Medical Terminology: Basic Elements of a Medical Word

Components of Medical Words

• Word Root (WR): The foundation of a medical term containing its primary meaning. Most are derived from Latin or Greek.

• Combining Form (CF): Formed when a word root is joined with a combining vowel (usually "o", occasionally "i" or "e"). It facilitates the connection between word elements.

• Suffix: An element placed at the end of a word that alters its meaning. It typically indicates a pathology, condition, symptom, or procedure.

• Prefix: An element placed at the start of a word to indicate number, time, position, measurement, direction, or negation.

Defining Medical Words

To define medical terms, follow these three steps in order:

1. Define the suffix first.

2. Define the first part of the word (WR, CF, or prefix).

3. Define the middle part of the word (WR or CF).

Building Medical Words

There are three fundamental rules for word construction:

• Rule 1: Use a Word Root to link a suffix that begins with a vowel (e.g., arthr/itis).

• Rule 2: Use a Combining Form to link a suffix that begins with a consonant (e.g., hepat/o/cyte).

• Rule 3: Use a Combining Form to link one root to another root, even if the second root starts with a vowel (e.g., gastr/o/intestin/al).

Terminology Exercises

Define Medical Words Exercise:

• gastr/itis: Inflammation of the stomach.

• oste/o/arthr/itis: Inflammation of the bone and joint.

• poly/neur/itis: Inflammation of many nerves.

Build Medical Words Exercise:

• arthr/itis: Rule 1 (WR links to a suffix starting with a vowel).

• gastr/o/intestin/al: Rule 3 (CF links two roots; root links to a suffix starting with a vowel).

• hepat/o/cyte: Rule 2 (CF links to a suffix starting with a consonant).

Pronunciation and Reference

• Diacritical Marks: Marks and capitalization are utilized to guide correct pronunciation.

• Guidelines: Pronunciation keys are found on the inside front cover of the textbook and at the end of "Anatomy and Physiology Key Terms" tables.