Exam 1 Word Parts - Spelling and Definitions

Suffixes meaning 'Pertaining to'

  • -iac: Pertaining to

    • Example: cardiac = pertaining to the heart

  • -al: Pertaining to

    • Example: neural = pertaining to nerve

  • -eal: Pertaining to

    • Example: esophageal = pertaining to the esophagus

  • -algia: Pain

    • Example: neuralgia = nerve pain

Roots, Prefixes, and Terminology (Exam 1)

  • -coccus: Shape; berry-shaped bacteria (spherical)

    • Notes: Used in bacterial genus names (e.g., Streptococcus)

  • bacteri-: Bacteria (prefix/root)

    • Notes: Used to form terms related to bacteria (e.g., bacteriophage, bacteriology)

  • -cyte: Cell

    • Example: erythrocyte = red blood cell

  • -dynia: Pain

    • Example: neuralgia = nerve pain

  • -ectomy: Removal

    • Example: appendectomy = removal of the appendix

  • -emia (corrected from 'Lemia'): Blood condition

    • Example: anemia = lack of healthy red blood cells; leukemia = cancer of white blood cells

  • -genic: Pertaining to producing; producing or originating

    • Example: carcinogenic = producing cancer; etiogenic = producing cause

  • -globin: Protein

    • Example: hemoglobin = protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen; myoglobin = muscle-specific globin

  • -gram: Record

    • Example: electrocardiogram = record of the electrical activity of the heart

  • graph: Instrument for recording

    • Example: cardiograph = instrument that records heart activity

  • graphy: Process of recording

    • Example: radiography = process of producing radiographic images

Practical notes and examples

  • Combining forms and suffixes

    • Medical terms are built from roots + combining vowels + suffixes

    • Example: neur + o + my + graphy → neuromyography (nerve muscle recording technique)

  • Corrected terms from the transcript

    • Lemia → emia (blood condition)

    • graph → instrument for recording (e.g., cardiograph)

    • graphy → process of recording (e.g., angiography)

  • Common example terms using these parts

    • Cardiac: pertaining to the heart (root: cardi-) with suffix -ac/-ic

    • Neuralgia: nerve pain (root: neur-, suffix: -algia)

    • Streptococcus: a coccus-shaped bacterium (root: cocc- + -us with a suffix usage)

    • Hemoglobin: protein carrying oxygen in blood (root: globin with hem- prefix)

    • Appendectomy: surgical removal of the appendix (root: append- + -ectomy)

    • Esophageal: pertaining to the esophagus (root: esophag- + suffix -eal)

Quick practice prompts

  • Identify the suffix: What does -algia denote?

    • Answer: Pain

  • What is the root meaning of -coccus?

    • Answer: Shape; berry-shaped bacteria (spherical)

  • Give an example of a term using -graphy.

    • Example: Angiography, radiography

  • What does -emia indicate in a medical term?

    • Answer: A blood condition

  • Provide an example of a term with -ectomy.

    • Example: Mastectomy, appendectomy

Connections to broader concepts

  • These word parts are the building blocks of medical terminology

    • Enable precise communication across clinicians, researchers, and students

    • Help deduce meaning of unfamiliar terms by recognizing familiar roots, prefixes, and suffixes

  • Practical implications

    • Reduces ambiguity in patient records and diagnoses

    • Supports systematic learning in anatomy, physiology, and pathology

    • Important for standardized exam vocabulary and clinical documentation