Medical Terminology Foundations, Component Parts, and Rules

Prefix

A structural element attached directly to the beginning of a medical term to modify its meaning.

Root

The essential foundation of a word that conveys its core meaning.

Suffix

A word ending attached to every medical term.

Combining Vowel

A letter—most commonly 'O'—that joins a root to a suffix or links one root to another root.

Combining Form

The combination of a word root plus its designated combining vowel (e.g., 'hemat/o').

Hematology

The process of study of blood.

Electrocardiogram

A record of the electricity of the heart.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach (specifically the stomach lining).

Gastroenterology

The study of the stomach and intestines.

Hypogastric

Pertaining to below the stomach.

Epigastric

Pertaining to above the stomach.

-itis

Suffix that indicates inflammation.

-logy

Suffix that indicates the process of study.

-otomy

Suffix that indicates the process of cutting, incision.

-ectomy

Suffix that indicates excision, removal, to cut out or remove.

hypo-

Prefix meaning deficient, below, lower than normal.

hyper-

Prefix meaning excessive, above, higher than normal.

bi/o

Combining form meaning life.

nephr/o

Combining form meaning kidney.

cardi/o

Combining form meaning heart.

gastr/o

Combining form meaning stomach.