Word Root
The primary meaning of the whole word
Greek word roots
Refer to a disease or condition
Latin word roots
Refer to anatomical structure
Combining form
A vowel that connects 2 word roots or a word root to a suffix that begins with a consonant
Suffix
The element at the end of the whole word- all medical terms have one
Prefix
The element before the word root- not all medical terms have one
Order of defining a term
Suffix first, prefix, root words
If 2 word roots join with a vowel, do they still require a combining form vowel?
Yes (eg. osteOarthitis)
If a suffix begins with a vowel, does it still require a combining form vowel?
No (eg. osteoma)