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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of a root word in a medical term?
What is the main function of a root word in a medical term?
What does the suffix '-itis' indicate in a medical term?
What does the suffix '-itis' indicate in a medical term?
What is the prefix 'Hyper-' used to indicate in a medical term?
What is the prefix 'Hyper-' used to indicate in a medical term?
What is the medical term for the study of the nervous system?
What is the medical term for the study of the nervous system?
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What is the first step in building a medical term?
What is the first step in building a medical term?
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What is the term for the study of the heart?
What is the term for the study of the heart?
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Study Notes
Medical Terminology Basics
Word Roots
- Most medical terms are composed of a root word and a suffix
- Root words typically indicate the body part or system being referred to
- Examples:
- Card- (heart)
- Neuro- (nervous system)
- Gastr- (stomach)
Suffixes
- Indicate the condition, disease, or procedure related to the root word
- Examples:
- -itis (inflammation)
- -ectomy (surgical removal)
- -oma (tumor)
Prefixes
- Indicate location, direction, or extent of the condition
- Examples:
- Endo- (within)
- Exo- (outside)
- Hyper- (excessive)
Combining Forms
- Modified root words that combine with suffixes and prefixes
- Examples:
- Cardi- (heart) + -itis (inflammation) = Cardiitis
- Neuro- (nervous system) + -logy (study of) = Neurology
Common Medical Terms
Body Systems
- Cardiovascular: related to the heart and blood vessels
- Respiratory: related to breathing and lungs
- Gastrointestinal: related to digestion and gut
- Musculoskeletal: related to muscles and bones
Medical Specialties
- Cardiology: study of the heart
- Neurology: study of the nervous system
- Oncology: study of cancer
- Orthopedics: study of musculoskeletal system
Word Building
Steps to build a medical term:
- Identify the root word and its meaning
- Identify the suffix and its meaning
- Combine the root word and suffix to form the medical term
- Use prefixes to modify the term as necessary
Medical Terminology Basics
Word Structure
- Medical terms composed of a root word, suffix, and sometimes a prefix
- Root words indicate the body part or system being referred to
- Suffixes indicate the condition, disease, or procedure related to the root word
- Prefixes indicate location, direction, or extent of the condition
Roots
- Examples of root words:
- Card- (heart)
- Neuro- (nervous system)
- Gastr- (stomach)
Suffixes
- Examples of suffixes:
- -itis (inflammation)
- -ectomy (surgical removal)
- -oma (tumor)
Prefixes
- Examples of prefixes:
- Endo- (within)
- Exo- (outside)
- Hyper- (excessive)
Combining Forms
- Modified root words that combine with suffixes and prefixes
- Examples:
- Cardi- (heart) + -itis (inflammation) = Cardiitis
- Neuro- (nervous system) + -logy (study of) = Neurology
Medical Terms
Body Systems
- Cardiovascular: heart and blood vessels
- Respiratory: breathing and lungs
- Gastrointestinal: digestion and gut
- Musculoskeletal: muscles and bones
Medical Specialties
- Cardiology: study of the heart
- Neurology: study of the nervous system
- Oncology: study of cancer
- Orthopedics: study of the musculoskeletal system
Word Building
Steps to build a medical term:
- Identify the root word and its meaning
- Identify the suffix and its meaning
- Combine the root word and suffix to form the medical term
- Use prefixes to modify the term as necessary
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Description
Learn the fundamentals of medical terminology, including word roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Understand how to break down medical terms into their components and decipher their meanings.
