Medical terminology 3 - Very helpful PDF

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Medical terminology 3 – commonly used prefixes Why this resource might be useful? Speaking the language of science and medicine is an essential requirement for all health professionals and life scientists; it is the basis for clear and accurate communication. Here we focus on some of the more commonly used prefixes in medical terminology.

Prefixes in medical terminology In the worksheet Medical Terminology 2, we covered some of the commonly used root words. The root words are the base of the term and provide a good indication of the meaning of the term. The addition of another word part (a prefix) to the beginning of an existing term is used to alter its meaning. For example, the word lateral means ‘side’. Using the following prefixes, we can generate new terms; Prefix bi-

Meaning two

Term bilateral

Meaning two sides

uni-

one

unilateral

one side

contra-

opposite, against

contralateral

opposite side

Here is a list of word parts commonly used as prefixes in medical and scientific terminology. You may be surprised to see how many you already know and use on a daily basis! Prefix

Meaning

Example

a-

Without, not

Apnea

ante-

Before

Antenatal

anti-

Against

Antibody

autobi-

Self Two, double

Autoimmune Bicuspid

dys-

Bad, difficult

Dysmenorrhea

endo-

Within

Endocrinology

ex-, exohemi-

Out, outside Half

Excision Hemisphere

hyper-

Over, above

Hyperactive

hypo-

Under, below

Hypodermic

interintra-

Between Within

Interstitial Intracranial

macro-

Large

Macrophage

micro-

Small

Microscope

neooligo-

New Few, scanty

Neonatal Oliguria

para-

Near, aside

Parathyroid

peri-

Around, surrounding

Periodontal

polypost-

Many After

Polydactyly Postmortem

pre-

Before

Premature

semi-

Half

Semiconscious

transAcross, through Transverse This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you would like to look at more examples of prefixes in medical terminology, check out some of the websites and textbook references listed in the resources section of this worksheet.

Revision/Practice exercises

1.

For each of the root words listed in the table, think of another term that uses that root. Then try and deduce the meaning of that term based on what you have learnt here.

2.

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following terms:

a. b. c. d. e. f. g. 3.

Prefix __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

orthopedics pandemic superficial neocortex isometric regurgitate euthyroidism

Meaning of Prefix _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

Write the opposite of the following terms (hint: think about the prefix) a. hypotension b. microscopic c. homogenous

Other resources you might find useful Practice makes perfect, and is the key to learning any new language. We have designed a series of modules that you can download and progress through at your own pace to develop and test your understanding of medical terminology. You can access these via the STIMulate community blackboard page (go to Science Resources → science vocabulary development). A great strategy to get you thinking about the terminology that is specific to your field of study is to generate your own glossary. This may be a separate notebook or file (even a note on your phone!) in which you jot down unfamiliar terms as they come up in lectures or class readings. Think about the word parts of these new terms – are there any components of the term you already recognise that might give some insight into the meaning. Here are a couple of websites that offer lists of prefixes, suffixes and roots specific to medical terminology and activities to test your understanding: 1.

QUIZLET (http://quizlet.com/). Search for lists of medical terminology relevant to anatomy, nursing, optometry, etc or create your own list. Lists can used to generate flashcards or games. Great study tool if you need a break from the books for 10 mins but want to stay on task! Lists of medical terminology prefixes, suffixes and roots (links also available on the STIMulate BB page, under science resources → vocabulary development).

2.

UMN medical terminology resource (http://msjensen.cehd.umn.edu/1135/Worksheets/medterms/default.html) Great resource from the University of Minnesota – includes lists of commonly used prefixes, suffixes and roots, as well as activities to test your understanding (link also available on the STIMulate BB page, under science resources → vocabulary development).

Textbooks (all available from QUT library) Chabner, D.-E. (2009). Medical terminology : a short course. St. Louis, Mo., Saunders Elsevier. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2009). Medical terminology made incredibly easy! Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Patton, K. T. and G. A. Thibodeau (2010). Anatomy & physiology. St. Louis, Mo., Mosby/Elsevier. (Look for the "Quick Guide to the Language of Science and Medicine" which is a separate offering to the text) Answers to revision questions: 2. a. ortho- (straight, correct, upright); b. pan- (all); c. super- (above, excess); d. neo- (new); e. iso- (same, equal); re- (back, again); g. eu- (true, easy). 3. a. hypertension

b. macroscopic

c. heterogenous

If you require further assistance feel free to visit a STIMulate drop-in session or contact us at [email protected]...