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Questions and Answers
What is the role of a word root in a medical term?
What does the suffix '-itis' indicate in a medical term?
Which component is typically added to the beginning of a medical term to alter its meaning?
What is a combining form in medical terminology?
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If 'hepat/o' were part of a medical term, what does 'hepat' refer to?
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What would be the first step in defining the term 'hepatomegaly'?
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Which of the following correctly describes a combining vowel?
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In the term 'subhepatic', what does the prefix 'sub-' signify?
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Study Notes
Word Components of Medical Terms
- Medical terms can be broken down into word components: prefixes, word roots, and suffixes.
- Prefixes (P) appear at the beginning of a medical term and add meaning to the word root.
- Word roots (WR) are the core of many medical terms and refer to a body part or body system.
- Suffixes (S) are at the end of a medical term and usually indicate a procedure, condition, or disease.
Defining Medical Terms
- When defining a medical term, start the definition with the suffix.
- For example, the medical term "tonsillitis" can be broken down into its components:
- Word root "tonsil" refers to the tonsils.
- Suffix "-itis" refers to inflammation.
- Therefore, the definition of "tonsillitis" is "inflammation of the tonsils".
Combining Vowels and Combining Forms
- Combining vowels (CV) are typically the letter "o" and help with pronunciation.
- Combining vowels connect a word root and a suffix or two word roots.
- A word root combined with a combining vowel is referred to as a combining form (CF).
Examples of Word Components
- Table 1.2a shows examples of word components:
- Word root "hepat" means liver.
- Prefix "sub-" means below.
- Suffix "-itis" means inflammation.
- Combining vowel "o" is used to assist with pronunciation.
- Combining form "hepat/o" is the word root with a combining vowel.
Defining Medical Terms by Their Components
- The medical term "arthropathy" can be broken down into its components:
- Word root "arthr-" refers to a joint.
- Combining vowel "o" creates the combining form "arthro-".
- Suffix "-pathy" refers to a disease.
- The definition of "arthropathy" is "disease of a joint".
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Description
Learn about the basics of medical terminology by breaking down medical terms into prefixes, word roots, and suffixes. Understand how these components contribute to the meaning of medical terms.
