Here are examples of integumentary medical terms that can be easily defined by breaking them into word components.

Dermatologist

  1. Break down the medical term into word components: Dermat/o/logist
  2. Label the word parts: Dermat = WR; o = CV; logist = S
  3. Define the word components: Dermat = skin; logist = specialist who studies and treats disorders
  4. Create a final definition of the medical term: A specialist who studies and treats disorders of the skin

Epidermal

  1. Break down the medical term into word components: Epi/derm/al
  2. Label the word parts: Epi = P; derm = WR; al = S
  3. Define the word components: Epi = upon/on; derm = skin; al = pertaining to
  4. Create a final definition of the medical term: Pertaining to upon/on the skin

Hypodermic

  1. Break down the medical term into word components: Hypo/derm/ic
  2. Label the word parts: Hypo = P; derm = WR; ic = S
  3. Define the word components: Hypo = below; derm = skin; ic = pertaining to
  4. Create a final definition of the medical term: Pertaining to below the skin

Onychomycosis

  1. Break down the medical term into word components: Onych/o/myc/osis
  2. Label the word parts: Oncyh = WR; o = CV; myc = WR; osis = S
  3. Define the word components: Onych = nail; myc = fungus; osis = abnormal condition
  4. Create a final definition of the medical term: Abnormal condition of a fungus in the nails
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Interactive Learning Activity: Practice pronouncing and defining medical terms related to the integumentary system by breaking them into word components.

You can also print this as a Chapter 3 Student Companion Worksheet and check your answers with this Answer Key.

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Medical Terminology - 2e Copyright © 2024 by Jonathan Eastabrooks, MBA, RHIA and Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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