List and describe the four word parts used to build medical terms.

Question

1. Word root
2. Prefix
3. Suffix
4. Combining vowel

Answer 1

1. Word root
• foundation of a medical term
• often indicates the body system or part of the body that is being discussed
2. Prefix
• added to the front of the term
• indicates the location of an organ, the number of parts, or the time (frequency)
3. Suffix
• added to the end of the term
• all medical terms must have a suffix
• indicates condition, disease, or procedure
4. Combining vowel
• usually an o
• connects two word roots
• connects word root and suffix if the suffix begins with a consonant