Beginning Medical
Terminology 2026 | Key
Concepts, Word Elements,
Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, What is medical terminology? A specialized language used by health-care providers that consists of various word
elements to describe medical concepts.
What are the origins of medical terminology? Medical terminology primarily draws from ancient languages, mainly Latin and
Greek, reflecting advancements in medical knowledge.
What is a Word Root (WR)? The foundation of a medical word that contains its main meaning, usually derived
from Latin or Greek.
What is a Combining Form (CF)? A Word Root combined with a vowel, allowing for the connection of two or more
word elements; it typically does not have its own meaning.
What is a Suffix? A word element at the end of a word that changes its meaning, often indicating a
pathology, condition, symptom, or procedure.
What is a Prefix? A word element at the beginning of a word that changes its meaning, often
indicating a number, time, position, measurement, direction, or negation.
What are the three steps for defining medical words? 1. Define the suffix first. 2. Define the first part of the word (WR, CF, or prefix). 3.
Define the middle part of the word (WR or CF).
What does -ectomy mean? Excision or removal of a body part.
What does -itis mean? Inflammation of a body part.
What does -oma mean? A tumor or mass.
What does -tomy mean? An incision or cutting into a body part.
What does -centesis mean? A surgical puncture to remove fluid.
Terminology 2026 | Key
Concepts, Word Elements,
Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, What is medical terminology? A specialized language used by health-care providers that consists of various word
elements to describe medical concepts.
What are the origins of medical terminology? Medical terminology primarily draws from ancient languages, mainly Latin and
Greek, reflecting advancements in medical knowledge.
What is a Word Root (WR)? The foundation of a medical word that contains its main meaning, usually derived
from Latin or Greek.
What is a Combining Form (CF)? A Word Root combined with a vowel, allowing for the connection of two or more
word elements; it typically does not have its own meaning.
What is a Suffix? A word element at the end of a word that changes its meaning, often indicating a
pathology, condition, symptom, or procedure.
What is a Prefix? A word element at the beginning of a word that changes its meaning, often
indicating a number, time, position, measurement, direction, or negation.
What are the three steps for defining medical words? 1. Define the suffix first. 2. Define the first part of the word (WR, CF, or prefix). 3.
Define the middle part of the word (WR or CF).
What does -ectomy mean? Excision or removal of a body part.
What does -itis mean? Inflammation of a body part.
What does -oma mean? A tumor or mass.
What does -tomy mean? An incision or cutting into a body part.
What does -centesis mean? A surgical puncture to remove fluid.
