1. Four Word Parts
Word Roots
Suffix
Prefix
Combining Vowel

2. Word Root Contains the core of the word; functional meaning
Ex.: play/er play is word root
arthr/itis arthr is word root
hepat/itis hepat is word root

3. Suffix
A word part attached to the end of a word root to modify meaning
Ex.: play/er er is suffix
hepat/ic ic is the suffix
hepat/itis itis is the suffix
Not all medical terms have a suffix

4. Prefix
Word part attached to the beginning of the word root to modify it’s meaning.
Ex.: re/play re is the prefix
sub/hepat/ic sub is the prefix
Not all medical terms have a prefix

5. Combining Vowel Word part, usually an o
used between two word roots OR between a word root and a suffix to ease pronunciation.
The combining vowel is not used between a prefix and a word root.
Ex.: therm/o/meter
arthr/o/pathy

6. Combining Vowel Guideline #1
When connecting a word root and suffix; a combining vowel is not usually used. Even if vowels are present at the junction.
Ex.: hepat/ic
Suffix begins with I; no combining vowel is used

7. Combining Vowel Guideline #2
When conntecting two word roots; combining vowel is usually used even if vowels are present at the junction.
Ex.: oste/o/arthr/itis
O is the combining vowel, even though oste ends with an e and word root arthr begins with an a
Combining vowels ease pronunciation; therefore, not all terms have combining vowels

8. Combining Form
A word root with the combining vowel attached, seperated by a diagonal line.
Ex.: arthr/o
oste/
ven/o
Combining form is NOT a word part; it is a presentation of two word parts

9. Analyzing and Defining Medical Terms
To analyze medical terms, divide the medical terms into word parts, label each word part, and label the combining forms.
Osteo/o/arthr/o/pathy
1. separate by slashes
2. label with abbreviations
3. label combining forms

10. Student Practice Analyze the following medical term: Osteopathy
Arthritis
Hepatitis
Subhepatic
Intravenous
Arthropathy
Osteitis

11. Hints!
Read the meaning from the suffix back to the first part of the word.
Sub/hepat/ic
Drop the combining vowel before a suffix beginning with a vowel
Gastric not gastroic
Retain the combining vowel between two roots in a word
Oste/o/arthr/o/pathy

12. Hints! Spelling…
Many words are pronounced alike but spelled differently AND have different meanings
Ileum part of the small intestine
Ilium part of the pelvis, or hip bone

13. Hints! Pronunciation…
Words spelled correctly but pronounced incorrectly may be misunderstood
Urethra urinary tract tube leading from the urinary bladder to the external surface
Ureter one of two tubes leading from the kidney to the urinary bladder