Exploring Medical Language - Chapter 1: Introduction to Medical Language

Vocabulary flashcards covering core word parts, combining forms, and terminology-building concepts from Chapter 1.

Word root (WR)

The fundamental meaning of a medical term; the base word part.

Suffix

The word part attached at the end of a term to modify its meaning.

Prefix

The word part attached at the beginning of a term to modify its meaning.

Combining vowel (CV)

A vowel, usually 'o', used to ease pronunciation between word parts.

Combining form

A word root with its combining vowel attached (e.g., arthr/o).

arthr

Word root meaning joint.

hep at

Word root meaning liver.

ven

Word root meaning vein.

oste

Word root meaning bone.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-ic

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-ous

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-pathy

Suffix meaning disease.

-megaly

Suffix meaning enlargement.

intra-

Prefix meaning within.

sub-

Prefix meaning under.

CV (Combining Vowel)

Abbreviation for combining vowel; usually 'o'.

arthr/o

Combining form for joint (word root + CV).

arthr/o/pathy

Disease of the joint; term built from word parts.

Alzheimer disease

An eponym; disease named after a person.

AIDS

Acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Complete blood count with differential

Modern language term not built from word parts; not easily translated.

Orthopedics

A term derived from Greek/Latin; not easily translated; example of terms not easily translated.

Word Parts List

List of common word roots, suffixes, prefixes used in the lesson (e.g., arthr, hepat, ven, oste; -itis, -ic, -ous, -pathy, -megaly; intra-, sub-; CV).