Suffix

Word ending

Root

Beginning or middle of word - gives the meaning of the word

Vowel

Always connects the word root to the suffix and root words to root words. Only exception is if the suffix starts with a vowel.

Deciphering the medical terms meaning.

Start by deciphering the meaning of parts of the word, Then read them beginning with the suffix meaning, then read from the beginning of the roots from left to right.

Combining form
Ex: Electrocardiogram

The root word plus its combining vowel.
Ex: Electro/o Cardi/o
Meaning:
Gram- Record of , Electro- the electricity of , cardio- the heart.

-logy

study of

-ic

pertaining to

-ac

pertaining to

-itis

inflammation

prefix

is word put before the root words, can change the meaning of the terms.

sub-

below

trans-

across

retro-

behind

Remember to-
Read:
Drop:
Keep:

Read: Meaning of medical words from the suffix to the beginning of the words and then across.

Drop: the combining vowel before a suffix that starts with a vowel

Keep: the combining vowel between word roots, even if the second root begins with a vowel.

-oma

means tumor or mass

aural discharge

Discharge from the ear

otitis

inflammation of the ear

subcutaneous

relating to or located below the epidermis

epidermis

Outer layer of skin (can be divided into four strata)

dermatology

The study of the skin

myringotomy

surgical incision into the eardrum (to relieve pressure or release pus from the middle ear)

tympanoplasty

surgical repair of the eardrum

ocular

of or relating to the eye (or sense of sight)

ophthalmoscope

medical instrument for examining the retina of the eye

aphakia

absence of the natural lens of the eye;usually resulting from the removal of cataracts

pilosebaceous

Pertaining to hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

retinopathy

disease of the retina

trichophagia

compulsive eating of hair

subungual

pertaining to under the nail

onycholysis

Nail disease; nail conditions that show signs of infection or inflammation

alopecia

absence of hair from areas where it normally grows

allergy test

patch test; scratch test

bacterial and fungal tests

samples from skin lesions are examined to detect presence of microorganisms

tinnitus

abnormal noise such as ringing or buzzing in the ears

slit-lamp microscopy

microscopic examination of the anterior eye structures; such as the cornea, under intense light

skin biopsy

skin lesions are removed and sent to a pathology lab for microscopic examination

otoscopy

visual examination of the ear to the eardrum

ophthalmoscopy

visual examination of the interior of the eye

nevus

pigmental lesion on the skin; mole

melanoma

malignant tumor of pigmented cells in the skin

glaucoma

increase in pressure within the chamber at the front of the eye

fluorescein angiography

a dye is injected intravenously and movement of blood through blood vessels is the back of the eye is observed with an ophthalmoscope.

conjunctivitis

inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelid

cataract

clouding of the lens of the eye causing impairment of vision

tuning fork tests

a vibration source is placed in front of the opening of the ear to test air conduction of sound waves

hair

pil/o

nail

ungu/o

eye

ophthalm/o

eardrum

myring/o; aur/o

eye

retin/o; posterior, sensitive cell layer of the eye

eye

phak/o; lens of the eye

skin

derm/o, dermat/o, cutane/o