Medical Terms and Word Roots

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a root word in a medical term?

  • To modify the meaning of a prefix
  • To specify the symptoms of a disease
  • To provide the core meaning of the term (correct)
  • To indicate the location of a body part

What is the prefix 'anti-' typically used to mean in a medical term?

  • With or together
  • For or in favor of
  • Around or surrounding
  • Against (correct)

What is the suffix '-itis' typically used to indicate in a medical term?

  • Tumor or swelling
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Removal of
  • Inflammation (correct)

What is the purpose of a combining form in medical terminology?

<p>To modify a root word to create a new word (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical order of elements in a medical term?

<p>Root word, suffix, prefix (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the root word in the medical term 'neurosurgery'?

<p>Neuro- (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Medical Terms

Word Roots

  • Most medical terms are composed of a root word, prefix, and suffix
  • Root words provide the core meaning of the term
  • Examples of common root words:
    • Cardi- (heart)
    • Neuro- (nervous system)
    • Gastr- (stomach)
    • Oste- (bone)

Prefixes

  • Prefixes are attached to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning
  • Examples of common prefixes:
    • Anti- (against)
    • Post- (after)
    • Pre- (before)
    • Re- (again)

Suffixes

  • Suffixes are attached to the end of a root word to modify its meaning
  • Examples of common suffixes:
    • -itis (inflammation)
    • -oma (tumor)
    • -ectomy (removal of)
    • -algia (pain)

Combining Forms

  • Combining forms are modified root words that are used to create new words
  • Examples of common combining forms:
    • Arthro- (joint)
    • Derm- (skin)
    • Nephro- (kidney)
    • Ophthalmo- (eye)

Medical Terminology Rules

  • When combining words, the root word usually comes first
  • Prefixes are usually attached to the root word, followed by the suffix
  • When a suffix is added to a root word, the root word usually remains unchanged

Examples of Medical Terms

  • Cardiology (study of the heart)
    • Root word: cardi- (heart)
    • Suffix: -logy (study of)
  • Neurosurgeon (surgeon of the nervous system)
    • Root word: neuro- (nervous system)
    • Suffix: -surgeon (surgeon)
  • Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
    • Root word: gastr- (stomach)
    • Suffix: -itis (inflammation)

Medical Terms

Word Roots

  • Most medical terms consist of a root word, prefix, and suffix
  • Root words provide the core meaning of the term
  • Examples of common root words:
    • Cardi- refers to the heart
    • Neuro- refers to the nervous system
    • Gastr- refers to the stomach
    • Oste- refers to bones

Prefixes

  • Prefixes modify the meaning of a root word when attached to the beginning
  • Examples of common prefixes:
    • Anti- means against
    • Post- means after
    • Pre- means before
    • Re- means again

Suffixes

  • Suffixes modify the meaning of a root word when attached to the end
  • Examples of common suffixes:
    • -itis means inflammation
    • -oma means tumor
    • -ectomy means removal of
    • -algia means pain

Combining Forms

  • Combining forms are modified root words used to create new words
  • Examples of common combining forms:
    • Arthro- refers to joints
    • Derm- refers to the skin
    • Nephro- refers to the kidney
    • Ophthalmo- refers to the eye

Medical Terminology Rules

  • Root words usually come first when combining words
  • Prefixes attach to the root word, followed by the suffix
  • When adding a suffix to a root word, the root word usually remains unchanged

Examples of Medical Terms

  • Cardiology: study of the heart
    • Combines cardi- (heart) with -logy (study of)
  • Neurosurgeon: surgeon of the nervous system
    • Combines neuro- (nervous system) with -surgeon (surgeon)
  • Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach
    • Combines gastr- (stomach) with -itis (inflammation)

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