Basic Elements of a Medical Word

Word Roots Most word roots are derived from Greek or Latin Most word roots are derived from Greek or Latin Two different roots can have the same meaning: Two different roots can have the same meaning: ECG/EKG ECG/EKG Cardia = Heart (Latin) Cardia = Heart (Latin) Kardio = Heart (Greek) Kardio = Heart (Greek)

Word Roots Impossible to memorize all medical words Impossible to memorize all medical words Memorize the word parts and the whole word can be deciphered Memorize the word parts and the whole word can be deciphered Exp: Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach Exp: Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach Gastr/o = stomach Gastr/o = stomach -itis = inflammation -itis = inflammation Exp: Gastrocnemius Exp: Gastrocnemius Gastr/o = belly (Greek) Gastr/o = belly (Greek) Muscle “bellied out” so gastro was used to describe it Muscle “bellied out” so gastro was used to describe it

Parts of Medical Word Root Root Prefix Prefix Suffix Suffix Combining Form Combining Form Gastr + o + -megaly Gastr + o + -megaly (root) (combining form)(suffix) Gastromegaly: enlargement of the stomach Gastromegaly: enlargement of the stomach

Word Root Gives basic meaning of term Gives basic meaning of term Each medical term contains one or more roots Each medical term contains one or more roots Usually indicate a body part Usually indicate a body part Oste/o+arthr+-itis Oste/o+arthr+-itis (bone)(joint)(inflam) Osteoarthritis: inflam of bone & joint Osteoarthritis: inflam of bone & joint

A word part added before a root to modify its meaning A word part added before a root to modify its meaning Many medical terms do not have a prefix Many medical terms do not have a prefix An-+esthes +-ia An-+esthes +-ia (without, not)(feeling)(condition) Anesthesia: Condition of not feeling Anesthesia: Condition of not feeling Prefix

A word part added to end of root to modify its meaning A word part added to end of root to modify its meaning Most medical terms have a suffix Most medical terms have a suffix Hepat+-itis= Hepatitis - Inflam of liver Hepat+-itis= Hepatitis - Inflam of liver (word root) (suffix) (med word) (meaning) Suffix

Usually an “o” that is used between word parts to ease pronunciation Usually an “o” that is used between word parts to ease pronunciation Sometimes ‘e’ or ‘i’ may be used Sometimes ‘e’ or ‘i’ may be used Creates a ‘combining form’: Creates a ‘combining form’: Therm/o Therm/o Therm/o/meter Therm/o/meter Combining Vowel

If a suffix begins with a vowel, only use word root, not the combining form If a suffix begins with a vowel, only use word root, not the combining form Example Example Gastr/ + -itis = gastritis (root) + (suffix) Gastr/ + -itis = gastritis (root) + (suffix) Not = gastroitis Not = gastroitis Guidelines for Combining Vowel

If suffix begins with a consonant, use combining vowel: If suffix begins with a consonant, use combining vowel: Example: Example: Therm/ + o + -meter = Therm/o/meter Therm/ + o + -meter = Therm/o/meter (root) (comb vowel) (suffix) Not = Thermmeter Not = Thermmeter Guidelines for Combining Vowel

To link two root words, always use a combining vowel To link two root words, always use a combining vowel Even if the 2nd root begins with a vowel Even if the 2nd root begins with a vowel Example: Example: Gast/ + o + enter/ + -itis = gastr/o/enter/itis Gast/ + o + enter/ + -itis = gastr/o/enter/itis (stomach) (intestine) (inflam) Guidelines for Combining Vowel

Never use a combining vowel after a prefix, even if root begins w/ a consonant Never use a combining vowel after a prefix, even if root begins w/ a consonant Example: Example: Post/ + rhin/ + o + -plasty Post/ + rhin/ + o + -plasty (NO ‘o’ here) Guidelines for Combining Vowel

Steps to Define Medical Word 1. Define the suffix 2. Then, define the prefix (if one is used) 3. Last, define the middle part (root) of word

Sub/gastr/algia prefixrootsuffix gastr/ -algia sub- (under)(stomach)(pain)

Trans/cardi/o/pulmon/itis prefixrootsuffix cardi/o -itis trans- ( across ) ( heart ) (inflam.) root + pulmon/ ( lungs ) 4

Peri/oste/o/arthr/o/megaly prefixrootsuffix oste/o -megaly peri- (around)(bone)(enlargement) root + arthr/o (joints) 4