Medical terminology
Medical terminology refers to the words and language used specifically
in the medical and health fields. The proper definition describes medical
terminology as language used to describe anatomical structures,
procedures, conditions, processes and treatments in the medical field.
Understanding medical terminology can make all the difference in critical
health situations. And while understanding medical language is serious
business for care providers, learning medical terminology can actually be
a thought-provoking, interesting crash course in the history and
development of language and parts of speech.
Why is Medical Terminology Important in the Medical Field?
Medical terminology is the linguistic foundation on which the entire
healthcare system is built. Because physicians are trained at varying
universities and complete their training across different hospitals and
disciplines and geographies, having a singular medical terminology
system ensures that effective care is delivered while reducing the potential
for miscommunication.
Why is Standardization of Medical Terminology Important?
Studies show that a standardized medical terminology system can
improve overall hospital operations also improve the usage of medical
information in secondary activities, such as research, public health and
case studies.
Additional benefits of standardized medical terminology include:
Ensures consistent documentation of clinical information
Creates a streamlined system for data entry and retrieval across
electronic medical records for billing and insurance purposes
Ensures that all relevant parties are educated across a universal
standard Improves patient care and safety, research and evidence-
based medicine
Helps promote efficient communication
Helps create a seamless patient experience
Medical language can be simplified when you understand that nearly all
medical terms can be broken down into three parts: the prefix, the root
and the suffix.
Prefix — appears at the beginning of a term and indicates a location,
direction, type, quality or quantity.
Root — can appear at the beginning of the word if prefix is absent,
but the root indicates the primary meaning of the medical term.
Suffix — appears at the end of the word and indicates a specialty,
test, procedure, function, disorder or status.
Medical Terminology: Examples of Prefixes
Size
large macro-, mega(lo)-
small micro-
Number
half semi-
half (one side) hemi-
one mono-, uni-
two | three | four bi- | tri- | qua
equal equi-
many poly-
Level
above normal hyper-
below normal hypo-
normal/good eu-
Time or
Speed
after post-
again re-
back/ retro-
before pro-, pre-, ante-
fast tachy-
new neo-
time, long time chron-
slow brady-
Location or
Relationship
away from ab-
above supra-
around peri-
across trans-
between inter-
out of, outside ex-, ec(t)-
self auto-
through, completely dia-
together con-
toward ad-
within, inside end(o)-
Function or Quality
against anti-, contra-
bad mal-
cause eti-
self auto-
without a-, de-
not working correctly dys-
Medical Terminology: Examples of Root Words
A lot of medical terms get their roots from Latin and ancient Greek
language, much like many words in the English and romance languages.
Here are some of the most common medical root words healthcare
providers must know.
Head
brain enceph
ear ot, aur
eardrum tympan, myring
eye aphthalm, ocul
face faci
nose rhin
skull crani
tongue lingu
tooth odont, dent
Heart and
Circulatory
aorta aort
arteries arteri
blood hem,
blood vessels angi
heart cardi
veins ven
Bones and Muscles
arm brachi
back dorsa
bones oste
foot pod, ped
muscles myo
rib cost
shoulder scapul
wrist carp
Digestive System
appendix append
colon col
esophagus esophag
intestine (usually
inter
small)
kidney ren, neph
liver hepat
stomach gastr
Other Common
Roots
cancer carci
drug chem
electric electr
heat therm
knowledge gnos
life bi
pressure bar
returned sound echo
Medical Terminology: Examples of Suffixes
The last ingredient in a medical term is likely the suffix, which provides
more specifics about the term’s application. Here are just a few of the
most important medical suffixes to know.
Basic Noun and Adjective
Suffixes
(noun form) -a, -e, -um, -is
causing -genic
condition -ia, -ism, -sis, -y
specialty -iatry, -iatrics, -ics
specialist -ian, -ist
structure -um, -us
study of -logy
-ac, -ar(y), -(e/i)al, -ic(al), -ior, -ory,
pertaining to
-ous, -tic
Tests and Procedures
removal of -ectomy
image/record/td> -gram
making a picture -graph(y)
cut in -otomy
viewing -scopy
opening -stomy
Pathology
or Function
blood (condition of) -emia
breathing -pnea
inflammation -itis
condition or disease -osis
deficiency -penia
disease -pathy
excessive flow -rrhag(e/ia)
mass/tumor –oma
Medical terms
The charts providers use for making notes are often filled with this kind of
medical terminology. You might even know some of them by a different
name.
1. Abrasion: A cut or scrape that typically isn’t serious.
2. Abscess: A tender, fluid-filled pocket that forms in tissue, usually due
to infection.
3. Acute: Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes
severe, but the duration is short.
4. Benign: Not cancerous.
5. Biopsy: A small sample of tissue that’s taken for testing.
6. Chronic: Signifies a recurring, persistent condition like heart disease.
7. Contusion: A bruise.
8. Defibrillator: A medical device that uses electric shocks to restore
normal heartbeat.
9. Edema: Swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
10. Embolism: An arterial blockage, often caused by a blood clot.
11. Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin.
12. Fracture: Broken bone or cartilage.
13. Gland: An organ or tissue that produces and secretes fluids that serve
a specific function.
14. Hypertension: High blood pressure.
15. Inpatient: A patient who requires hospitalization.
16. Intravenous: Indicates medication or fluid that’s delivered by vein.
17. Malignant: Indicates the presence of cancerous cells.
18. Outpatient: A patient who receives care without being admitted to a
hospital.
19. Prognosis: The predicated outcome of disease progression and
treatment.
20. Relapse: Return of disease or symptoms after a patient has recovered.
21. Sutures: Stitches, which are used to join tissues together as they heal.
22. Transplant: The removal of an organ or tissue from one body that is
implanted into another.
23. Vaccine: A substance that stimulates antibody production to provide
immunity against disease.
24. Zoonotic disease: A disease that is transmissible from animals to
humans.
Medical abbreviations and acronyms
There are many more medical acronyms and abbreviations than what’s
listed below. But unless you’re planning to become a doctor or another
type of provider, this condensed lineup should get you up to speed.
ALS: Advanced life support.
Bl wk: Blood work.
BMI: Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and
weight.
BP: Blood pressure.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique that’s also
called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
C-spine: Cervical spine.
DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not
perform CPR.
ED/ER: Emergency department or emergency room.
EKG: Electrocardiogram, a way of monitoring the heart and testing for
problems.
HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “good”
cholesterol.
HR: Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute.
LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad”
cholesterol.
Lytes: Electrolytes.
NICU: Neonatal intensive care unit, a specialized unit that cares for
premature infants.
OR: Operating room where surgeries are performed.
Pre-op: Preoperative.
Psych: Refers to psychiatry or the psychiatric ward.
PT: Physical therapy, a type of treatment to help patients move and feel
better.
Rx: Prescription, usually for medication but can also signify another
treatment.
Stat: Immediately.
What is the important terminology of blood?
Hematology: the scientific study of blood and blood-forming tissues.
Hematopoiesis: the process by which the body produces new blood cells.
Hematopoietic stem cell: a cell that can develop into any type of blood
cell; often abbreviated HSC.
Hemolysis: refers to processes which shorten red cell life span. This may
occur by mechanical disruption, antibody–mediated destruction,
cytoskeletal defects, and red cell enzyme deficits.
Macrocytosis: Large red cells.
Megaloblastic: large oval-shaped red cells (macro–ovalocytes) and
hypersegmented neutrophils can be found in the peripheral blood.
Microangiopathic: mechanically–disrupted red cells.
Microcytosis: Small red cells.
WBC: White blood cell count
The terminology for respiration
Inhalation (or inspiration) refers to the phase of respiration when the
diaphragm contracts, and helps pull oxygen into the lungs.
Exhalation (or expiration) is the phase of respiration when the
diaphragm relaxes, rises, and helps push carbon dioxide out of the
lungs.
لفهم تشخيص الطبيب
أو لوصف ما نعانيه من أعراض أو لشرح التاريخ المرضي عند الحديث مع الطبيب.
abdomen بطن
abortion إجهاض
immunity مناعة
acute حاد
acute heart failure قصور القلب الحاد
acute inflammation التهاب حاد
acute liver infection التهاب الكبد الحاد
addiction إدمان
airway مجرى الهواء
allergic reaction رد فعل تحسسي
amnesia فقدان ذاكرة
amputation بتر
anemia فقر دم
appendicitis التهاب الزائدة الدودية
appetite شهية
asthma ربو
bleeding نزف
blood clotting تجلط الدم
blood pressure ضغط الدم
blood transfusion نقل الدم
Bones عظام
bone marrow نخاع العظام
caesarean section عملية قيصرية
chemotherapy عالج كيماوي
chronic مزمن
colic مغص
colitis التهاب القولون
coma غيبوبة
complications مضاعفات
contagious diseases أمراض معدية
cough )يسعل ( يكح) سعال (كحة
Dehydration جفاف
Diabetes مرض السكري
Diagnosis تشخيص
Diarrhea إسهال
Digestion الهضم
Fever ُحمى
Headache صداع
hepatitis التهاب الكبد
hypertension ارتفاع ضغط الدم
influenza, flu إنفلونزا
tumor ورم
infection عدوى
rash طفح جلدي
renal failure قصور الكلى
stethoscope سماعة الطبيب
stomach معدة
stroke سكتة دماغية
veins أوردة
Runny nose رشح
To sneeze يعطس
Breathing التنفس
Treat يعالج
heart القلب
beat ضربة
fertility الخصوبة
incubation احتضان المرض
choke يختنق
Contagious disease مرض معدي
virus فيروس
To be ill يمرض
patient مريض
Healthy صحي
stomach معدة
Stomach ache ألم المعدة
Backache ألم الظهر
sore throat التهاب الحلق
Dry eye جفاف العين
Heart attack جلطة/ نوبة قلبية
Shock صدمة
prescription )وصفة طبية (روشتة
arterial pressure الضغط الشرياني
.على اسم أحد هذه التخصصات
Anesthesiologist طبيب تخدير
Ophthalmologist طبيب عيون
dentist طبيب أسنان
dermatology clinic عيادة جلدية
Dermatologist طبيب جلدية
Psychiatrist طبيب نفسي
surgeon جراح
Pediatrician/ Pediatrist طبيب أطفال
Gynecologist طبيب أمراض نساء
Obstetricians طبيب توليد
SPEC PHY GYNECOLOGY
اخصائي أمراض نساء وتوليد
OBSTETRICS
OB-GYN doctor
دكتور نساء ووالدة
)(obstetrician/gynecologist
Cardiologist طبيب قلب
Neurologist طبيب أعصاب
Hematologist طبيب متخصص في أمراض الدم
طبيب متخصص في أمراض المفاصل
Rheumatologist
واألمراض الروماتيزمية
Urologist دكتور مسالك بولية
Pulmonologist طبيب متخصص في أمراض الجهاز التنفسي
otolaryngologist دكتور أنف وأذن وحنجرة
gastroenterologist طبيب أمراض الجهاز الهضمي
Veterinarian دكتور بيطري
مصطلحات طبيه للتمريض
autoclave جهاز التعقيم
bandage ضمادة
first aid إسعاف أولي
gloves قفازات باالنجليزي
mask كمامة باالنجليزي
post-operative care عناية بعد الجراحة
preoperative care عناية قبل العملية
pulse نبض باالنجليزي
thermometer ميزان حرارة
vaccination تطعيم باالنجليزي
injection حقن
syringe حقنة
nurse ممرضة باالنجليزي
Obstetrics & Gynecology Nurse ممرضة أمراض نساء وتوليد
Vaccine طعم (تطعيم)
dressing تضميد
dose جرعة دواء
plaster لزقة جروح
cast جبيرة كسور باالنجليزي( جبس)
مصطلحات ادوات طب االسنان واسماءها
gingivitis التهاب اللثة باالنجليزي
gum اللثة باالنجليزي
mouth gag فاتح الفكين
Wisdom tooth ضرس العقل باالنجليزي
Dental floss خيط األسنان باالنجليزي
Teeth sensitivity حساسية األسنان
Tooth discoloration تلون األسنان
Sterilizer جهاز التعقيم
Dental needle إبرة تخدير األسنان
Filling حشوة
toothache ألم األسنان
Mouth wash مضمضة
dental orthopedics تقويم األسنان باالنجليزي
Dental braces أداة تقويم األسنان
مصطلحات صيدالنية:
antacids مضادات حموضة
antidepressants مضادات اإلكتئاب
antihistaminics مضادات الهستامين
antipruritic مضاد للحكة
antipyretic خافض حرارة
antitoxin مضاد للسم
broad spectrum antibiotic مضاد حيوي واسع المفعول
extract خالصة
fungicidal مضاد فطريات
hematinics مقويات الدم
locally acting drugs أدوية مؤثرة موضعيا
narrow spectrum antibiotic مضاد حيوي محدود المفعول
oral suspension معلق فموي
psychotropic دواء ذهاني
scabicides مضادات الجرب
side effects آثار جانبية
drops نقط
Pills أقراص/حبوب
tablet قرص باالنجليزي
capsule كبسولة
syrup دواء شراب باالنجليزي
ointment مرهم موضعي
water – soluble vitamin فيتامين يذوب في الماء
Pharmacy/drug store (American
Eglish) صيدلية
=Chemist’s (British English)
Chemist/ druggist / pharmacist صيدالني
Cure/drug / medicament/ medication
دواء
/ medicine/ remedy
:تحاليل و أشعة
cardiogram مخطط القلب
deep x-ray أشعة سينينة عميقة
electrocardiogram [ECG] مخطط كهربائي للقلب
CT/CAT scan
““Computerized Axilla أشعة مقطعية
Tomography
pregnancy test اختبار حمل باالنجليزي
RH (rhesus factor) عامل رايزيس
sensitivity test اختبار حساسية
CBC (Complete blood count) صورة دم كاملة
Stool Analysis تحليل براز
Uric Acid حمض اليوريا
Urine Test تحليل بول
Laboratory(LAB) معمل باالنجليزي
Microscope ميكروسكوب
Samples عينات
Red Blood cells (RBCs) كرات دم حمراء
White Blood cells(WBCs) كرات دم بيضاء
Platelets صفائح دموية
bleeding Time سرعة النزف
Coagulation time زمن التجلط ( التخثر)
Blood groups فصائل الدم
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
قياس سرعة الترسيب بالدم
)(ESR
Glucose جلوكوز ( سكر الدم) باالنجليزي
Random Blood Glucose تحليل السكر العشوائي
Fasting Blood Sugar نسبة السكر الصائم
Kidney Function Tests ختبارات وظائف الكلى
Parasites طفيليات
Worms ديدان
Ova بيض (الطفيليات)
Larvae اليرقات (ديدان غير ناضجة)
Liver Function Tests اختبارات وظائف الكبد
Liver Enzymes انزيمات الكبد باالنجليزي
مصطلحات طبية كتابة وصوت
fever حُمى
a cold برد
to cough السعال
runny nose رشح
healthy صحي
weak ضعيف
strong قوي
a sponge اسفنجة
a cigar السيجار
influenza, flu إنفلونزا
tooth paste معجون أسنان
a pill حبة دواء أو قرص
soap الصابون
a nurse الممرضة
shower الدش
Exercise 1
Define the following terms :
Etiology
Diseases
Syndrome
Sign
Incidence
Prevalence
Pathogenesis
Idiopathic
Hyperemia
Aneurysm
Gangrene
Singular and plural endings
Exercise 2
