1. LEC Medical Terminology
A & P is based on medical terminology
Few root terms, prefixes, and suffixes = millions of combinations
Root word – base structure to build on
i.e. “Cardi” is the root term meaning “heart”
Root is RARELY used alone
Combined with a prefix or suffix or both

2. Suffix: -ology means “study of”
Combine root with suffix so Cardi-ology
Study of the heart
Prefix: tachy- means “fast”
Suffix –a means “pertaining to”
So Tachycardia means “pertaining to fast heart”
Combining form: root word with connecting vowel i.e. Cardi/o

3. Common combining forms
Word root/combining form
Meaning
Abdomin/o
Abdomen
Aden/o
Gland
Angi/o
Vessel
Col/o
Colon
Cyan/o
Blue
Hepat/o
Liver
Mamm/o
breast
See page 9 for more that you need to know!

4. Common prefixes See page 9 for more that you need to know Prefix
meaning
A or an
Without
Acro
Extremities
Dia
Through
Electro
Electric
Macro
Large
Peri
around
Sub
Below, under
See page 9 for more that you need to know

5. Common suffixes See page 10 for more that you need to know Suffix
Meaning
-al, -ic
Pertaining to or related to
-algia
Pain
-gram
Actual record
-ology
Study of
-penia
Decrease or lack of
-plasty
Surgical repair
-scope
Instrument to view or examine with
See page 10 for more that you need to know

6. Abbreviations See page 11 for more that you need to know Abbreviations
Meaning
A&P
Anatomy and physiology
BID
Twice a day CA
Cancer
CXR
Chest x-ray IV
Intravenous
P.O.
Orally
STAT
Immediately
See page 11 for more that you need to know