Your Middle School Age Child Can Learn Medical Terminology!

Finally South Carolina is Seemingly Catching up in the 21st Century!

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Orangeburg Charter School Prepares for First Year

Orangeburg, SC (WLTX) -- It is the first of its kind in Orangeburg County and in South Carolina.

The Orangeburg High School for Health Professionals, a new charter school with a medical focus, will open its doors to its first students in August, and it plans to change lives.

"Think Big, Think Boldy, Think beyond," that's the theme for the opening year of Orangburg's newest school.
Principal Angel Hightower has set the bar high for her new students.

"We want our children to come out with not only a diploma, but also some college credit, or either an associates in a particular area," she says they're partnering with Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

It is the county's first charter school, and the first one with a medical focus in South Carolina. Hightower say they worked with a similar school in Texas to set up the school.

Hightower says the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 authorized the school. She says they've spent the last year preparing to open.

Tuesday, students got a chance to meet each other and members of the school's eight person faculty and staff.

They also while voted on their mascot and school shield. Hightower told students they would find out the result later. She also said the school's first valedictorian would receive a special honor. The title of his or her graduation address would also go on the shield.

Parents, who are required to support the school, not just participate, came out in full force.

"I feel like it's important because they can comprehend more, and they can focus on what they want to do and they feel much more comfortable with that because of the small environment," said Jennifer Glover, whose daughter will attend the school in the fall. She said she prayed for a school like this in Orangeburg.

This year, the school will run out of the Technology Center building on Magnolia Street. Hightower says they are looking for a new space to move into for next year.

The group of 9th graders that will be the first in the school's history will have lab coats and iPads with copies of their books to use. The students will be able to keep the technology when they graduate.

They will also receive internships, and take classes from professional like doctors, dentists and pharmacists, and student say they are excited.

"They're gonna give us the basis for what we gotta do, and when we get into college and everything. They're really gonna give us tools we need to help us get there," said 14-year-old Vieke Parkash Rai. He says he wants to become a doctor and earn his Ph.D.

"It's best for us, I mean we can take this step to another level, we can do everything with it," said Laquandria Calhoun, a 14-year-old. She says she's interested in physical therapy.

Orangeburg High School for Health Professionals will not have its own athletics program or after school organization when school starts, but students can participate in those activities at their local high school.

Students will have an opportunity to create some clubs as the year goes on.

The district will also provided transportation to the students, getting them to school and back, or to some after school activities.

Hightower says the school has high expectations for the students. They're aiming for a 100 percent graduation rate.

"I know everyone says how can you have 100% graduation? It's about the type of education you provide for them and I believe that through Orangeburg District 5, through the charter school that we're going to give them that world class school system that they need so that when they leave us they're competitive with the world," said Hightower.

If you'd like more information on the school you can visit the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 website here, or call 803-533-6374.

"Homework" Is NOT a Dirty Word!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:15:00 +0000

ATTENTION

TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS:

The Following are Basic Key Tools For Youngsters to Excel in Their Academic and Vocational Endeavors Under Your Instruction:

Daily and Weekend Homework (Plus Holiday Vacation): Unfortunately, this practice of giving homework on a daily basis, over the weekend, and during their holiday vacation break has seemingly become obsolete!
Give Essays: Today, there are more youngsters becoming increasingly illiterate when it comes to spelling, and using proper grammar. It is not cute when a child, or an adult for that matter, have no clue on how to differentiate 'their,' 'there,' or 'there.' And that is only one small example. Constant use of "Abbreviations" and "Acronyms" have become a way of life today with both youngsters and adults, especially on social networking sites (i.e., Facebook, Myspace, etc.)
Mark 'Incorrect' Spelling Words in Red, and/or Let the Child Write the 'Correct' Spelling Word Numerous Times: This is a practice used when I was attending school. It works! Do not allow a child to get away with misspelled words whenever they are writing an essay, homework, etc. Encourage him or her to learn the proper spelling of words. And whenever they turn in their homework paper, and there is/are word[s] misspelled, mark it in red indicating that it is incorrect, and have him, or her, write it out several times until it's etched within their cranial membrane!

The more questions the children ask - the better. ANSWER their questions whenever they ask you something! BE HONEST with them if you do not know the answer. Simply advise them that you do not know, but you will get back to them with an answer the next day, or shortly. After all, you're only human. Remember that you, too, have flaws, and make mistakes.

NEVER, EVER, judge the youngsters you are teaching under your care. You're NOT a god. You're a teacher. You're an educator. You are NOT their friend, so refrain from talking your personal business with them!

If you, too, happen to attend school to further your academic objectives and goals (Master's degree, doctorate), then be honest with yourself by asking "Am I giving all of myself to help these youngsters?" If the answer is no, then you need to make a decision quickly as to how you're going to fulfill your educational duties by proving these youngsters with "whole education," without sacrificing them. If the answer is yes, then you better be well prepared for the youngsters who are more intelligent than you give them credit for because they can spot someone who is not 'genuine,' or 'sincere,' in their words, or actions.

Therefore, stop being fearful to give and teach our youngsters 'whole' education. Life is an education. It's time to eradicate many of these old relic so-called traditional methods of teaching, and begin to get real with these students of the 21st Century!

Homework is not a dirty word . . . It is a word of necessity! Isn't that the reason why you became a teacher?

If you find yourself not wanting to grade papers, or check homework at your home every night, on weekends, or during your holiday vacation break, then perhaps "Teaching" is not your cup of tea! Think about it! Like they say, If the shoes fit . . . then wear it, and get to walking!'

In the meantime, for all of you who have no problem whatsoever in carrying out the aforementioned tools, or who is already practicing these invaluable tools of academic learning, then let's produce "thinkers" and "leaders" and "rulers" in the 21st Century!

Peace.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Lesson #8: ALL SYSTEMS GO!

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:04:00 +0000

The Integumentary System
The Anatomy of the Skin

Did you know that the SKIN is the largest organ of the body? The SKIN is a remarkable structure because it:

T.A.P.P.I.

1) Tolerates chafing and abrasion of the sand;

2) Absorbs ultraviolet radiation;

3) Prevents dehydration;

4) Preserves our body temperature, and

5) Is interchangeable with other systems of the body.

The skin is a part of the 'Integumentary System,' and this system include the 'cutaneous memberane' (skin), as well as hair, nails, and the exocrine glands.

FYI: One of the best ways to remember that the 'cutaneous (ku-tayn-e-us) membrane' is dealing with the skin: "Oh, she thinks she is so cute. She ain't all that!" As you can see, the word "cute" deals with looks - looks deals with outside appearance (hair, nails) - and appearance deals with SKIN! See the logic? Let's move on!

FYI: The prefix 'epi' means above.

The cutaneous membrane has TWO components:

1) epidermis and the dermis, an underlying area of connective tissue, and

2) accessory structures - include hair, nails, and the exocrine glands. These structures are located chiefly in the dermis - It protrudes through the epidermis to the skin surface (visible).

Deep to the dermis is the subcutaneous layer (or hypodermis) - It separates the integument from other organs, such as muscles & bones.

FYI: The subcutaneous layer formal name is superficial fascial.(super-fih-shall-fase-shall) - For example: a person, or people who is, or are, not being for real, being pretentious, and/or think that they are 'all that, and a bag of chips' is considered to be 'superficial.' And of course, the face is facial. The word 'sub' means 'under,' or 'below.' Much like the subway system - a system of trains running underground the surface.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the loose connective tissue of the subcutaneous layer is not often considered a part of the integument, its connective tissue fibers are interwoven with the dermis. Therefore, it is considered to be integument.

O.k., you must be saying to yourself as to why this woman is teaching about the skin instead of focusing on the medical terminology? And you know what? I don't blame you! BUT the skin is the largest organ of the human body, and yes, the skin also plays a part in the "real world!" Good or bad, skin is here to stay!

WARS have been started due to the hue, or color of the skin! People throughout the globe have done unspeakable things due to the hue, or color of the skin! People throughout America, for example, have acne and other blemish problems, cancer, just name a couple, on and within their SKIN!

So yes, the skin is VERY important to know and learn about because no matter what happens to you in life, there is one thing you'll have for a lifetime - your skin!

LAYERS OF THE EPIDERMIS

The layers of the epidermis of "thick skin" covers surfaces of the soles of the feet, and the palms of the hands.

Just like building a house, commercial building, the Pyramids, or if you ever played "Johnny-on-the-Pony" as a child, you will know that whatever you are building, or erecting, you start from the bottom - below - on the ground, and work your way up to the top, or surface.

Let's take building a modest size thick skin five-story building, for example: (Yeah I know using 'thick skin' is a bit much, but work with me here!)

FIRST, you break up the dirt in the ground to build a foundational basement. Stratum germinativum (stra-tum-jer-mi-na-te-vum) - the[basement membrane].

SECOND, then you build the next level. Stratum spinosum (stra-tum-spih-no-sum).

THIRD, then you build the next level. Stratum granulosum (stra-tum-gran-u-lo-som).

FOURTH, then you build the next level. Stratum lucidum (stra-tum-lu-sih-dum)

FIFITH, then you build the TOP (last) level. Stratum corneum (stra-tum-kor-ne-um) - the [surface].

So, whenever you begin to study the above layers of the epidermis, think of them as building levels of floors in a house, building - whichever works best for you.

FYI: One of the ways to remember the layers - try using this formula: An idea is a germ that spin into a granulo making it lucid so it can surface for all to see (corneum). The words corneum and cornea (eye) in Latin means "horny." Enough said.

EPIDERMIS

1) Helps keep microorganisms outside the body.

2) Provides mechanical protection.

3) Consist of a 'stratified squamous epithelium' (strat-ih-fide-skwa-mus-ep-ih-thele-e-um).

4) Keratinocytes (ker-at-in-no-sites) is the body's most abundant of epithelial cells.

5) It contains TWO pigments: carotene, and melanin, which is the dominant pigmentation in EVERY Human Being on this planet!

SKIN COLOR

The hue (means 'color') of your skin is a result of an interaction between the epidermal pigmentation, and the dermal circulation.

The DOMINANT pigment in every human being on this planet is melanin, which is a black, brown, or yellow-brown pigment produced by melanocytes.

Melanocytes are located in the 'stratum germinativum,' which is the deepest base level of the dermis, or the 'basement membrane.'

Melanocytes are:

deeply squeezed into the epithelial cells
manufactures the pigment melanin from tyrosine (an amino acid and its molecules)
packaged in melanosomes (are intracellular vesicles)

These vesicles travel within the processes of melanocytes and are transferred intact to keratinocytes.

SO, WHERE IN THE "HUE" IS ALL THIS COMING FROM?

The transfer of pigmentation colors the keratinocyte temporarily until the melanosomes are destroyed by fusion with lysosomes ["lys," "lyso" meaning dissolution; "soma" meaning 'body']

In Caucasians, this 'transfer of pigmentation' occurs in the stratum germinativum AND stratum spinosum, AND the cells of more superficial layers, such as the stratum granulosum, LOSE their pigmentation (but melanin is still present in the skin).

Lesson #7: From 'Seed' To 'Cell' (And Vice Versa)!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:21:00 +0000

CELLS and TISSUE ROOTS

ROOT - A structure by which something is firmly attached.

Much like an apple tree, or any tree bearing fruit, there is no doubt that the body is one of the most basic, yet complex, unit of life in its simplest form. Cells are the fundamental units of all plant and animal tissues. By now, many of you have either learned about cells and tissues, and if not, you will soon enough. Therefore, I will only provide basic information about cells and tissues, which will help you to understand the root words given here in this lesson to avoid conflict in your usual studies that you will receive from your teacher at school when you learn about cells and tissues..

When you're studying cells, it is called "Cytology" (si-tol-o-gee), which is the study of the structure and function of cells. In our cell structure, we have 'cytoplasm' (si-to-plax-m) filling the cell called 'organelles' (or-gan-ells), which is a sub-unit each having a specific function. The process of a cell dividing is called 'mitosis.' (my-toe-sis). Then we have the 'nucleus.' (nu-kle-us), which is the control center of the cell. The nucleus contains 'chromosomes' (krohm-o-sohms) that carries genetic information that are composed of a complex substance organically known as DNA. Each human cell contains 46 chromosomes, and DNA is organized into separate units called 'genes.'

CELLS:

Cytology - The study of Cells.

Organelles - The sub-unit of a cell having specific functions.

Mitosis - The process of a cell dividing.

Nucleus - The control center of the cell.

Chromosomes - Carries genetic information - Each human cell contains 46 chromosomes.

DNA - Composed of a complex substance organically. It is organized into separate units called 'genes.'

TISSUES:

Cells are organized into tissues that also performs specific functions, and there are four basic tissue types (And NO, Kleenex or Puff-Puffs is not one of them!):

1) Epithelial (ep-ih-thee-lie-al) tissues: It covers and protects the body structures and lines the organs, vessels, and cavities (an opening).

2) Connective tissue: It supports and bind body structures containing fibers, and non-living material between the cells (i.e., bone, blood, fatty tissue).

3) Muscle tissue: It contracts to produce movement. The root word "my/myo" depicts 'muscle.' There are three types of muscles: A) Skeletal (or Voluntary) - moves the skeleton; B) Cardiac muscle of the heart, and C) Visceral (Smooth) muscle - forms the walls of the abdominal organs.

4) Nervous tissue: It makes up the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It coordinates and controls body responses by transmitting electrical impulses.

FYI: The 'smooth' muscles and the 'cardiac' muscle are known as "involuntary" muscles because these muscles can function without conscious control. Examples: Heart attack, giving birth (contraction of the uterus.)

Turn to Pages 49 - 51: GETTING TO THE ROOT OF CELLS & TISSUES

Well, in Lesson #6, I had you to 'text message' a chosen friend or classmate involving some of the prefixes we've already gone over in the book. In this lesson, however, it is time to focus on these root words because it is the essence of strength in you med'cabulary library.

1) cyt, cyto, cyte - mean cell. Example: Cytotoxic (si-toe-tox-ik), destructive to cells.

2) hist, histo, histi, histio - mean tissue. Example: Histologist (his-tol-ih-jist), a specialist who studies tissue.

3) blast - means immature cell, or productive cell. Example: Blastocyte (blast-o-site), an undifferentiated embryonic cell. Another Example: Fibroblast, a cell that produces fibers.

4) phag, phago - means eat, or ingest. Example: Phagocyte (fag-o-site), a cell that ingests waste and other foreign matter. DO YOU REMEMBER (DYR) WHAT 'CYTE' MEANS?

5) gen - means formation, origin. Example: Genesis (jen-o-sis), origin of something.

6) morph, morpho - means form, structure. Example: Morphology (morf-ol-o-gee), study of form and structure. RELATIONSHIP WORD: "ology" is the suffix meaning "study of."

7) fibr, fibro - means fiber. Example: Fibrosis (fi-bro-sis), abnormal formation of fibrous tissue. RELATIONSHIP WORD: "osis" is the suffix meaning "a process."

8) aden, adeno - means gland. Example: Adenitis (ad-eh-ni-tis), inflammation of a gland. RELATIONSHIP WORD: "itis" is the suffix meaning "inflammation."

9) muc, muco - means mucus (mucous), mucus of the membrane. Example: Mucorrhea (mu-ko-re-ah), increased flow of mucus. RELATIONSHIP WORD: "rrhea" is the suffix meaning "flow."

10) myx, myxo - means mucous or mucus. Example: Myxoma (mix-so-mah), tumor of the mucus tissue. RELATIONSHIP WORD: "oma" is the suffix meaning "tumor."

BODY CHEMISTRY ROOTS

Ordinarily, whenever Cells and Tissues are being taught in class, it is customary to stay on target with its entire functioning processes from beginning to the end. However, to stay on track of what I stated earlier in this lesson about not having to conflict with what your teacher in school may, or may not have already taught on this subject, I will provide some root words relating to "Body Chemistry," which are important roots to know, especially since many of you may have already heard much of these words, and/or read them in some of your reading materials.

1) adip, adipo - means fat. Example: Adipose (ad-ih-poze), of a fatty nature (The presence of fat in the cells of adipose tissue).

2) lip, lipo - means fat, lipid. Example: Liposuction (lie-po-sul-shun), surgical removal of fat. Another Example: Lipoma (lip-o-mah), a benign soft encapsulated tumor of adipose tissue.

3) steat, steato - means fatty. Example: Steatoma (stee-at-o-mah), a lipoma; a fatty mass retained within a sebaceous gland. RELATIONSHP WORD: "oma" is the suffix meaning "tumor."

Please DEFINE the remaining words on page 52. Also, provide TWO Examples for each word given in the book.

Please DEFINE the SUFFIXES given on pages 51 and 52. In the EXAMPLE COLUMN, write down the root words and suffixes giving EACH its definitions and meaning.

NEXT TIME: PAGES 54 - 61: GOING DEEPER INTO OUR "ROOTS!"

copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Lesson #6 - PROJECT REVIEW: Let's "TM" "MT!"

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:50:00 +0000

PROJECT TIME!

Reviewing What You've Learned By "Texting" "Medical Terminology!"

I realized that this particular lesson may seem unusual to you, or unorthodox, but let us all give it a try to find out how much medical terminology prefixes, suffixes, and/or root words, you have retained from past lessons. You know my motto: If you can 'text message,' then you can learn basic medical terminology!

WHAT TO DO:

Choose a friend, or classmate, as your partner to communicate with each other via 'text message,' with the following examples given below. DO NOT change, add, or subtract what is written because if you do, it will change the meaning of the words!

Here's how it will go: YOU will text message FIRST. You can use your name. YOUR PARTNER will respond back to you by translating what you said in your text. Once that is done, then YOUR PARTNER will text message you with the example given, and YOU will translate what your partner said in the text. Write your project answers on the assignment page at www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw on the Message Board, OR on the Blog,. You can also make a copy of my Pageflake site, and use it for your own personal use to study and record your work.

ARE YOU READY TO TEXT? GET TO IT! SEE YOU ON THE FINISH LINE!:

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE YOUR BOOK. THIS IS AN "OPEN BOOK' PROJECT ASSIGNMENT!

(NOTE: I'm not as fluent in texting as you young people, so bear with me when I spell out words like 'you,' and 'are' instead of using 'u,' or 'r.' You can use your usual texting jargon, but my aim is to make sure that you use medical terminology CORRECTLY by UNDERSTANDING what you are texting! Trust, by using this method of learning will allow you to put most, or any, med'cabulary in its proper form later on). With that said, this is going to be a lllooooonnnng text message back and forth. Make sure you have the time to do this project.)

YOU: Hey [Partner's name], I recv'd your letter, but only hemi was readable. Do you have multi copies, or just this uni? I'll fax you my hemi of the letter to you post dinner. You can rewrite from primi, and make sure to copy at least quint copies for yourself.

YOUR PARTNER: Hi [You's name], I stayed up all nocti studying. My mom was bugging me so poly about doing my homework, I was diplo! Now, I've got to start primi, and this time, I'm making multi copies. Anyway, did u see tht xantho dress Kelly wore?

YOU: Girl, I saw the same dress but in alb on Sookie last week! My sis has one in erythr, but I like better in melano.

YOUR PARTNER: Are you going ab next Summer to camp? I'm leaning ad not going myself.

YOU: Nahhh. I'm dia with going to Summer camp. I'm too old for that stuff. I want to go ex here and go to New York, and syn with my dad's family dextr after school let out. How about you?

YOUR PARTNER: I prefer to be exo from home myself. But my parents want me to stay endo the neighborhood. If only I had family living tel - I, too, will travel there.

YOU: eu that!

YOUR PARTNER: Are you still going to have your birthday party tri weeks from now? If so, when r u going to send out invitations?

YOU: Yep! Possibly in the meso of next wk. My mom said I can only invite 50 - my list is hemi done. I'm not sure if I can go trans with this party. I want to invite 100 people instead.

YOUR PARTNER: Wow, that's a macro amount of people! My mom will scalp me if I invited megalo amount of people in this house!

YOU: I know. If I invited 100 or more, my parents will go ortho to my throat - but I want to invite pan of my peeps! A olig amount of my peeps won't cut it.

YOUR PARTNER: You need to find out what's happening on that party date. Ask circum to find out who's doing what on that date ante handing out the invites to everyone.

YOU: O.k. That way I can find out who's coming, or un coming by their actions. Juxta, I have a good feeling about this anyway.

YOUR PARTNER: I've got to go. B 4 I do, did u complete your science homework yet?

YOU: Just hemi of it. I'll do it pan later tonight. Did u eat yet?

YOUR PARTNER: No. My mouth is xero - I should eat. I don't drink enough hydro. I think I lack ferro in my body. Oh well..

YOU: Yeah, well, it's getting late. I've got to complete my homework tachy pre 11. I really don't want to go to school tomorrow.

YOUR PARTNER: Too mal. My mom will make my life dys if I utter such a sono or thought.

YOU: I hear you. I don't want any thermo from my mom and dad either. I deal with this kind of baro! They believe that I need to erg harder than I'm doing.

YOUR PARTNER: eu that! My pops will pass a lith if I did mal in school! I'm getting cryo. I need some thermo. R u cryo?

YOU: Nope, but the aero is chilly ecto. I've got to go. I'll talk 2 u primi in the a.m. Meet me retro the junior lunchroom tables peri noon.

YOUR PARTNER: I know - homo time - hetero day! Peace out!

YOU: Ditto!

#END OF TEXT CONVERSATION.

Did you get that? How much of this make sense to you?

Answers to YOU and YOUR PARTNER will be listed on the MESSAGE BOARD at http://www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw - Check it out anytime! I will also post the answers on this blog just in case you may have trouble getting to the assignment site.

Turn to page 47 - EXTREMITIES

BOOST YOUR 'ROOT' KNOWLEDGE!

1) acro - means extremity, end

2) pod - means foot.

3) ped, pedo - means foot

4) chir, chiro - means hand

5) cheir, cheiro - means hand

6) dactyl - means finger, toe.

7) brachi, brachio - means arm.

In your book you will see that these root words are very much in synch with what is described as its meanings. Build a relationship, and the relationship of words will build.

END OF LESSON #6

Next time: FROM 'SEED' TO 'CELL' (And Vice Versa)!

See(d) Ya!

To Order the Book "Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: Your Child Can Learn Medical Terminology Early in Life!" that is used for youngsters to learn basic medical terminology on this blogsite, please go to: http://stores.lulu.com/mgaw - anytime! Learn at your own pace!

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

Happy Safe & Bless New Year 2010!

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:29:00 +0000

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO AN URGENT PERSONAL FAMILY MATTER, CLASSES WILL RESUME SOON. I apologize for the delay, but I Look forward to getting back to teaching all of you. Thank you. Ms. Miriam.

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

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:48:00 +0000

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.

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

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:34:00 +0000

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!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:30:00 +0000

[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!

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

LESSON #2 - PREFIXES (How Many and Colors)

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:16:00 +0000

WELCOME TO MS. MIRIAM'S BLOG CLASSROOM!

Do you remember learning in English class about prefixes in school? Well, learning medical terminology prefixes are no different.

The word 'pre' means 'before,' or in front of.' Example: Pre-natal, existing or occurring before birth. Now let's take the word 'post,' which means 'after,' or 'in back of.' Example: Postmenstrual, after menstruation, or in back of a completion of the menstrual cycle.

Turn to page 22: How Many Please?

Undoubtedly, you have used these prefixes before in school, or you may have heard them used in a conversation, or perhaps you may have heard these prefixes if you've ever accompanied a parent or friend to the doctor's office whenever he or she explained certain things to them about their condition.

Compare the following prefixes that are often used in every day language to the medical terminology prefixes listed on page 22: How Many Please?: Do you see the similarities, and how it relates to everyday language?

1) bi - means two, twice. A person who likes both men and women intimately are called a bi-sexual individual. bilateral.

2) di - means two, twice. The high school music class has a diverse group of people who can sing very well.

3) hemi - means half, one side. The U.S.A. is located in the northern hemisphere. The human brain is divided into two hemispheres.

4) diplo - means double. Aunt Sally was seeing everything double when she awakes every morning. Her doctor told her that she had diplopia.

5) mono - means one, single. Jamal believes that a monogamous relationship between a man and his wife should be sacred. monogram. monolithic. monogenic.

6) multi - means many, multiple. Lisa has multiple swellings on her arms and legs. multiangular.

7) poly - means many, much. Khadijah solved all of the polynominals on her math test last Friday. polygamy.

8) prim/primi - means first, beginning. Samuel, a N.Y. detective suspects Dora to be the prime suspect in a grand larceny case. primitive.

9) quadr - means four, four-fold. The square-size food warehouse stocks whole wheat bread in the upper quadrant corner of the building.

10) quadri - means four, quartered. Alicia and Javier both work hard in strengthening their quadriceps at the local gym.

11) semi - means half, partial. The school's talent show is a semi-annual event held in the month of June. semester.

12) tri - means three, thrice. The Triborough Bridge in New York City links to Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens, which are the three boroughs of New York. trimester. triangular.

13) uni - means one. Robert rides his unicycle every day. unibrow. universal.

14) quint - means five, fifth. Shana birth a set of quintuplets last week at the hospital. All five babies and the mother are reported doing well.

Look up the following words in your medical dictionary, or in a very good dictionary.

hemisphere; multidimensional; triglyceride; quadrate; dichotomy; monoclonal; primipara; unimodal; beceps; bipolar; polyuria, and diplegia.

PREFIXES and COLORS:
Turn to page 25 - Welcome to the Colorize Zone!

As you may have noticed, a person's eye, hair, or skin color are often indicators for a physician to determine if you have something wrong with you. If a person's skin seems yellowish, then perhaps jaundice may be a possibility.

However, not every color depicts that something is wrong with an individual's health. With that said, let's take a look at some prefixes depicting colors that are listed on page 25.

1) alb/albus - means white, whiteness. Example: albinism (al-bih-niz-m), albino (al-bi-no). A general term affecting the pigment (melanocytes) of the eye and skin.

2) Au, au - means gold. Example: aurid (aw-rid). A skin eruption produced by the systems administration of gold salts.

3) chroma/chrom/chromo - means color. Example: chromatin. The stainable portion of the cell nucleus. If you are familiar with photography, you will notice that this prefix is often used in this field.

ASSIGNMENT: Go to www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw, and answer the following either on the Message Board, or Blog.

1) Erica has xanthoma on her skin. What is the color of her pigment?

2) The prefix for red blood cells is called ?

3) Jerry noticed that he had a skin eruption. His doctor told him that his skin eruption was produced by the systems administration of gold salts. Jerry's medical condition is called ?

4) A white blood cell or corpuscle is called a ?

5) Whenever you see a person's skin turning bluish due to lack of oxygen, it is called ?

CRITICAL FACT - BONUS POINTS: 80

QUESTION: What does every living human being on Earth possess that colors the hair and skin, but is not visibly seen in a lot of people?

PLEASE READ PAGES 28 - 34 to prepare for the next upcoming lessons.

The lessons and assignments provided are based on the book "Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: Your Child Can Learn Medical Terminology Early in Life!" at http://stores.lulu.com/mgaw Don't forget to buy your copy today!

NOTE: Missed any lessons or assignments? Look for them on the left side of this blog in "Blog Archives.". Thank you.

copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

If Your Child Can "Text Message" - They Can Learn Medical Terminology!

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:49:00 +0000

Welcome to Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom!

For years I've been advocating that our middle school (junior high school) age youngsters can learn basic medical terminology if given the chance to do so! Why? It's very simple:

If your child[ren] can 'text message' family, friends, teachers, etc., on their cell phones, Blackberry, or via the Internet to communicate with each other by using (and understanding) abbreviations and acronyms, then they can learn medical terminology, which comprises BOTH abbreviations and acronyms! In a nutshell, our youngsters are using a form of language that is often overlooked as being a 'language' in its own way.

With that said, why aren't many of our Nation's public (and private) educational system making this a priority in their curriculum to teach and prepare these students early in life with the basic essentials about becoming a health care professional in the 21st Century?

So, I decided to start my own classroom to show youngsters who attend middle school, junior high school, and of course, high school students, who aspire to become a health care professional (i.e., doctor, nurse, medical lab technician, medical [office] assistant, medical transcriber, etc.) in their adulthood to learn some basic elemental medical terminology, which will allow them to get a jump-start in understanding their chosen career path.

Granted, there will be some students who may not have a clue as to what they want to do in life upon graduating from high school, or college for that matter, but they can at least get a feel, or learn more, about becoming a health care professional in the 21st Century!

From my "1-parent-2-another parent" book series, I look forward to show you and your child how to learn and understand basic medical terminology (root words, prefixes, suffixes) by allowing them to think provocatively and independently, which is an invaluable asset to have and to hold in life, by using my book "Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: Your Child Can Learn Medical Terminology Early in Life!" as an educational referencing tool.

To order this book, please go to: 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

I will be posting the page numbers and materials noted in the book onto Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom site at http://www.pageflakes.com/miriamgaw - there you can receive the assignments, received book materials to read, and much more.  I look forward to hear from you. If you have any questions regarding the material, or if you just to want to tell me how you're doing, or anything else, please feel free to blog your responses.

WHY SHOULD YOUNGSTERS LEARN BASIC MEDICAL VOCABULARY SO EARLY?

I've become weary of hearing and reading about how poorly our Nation's public school systems are failing our youngsters, especially in poor and low-income areas located in large urban and rural areas, and most of whom dwell in these areas are Blacks, Hispanics, Native American descendants, and Caucasians (Whites), who have been labeled 'poor,' yet are treated as if they don't have a brain in their bodies. This is not acceptable, and it is unforgiveable!

Although I do fault a myriad of parents who do not take the time, nor find the time to assist the youths with their school work, I do, however, know that it's not entirely the parents fault in many instances. Multiple decades of 'self-hating' practices among "people-of-color" have deteriorated our society's thirst & hunger for knowledge due to overt and covert racism, classism, cronyism, and nepotism that allowed maligning practices by financially savvy individuals, and/or groups, who have sought to gain their wealth through the use of 'divide and conquer' tactics by initiating racism, classism, cronyism, and nepotism as tools to get rich off the backs of the poor across all racial and cultural lines, which have ultimately affected our students, for the most part, by not teaching them Who they are, and from Whence they came, particularly, but not exclusively, Black children. Thus, "truth-of-knowing-thyself" continues to be a taboo subject not taught in schools.

Our Nation's public school systems remains to be in the infancy stages of restructuring the standard curriculum of teaching that does not meet, nor answer, the criterias needed in order to help our young students receive a sense of who they are, why they're here, where they need to go, what needs to be done in order to improve self and others, how they got here in order to get where they're going, and when did they get here in order to know how to get back, in regard to fulfilling their purpose in life bestowed unto them by a Higher Power than themselves. Centuries of historical deception now has to be figured out by individuals who prefer not to acknowledge, and/or reveal such deception, but instead, to place a band-aid on a long held scar with a wound so deep that it wreaks with odor of infection.

With that said, I guess you're asking then why bother? And perhaps you're asking how can learning basic medical terminology, for example, can help our youngsters in a present mode of educational failings across the board? The answer is simple: WORDS! Words have meaning (ETYMOLOGY - the study of words). Put these different words together - it builds power. Hence, powerful words promote understanding and knowledge.  Once you have acquired knowledge about something (or someone) early enough in your life travels, it allows you to gain wisdom through a maturation process of growing up, knowing more, showing what you've learned, and bestowing unto others what you've already learned!

And the understanding of history, science, math, sociology, geography, literature, penmanship, just to name a few, must be exercised to become well-balance, and whole.

Math

This is the 21st Century - we cannot afford to blame anyone for our short-comings, nor can we afford to allow anyone stop us from pursuing our purposeful goal. I know that our 21st Century youths can master anything they put their minds into regardless of nay-sayers, and dream-doom slayers. If being honest about anything, or anyone, is looked upon as being a detriment in our process of growth toward understanding who and what we are as a people, then we will continue to carry out an injustice to our young, and to ourselves, to the point of not doing anything, which leaves the ultimate choice toward becoming non-existent in this world. And that would be a travesty, historically, academically, vocationally, socially, culturally, financially, and spiritually.

Thank you, and I look forward to hear how all of you are doing!

IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR MED'CABULARY ON!

Ms. Miriam's Blog Classroom will officially begin on Monday, October 5, 2009.

Please take time to answer the Poll Questions listed on the left, and take advantage of this site.

Thank you.
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READY TO BEGIN?

Ordinarily, whenever you're new to learning anything about the human body (organism) in the field of medicine, usually the study of cells and tissues (Cytology) is presented first. In this case, we will learn about that at a later time. Instead, we will start with the approach of learning basic elements you are perhaps familiar with in your every day living, such as Colors; Directions; Size; Positions - you know . . . the good stuff!

Like I mentioned earlier: Words have meaning. Every school student have learned about root words, prefixes, and suffixes in school. You've also learned about 'Past tense' versus 'Present tense' when dealing with words in accordance to what you are speaking about at that time.

Let's take a simple word like PLAY. To play is to do something. It is an "act of doing something fun,' or an 'act of doing something that is not consider to be fun.'

Root word: Play - 'an act of doing something fun' or 'an act of doing something that is not fun.'

Prefix: Re - 'to do again' or 'to repeat.'

Combined: Replay - to 'play again' or 'to do an act again.'

Suffix: ed - meaning 'past tense' - 'already happened.'

Suffix: ing - meaning 'present tense' - 'it is happening now.'

EXAMPLE: Replayed - 'did again' - I replayed my music on my tape recorder until I fell asleep.

EXAMPLE: Replaying - 'doing again' - I am replaying my music on my tape recorder until I fall asleep.
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BASIC PRONUNCIATION

Ahhh, the power of phonetics. Do you enjoy watching "Wheel of Fortune?" Consonants and vowels = words, phrases, and titles. Well, as you know, consonants are letters without the vowels of 'a,' 'e,' 'i,' 'o,' and 'u.' And whenever you are dealing with language (i.e., English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese) you will find that there are different ways to pronouce certain letters and vowels.

In the book "Mom & Dad, I Want to Work in the Medical Field: . . .," on page 19, read what it says about Basic Pronunciation. As you can see, there are long and short vowel sounds in medical terminology words. You will also find that the English language is not perfect. Soft and hard sounding letters are also factors in learning medical terminology. For example:

chemical - the "ch" has a hard 'k' sound (kem-eh-cul)

dystrophy - the 'dys' is pronounce 'dis' - (dis-tro-fee)

euphoria - the 'eu' has an 'u' sound - (u-for-ee-ah)

gnat - the 'gn' has a 'n' sound - (nat)

pharmacy - the 'ph' has a 'f' sound - (far-mah-cee)

pneumonia - the 'pn' has a 'n' sound (nu-mo-nee-ah)

pseudo - the 'ps' has a 's' sound (su-doe)

ptosis - the 'pt' has a hard 't' sound (to-sis)

rheumatic - the 'rh' has a 'r' sound, and the 'c' has a hard 'k' sound (ru-ma-tik)

xiphoid - the 'xi' has a buzzing 'z' sound (zip-foyd)
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Remember how I talked about in the book as learning medical terminology is a skill, and not just vocabulary? Well, take the word "dystrophy" for example. The prefix "dys" means painful, or abnormal. The root word "trophy" generally means growth, or feeling.

Here are two examples to remember the dystrophy for a long time to come:

dys - means painful, or abnormal. Whenever a person ignores what you say or do, or act as if you did not exist, that person is "dissing you," or has "disrespected" you. And that act of cruelty or disrespect toward you can be painful, or can make you feel as if you are abnormal.

trophy - means feeling, or growth. Let's say you ran a 400 meter relay race, and you won the race, or let's say you won a contest of any kind. Usually, you are given a 'trophy' for your accomplishment. That 'trophy' triggers off a 'feeling' of good inside of you, or you may feel as if you had achieved some level of 'growth' in your accomplishment.

So, when you think of the word "dystrophy," think about what I said above. You can come up with something that you can relate to when dealing with remembrance of words.
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Colors, Sizes, Directions, Positions, etc. - next time.

copyright 2009. All rights reserved.