1.1 – Introduction – Word Parts in Medical Terms
Learning Objectives
- Outline the elements used to build medical terms
- Analyze, identify, and construct medical words using applicable medical language component parts
- Explore medical language rules
Word Parts
Medical terms are built from word parts. Those word parts are prefix, word root, suffix, and combining form vowel. When a word root is combined with a combining form vowel, the word part is referred to as a combining form.
Word Parts
Word Parts (Text Version)
Make sure you understand key parts of medical terminology. Fill in the blanks using the following words:
- Suffix
- Prefix
- Combining Form
- Word Root
- _____[Blank 1] word part at the beginning of the term that changes meaning
- _____[Blank 2] word part at the end of the term that changes meaning
- _____ [Blank 3] foundational meaning of a word
- _____ [Blank 4] used to join word parts to ease pronunciation
Check your answers: [1]
Activity Source: Key Terms by PFrench, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.
Identifying Word Parts in Medical Terms
By the end of this resource, you will have identified hundreds of word parts within medical terms. Let’s start with some common medical terms that many non-medically trained people may be familiar with.
Examples
Osteoarthritis
Oste/o/arthr/itis – Inflammation of bone and joint.
Oste/o is a combining form that means bone
arthr/o is a combining form that means joint
-itis is a suffix that means inflammation
Intravenous
Intra/ven/ous – Pertaining to within a vein.
Intra- is a prefix that means within
ven/o – is a combining form that means vein
-ous is a suffix that means pertaining to
Notice, when breaking down words that you place slashes between word parts and a slash on each side of a combining form vowel.
Language Rules
Language rules are a good place to start when building a medical terminology foundation. Many medical terms are built from word parts and can be translated literally. At first, literal translations sound awkward. Once you build a medical vocabulary and become proficient at using it, the awkwardness will slip away. For example, suffixes will no longer be stated and will be assumed. The definition of intravenous then becomes within the vein.
Since you are at the beginning of building your medical terminology foundation, stay literal when applicable. It should be noted that, as with all language rules, there are always exceptions and we refer to those as rebels. So, let’s begin by analyzing the language rules for medical terminology.
Attribution
Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “Identifying Word Parts in Medical Terms” in Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY 4.0. / A derivative of Betts et al., which can be accessed for free from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax).
- 1. Prefix, 2. Suffix, 3. Word Root, 4. Combining Form ↵
Word part at the beginning of a medical term that changes the meaning of the word root.
the foundational meaning of a word.
A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root.
The combining form vowel is used to join word parts and to ease pronunciation.
The most common combining form vowel is an "o" but sometimes it is an "i" or an "e".
A word root with a combining form vowel.
follows the rules exactly
word parts that do not fit within the language rules