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- Identify word parts in medical terms.
- Examine the rules for building medical terms.
Medical terms are built from word parts. Those word parts are , , , and . When a word root is combined with a combining form vowel the word part is referred to as a .
Identifying Word Parts in Medical Terms
By the end of this book, you will have identified hundreds of word parts within medical terms. Let’s start with some common medical terms that many non-medically trained people may be familiar with.
Osteoarthritis
Oste/o/arthr/itis – Inflammation of bone and joint.
Oste/o is a that means bone
arthr/o is a that means joint
-itis is a that means inflammation
Intravenous
Intra/ven/ous – Pertaining to within a vein.
Intra- is a that means within
ven/o – is a that means vein
-ous is a that means pertaining to
Notice, when breaking down words that you place slashes between word parts and a slash on each side of a .
Language Review
Before we begin analyzing the rules let’s complete a short language review that will assist with pronunciation and spelling.
Short Vowels
a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y are indicated by lower case.
Long Vowels
A, E, I, O, U are indicated by upper case.
Consonants
Consonants are all of the other letters in the alphabet. b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, and z.
Language Rules
Language rules are a good place to start when building a medical terminology foundation. Many medical terms are built from word parts and can be translated . At first, literal translations sound awkward. Once you build a medical vocabulary and become proficient at using it, the awkwardness will slip away. For example, suffixes will no longer be stated and will be assumed. The definition of intravenous then becomes within the vein.
Since you are at the beginning of building your medical terminology foundation, stay literal when applicable. It should be noted that as with all language rules there are always exceptions and we refer to those as .
Language Rules for Building Medical Terms
- When combining two , you keep the .
- When combining a with a that begins with a consonant, you keep the .
Gastr/o/enter/o/logy – The study of the stomach and the intestines
- Following rule 1, when we join combining form gastr/o (meaning stomach) with the combining form enter/o (meaning intestines) we keep the combining form vowel o.
- Following rule 2, when we join the combining form enter/o (meaning intestines) with the suffix -logy (that starts with a suffix and means the study of) we keep the combining form vowel o.
- When combining a with a that begins with a vowel, you drop the .
- A goes at the beginning of the word and no is used.
Intra/ven/ous – Pertaining to within the vein
- Following rule 3, notice that when combining the combining form ven/o (meaning vein) with the suffix -ous ( that starts with a vowel and means pertaining to) we drop the combining form vowel o.
- Following rule 4, the prefix intra- (meaning within) is at the beginning of the medical term with no combining form vowel used.
- When defining a medical word, start with the first and then work left to right stating the word parts. You may need to add words. As long as the filler word does not change the meaning of the word you may use it for the purpose of building a medical vocabulary. Once you start to apply the word in the context of a sentence it will be easier to decide which filler word(s) to choose.
Intra/ven/ous – Pertaining to within the vein or Pertaining to within a vein.
- Following rule 5, notice that I start with the suffix -ous (that means pertaining to) then we work left to right starting with the prefix Intra- (meaning within) and the combining form ven/o (meaning vein).
- Notice that we have used two different definitions that mean the same thing.
- In these examples we do not have the context of a full sentence. For the purpose of building a medical terminology foundation either definition is accepted.
Word part at the beginning of a medical term that changes the meaning of the word root.
The foundational meaning of a word
A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root
The combining form vowel is used to join word parts and to ease pronunciation. The most common combining form vowel is an "o," but sometimes it is an "i" or an "e".
A word root with a combining form vowel
Follows the rules exactly
Word parts that do not fit within the language rules
additional words that makes the definition complete.
Word building reference and Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix. It is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terminology A is used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This section shows the building of several medical words beginning with the letter A.
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: abdomin/o 1st Root Definition: abdomen 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the abdomen |
Prefix: ab- Prefix Definition: away from 1st Root Word: duct/o 1st Root Definition: to lead; carry 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of leading or carrying away from |
Prefix: ab- Prefix Definition: away from 1st Root Word: norm/o 1st Root Definition: rule; order 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to rule; order being away from |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acanth/o 1st Root Definition: spiny thorny 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: tumor; mass being spiny; thorny |
Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: chondr/o 1st Root Definition: cartilage 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasia Suffix Definition: development; formation Definition: no development; formation of cartilage |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acoust/o 1st Root Definition: hearing; sound 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -meter Suffix Definition: measure Definition: measuring hearing; sound |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acr/o 1st Root Definition: extremities; top; extreme point 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -megaly Suffix Definition: enlargement Definition: enlargement of the extremities |
Prefix: ad- Prefix Definition: toward 1st Root Word: duct/o 1st Root Definition: to lead; carry 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of leading; carrying toward something |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: carcin/o 2nd Root Word Definition: cancerous; cancer Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: cancerous tumor originating from glandular tissue |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: hypophys/o 2nd Root Word Definition: pituitary gland Suffix: -eal Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the pituitary gland |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: process of studying glands |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: benign tumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tome Suffix Definition: instrument to cut Definition: instrument used to cut glands |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: adip/o 1st Root Definition: fat 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: cells that store fat |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: adren/o 1st Root Definition: adrenal gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the adrenal gland |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aer/o 1st Root Definition: air 2nd Root Word: sinus/o 2nd Root Word Definition: sinus Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the sinus due to difference in air pressure |
Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -geusia Suffix Definition: taste Definition: without; no taste |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: all/o 1st Root Definition: other 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pathy Suffix Definition: disease; emotion Definition: uses other practices to cure diseases |
Prefix: ambi- Prefix Definition: around; on both sides; about 1st Root Word: dextr/o 1st Root Definition: right 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ous Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the use of both right and left hands equally |
Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -mnesia Suffix Definition: memory Definition: no memory |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amni/o 1st Root Definition: amnion (sac surrounding the embryo) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -centesis Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amyl/o 1st Root Definition: starch 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ase Suffix Definition: enzyme Definition: enzyme that turns starch into sugar |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amyl/o 1st Root Definition: starch 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phagia Suffix Definition: eating; swallowing Definition: abnormal condition of eating starch |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: an/o 1st Root Definition: anus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the anus |
Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: alges/o 1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition having no sensitivity to pain |
Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: alges/o 1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to no sensitivity to pain |
Prefix: ana- Prefix Definition: up; apart; backward; again; anew 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasia Suffix Definition: development; formation Definition: cell development; formation apart from other cells |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: andr/o 1st Root Definition: male 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gen Suffix Definition: substance that produces Definition: substance that produces male hormones |
Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emia Suffix Definition: blood condition Definition: blood condition without or low red blood cells |
Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emic Suffix Definition: pertaining to a blood condition Definition: pertaining to blood condition without or low red blood cells |
Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -esthesia Suffix Definition: nervous sensation Definition: no sensitivity to pain |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gram Suffix Definition: record Definition: record of blood vessels |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -graphy Suffix Definition: process of recording Definition: process of recording blood vessels |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -rrhexis Suffix Definition: rupture Definition: rupture of a blood vessel |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: anis/o 1st Root Definition: unequal 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cytosis Suffix Definition: condition of cells; slight increase in numbers Definition: condition of red blood cells being unequal in size |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: anis/o 1st Root Definition: unequal 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tropic Suffix Definition: turning; changing Definition: unequal values when measured in different directions |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: ankly/o 1st Root Definition: stiff 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition; usually abnormal Definition: abnormal stiffening (of a joint) |
Prefix: ante- Prefix Definition: before; forward 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -partum Suffix Definition: birth; labor Definition: before labor |
Prefix: anti- Prefix Definition: against 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to mind altering medication |
Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: phall/o 1st Root Definition: penis 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of having no penis |
Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phasia Suffix Definition: speech Definition: not being able to understand or express speech |
Prefix: apo- Prefix Definition: off; away 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ptosis Suffix Definition: droop; sag; prolapse; protrude Definition: cells that prolapse away from organisms |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: append/o 1st Root Definition: appendix 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectomy Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection Definition: removal; excision; resection of the appendix |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ole Suffix Definition: little; small Definition: small branch of an artery leading to capillaries |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -sclerosis Suffix Definition: hardening Definition: hardening of an artery |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: ather/o 1st Root Definition: plaque (fatty substance) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -sclerosis Suffix Definition: hardening Definition: deposits of plaques of fatty material on the inner walls of arteries |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of a joint |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -centesis Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid in a joint |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -desis Suffix Definition: to bind; tie together Definition: surgical immobilization of a joint by melding adjacent bones |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: articul/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ation Suffix Definition: process; condition Definition: process; condition of being jointed |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -stenosis Suffix Definition: tightening; stricture Definition: narrowing the caliber of an artery |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: atel/o 1st Root Definition: incomplete 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of an incomplete development of the heart |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: atri/o 1st Root Definition: atrium (upper heart chamber) 2nd Root Word: ventricul/o 2nd Root Word Definition: ventricle (of heart or brain) Suffix: -ar Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the atrium and ventricle of the heart |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aur/o 1st Root Definition: ear 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the ear or sense of hearing |
Prefix: auto- Prefix Definition: self; own 1st Root Word: immun/o 1st Root Definition: immune; protection; safe 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: immune response of an organism against any of its own tissues or cells |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aux/o 1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of an enlarged heart |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aux/o 1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of human growth |
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: axill/o 1st Root Definition: armpit 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -a Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the armpit |