1. Why use Medical Terminology?
to understand medical procedures and descriptions

2. Hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy

3. Medical Terminology
Fact: It is impossible to memorize all
words in medical dictionaries used in
health occupations.

4. So, what is a
hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy?
Hystero / salpingo / -oophor / ectomy
uterus
fallopian tubes
ovaries
removal of
a complete hysterectomy

5. Words like
hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy
are often combination of different parts.
Word Roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
The parts include:
syllables or words placed at the
beginning of a word
syllables or words placed at the end
of a word
main words or parts to which
prefixes and suffixes can be
added

6. Example: appendicitis
Word root append
Suffix itis
inflammation ,
inflammation of
appendix
an inflammation of the appendix

7. If you add the prefix “pseudo”
to appendicitis …
pseudo false
You get the word pseudoappendicitis …
a false inflammation of the appendix

8. Things to remember:
The prefix usually serves to further define the
word root.
When prefixes, suffixes, and/or word roots
are joined together, vowels are frequently
added.
Vowels are not used if the word root or suffix
begins with a vowel.

9. Example: encephalitis
encephal(o)
itis
brain
inflammation,
inflammation of
The vowel “o” is not used because the suffix
“itis” begins with a vowel.

10. Example: encephalogram
encephal(o)
gram
brain
tracing, picture, record
The vowel “o” is used because the suffix
“gram” does not begin with a vowel.

11. Example:
hepat(o)
megaly
liver
large, enlarged
Combine the word root and the suffix and you
get …
hepatomegaly

12. By learning basic prefixes,
suffixes, and word roots, you
will frequently be able to
interpret the meaning of a
word even if you have never
seen the word before.