[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!
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!
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment