s appendix is extremely enlarged and likely to burst at any moment. He is rushed to the operating room for surgery and Walter’s appendix is removed.
You are not responsible for the Body Systems Approach – we will be studying the individual body systems throughout the course of this class. I encourage you to review pp. 45 – 51 as they are a preview of future class material.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary is an essential element of understanding Medical Terminology. Not all words can be broken apart and defined by their smaller word parts.
You will be responsible only for the vocabulary terms discussed and listed in your study guides. However, you should be able to recognize and define vocabulary words that include a previously studied prefix or suffix. If that term contains a combining form, you are not responsible for knowing that word part – but the more you know, the easier medical terminology will be!
Some chapters will have long vocabulary lists, others will have shorter lists. You should be sure to study the Vocabulary Review sections located in each chapter. Here you will find the vocabulary term, it’s combining form and definition, as well as a description.
In addition to studying word structure and definition, in this course we also emphasize spelling. Incorrectly spelling a term may change the entire meaning of the term.
Example:
uvula – the small piece of tissue that hangs in the rear portion of the throat
vulva – the female external genitalia
In the above example, the terms look similar…but are two VERY different body parts!
The following vocabulary terms represent the basic terminology used in medicine. The terms in this chapter are essential to your later success with understanding and comfortably using medical terminology to describe body systems, organs, and movements associated with each.
Anatomical position
Anatomy
Health
Macroscopic
Mediastinum
Microscope
Physiology
Viscera
Body in Disease
You are responsible for all of the vocabulary terms found on pp. 62 – 65
Healthcare Professionals and Healthcare Settings
Suffixes
Prefixes
Abbreviations
Discussion Questions
The discussion board is intended to simulate in-class student / Instructor interaction. Each week, the discussion board has two components.
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Example: Instructor posts: cardiomyopathy Student 1 posts: disease of the heart muscle Student 1 posts: nosocomial infection Student 2 posts: hospital acquired illness Student 2 posts: malignant Etc…….until everyone has posted |
Students are to make both required discussion board postings no later than 11:59 pm on the date indicated on the homepage.
NO LATE DISCUSSION BOARD POSTINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT INSTRUCTOR PRIOR APPROVAL.
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