rules of combining vowels and forms

Question 1

When is a combining vowel used?

Answer 1

it is used to make the medical term easier to pronounce

it is used when the suffix begins with a consonant (i.e., -scope - arthroscope (the combining vowel “o” is used)

Question 2

What vowels are used as combining vowels? and what other vowels can be used?

Answer 2

“O” is the most commonly used combining vowel

“i” and “e” can also be used

Question 3

When is a combining vowel not used?

Answer 3

when the suffix begins with a vowel (i.e., the suffix -itis - gastritis)
not used between a prefix and the root word

Question 4

When is a combining vowel always used?

Answer 4

when two or more root words are joined (i.e., gastr and enteritis - gastroenteritis)

Question 5

What is a combining form?

Answer 5

a word root plus a combining vowel

Question 6

What do combining forms usually describe?

Answer 6

a part of the body (i.e., panleukopenia - pan- (a prefix that means all), leuk/o (a combining form meaning white), -penia (a suffix meaning deficiency or reduction in number)

Question 7

What is gastritis?

Answer 7

inflammation of the stomach

Question 8

What is panleukopenia?

Answer 8

a deficiency of all types of white blood cells