Anatomy & Physiology

Understanding Terminology

Fundamentals & OriginO Learning medical terminology can

seem overwhelming at first, but like all other languages, certain standard rules apply. For the most part, medical terminology is comprised of words derived from Greek and Latin languages. Understanding the way medical terms are formed and identifying the base of the words provides you with the foundation.

Formulating WordsO Medical terms can be broken into three distinct

parts.1. The word root – generally the central part of

the word (in the middle) and identifies the main meaning, condition or body part.

2. The prefix – found at the beginning of the word, and distinguishes a component or subdivision of the word, to advance its fundamental meaning.

3. The suffix – found at the end of the word and signifies specific features, such as the circumstances of an aliment, its progression and the intended procedure or course of action that will be used.

Root WordO Seeing as root words are the key

terminology, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with them.

O Root words tells What we are talking about.

PericardiumCardi/o = heart

Prefix SuffixO The Prefix tells of a position, a time

when it occurs, where it is located, how many, or the color.

O The Suffix tells What is happening or describes the root word.

PericardiumPeri = around, surrounding, or outer

ium = Latin noun ending

More Examples

EpigastricP:Upon/above R:stomach

S:pertaining toEndometriosis

P:within R:womb S:abnormal/condition

HyperglycemiaP:above,more,over,excessive

R:sweet S:of the blood

Combining Forms & Modifying Word Meanings

Combining forms are the word root plus a vowel. The most frequently used combining form is “o” and tends to be located after the word’s prefix. Again, this is best explained by seeing it on paper. In the word myocarditis, we see that the Greek prefix “my/mys” (muscle) the combining “o” form was added, giving us “myo.” The “o” merges parts of the word to create its definition. To better illustrate, take a look at the following popular example: acr (extremity), cardio (heart) and gastr (stomach). By means of adding the combining form, “o” we get acro/o, cardi/o and gastr/o.

Combining Forms & Modifying Word Meanings

The prefix and suffix of a root word also get modified to alter the implication of a term without changing its central meaning (the root word remains the same). We can see the way “myocarditis” can be changed by switching the prefix. Replace “myo” with “peri” (which means outer) or “endo” (meaning inner), and you’ll have pericarditis and endocarditis.

Combining Forms & Modifying Word Meanings

You should be able to have gauged their meanings, since you’re familiar with the root word and the prefixes. If we keep only the root of the word – “cardio” and change the suffix into “ologist” (physician/doctor that specializes in the heart), “pathy” (meaning damage) or “megaly” (which means enlargement), we have three completely different words: cardiologist, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomegaly. (medword.com)

Some ExceptionsO Not all words have a prefix

(cardiovascular).O Some words have more than one

root word (cardiovascular).O Different prefixes can have the same

meaning.O Hom/o and Home/o = sameO Di and Bi = two