Chapter 1: Word Building Rules: Medical Terminology

Cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart

dysmenorrhea

Painful menstrual flow

Compound Word

a term that has multiple wood roots (or combining forms) and a suffix is a compound word

Combining Form Rule 2

a word can NOT end with a combining form (word root + vowel) it has to have a suffix added at the end of the word. A combining vowel is used only when the suffix begins with a consonant.

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation

Dermatosis (der-mah-TOH-sis)

any condition of the skin

peri-

around (is a prefix)

dys-

bad, difficult, painful, disordered (is a prefix)

Word Root

basic foundation of a word, to which competent parts are added.

Word Structure: Combining Forms

combining form (word root and vowel) + combining form + combining for + word root + suffix

-osis

condition (is a suffix)

-rrhea

drainage or flow (is a suffix)

-megaly

enlargement (is a suffix)

acr-

extremities (is a prefix)

ph =

f ex. phase

g (before a, o or u) =

g ex. gallstone

Cardi (or card)

heart

Suffix Rule 1

if the suffix begins with a vowel, the root will attach directly to it. If, the suffix begins with a consonant, the root will need a combining vowel before attaching to the suffix.

-itis

inflammation (is a suffix)

Carditis (car-DYE-tis)

inflammation of the heart

Dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

Acrodermatitis

inflammation of the skin of the extremities

Eponym (EP-oh-nim)

is a name for a disease, organ, procedure, or body function that is derived from the name of a person.

Prefix

is a word element added at the beginning of the word. Prefixes are not part of all medical words.

Suffix

is a word element attached a the end of the word root (always will follow a -, ex. -itis)

Combining Form

is created when a word root is combined with a vowel.

g (before e or i) =

j ex. generic

c (before a, o, or u) =

k ex. cavity

ch =

k ex. cholesterol

men

menstruation (wood root)

pn =

n ex. pneumonia

-logist

one who specializes in (suffix)

Cardiologist

one who specializes in the study of disease and disorders of the heart

Dermatologist

one who specializes in the study of diseases and disorders of the skin

-algia

pain (is a suffix)

Cardialgia

pain in the heart, heart pain

-ac or -ic or -al (adjective suffix)

pertaining to (suffix)

Pericardial

pertaining to around the heart

Cardiac (CAR-dee-ak)

pertaining to the heart

Hypodermic

pertaining to under the skin

Intracardiac

pertaining to within the heart

rh, rrh =

r ex. rhythm, hemorrhoid

c (before e, or i) =

s ex. cephalic

ps =

s ex. psychology

Dermat (or derm)

skin

-um

structure, tissue, or thing (is a suffix)

Word Structure: Defining Medical Word

suffix (the ending), prefix (the start if it has one) and the word root(s) last

Word Structure: Defining Medical Word W/Body Systems

suffix, organs (in order in which they restudies in the particular body systems)

-centesis

surgical puncture (is a suffix)

Cardiocentesis (car-dee-ohsen-TEE-sis)

surgical puncture of the heart

pt =

t ex. ptosis

-logy

the study of (is a suffix)

Cardiology

the study of the heart

Dermatology

the study of the skin

hypo-

under (is a prefix)

Combining Form Rule 1

when more then one word root (as in a compound word), a combining vowel is needed to separate the different word roots.

endo- or intra-

within (is a prefix)

Endocardium

within the heart, the inner lining of the heart

a-

without or absence of (is a prefix)

x (as first letter) =

z ex. xerosis