Word Parts
What word part appears at the beginning of a medical term?
Prefix
Build: oste/o + arthr + -itis.
Osteoarthritis
Break down osteoarthritis using slashes.
oste/o/arthr/itis.
What does -itis mean?
Inflammation.
REBEL CARD: Are medical language rules always followed without exceptions?
No. The chapter calls exceptions “rebels.”
What word part appears at the end of a medical term?
Suffix
Build: intra- + ven + -ous.
Intravenous.
Break down intravenous using slashes.
Intravenous.
What does intra- mean?
Within
Why learn rules even though there are exceptions?
Rules provide a foundation for interpreting many terms; exceptions must also be learned.
What is the foundation of a medical term?
The word root
Build: gastr/o + enter/o + -logy.
Gastroenterology.
Break down gastroenterology using slashes.
gastr/o/enter/o/logy
What does -ous mean?
Pertaining to
Why does gastr/o/enter/o/logy keep both combining vowels?
It joins two combining forms, then enter/o joins -logy, which begins with a consonant.
What is a word root combined with a combining vowel called?
a combining form
meaning study of the stomach and intestines
Gastroenterology
In oste/o/arthr/ itis, identify the combining forms and suffix.
oste/o and arthr/o are combining forms; -itis is the suffix.
Translate gastroenterology literally.
The study of the stomach and intestines
Why does ven/o become ven- in intravenous?
-ous begins with a vowel, so the combining vowel is dropped
Name four major word-part concepts students should recognize.
Prefix, word root, suffix, and combining form/combining vowel.
Build osteoarthritis and explain why the combining vowel is retained between the two combining forms.
oste/o/arthr/itis; the combining vowel is retained when two combining forms are joined.
In intra/ven/ous, identify prefix, combining form, and suffix
intra- is the prefix; ven/o is the combining form; -ous is the suffix. The o is dropped in the completed term.
Translate intravenous using the suffix-first method.
Pertaining to within the vein
Analyze intra/ven/ous: identify parts, rule, and translation.
intra- = within; ven/o = vein; -ous = pertaining to. Drop o before -ous. Meaning: pertaining to within a vein.