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Medical Terminology / Unit 1   MedTerm 0021 short lesson, about 20 seconds

When the Decode Gives the Wrong Meaning

Captions available

The idea

Some medical terms have drifted from what their parts say, so a decode gives a starting guess, not a definition.

In practice

Hysterectomy decodes to removal of the uterus, and holds. Hysteria decodes to a uterine condition, and does not.

Where people slip

Decode first, then confirm against a reference. The parts get you close, not certain.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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