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the sternum, the clavicle, and the mastoid. The term sternocleidomastoid can be divided into three parts (three roots, in this case): stern - o - cleid - o - mastoid. Notice that there are vowels between the three roots. These are linking or combining vowels, which serve to make a term easier to pronounce. The vowel used most of the time is o, but other vowels such as i and a are also used. Combining vowels are often used between roots and suffixes or roots and other roots, but they are NOT used between prefixes and roots.

4. LEARNING TO READ A MEDICAL TERM

When you look at a medical term and attempt to decipher its meaning you begin with the suffix, move to the prefix (if present) and then the root word.

For example: When trying to understand the word pericarditis you would identify itis (meaning inflammation), then peri (meaning around) and then card (meaning heart). Therefore, this word means inflammation around the heart.

Let’s try another one: for example: leukocytopenia - penia (meaning decrease), then leuk/o (meaning white) and finally cyt/o (meaning cell). Therefore, this word means a decrease in white cells.

II. ROOTS AND SUFFIXES USED IN THE GREEK AND LATIN MEDICAL TERMS

ROOTS

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SUFFIXES

III.EXERCISES

1.Build up clinical terms with the given roots and suffixes, explain their meaning:

E.g.: When you join the root gastr(o)- with the suffix –pathia you get the term gastropathia which means “disease process of the stomach”.

• cardi(o)- (-graphia; -gramma; -pathia; -logia);

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•angi(o)- (-pathia; -graphia; -logia; -gramma);

•cholecyst(o)- (-pathia; -tomia; -ectomia; -graphia; -gramma);

•mast(o)-; mamm(o)- (-graphia; -ectomia; -gramma);

•cyst(o)- (-graphia; -tomia; -ectomia; -gramma);

•encephal(o)- (-pathia; -gramma; -graphia).

2.Explain the meaning of the following terms:

3. Give the Greek & Latin variants and explain the meaning of the following terms:

angiogram; cholecystotomy; gastrectomy; colpotomy; encephalogram; enteropathy; cytology; cardiogram; mastopathy; angiology; keratectomy; biology; gastrotomy; cholecystectomy; cytogram; mastectomy

4. Give the Latin spelling of the terms; explain their meaning:

biology; cystography; angiopathy; keratectomy; gastrotomy; colpotomy; enteropathy; mammogram; encephalography; cytogram; cystectomy; cardiology; cholecystogram; keratectomy

5.Form the Greek & Latin clinical terms according to the meaning:

•disease of vessels;

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•science of cells;

•removal of stomach;

•science of natural vital processes in the human body;

•disease of small intestine;

•X-ray examination of heart;

•X-ray film of brain;

•X-ray examination of urinary bladder;

•removal of cornea;

•cutting of vagina;

•X-ray film of gallbladder;

•X-ray film of heart;

•science of life;

•disease of breast;

•science of blood vessels.