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Medical Terminology. Basic word roots and common suffixes. In medical terminology we used a word root and combine it with other word elements to form medical terms (words made up of different parts or elements)
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Basic word roots and common suffixes In medical terminology we used a word root and combine it with other word elements to form medical terms (words made up of different parts or elements) • The root word mast is derived from the Greek word for breast. mast + the suffix –ectomy(removal of) → mastectomy means removal of the breast. • Psych (from the Greek word for mind) + logy → Psychology is the study of mental prosses and behavior. The suffix –logy means “the study of“ can be added to other word roots to form a number of new words. Pathology: study of disease. Dermatology: study of skin. Gerontology: study of the elderly.
Word Elements The four type of word elements that make up medical terms are: Roots, suffixes, prefixes and combining forms. • Word root: reveals the central meaning of the word and frequently describes a body part. ex: the word root mast describes the breast. Periarthritis, arth: joint is the root. • Suffixes: come at the end of the word. They add meaning to the root. ex: -ectomy: removal of. mastectomy, gastrectomy and arthrectomy
Prefixes: always come at the beginning of the word and will frequently suggest information about the number of parts, location of the organ, direction, time or frequency. Ex: Hyper- (over, above, excessive), peri- (around), tachy- (rapid, fast), epi- (upon, over), tri- (three) These can be added to word roots and/ or word roots with a suffix. Ex: Hypergastric (meaning above the stomach) Periarthritis (inflammation around the joint) Tachycardia (a rapidheart rate) • Combining form which consists of the word root + one or more vowels, often an “o“, this is required to facilitate pronunciation. the vowel is used between two word roots, and also between a root and suffix when the suffix begins with a consonant. Ex: gastr/o enter -itis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
1. psychology: the study of mental processes and behavior 2. pathology: the study of disease processes 3. hematology: the study of blood and blood disorders 4. cardiology: the study of the heart and its diseases 5. dermatology: the study of the skin and its diseases 6. gerontology: the study of the aging process and its accompanying diseases