medicalterminology.ca

Medical terminology

Medical Terminology

Even though it is one of the most widely used professional jargons forms around medical terminology is complex and in many ways esoteric and difficult to understand to even the most astute and observant layperson, but though it may seem otherwise it is not meant to be that way on purpose, but simply made that way by consequence of the design. As a vocabulary it is used to accurately an precisely describe the human biddy and all the parts associated with, as well as the conditions and process which occur within and around it, in a clear and scientific way that leaves no room for misinterpretation or conjecture, for the safety of the patient. This systematic approach at word and vocabulary building is primarily used by nurses and doctors, basically all medical professionals by utilizing word roots prefixes and suffixes in an accurate and constructive manner that reveals the intention behind a statement and an object position and relation to the body. Typically the root word comes from either Latin or Greek and is typically a body part while the prefix is used to modify the root word with additional information regarding the location of the organ or a number of parts or even perhaps a unit of time, and finally the suffixes are located at the end of the word to add disease process, procedure or condition.

When medical terminology is created it must follow these specific rules so that is clearly understood and capable of being communicated quickly and easily, since in most medical situations clarity and brevity can mean the difference between life and death. These constructions follow the rules of linguistics or language mechanics so that they can be quickly and logically constructed by any medical professional. Each word root is typically constructed to include a smooth vowel sound and when the words combined with a suffix, with the most common vowel found in English being –o- in the creation of this combing form. All prefixes can usually go without modification when they are added to the root word, due to the fact that theses words typically end with a vowel or a vowel sound, though there are of course some exception and in these cases they will change slight as in in- to im- or syn- to sym-. Suffixes only come in to two types those in need of a combing form or those without one.

However the most important aspect of this jargon is to be able to understand and decode medical terminology. Once a person has learned to understand the morphology of this language over repeated use and active application it will become easier to understand and apply it to everyday use. A typical approach is to simply break down the word into root, suffix, and prefix, sorting out the meaning of the word through there association and relationship with each other. But even though this may be a good way to go for a consummate medical professional but if you are just starting out a good thing to do is to go and find a medical terminology dictionary to get you through


Ablation In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.
 
Abnormal Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign.
 
Backbone The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The backbone encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called spine, spinal column, and vertebral column.
 
Bacteria A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause infections and disease in animals and humans. The singular of bacteria is bacterium.
 
Candidosis A condition in which Candida albicans, a type of yeast, grows out of control in moist skin areas of the body. It is usually a result of a weakened immune system, but can be a side effect of chemotherapy or treatment with antibiotics. Thrush usually affects the mouth (oral thrush); however, rarely, it spreads throughout the entire body. Also called candidiasis or thrush.
 
Capecitabine A drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites.
 
Degenerative disease A disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs changes for the worse over time. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease are examples.
 
Dehydration A condition caused by the loss of too much water from the body. Severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause dehydration.
 
Eccrine gland A type of simple sweat gland that is found in almost all regions of the skin. These glands produce sweat that reaches the surface of the skin by way of coiled ducts (tubes). The body is cooled as sweat evaporates from the skin.
 
Echocardiography A procedure that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart's position, motion of the walls, or internal parts such as the valves.
 
Faint Temporary loss of consciousness because of an insufficient blood supply to the brain.
 
Fallopian tube The tubal passageway connecting the ovary to the uterus.
 
Gangrene The decay of body tissue in a part of the body where the blood supply is obstructed by injury or disease.
 
Gastric Having to do with the stomach.
 
Heart failure Inability of the heart to adequately pump blood.
 
Heartburn Indigestion. A burning sensation in the chest caused by a reflux of acid into the esophagus or too much acid in the stomach.
 
Impetigo Skin infection characterized by erupting sores. Caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria.
 
Impotence Inability of a male to achieve erection and orgasm.
 
Joint The joining of two or more bones. In general, joints allow flexibility and mobility. However, some joints (for example, those in the skull) can't move.
 
Jugular Of the neck or throat, as in jugular veins.
 
Ketone: a byproduct of fat metabolism. When the body does not have enough glucose, the liver converts fatty acids into ketones, which are used as fuel by the muscles.

Kidney (adjective RENAL): one of two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back part of the abdominal cavity. The kidneys filter waste material from the blood and excrete urine.
 
Lactation: production of breast milk.

Laparoscopy: a procedure in which a lighted instrument is inserted through an abdominal incision for the purpose of diagnosis, biopsy, or surgery.
 
Malaise: a generalized feeling of illness and discomfort; a flu-like feeling.

Malignancy: a cancer, neoplasm, or tumor that grows in an uncontrolled manner, and may invade nearby tissue and metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body.
 
Nutrient: an agent that promotes proper growth and metabolism.

Nutrition: the process by which living organisms digest and metabolize food to use for maintenance and growth of tissues.
 
Off-label: use of an FDA-approved drug for an indication other than that for which it was approved.
 
Oncogen: an agent that promotes neoplastic cell growth, or cancer.