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Introduction to Etymologies in Health Sciences

Overview of the Course

• This course aims to familiarize students with etymological concepts used in health sciences, enhancing understanding of medical language from body parts to procedures.

• The intimidating nature of medical terminology is mitigated by learning its roots, prefixes, and suffixes, making it logical and accessible.

Importance of Etymology

• According to Sánchez and Solís, "etimologías" derives from Greek "etimos" (true) and Latin "logos" (study), indicating that etymology studies the true meaning of words.

• In health sciences, etymologies help clarify precise meanings among professionals and their patients.

Historical Context

Early Medical Texts

• The first Greek medical texts were produced in the 4th and 5th centuries BC by various authors, many still preserved today.

• Significant advancements occurred during the Hellenistic period with anatomical studies by Herophilus and Erasistratus on human and animal cadavers.

Key Historical Works

• Bartolomeo Castelli's Elicum Medicum Graeco Latinum, written in 1607 in Latin, is noted as a fundamental dictionary for modern medicine.

Understanding Word Structure

Components of Medical Terms

• Words consist of a root (central part), prefixes (added at the beginning), and suffixes (added at the end), altering the original meaning. Examples include:

• "deshacer": root "hacer" + prefix "des".

• "felizmente": root "feliz" + suffix "mente".

Role of Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes indicate location or time; most derive from prepositions/adverbs crucial for constructing medical terms. Examples include:

• Greek prefix “met” indicates change as seen in “metabolismo” (process transforming substances).

Common Prefixes Used in Medicine

Indicating Location or Movement

• Various prefixes denote spatial relationships:

• Ect: outside; e.g., “ectoplasma” means external cytoplasm. (Greek origin) []

• Endo/Ento: inside; e.g., “intravenosa” refers to within a vein. (Latin origin) []

• Infra/Sub: below; e.g., “subconsciente” indicates mental activity beneath perception. (Latin origin) []

• Supra/Epi: above; e.g., “suprarrenal” means above the kidney. (Latin/Greek origins) []

Movement Descriptors

Directional Terms

• Movement towards different directions is expressed through specific prefixes:

• Cat/De: downward movement; e.g., “catarro” signifies downward flow.

• Ana: upward movement; e.g., “anabolismo” refers to synthesizing complex compounds from simpler ones.

Circular Motion Indicators

• The prefix Circum/Peri denotes surrounding actions:

• Example: “circuncidar,” which means cutting around something.

Processes Involving Separation

Terms Related to Diffusion or Separation

• For processes involving separation or diffusion through membranes:

• Prefixes like Per/Trans/Dia are utilized.

• Example: “transcripción,” where genetic sequences are copied from DNA to RNA.

• Another example is “diálisis,” referring to selective diffusion across a membrane.

This structured approach provides an organized overview while linking back directly to relevant timestamps for further exploration or review within the transcript content provided.

Understanding Medical Prefixes

Intercostal and Related Terms

• The term "intercostal" refers to the space between the ribs, derived from Latin where "inter" means between and "costa" means rib.

• The prefix "ante-" signifies before in a temporal sense, as seen in "antebrazo," which describes the part of the arm from wrist to elbow.

Prefixes Indicating Position or Condition

• "Prognatismo" indicates a condition where individuals have protruding jaws; it combines "pro," meaning in front of, with "gatos," meaning jaw.

• The prefix "post-" denotes after, illustrated by terms like “prostrausmático,” referring to emotional states lingering post-trauma.

Repetition and Difficulty

• The prefix “re-” implies repetition, as in “replicar,” where it suggests doubling an action.

• “Dis-” indicates difficulty, exemplified by “disnea,” which refers to breathing difficulties.

Absence and Excess

• The prefix “an-” denotes absence; for instance, “anaerobio” describes organisms that live without air (oxygen).

• In contrast, “hiper-“ signifies excess, as seen in “hipertrofia,” which refers to excessive growth of an organ.

Implications of Impropriety and Opposition

• The Greek prefix “par-“ conveys impropriety; for example, in “parálisis,” indicating loss of movement.

• Medical vocabulary often uses prefixes like “anti-“ and “contra-“ to express opposition. For instance, "anticuerpo" refers to proteins defending against foreign substances.

Proximity and Beyond

• The Latin preposition "ad-" indicates proximity or direction towards something; for example, in the word "adherencia."

• Conversely, the adverbial form "ultra-" suggests beyond limits; illustrated by terms like “ultrasonido,” referring to sound beyond audible thresholds.