Building Medical Terms From Words

Root

Foundation of the word

Prefix

Modifier found at the beginning of the word

Suffix

Modifier found at the end of the word

Combining Vowel

Connecting letters, usually O, sometimes I

Combining Form

Root word + Combining Vowel

When is a combining vowel used between a root and a suffix?

Suffix starts with a consonant

When is a combining vowel NOT used between a root and a suffix?

Suffix starts with a vowel

Where is a suffix placed in a medical term?

Attached to the back of the term

What information do suffixes tell you?

Condition, procedure, or instrument

Do all medical terms require a suffix?

All medical terms will have a suffix

Formatting rule when writing a stand alone suffix

Always lead with a hyphen (-)

Where are prefixes placed in a medical term?

Added to the beginning of the term

What information do prefixes give?

Location of organ, number of parts, time or frequency

Will all medical terms have a prefix?

Medical terms will NOT always have a prefix

Formatting rule for writing stand alone prefixes

Always follow a solo prefix by a hyphen (-)