Building Medical Vocabulary
In general, A medical vocabulary is the heart of a career in the allied health fields. Additionally, It provides the means by which all individuals concerned with patient health care issues can share information. Whether in a one-physician office, a major clinic, or a centralized laboratory, a behind-the-scenes health care team provides a variety of services
Building a medical vocabulary with synonyms is a great way to improve your communication and understanding in the field. Here are some ways to get started:
Resources:
- Medical Dictionaries: These are your primary resource. Look for dictionaries with a thesaurus function or extensive synonym listings. Some reputable options include Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary and Stedman’s Medical Dictionary.
- Online Resources: Websites like National Institutes of Health and medical terminology portals often have glossaries with synonym listings.
Focus Areas:
- Body Parts: Learn synonyms for various body parts. For example, "abdomen" can also be "belly" (informal) or "venter" (technical).
- Conditions: Many diseases have multiple names. For instance, "myocardial infarction" is a synonym for "heart attack." Be aware that some synonyms may be more technical than others.
- Procedures: Procedures often have synonyms based on technicality or focus. "Appendectomy" is the technical term for removing the appendix, while "surgical removal of the appendix" is a more descriptive synonym.
Cautions:
- Precision vs. Clarity: While synonyms can be helpful, prioritize precision in critical situations. Use the most widely understood term within the medical field to avoid confusion.
- Informal vs. Formal Settings: Some synonyms may be informal and inappropriate for professional settings. "Stomach ache" is a synonym for "abdominal pain" but wouldn’t be used in a medical report.
Tips:
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with medical terms on one side and synonyms on the other.
- Use it or Lose it: Try incorporating synonyms into your medical discussions or writing whenever possible.
- Context is Key: When encountering a new synonym, understand the context in which it’s used to grasp its subtle differences.
By following these tips and using the resources available, you can effectively build your medical vocabulary with synonyms, improving your communication and comprehension within the healthcare field.
Objectives
Representative Health Care Positions
Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
Anatomical Terms
Regular words with specialised medical meanings
Diagnostic procedures and Treatment procedures
Terminology
Objectives
Objectives of Building a Medical Vocabulary:
When you have completed this chapter on building a medical vocabulary, you should be able to i.e.
1. Firstly, Define medical terminology.
2. Secondly, Define word elements, roots, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes.
3. Thirdly, Create the singular and plural forms of commonly used medical terms.
4. Fourthly, Identify homonyms, eponyms, and other confusing terms used in medical reports.
5. After that, Use a medical dictionary.
6. Lastly, Identify and spell the word elements also determine their meaning.
Representative Health Care Positions
Representative Health Care Positions in Building a Medical Vocabulary:
admissions clerk- echocardiograph technician
cancer registrar- health information management
cardiovascular technologist- technician
clinical laboratory technician- histologist
coding specialist- licensed practical nurse
CT technologist- medical and health services manager
medical transcriptionist- phlebotomist
MRI technologist- physical therapist
nurse practitioner- physician’s assistant
occupational therapist- psychologist
office manager- radiographer
paramedic- registered nurse
pharmacist- respiratory therapy technician
pharmacy aide- ultrasound technician
pharmacy technician
Educational requirements for these positions may vary considerably, but the one requirement that cuts across all of these positions is the ability to understand medical terminology.
What is medical vocabulary or terminology? It is the collection of all of the terms used by physicians, scientists, and other medical personnel to describe their work in the allied health field. The collection, or language, of medical terminology is more extensive than that of many other technical specialties. And like all languages, it is constantly changing. Progress in science and technology continually contributes new words—and occasionally makes some obsolete. Advances in the use of lasers, nuclear medicine, noninvasive radiology, and computer technology have led to the addition of words that did not even exist just a few years ago.
Medical terminology consists of four major elements. Each of these elements will be addressed in this text.
Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
Roots ,Prefixes ,Suffixes for Building Medical Vocabulary
- Medical terminology begins with a thorough understanding of roots, prefixes, and suffixes referred to in this text as word elements and how they can be combined in a variety of ways to create medical words.
- This includes knowing how to join the word elements to form medical terms; recognizing the difference between the adjective and noun form of a term; knowing the singular and plural form of a term; and knowing how to use eponyms also homonyms.
Anatomical Terms
Anatomical terms used for Building a Medical Vocabulary
- Because body parts frequently are referred to in the medical work environment, members of the health care team should be familiar with at least the most commonly used anatomical terms.
- Understanding how the systems of the body function helps to make sense of medical terms.
- Basic body structure is presented in next Article ; more detailed anatomy and associated terminology with each body system appears in subsequent Articles.
Regular words with specialised medical meanings
Regular Words with Specialised medical meanings
- Some familiar, everyday words or phrases may actually have a special, even formal, medical meaning.
- For instance, the “thrill” noted in a medical report refers to a vibration felt when the hand place on the body, not the feeling you get when you win a prize.
- In other cases, informal regional and institutional terms have arisen that are not cover in medical reference books.
- These learn as needed on the job. You will introduce to some of the ordinary words with specialized medical meanings in the Listening Activities and other Article-end activities.
Diagnostic procedures and Treatment procedures
Procedures known for Building a Medical Vocabulary
- Physicians record the names and results of diagnostic procedures that they order.
- These, as well as the resulting diagnoses, treatment procedures, and medications, must record accurately.
- It is also helpful to know metric measures and abbreviations.
- The knowledge you gain from this course of study will not only prepare you for a career in the allied health field but will also enable you to become an informed user of medical services, allowing you to make more intelligent choices about your personal health care.
Terminology
Term,inology
1. Break it Down:
- Root: The core of the word, often from Latin or Greek. (e.g., "cardi" means heart)
- Prefix: Comes before the root, modifies its meaning. (e.g., "brady" means slow, so "bradycardia" is slow heart rate)
- Suffix: Comes after the root, often indicates a condition, procedure, or part of speech. (e.g., "-itis" means inflammation, so "carditis" is heart inflammation)
2. Common Roots:
- Cardio: Heart (cardiology, myocarditis)
- Gastro: Stomach (gastritis, gastroenterology)
- Neuro: Nerve (neurology, neuropathy)
- Derma: Skin (dermatitis, dermatology)
- Hepat: Liver (hepatitis, hepatology)
- Nephro: Kidney (nephritis, nephrology)
- Pulmo: Lung (pulmonary, pneumonia)
3. Common Prefixes:
- Hyper-: Above, excessive (hypertension, hyperglycemia)
- Hypo-: Below, deficient (hypotension, hypoglycemia)
- Dys-: Difficult, painful (dyspnea, dysphagia)
- A- or An-: Without, absence of (anemia, apnea)
- Brady-: Slow (bradycardia)
- Tachy-: Fast (tachycardia)
4. Common Suffixes:
- -itis: Inflammation (arthritis, bronchitis)
- -oma: Tumor (carcinoma, melanoma)
- -ectomy: Surgical removal (appendectomy, tonsillectomy)
- -osis: Condition, disease (osteoporosis, thrombosis)
- -algia: Pain (neuralgia, myalgia)
5. Example in a Sentence:
Instead of saying "The patient had a fast heart rate and difficulty breathing," you could say, "The patient presented with tachycardia and dyspnea."
Tips for Learning:
- Start with common terms: Focus on terms you encounter frequently in your reading.
- Use flashcards or apps: There are many resources available to help you memorize medical terms.
- Read medical articles and textbooks: Pay attention to how terms are used in context.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions: If you encounter a term you don’t understand, ask your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is it important to learn medical terminology?
Understanding medical terminology unlocks the ability to:
Decipher medical reports: You’ll be able to understand what your doctor writes or what those lab results actually mean.
Communicate effectively: You can express your health concerns more precisely to healthcare professionals.
Learn new information faster: As you grasp the building blocks of medical terms, it becomes easier to learn new diagnoses and treatments.
Feel empowered in your healthcare: Knowledge is power! Understanding the language of medicine helps you become a more active participant in your own care.
How can I learn medical terminology effectively?
Here are some proven strategies:
Break down words into their parts: Focus on roots, prefixes, and suffixes (like we discussed earlier).
Use flashcards or spaced repetition apps: These tools are great for memorization. Anki and Quizlet are popular options.
Read medical texts and articles: Immerse yourself in the language. Start with simpler materials and gradually increase the complexity.
Watch medical documentaries or dramas: Pay attention to the terminology used.
Take a medical terminology course: Many online and in-person courses are available.
Practice, practice, practice: Consistent effort is key.Use the terms you learn in conversations and writing.
What are some common mistakes people make when learning medical terminology?
Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
Trying to memorize everything at once: Focus on the most common terms first.
Ignoring the context: Pay attention to how words are used in sentences and paragraphs.
Not reviewing regularly: Repetition is crucial for long-term retention.
Being afraid to ask questions: Don’t hesitate to seek clarification from healthcare professionals or instructors.
Are there any resources you recommend for building a medical vocabulary?
Medical dictionaries: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, Stedman’s Medical Dictionary
Online resources: MedlinePlus, National Cancer Institute
Medical terminology textbooks: "Medical Terminology for Dummies," "Medical Terminology: A Short Course"
Apps: Medical Terminology by Intelligent Medical Objects, Daily Medical Terminology
How long does it take to build a strong medical vocabulary?
It’s an ongoing process, but with dedicated effort, you can make significant progress within a few months. The key is consistency and finding learning methods that work for you.
