Chapter 4 Test Study Guide: Medical
Terminology
Word Elements
The key to understanding medical terminology is knowing the
meanings of the basic word elements that make up medical terms
Most medical terms are formed from two or more of these elements
The three basic word elements which are often derived from Greek and
Latin words, are called word roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Word Roots
Is the subject of a medical term and the foundation on which the term
is built
The root is a word or word element that expresses the basic or general
meaning of the term and it is the base to which other word elements
are attached to modify the meaning or form a new word
The meaning of a medical term is established by analyzing the other
word elements attached to the word root
Key point
A word root typically indicates a tissue, organ, body system, color,
condition, substance, or structure
Key Point
Occasionally both Greek and Latin word roots have the same meaning
Prefixes
Is a word element that comes before a word root
A prefix modifies the meaning of the word root by adding information
such as presence, absence, location, number, or size
This information makes the word more specific
Suffixes
Is a word ending
It follows a root word and either changes or adds to the meaning of the
root word
Terminology
Word Elements
The key to understanding medical terminology is knowing the
meanings of the basic word elements that make up medical terms
Most medical terms are formed from two or more of these elements
The three basic word elements which are often derived from Greek and
Latin words, are called word roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Word Roots
Is the subject of a medical term and the foundation on which the term
is built
The root is a word or word element that expresses the basic or general
meaning of the term and it is the base to which other word elements
are attached to modify the meaning or form a new word
The meaning of a medical term is established by analyzing the other
word elements attached to the word root
Key point
A word root typically indicates a tissue, organ, body system, color,
condition, substance, or structure
Key Point
Occasionally both Greek and Latin word roots have the same meaning
Prefixes
Is a word element that comes before a word root
A prefix modifies the meaning of the word root by adding information
such as presence, absence, location, number, or size
This information makes the word more specific
Suffixes
Is a word ending
It follows a root word and either changes or adds to the meaning of the
root word
