PMLS 1 MT TERM

LECTURE \ ANINON 01
LECTURE 5: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES AND ABBREVIATIONS
EXAMPLES
OUTLINE hemat + logy = hematology study of blood
I Medical Terminologies the process of cutting into
A Root Words phlebo + tomy = phlebotomy
the vein using a needle
B Prefixes
C Suffixes
II 11 Rules for Changing Singular Terms to Plural Terms • The plural form of medical terms is made by changing the
III Abbreviations end of the word and not by simply adding S, which follows
the rule for irregular nouns.

OBJECTIVES EXAMPLES
• Identify the meaning of the root words, prefixes, and Singular Plural
suffixes commonly used in medical terminologies; bacterium bacteria
• Use commonly used prefixes and suffixes correctly; nucleus nuclei
• Define the meanings of common medical terms used in thrombus thrombi
the practice of medical technology; and Singular Plural
• Identify common abbreviations used in clinical laboratory bacillus bacilli
practice. ovum ova
spermatozoon spermatozoa
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGIES
• Most medical terms are derived from Greek and Latin 11 RULES FOR CHANGING SINGULAR TERMS TO
words. Since clinical laboratory personnel are in constant PLURAL TERMS
communication with other health care personnel, Medical Terminology Rules for Words Ending in:
patients, and family members on a daily basis, they need 1. -a 6. -ma 11. -x
to be familiar with the abbreviations and meanings of 2. -ax 7. -on
common medical terms. 3. -ex 8. -us
• A medical term has three basic parts: 4. -is 9. -um
o Root word 5. -ix 10. -y
o Prefix
o Suffix RULE DEFINITION
BASIC PART DEFINITION
1. Words ending • When the singular form of the
in -A word ends with -a, keep the -a
Root word • It is the main part of the medical
and add an -e.
term that denotes the meaning of
the word. EXAMPLE
EXAMPLES Axilla A pyramid-shaped
colo colon space forming the
phlebo vein underside of the
hemat blood shoulder.
aero air Axillae (plural)
Prefix • It is found at the beginning of the 2. Words ending • When the singular form of the
term and it shows how meaning is in -AX word ends with -ax, drop the -x
assigned to the word. and add -ces.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE
a-/an- Without, absence
Thorax The upper part of the
hyper- Meaning increased / above trunk that contains the
poly- many rib cage, lungs, and
pre- before some of the abdominal
Suffix • It is found at the terminal portion or organs.
at the end of the term. It also
denotes the meaning of the root Thoraces (plural)
word. 3. Words ending • When the singular form of the
EXAMPLES in -EX word ends with -ex, drop the -ex
and add -ices.
-megaly enlargement
-uria urine EXAMPLE
-emia blood Vortex A whirlpool effect
-ostomy to make an opening or caused by a spinning
mouth mass of fluid.
Vortices (plural)
• It is a rule that if suffix starts with a consonant, a
combining vowel needs to be used (usually the letter O).
• The combining vowel does not change the meaning of the
root word and is added in order to make the pronunciation
of the word easier. The combining vowel is added
between the root word and the suffix.

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 TRANS: Medical Terminologies and Abbreviations

RULE DEFINITION TERMINOLOGIES

4. Words • When the singular form of the
ending in -IS word ends with -is, drop the -is ROOT WORDS
and add -es.
EXAMPLE cardio = heart pyo = pus
Metastasis When a tumor cell myo = muscle cranio = skull
moves from the
arterio = artery thrombo = clot
primary location and
establishes a remote cyto = cell pyro = fever
location.
arthro = joint nephro = kidney
Metastases (plural)
5. Words • When the singular form of the heap/hepato = liver osteo = bone
ending in -IX word ends with -ix, drop the -x
and add -ces. PREFIXES
EXAMPLE iso- = same nano- = billionth
Cervix The part of the
uterus that protrudes micro- = small hypo- = decreased
into the vagina. macro- = large anaero- = without oxygen
Cervices (plural)
intra- = inside / within homo- = same, like
6. Words • When the singular form of the pseudo- = false cryo- = cold
ending in - word ends with -ma, keep the -
MA mono- = one neo- = new
ma and add -ta.
EXAMPLE
SUFFIXES
Sarcoma A malignant neoplasm
of the soft tissue. -itis = inflammation of -ectomy = surgical removal
Sarcomata (plural)
7. Words • When a singular form of the word -megaly = enlargement -emia = blood condition
ending in - ends with -on, drop the -on and -blast = young -pathy = disease
ON add -a. -cidal = killing of -penia = deficiency
EXAMPLE
-poiesis = formation -oma = tumour, growth
Ganglion A knotlike mass of
nervous tissue. -meter = measure -tome = cutting instrument
Ganglia (plural)
8. Words • When a singular form of the word ABBREVIATIONS
ending in -US ends with -us, drop the -us and Listed below are the commonly encountered abbreviations in
add -i. the health care practice that medical technology students
should know:
EXAMPLE
Thrombus An aggregation of
platelets, fibrin and DOH Department of Health
clotting factors. It is CHED Commission of Higher Education
also known as a VDRL Venereal Disease Research Laboratories
blood clot. AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Thrombi (plural) AIDs Autoimmune disorders/diseases
9. Words • When the singular form of the AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
ending in - word ends with -um, drop the - BUN Blood Urea Nitrogen
UM um and add -a. 2PPBS 2 hours Postprandial Blood Sugar
EXAMPLE AFS Acid Fast Stain
Bacterium A unicellular PCQACL Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in the
microorganism. Clinical Laboratories
Bacteria (plural) FBS Fasting Blood Sugar
10. Words • When the singular form of the IV Intravenous
ending in -Y word ends with -y, drop the -y HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
and add -ies. IU International Unit
EXAMPLE ICU Intensive Care Unit
K Potassium
Therapy The treatment of a
disease or condition. Na Sodium
Therapies (plural) NPO Nothing Per Orem
BAP Blood Agar Plate
11. Words • When the singular form of the
ending in -X word ends with -x, drop the -x
and add -ges. KEY POINTS
• A medical technologist must be knowledgeable in
EXAMPLE defining medical terms and using them correctly in
Larynx The organ of voice. communicating with other health personnel.
Larynges (plural) • Knowing the common key terms will be very handy in the
day-to-day practice of the medical technology profession.

REFERENCES
Notes from the discussion and PPT by Kristine Abegail
Belicena Aninon, RMT and PMLS1 Book

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TRANS: Medical Terminologies and Abbreviations

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