CH 1

the word root usually indicates

a body part (anatomical structure).

combining vowel is used to link a root to another root to form a compound word. This rule holds true even if the next root begins with a vowel, as in gastr/o/enter/itis.

combining form

word root + o

the three rules of word building

• Rule 1: A root links a suffix that begins with a vowel.

EX leuk/emia cephal/algia

• Rule 2: A combining form (root + o) links a suffix that begins with a consonant.

EX gastr/o/scope men/o/rrhea

• Rule 3: A combining form (root + o) links a root to another root to form a compound word. (This rule holds true even if the next root begins with a vowel.)

EX oste/o/chondr/itis oste/o/arthr/itis

-megaly

enlargement

medical root for liver

hepta

medical root for pancreas

pancreat/

medical root for gallbladder

cholecyst/

medical root for appendix

append/

A prefix usually indicates a number, time, position, or negation.

suffix usually indicates a procedure, condition, disease, or part of speech.

macro-is a prefix that means large

micro- small

intra-

in, within

peri-

around