1. Introduction to Word Parts
Chapter 1
Introduction to Word Parts
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2. Chapter 1
Lesson 1.1
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1-2

3. Objectives Describe four origins of medical terms.
Identify and define the four word parts and combining forms.
Analyze and define medical terms.
Build medical terms for given definitions.
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4. Understand the Content of Chapter 1 Before Moving on to Chapter 2
Chapter 1 is the most important chapter in the text because it is here that you are introduced to word parts—word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining vowels—and the rules for combining them to build medical terms.
You will use this information in each of the subsequent chapters to analyze, build, define, and spell terms built from word parts.
Ask students for examples of medical or professional terminology that they have encountered in the past.
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5. Medicine Has a Language of Its Own
Current medical vocabulary includes terms built from Greek and Latin word parts, eponyms, acronyms, and terms from modern language
Eponyms: a word based on the name of a person, such as Parkinson disease, or bundle of His
Acronyms: a word formed from the first letters of the words in a set phrase, such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
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6. Origins of Medical Language
What are the main source languages for medical terminology?
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7. Clicker Question The medical term SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome) is an example of a(an)
term built from word parts
acronym
eponym
term taken from modern language
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8. Four Word Parts
Word Root: fundamental meaning of a medical term – the core of the word
Prefix: attached to beginning of a medical term to modify its meaning
Suffix: attached to end of a medical term to modify its meaning
Combining Vowel: used to ease pronunciation – usually an “o”
Word root: the core of a word. Each medical term contains at least one word root.
A prefix often indicates a number, direction, time, or negation.
A suffix often indicates a procedure or condition.
A combining vowel is used to connect two word roots or a word root and a suffix. It is not used to connect a prefix and word root.
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9. Table 1.1 Guidelines for Using Combining Vowels
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10. Examples Word Roots: arthr: joint hepat: liver ven: vein oste: bone
Prefixes: intra-: within
Suffixes: itis: inflammation
-ous: pertaining to
Combining vowel: o
hepat: liver
oste: bone
sub-: under
-ic: pertaining to
-pathy: disease
What is the difference between a word root and a prefix?
What is the difference between a prefix and suffix?
What is the purpose of adding a combining vowel to a medical term?
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11. Clicker Question The word part that is the core of the word is a
combining vowel
suffix
word root
prefix
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12. Combining Form Word Root + Combining Vowel Examples: arthr/o hepat/o
ven/o
oste/o
The word parts are separated by vertical slashes.
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13. Table 1.2 Word Parts and Combining Form
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14. Some Basic Rules All medical terms have at least one word root
Not all medical terms have a prefix, suffix, or combining vowel
Combining vowels are used to connect word roots or word root and suffix
When a suffix begins with a vowel, the combining vowel is usually not used
Why is it important to understand the basic rules of combining word parts into medical terms?
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15. Some Basic Rules (cont’d.)
When connecting two word roots, a combining vowel is usually used even if vowels are present at the junction
Example: oste/o/arthr/itis
Usually medical terms are defined by starting at the end of the term and going back to the beginning
Example: oste/o/arthr/itis–inflammation
of the bone and joints
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16. Some Basic Rules (cont’d.)
A few terms are more easily and accurately defined by starting at the beginning of the term.
Example: melan/oma
melan = black
-oma = tumor
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17. Clicker Question If vowels are present at the junction of two word
roots (such as oste and arthr) in a medical term,
a combining vowel is usually
still used
not used
used twice
the letter i
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18. Table 1.3 Techniques To Learn Medical Terms Built From Words Parts
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19. Word Parts for Practice
Word Roots:
(Comb. Forms)
arthr/o: joint
hepat/o: liver
ven/o: vein
osteo: bone
Combining Vowel: o
Prefixes:
intra-: within
sub-: under
Suffixes:
 -itis: inflammation
 -ic: pertaining to
 -ous: pertaining
 -pathy: disease
What medical terms can be formed by the word parts listed on the slide?
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20. Analyze and Define arthritis intravenous osteitis osteoarthritis
subhepatic
osteopathy
arthropathy
hepatitis
Which term has a suffix meaning “inflammation”?
Which term has a root meaning “bone”?
Which term has two root words?
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21. Building Medical Terms
inflammation of a joint
pertaining to within a vein
inflammation of the bone
inflammation of the bone and joint
pertaining to under the liver
disease of the bone
disease of the joint
inflammation of the liver
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22. 2. Knee joint showing bone / cv / joint / inflammation.
What term is formed by the word parts indicated on the slide? (osteoarthritis) 1. 2.
1. Normal knee joint.
2. Knee joint showing bone / cv / joint / inflammation.
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23. Clicker Question arthr/o/path/y arthr/o/pathy arthr/o/pathy
Which of the following is analyzed correctly?
WR CV S S
arthr/o/path/y CF
WR CV S
arthr/o/pathy CF a) b)
P CV S
arthr/o/pathy CF c)
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24. Grimm Cartoon
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