Sunday, October 12, 2025

Medical terminology Basic Word Parts

 

๐Ÿฉบ 1. Basic Word Parts

Medical terms are often built from three main parts:

PartMeaningExampleMeaning
PrefixBeginning of a word; shows location, time, or numberHyper-above or too much → Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Root (Word Root)Main part; tells the body part involvedCardiheart → Cardiology (study of the heart)
SuffixEnd of a word; shows condition, disease, or procedure-itisinflammation → Arthritis (inflammation of a joint)

๐Ÿง  2. Common Prefixes

PrefixMeaningExampleMeaning
a-, an-withoutAnemiawithout enough red blood cells
brady-slowBradycardiaslow heart rate
tachy-fastTachypneafast breathing
hyper-over, too muchHypertensionhigh blood pressure
hypo-under, too littleHypoglycemialow blood sugar
inter-betweenIntercostalbetween the ribs
intra-withinIntravenouswithin a vein
peri-aroundPericardiummembrane around the heart
sub-belowSubcutaneousunder the skin

๐Ÿง 3. Common Roots

RootMeaningExampleMeaning
cardi/oheartCardiologystudy of the heart
neur/onerveNeurologystudy of the nervous system
gastr/ostomachGastritisinflammation of the stomach
hepat/oliverHepatitisinflammation of the liver
oste/oboneOsteoporosisweak bones
arthr/ojointArthritisjoint inflammation
derm/oskinDermatologystudy of the skin
hemat/obloodHematologystudy of blood
nephr/okidneyNephrologystudy of kidneys
pulmon/olungsPulmonologystudy of lungs

๐Ÿ’‰ 4. Common Suffixes

SuffixMeaningExampleMeaning
-itisinflammationTonsillitisinflammation of tonsils
-ectomysurgical removalAppendectomyremoval of appendix
-ologystudy ofBiologystudy of life
-omatumorCarcinomacancerous tumor
-pathydiseaseNeuropathynerve disease
-scopyvisual examEndoscopylooking inside body
-emiablood conditionAnemialow red blood cells
-algiapainNeuralgianerve pain
-osisconditionCirrhosisliver disease condition

๐Ÿซ€ 5. Body System Examples

SystemExample TermMeaning
CardiovascularElectrocardiogram (ECG)recording of heart’s electrical activity
RespiratoryBronchitisinflammation of bronchial tubes
DigestiveGastroenterologystudy of stomach and intestines
UrinaryNephritisinflammation of the kidney
MusculoskeletalMyalgiamuscle pain
NervousEncephalitisinflammation of the brain
EndocrineHyperthyroidismoveractive thyroid gland

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