How is the Greek letter ‘kappa’ transliterated in English medical terms?
The Greek ‘k’ (kappa) is typically transliterated as ‘c’ in English, as in ‘cephalalgia’ (cephal- from Greek kephalé, meaning head) and ‘colon’ (from Greek kolon, meaning colon). There are exceptions such as ‘kinesia’ and ‘leukocyte’.
How is an aspirated ‘r’ at the beginning of Greek words transliterated in English?
An aspirated ‘r’ is usually transliterated as ‘rh,’ such as in ‘rhinitis’ (from Greek rhis, meaning nose) and ‘rhizoid’ (from Greek rhiza, meaning root). When preceded by another word element, ‘rh’ is transliterated to ‘rrh,’ e.g., (dia)rrhea, (gastro)rrhag(ia), (hepato)rrhex(is).
How are Greek diphthongs generally changed to English spelling sounds?
Greek diphthongs change as follows: ai to ae or e (haima to haemorrhage or hemorrhage), ei to ei or i (cheil to cheilosis), oi to oe or e (oidema to oedema or edema), ou to u (ourikos to uric).
What are the main categories of concepts that medical terms denominate?
Medical terms denominate diseased conditions, procedures, study fields, and instruments.
What are the three main types of meaningful word parts that make up medical terms?
Combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes.
What is a combining form in medical terminology?
The basic, main, or core part of a medical term that establishes its basic meaning. Every medical term must have at least one combining form.
What is the function of prefixes and suffixes in medical terms?
Prefixes and suffixes modify or add nuances to the meanings of combining forms. Prefixes are added before, and suffixes are added after, combining forms.
Give examples of structural patterns in which prefixes, combining forms, and suffixes can combine.
CF+s (nephr+oma = nephroma), p+CF+s (peri+nephr+itis = perinephritis), p+CF+CF+s (dys+megal+ops+ia = dysmegalopsia), p+p+CF+cv+CF+s (endo+peri+my+o+card(i)+itis = endoperimyocarditis)
What is a combining vowel and what is its function?
A vowel (usually ‘o’) used to facilitate the pronunciation of a term by linking term parts. It has no meaning itself but makes the term easier to say.
What is the first step in determining the meaning of a medical term?
Identify the components of the term and the meaning of each individual component.
What should you do if you cannot arrive at a sensible meaning of a medical term through analysis alone?
Consult a good medical dictionary to determine the real meaning of the term, as some terms have very technical and specific meanings.
What is the purpose of learning basic word forms (combining forms, prefixes, suffixes) in medical terminology?
To understand the meanings of medical terms and build a medical vocabulary.
What information is typically included in vocabulary lists for combining forms?
Greek word, combining form, meaning, and example.
What is the function of prefixes in medical terminology?
Prefixes modify or qualify the meanings of the word parts to which they are affixed. They have their own meanings, cannot stand alone, and are affixed to other word parts.
What is the function of suffixes in medical terminology?
Suffixes determine to a large extent the ‘category’ to which a term belongs (e.g., state/condition, process, procedure, person, study field). They cannot stand alone and are affixed to combining forms to form nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
What is the function of combining forms in medical terminology?
Combining forms form the core part of a medical term and have their own meaning. They combine with prefixes, suffixes, and other combining forms to create medical terms.
What does a hyphen following a prefix or combining form indicate?
It indicates that these forms are always followed by another term part/s.
What does a hyphen preceding a suffix indicate?
It indicates that the form is always preceded by another term part.
What does a hyphen preceding AND following a combining form indicate?
It indicates that it is both preceded and followed by another term part/s and never appears either at the beginning or at the end of a medical term.
What is a compound word ending in medical terminology?
A combination of one (or more than one) combining form and a suffix. These endings may often appear in medical terms and consequently become familiar endings.
What is the silent suffix -e?
The noun-forming suffix -e in terms like cystotome and cystoscope is not pronounced in English and indicates instruments.
What is the specialized use and meaning of STOM- and STOMAT- when applied in surgical procedures?
In surgical procedures, STOM- usually refers to the formation of a passage or communication between body parts.
What is the difference between -tomy and -stomy?
-tomy: incision into, e.g. nephrotomy (NEPHR-: kidney) – surgical incision of kidney. -stomy: formation of a passage or communication, e.g. nephrostomy – the formation of an artificial fistula into the renal pelvis.
What does the suffix -oma indicate?
The form -oma may indicate a diseased condition, e.g. glaucoma (an eye disease due to intraocular pressure). It also often denotes abnormal tissue growth in the form of a tumour (swelling) which may be benign or malignant.
