THREE WORD PARTS
 Word roots
. They usually, but not always indicate the involved body part.
Examples: Underline the word root. (look for the body part)
Neuroplasty
abnormal
Arteriomalacia
intramuscular

abdominocentesis
dysfunctional
gastritis
appendectomy
prenatal
tonsillectomy
Suffixes usually, but not always, indicate the
. A suffix
Examples: Square the suffix
Neuroplasty
abnormal
Arteriomalacia
intramuscular

abdominocentesis
dysfunctional
gastritis
appendectomy
prenatal
tonsillectomy
Prefixes usually, but not always, indicate
. A prefix
Example: Circle the prefix (if there is one!)
Neuroplasty
abnormal
Arteriomalacia
intramuscular
abdominocentesis
dysfunctional
gastritis
appendectomy
prenatal
tonsillectomy
RULES FOR USING COMBINING VOWELS
1. A combing vowel is used when the
Example: neur/o (nerve) is joined with the suffix –plasty (surgical repair) the combining vowel O is used because – plasty
begins with a consonant. Neur/o/plasty
2. A combining vowel is not used when the suffix begins
Example: when neur/o (nerve) is joined with the suffix – itis (inflammation), the combinng vowel is not used because –
itis begin with a vowel. Neuritis
3. A combining vowel is always used when
Example: when gastr/o (stomach) is joined with enter/o (small intestine), the combining vowel is used with gastr/o.
However, when the suffix –itis (inflammation) is added, the combining vowel is not used with enter/o because –itis
begins with a vowel. Gastroenteritis
4. A prefix does not require a combining vowel. Do not place a combining vowel between a prefix and the word
root.
PRACTICE
______
Circle the prefix, underline the word root, square the suffix, indicate combining vowel with / /
Gastrosis
Addiction
Hypertension
arteriosclerosis
prenatal
subcostal
neuroplasty
dysuria
hemorrhage
arteriostenosis
gastritis
intravenous
Using the packets define the following:
Prefix Definition
aAbAdDysE-, exEndoHyperHypoInfraInterIntraPostPreSubSupraWord part
Abdomen/o
Aden/o
Append/o
Arter/o
Cost/o
Eti/o
Function/o
Gastr/o
Hem/o
Laryng/o
Nat/i
Neur/o
Norm/o
Oste/o
Ot/o
Path/o
Rhin/o
Tonsil/o
Uria
Ven/o
Suffix
Definition
-ac, -al, -ar,
-ary, -eal, ical, -ial, -ic
-ago, -esis, ia, -iasis, osis
-algia
-centesis
-dynia
-ectomy
-ine, -ior, ory, -ous, tic
-ion, -ism
-itis
-malacia
-ology
-plasty
-rrhage, rrhagia
-sclerosis
-stenosis
-tion
TAKING TERMS APART
To determine a word’s meaning by looking at the component pieces, you must first separate it into word parts.
1.
, with the suffix, and work toward the beginning.
2. As you separate the word parts
. Identifying the meaning of each part
should give you a definition of the term.
3. Because some word parts have more than one meaning, it also is necessary to determine the context in which
the term is being used.
PRACTICE:
Break this term down: otorhinolaryngology
PRACTICE
Word
Suffix
Otorhinolaryngology
ology
Abdominocentesis
Abnormal
Addiction
Adenosclerosis
Appendectomy
Arteriomalacia
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriostenosis
dysfunctional
Dysuria
etiology
Gastritis
Gastrosis
Gastrosis
Hemorrhage
Hypertension
intravenous
lithotomy
Neuroplasty
Pathology
Prenatal
Rhinoplasty
Subcostal
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillitis
Prefix (if
one)
Word part/s
Definition
Ot/o,
rhin/o,laryng/o
Study of ears, nose, throat
COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS: define the following
@
FF
A&P
hr (h)
a.c.
Hx
AD
IM
ADL
LOC
ad lib
neg
alt dieb
NPO
am
P
amb
palp
ant
pc
AS
po
ASA
post
asap
pp
(ASAP
pt
as tol
q
AU
q2h
bl
qd
bl wk
qh
BR
qid
BRP
temp (T)
c
tid
c/o
tol
CC
V/S
cl liq
y/o
CXR
DC
DAT
DNR
exam
Translate to a normal phrase
1. IV am pp and bl wk
______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. NPO til EKG, DAT am
______________________________________________________________________________________________
3. V/S q4h ASA ad lib
______________________________________________________________________________________________
4. exam AU PRN qd
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Translate into abbreviated form
5. Give the patient aspirin as needed in the morning until examination
______________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Move patient four time a day to the chair
______________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Check pulse and BP every hour, discontinue bed rest as desired.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________