16 Questions
What is the main part or foundation of a medical word?
Word Root
What is the purpose of a combining vowel?
To make the pronunciation of word roots easier
What is the term for the combination of a word root and a vowel?
Combining Form
What is the usual combining vowel used in combining forms?
O
What is the meaning of the word root 'gastr'?
Stomach
What is the function of a suffix in a medical word?
To modify the meaning of a word root
What is the meaning of the suffix '-penia'?
Decrease
What is the advantage of understanding the meanings of word roots?
To determine the meaning of complex medical terms
What is the purpose of a combining vowel in a word?
To make pronunciation easier
What type of word is created when a suffix is added to a word root?
A noun or adjective
What does the suffix -al mean?
Pertaining to
What is the term created when the word root 'scler' is combined with the suffix '-derma'?
Scler/o/derma
What is the purpose of a prefix in a word?
All of the above
When is a combining vowel NOT used?
Before a suffix that begins with a vowel
What does the suffix -oma mean?
Tumor
What determines whether a combining vowel is used between a word root and a suffix?
Whether the suffix begins with a consonant or vowel
Study Notes
Basic Elements of a Medical Word
- A medical word consists of four elements: Word Root, Combining Form, Suffix, and Prefix.
Word Root
- The main part or foundation of a word.
- All words have at least one word root.
- A word root may be used alone or combined with other elements to form a complete word.
- Examples: "dent" means tooth, "dermat" means skin, "cardi" means heart, "gastr" means stomach, "pancreat" means pancreas.
Combining Forms
- A combination of a word root and a vowel to make pronunciation easier.
- The combining vowel is usually an "o", but others may be used.
- Combining forms are used to link multiple roots together.
- Example: osteoarthritis = oste/ o / arthr/ itis.
Word-Building System
- By understanding word roots, one can determine the meaning of complex medical terms by combining smaller parts.
- Example: Leukocytopenia = Leuk/ (white) + cyt/ (cell) + /o/ (combining vowel) + /penia/ (decrease).
Suffixes
- Added to the end of a word root or combining form to modify its meaning.
- Create a noun or adjective with a different meaning.
- A combining vowel is used between a word root and a suffix that begins with a consonant.
- Examples: -al (pertaining to), -er (one who), -able (capable of being), -oma (tumor).
Prefixes
- A syllable or syllables placed before a word or word root to alter its meaning or create a new word.
- Examples: not provided in the text.
Learn the fundamental components of a medical word, including word roots, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes. Understand how to form complete words using these elements.
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