Basic Term Basic Term Components Components Chapter 2 Chapter 2
Feb 25, 2016
Basic Term Basic Term ComponentsComponents
Chapter 2Chapter 2
Origins of Medical TermsOrigins of Medical Terms
Most medical terms have Greek or Latin origins Most diagnostic and surgical terms have Greek
origins Most anatomical terms have Latin origins
Medical terms have also been influenced by German and French languages
Many new terms are derived from English
Analysis of Term ComponentsAnalysis of Term Components
Most medical terms have three components: Root — foundation or subject of the term Suffix — ending that gives essential meaning to
the term Prefix — added to the beginning of a term when
needed to further modify the root
Combining Vowels and Combining Vowels and Combining FormsCombining Forms
A vowel, usually an “o”, is used to join root to another root or a suffix
The letter “i” is the second most common combining vowel
Rules for Forming and Spelling Rules for Forming and Spelling Medical TermsMedical Terms
1. A combining vowel is used to join root to root as well as to any suffix beginning with a consonant
2. A combining vowel is not used before a suffix that begins with a vowel
3. If the root ends in a vowel and the suffix beings with the same vowel, drop the final vowel from the root and do not use a combining vowel
Rules for Forming and Spelling Rules for Forming and Spelling Medical TermsMedical Terms
4. Most often, a combining vowel is inserted between two roots even when the second root begins with a vowel.
5. Occasionally, when a prefix ends in a vowel and the root begins with a vowel, the final vowel is dropped from the prefix
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Defining Medical Terms throughDefining Medical Terms throughWord Structure AnalysisWord Structure Analysis
You can usually define a term by interpreting
the suffix first, then the prefix (if present), then the succeeding root or roots
NoteNote
It is difficult to know the difference between prefixes and roots (or combining forms) because the root is placed first in a medical term when a prefix is not needed
Memorize the most common prefixes so that you can recognize them when used in a term
Formation of Medical TermsFormation of Medical Terms
Most medical terms build from the root Prefixes and suffixes are attached to modify
its meaning Often two or more roots are linked before
being modified Occasionally, terms are formed by a root
alone or a combination of roots
Sometimes, a term is formed from the combination of a prefix and suffix
Spelling Medical TermsSpelling Medical Terms
Sometimes words sound exactly the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings: Context is the clue to spelling
Some words sound similar but are spelled differently and have different meanings
When letters are silent in a term, they risk being omitted when spelling the word
Spelling Medical TermsSpelling Medical Terms
Some words have more than one acceptable spelling
Some combining forms have the same meaning but different origins that compete for usage
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Types of SuffixesTypes of Suffixes
Simple: form basic terms For example:
-ic (pertaining to) -ium (structure or tissue) -y (condition or process of)
Types of SuffixesTypes of Suffixes
Compound: uses a combination of basic term components to modify a term For example:
-tomy -y + tom (root meaning to cut), refers to a process of
cutting (incision) -ectomy -ec (prefix meaning out) + tom (to cut) + -y refers to
a process of cutting out (excision or removal)
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Four Categories of Suffixes Four Categories of Suffixes
Symptomatic suffixes: describe the evidence of disease
Diagnostic suffixes: provide the name of a medical condition
Operative suffixes: describe a surgical treatment
General suffixes: have a general application
Root/SuffixRoot/Suffix
cardi / acheart / pertaining to
(pertaining to the heart)
Prefix/Root/SuffixPrefix/Root/Suffix
epi / card / iumupon / heart / tissue
(tissue upon the heart, i.e.,external lining of the heart)
Prefix/Root/SuffixPrefix/Root/Suffix
sub / endo / cardia / albeneath / within / heart / pertaining to
(pertaining to beneath and within the heart)
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Root/Combining Vowel/SuffixRoot/Combining Vowel/Suffix
cardi / o / logyheart / / study
(study of the heart)
Root/Combining Root/Combining Vowel/Root/SuffixVowel/Root/Suffix
cardi / o / pulmon / aryheart / / lung / pertaining to
(pertaining to the heart and lungs)
Root/Combining Vowel/SuffixRoot/Combining Vowel/Suffix(symptomatic)(symptomatic)
cardi / o / dyniaheart / / pain
(pain in the heart)
Root/Combining Vowel/SuffixRoot/Combining Vowel/Suffix(diagnostic)(diagnostic)
cardi / o / rrhexisheart / / rupture
(a rupture of the heart)
Root/Combining Vowel/SuffixRoot/Combining Vowel/Suffix(operative)(operative)
cardi / o / rrhaphyheart / / suture
(a suture of the heart)
Exceptions: Root AloneExceptions: Root Alone
ductroot
(to lead)
Exceptions: Combination of Exceptions: Combination of RootsRoots
ovi / ductroot / rootegg / to lead
(Oviduct refers to the uterine tube)
Exceptions: Prefix and SuffixExceptions: Prefix and Suffix
meta / stasisprefix / suffix
beyond, after, / stop or standor change
(Metastasis refers to the spread of a disease,such as cancer, from one location to another)