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Dermatology module
Welcome, Translator!
Medical words look hard until you see the trick: most are built from small parts — a prefix at the front, a root in the middle and a suffix at the end. Learn the parts and you can translate words you have never seen before.
In this book
- 6 word parts for Dermatology
- 6 medical terms
- Dr. Rob’s plain-language explanation for each term
- Two review worksheets with an answer key, plus game links on every page
🪙 You earn LEARN It coins as you turn the pages, and a chapter badge when you reach each section.
Dermatology Word Parts
Use these prefixes, roots and suffixes to translate the terms in this book. A dash shows where the part attaches: cardio- starts a word, -itis ends one.
| Word part | Meaning | Type | Find it in |
|---|---|---|---|
| dermato- | skin | Prefix / root | Dermatitis, Dermatome |
| erythro- | red | Prefix / root | Erythroderma, Erythrocytes |
| -itis | inflammation | Suffix | Dermatitis, Arthritis |
| leuko- | white | Prefix / root | Leukoderma, Leukocyte |
| melano- | pigmented | Prefix / root | Melanoderma, Melanoma |
| -tome | instrument used to cut slices | Suffix | Dermatome |
Dermatology Terms
Dr. Rob explains · When the word part dermato - meaning skin is combined with the word part - itis meaning inflammation, we have the medical term dermatitis meaning skin inflammation. This term refers to any skin irritant causing redness or swelling. Some examples include the following: Atopic dermatitis is an itchy scaly rash that is common in younger children and is typically referred to as eczema. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when someone is exposed to cosmetics, soaps, plants, fragrances or jewelry where they do not react well with the skin. If contact is made with a substance where the body has an allergic reaction, it is considered Allergic contact dermatitis.
Dr. Rob explains · A dermatome is an instrument used to cut slices of skin that are used in creating a skin graft. Skin grafts are performed when damage to an area of the body is extensive and skin needs to be replaced in the damaged area. This medical term consists of two word parts: dermato - meaning skin and - tome meaning instrument used to cut in slices. When using a dermatome instrument for skin grafts, a skin layer is cut away usually from large areas such as the thighs or buttocks and placed in an injured area . The upper layers of skin from the donor area are able to heal while newly placed skin layers provide the framework to the needed area for proper healing.
Dermatology Terms continued
Dr. Rob explains · When the word part erythro - meaning red is blended with the word part - dermato referring to skin, we have the medical term erythroderma or redness of the skin. This is a general term referring to redness of the skin for any reason or condition including irritation, a lesion, or a red itchy reaction.
Dr. Rob explains · refers to particular areas of very white skin and is comprised of the word parts leuko- meaning white and dermato - meaning skin. In the skin layers, melanocytes are the pigmented cells in the skin that give various shades of color depending upon how many are present. In the case of leukoderma, this is a result of a lack of melanocytes in a particular area of skin typically after an injury resulting in scar tissue creating a white patch.
Dr. Rob explains · is the medical term for pigmented skin that is in a particular area and is made up of two word parts: melano- meaning pigmented and dermato - meaning skin. In the case of melanoderma, an abnormally increased amount of melanin by melanocytes in the skin causes increased pigmentation in that particular patch of skin. This can be permanent such as in the case of a simple mole or temporary such as in the case of a medication reaction.
Dermatology Terms continued
Dr. Rob explains · is a disorder causing loss of pigmentation in patches on the skin. Although vitiligo may appear similar to leukoderma, it is not the same due to different causes of the two conditions. Where leukoderma is caused by damage to the tissues usually from an injury, vitiligo is caused by a condition that develops over time of dying melanocytes which may be genetic or from an autoimmune disorder.
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Write the letter of the meaning on the line next to each word part. Answers are on the Answer Key page.
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Write the medical term that matches each definition. Use the word bank.
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The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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Every game uses the terms from this book. Each one earns Live It and Train the Brain coins, and every term you master adds to your progress bar.
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The fastest way to remember a word is to teach it. Your Share It challenge:
- Pick three terms from this book — for example Dermatitis, Dermatome, Erythroderma.
- Explain each one to a family member or friend by breaking it into its word parts.
- Ask them: “If your doctor used one of these words, what question would you ask?”
- Post what you learned in your group or the Share It Studio to earn your SHARE It coins.
Be a Prepared Patient
When a doctor uses a word you don’t know, it is always okay to ask: “Can you break that word down for me?” Now you can often do it yourself.
Keep translating Dermatology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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Word Part Matching
Term Fill-In
- Dermatitis
- Dermatome
- Erythroderma
- Leukoderma
- Melanoderma
- Vitiligo
Source: Terminology Translator — Terms Lists and Work Pages, Force for Health Academy. Explanations adapted from Dr. Rob’s Terminology Translator video scripts.
Keep translating Dermatology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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Each eBook pairs with Dr. Rob’s video lesson in the Force for Health Academy and the Terminology Translator games.
theforce.health · FFH Virtual Library · Medical TerminologyKeep translating Dermatology
The rest of this eBook — every term, both worksheets and the answer key.
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