Lesson #5: Let's Get to the "Roots" and "Suffixes" of the Matter!

There Is Nothing Like Getting to the Root of the Matter!

Before we begin, I want to give you a few prefixes, which I call "Drumming To Your Own Beat!"  

Turn to page 39 - DIS-EASE SPELLS OUT 'DISEASE!'

Do you, or a family member suffer with high blood pressure?  Perhaps you, or someone you know would like to run in marathons, but choose not to do so due to lack of exercising regularly, or experience shortness of breath after running, or walking.  Fortunately, we have accessible tools that are located on our body to help us to determine what is wrong with us.  Therefore, if we someone breathing hard or heavily, you may have someone check your pulse, or have a physician check you out with their stethoscope.


All of us have a pulse!  No pulse, no life!  Period.  The briel list of the following prefixes pertains to the various degree of health determined by understanding, and observing our personal health.


1) brady- means slow.  Example: bradycardia (brad-e-kar-de-ah), which is a slow heart rate. 



2) tachy- means rapid, fast.  Example: tachcardia (tak-ee-kar-de-ah), which is a fast heart rate.


RELATIONSHIP WORD: cardia - meaning 'heart.

3) dys- means painful, difficult, abnormal.  Example: dysfunction, which is an abnormal function.

4) pachy- means thick.  Example: pachyderma (pak-e-der-mah), which is the thickness of the skin.

RELATIONSHIP WORD: derma meaning 'skin.'   An elephant is known as a "pachyderm' type of animal.

5) mal- means poor, bad.  Example: malnutrition, which is poor nutrition.

6) xero- means dry.  Example: xerosis (zeh-ro-sis), which is the dryness of the membrane, or skin. 

ALWAYS REMEMBER: "Education has no time limit, so do not limit the time to educate yourself!"  Ms. Miriam.

GETTING TO THE ROOTS and SUFFIXES

What is a 'root' word?  It is a word that have meaning and purpose, which is the sole proponent of detailing information.  Much like prefixes, if you know the 'root' word, then more than likely you will be in the position to know the origin of its content.  In other words, 'root' words are informative bodies of detailed information that depicts its function.  
For example, the word "baro" means 'pressure.  You've heard this word whenever you are watching the weather segment on your local t.v. news channel, such as barometer, or barometric.  


Suffixes on the other hand are the opposite of prefixes.  Whereas prefixes are located on the "front" of a root word, suffixes are located at the "end" of the root word,


Now, let's take these three words: Prefix, Affix, and Suffix.  The 'root' word in all three is "fix," which means to stay, adhere to, or stay put.  A 'root' word can be consider as an "affix' word - it doesn't go anywhere - it stays put - it's adhere to the same spot going nowhere, much like the deep roots of a tree, or plant.  So, since 'prefix' is before, and 'suffix' is after, then P.A.S (pass) may be the likely choice to remember such a rule.  Give it a try - if it does not work for you, then come up with a better way to remember what comes before, what stays put, and what comes after.

Turn to page 43 - Root of the 'Physical' Matter

Did you notice any similarities to your everyday words used at home, on t.v., or in school?  There is a 'root' word that describes one of my favorite rock bands.  Can you guess the 'root' word?  HINT: The lead singer of the band has a daughter who is an actress, and played in the film "Armageddon."

Which of the following words, or descriptions have the same, or similar 'root' words that are listed on pages 43 and 44:

1) ergonomic reclining chair 


2) cryogenic lab


3) kinetic ability


4) sonogram


5) Google Chrome


6) photosynthesis (tricky one here)


7) thermal underwear


8) radiologic components


9) aerospace


10) electrolysis


11) barotrauma


12) Sony (another tricky one)


13) Aerosmith

Once you have digested some of the above 'root' words, I want you to find ten things around your home, or in school, that shares the same 'root' words listed in your book.  I'll be 'rooting' for you!  

Turn to pages 45 and 46.

ROOTS DEPICTING 'TIME':

Here are three 'root' words that reflects time, day, or night:


1) noct, nocti means night.  An owl is a nocturnal (nok-turn-al) animal that loves to hoot at night.


2) nyct, nycto means darkness, night.  Shelley is always fearful at night because it gets so dark.  Shelly has nyctophobia (nik-toe-fo-be-ah).  


3) chron, chrono means time.  I love to hear a choir that sings synchronously (sin-kro-nus-lee), or together in harmony.


CHEMISTRY ROOT WORDS:


1) ferr, ferro, ferri means iron.  Chandra's multiple vitamins contains ferric (feh-rik) to build her iron poor blood.
2) hydr, hydro means water, fluid.  Charlie's dog was lost in the woods for five days, and it finally came home safe and sound, but was poorly dehydrated (de-hy-dray-ted).



3) sider, sidero means iron.  Chandra has not taken her ferric vitamins for three months, and as a result, she was diagnosed having sideropenia (sid-er-o-pe-ne-ah), a deficiency of iron in the blood.


4) natri means sodium.  Contrast to having too much sodium in the blood, Jackie learned that she has hyponatremia (hi-po-na-tre-me-ah), a decrese of sodium in the blood.  


5) kali means potassium.  Unlike his sister Jackie, Sam was diagnosed with having too much potassium in the blood, called hyperkalemia (hi-per-kal-e-me-ah). 

ROOTS RELATING TO DISEASE, page 46.


Try This Simple Exercise To Build and Strengthen Your Relationship with Words


In your book, you will notice that we are starting to get a bit heavy with the words.  Please do not let this scare you - it is better to learn them now, so by the time when you complete high school, you will be able to focus on more advancing materials needed to pursue your chosen career path.  Take a moment to read them all.  

In your notebook, vertically fold your paper in half.  List all of the 'Root' words down on the RIGHT side, or column of the paper - skip two lines between each root word.  List all of the 'Meaning' words on the LEFT side, or column of the paper - skip two lines between each 'meaning' of the root word.  Once you have completed these two things, then I want you to READ both the Example and Definition columns noted in the book.  Take your time to absorb each root word example and its definition.  

Now, on the LEFT side, or column of your paper, write down the words in the EXAMPLE column directly underneath each word in the MEANING column, place a hypen (-), and then write out the DEFINITIONS given in the book.   


The reason for you to write it out in this manner is for you to be able to dissect each root word, its meaning, the example given, and its definition by recognizing the relationship each word have with one another.  To remember these words is not enough.  Much like the compound words you have learned in school have a meaningful purpose, or relationship, such as the words 'homework' or 'homebound,' the same principle applies here. 


Don't get caught up with trying to remember these words.  Build a relationship with the words you are learning about, and in return, you will see the relationships building in every word used in this book, and in other books that you'll find yourself studying from in due time.  Once you have accomplished in utilizing this basic tool of understanding words, then there is nothing too big, nor too small, for you to handle in the field of medicine, or any specialty of interest that you aspire to become in life!  

So, chill out, and do what I do . . .   Relax, Release, and Relate with your Roots! 



ROOTS RELATING TO THE EXTREMITIES, page 47.



In this case, your 'extremities' consist your hands, feet, arms, and legs.  You and I both know that sometimes many people tend to use certain parts of their extremities to illustrate their point of view, which can be disturbing if the situation is not a pleasant one.  For example, putting up the middle finger, or making other vulgar gestures with their extremities.  It is distasteful, and as a person who aspire to become involved in the Applied Health and Science field, I hope that you do not partake in such rudeness in public, or in the privacy of your home, or school.  If you want to become a professional, the time to act like a professional is NOW!


As you can see in your book, some of these root words may seem odd at first glance.  But I am confident that you have at least observed three of these root words before at home, in school, or perhaps in a book.  Remember when I talked about building a relationship with the words you learn, and in turn, you will see the relationships build by recognizing each word?  And, do you remember me speaking about compound words (homework, homebound), and how both words combined together has its own unique relationship, yet have meaning and purpose? 



Let's look at some of these root words relating to the extremities:


1) acro means extremity, end.  Example: acrocyanosis (ak-ro-si-an-o-sis), a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet.  RELATIONSHIP WORD: cyan, cyano - bluish discoloration.   


Do you see how acro + cyan build its relationship?  BUT these two meaningful words have another relationship word attached to the hip, and that is "osis," which denotes, or mean "a process."   Acro (extremity) + cyan (bluish discoloration) + osis (a process) = A process of bluish discoloration of the hands and feet. 


2) chir, chiro means hand.  Example: chiropractor, is a specialist who works with their  hands on a person's body.  RELATIONSHIP WORD: practor, a person who practice, work.

Find the relationship in each root word listed on page 47, and write it down by using the above method I'd mentioned in "Roots Relating To Disease" using both the Right and Left columns to build and recognize the relationships in each word.

ROOT YOURSELF IN SELF-EDUCATION!  

Enjoy some 'Me Time" at http://www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw






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Lesson #4: Making It Plain: Getting to the Root of the Matter (And Then Some)!

Reviewing Your Work and Improving Yourself Can Be Fun!

MAKING IT PLAIN!

In this lesson, I want to let you know that you can, and will, learn medical terminology!  However,  there are some doubts in many parents and teachers minds that you cannot learn this until you attend high school, or college.  LET ME BE VERY CLEAR . . .I have no doubt whatsoever about your ability to become whatever  it is you want to be in life!  Everyday you are growing, and as you grow, you are learning more new things about yourself, the people around you, and of course, the medical terminology words listed in your book, and on this blog site.  ENVISION YOURSELF as a medical doctor in your chosen specialty (i.e., Pediatrician, Internal Medicine, Surgeon) just to name a few, registered nurse, laboratory technician, medical secretary, or medical assistant.  ENVISION YOURSELF as a hospital director, a medical records director, a medical coder - basically anything you want to be can become a reality.
Can you envision yourself working in a hospital, clinic, center, or a research & development facility?

Everyone studies differently using their own system of remembering people and their names, places, words, events, etc.  Some people use acronyms (initials) of a word, or use street slang that relates to a specific person, place, word, or thing.  ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS: What may work for you, may not work for the next person, and what may work for the next person may not work for you, which is why it is so important to find what works best for you to study your medical terminology words.  THERE IS NO WRONG WAY.  THERE NO RIGHT WAY.  The way is "Your Way" that works best for you to study and remember what you need to know!  My job is to provide an example, or two, or more, to show you the relationships of these words in your everyday life, and help you to realize that in most cases, you may have already noted the similarities and differences with many of the words you are learning about in my blog classroom..

Like most of you, I like learning new words, and have so since I was a child.  But you do not have to be a lover of words in order to learn new words and their meaning.  In most instances, it means that you are "Observant" in what you see, and hear, whenever words are spoken to you by someone, or whenever you read a book, a blog, an advertisement, a magazine, or of course, on your cell phone with text messages!

MS. MIRIAM'S SUGGESTIONS TO BUILD YOUR 'MED'CABULARY' POWER

First, what is 'med'cabulary?'  It is 'medical vocabulary,' plain and simple.  This is what I call it, and I want you to think about it in the same way.

From this point on, please discipline yourself to do the following techniques I'd often used when I was in school (And no, it was not during the prehistoric ages when I was in school, thank you very much!)!

1) Text message your friends, classmates, family members, teachers by using prefixes and suffixes.

EXAMPLE #1: Mom, I'll b home pre dinner/supper.  EXAMPLE #2: I'm going ortho 2 schl post brkfst.

In Example #1: Mom, I'll be home before dinner/supper.  In Example #2: I'm going straight to school after breakfast.

2) Write quickie notes to your friends, classmates, family members, teachers, by using prefixes and suffixes.

EXAMPLE #1: Jamal, wait 4 me ecto post schl.  EXAMPLE #2: Hoops ecto dextr post schl endo 1 hr.

In Example #1: Jamal, wait for me outside after school.  In Example #2: Hoops outside right after school within one hour.

Now, do you see why I strongly believe that you CAN learn basic medical terminology?  If you can 'text message' anyone by understanding and using abbreviations & acronyms, then THIS will be a cinch!  What I ask of you is to be diligent in your studies.  Believe me, it will LITERALLY pay off in the long run.

3) Study your root words, prefixes, suffixes, and the human anatomy 30 minutes each week day.  On the weekends, spend at least one hour of your time.  If you receive regular school work from your teacher(s), then take about 15 minutes every evening after completing your assigned homework to become familiarize with your med'cabulary words.

O.k. I know that you are NOT going to like what I have to say about the following suggestion, but trust me, I promise you that you will not ever regret it later on in life if you do this simple task.  I know - you've got friends to hang out with, and your time is valuable.  Your t.v. programs can wait, like BET, MTV, the Lifetime Channel, HBO, Monk (well, perhaps not 'Monk' . . . I do find time to watch this program.  I also love the 'Penguins of Madagascar' . . 'Keith and Rachel' on MSNBC, 'HGTV'  , . . . the 'DIY' Channel . . .) but that's beside the point!!!

What I am trying to say is that whenever you find yourself having to leave the house to visit family, or if you get hung up standing on a lllloooonnnnggg line in the supermarket while shopping with your parents who may not buy what you like anyway (and instead of reading  those gossip magazine):

4) Take your book ("Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: ...") with you, and catch up on some med'cabulary words.  Have some fun with it!

But more importantly, and I would be remiss if I did not share this with you:

5) NEVER WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOUR FRIENDS OR CLASSMATES MAY SAY ABOUT YOU IMPROVING YOURSELF WHEN YOU ARE FOCUSING ON YOUR ACADEMIC & VOCATIONAL STUDIES!  NEVER!

It does not matter what your immediate environment of growing up is located.  It surely does not matter if you are a descendant of the Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, or Asian persuasion, and it does not matter whether you have a lot of money, lack of money, or no money!  NO ONE IS BETTER THAN, NOR LESS THAN YOURSELF!  You have a brain - You have skills!  Don't ever forget that.

6) Lastly, I realize that it may take some discipline to get into the groove of studying your work.  But as sure as I am sitting here typing this to you, I am confident that it will pay-off in the end if you develop good habits of making time for yourself to read books that will put you in the position to generate a very good income for yourself once you have graduated from high school, and college.  One of the best advice my parents taught me growing up as a youngster in school, and that is whenever I was assigned to do homework  - I should do a little more than what was required of me to do.  If I had to read Chapter 9, then I would read Chapter 10 also, so I can familiarize myself with the lesson.

The bottom line is that there will be times in life, and perhaps even now as a young man, or lady, attending middle school, junior high school, or high school that you should not wait to be told to do something if you know it is your job to do it.  You know that it is your turn to wash the dishes at home - so do it!  You know that money do not fall from the sky - you have to earn it, whether you work for yourself in your own business, or work for someone else earning a decent living!  In other words, don't always wait to be instructed to do something - especially when you know that something has to be done about it.  Take the time to improve yourself in everything you do.  BOTTOM LINE: If you got to get up early the next morning, then get your sleep-on the night before!  Feel free to use this statement as a metaphor.  Don't know what 'metaphor' means?  Well?  While some of you are figuring out what I mean, please enjoy watching some clips of high school football by CJ Wade at http://video.berecruited.com/videos/athletes/266310/91493152

Love ya,

Ms. Miriam

Lesson #3 - Gotta Have 'Direction' In Life - Among Other Things!

[PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot see this screen, please zoom it larger].

[REMINDER: Whenever you are speaking about prefixes, a dash (-) should follow the prefix word (i.e., a-, ortho-)] 

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL lessons and assignments given here on 'Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom' educational blog site are provided from the book "Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: Your Child Can Learn Medical Terminology Early in Life!"  ISBN# 978-0-557-08700-6.  Please do not forget to order your copy today!
 

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/mom-dad-i-want-to-work-in-the-medical-field-your-child-can-learn-medical-terminology-early-in-life/7444328

LESSON #3

HAVING A SENSE OF 'DIRECTION,' AMONG OTHER THINGS, WILL ALWAYS BE NEEDED IN LIFE! 

As our future health care professionals in the 21st Century, you should have 'direction' in life.  Equally important, you should know your 'direction' in life when it comes to understanding where you are traveling: North, East, West, or South (NEWS).  To have 'direction,' can be looked upon as a person knowing where he or she have to go when you are traveling to a new town, or state.  Another aspect of the word 'direction' can be used to know where you are heading in life.  In other words, what do you want to do with your life: Which major should I pursue in high school?  Should I attend college upon completion of high school? 

Whatever it may be as the end result of you pondering about which direction you are heading toward, it is clear that you must have 'direction' no matter the conclusion.  It can be positive, or it can be negative. 

POSITIVE DIRECTION: Working hard to become the best person you can be in life.

NEGATIVE DIRECTION: Working hard to become the worse person you can be in life.

Whichever decision you make, it is ultimately up to YOU to decide how you want to live your life.  But when you decide to become a health care professional, the word 'direction' plays a major role involvnig not only your life, but in the lives of other people who seek to you for professional service.

Turn to page 28 in your book - GOTTA HAVE 'DIRECTION' IN LIFE!.

As you can see, to have "Direction" is vitally important when it comes to dealing with medical terminology prefixes.  Did you notice how a mathematical prefix 'dia' plays a part in this case?  Why?  Because the human body (human organism) is compromised of BOTH mathematics and science!  One does not exist without the other!  In short, YOU ARE A WALKING SCIENTIFICAL MATHEMATICAL HUMAN BEING!  For this reason alone is why you need to understand BOTH Mathematics and Science! 

Don't you want to know more about how your body works, so that you can tell someone else about how their body works?  Makes sense?

Let's take the word percutaneous (per-ku-tayn-e-us)  The prefix 'per' means through.  The root word 'cutaneous' means skin.  If you are a young lady who is fussy about getting her nails done (not 'did'), then you know about 'cuticles.'  Well, your cuticles are a part of your skin.  Therefore, if you can remember the word 'cuticles,' then you will remember that the word cutaneous refers to the skin. 

EXAMPLE:  When you get your ears, tongue, or nose pierced (hopefully by a liensed professional who uses sterile needles under sanitary conditions), the procedure calls for a needle to go through the skin. Thus, it is percutaneous.

Let's take a look at the word abduct (ab-dukt).  The prefix 'ab' means away.  Now, I am sure that you have heard this word often, especially when you read the newspapers, or perhaps on the Internet regarding atories about someone taking someone else's baby away from the home (kidnapping).  Well, medically speaking, the word 'abduct' means to move away from the midline (of the body).  Do you see the similarity?  In real life, and in medical terms, the word "abduct' means away from its point of origin, or base, or home. 

So now you see on this page that every prefix have meaning, and its meaning have significance in the real world, and in the medical world.  Take the time to remember the definitions given in the book, and write down three more words that have the same meanings on the Message Board, or on Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom Blog at www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw

Turn to YOUR MEDICAL FUTURE IS GETTING BRIGHTER EVERY DAY!  BE CREATIVE!

I bet you did not know that you can actually become any, or all of these things in the medical field?  Be creative.  Be innovative.  If it does not exist, be the FIRST to it!  If it has been done before, but did not take root, be the FIRST to show how it can work!  And if it is being done, but there is room for more, then become the SECOND, THIRD, OR FORTIETH to do it, as long as it is working, and you are providing a greater good by doing so!  DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF!  Every person on this planet has an inherent talent bestowed unto him or her to do great things that come naturally to him, or her in life.  NEVER allow anyone to tell you that you cannot do anything positive in life because what you see on this page is PROOF that whatever you've been blessed to do in life can be applied in any DIRECTION you choose to go knowing you know that you have what it takes to work! 

Turn to Page 30 - IT'S 'TIME' TO 'POSITION' YOURSELVES TOWARD GREATNESS!

We've already read about 'Direction,' and now we are going to take a look at this particular subject.  As you can see, many of our body parts, both external and internal, are located at the right or left, in or out, around or middle, or at the front or end of another part of the body.  These prefixes will help you to identify its meanings.  The more you study, the easier it will become to recognize these words as time goes by. 

DO NOT MAKE IT HARDER THAN IT IS BECAUSE MANY OF YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD THESE PREFIXES BEFORE BUT IN ANOTHER CONTEXT.

For you sci-fi movie buffs, or lovers of science, the prefix 'ecto' is often heard in the word 'ectoplasm' as a gooey substance, which can be sticky, and is located outside of a body it is covering.  OOOOOhhhhh!  The prefix 'ecto' means out, outside. 

EXAMPLE: A thirty-five year old woman was diagnosed in having an ectopic pregnancy.  This means that the fetus is growing outside of the normal position (outside of the uterus). 

Another prefix word, 'tel/e' means far off, distance.  Sound familiar?  Of course, the telephone, or telephone.  In the medical field, the prefix 'tel,' or 'tele' refers to a part of the body that has distance, or is far-off from its point of where it should be in the body. 

EXAMPLE: The word "telecanthus" is an abnormally increased distance between the medial canthi of the eyelids. 

Oh for crying out loud!  Take that blank look off from your face, and get a grip.  What you read is what I said:, 'Telecanthus' is an abnormally increased distance between the medial canthi of the eyelids. O.K., perhaps I should explain what a "canthi" is before you start to feel as you have ectoplasm all over you!

A 'canthi' is the plural term for 'canthus,' which is the angle at either end between your eyelids.

Now, another example of a prefix word is 'tel/o/os' (tel, telo, telos), which means end.  In the subject of science, the word 'teleomitosis' (teh-le-o-mi-toe-sis) is a completed mitosis.  And as you know, 'mitosis' is a division of a cell. 

Did you notice that the prefix words on page 30 are very similar to everyday words that you may have seen, or used, or still use?  The prefix 'ex' means away from, or cut out.  If you've ever wandered around in the school halls, you will notice a door that says "Exit," which means to leave, or walk away from by using that specific door.

EXAMPLE: Dr. Hendrix had to excise a large thorn from Mr. Jenkin's right index finger.  The doctor only cut away a minute piece of the thorn before administering a local anesthetic to the area in order to extract the rest of the thorn.

Write three words that have the same meanings noted on page 30.  Please feel free to note your answers on the Messag Board, or on Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom blog.

Turn to Page 32 - COMPARING SIZE DOES MATTER!

When has there ever been a time when a child did not compare the size of a sandwich, or counted the amount of candy being distributed among the other sisters, brothers, or friends?  If you get the smaller half of a sandwich that has been cut by someone else, more than likely you will complain about the other person havng a bigger piece than yourself.  That's not fair!  It is obvious that you and the other person should have equal poritions of the sandwich.

However, whenever you are dealing with the human body, the use of fair play or reasoning does not always apply in the medical field.  And when it comes down to comparing what is happening to one thing or person to another thing or person, such comparisons are very miportant to determine what is wrong with the human boday.

As you can see, 'Size' and 'Comparisons' prefixes are numerous, but doable.  And you notice by now that many of these prefixes have been either heard, or seen, by you time and time again, but you may not have noticed its relevance in the medical capacity.

For example, let's take the prefix 'eu' (u) meaning true, easy, good, normal. 

EXAMPLE: 'Euthanasia' is an easy or painless death.  [Death is thanat/thanato]

What are the definitions of the followng prefixes?

homo/eo/o

hetero

iso

Now study the remainder of the words listed on pages 32-33, and feel free to provide your questions, or answers on the Message Board, or on Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom's blog at www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw

The following are a few prefixes already noted in the book that will help you to critcially analyze its meanings:

1) macro - large, abnormally large. 

EXAMPLE: Macroscopic is VISIBLE to the naked eye without using the microscope.

2) micro - small. 

EXAMPLE: Microscopic is NOT VISIBLE to the naked eye, and you need to use a microscope.

3) mega/megalo - large, abnormally large. 

EXAMPLE: Megalodactyly (meg-ah-lo-dak-teh-lee) is an abnormal largeness of fingers and toes. 

TIPS TO REMEMBER:  'dactyl' is the root word for fingers and toes.  Think about the movie Jurassic Park - you know, teratdactyl, for example - those ugly looking monster (terat/o) with huge feet and hands. 

RELATIONSHIP WORD: 'terat, terato' = a combining form denoting relationship to a monster. 

4) normo - normal, usual. 

EXAMPLE: Normocapnia (nor-mo-kap-nee-ah) is a normal tension of carbon dioxide (capn/o) in the blood. 

RELATIONSHIP WORD: 'dioxide' = capn, capno. 

5) ortho - straight, normal, correct, upright. 

EXAMPLE: Orthopedic pertains to the correction of deformities of the musculoskeletal (muscles and bones) system. 

6) poikilo - spotted, varied, irregular, mottled. 

EXAMPLE: Poikiloderma is a mottling condition of the skin. 

TIP TO REMEMBER: Think of 'polka dots' and you will remember the prefix 'poikilo' meaning spotted, varied, irregular, mottled.  'Derma' is the root word meaning skin.  Thus, spotted skin.

7) psuedo - false. 

EXAMPLE: Pseudomania (su-doe-mayn-ee-ah) is a false or pretended mental disorder.  'Mania' is a phase of bipolar disorder charaterized by agitation, hyperexcitability, hyperactivity, and an increased speed of thought and speech. 

CAREER RELATIONSHIP: You may also hear this term 'Pseudomania' used in the field of Law. 

GIVEN EXAMPLE: Pseudomania is a mental disorder in which the patient admits to crimes of which he is innocent. 

Turn to Page 34 - WE CAN AGREE TO DEGREE or NOT DEGREE!

There are prefixes that depicts the 'degree' of which the human body will act, or react.  In other words, our bodies can run hot, or cold.  Our body temperature can run high or low.  So does our blood pressure. 

1) hyper - over, increased, abnormally high, excess. 

EXAMPLE: Ms. Martha was diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure). 

2) hypo - under, decreased, abnormally low, not excessive. 

EXAMPLE: Mr. Adams was diagnosed with hypotension (low blood pressure). 

RELATIONSHIP WORD: The word 'tension' is the act of stretching, or the condition of being stretched or strained.

Currently, there is a pandemic of the H1N1 (swine flu) going around vaious parts of the U.S.A.  With that said, let's look at the prefix 'pan' - it means all.  A 'pandemic' is a widespread of disease affecting throughout a region, country, or globally. 

Write down three more words that share the same meanings to the words noted on page 34.  Please feel free to post your questions or answers at www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw on the Message Board, or on Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom blog.

WE'RE ON A ROLL PEOPLE!  GO TO PAGE 35.

Look on this page, and figure out which of the following prefixes best suits the following words, and define them.

1) postsplenic

2) prophylaxis

3) predisposing

4) antebellum

5) postoperative

6) predetermined

7) antecedent

TIPS TO REMEMBER: The prefixes 'ante' and 'anti' are NOT the same!  The prefix 'ante' means before, or in front of, or prior to.  The prefix 'anti' means against, to fight off. 

SUGGESTIONS: The letter 'e' comes before the letter 'i.'  Therefore, ante means before.  Now think about the letter 'i' as in 'I will fight against evil.'  Therefore, anti means against, fight off. 

[PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot see the screen, simply zoom it to the size that works best for you]




TURN TO PAGE 36 - SOMETIMES IT DOES PAY TO BE 'NEGATIVE IN LIFE' . . . Medically Speaking of Course!

Like life, it can be positive, or negative, or both.  For the most part, having a negative outlook in life is not good, and having a positive outlook in life is good.  Medically speaking, however, some negatives are positive! 

WHAT'S NEGATIVE TO SOME ARE POSITIVE TO OTHERS!

O.k., my bright intelligent students, I know you can do this!  After all, many of you have already been exposed to these prefixes but have used it, or heard it in another context.  I want you to use the words you already know by using these same prefixes, and watch how quickly you will relate to the medical terminology attached to them.

1) a, an meaning without, not, lack of, absence. 

EXAMPLE:  Amorphus is without form. 

2) contra meaning against, opposed. 

EXAMPLE: Contraceptives are often used by females to avoid getting pregnant, or by males to avoid impregnating a female. 

3) in/im means not. 

EXAMPLE:  Incontinence is a lack of, or havng no control over urination or defecation.  Imperfect is a person who is not perfect. 

4) dis meaning absence, separation, removal. 

EXAMPLE: Disinfect is to remove infectious organism from something, or someone. 

5) de means down, without, removal, loss. 

EXAMPLE: Detoxify is to remove a poison (toxin)   A slang version "detox," will be a person who is tryng to get 'clean,' or to 'remove' drugs or alcohol [poisons] from the body.

As you can see, many of these prefixes relates to everyday words.  I want you to write down three words that shares the same meanings to the rest of the words noted on page 36, and define them.

Before we end Lesson #3 - I want you to also keep in mind that there are other 'Directions' and 'Positionis' you need to know.  TURN TO PAGE 37 - TO GAIN 'POSITION' YOU MUST HAVE 'DIRECTION!' 

The human body is amazing!  Every part of the body has a purpose, and its purpose are defined by its function.  And its function is based on its location within, below, above, around, nearby, beside, upon, over, inside, outside, in front of, or in rear of, a particular part of the body, whether it is an organ, or a limb.  In mathematics, we add, substract, multiply, and divide numbers.  And like math, science has its own methodology to determine what is what. 

Note the prefixes on pages 37 and 38 in your book.  What I want you to see are the similarities that I give below and compare them to the prefixes and its medical meanings listed on these two pages in the book.  Plus, provide some EXAMPLE sentences to each prefix by starting with number 3.

1) circum - means around. 

EXAMPLE: Circumcise - a surgical procedure to excise, or remove foreskin around the male's penis.

2) epi - means upon, over. 

EXAMPLE: Epidural - situated upon or outside the dura mater. 

The 'dura mater' is the outermost part toughest of the three membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord.  Many pregnant opt to get an epidural to numb the lower region of the body before giving birth to their baby. 

3) juxta - means near, beside.

4) infra - means below.

5) retro - means behind, backward.

6) sub - means below, under.

7) extra - means outside, beyond, or in addition.

8) peri - means around.

9) intra - means in, within.

10) sub - means below, under. 

11) para - means near, beside.

PLEASE REVIEW, STUDY, AND RENEW!  NEXT TIME, LESSON #4!

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