Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 5 Academic Knowledge: Medical Terminology and Body Organization
151
A prefi x [pre = before] appears at the beginning of a word, like a signal
light in front of a train. The light tells the engineer whether to change the
train’s route or speed, just as the prefi x can change, add to, or limit the
meaning of the root word. The prefi x may tell you the size, shape, color,
position, or amount of the root. A combining vowel is not needed between
a prefi x and a root word. Not all words have a prefi x.
A suffi x appears at the end of a word, like the caboose of a train. It tells
you what is being done to the root word, just as a brakeman used to ride in
the train caboose to watch how the train and brakes were operating. The
suffi x can change the root into an adjective, a noun, or a verb. It can also
add to the meaning of the root. It may identify size or describe a condition
or procedure. If a suffi x begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y),
it attaches directly to the root. If a suffi x begins with a consonant (b, c, d, f,
and so on), a connecting vowel is needed between the root and the suffi x.
All medical terms have at least one root and a suffi x.
Figure 5.4 Word Parts
Word Part Purpose Location
Use of Connecting
Vowel
Example Explanation
prefix
changes, adds to, or
limits the meaning of
the root; may tell you
size, shape, color,
position, or amount; is
frequently a preposition
or an adverb (not all
words have a prefix)
beginning
of the
word
No connecting vowel
is needed between
the prefix and root
word.
bi-
bi- = two
bifocals =
eyeglasses with
two portions
in each lens to
adjust for both
near and far
vision
root word
main meaning of the
word; usually a noun,
such as a body part
middle of
the word
(or the
beginning
of the word
if there isn’t
a prefix)
Drop the connecting
vowel if the next word
part begins with a
vowel.
dent- or
dento-
dent- = tooth
dentist = a
doctor who
examines teeth
and treats
teeth-related
health issues
suffix
changes the meaning of
the root; makes the term
a noun, an adjective, or
a verb and tells what is
being done to the root
end of the
word
Use a connecting
vowel if the suffix
begins with a
consonant.
-ology
-ology = the
study of
physiology =
the study of
nature
connecting
vowel
makes it easier to
pronounce the term
between
word parts
When there is more
than one root word,
use a connecting
vowel between the
root words. When
the suffix begins with
a consonant, use a
connecting vowel
between the root and
suffix.
-o-
musculoskeletal
= muscul-o-
skelet-al