1. The Pharmacy
Technician 4E
Chapter 4
Medical Terminology

2. Topic Outline
 Terminology  Nervous System
 Organ system  Skeletal System
terminology  Female Reproductive
 Cardiovascular System System
 Endocrine System  Respiratory System
 Gastrointestinal System  Urinary System
 Integumentary System  Senses
 Lymph and Blood  Drug Classifications
Systems  Medical Abbreviations
 Muscular System

3. Basic Elements of a Medical Word
Medical science terminology is made up of a small
number of ROOT words (mostly Greek and Latin
words).
1. Word Root
2. Combining Form Root
3. Suffix Prefix +
4. Prefix Suffix
These four parts of a word are known as C.V.
ELEMENTS.
 E.g. Peri – o - dont – ic (Periodontic: around the
teeth)

4. Word Root
 Main part or foundation of a word.
 Identify what part of the body a term is related to.
 All words have at least one word root.
 A word root may be used alone or be combined with
other elements to form a complete word.
 E.g. Gastr (word root) + itis (suffix) = GASTRITIS (complete
word).

5. Terminology
 Most root words originate from either Greek or
Latin words.
 Words developed from the Greek language are
often used to refer to diagnosis and surgery.
 Words from the Latin language generally refer to
the anatomy of the body.

6. Root - Part of Body
 Card - heart  Pneum - lung
 Cyst - bladder  Ocul - eye
 Gastr - stomach  Derma - skin
 Hemat - blood  Ven - vein
 Hepat - liver  Mast - breast
 My - muscle  Oste - bone
 Pector – chest  Nephr - kidney
 Neur - nerve  Ot - ear

7. Combining Forms
 Correct pronunciation of medical words is very
important.
 In order to make the pronunciation of root words
easier, sometimes it is necessary to insert a vowel
after the root.
 The combination of a root word and a vowel is
known as a COMBINING FORM.
 “O” is the most common combining vowels
 IE: gastr / o = pronounced as GASTRO
Word root Combining vowel

8. Combining Words
 When a word has more than one root, a combining
vowel is used to link the root to each other.
Slashes separate elements
E.g. osteoarthritis oste/ o / arthr/ itis
Word root
Word root suffix
Combining
vowel

9. Suffixes
 A suffix is added to the END of a word root or
combining form to modify its meaning.
 Adding a suffix to the end of a word root, creates a
noun or adjective with a different meaning.

10. Meanings of certain suffixes
-al = pertaining to = dent/al (pertaining to teeth)
-er = one who = speak/er (one who speaks)
-able = capable of being = playable (capable of being
played)

11. Prefixes
 A syllable or syllables placed BEFORE a word or word
root to alter its meaning or create a new word.
Some prefixes:
 Hyper- (excessive)
 Pre- (before)
 Post- (after)
 Homo- (same)
 Hypo- (under)

12. Hypoinsulinemia
Hypo / insulin / emia Notice that there
is no combining
vowel in this word
because the prefix
ends with a vowel
and the suffix
Prefix suffix
Word root begins with a
LOW INSULIN BLOOD vowel.

13. Cardiovascular System
 The Cardiovascular System distributes blood throughout the
body using blood vessels called arteries, capillaries, and veins.
 Blood transports nutrients to the body’s cells and carries
waste products away from them.
 Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets,
and plasma.
 Erythrocytes (red blood cells) transport oxygen from the
lungs to the body and carbon dioxide from the cells to the
lungs.
 Leukocytes (white blood cells) fight bacterial infections by
producing antibodies.

14. Cardiovascular System Cont.
 The heart pumps blood through the cardiovascular system.
 Blood pressures are reported as systole/diastole, i.e.,
120/80.
 A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure.
 Blood pressure is reported (in mm Hg) and includes two
number sequence.
 Systolic phase is the increased pressure when blood is
forced out of the heart.
 The diastolic phase, or relaxation phase, is the second
number reported in blood pressure monitoring.

15. Cardiovascular System
 angi = vessel  phleb = vein
 aort = aorta  stenosis = narrowing
 card = heart  thromb = clot
 oxy = oxygen  vas(cu) = blood vessel
 pector = chest  ven = vein

16. Cardiovascular System
 Cardiomyopathy = disease of the heart muscle
 Myocardial = concerning heart muscle
 Tachycardia = abnormal rapid heart action
 Phlebitis = inflammation of a vein
 Thrombosis = blood clot
 Hypertension = high blood pressure

17. The Endocrine System
 Consists of the glands that secrete hormones, chemicals that
assist in regulating body functions.
 Includes the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, the thyroid
gland, and the gonads (ovaries and testes).
 Pituitary gland = produces multiple hormones and is located
at the base of the brain. It controls the body’s
growth and the activity of the other glands.
 Thyroid gland = located just below the larynx and releases
hormones important for regulating
body metabolism.

18. The Endocrine System Cont.
 Parathyroid glands = located on the thyroid gland.
 Thymus gland = located beneath the sternum.
 Pancreas = known for its production of insulin and
glucagon.
 Adrenal glands = located on top of the kidneys and
produce such hormones as aldosterone,
cortisol (hydrocortisone), androgens, and
estrogens.
 Medulla region = adrenal glands produce the
catecholamines adrenaline (epinephrine)
and noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

19. Endocrine System
 lipid = fat  adrena = adrenal
 Nephr = kidney  gluc = sugar
 Thym = thymus  panceat = pancreas
 somat = body

20. Endocrine System
 Hyperlipidemia = high fat/lipids in the blood.
 Hypothyroidism = a deficiency of thyroid hormone.
 Somatic = pertaining to the body.

21. The Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
 Located in the abdomen and contains the organs that are
involved in the digestion of foods and the absorption of
nutrients.
 Organs include the stomach, small and large intestine,
gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
 Alimentary tract refers to the system that goes from the mouth
to the anus. It contains organs such as lips, tongue, teeth,
salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, rectum, and anus, in
addition to the GI tract.
 Several organs contribute to the digestion of foods by secreting
enzymes into the small intestine when food is present.
 Ducts carry bile from the liver (hepatic duct) and the gallbladder
(cystic duct) to the duodenum.

22. Gastrointestinal Tract
Consists of organs that are involved in digestion of
foods and the absorption of nutrients
 Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach.
 Gastroenteritis = inflammation of the stomach and
Hepatitis = inflammation of the liver.
 Appendicitis = inflammation of the appendix
 Colitis = inflamed or irritable the intestinal
tract colon
 Hematemesis = vomiting of blood
 Diarrhea = liquid bowel movement

23. Alimentary Tract
 esophag = esophagus
 chol = bile
 gastr = stomach
 col = colon
 hepat = liver
 Duoden =duodenum
 Enter = intestine
 lapar = abdomen
 Pancreat = pancreas

24. The Integument System
 Refers to the covering of the body and is the body’s first line of
defense, acting as a barrier against disease and physical hazards.
 Helps control body temperature by releasing heat through sweat or
by constricting blood vessels to act as insulation.
 It includes the skin, hair, and nails. Hair is made of keratinized cells.
Finger nails and toenails are also composed of keratin.
 The mammary glands, or breasts, are also considered part of the
integumentary system.
 The skin is composed of the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis
has no blood or nerves and is constantly discarding dead cells. The
dermis, which is made of living cells, contains capillaries, nerves,
and lymphatics. The dermis also contains the sebaceous glands,
sweat glands, and hair.
 The subcutaneous layer of tissue is beneath the dermis but is
closely interconnected to it. It separates the skin from the other
organs (for example, the muscular system, as in the illustration).

25. The Integument System
The Integument System is the covering of the body and the
first line of defense against diseases and physical hazards.
 necr = death
 Derma = skin
 cutane = skin
 mast = breast
 onych = nail
 Myco = fungal
 Lact = milk

26. The Integument System
 Dermatitis = skin inflammation
 Erythrodemra = abnormal redness of skin
 Lactation = secretion of milk
 Mastectomy = surgical removal of breast
 Onychomycosis = fungal infection of nails
 Pachyderma = abnormal thickness of skin
 Subcutaneous = beneath the skin
 Transdermal = through the skin

27. The Lymphatic System
 The Lymphatic System is the center of the body’s immune
system and is responsible for collecting plasma water that
leaves the blood vessels, filtering it for impurities through its
lymph nodes.
 The Spleen is the largest organ in the system and is
responsible for removing old red blood cells from the
circulation.
 Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that attacks
bacteria and disease cells by releasing antibodies.
 The thymus, tonsils, spleen, and adenoids are lymphoid
organs outside the network of the lymphatic system.

28. The Lymphatic System
 aden = gland
 cyt = cell
 hemo, hemat = blood
 lymph = lymph
 splen = spleen
 Philia = attraction of

29. The Lymphatic System
 Adenopathy = lymph node disease
 Hematoma = a collection of clotted blood
 Hemophilia = a disease in which the blood does
not clot normally
 Lymphoma = lymphatic system tumor

30. The Muscular System
 Word muscles comes from mus=mouse; cle=little and
resembles a mouse moving under a cover.
 The body contains more than 600 muscles which give shape and
movement to it.
 The skeletal muscles are striated, i.e. made up of fibers and
attached to the bones by tendons.
 Voluntary action - the action of most muscles and is controlled
consciously.
 Involuntary muscles operate automatically and are found in the
heart, the stomach, or in the walls of blood vessels.
 Some muscles produce an outward or flexor movement and
these are called agonist muscles.
 Antagonist muscles are the ones that contract or bring the limb

31. The Muscular System
 my = muscle
 fibr = fiber
 tendin = tendon

32. The Muscular System
 Fibromyalgia = chronic pain in the muscles
 Myoplasty = plastic surgery of muscle tissue
 Tendonitis = inflammation of a tendon

33. The Nervous System
 The Nervous System is the most complex of the body organ
systems because there are over 100 billion neurons in the brain
alone.
 The neuron (nerve cell), the basic functional unit in this system,
transmits information from the brain to the entire body.
 The primary parts of this system are the brain and the spinal
cord, called the central nervous system (CNS).
 There are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system called
the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.
 The autonomic nervous system controls the automatic
functions of the body, e.g., breathing, digestion, etc.
 The somatic nervous system controls the voluntary actions of
the body, e.g., muscle movements.

34. The Nervous System
 Cereb = cerebrum
 Encephal = brain
 Mening = menignes
 Myel = spinal cord
 Neur = nerve

35. The Nervous System
 Encephalitis = inflammation of the brain
 Neuralgia = severe pain in a nerve
 Neuroma = tumor or nerve cells

36. The Skeletal System
 Protects soft organs and provides structure and support for
the body’s organs.
 Contains 206 bones called axial (skull and spinal column).
 Ligaments and Cartilage are connective tissue that hold
together the skeletal systems with joints.
 Joints range from rigid to those allowing full motion (e.g., the
ball and socket joints of the hips and shoulders).

37. Skeletal System
 arthr = joint
 Calcane = heel bone
 carp = wrist
 crani = cranium
 Dactyl = finger or toe
 femor = thigh bone
 myel = bone marrow

38. The Skeletal System
 Oste = bone
 ped, pod = foot
 pelv = pelvis
 Spondy = backbone
 stern = sternum, breastbone
 Vertebr = backbone, vertebrae

39. The Skeletal System
 Arthralgia = joint pain
 Arthritis = inflammation of a joint
 Carpal = pertaining to carpus in the wrist
 Osteoarthritis = chronic disease of bones

40. The Reproductive System
 The Reproductive System produces hormones (e.g. estrogen,
progesterone), controls menstruation, and provides for
childbearing.
 Contains the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the
external genitalia.
 The mammary glands (located in breast tissue) produce and
secrete milk at childbirth.
 The vagina is a muscular tube that leads from an external
opening to the cervix and uterus.
 The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ.
 The fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovary to the
uterus.
 The ovaries are located on each side of the uterus.

41. The Female Reproductive System
 Gynec = woman  mast = breast
 Hyster = uterus  metr = uterus
 lact = milk  ovari = ovary
 uter = uterine

42. The Female Reproductive System
 Gynecology = the study of the female reproductive
organs
 Amenorrhea = absence of menstruation
 Dysmenorrhea = menstrual pain
 Endometriosis = abnormal growth of uteral tissue
 Viginities = inflammation of the vagina

43. The Male Reproductive System
 The Male Reproductive System produces sperm and secretes
the hormone testosterone.
 The testes (also called testicles) are the primary male sex
organs.
 They are oval-shaped organs enclosed in the scrotum.
 The seminal glands, located at the base of the bladder, produce
part of the seminal fluid.
 The Vas Deferens are ducts that allow the passage of the sperm
from the testes.
 The prostate gland is located at the upper end of the urethra.
 The penis (glans penis) is the external organ for urination and
sexual intercourse.
 The urethra, by which urine and semen leave the body, is inside
the penis.

44. The Male Reproductive System
 Andr = male
 test = testicle
 Prostat = prostate gland
 Sperm = sperm
 vas = duct, vessel
 Vasicul =seminal vesicles

45. The Male Reproductive System
 Prostatitis = inflammation of prostate
 Aspermia = inability to produce semen

46. The Respiratory System
 The Respiratory System brings oxygen into the body through inhalation and
expels carbon dioxide gas through exhalation. It produces sound for
speaking and helps cool the body.
 Respiratory muscles (especially the diaphragm) expand the lungs
automatically, causing air to be inhaled into the upper respiratory tract.
 The pleural cavity surrounds the lungs and provides lubrication for
respiration.
 The pharynx directs food into the esophagus and air into the trachea.
 The larynx contains the vocal cords.
 The trachea, or windpipe, connects to the two bronchi (bronchial tubes) that
enter the lungs.
 As air enters through the nose, it is warmed, moistened, and filtered.
Inside the lungs, the bronchial tubes branch out and lead to the alveolar
sacs that are the site of gas exchange within the lungs.
 Alveoli are specialized tissues that are responsible for the exchange of gases
between the blood and inhaled air.

47. The Respiratory System
 aer, aero = air, gas
 pneum, pulmon = lung
 pector = chest
 Bronch = bronchus
 ox = oxygen
 capnia = carbon dioxide

48. The Respiratory System
 Apnea = temporary failure to breath
 Bronchitis = inflammation of the bronchial
membrane
 Cynosis = blue discoloration of the skin
 Hypercapnia = excessive carbon dioxide in the blood
 Hypoxia = low blood oxygen level
 Pneumonia = inflammation of the lungs
 Sinusitits = inflammation of the sinuses

49. The Urinary Tract
 The Urinary Tract is responsible for removing wastes from the
blood and includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and
urethras.
 The Kidney is the primary organ of the urinary tract.
 The Nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. There are
several million nephrons in the kidneys.
 Urine is produced as plasma water and is filtered through the
glomerulus, the filtrate is then collected in the tubule.
 Waste materials from the blood may also be filtered into the
tubule or may be secreted into the tubule at sites other than
the glomerulus.
 Urine is the filtrate that moves along the tubule.
 Urine leaves the kidney through the ureters and collects in the
bladder. It is excreted from the bladder through the urethra.

50. The Urinary Tract
 cyst = bladder
 vesic = bladder
 ren = kidney
 nephr = kidney
 uria = urine

51. The Urinary Tract
 Anuria = inability to produce urine
 Cystitis = inflammation of the bladder
 Nephritis = inflammation of the kidney
 Polyuria = excessive urination
 Uremia = toxic blood condition caused by kidney
failure

52. The Ears
 The Ears perform hearing, as well as the maintenance of body
equilibrium.
 The External ear functions to capture sound waves and channels them
inside the ear.
 The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is a funnel-shaped structure with
an opening to outside. It contains glands that make earwax (cerumen)
that protects the external ear.
 Malleus, incus, and stapes are three bony structures that transmit
sound from a vibrating tympanic membrane to the cochlea and located
in the middle ear.
 The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat,
serving to equalize the air pressure on both sides of the tympanic
membrane.
 The labyrinth is the principal structure in the inner ear is which
consists of the vestibule, the cochlea, and the semicircular canals.
 The cochlea contains the organ of hearing. When sound waves are
transmitted to the cochlea, it converts them into nerve impulses that
are sent to the brain for interpretation. The semicircular canals and the
vestibule are primarily responsible for body equilibrium.

53. Senses: Hearing
Belphar = eyelid
cor = pupil
lacrim = tear
corne = cornea
rein = retina
bi = two
opia = vision

54. The Eyes
 The Eyes are the organs that provide sight.
 The eyelids protect the eye and assist in its lubrication.
 The conjunctiva is the blood-rich membrane between the eye and the eyelid.
 There are several glands that secrete fluids to protect and lubricate the eye;
the lacrimal glands above each eye secrete tears and the meibomian glands
produce sebum.
 Canalicula (tear ducts) drains excess fluid into the eye.
 The eye has three layers. The outer layer is composed of the sclera and the
cornea.
 The sclera is the white part of the eye. The cornea is transparent so the iris
(the color of the eye) and the pupil (the opening of the eye) are visible.
 The middle layer is called the choroid and contains blood vessels that nourish
the entire eye.
 In the third layer, the lens focuses light rays on the retina.
 The vitreous humor (one of two fluids in the eye) fills the space between the
retina and the lens.
 Rods and cones within the retina they are responsible for visual reception.
 The optic nerve within the retina transmits the nerve impulses to the brain
for interpretation.

55. Senses: Sight
 Blepharitis = inflammation of the eyelid
 Conjunctivitis = inflammation of the conjunctiva
 Retinitis = inflammation of the retina

56. Drug Classifications “anti” means
“Against”
1. Antacid =relieves gastritis, ulcer pain, heartburn,
indigestion
2. Antianginals =relieves heart pain
3. Anticoagulants =dissolves or prevents blood clots
4. Anticonvulsants =prevents seizures
5. Antidepressants=prevents depression
6. Antidiarrheals =stops diarrhea (loose stool)
7. Antiemetics =prevents nausea and vomiting

57. Drug Classifications “anti” means
“Against”
Antihistamine = blocks the effects of histamine
Antihyperlipidemia = lowers high cholesterol
Antihypertensive = reduces high blood pressure
Anti-inflammatory = reduces inflammation
Antipruritics = prevents or relieves itching
Antispasmodics = relieves intestinal cramping
Antitussive = relieves coughing

58. Other Classes
 Decongestant  hypolipidemic
= de + Conges + tant = hypo + lipid + emic
reduce nasal congestion reduces cholesterol or
lipid levels
 Analgesic
= an + alges + ic  Contraceptive
without pain, pain killer = contra + cep + tive
prevents pregnancy
 Hypoglycemic
= hypo + glyc + emic  Spermicide
reduces blood sugar level = sperm + I + cide
kills sperm

59. Pharmacy Abbreviations
Most common abbreviations
 Route
 Form
 Time
 Measurement

60. Abbreviations
ad = right ear
as = left ear
au = each ear
IM = intramuscular
IV = intravenous
od = right eye
os = left eye
ou = each eye
po = by mouth
sl = sublingually

61. Abbreviations
elix = elixir
supp = suppository
ung = ointment
ac = before meals
pc = after meals
hs = at bedtime
qd = every day
prn = as needed
qid = four times a day
tid = three times a day
bid = two times a day

62. Abbreviations
gtt = drop
gm = gram
gr = grain
l = liter
mcg = microgram
mg = milligram
meq = milliequivalent
ml = milliliter
qs = a sufficient quantity
disp = dispense

63. Terms to Remember
1. Through the Skin 14. Hemat
2. Blood Tumor 15. Hepat
3. Ven 16. Mast
4. Ot 17. Increase In White Blood Cells
5. Gastr 18. Nephr
6. Hardening of Artery 19. Neur
7. Muscle Repair 20. Ocul
8. Otalgia 21. Oste
9. Liver Tumor 22. Brain Inflammation
10. Card 23. Pector
11. Cyst 24. Pneum
12. Derma 25. My
13. Loss Of Appetite

64. Terms to Remember
26. Alimentary tract 36. Lacrimal gland
27. Alveoli 37. Lymphocytes
28. Combining vowel 38. Nephron
29. Conjunctiva 39. Neuron
30. Cornea 40. Osseous tissue
31. Diastolic phase 41. Prefix
32. Endocrine system 42. Retina
33. Eustachian tube 43. Root word
34. Flexor movement 44. Suffix
35. Integumentary system 45. Systolic phase
46. Tympanic membrane