L’Erin Ferguson
HITT1305
Lesson 1.1

1. Identify and define the four basic word parts and their purpose associated with medical terms. Give an example of each word part, a definition of each part and cite a medical term that demonstrates correct usage of the word part.

In medical terminology there are four basic word parts. They are word root, prefix, suffix and combing vowel. While each has its own functions they come together to make an endless array of words to describe many different medical terms that are helpful for reporting and transcription purposes. Word roots will never change its meaning. The purpose of word roots help you to determine the origin or subject of that word making reference to it in regard to the medical term. The definition of a word root, is a word that does not have a prefix or a suffix and is determined as the base word. Some even refer to it as a stem word. For example, aden/o meaning gland used to make the word adenocarcinoma. Adecarcinoma means a malignant tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue. Prefixes begin at the being of a word and is often incorporated to change the meaning of that word .The definition of a prefix is an affix paced before the stem of a word. It can be a word, letter, or a number. The prefix ab which means “away from” added to oral produces the word aboral (away from mouth).In addition, a suffix is attached to the end of a word root. All medical terms has a suffix unless the word root creates a word all by itself .A suffix is used to make a word root an noun or an adjective. The definition of as suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. A suffix can also serve as a noun to make reference to a person, place, or thing. A great example of a suffix ectomy which means removal of; combined with the word lamina it produces laminectomy; which means a surgical operation to remove the back of one or more vertebrae. Finally, combining vowels are used in the pronunciation of the medical term to make the word easier to pronounce.