Med terms

By defining the word elements, one could define the medical words. Learning to combine and recombine the word elements into medical words is an integral component for those enrolling or practicing in the medical field. Word elements include prefixes, suffixes, and root or stem words. The stem or root word usually denotes the body part. Prefixes are placed before a root or stem word to modify the root or stem. Suffixes are placed at the end of a root or stem word to explain what is happening to the root or stem word. Below are examples of medical terms:

Biology is the study of life and living things and bi/o means life; the o/logy means study of, when it is at the end of a word.
Biolysis means the chemical decomposition of living tissue by the action of living organisms; lysis means decomposition, setting free, separation, destruction; thus, biolysis

Cardiomegaly means enlargement of the heart; megaly means to enlarge; thus, cardiomegaly

Neurotome means a fine knife used in the division of a nerve; -tom means to cut;-e means instrument (in this word) and/or noun marker; thus, neurotome.
Pathoanatomy means the anatomical pathology; Path/o means disease, feeling, or suffering; thus, anatomy is the study of the structure of living organisms.[1]
With the complexity of functions in the clinical area, it is imperative that a health care provider or those pertaining to the health team should know and understand these terms for easy accessibility and continuity of work. The use of medical terms has become the language in the clinical area, and so every health provider should understand in order to ensure that there is healthy communication between him and the client and within the health team.

With the right knowledge and understanding of these medical terms, it is easier for the physician, or the nurse, or any health care giver to administer diagnoses and interventions and let the responsible subordinates carry out the task. The use of these terms is standardized which promotes integrity and clarity of information in the clinical area. Therefore, it is a must that there should be sufficient knowledge on these to promote optimum and faster delivery of care.

[1] http://www.delmarlearning.com/companions/content/0766804917/script/sections1-18.pdf#search=’medical%20word%20elements’