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Prefixes, Word Roots, & Suffixes
English medical terminology is often a derivative of the Greek or Latin language. For example, the word arthritis is based on the Greek word arthron (joint) + the Greek ending itis (inflammation of).
Medical terms can be divided into three basic word elements.
| Word Element | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | one or two syllables placed before a word in order to modify the meaning of the word | to help describe the appearance of, or the location of, an anatomical part |
| Root/Stem | the basic meaning of the term | expresses the basic meaning of the term |
| Suffix | a syllable or a group of syllables attached to the end of a word root (or stem) | to modify the meaning of the word root |
As word elements, prefixes, roots, and suffixes make up the common medical terms related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Several roots may be combined with a prefix and/or suffix to form a word. Knowledge of word elements and how they combine to form common medical terms is essential to a cancer registrar to decipher basic and complex medical terminology.
Updated: December 11, 2023