Lom Introduction

LOM LOM Introduction Notes
CHAPTER 1: LOM INTRODUCTION
WORD ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language.
The words at first sound strange and complicated, although they may stand for commonly
known English terms.
Example:
I. Otalgia means ear ache.
II. Ophthalmologist means eye doctor.
Basic Elements of Medical Terminology
 Prefix
 Root
 Suffix
Medical terms may have 4 word parts:
1. Root
2. Prefix
3. Suffix
4. Combining form
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FIRST STEP
The first step in learning language is to understand how to divide medical words in to their
component part.
Medical language is logical as both simple and complex terms can be broken down in to
basic parts and easily understood.
Example:
HEMATOLOGY is divided as
HEMAT – Root word meaning 'blood'
O – Combining vowel that links the root and suffix.
HEMATO – The root word and combining vowel together gives the combining form.
LOGY – Suffix meaning 'study of'
TERMINOLOGIES
Root:
The root is the foundation of the word. (eg : ELECTROCARDIOGRAM )
Suffix:
The suffix is the word ending. (eg: ELECTROCARDIOGRAM)
Prefix:
The prefix is the word beginning. (eg: Hypotension)
Combining vowel:
Combining vowel (letter 'o') links the root to the suffix or the root to another root.
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Rules for word analysis
The following are the rules for word analysis
1. The root word is used before a suffix that begins with a vowel.
(E.g. Arthritis, cerebral)
2. A combining vowel is used to link a root word to a suffix that begins with
consonant
(e.g.cardiology, iatrogenic, thrombocyte)
3. A combining vowel is used to link a root word to another root word and a suffix to
form a compound word.
(e.g. Electrocardiogram, Gastroenterology)
Steps for defining medical words
• Step 1.define the suffix or the last part of the word first.
• Step 2.define the prefix or first part or word if any
• Step 3.define the middle of then word.
Eg. Osteoarthritis
Bone+ joint + inflammation
Define the suffix
Itis = inflammation
Define the prefix
Osteo= bone
Arthro= joint
So osteoarthritis means inflammation of bone and joint.
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Prefix
Introduction
Chapter talks about:
• Basic prefixes used in medical language.

• Analysis of medical terms that combine prefixes and other word elements
A- and AN-
The prefixes A- and AN- convey the meaning no, not, without or absence.
Apnea: Absence of breathing
Anoxia: Complete absence of oxygen from inspired gases, arterial blood, or tissue.
Ab- and Ad-
The prefix Ab- convey the meaning away from
Abductor: A muscle that draws a limb away from the body.
The prefix Ad- convey the meaning toward.
Adductor: A muscle that draws a limb towards the body.
Af- and Ana-
The prefix Af- convey the meaning toward
Afferent nerve: Nerves that carry impulses toward the brain and the spinal cord.
The prefix Ana- convey the meaning up or apart
Anabolism: The building up of complex chemical compound from smaller simpler compound
usually with the use of energy.
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Ante- and Anti-
Ante-
Meaning: before, forward
Antenatal: Before birth; during or relating to pregnancy
Anti-
Meaning: Against
Antibiotic: A medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.
Con- and Dia-
Con-
Meaning: with, together
Connective tissue: The supporting tissue of the animal body that is formed from fibrous
and ground substance with more or less numerous cells of various kind.
Dia-
Meaning: through, complete
Diarrhea: An abnormally frequent discharge of semisolid or fluid fecal material from the
bowel.
Hemi- and Hyper-
Hemi –
Meaning: Half
Hemiglossectomy: Surgical removal of one- half of the tongue.
Hyper-
Meaning: Excessive or above
Hyperplasia: An increase in number of normal cells in a tissue or organ.
Inter- and Macro-

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Inter –
Meaning : Between
Intercostal : Between the ribs.
Macro-
Meaning : Large
Macrocephalic: A condition, either congenital or acquired, in which the head abnormally

large.
Meta- and Peri-
Meta-
Meaning: change, beyond
Metastasis: The shifting of a disease from one part of the body to another.
Peri-
Meaning: surrounding
Pericardium: The fibroserous membrane covering the heart.
Post- and Pre-
Post-
Meaning: after, behind
Postmortem : An examination of a dead body to determine the cause.
Pre-
Meaning; Before, in front of
Prenatal: Preceding birth
Pro- and Supra-
Pro-
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Meaning: before, forward
Prodrome : An early or premonitory symptom of a disease.
Supra-
Meaning: above, upper
Suprathoracic : Above or in the upper part of the thorax.
Trans- and Uni-
Trans –
Meaning : across, through
Transfusion: Transfer of blood from one individual (donar) to anther individual (receptor).
Uni-
Meaning: One
Unilateral: Enclosed to one side only.
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Suffix
Introduction
This chapter is designed to teach the most common suffixes in the

medical language and to expand the understanding of medical terminology beyond basic
word analysis.
Rule 1
The basic rule for building a medical world employing a suffix is to first
add the combining vowel o to the root word and then attach the corresponding suffix.
Example:
Hematology – The study of the physiology of the blood
Suffix - logy
Rule 2
If the suffix begins with a vowel, then do not use the

combining vowel with the root word to form the medical word.
Example:
Gastr/itis not Gastr/o/itis
Common suffix
-ac and -al
The suffix -ac convey the meaning pertaining to
Cardiac : heart
The suffix –al convey the meaning pertaining to
Neural : nerve
-algia and -cyte

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The suffix -algia convey the meaning pain.
Neuralgia: pain of severe, throbing, or stabbing character in the course or distribution of

a nerve.
The suffix –cyte convey the meaning cell.
Erythrocyte: A mature red blood cells
-ectomy and -gram
The suffix -ectomy convey the meaning excision, removal, resection
Mastectomy: Excision of the breast
The suffix – gram convey the meaning record.
Myelogram : Radiographic contrast study of the spinal subarachnoid space and its content
-graphy and -logy
The suffix – graphy convey the meaning the process of recording.
Electroeancephalography : Process of recording electrical activity of the brain.
The suffix –logy convey the meaning study of.
Ophthalmology: Study of the eye, its diseases, and refractive errors.
-oma and -phobia
The suffix -oma convey the meaning tumor, mass, collection of fluid.
Myoma : A benign muscle tumor.
Hematoma: A collection of blood.
The suffix –phobia convey the meaning fear
Acrophobia: Fear of heights
-stomy and -therapy
The suffix – stomy convey the meaning artificial or surgical opening.
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Tracheostomy : An operation to make an opening in to the trachea.
The suffix – therapy convey the meaning treatment.
Hydrotherapy: The treatment of illness through the use of water, either
Internally or externally
Noun suffixes : -er, -ia, -ist
The suffix – er convey the meaning one who.
Radiographer : A technician trained to position patients and take
radiographs or perform radio diagnostic procedures.
The suffix – ia convey the meaning condition.
Pneumonia: A lung infection in which the air sacs fill with pus.
The suffix - istconvey the meaning one who specializes in
Nephrologists: The person who specializes in the disease of kidneys
Noun suffixes: - ole and - ule
The suffix –ole convey the meaning little, small.
Arteriole: A small branch of an artery leading in to capillaries
The suffix – ule convey the meaning little, small.
Venule : A very small vein, especially the one collecting blood from the capillaries.
Noun suffixes - ium and -y
The suffix – ium convey the meaning structure, tissue, thing.
Pericardium: The membrane enclosing the heart
The suffix -Y convey the meaning condition or process.
Adjective suffixes : -eal -ic and-ical
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The suffix – eal convey the meaning pertaining to.
Laryngeal: Relating in any way to the larynx.
The suffix –ic and -ical convey the meaning pertaining to.
Chronic: Referring to health-related state, lasting a long time.
Pathological : Morbid or diseased resulting from disease.
Adjective suffixes : -oid and -ose
The suffix -oid convey the meaning resembling or derived from.
Adenoids: Common terminology for the large (normal) Pharyngeal tonsils of children
The suffix – ose convey the meaning pertaining to, full of
Adipose: denoting fat
Adjective suffixes : -ous and -tic
The suffix – ous convey the meaning pertaining to
Mucous : Relating to a mucus or mucous membrane
The suffix – tic convey the meaning pertaining to, full of
Necrotic: pertaining to or affecected by necrosis.
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STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE BODY
This chapter provides you with an orientation to the body as a whole cells, tissues, organs,
systems, and terminology describing positions and directions within the body. We begin
with the smallest living unit, the cell, and build to an understanding of complex body
systems. In order to know how organs function in both health and disease, it is Important
to appreciate the workings of their individual cellular units.
Cells
The cell is the fundamental unit of all living things (animal or plant). Cells are everywhere
in the human body — every tissue, every organ is made up of these individual units. All cells
are similar in that they contain a gelatinous substance composed of water, protein, sugar,
acids, fats, and various minerals.
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Cell membrane
It is not only surrounds and protects the cell but also regulates what passes into and out
of the cell.
Nucleus
It controls the operations of the cell. It directs cell division and determines the structure
and function of the cell.
Chromosomes
These are rod-like structures within the nucleus. All human body cells-except for the sex
cells, the egg and the sperm (short for spermatozoon)-contain 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Each sperm and each egg cell have only 23 unpaired chromosomes.
Cytoplasm
It includes all of the material outside the nucleus and enclosed by the cell membrane. It
carries on the work of the cell (e.g., in a muscle cell, it does the contracting; in a nerve
cell, it transmits impulses).
Mitochondria
These are small sausage-shaped bodies that provide the principal source of energy for the
cell. They use nutrients and oxygen to release energy that is stored in food.
Endoplasmic reticulum
It is a network (reticulum) of canals within the cell. These canals are cellular tunnel
systems that manufacture proteins for the cell. Attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
are ribosomes, which build long chains of proteins.
Anabolism
Process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids.
Catabolism
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Process whereby complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is
released.
Metabolism
Total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes catabolism and anabolism.
TISSUES
A tissue is a group of similar cells working together to do a specific job.
Types of tissues
Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial tissue, located all over the body, forms the linings of internal organs, and the
outer surface of the skin covering the body. It also lines exocrine and endocrine glands.
Muscle Tissue
Voluntary (Striated) muscle is found in arms and legs and parts of the body where
movement is under conscious control. Involuntary (Non- Striated ) muscle, found in the
heart and digestive system, as well as other organs, allows movement that is not under
conscious control. Cardiac muscle is a specialized type of muscle found only in the heart.
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Connective Tissue
It is the tissue that connects, supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs,
typically having relatively few cells embedded in an amorphous matrix, often with collagen
or other fibres, and including cartilaginous, fatty, and elastic tissues. Examples are
adipose (fat) tissue, cartilage attached to bones), bone, and blood.
Nerve Tissue
It is the main tissue component of the two parts of the nervous system; the brain and
spinal cord of the central nervous system (CNS), and the branching peripheral nerves of
the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which regulates and controls bodily functions and
activity. Nerve tissue conducts impulses all over the body
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ORGANS
Different types of tissue combine to form an organ. For example, an Organ such as the
stomach is composed of muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and glandular epithelial tissue. The
medical term for internal organs is viscera (singular: viscus). Examples of abdominal
viscera (organs located in the abdomen) are the liver, stomach, intestines, pancreas,
spleen, and gallbladder.
SYSTEMS
Systems are groups of organs working together to perform complex functions. For
example, the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines are organs that do
the work of the digestive system to digest food and absorb it into the bloodstream.
BODY CAVITIES
A body cavity is a space within the body that contains internal organs (viscera). The body
cavities can be divided as dorsal cavity and ventral cavity.
Dorsal cavity
The cranial cavity (brain, pituitary gland ) and the spinal cavity ( nerves of the spinal
cord) are considered as dorsal cavities
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Ventral cavity
The thoracic cavity ( lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea), abdominal cavity (stomach, liver,
small and large intestine, gallbladder, pancreas) and pelvic cavity ( urinary bladder,
ureters; uterus and vagina in the female) are considered as ventral cavities
The thoracic and abdominal cavities are separated by a muscular wall called the diaphragm.
The abdominal and pelvic cavities are not separated and are referred to together as the
abdominopelvic cavity.
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ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONS AND QUADRANTS
REGIONS
The abdominopelvic cavity divided into nine regions
Hypochondriac region:
The two right and left upper region below the cartilage of the ribs that extend over the
abdomen is the hypochondriac region.
Epigastric region:
The region above the stomach is called epigastric region.
Lumbar region:
The two middle right and left region near the waist is the lumbar region.
Umbilical region:
The region of the navel or umbilicus is called umbilical region.
Inguinal region:
The right and left lower region near the groin, which is the area where the legs join the
trunk of the body. This region also is known as the iliac region because it lies near the ilium
(the upper portion of the hip bone).
Hypogastric region:
The middle lower region below the umbilical region is called hypogastric region.
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QUADRANTS
The abdominopelvic area can be divided into four quadrants by two imaginary lines that
cross at the midsection of the body.
Right upper quadrant (RUQ):
It contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, parts of the small and
large intestines
Left upper quadrant (LUQ):
It contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of thepancreas, parts of the small
and large intestines
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Right lower quadrant (RLQ):
It contains parts of the small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube,
appendix, right ureter
Left lower quadrant (LLQ) :
It contains parts of the small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left
ureter
DIVISIONS OF THE BACK (SPINAL COLUMN)
The back is separated in to divisions corresponding to regions

of the spinal column. spinal column is composed of a series of bones that extend from the
neck to the tailbone. Each bone is a vertebra (plural: vertebrae).
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Cervical (C): Back bone in the neck region is called cervical bone.
Number of cervical vertebrae: 7
Named as : C1 to C7.
Thoracic (T) : Back bone in the chest region is called thoracic bone. Each bone is joined to
a rib.
Number of thoracic vertebrae: 12
Named as: T1 to T12
Lumbar (L): Loin (waist) or flank region (between the ribs and the hipbone) is called
lumbar bones.
Number of lumbar vertebrae: 5
Named as: L1 to L5
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Sacral (S): Five bones are fused toform one bone, the sacrum.
Number of sacral vertebrae: 5
Named as: S1 to S5
Coccygeal: The coccyx (tailbone) is a small bone composed of four fused
pieces.
Number of coccygeal vertebrae: 4
POSITIONAL AND DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Anterior (ventral): It is the front side of the body.
Example: The forehead is on the anterior side of the body.
Posterior (dorsal): It is the back side of the body.
Example: The back of the head is posterior (dorsal) to the face.
Deep: Away from the surface
Example: The stab wound penetrated deep into the abdomen.

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Superficial: On the surface.
Example: Superficial veins can be viewed through the skin.
Proximal: Near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure.
Example: The proximal end of the thigh bone (femur) joins with the hip socket.
Distal: Far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a
structure.
Example: At its distal end, the femur joins with the knee.
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Inferior: Below another structure
Example: The feet are at the inferior part of the body. The term caudal (pertaining to the
lower portion of the body) also means away from the head or below another structure.
Superior: Above another structure
Example: The head lies superior to the neck. Cephalic
(pertaining to the head)also means above another structure.
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Medial: Pertaining to the middle, or nearer the medial plane of the body.
Example: When in the anatomic position (palms of the hands facing outward), the fifth
(little) finger is medial.
Lateral: Pertaining to the side
Example:When in the anatomic position (palms of the hands facing outward), the thumb is
lateral.
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POSITIONS
Supine: Lying on the back.
Example:The patient lies supine during an examination of the abdomen.
Prone: Lying on the belly.
Example: The backbones are examined with the patient in a prone position.
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Semi-Fowler's position: It is the position of a patient who is lying in bed in a supine

position with the head of the bed at approximately 30 to 45 degrees.
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Lithotomy position: Position in which the patient is on their back with the hips and knees
flexed and the thighs apart. The position is often used for vaginal examinations and
childbirth.
Trendelenburg position:It is a position of the body for medical examination or operation in

which the patient is placed head down on a table inclined at about 45 degrees from the
floor with the knees uppermost and the legs hanging over the end of the table
PLANES OF THE BODY
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A plane is an imaginary flat surface.
The human body is sectioned using different planes to understand the different positions
of various structures relating to each other.
A normal anatomical position is standing straight with legs together with palms and head
facing forward.
Frontal (coronal) plane
It is a vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions.
Example :
A common chest x-ray view is a PA (posteroanterior —viewed from back to front) view,
which is in the frontal (coronal) plane.
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Sagittal (lateral) plane
It is the vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides. The
midsagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves.
Example:
A lateral (side-to-side) chest x-ray film is taken in the sagittal plane.
Transverse (axial) plane
It is the horizontal (cross-sectional) plane running across the body parallel to the ground.
This cross-sectional plane divides the body or structure into upper and lower portions.
Example:
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A CT (computed tomography) scan is one of a series of x-ray pictures taken in the

transverse (axial or cross-sectional) plane.
Terms of movement
Flexion and Extension
Flexion and extension are movements that occur in the sagittal plane. They refer to
increasing and decreasing the angle between two body parts. Flexion refers to a movement
that decreases the angle between two body parts. Extension refers to a movement that
increases the angle between two body parts.
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Abduction and Adduction
Abduction and adduction are two terms that are used to describe movements towards or
away from the midline of the body. Abduction is a movement away from the midline.
Adduction is a movement towards the midline
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Medial and Lateral Rotation
Medial and lateral rotation describes movement of the limbs around their long axis. Medial
rotation is a rotational movement towards the midline. It is sometimes referred to as
internal rotation. Lateral rotation is a rotating movement away from the midline.
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Pronation and Supination
Pronation is the rotation of the hand and forearm so that the palm faces backwards or
downwards. Supination is the rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm faces
forward or upward;
Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion
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Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion are terms used to describe movements at the ankle. They
refer to the two surfaces of the foot; the dorsum (superior surface) and the plantar
surface (the sole).Dorsiflexion refers to flexion at the ankle, so that the foot points more
superiorly.Plantarflexion refers extension at the ankle, so that the foot points inferiorly.
Opposition and Reposition
Opposition brings the thumb and little finger together.Reposition is a movement that
moves the thumb and the little finger away from each other, effectively reversing
opposition.
Circumduction
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It is the movement of a limb or extremity so that the distal end describes a circle while
the proximal end remains fixed
Health
The World Health Organization’s definition of health is “a state of complete physical,

mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Illness
A highly personal state in which the person feels unhealthy, may or may not related to
disease.
Disease
Pathologic change in the structure or function of the mind and body
Acute
• Rapid onset of symptoms
• Some are life threatening
• Many do not require medical treatment
Chronic
Broad term that encompasses many different physical and mental alterations in health
• It is a permanent change
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• Requires special education for rehabilitation
• Requires long term of care and support
Infection
An infection happens when a foreign organism enters a person's body and causes harm.
The organism uses that person's body to sustain itself, reproduce, and colonize. These
infectious organisms are known as pathogens. Examples of pathogens include bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and prions. Pathogens can multiply and adapt quickly.
Inflammation
Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a
result of infection, irritation, or injury. Inflammation can be external or internal..
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LOM LOM Introduction Notes

CHAPTER 1: LOM INTRODUCTION

Studying medical terminology is very similar to learning a new language.

I. Otalgia means ear ache.

II. Ophthalmologist means eye doctor.

Basic Elements of Medical Terminology

Medical terms may have 4 word parts:

HEMAT – Root word meaning 'blood'

O – Combining vowel that links the root and suffix.

LOGY – Suffix meaning 'study of'

The root is the foundation of the word. (eg : ELECTROCARDIOGRAM )

The suffix is the word ending. (eg: ELECTROCARDIOGRAM)

The prefix is the word beginning. (eg: Hypotension)

Rules for word analysis

The following are the rules for word analysis

(E.g. Arthritis, cerebral)

(e.g.cardiology, iatrogenic, thrombocyte)

(e.g. Electrocardiogram, Gastroenterology)

Steps for defining medical words

• Step 2.define the prefix or first part or word if any

• Step 3.define the middle of then word.

Bone+ joint + inflammation

Define the suffix

Define the prefix

So osteoarthritis means inflammation of bone and joint.

Chapter talks about:

• Basic prefixes used in medical language.

Apnea: Absence of breathing

Ab- and Ad-

The prefix Ab- convey the meaning away from

Abductor: A muscle that draws a limb away from the body.

The prefix Ad- convey the meaning toward.

Adductor: A muscle that draws a limb towards the body.

Af- and Ana-

The prefix Af- convey the meaning toward

The prefix Ana- convey the meaning up or apart

Ante- and Anti-

Meaning: before, forward

Antenatal: Before birth; during or relating to pregnancy

Antibiotic: A medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.

Con- and Dia-

Meaning: with, together

Meaning: through, complete

Hemi- and Hyper-

Hemiglossectomy: Surgical removal of one- half of the tongue.

Meaning: Excessive or above

Hyperplasia: An increase in number of normal cells in a tissue or organ.

Inter- and Macro-

Intercostal : Between the ribs.

Macrocephalic: A condition, either congenital or acquired, in which the head abnormally

Meta- and Peri-

Meaning: change, beyond

Pericardium: The fibroserous membrane covering the heart.

Post- and Pre-

Meaning: after, behind

Postmortem : An examination of a dead body to determine the cause.

Meaning; Before, in front of

Prenatal: Preceding birth

Pro- and Supra-

Meaning: before, forward

Prodrome : An early or premonitory symptom of a disease.

Meaning: above, upper

Suprathoracic : Above or in the upper part of the thorax.