Medical Terminology: Basic Elements of a Medical Word

What is the main part or foundation of a medical word?

What is the purpose of a combining vowel?

What is the term for the combination of a word root and a vowel?

What is the usual combining vowel used in combining forms?

What is the meaning of the word root 'gastr'?

What is the function of a suffix in a medical word?

What is the meaning of the suffix '-penia'?

What is the advantage of understanding the meanings of word roots?

What is the purpose of a combining vowel in a word?

What type of word is created when a suffix is added to a word root?

What does the suffix -al mean?

What is the term created when the word root 'scler' is combined with the suffix '-derma'?

What is the purpose of a prefix in a word?

When is a combining vowel NOT used?

What does the suffix -oma mean?

What determines whether a combining vowel is used between a word root and a suffix?

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.