By Arushi Trivedi on 21 Aug 2022
8 mins read
Medical terminology is very essential for people even remotely related to the field, while it is mandatory for professionals working directly in the field. Medical terminology is still a good to know factor for people who want to know the commonly used medical terms.
A medical Terminology is a group of words very commonly used in the field of healthcare to describe procedures, processes, diseases and disorders relating to the human body and living organisms in general.
Medical terminology is a vast subject which entails all types of words used in the field of healthcare and medicine, thus it is next to impossible to know about each one of them. To make it easy for everyone to try and understand most of the words the terminology can be broken down into various categories such as:
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A typical medical term includes a root word and a prefix and/or a suffix attached to it. Example –
Hypothermia consists of a prefix – Hypo which means “deficient/low” and root word – therm which means “heat”. The combined meaning of the word is – a medical emergency which occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce, causing a low body temperature.In this manner most of the medical terms can be formed by combining root word with a prefix and or suffix. Most of these root words, prefixes and suffixes are from Ancient Greek or Latin, thus their meanings come from the language of origin. Thus Medical terminology in itself is a language.
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Medical terms list contain root words which mostly have a prefix or suffix with them. Medical terminology prefixes are words that are used at the start of the term and Suffixes are words used at the end of the term. Most of the terms used in the medical field can be deciphered using these prefixes and suffixes – Given is the medical terminology list that consists of prefix and suffix medical terminology.
These are the main or root words that form the whole term. In normal language, root words are clubbed with a prefix and/ or a suffix to make a whole term. These root words originate from the commonly used words such as body part (heart, liver, kidney), or part their of such as urine, blood, cells etc.
| Root Word | Meaning |
| Blast | Germ, immature cell |
| Carcino | Cancer |
| Cardio | Heart |
| Cyto | Cell |
| Derma | Skin |
| Histio | Tissue |
| Nephro | Kidney |
| Neuro | Nerves |
| Onco | Mass/Tumor |
| Osteo | Bones |
| Paed | Child |
| Tox | Poison |
| Uria | Urine |
Medical abbreviations can often be confusing, thus knowing a few common one’s is a good to know practice as they are very casually used in healthcare settings such as hospitals, laboratories, clinics, etc. Checkout these commonly used medical abbreviations that are a part of basic medical terminology list:
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| AIDS | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| ADH | Antidiuretic hormone |
| BMD | Bone Mass Density |
| BMI | Body Mass Index |
| BP | Blood Pressure |
| BPD | Borderline personality disorder |
| CBC | Complete blood count |
| COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| CT Scan | Computed Tomography |
| DM | Diabetes mellitus |
| DVT | Deep venous thrombosis |
| Dx | Diagnosis |
| ECT | Electroconvulsive therapy |
| EKG | Electrocardiogram |
| ELISA | Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay |
| ENT | Ear, nose, and throat |
| ET | Embryo transfer |
| ETT | Endotracheal tube |
| FB | Foreign Body |
| FHR | Fetal heart rate |
| FISH | Fluorescence in situ hybridization |
| FSH | Follicle-stimulating hormone |
| Fx | Fracture |
| GA | Gestational Age |
| GBC | Gallbladder carcinoma |
| GFR | Glomerular filtration rate |
| GH | Growth Hormone |
| GHRH | Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| GIFT | Gamete intrafallopian transfer |
| GOD | Glucose oxidase |
| GU | Gastric Ulcer |
| HAART | Highly active antiretroviral therapy |
| HAI | Healthcare-associated infection |
| Hb | Haemoglobin |
| HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus |
| HLA | Human leukocyte antigen |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
| ID | Intensive Care Unit |
| IHC | Immunohistochemistry |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| Ig | Immunoglobulin |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IVF | In vitro fertilization |
| LFT | Liver Function Test |
| LHRH | Luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone |
| MICA | Mental illness and chemical abuse |
| MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| NICU | Neonatal intensive care unit |
| NMR | Nuclear magnetic resonance |
| OT | Occupational therapy |
| PACU | Post-anesthesia care unit |
| PBX | Probiotics |
| PK | Protein kinase |
| RAPD | Relative afferent pupillary defect |
| RFLP | Restriction fragment length polymorphism |
| RFT | Renal function test |
| Rh | Rhesus Factor |
| RIA | Radioimmunoassay |
| SARS | Severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| TGF | Tumor growth factor |
| TSH | Thyroid stimulating hormone |
| UTI | Urinary tract infection |
| VFV-fib | Ventricular fibrillation |
| WAT | White adipose tissue |
| ZDV | Zidovudine |
Here is a list of some common medical terms used to describe diseases:
This article covers most of the commonly used medical terms. Hope you found what you are looking for. If you still are confused while learning new medical terminology you can add the word in the comments section below and we will get back to you with the full meaning of it which includes – prefix, suffix and root word along with the commonly used medical abbreviations and acronyms.
What is medical terminology?
Medical terminology is the language used by healthcare professionals to describe the human body, medical conditions, procedures, and treatments. It is made up of specialized words, prefixes, and suffixes that are used to create medical terms.
Why is medical terminology important?
Medical terminology is important because it allows healthcare professionals to communicate accurately and effectively with one another. It also helps patients better understand their medical conditions and treatments.
Is medical terminology difficult to learn?
Learning medical terminology can be challenging, as there are many specialized words and concepts to learn. However, with practice and study, it is possible to become proficient in medical terminology.
How can I learn medical terminology?
There are several ways to learn medical terminology, including taking courses at a college or university, enrolling in online courses, using medical terminology textbooks, and practicing with flashcards or online quizzes.
What are some common medical prefixes and suffixes?
Some common medical prefixes include anti-, bi-, dys-, hyper-, hypo-, and poly-. Common medical suffixes include -algia, -centesis, -ectomy, -emia, -itis, -logy, -oma, -osis, and -pathy.
Can medical terminology be used internationally?
Yes, medical terminology is used internationally and is often based on Latin and Greek roots. This allows healthcare professionals from different countries and cultures to communicate effectively with one another.
Is it important to understand medical terminology if I am not a healthcare professional?
While it is not necessary to understand all medical terminology, it can be helpful for patients to have a basic understanding of medical terms related to their own health and medical conditions. This can help them communicate more effectively with their healthcare providers and understand their treatment options.
