Chapter 1 - Elements of Latin- and Greek-Based Medical Terms

Front

What is the basis for the majority of medical terms?

Back

Latin or Greek.

Front

What are the four categories of word parts in medical terms?

Back

Word roots, suffixes, prefixes, and combining vowels.

Front

What is a word root?

Back

The foundation of most medical terms, giving the essential meaning of the term, often referring to a body structure, organ, or system.

Front

What information does a suffix provide in a medical term?

Back

Conditions, diseases, surgical procedures, and diagnostic procedures involving the word root.

Front

Where is a prefix found in a medical term and what does it indicate?

Back

At the beginning of a medical term, indicating abnormal conditions, numbers, positions, or times.

Front

What is the purpose of combining vowels in medical terms?

Back

To connect word parts and make medical terms easier to spell and pronounce.

Front

When should a combining vowel not be used between a word root and suffix?

Back

When the suffix begins with a vowel.

Front

What is a combining form in medical terms?

Back

A word root and its combining vowel.

Front

What are the steps to define an unfamiliar medical term?

Back

1. Divide the term into its word parts. 2. Define each word part. 3. Put the meaning of the word parts together.

Front

How do you build a medical term for 'fibrous skin tumor'?

Back

Use the combining form fibr/o for fibrous, dermat/o for skin, and suffix -oma for tumor, resulting in dermatofibroma.