Medical Terminology Basics

Front

word root

Back

The main part of a term that contains the primary meaning.

Front

combining form

Back

A word root with an added vowel that can be joined with other words, roots, or suffixes to form a new word.

Front

combining vowel

Back

- Vowel (usually the letter 'o') that links the root to the suffix or the root to another root - Always added to the end of the first word root when two word roots are combined - Only used if the suffix begins with a consonant

Front

arteri/o

Back

artery

Front

cardi/o

Back

heart

Front

derm/a, derm/o, dermat/o

Back

skin

Front

encephal/o

Back

brain

Front

gastr/o

Back

stomach

Front

my/o

Back

muscle

Front

neur/o

Back

nerve