Unit 1: Medical Language & Communication

• Medical terms are a combination of elements: Prefix, Root, Combining Form, and Suffix
• The ROOT word is the foundation/basic meaning of a medical term. All medical terms have a root. Often refers to a body part, disease, condition, or treatment. Ex. cardi (heart), hepat (liver), neur (nerve), nephr (kidney), gastr (stomach).
• Combining Forms: Root with a vowel. Usually an "O". Has the same meaning as the root word. Allows the root to be combined with another element (root or suffix).
• SUFFIX: Almost all medical words have a suffix. One or more letters attached to the end of a root. Often indicates the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease. Ex. -itis (inflammation), -logy (the study of), -ectomy (surgical removal), -scopy (process of visually examining). 
• PREFIX: The prefix is used at the beginning of a medical term (before the root). Prefixes describe, modify, or limit the term. Medical words do not always have a prefix. Ex. endo- (within), peri- (around/surrounding), pro- (before), mega- (large), dys- (abnormal, painful, difficult)
• Word Creation Rules:

  Rule #1: A root linked to a suffix that begins with a vowel. No change to root.
• Word Creation Rules:

  Rule #2: A combining form is used with a suffix that begins with a consonant.
• Word Creation Rules:

  Rule #3: A combining form linked to a root. Forms a compound word. When connecting two word roots, a combining vowel is usually used after the first root, even when vowels are present at the junction.
• -algia = pain
• -ar, ary, eal, ous = related to, belonging to
• -cyte = cell
• -ectasis = dilation, expansion
• -ectomy = excision, surgical removal
• -gen, genesis = development of, generation of
• -graph = writing
• -graphy = representation of
• -ia, esis, ism = process, state or condition of
• -itic = disorder of
• -itis = inflammation of
• -lith = stone
• -lysis = dissolution of, decomposition of or loosening of
• -megaly = enlargement of
• -meter = measuring instrument
• -metry = process of measuring
• -oma = tumor or neoplasm
• -opia = vision
• -osis = process, condition or state of
• -pathy = disease
• -penia = deficiency
• -plasty = modeling, shaping, repair of
• -rrhea = flowing, profuse flow
• -stenosis = narrowing or constriction of passage
• -stomy = surgical creation of a hole
• -tomy = cutting, incision of
• -um, us = biological structure
• -y = condition of, state of
• aden = gland
• angi = blood or lymph vessels
• arthr = joint
• aur, ot = ear