1. Word Parts: Suffixes and Prefixes

2. Word Parts: Suffixes and Prefixes
Lessons 1. Suffixes Go 2. Prefixes Go 3. Combining Word Parts Go
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Lesson 1– Suffixes
A suffix is added to the end of a word root to complete the term.
Suffixes usually describe what is happening to the word root. They often indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.
Suffixes
A suffix is added to the end of a word root to complete the term. Suffixes usually describe what is happening to the word root. They often indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.

4. Lesson 2– Prefixes
A prefix is added to the beginning of a word root to change its meaning.
Prefixes describe, modify, or limit the term. They often indicate time, number, or location.
Prefixes
A prefix is added to the beginning of a word root to change its meaning. Prefixes describe, modify, or limit the term. They often indicate time, number, or location.

5. Lesson 3– Combining Word Parts
A word root cannot stand alone; a suffix is always required. But not all medical terms have prefixes.
Combining vowels- vowels that are added between word parts to make the term easier to pronounce.
Combining form – the word root plus the combining vowel.
Combining Word Parts
Word parts are combined to form medical terms. A word root cannot stand alone; a suffix is always required. But not all medical terms have prefixes.
In certain cases, vowels are added between word parts to make the term easier to pronounce. These vowels are called combining vowels. The most common one is “o.”
Combining vowels may be used between a word root and a suffix or between two word roots. The word root plus the combining vowel is called a combining form. Below are rules for using combining vowels.
Do use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a consonant.
Anytime two or more word roots are joined.
Don’t use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a vowel.
Between a prefix and a word root.

6. Lesson 3– Combining Word Parts (continued)
Do use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a consonant.
Anytime two or more word roots are joined.
Don’t use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a vowel.
Between a prefix and a word root.
Combining Word Parts
Word parts are combined to form medical terms. A word root cannot stand alone; a suffix is always required. But not all medical terms have prefixes.
In certain cases, vowels are added between word parts to make the term easier to pronounce. These vowels are called combining vowels. The most common one is “o.”
Combining vowels may be used between a word root and a suffix or between two word roots. The word root plus the combining vowel is called a combining form. Below are rules for using combining vowels.
Do use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a consonant.
Anytime two or more word roots are joined.
Don’t use a combining vowel:
When the suffix begins with a vowel.
Between a prefix and a word root.

7. Lesson 3– Decoding Terms
Decoding a term means to break it into its word parts to figure out the meaning.
Use these steps to decode a medical term:
Start by defining the suffix.
Then define the prefix, if there is one.
Then define the word root(s) or combining form(s).
Decoding Terms
Decoding a term means to break it into its word parts to figure out the meaning. Use these steps to decode a medical term:
Start by defining the suffix.
Then define the prefix, if there is one.
Then define the word root(s) or combining form(s).
Below are some examples of how to decode medical terms.
Transneural
The suffix al means “pertaining to.”
The prefix trans means “across or through.”
The root neur means “nerves.”
Transneural means “pertaining to across or through the nerves.”
Cardiology
The suffix logy means “study of.”
There is no prefix in this term.
The combining form cardio means “heart.”
Cardiology is the “study of the heart.”
Osteoarthritis
The suffix itis means “inflammation of.”
The combining form osteo means “bones.”
The root arthr means “joints.”
Osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the bones and joints.