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Medical Terminology
Chapter 2 – 7th Ed.
Rosemary Thurston RN
Word Elements
peri cardi al

Root Word – Main meaning of word
◦ cardio = heart

Prefix – before – to change meaning
◦ peri = around

Suffix – after – to change meaning
◦ al = pertining to
Rules
◦ Understand the meaning
 Start at the end of the word
 Go to the beginning
 Then to word root
◦ Peri cardi al
 al – pertaining to
 peri – around
 cardio – the heart
Combining vowel
◦ Vowels – usually an “O” - can be any: A, E, I, O, U
 If the word root ends in a vowel,
 It is dropped before a suffix that begins with a
vowel
 Ex. Gastro + ectomy
 = gastr ectomy = surgical removal of stomach

Combining vowel
◦ If 2 root words are used together
◦ The combining vowel is kept

Osteo arthr (o) it is

List of word parts you need to know
◦ Chapter 2 – p. 27

During Anatomy – please learn the
Root Words for each body part