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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

ROOT WORDSWe’ll start by defining some of the more common root words. A root word is the fundamental building block of a medical term. It’s what

remains after you remove any prefixes (words that go before the root) and suffixes (words that go

after the root) from the term.

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

We’ll begin our discussion of

root words with a group of

terms that describe specific

body parts.

Derma/Dermis – skin

Hepat/Hepato – liver

Aden – glands

Hemat/Hemato - blood

Root Words

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

True or False?

The root word for any part of the body’s glands is hemat.

The root word for hepat means liver.

When you see a medical term containing the root word derma, you know that the term is describing the skin.

The definition of the root word aden is gland.

True False

True False

True False

True False

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Root Words

The next group of terms also

describes body parts.

Ot/Oto – ear

Cost – rib

Cardi/Cardio – heart

Gaster/Gastero/

Gastro - stomach

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Make a Match

1. Cardi

2. Gaster

3. Ot

4. Cost

5. Cardio

6. Gastero

LEGENDA. = Rib

B. = Stomach

C. = Ear

D. = Heart

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Let’s define some more common

root words.

Root Words

Myo – muscle

Oste/Osteo – bone

Myel/Myelo – bone marrow

Chondri/Chondro –cartilage

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Pick a Box1. When you see a medical term containing the root word oste or osteo, you know that the

term is describing something to do with

2. What does the root word myo mean?

3. What root word is used to describe cartilage?

Bone Marrow Cartilage Bones Muscles

Bones Muscles Bone Marrow Cartilage

Oste/Osteo Myo Chondri/Chondro Myel/Myelo

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Although cephal and encephal are separate and distinct words, each with their own meaning, the two are often used interchangeably in medical

reports and claims.

Here are some root words for the head, brain

and skull.

Root WordsCephal – head

Encephal – brain

Crani - skull

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Make a Match

1. Crani

2. Encephal

3. Cephal

A B C

A B C

A B C

LEGEND1. = Brain

2. = Head

3. = Skull

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Putting it Together

Now let’s try combining root words to create new words. We know the root word crani

means skull. The cranium is the part of the skull that encloses the brain. The skull is composed of both bones and cartilage.

You already know the root words for bones (oste/osteo) and cartilage (chondro/chondri).

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Brainteaser

1. Based on these terms, the part of the skull that is composed of bones is the

2. Based on these terms, what is the correct term for the part of the skull that is

composed of cartilage?

Osteocranium Chondrocranium

Osteocranium Chondrocranium

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Here’s more common root

words.

Root WordsSpondyl – vertebra

Neur/Neuro – nerve

Vertabrae (singular is Vertaba) are the bony parts that make up tour spinal column. You will

encounter many medical terms in claims and medical reports that incorporate the common word vertabra, as well as the root word for

vertabra, spondyl.

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Switch-o-rama

1. Medical terms that incorporate the root word spondyl are describing diseases or

conditions involving the

2. When you see a medical term that contains the root word neur or neuro, you know

that the term is describing something to do with the

Nerves Vertebrae

NervesVertebrae

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Here are three more

common root words you

should know.

Root Words

Esthesia – sensation, feeling or

perception

Algesia – sensitivity to pain

Asthenia - weakness

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

How about one last root word..

Root Words

Sclerosis – hardening of the part of the

body, usually of organs, tissues or arteries

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

True or False?

1. The root word for sensation, feeling, or perception is Esthesia

2. Algesia means weakness

3. Asthenia means sensitivity to pain

4. The term Sclerosis means hardening, usually of organs, tissues, or arteries in a part of the body

True False

True False

True False

True False

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Medical Terminology – Module 1 – Root Words

Great Job!!

You have navigated your way through ROOT WORDS. Now let’s proceed to the

next part of the course; PREFIXES.

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