Lesson 1.1 The Construction of Medical Words

Roots

A constant foundation and core of a medical term. Usually of Greek or Latin origin Med terms have one or more roots A root can appear anywhere in the term More than one root can have the same meaning A root plus a combining vowel creates a combining form EX: Hemopneumothorax hem-, meaning blood pneum-, meaning air or lung -thorax, meaning chest "o" is the combining vowel

Suffixes

A group of letters added to the end of a root or combining form to give it new meaning If the suffix begins in a consonant , it must follow a combining vowel If it already begins with a vowel, no combining vowel in needed A few med terms can have two suffixes Always appears at the end of a word Suffixes that are different can have the same meaning Although most roots are specific to body systems and medical specialties, suffixes are universal and can be applied to all body systems and specialties

Prefixes

An element added to the beginning of a root or combining form to further expand the meaning of a med term. Appears at the beginning of a term Usually indicate time, number, color, or location Can have more than one meaning Never require a combining vowel Not every term has a prefix

Combining Forms

Combine a root and a combining vowel Can be attached to another root or combining form Can precede (or come before) another word element called a suffix Can follow a prefix