Elements of a Medical Term
Common Prefixes
Common Suffixes
Common Combining Forms
Surgical, Procedural, Adjective Suffixes
100
The four components of a medical term
Prefix, suffix, word root, combining vowel
100
It means without
a-, an-
100
It means cell
What is -cyte
100
It means blood
hemat/o, hem/o
100
What does -ac translate to?
This is an adjective suffix which means it is pertaining to something.
200
Is the foundation of the medical term and provides the general meaning of the word.
Word root
200
It means among, between
inter-
200
It means one who studies
What is -logist
200
It means lung
pulmon/o, pneum/o, pneumon/o
200
What does -graphy translate to?
It is a procedural suffix for process of recording
300
Identifies the location, the number, the times or the frequency of the medical term.
Prefix
300
It means around
peri-
300
It means enlargement
-megaly
300
It means cancer
carcin/o
300
What does -gram mean?
It is a procedural suffix for record or picture
400
Every medical term must have this part to be complete. Describes condition, disease, or procedure.
Suffix
400
It means above
supra-
400
It means hardening
What is -sclerosis
400
It means ear
What is ot/o
400
What does -ostomy translate to?
It is a surgical suffix meaning surgically create an opening
500
A medical term can be made of these two parts only, what are they?
Prefix and suffix
500
It means painful, difficult or abnormal
dys-
500
It means abnormal softening
What is -malacia
500
It means small intestine
What is enter/o
500
What does -centesis translate to?
This is a surgical suffix which means to puncture to withdraw fluid.
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