Chapter 2: Medical Word Elements and Suffixes Flashcards
Word Root (WR)
main stem, or primary meaning of the word
Suffixes
a word part that comes at the end of the medical term
Tip: Suffixes ALWAYS change the meaning of the term
Prefixes
a word part that comes at the beginning of the medical term
Word Root (WR) + Combining Vowel (CV) =
Combined Form (CF)
Definition: Combining Forms
created by joining a word root to a combining vowel.
Combining vowel is not always necessary, is o in nearly all cases, with a few exceptions
Emphasis on combining vowel
emphasis nearly always shifts to syllable containing the combining vowel, when an o, also changes to a short “ah” sound.
ex: thermometer
When is a combining vowel not needed?
When the next word part begins iwth a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).
ex. arthr (meaning joint) combined with suffix -itis (meaning inflammation).
Three Simple Steps to Deciphering Medical Terms
- Translate the LAST word part first (suffix)
- Translate the FIRST word part next (prefix)
- Translate the FOLLOWING word parts in order (F)
Legal Form Method
Writing your name: last, first, middle
SPF - sunscreen method
Suffix
Prefix
Following
Pathology Terms
refer to diseases and disorders of all body systems. Requires study and memorization.
Pronunciation Guide: ae and oe
pronounce only the E
ex. Pleurae (PLOO-rē)
Pronunciation Guide: -es
when located at the end of a word, may be pronounced as a separate syllable
ex. nares (NĀR-ēz)
Pronunciation Guide: g and c (two ways)
- pronounce as j and s before e, i, and y
ex. generic (jĕ-NĔ R-ĭk), gelatin (JĔL-ă-tĭn), cycle (SĪ-kĭl), cytology (sī-TŎ-lō-jē)
Rhyming: e, i, and y rhyme, while a, o, and u do not.
e, i, y; rhymes; juicy, softy
- pronounce as g and k before other letters
ex. gait (gāt), gastric (GĂS-trĭk), caffeine (kă-FĒN), calcium (KĂL-sē-ŭm)
Tip: guh, kuh; harder consonants.
a, o, u; hard; ga go goo, ka, ko, koo
???
Pronunciation Guide: -i
when located at the end of a word, generally indicates a plural; pronounce as ī or ē
ex. alveoli (ăl-VĒ-ō-lī) bronchi (BRŎNG-kī)
Pronunciation Guide: pn-
pronounce only the n
ex. pneumonia (nū-MŌ-nē-ă), pneumatic (nū-MĂT-ĭk)
tip: ignore the p
Pronunciation Guide: ps-
pronounce only the s
ex. pneumonia (nū-MŌ-nē-ă), pneumatic (nū-MĂT-ĭk)
tip: ignore the p
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-iatrics, -iatry
ī-ă -trĭks, ī-ă-trē
Meaning: Field of Medicine
tip:
iatrics and iatry (field of medicine) relate to -iatrist, -ician, -ist (specialist)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-iatrist, -ician, -ist
ī-ă-trĭst, ĭ-shŭn, ĭst
Meaning: Specialist
tip:
iatrics and iatry (field of medicine) relate to -iatrist, -ician, -ist (specialist)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-logist, -ologist
lō-jĭst, ŏl-ō-jĭst
Meaning: Specialist in the study of
Tip:
-logy, -ology (study of) relates to -logist, -ologist (specialisty in the study of)
Suffixes that Indicate Medical Specialty
-logy, -ology
lō-jē, ŏl-ō-jē
Meaning: study of
Tip:
-logy, -ology (study of) relates to -logist, -ologist (specialisty in the study of)
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-centesis
sĕn-tē-sĭs
surgical puncture
Tip: Centesis; spiky centipede stabby puncture feet?
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-cidal, -cide
sī-dăl, sīd
destroying, killing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-desis
dē-sĭs
surgical fixation of bone or joint, binding, tying together
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-dilation
dī-lă-shŭn
widening, stretching, expanding
Tip: pupil dilation
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-ectomy
ĕk-tō-mē
excision, surgical removal
Tip: ectomy, excision
Tip: different from -tomy (meaning cutting into, incision)
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-graphy
gră-fē
process of recording
Tip: photography
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-metry
mĕ-trē
measurement
Tip: metry; measure
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-pexy
pĕk-sē
surgical fixation
TIP
pexy = surgical fixation
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-plasty
plăs-tē
surgical repair
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-rrhaphy
ră-fē
suture, suturing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-scopy
skō-pē
visual examination
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-therapy
thĕr-ă-pē
treatment
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-tomy
tō-mē
cutting into, incision
Tip: different from -ectomy (meaning excision, surgical removal)
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SURGERIES, PROCEDURES, OR TREATMENTS
-tripsy
trĭp-sē
crushing
tip: trip and crush
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-acusia, -acusis, -cusis
ă-koo-zē-ă, ă-koo-sĭs, koo-sĭs
hearing
TIP
AAC
Hearing ac
idk
TIP: acusia, acusis, cusis = accusation = hearing accusations ??
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-algesia, -algesic, -algia, -dynia
ăl-jē-zē-ă, ăl-jē-z ĭk, ăl-jē-ă, dĭ-nē-ă
pain
Tip: AAAD
Ads are pain
idk asdfs
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-dipsia
dĭp-sē-ă
thirst
Tip: dip into water to drink, thirst
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-esthesia
ĕs-thē-zē-ă
sensation
TIP: synesthesia
esthesia = sensation
phoria = feeling // f = f
vs
esthesia = sensation // es = s
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-opia, -opsia, -opsis, -opsy
ō-pē-ă, ōp-sē-ă, ŏp-sĭs, ŏp-sē
vision, view of
TIP:
O O O O
Four eyes, glasses, eyes
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-osmia
ŏz-mē-ă
smell, odor
Tip: Anosmia, lack of smell, nos like nose
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-phobia
fō-bē-ă
fear
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE SENSORY EXPERIENCE, SENSATION, OR SUBJECTIVE FEELING
-phoria
fō-rē-ă
feeling
Tip: Euphoria
phoria = feeling // f = f
vs
esthesia = sensation // es = s
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-clasis, -clast
klăs-ĭs, klăst
to break
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-ectasis
ĕk-tă-sĭs
dilation, expansion
TIP
Ectasis - ecstatic - eyes dilate when excited ??
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-emesis
ĕm-ĕ-sĭs
vomiting
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-gen, -genesis, -genic, -genous
jĕn, jĕn-ĕ-sĭs, jĕn-ĭk, jēn-ŭs
creating, producing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-kinesia, -kinesis
kĭ-nē-zē-ă, kĭ-nē-sĭs
movement
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-lysis
lĭ-sĭs
destruction
TIP
Hydrolysis = the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water // destruction of a compound due to water // water destruction
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-pause, -stasis
pawz, stă-sĭs
cessation, stopping
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-phage, -phagia
fāj, fā-jē-ă
eating, swallowing
TIP:
phage, phagia, gut, eating, swallowing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-phasia
fā-zē-ă
speech
TIP:
phasia, speak
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-rrhage, -rrhagia
rĭj, ră-jē-ă
bursting forth
TIP
rrage, rrhagia = rage = bursting forth
hemorrhage
blood bursting forth
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-rrhea
rē-ă
flow, discharge
TIP
diarrhea - flow, discharge
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-rrhexis
rĕk-sĭs
rupture
rrhexis = wreck = rupture
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-spasm
spă-zŭm
sudden involuntary contraction
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE ACTION OR MOVEMENT
-uresis
ū-rē-sĭs
urination
TIP
-uresis = urination
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-cele
sēl
hernia
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-constriction
kŏn-strĭk-shŭn
narrowing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-cytosis
sī-tō -sĭs
a condition of cells
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-derma
dĕr-mă
skin
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-edema
ĕ-dē-mă
swelling
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-emia
ē-mē-ă
a condition of the blood
tip:
hypoglycemia
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-gravida
gră-vĭ-dă
pregnant woman
TIP: snake discovery, gravid snakes, pregernant
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-ia, -ism
ē-ă, ĭz-ŭm
condition
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-iasis
ī-ă-sĭs
pathological condition or state
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-itis
ī-tĭs
inflammation
TIP: arthr-itis
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-lepsy, -leptic
lĕp-sē, lĕp-tĭk
seizure
TIP; epelepsy, epeletic
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-lith
lĭth
stone
TIP: tonsillolith, tonsil stones
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-malacia
mă-lā-sē-ă
softening
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-megaly
mĕg-ă-lē
Enlargement
TIP
Megaly = mega = lorg
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-necrosis
nĕ-krō-sĭs
tissue death
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-oid
oyd
resembling
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-oma
ō-mă
tumor
TIP:
melanoma
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-osis
ō-sĭs
abnormal condition
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-oxia
ŏk-sē-ă
oxygen
TIP: oxia = oxygen
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-paresis
pă-rē-sĭs
slight or partial paralysis
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-partum, -tocia
părt-ŭm, tō-sē-ă
childbirth, labor
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-pathy
pă-thē
disease
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-penia
PĒ-nē-ă
deficiency
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-pepsia
pĕp-sē-ă
digestion
TIP: pepsi = pepsia = digestion
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-phonia
fō-nē-ă
voice
TIP: phone = phonia = voice
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-plasia, -plasm
plā-zē-ă, plăz-ŭm
Formation, growth
TIP
association
-plasia, -plasm = formation growth
-plastic = pertaining to formation or growth
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-plastic
plăs-tĭk
pertaining to formation or growth
TIP
association
-plasia, -plasm = formation growth
-plastic = pertaining to formation or growth
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-plegia
plē-jē-ă
paralysis
TIP: paraplegia
Association:
-plegia = paralysis
-plegic = pertaining to paralysis
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-plegic
plē-jĭk
pertaining to paralysis
TIP: paraplegic
Association:
-plegia = paralysis
-plegic = pertaining to paralysis
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-pnea
nē-ă
breathing
TIP
Sleep apnea = pnea = breathing
association
-pnea = breathing
-pneic = pertaining to breathing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-pneic
nē-ĭk
pertaining to breathing
association
-pnea = breathing
-pneic = pertaining to breathing
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-ptosis
tō-sĭs
drooping, prolapse
TIP
PTOSIS= toes = low on body = drooping
P t = prolapse
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-salpinx
săl-pĭnks
uterine (fallopian) tube
TIP
ummm
Pinx = pinks = stereotypical color for girls = uterine (fallopian) tube (I am struggling
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-sclerosis
sklē-rō-sĭs
hardening
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-static
stă-tĭk
not in motion, at rest
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-stenosis
stĕ-nō-sĭs
narrowing, stricture
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-thorax
thōr-ăks
chest
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-trophy
trō-fē
nourishment, growth
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE DISEASES, DISORDERS, OR CONDITIONS
-uria
ū-rē-ă
urine
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE INSTRUMENTS
-graph
grăf
recording instrument
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE INSTRUMENTS
-meter
mĕ-tĕr
measuring instrument
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE INSTRUMENTS
-scope
skōp
viewing instrument
SUFFIXES THAT INDICATE INSTRUMENTS
-tome
tōm
cutting instrument
SUFFIXES THAT MEAN “PERTAINING TO”
-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal,
ăk, ăl, ăr, ār-ē, ē-ăl,
-ial, -ic, -ical, -ory, -ous,
ē-ăl, ĭk, ĭ-kăl, ō-rē, ŭs
-tic, -tous
tĭk, tŭs
OTHER SUFFIXES
-cyte, -cytic
sīt, sīt-ĭk
cell
OTHER SUFFIXES
-gram
grăm
record
OTHER SUFFIXES
-ole, -ule
ōl, ūl
small
TIP: molecule ?? smol ??
OTHER SUFFIXES
-prandial
pran-dē-ăl
meal
OTHER SUFFIXES
-stomy
stō-mē
mouthlike opening
TIP
tracheostomy
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular form
-a
Singular Example
Vertebra
RULE: retain -a and add -e
Plural Form
-ae
Plural Example
Vertebrae
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-ax
Singular Example
Thorax
RULE: drop the -x and add -ces
Plural Form
-aces
Plural Example
thoraces
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-is
Singular Example
diagnosis
RULE: drop the -is and add -es
Plural Form
-es
Plural Example
diagnoses
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-ix, -ex
Singular Example
appendix
RULE: drop the -ix or -ex and add -ices
Plural Form
-ices
Plural Example
appendices
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-um
Singular Example
-diverticulum
RULE: drop the -um and add -a
Plural Form
-a
Plural Example
diverticula
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-us
Singular Example
Thrombus
RULE: drop the -us and add -i
Plural form
-i
Plural Example
thrombi
PLURAL ENDINGS
Singular Form
-y
Singular Example
ovary
RULE: drop the -y and add -ies
Plural Form
-ies
Plural Example
ovaries