Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology

1. Medical terminology consists of prefixes, roots, and suffixes that form medical words.
2. Prefixes indicate location, time, or number (e.g., hyper- means excessive, hypo- means low).
3. Roots identify the primary meaning of the term (e.g., cardi- refers to the heart).
4. Suffixes describe a procedure, condition, or disease (e.g., -itis means inflammation, -ology means study of).
5. Clinical jargon includes abbreviations like BP for blood pressure and HR for heart rate.
6. Mastering medical terms ensures accurate communication among healthcare professionals.

Human Anatomy & Physiology

1. The Cardiovascular System includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood, responsible for oxygen transport.
2. The Respiratory System involves lungs and airways, ensuring gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
3. The Digestive System processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste through organs like the stomach and intestines.
4. The Nervous System controls body functions through the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
5. Anatomy focuses on the structure of body systems, while physiology explains their functions.
6. Understanding these systems is essential for diagnosing and treating health conditions.

Pathophysiology

1. Pathophysiology studies how diseases affect normal bodily functions and processes.
2. It examines disease mechanisms like infections, inflammation, and cellular damage.
3. Chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, arthritis) develop slowly and last long, often requiring lifelong management.
4. Acute illnesses (e.g., flu, appendicitis) occur suddenly and resolve in a short time with treatment.
5. Pathophysiology bridges the gap between anatomy, physiology, and clinical medicine.
6. Knowledge of disease mechanisms helps healthcare professionals provide targeted treatments.