What resources are available for pronouncing and defining medical terms?
Here are some resources that will help you find more in-depth information on the medical topics and terms you will be covering in your studies.
- Merck Manual for Health Professionals.
- Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary.
- OpenMD.com Medical Terminology Dictionary.
- Free Online Dictionary.
Why is pronunciation important in medical terminology?
Accuracy in spelling and pronunciation is an absolute must in medical terminology. One letter, or a couple of letters, can be the difference between a simple diagnosis and a life-threatening diagnosis. A mistake involving a few letters can be the difference between keeping and losing a part of the body.
What are three basic steps for defining medical words?
What are the three steps for defining medical words? Define the last part of the word, or suffix. Define the first part of the word, or prefix, word root, or combining form. Define the middle of the word.
When pronouncing medical terms one should remember?
When pronouncing medical terms, one should remember that words that begin with the letters qu, c, or ch may have the “k” sound. When pronouncing medical terms, one should remember that words that begin with the letters pn or kn may have the “n” sound.
Why is it important to pronounce medical terms correctly?
Medical terminology can look and sound complex, but it’s important to be able to break words down and understand their roots, prefixes and suffixes to prevent any misunderstandings or errors. Mistakes and misunderstandings can be life-threatening, that is the importance of medical terminology.
How do you separate medical terms?
Medical terms always end with a suffix. The suffix usually indicates a specialty, test, procedure, function, condition/disorder, or status. For example, “itis” means inflammation and “ectomy” means removal. Alternatively, the suffix may simply make the word a noun or adjective.
What is the best medical terminology dictionary?
Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary Known as “the world’s most trusted medical dictionary,” Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary is relied on by nurses everywhere.
What is the correct way to formulate a definition for medical words?
The correct way to formulate a definition for medical words is to read the word parts from the right to the left. You should first explain the suffix, then the prefix, and finally the word roots and/or combining forms.
