Medical Terminology Quiz: Prefixes & Combining Forms

Directional Prefixes and Their Meanings

• epi- means upper
• **extra- ** means outside
• **hyper- **means increased
• **hypo- ** means decreased
• **infra- ** means below
• **inter- **means between
• **intra- ** means within
• **meta- ** means beyond
• **per- ** means throughout
• **sub- ** means below
• **super- ** means increased
• **supra- ** means increased
• **trans- ** means across
• **ultra- ** means increased

Combining Vowels

• They are used to make words easier to pronounce
• They are most commonly the vowel 'o'
• Combining vowels are usually used when a suffix begins with a consonant, as in the suffix "-scope".
• Combining vowels are not used when the suffix begins with a vowel, as in the suffix "-itis".
• Combining vowels are always used when two or more root words are joined.
• Combining vowels are not used between a prefix and a root word.

Combining Forms

• They are the combination of a word root and a combining vowel
• They are usually used to define a part of the body
• They are used to create new words
• **Combining Forms Examples: **
  • leuk/o - white
  • **pan- **- all
  • gastr/o - stomach
  • enter/o - small intestine

Suffixes

• They are attached to the end of a word to modify its meaning

• They can be grouped by meaning or category.

• "Pertaining To" Suffixes:

  • -ac: Cardiac (pertaining to the heart)
  • -al: Renal (pertaining to the kidney)
  • -an: Ovarian (pertaining to the ovary)
  • -ar: Lumbar (pertaining to the loin)
  • -ary: Alimentary (pertaining to the gastrointestinal tract)
  • -eal: Laryngeal (pertaining to the larynx)
  • -ic: Enteric (pertaining to the intestines)
  • -ine: Uterine (pertaining to the uterus)
  • -ous: Cutaneous (pertaining to the skin)
  • -tic: Nephrotic (pertaining to the kidneys)

• Surgical Suffixes:

  • -ectomy = surgical removal (mastectomy - removal of the breast)
  • -pexy = suture to stabilize (gastropexy - stabilizing the stomach to the abdominal wall)
  • -plasty = surgical repair (rhinoplasty - surgical repair of the nose)
  • -stomy = surgically created opening (colostomy - opening between the colon and the body surface)
  • -tomy = cutting into ( laparotomy - incision into the abdomen)

Medical Term Components

• Prefix: Found at the beginning of the word. It usually indicates number, location, time or status.
• Root: Gives the essential meaning of the word.
• Combining vowel: Single vowel, usually "o", added to the end of a root to make it easier to pronounce.
• Combining form: The combination of the root and a combining vowel.
• Suffix: Found at the end of a word. It usually indicates procedure, condition, disease or disorder.

Prefixes

• They are added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning.
• Prefix Examples:
  • pre- means before
  • **peri- ** means around
  • pre- means after

Contrasting Prefixes

• **a- ** means without
• **an- ** means without
• **ab- ** means away from
• **ad- ** means toward
• **anti- ** means against
• **dys- ** means difficult or painful
• **eu- ** means good or normal
• **endo- ** means within
• **ex- ** or **exo- ** means outside
• **ecto- ** means outside
• **hyper- ** means elevated
• **hypo- ** means depressed

Procedural Suffixes

• -centesis = surgical puncture to remove fluid or gas (cystocentesis - puncture of the urinary bladder to remove urine)
• -gram = record of (electrocardiogram - a record of the electrical activity of the heart)
• -graph = instrument that records (electrocardiograph- machine that records heartbeat)
• -graphy = procedure that records (electrocardiography - procedure used to record the electrical activity of the heart)
• -lysis = separation or breakdown (urinalysis - separation of urine)
• -scope = instrument to visually examine (endoscope - to visually examine inside the body)
• -scopy = procedure to visually examine (endoscopy - procedure used to visually examine inside the body)
• -therapy = treatment (chemotherapy - treatment using chemical substances)

Double R Suffixes

• -rrhagia or -rrhage = bursting forth (hemorrhage - blood bursting from blood vessels)
• -rrhaphy = to suture (enterorrhaphy - suturing of the intestines)
• -rrhea = flow, discharge (diarrhea - bowels discharge)
• -rrhexis = rupture (myorrhexis - rupture of the muscle)

Conditional And Structural Suffixes

• -algia and -dynia = pain (arthralgia and arthrodynia- joint pain)
• -itis = inflammation (hepatitis - inflammation of the liver)
• -malacia = abnormal softening (osteomalacia - abnormal softening of bone)
• -megaly = enlargement (cardiomegaly - enlargement of the heart)
• -osis = abnormal condition (cardiosis - abnormal condition of the heart)
• -pathy = disease (enteropathy - small intestine disease)
• -sclerosis = abnormal hardening (arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arteries)
• -um = structure (pericardium - structure around the heart)

How to Analyze A Medical Term:

• Dissect the word into its basic components.
• Begin at the end, defining the suffix first.
• Anatomical order - follow the order of the body system.

Examples

• ovariohysterectomy :
  • Component parts: ovari/o/hyster/ectomy
  • Meaning: Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.

Test your knowledge on directional prefixes and their meanings in medical terminology as well as understanding combining vowels and forms. This quiz will help solidify your understanding of how these components are used in word formation.