MEDCAL
TERMINOLOGY
CHAPTER 4: WORD ROOTS
Prefix Comes before the word root.
Modifies the word root by adding:
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Presenceabsence - 'a' = without
location - 'per' = through
number - 'tri' = three
size - 'macro' = large
- 'micro' = small
Word Roots establish basic meaning.
The foundation of the true
meaning of a medical term
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tissue - cutane = skin
organ - nephr = kidney
body system - ________
structure - phleb = vein
condition - thromb = clot
Suffix Word ending.
Follows word root.
• changes or add to - 'itis' = inflammation
- 'lysis' = breakdown
- 'penia' = deficiency
- 'tomy' = cutting/incision
Combining Vowel/Forms Vowel added between word roots and suffix to make pronounciation easier.
Word root + vowel = combining form.
Vowel is usually 'o'. If a different vowel is already in place, such as 'i', then that is used. eg.
phleb/itis.
Pronounciation If two vowels are together - pronounce the second vowel eg. 'ae' is pronounced 'e'.
'c' is pronounced as 's' if it comes before 'i', 'e', or 'y'.