Medical Word Parts | Terminology Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

What are the word parts of the medical dictionary? ›

Three standard word elements—roots, prefixes, and suffixes—are used to construct most medical terms. The definition of each term is drawn from the meaning of its constituent parts. By recognizing common word parts and their meanings, you'll be able to decipher the definitions of hundreds of medical terms.

Medical terms are built from four word parts. Those word parts are prefix, word root, suffix, and combining vowel.

Medical terms are built from word parts. Those word parts are prefix, word root, suffix, and combining form vowel. When a word root is combined with a combining form vowel the word part is referred to as a combining form. Make sure you understand key parts of medical terminology.

A medical dictionary is a lexicon for words used in medicine. The four major medical dictionaries in the United States are Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions, Stedman's, Taber's, and Dorland's. Other significant medical dictionaries are distributed by Elsevier.

Medical word origins are usually from the Greek and Latin languages. It is not necessary to study these languages. One can determine the literal meaning of an unfamiliar term by knowing the meaning of the word parts.

Root — can appear at the beginning of the word if prefix is absent, but the root indicates the primary meaning of the medical term. Suffix — appears at the end of the word and indicates a specialty, test, procedure, function, disorder or status.

All medical terms have a root word. They may also have a prefix, a suffix, or both a prefix and a suffix. Prefixes have a droppable "o", which acts to connect the prefix to root words which begin with a consonant.

There are three basic parts to medical terms: a word root (usually the middle of the word and its central meaning), a prefix (comes at the beginning and usually identifies some subdivision or part of the central meaning), and a suffix (comes at the end and modifies the central meaning as to what or who is interacting ...

What is rule 1 when building a medical word? ›

Language Rules for Building Medical Terms

Rule 1: When combining two combining forms, you keep the combining vowel. Rule 2: When combining a combining form with a suffix that begins with a consonant, you keep the combining vowel. Example. Gastr/o/enter/o/logy—The study of the stomach and the intestines.

Medical terminology is a language used to precisely describe the human body including all its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon it. Medical terminology is used in the field of medicine. Common Root. Number Prefixes. Body parts in terminology.

100 means one in morning only. 101 twice a day morning & night. 111 is thrice a day morning noon & night.

Instructions on how to pronounce medical terms. Reference tables. These tables contain supporting information (e.g., units of measurement or laboratory values). Descriptions and explanations of diseases and medical procedures.

Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

Prefix: A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. Pre means "before." Prefixes may also indicate a location, number, or time. Root: central part of a word. Suffix: The ending part of a word that modifies the meaning of the word.