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basic components of words
- word root
- suffix
- combining form
- prefix
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combining vowel(s)
o and i
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compound word
contains two or more word roots
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Origin of most medical words
Greek and Latin languages
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location of prefixes
beginning of a word
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location of suffixes
end of a word
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word roots
- foundation of words
- Examples: cardi, arthr
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tonsillitis
inflammation (of) tonsils
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tonsillectomy
excision (of) tonsils
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colitis
inflammation (of the) colon
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colectomy
excision (of the) colon
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-ectomy
excision, removal
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prenatal
pertaining to (the period) before birth
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postnatal
pertaining to (the period) after birth
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-al
pertaining to, relating to
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osteoarthritis
inflammation of bone and joint
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gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and intestines (usually small)
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enter/o
intestine, usually small
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arthrocentesis
surgical puncture of a joint
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gastropathy
disease of the stomach
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arthritis
inflammation of the joints
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gastrectomy
excision of the stomach
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appendectomy
excision of the appendix
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gastritis
inflammation of the stomach
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-scope
instrument to view or examine
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colonoscope
instrument for examining the colon
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gastroscope
instrument (endoscope) for examining the interior of the stomach
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gastroenterocolitis
inflammation of the stomach, intestine (usually small), and colon
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arthropathy
disease of the joints
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Building Medical Words Rules
- 1. A word root is used before a suffix that begins with a vowel
- 2. A combining form is used before a suffix that begins with a consonant
- 3. A combining form can be used to link multiple roots even when the root begins with a vowel
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c and g pronunciation
- hard sound before other letters
- Examples: cardiac, cast, gastric, gonad
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pronunciation of pn in the middle of a word
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pronunciation of pn at the beginning of a word
- pronounced only with the sound of n
- Examples: pneumonia, pneumotoxin
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pronunciation of ps at the beginning of a word
- pronounced only with the sound of s
- Examples: psychology, psychosis
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pronunciation of combined ch
- sometimes pronounced like k
- Examples: cholesterol, cholera
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pronunciation of i at the end of a word (to form a plural)
- pronounced like eye
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pronunciation of ae or oe
- only the first vowel is pronounced
- Examples: bursae, pleurae, roentgen
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pronunciation of e and es as the final letter(s) of a word
- often pronounced as separate syllables
- Examples: syncope, systole, appendices
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Rules for forming plurals
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mastectomy
excision of a breast
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osteomalacia
softening of the bone
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