4 Roots and Strategies for Decoding Terms Free Online FlashCards

What does a word root provide?

A word root carries a term’s basic meaning, often naming a body part.

What is a combining form?

A combining form is a root joined to a combining vowel, most often “o.”

What is the usual role of the combining vowel?

It links word parts and usually adds no meaning of its own.

What does the suffix -itis mean?

The suffix -itis means inflammation.

What body part does gastr/o refer to?

The root gastr or combining form gastr/o means stomach.

What is the first step in decoding a medical term?

Read the whole term, noting its spelling and any available sentence or topic.

Where should you look for a suffix when decoding a term?

Look at the end of the term; the suffix often identifies a condition, process, procedure, or other feature.

What information can a prefix add?

A prefix can add information such as location, direction, amount, or degree; some terms have no prefix.

What does gastroenteritis mean?

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and intestines: -itis means inflammation, gastr means stomach, and enter means intestine.

What does pericarditis mean, based on its word parts?

In pericarditis, peri- means around, cardi means heart, and -itis means inflammation; the term means inflammation of the membrane around the heart.

How should you check an uncertain interpretation of a medical term?

Check whether the proposed definition fits the context; consult a reliable medical dictionary or reference if a part or meaning is uncertain.

What body part does enter/o refer to?

The root enter or combining form enter/o means intestine.