Chapter 2: Medical Word Elements and Suffixes Flashcards
(111 cards)
Word Root (WR)
main stem, or primary meaning of the word
Suffixes
a word part that comes at the end of the medical term
Tip: Suffixes ALWAYS change the meaning of the term
Prefixes
a word part that comes at the beginning of the medical term
Word Root (WR) + Combining Vowel (CV) =
Combined Form (CF)
Definition: Combining Forms
created by joining a word root to a combining vowel.
Combining vowel is not always necessary, is o in nearly all cases, with a few exceptions
Emphasis on combining vowel
emphasis nearly always shifts to syllable containing the combining vowel, when an o, also changes to a short “ah” sound.
ex: thermometer
When is a combining vowel not needed?
When the next word part begins iwth a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).
ex. arthr (meaning joint) combined with suffix -itis (meaning inflammation).
Three Simple Steps to Deciphering Medical Terms
- Translate the LAST word part first (suffix)
- Translate the FIRST word part next (prefix)
- Translate the FOLLOWING word parts in order (F)
Legal Form Method
Writing your name: last, first, middle
SPF - sunscreen method
Suffix
Prefix
Following
Pathology Terms
refer to diseases and disorders of all body systems. Requires study and memorization.
Pronunciation Guide: ae and oe
pronounce only the E
ex. Pleurae (PLOO-rē)
Pronunciation Guide: -es
when located at the end of a word, may be pronounced as a separate syllable
ex. nares (NĀR-ēz)
Pronunciation Guide: g and c (two ways)
- pronounce as j and s before e, i, and y
ex. generic (jĕ-NĔ R-ĭk), gelatin (JĔL-ă-tĭn), cycle (SĪ-kĭl), cytology (sī-TŎ-lō-jē)
Rhyming: e, i, and y rhyme, while a, o, and u do not.
e, i, y; rhymes; juicy, softy
- pronounce as g and k before other letters
ex. gait (gāt), gastric (GĂS-trĭk), caffeine (kă-FĒN), calcium (KĂL-sē-ŭm)
Tip: guh, kuh; harder consonants.
a, o, u; hard; ga go goo, ka, ko, koo
???
Pronunciation Guide: -i
when located at the end of a word, generally indicates a plural; pronounce as ī or ē
ex. alveoli (ăl-VĒ-ō-lī) bronchi (BRŎNG-kī)
Pronunciation Guide: pn-
pronounce only the n
ex. pneumonia (nū-MŌ-nē-ă), pneumatic (nū-MĂT-ĭk)
tip: ignore the p
Pronunciation Guide: ps-
pronounce only the s
ex. pneumonia (nū-MŌ-nē-ă), pneumatic (nū-MĂT-ĭk)
tip: ignore the p
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-iatrics, -iatry
ī-ă -trĭks, ī-ă-trē
Meaning: Field of Medicine
tip:
iatrics and iatry (field of medicine) relate to -iatrist, -ician, -ist (specialist)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-iatrist, -ician, -ist
ī-ă-trĭst, ĭ-shŭn, ĭst
Meaning: Specialist
tip:
iatrics and iatry (field of medicine) relate to -iatrist, -ician, -ist (specialist)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-logist, -ologist
lō-jĭst, ŏl-ō-jĭst
Meaning: Specialist in the study of
Tip:
-logy, -ology (study of) relates to -logist, -ologist (specialisty in the study of)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-logy, -ology
lō-jē, ŏl-ō-jē
Meaning: study of
Tip:
-logy, -ology (study of) relates to -logist, -ologist (specialisty in the study of)
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-centesis
sĕn-tē-sĭs
surgical puncture
Tip: Centesis; spiky centipede stabby puncture feet?
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-cidal, -cide
sī-dăl, sīd
destroying, killing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-desis
dē-sĭs
surgical fixation of bone or joint, binding, tying together
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-dilation
dī-lă-shŭn
widening, stretching, expanding
Tip: pupil dilation
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-ectomy
ĕk-tō-mē
excision, surgical removal
Tip: ectomy, excision
Tip: different from -tomy (meaning cutting into, incision)