Introduction to Veterinary Medical Terminology Building Blocks of Words.

Introduction to Introduction to Veterinary Veterinary Medical Medical

TerminologyTerminologyBuilding Blocks of WordsBuilding Blocks of Words

It’s all Greek to me!It’s all Greek to me! Some may say that veterinarians speakSome may say that veterinarians speak

Greek, they are right!Greek, they are right! Most terms used in veterinary medicine Most terms used in veterinary medicine

are based on Latin or Greek.are based on Latin or Greek. Latin is the universal language of Latin is the universal language of

medicine and the Greeks were the medicine and the Greeks were the founders of modern medicine.founders of modern medicine.

The following will be some common The following will be some common examples, be sure to record these terms examples, be sure to record these terms on your worksheet.on your worksheet.

Latin (Scientific) Adjectives:

Common Common NameName

LatinLatin Derived Adj.Derived Adj.

DogDog CanisCanis CanineCanine

CatCat FelisFelis FelineFeline

HorseHorse EquusEquus EquineEquine

CattleCattle BosBos BovineBovine

SheepSheep OvisOvis OvineOvine

GoatGoat CapraCapra CaprineCaprine

PigPig SusSus PocinePocine

BirdBird AvisAvis AvianAvian

MouseMouse MusMus MurineMurine

RatRat RattusRattus MurineMurine

Prefix

Combining Form

Root

Suffix

Word StructureWord Structure

Root WordRoot Word PrefixPrefix SuffixSuffix Combining VowelCombining Vowel Compound WordCompound Word

The key to learning terminology is to break The key to learning terminology is to break down each word into parts and learn the down each word into parts and learn the

most common roots, prefixes, suffixes, and most common roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combing formscombing forms..

Root WordRoot Word

Definition - the Definition - the foundationfoundation of the word of the word Gives substance to the meaning.Gives substance to the meaning. Like a box car in a train, they give the Like a box car in a train, they give the

train volume and substance.train volume and substance. They come in a variety of different sizes They come in a variety of different sizes

and volumes.and volumes. There can be more than one in a word.There can be more than one in a word.

Prefix

Combining Form

Root

Suffix

Root Word Examples - 1Root Word Examples - 1 Cardi/o – HeartCardi/o – Heart

Cephalo/o – HeadCephalo/o – Head

Dent/o – Tooth, TeethDent/o – Tooth, Teeth

Mamm/a, Mamm/o – Mammary GlandMamm/a, Mamm/o – Mammary Gland

Nas/o – Nose, NasalNas/o – Nose, Nasal

Root Word Examples - 2Root Word Examples - 2 Ophthalm/o – EyeOphthalm/o – Eye

Ot/o – EarOt/o – Ear

Steth/o – ChestSteth/o – Chest

Thorac/o – ThoraxThorac/o – Thorax

Trache/o - TracheaTrache/o - Trachea

Root Word Examples - 3Root Word Examples - 3 Abdomin/o – AbdomenAbdomin/o – Abdomen

Copr/o – FecesCopr/o – Feces

Cyan/o – BlueCyan/o – Blue

Derm/o, Dermat/o – SkinDerm/o, Dermat/o – Skin

Enter/o – IntestinesEnter/o – Intestines

Root Word Examples - 4Root Word Examples - 4 Erythr/o – Red Blood CellErythr/o – Red Blood Cell

Gingiv/o – GumsGingiv/o – Gums

Hepat/o – LiverHepat/o – Liver

Hydr/o – WaterHydr/o – Water

Peritone/o – Peritoneum MembranePeritone/o – Peritoneum Membrane

Word StructureWord Structure

Root WordRoot Word PrefixPrefix SuffixSuffix Combining VowelCombining Vowel Compound WordCompound Word

PrefixPrefix

Word that Word that precedes/BEFOREprecedes/BEFORE the root, modifying the root, modifying the roots meaning to form a the roots meaning to form a newnew word. word.

Alone they have some meaning, but they are not Alone they have some meaning, but they are not complete words without the rest of the word parts.complete words without the rest of the word parts.

•They are like the train’s engine with its whistle. •Leads the train and announces the coming train.•Without the box cars, together with the engine there is not a complete train.

Prefix Examples - 1Prefix Examples - 1 A-, an- Not, WithoutA-, an- Not, Without

Anti- Opposing, AgainstAnti- Opposing, Against

Brady- SlowBrady- Slow

De- Away fromDe- Away from

Dys- DifficultDys- Difficult

Prefix Examples - 2Prefix Examples - 2 Hyper- High, Above, BeyondHyper- High, Above, Beyond

Hypo- Low, Below, BehindHypo- Low, Below, Behind

Mal- Bad, PoorMal- Bad, Poor

Poly- ManyPoly- Many

Prefix Examples - 3Prefix Examples - 3 Ep-, Epi- On, UponEp-, Epi- On, Upon

Eu- NormalEu- Normal

Iso- Equal, SameIso- Equal, Same

Multi- Many, MuchMulti- Many, Much

Neo- NewNeo- New

Prefix Examples - 4Prefix Examples - 4 Pan- AllPan- All

Peri- AroundPeri- Around

Post- AfterPost- After

Pyo- PusPyo- Pus

Uni- Single CelledUni- Single Celled

PrefixPrefix

Example:Example:PrefixPrefix + + Root WordRoot Word New New

wordword

bradybrady + + cardi/acardi/a bradycardiabradycardia

““slow”slow” “heart” “heart” slow heart slow heart (rate)(rate)

Exercise on PrefixesExercise on Prefixes1.1. ________ biotic ________ biotic

(against life)(against life)

2.2. ________ ________ thermia (high thermia (high temperature)temperature)

3.3. ________ horn ________ horn (remove the (remove the horn)horn)

a-, an- (without or not a-, an- (without or not having)having)

anti - (against)anti - (against) brady- (slow)brady- (slow) contra- (against, contra- (against,

opposed)opposed) de- (remove, take away, de- (remove, take away,

loss of)loss of) dys- (difficult, troubled)dys- (difficult, troubled) pyo - (pus)pyo - (pus) hyper- (high)hyper- (high)

Word StructureWord Structure

Root WordRoot Word PrefixPrefix SuffixSuffix Combining VowelCombining Vowel Compound WordCompound Word

SuffixSuffix

Written AFTER a root word to form a Written AFTER a root word to form a NEWNEW word.word.

Follows root word altering the words meaning.Follows root word altering the words meaning. Determines if word is a noun, adjective or Determines if word is a noun, adjective or

other type of word. other type of word.

Like a caboose, it is always last.

Suffix Examples - 1Suffix Examples - 1 -ectomy – Removal of-ectomy – Removal of

-emia – Blood condition-emia – Blood condition

-pnea – Breathing-pnea – Breathing

-iasis – Infestation or infection-iasis – Infestation or infection

-itis – Inflammation-itis – Inflammation

Suffix Examples - 2Suffix Examples - 2 -ism – State or condition-ism – State or condition

-logy – Study of-logy – Study of

-oma – Tumor-oma – Tumor

-penia – Deficiency of-penia – Deficiency of

-scope – Instrument for exam-scope – Instrument for exam

-tomy – Cutting, Incision-tomy – Cutting, Incision

Suffix Examples - 3Suffix Examples - 3 -al –ic, -ac, -ous– Pertaining to-al –ic, -ac, -ous– Pertaining to

-graphy – Recording of-graphy – Recording of

-lysis- Destruction of -lysis- Destruction of

-megaly– Abnormally Large-megaly– Abnormally Large

-natal– Birth-natal– Birth

Suffix Examples - 4Suffix Examples - 4 -osis – Abnormal condition-osis – Abnormal condition

-spasm– Involuntary Contraction-spasm– Involuntary Contraction

Word Structure: Word Structure: SuffixSuffix

Example:Example:

Root WordRoot Word ++ SuffixSuffix New wordNew word

TonsilTonsil ++ -itis -itis TonsilitisTonsilitis-itis = inflammation of-itis = inflammation of

Inflammation of Inflammation of the tonsilsthe tonsils

Exercise on SuffixesExercise on Suffixes

1.1. Hyper- adrenocortic -________ Hyper- adrenocortic -________ (state…)(state…)

(Adrenal cortex)(Adrenal cortex)

2.2. Acar/i -________ (tick/mite Acar/i -________ (tick/mite infestation)infestation)

3.3. Gastr/i-________(inflammation of the Gastr/i-________(inflammation of the stomach stomach

lining)lining)

Word StructureWord Structure

Root WordRoot Word PrefixPrefix SuffixSuffix Combining VowelCombining Vowel Compound WordCompound Word

Word Structure: Word Structure: Combining Combining VowelVowel

Vowel commonly used: Vowel commonly used: “o”“o” General Rule 1: General Rule 1: If the suffix starts with a If the suffix starts with a

consonant, consonant, connectconnect the rootword and the the rootword and the suffix with the vowel “o”.suffix with the vowel “o”.

Example 1:Example 1:

Root WordRoot Word ++ CVCV SuffixSuffix New wordNew word

CardiCardi ++ --oo-- --llogyogy CardiCardioologylogy““Heart”Heart” study of study of Study of the Study of the

heartheart

Word Structure: Word Structure: Combining Combining VowelVowel

Vowel commonly used: “o”Vowel commonly used: “o” General Rule 2: General Rule 2: If the suffix starts with a vowel If the suffix starts with a vowel

(a,e,i,o,u) (a,e,i,o,u) DO NOT USE the vowel DO NOT USE the vowel “o”. “o”.

Just attach the suffix to the root word.Just attach the suffix to the root word.

Example 2:Example 2:

Root WordRoot Word + + SuffixSuffix New wordNew word

Hepat/oHepat/o --osisosis HepatosisHepatosis liverliver -disease process -disease process - disease process in - disease process in

the liverthe liver

Word Structure: Word Structure: Combining Combining VowelVowel

Vowel commonly used: “o”Vowel commonly used: “o” General Rule 3General Rule 3: If the suffix begins with the : If the suffix begins with the

same same vowel as the root vowel as the root word, DO NOT word, DO NOT repeat the repeat the vowel.vowel.

Example 3:Example 3:

Root WordRoot Word + + SuffixSuffix New wordNew word

CardCardii --iitistis Card Cardiitistis heartheart -inflammation of -inflammation of - inflammation of the - inflammation of the

heartheart

Word StructureWord Structure

Root WordRoot Word PrefixPrefix SuffixSuffix Combining VowelCombining Vowel Compound WordCompound Word

Word Structure: Word Structure: Compound Compound WordWord

Rootword 1Rootword 1 + + CVCV + + Rootword 2Rootword 2+ Suffix+ Suffix New wordNew word

HeartHeart + + wormworm Heartworm Heartworm

MediMedi + “o” ++ “o” + laterlater + -al+ -al Mediolateral Mediolateral

CraniCrani + “o” ++ “o” + caud/al + -al caud/al + -al CraniocaudalCraniocaudal

DorsDors + “o” + palm+ “o” + palm +-ar+-ar Dorsopalmar Dorsopalmar

Review: Word StructureReview: Word Structure

1.1. What is a Root Word?What is a Root Word?

2.2. Where can you find a prefix in a word?Where can you find a prefix in a word?

3.3. Where can you find a suffix in a word?Where can you find a suffix in a word?

4.4. What is the most commonly used vowel? What is the most commonly used vowel? a. If first letter of suffix = consonant?a. If first letter of suffix = consonant?

b. If first letter of suffix is = vowel?b. If first letter of suffix is = vowel?

c. If first letter of suffix = last letter of RW?c. If first letter of suffix = last letter of RW?

5.5. Create a compound word.Create a compound word.

Create a Word ActivityCreate a Word Activity

For each group there are three “dice.”For each group there are three “dice.” PrefixPrefix RootwordRootword SuffixSuffix

Each person is to take three rolls of Each person is to take three rolls of each dice to create three words.each dice to create three words.

Write out the correct notation, Write out the correct notation, including combining vowels/words and including combining vowels/words and its meaning.its meaning.