Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of a root word in medical terminology?
Which of the following is a correct example of using a combining vowel?
What does a suffix typically indicate in a medical term?
When is a combining vowel not used according to the rules for using combining vowels?
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What does a prefix in a medical term generally signify?
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Which of the following statements about combining forms is accurate?
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What is the best approach to determine a medical word's meaning?
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Which of the following medical terms correctly demonstrates the use of a suffix?
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All medical words have prefixes.
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The combining vowel usually used in medical terminology is 'a'.
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When two root words are joined, a combining vowel is not used.
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Suffixes in medical terms can be either nouns or adjectives.
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The suffix '-itis' typically indicates a procedure.
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Root words always indicate a location within the body.
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A medical term can only have one root word.
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The first step in determining a medical word’s meaning is to look at the root words.
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Prefixes in medical terminology indicate condition or disorder.
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The combining form consists of a root word and a suffix.
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All medical terms contain prefixes.
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The combining vowel typically used in medical terminology is 'o'.
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A suffix can indicate a location or time in medical terminology.
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Root words can be combined with a suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant.
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Combining vowels have a specific meaning of their own.
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Medical terms can only have one suffix.
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The root word in a medical term helps to identify the involved body part.
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Prefixes are always necessary in medical terms.
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A combining form is made up of a suffix and a root word.
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Medical terminology can be simplified by analyzing its component parts.
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Study Notes
Medical Terminology Basics
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Medical terminology is broken down into component parts to make it easier to understand and remember.
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Word parts are derived from Greek and Latin.
Basic Word Parts
- Root word: Foundation of the word; indicates the body part involved. Examples: cardi (heart), cephal (head), gastr (stomach), cyt (cell).
- Suffix: Word ending; usually indicates a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. Read from the suffix backwards to understand the meaning. Examples: -itis (inflammation), -ic (pertaining to), -logy (study of), -lysis (breakdown).
- Prefix: Word beginning; usually indicates location, time, or a number. Examples: a- (without), pre- (before), hyper- (above normal), sub- (under).
- Combining vowel: A vowel that links two word parts together, usually 'o'. It has no meaning on its own.
- Combining form: Root word plus a combining vowel. Examples: hemat/o- (blood), cardi/o- (heart), gastr/o- (stomach), oste/o- (bone).
Combining Vowel Rules
- Use a combining vowel when the root word ends in a consonant and the suffix begins with a consonant. (Example: hemat/o/logy)
- Don't use a combining vowel when the root word ends in a consonant and the suffix begins with a vowel. (Example: gastr/itis)
- Always use a combining vowel when two root words are joined. (Example: cardi/o/thorac/ic)
- A prefix does not require a combining vowel. (Example: epi/gastr/ic)
Taking Terms Apart
- To understand a medical term, break it down into its component parts, starting with the suffix.
- Identify if there is a prefix.
- Locate the root words.
- Determine the meaning of each word part as you separate them.
Medical Terminology
- Medical terminology is broken down into component parts for better understanding
- Medical word parts generally come from Greek and Latin
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Root Word: the foundation of the word, often indicating the body part involved
- Examples: cardi (heart), cephal (head), gastr (stomach), cyt (cell)
- A medical term can have one or more root words (e.g., cardi/o/thorac/ic = pertaining to heart and chest)
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Suffix: the word ending, indicating a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease
- Suffixes can be nouns or adjectives
- All medical words have suffixes
- Examples: -itis (inflammation), -ic (pertaining to), -logy (study of), -lysis (breakdown)
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Prefix: the word beginning, indicating location, time, or a number
- Not all medical words have prefixes
- Examples: a- (without), pre- (before), hyper- (above normal), sub- (under, below)
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Combining Vowel: a vowel that links two word parts together, usually an 'o'
- Has no meaning of its own
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Combining Form: a root word plus a combining vowel
- Examples: Hemat/o (blood), Cardi/o (heart), Gastr/o (stomach), Oste/o (bone)
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Combining Vowel Rules
- Use a combining vowel when the ending of the root word and the beginning of the suffix are both consonants (e.g., hemat/o/logy)
- Do not use a combining vowel when the ending of the root word is a consonant and the beginning of the suffix is a vowel (e.g., gastr/itis)
- Always use a combining vowel when joining two root words (e.g., cardi/o/thorac/ic)
- A prefix does not require a combining vowel (e.g., epi/gastr/ic)
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Taking Medical Terms Apart:
- Start at the suffix to decipher the word's meaning
- Identify if there is a prefix
- Locate the root word(s)
- Determine the meaning of each word part as you separate them
Medical Terminology
- Medical terminology is easily understood and remembered by dividing words into component parts.
- Medical terms originate from Greek and Latin.
Word Parts
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Root word: The foundation of a word, typically indicating the involved body part.
- Cardi - heart
- Cephal - head
- Gastr - stomach
- Cyt - cell
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Suffix: Word ending, usually indicating a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. Read backward from the suffix to the root word for the correct meaning.
- -itis - inflammation
- -ic - pertaining to
- -logy - study of
- -lysis - breakdown
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Prefix: Word beginning, usually indicating location, time, or a number.
- a- - without
- pre- before
- hyper- excessive
- sub- under
- Combining vowel: A vowel linking two word parts together, usually an "o." It has no meaning on its own.
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Combining form: Root word plus a combining vowel.
- Hemat/o - blood
- Cardi/o - heart
- Gastr/o- stomach
- Oste/o - bone
Combining Vowel Rules
- When the ending of a root word and the beginning of a suffix are both consonants, a combining vowel is used. Example: hemat/o/logy
- When the ending of a root word is a consonant and the beginning of a suffix is a vowel, a combining vowel is not used. Example: gastr/itis
- A combining vowel is always used when two root words are joined. Example: cardi/o/thorac/ic
- A prefix does not require a combining vowel. Example: epi/gastr/ic
Taking Terms Apart
- Determine a medical word's meaning by looking at its component parts.
- Start at the suffix, then identify the prefix (if present), followed by the root word(s).
- Identify the meaning of each word part as you separate them.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of medical terminology. This quiz covers essential components such as root words, suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms. Understand how these parts work together to define medical terms.
