Medical Word Building and Pronunciation

Rules of medical terminology building and pronunciation.

First step in defining a medical word.

Define the Suffix (Last part of the word)

Second step in defining a medical word.

Define the first part of the word (Could be root word, combing form, OR prefix)

Third step in defining a medical word.

Define the middle parts of the word. (Word roots, etc.)

Suffix with a vowel needs a …

Word Root

Suffix with a consonant needs a …

Combining form (Root + o)

Compound word is a …

Combining form + a word root (Even if the second root begins with a vowel)

Four elements used to form words are …

Prefix, Suffix, Word Root, Combining Form

ā

Macron - Long sounds

ă

Breve - Short sounds

What does capitalization indicate in pronunciation?

Emphasis on that syllable

ae and oe

Only the second vowel is pronounced

c and g before e, i, and y

pronounced like s and j

c and g before other letters

hard sound of c and g

ch

sometimes pronounced like k

pn at the beginning of the word

p is silent and n is pronounced

pn in the middle of a word

p and n are pronounced

ps at the beginning of the word

p is silent and s is pronounced

at the end of a word, e and es

pronounced as separate syllables

i at the end of a word

pronounced like eye