 .-   
         I.  MAIN IDEA:  Word Elements 

            A:  Prefix 
            B:  Root 
            C:  Suffix 

        II. INTRODUCTION:  Medical terms are often composed of several 
        smaller, simpler words or elements.  When these words or 
        elements are joined together, they formulate a new word.  The 
        meaning of the new word can be determined from the combined 
        definitions of the word elements which form it.
        
         
        M E D I C A L   T E R M I N O L O G Y   will limit its  
        discussion to the description and use of three primary word 
        elements.  The three elements that will be discussed are: 

                            (1)  the prefix, 
                            (2)  the root, and
                            (3)  the suffix. 
                         
        III.  BODY:  The application of the word elements (root, 
        prefix, and suffix) in medical terminology is the same as in 
        the English language.  The skills required to do this are
        learned early in one's childhood. 

        In just a few minutes, we will look at a few words and their
        composite elements for the purpose of practice and sharpening
        our skills.  But first, lets define a few terms. 

        For the purpose of our discussion in M E D I C A L   T E R M I 
        N O L O G Y,  the word elements will be defined as follows: 

            1.  ROOT:  the body or main part of the word; the 
                primary meaning of the word as a whole. 

            2.  PREFIX:  a word element added to the beginning of a
                word which changes or adds to the meaning of the word. 

            3.  SUFFIX:  a word element added to the end of a word
                which changes or adds to the meaning of the word. 


        The application of the elements of a word and the consideration 
        of the meaning of the individual elements (prefix, root, and 
        suffix) of the word will aid in determining the meaning of the 
        complete word.  For example, a commonly used english word is: 

                                 INTERNATIONAL 
                         
        You probably know the meaning of international already.  
        However, if you didn't, by considering the meaning of the 
        individual elements of the word, you can easily determine the 
        meaning of the entire word. The word elements are: 

                Prefix          Root            Suffix 
                ------          ----            ------
                INTER           NATION          AL 
                         
        The definition of the elements are: 

        NATION (root):  people organized as a state or country. 
        
        INTER (prefix):  between, among, in the midst of, carried on 
        between. 
        AL (suffix):  of, relating to, or characterized by; action or 
        process. 
                         
        Consider the root element (NATION).  The main thought is state 
        or country.  Since we live in the USA and have many states, we 
        would probably think country first when we hear the word 
        NATION.  The prefix element (INTER) adds to the meaning of the 
        root element (NATION).  The prefix element and the root element 
        together is INTERNATION.  Most people would be thinking 
        "between nations" or "between countries".  Now by adding the 
        suffix element (AL) we have INTERNATIONAL.  Putting the three 
        together the most logical thought would be of some common thing 
        that relates to two or more countries. 
        What happens if we change the prefix element to INTRA giving us 
        the word: 
                                 INTRANATIONAL 

        Does this change the meaning of the word? 

        If so, can you determine the new meaning? 

        Following is a list of words that are made up of a combination 
        of the three word elements (root, prefix and suffix).  See if 
        you can determine the meanings of their elements and put the 
        individual meanings together to determine the meaning of the 
        whole word.
        UNIT1SUB 
        ________________________________________________________________ 

        PREFIX          ROOT            SUFFIX          WORD 
        ________________________________________________________________ 
                        
        war            
        like           
        warlike 
                        
        beauty
        full           
        beautiful      
        speed (o)       
        meter                           
        
        speedometer     
        un              
        pardon          
        able            
        unpardonable
        ________________________________________________________________   
        IV:  SUMMARY:  the word elements of medical terms work very 
        much like the examples you have just seen.  The main difference 
        is that most medical terms are derived from the Latin or Greek 
        language.  Before you will be able to recognize the definitions 
        of medical terms, you will need to learn the english meanings 
        of the word elements in those terms.  A list of common word 
        elements and their meanings will be presented in a future unit. 
        
        V:  Unit 1 Test 1:
                     
              Do you wish to take the test for UNIT 1 at this time? 
        UNIT2TEXT
        I.   MAIN IDEA:  Combining Word Elements 

             A.  Prefix - Root 
             B.  Root - Suffix 
             C.  Prefix - Suffix 
             D.  Root - Root 
        
        II.  INTRODUCTION:  In Unit 1 it was determined that medical 
        terms are formulated by combining word elements.   Unit 2 will 
        examine more closely the actual application of these word 
        elements.  A close examination of english words reveal that not 
        all english words contain all three word elements.  This is 
        found to be true with medical terms as well. 
        
        III. BODY:  Medical terms may be composed of any combination of 
        the word elements.  Some medical terms are formulated by a 
        prefix - root combination alone.  Other medical terms contain a 
        combination of a root and a suffix.  Furthermore, some medical 
        terms have only a prefix and a suffix.  Other medical terms are 
        formed by the combination of two roots.  The combination of two 
        roots to form one word results in a word that more accurately 
        describes the disease or treatment. 
        
        The following lists will contain examples of medical terms 
        which are formulated by different combinations of the word 
        elements.  Consider the list carefully.  Pay particular 
        attention to the breakdown of syllables.  Try to pronounce each 
        term paying attention to the principle accent of the term.
        * SOME MEDICAL TERMS ARE A COMBINATION OF A PREFIX AND A ROOT * 
        _______________________________________________________________
        
        TERM            SYLLABLES               PREFIX      ROOT 
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        ectoderm        EC/to/derm              ecto        derm 
        retropubic      RE/tro/pu/bic           retro       pubic 
        endoskeleton    EN/do/skel/e/ton        endo        skeleton 
        hemiplegic      hem/i/PLE/gic           hemi        plegic 
        hypertension    hy/per/TEN/sion         hyper       tension
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        Can you pronounce them?  Use the syllable breakdown for assistance.  
        Do you see the principle accent?  Use it. 

        * SOME MEDICAL TERMS ARE A COMBINATION OF A ROOT AND A SUFFIX * 
        _______________________________________________________________ 

        TERM            SYLLABLES               ROOT         SUFFIX 
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        colostomy       co/LOS/to/my            col (o)      ostomy 
        gastrectomy     gas/TREC/to/my          gastr (o)    ectomy 
        myasthenia      my/as/THE/ni/a          my (o)       asthenia 
        osteoma         os/te/O/ma              oste (o)     oma 
        --------------------------------------------------------------- 

        Can you pronounce them?  Use the syllable breakdown for 
        assistance.  Do you see the principle accent.  Use it. 

        * SOME MEDICAL TERMS ARE A COMBINATION OF A PREFIX AND A SUFFIX 
        _______________________________________________________________ 
        
        TERM            SYLLABLES               PREFIX      SUFFIX 
        --------------------------------------------------------------- 
        diarrhea        di/a/RRHE/a             dia         rrhea 
        endoscopy       en/DOS/co/py            end (o)     oscopy 
        excise          ex/CISE                 ex          cise 
        epilepsy        EP/i/lep/sy             epi         lepsy 
        polyuria        pol/y/U/ri/a            poly        uria 
        -------------------------------------------------------------- 

        Can you pronounce them?  Use the syllable breakdown for 
        assistance.  Do you see the principle accent?  Use it.
         *** SOME MEDICAL TERMS ARE FORMED BY COMBINING TWO ROOTS  *** 
        _______________________________________________________________ 

        TERM              SYLLABLES              ROOT 1      ROOT 2 
        --------------------------------------------------------------- 
        bronchopneumonia  bron/cho/pneu/MO/ni/a  broncho     pneumo 
        gastroenteritis   gas/tro/en/ter/I/tis   gastro      enter (o) 
        osteoarthritis    os/te/o/ar/THRI/tis    osteo       arthr (o) 
        pyelonephritis    py/e/lo/neph/RI/tis    pyelo       nephr (o) 
        --------------------------------------------------------------- 

        Can you pronounce them?  Use the syllable breakdown for 
        assistance.  Do you see the principle accent?  Use it.
        IV. SUMMARY:  Medical terms may be formulated by using any 
        combination of the word elements.  The ability to identify 
        which word elements are being used and the meanings of these 
        word elements is a tremendous asset in determining the meaning 
        of the complete term.
        V.  UNIT TEST 2:  Do you wish to take Unit Test 2 at this time? 
        UNIT3TEXT
        I.   MAIN IDEA:  Word Variations
                A.  Words that omit certain letters.
                B.  Words that change certain letters.
                C.  Words that add certain letters.
                D.  Words similar in spelling but different in meaning.
                E.  Suffixes which contain similar word elements, each 
                    of which having a specific meaning.
        II.  INTRODUCTION:  Medical terms are composed of any 
        combination of word elements.  Being able to recognize the word 
        elements and their meanings is vitally important to the process 
        of defining the resulting word.  While considering medical 
        terms and their word elements there are a few possible 
        stumbling blocks one should be aware of.
        III. BODY:  First, there should be an awareness of words which 
        have been formulated from several different word elements which 
        may omit, change, or add certain letters so that they conform 
        to the rules of spelling and pronunciation.
        THE FOLLOWING TERM HAS OMITTED, CHANGED, OR ADDED A LETTER.  
        CONSIDER THE TERM CAREFULLY.
        empyema
        pyo
        em
        ema
        em/py/E/ma
        endarteritis
        arterio
        endo
        itis
        end/ar/ter/I/tis
        neurology
        neuro
        
        ology
        neu/ROL/o/gy
        suprarenal
        renal
        super
        
        su/pra/RE/nal
        stomatitis
        stomato
        
        itis
        sto/mat/I/tis
        Consider this word carefully.  Look at the complete word first.  
        Then look at the elements which formulate the word.  Finally, 
        look at the syllables of the word.  Can you identify what 
        omission, change, or addition has been made?  Be aware that
        omissions, changes, or additions like this have been made so that
        the word conforms to the rules of spelling and pronunciation.
        Secondly, many word elements in medical terminology are similar 
        in spelling but quite different in meaning.  Consider the 
        following word elements.  These particular word elements often 
        present difficulties.  Examine each element carefully.
        * WORD ELEMENTS SIMILAR IN SPELLING BUT DIFFERENT IN MEANING *
        --------------------------------------------------------------
        WORD ELEMENT            MEANING
        --------------------------------------------------------------
        --------------------------------------------------------------
        WORD                    MEANING
        --------------------------------------------------------------
        ante                    before
        anti                    against

        antefebrile             before onset of fever
        antifebrile             used against fever

        a                       absence
        ad                      near

        adipsia                 absence of thirst
        adrenal                 near the kidney

        a, an                   absence
        ano                     anus

        anuria                  absence of urine
        anorectal               pertaining to anus and rectum

        ad                      near
        adeno                   gland

        adoral                  near the mouth
        adenitis                glandular inflammation

        cyto                    cell
        cysto                   bladder

        cytogenesis             production (origin) of the cell
        cystogram               x-ray record of the bladder

        di                      two
        dia                     through

        diatomic                containing two atoms
        diagnosis               to know through (recognize) a disease

        dis                     apart
        dys                     difficult

        dissect                 to cut apart
        dysmenorrhea            difficult or painful menstruation

        en                      of
        entero                  intestines

        encephalitis            inflammation of the brain
        enteroplasty            operative revision of intestines

        hema                    blood
        hemi                    half
        hemo                    blood
        hemangioma              angioma consisting of blood vessels
        hemianalgesia           pain relief in half of body
        hemotoxin               a blood cell poison
        hyper                   high
        hypo                    low

        hypertension            high blood pressure
        hypotension             low blood pressure

        ileo                    small intestine
        ilio                    bone

        ileocecum               section of small intestine
        iliosacrum              part of hip bone

        inter                   between
        intra                   within

        interstitial            lying between spaces
        intracranial            within the skull

        macro                   large
        micro                   small

        macroscopy              seen large, as with the naked eye
        microscopy              seen small, as by microscope

        myo                     muscle
        myelo                   bone marrow

        myology                 study of muscle
        myeloma                 tumor of the bone marrow

        necro                   death
        nephro                  kidney
        neuro                   nerves
        necrosis                state of tissue death
        nephrosis               condition of the kidneys
        neurosis                nervous condition
        osteo                   bone
        oto                     ear

        osteology               study of bone
        otology                 study of the ear

        per                     through
        peri                    around
        pre                     before
        percussion              a striking through the body
        pericardial             around the heart
        preclinical             before the onset of disease
        pyo                     pus
        pyro                    fever

        pyogenic                pus producing
        pyrogenic               fever producing

        Finally, there are groups of suffixes that contain similar word 
        elements but each element has a specific meaning.  Consider the 
        following suffix group.
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        SUFFIX                  MEANING
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        WORD                    MEANING
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        -gram                   record
        -graph                  machine
        -graphy                 process
        electrocardiogram       record of heart action
        electrocardiograph      machine that makes record
        electrocardiography     process of making record
        A technician who is performing an "electrocardiography" would 
        connect a patient's body to an "electrocardiograph".  The 
        "electrocardiograph" produces a record of the patients heart
        action.  This record is called an "electrocardiogram".
        ANOTHER SIMILAR SUFFIX GROUP WHICH MERITS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        SUFFIX                  MEANING
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        WORD                    MEANING
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        -ectomy                 removal
        -ostomy                 opening
        -otomy                  incision
        gastrectomy             surgical removal of the stomach
        gastrostomy             surgical opening into the stomach
        gastrotomy              surgical incision into the stomach
        A patient who has swallowed a hazardous foreign object may 
        require a "gastrotomy" to remove the hazardous object.  A 
        patient who is unable to feed by mouth may have a "gastrostomy" 
        formed so that they may be fed by a tube directly into their 
        stomach.  A patient who has bleeding ulcers may require a 
        gastrectomy be performed.
        IV.  SUMMARY:  One who is studying medical terminology may be 
        confronted with many stumbling blocks.  Some possible stumbling 
        blocks are words that have omitted, changed, or added certain 
        letters so that they conform to spelling and pronunciation 
        rules.  Other possible stumbling blocks are word elements which 
        are similar in spelling but different in meaning.  An example 
        of this would be the prefixes ante and anti.  The words 
        antefebrile and antifebrile have completely different meanings.  
        It is absolutely necessary that people who work or are studying 
        in the field of medicine recognize these differences.  Finally, 
        awareness of suffixes which contain similar word elements, with 
        each element containing a specific meaning, is important.  A 
        patient needing to be fed by a tube directly into the stomach needs
        a gastrostomy.  It is important that gastrostomy is not confused
        with gastrectomy.
        V.  UNIT 3 TEST:  Do you wish to take UNIT 3 Test at this time? 
        UNIT4:
        I.   MAIN IDEA:  Define medical terms through application of
        their word elements. 
        
        II.  INTRODUCTION:  The first three units of this tutorial 
        concentrated heavily on word elements.  Unit one introduced the 
        word elements " prefix, root, and suffix ".  Unit two discussed 
        how word elements are combined in formulating medical terms.  
        Unit three talked about how word variations come about.  
        
        Successful completion of the first three units of this tutorial 
        will provide ample familiarity with  the application of word 
        elements in formulating medical terms.  Unit four will 
        concentrate more on defining word elements and words in the 
        medical vocabulary. 
        III.  BODY:  Following is an alphabetic listing of word 
        elements and medical words.  Word elements which are most often 
        used as prefixes are identified by a hyphen following the 
        element (ie:  ecto-).  Word elements which are most often used 
        as suffixes are preceded by a hyphen (ie:  -cise).  Keep in 
        mind that some word elements are used in more than one 
        function.  The same element could be a prefix in one word while 
        serving as a root in a different word.  Study the elements and 
        words.  Become very familiar with their definitions.  Use the 
        word elements to assist you in defining the resulting words.  
        Make the words a part of your everyday medical vocabulary.  
        
        IV.  SUMMARY:  The word elements and medical words which are 
        discussed in this unit are just the beginnings of a medical 
        vocabulary proficiency which will be needed if working in a 
        medical facility or taking a medical course of instruction.  
        Unit four is designed to teach the basic requirement for a 
        beginner.  It is my hope that this unit has developed a basic 
        working medical vocabulary and has created enough interest to 
        motivate any user of this tutorial to continue their studies of 
        word elements and medical terms.  A dedicated daily effort will 
        develop a strong knowledge of the language of medicine in time. 
        UNIT5:
        I.   MAIN IDEA:  Understanding the meaning of word elements is 
        the key to formulating medical terms. 

        II. INTRODUCTION:  Medical terms are formulated through the 
        combination of word elements.  Understanding the meaning of  
        word elements is the secret to defining the often more 
        difficult resulting words.  This unit is designed to provide 
        assistance in gaining a more complete understanding of certain 
        word elements and how they are combined to formulate new medical
        terms. 
        III.  BODY:  Latin and Greek root elements are the source of 
        many medical terms which refer to parts of the body systems and 
        their functions.  These Latin and Greek root elements are not 
        synonyms for their English equivalents.  They are merely 
        referring to the English terms.  Consider the following Latin 
        and Greek root words and their definitions.  They are listed by 
        their respective body system.  Study their definitions and 
        become familiar with the body system they are associated with. 
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
------------------
angio
blood and lymphatic vessels
arterio
artery
cardio
heart
cyano
blue
erythro
red
hema
blood
hemato
blood
hemo
blood
leuko
white
lympho
lymphatic system
phlebo
vein
vaso
blood vessel
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
----------------
ano
anus
append
appendix
chole
bile, gall
cholecysto
gall bladder
choledocho
common bile duct
colo
large intestine
denti
teeth
entero
small intestine
esophago
esophagus, food pipe
gastro
stomach
glosso
tongue
hepa
liver
hepato
liver
ileo
ileum
laparo
abdomen
lipo
fat
pharyngo
pharynx, throat
procto
rectum
stomato
mouth
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
----------------
adeno
gland
gluco
sugar
glyco
sugar
thyro
thyroid
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
--------------------
dermato
skin
dermo
skin
muco
mucous membrane
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
----------------------
arthro
joint
chondro
cartilage
costo
rib
cranio
skull
fibro
connective tissue
ilio
hipbone, ilium
myelo
bone marrow
myo
muscle
myocardio
heart muscle
myocolpo
vaginal muscle
myometro
uterine muscle
osteo
bone
sacro
tailbone, sacrum
NERVOUS SYSTEM
--------------
encephalo
brain
myelo
spinal cord
neuro
nerve
oculo
eye
ophthalmo
eye
oto
ear
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
-------------------
andro
man
colpo
vagina
gyne
woman
hyster
uterus, womb
mast
breasts
metro
uterus, womb
oophor
ovary
orchi
testicles
orchido
testicles
prostato
prostate
salpingo
oviduct
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
------------------
aero
air
broncho
bronchus
naso
nose
pharyngo
throat
pneumo
lung
rhino
nose
thoraco
chest
tracheo
windpipe
UNINARY SYSTEM
--------------
cysto
urinary bladder
hydro
water
nephro
kidney
pyelo
kidney pelvis
renal
kidney
uretero
ureter
uro
urine
        The word element "path" when found in medical terminology 
        always means "disease".  The word element "itis" when found in 
        a medical term always means "inflammation of".  Understanding 
        the definition of word elements and comprehension of their 
        application enhances one's ability to define medical words
        which are formulated by a combination of word elements.  For
        example, the word "arteriopathy" is formulated by a combination
        of two root elements:

        "arterio"   meaning  "artery" and "path"  meaning "disease".

        Used together, the combined root elements "arterio" and "path" 
        formulates the word "arteriopathy" and means "any disease of 
        the arteries".  Here are a couple more uses of the root element 
        "path".
pneumonopathy
pneumo
air, lungs
path
disease
pneumonopathy:
any disease of the lungs
uropathy
uro
urine
path
disease
uropathy:
any disease affecting the urinary tract
        Almost every organ of the body is subject to infections which 
        cause inflammatory reactions.  Words which describe the 
        diagnosis of these inflammatory conditions are formulated 
        simply by adding the suffix element "itis" to the word for the 
        body organ affected.  Consider the following words:
appendicitis
append
appendix
-itis
inflammation of
appendicitis:
inflammation of the appendix
dermatitis
dermato
skin
-itis
inflammation of
dermatitis:
inflammation of the skin
hepatitis
hepa
liver
-itis
inflammation of
hepatitis:
inflammation of liver tissue
rhinitis
rhino
nose
-itis
inflammation of
rhinitis:
inflammation of nasal mucosa
stomatitis
stomato
mouth
-itis
inflammation of
stomatitis:
inflammation of the mouth
        Many terms concerned with disease, its symptoms, the tools and 
        procedures used to diagnose it, and the diagnosis themselves 
        are formulated in the same manner as described with the 
        elements "path" and "itis".  Here are some additional words,
        their word elements, and their definitions.  These words are
        commonly used throughout the medical arena.  Study them carefully.
afebrile
a-
without, lack of, absent, deficient
febr
fever
afebrile:
absence of fever
anoscopy
ano
anus
-oscopy
look into, see
anoscopy:
visualization of the anus
apnea
a-
without, lack of, absent, deficient
-pnea
breathing
apnea:
absence of breathing
cholelithiasis
chole
gall
lith
stone, calculus
-iasis
condition of
cholelithiasis:
gallstone condition
hemiplegia
hemi-
half
plegia
paralysis
hemiplegia:
paralysis of one-half of the body
hydrotheraphy
hydro-
water
-theraphy
treatment
hydrotheraphy:
water used in treatment of disease or injury
lipoma
lipo
fat
-oma
tumor
lipoma:
fatty tumor
nephrolith
nephro
kidney
lith
stone, calculus
nephrolith:
stone in the kidney
nephrosis
nephro
kidney
-osis
condition of
nephrosis
disease condition of the kidney
neuralgia
neuro
nerve
-algia
pain
neuralgia:
pain along the nerves
polyuria
poly-
much, many
-uria
condition of, presence in urine
polyuria:
excess urine production and urination
pyoderma
pyo
pus
dermo
skin
pyoderma:
skin disease caused by pus-forming bacteria
pyogenic
pyo
pus
-genic
production, origin
pyogenic:
producing pus
thoracentesis
thoraco
chest
-centesis
puncture
thoracentesis:
puncture of the chest wall
uremia
uro
urine
-emia
blood
uremia:
urinary wastes in the blood
        IV.  SUMMARY:  Many words which describe parts of the body
        systems and their functions are formulated from Greek and Latin
        root elements.  An understanding of these elements and how they
        are used will enhance one's ability to define terms resulting
        from a combination of these elements.  This truth applies to 
        other medical terms as well.  Concentrating on learning word
        elements, their definitions, and their usages will improve one's
        ability to define resulting, often more difficult, medical terms.

        V.  TEST V:  Do you wish to take UNIT TEST 5 at this time? 
UNIT6:
        I.    MAIN IDEA:  Terms used in surgical procedures.
        II.   INTRODUCTION:  There are certain medical terms and word 
        elements that pertain only to surgical procedures.  Some of 
        these terms will be discussed in this unit.
        III.  BODY:  The suffix element "ectomy" when used in medical
        terminology always means "surgical removal".  When the suffix 
        element "ectomy" is used in combination with another word 
        element which demotes a organ or other body part, the medical 
        term which is formulated means that the organ or body part has 
        been removed by surgery.

        For example, consider the following terms:
gastrectomy
gastro
stomach
-ectomy
surgical removal
gastrectomy:
surgical removal of the stomach
thyroidectomy
thyro
thyroid
-ectomy
surgical removal
thyroidectomy:
surgical removal of the thyroid gland
colectomy
colo
large intestine
-ectomy
surgical removal
colectomy:
surgical removal of the large intestine
        In cases where organs are only partially removed, other words 
        are used to modify the medical term.  For example, consider the 
        following term:
partial cystectomy
cysto
urinary bladder
-ectomy
surgical removal
partial cystectomy:
surgical removal of part of the urinary bladder
        There are other modifying words which precede the medical term 
        that serve to identify the surgery even more accurately.  
        Consider the following modifying terms.
left salpingoophorectomy
salpingo
oviduct
oophor
ovary
-ectomy
surgical removal
left salpingoophorectomy:
surgical removal of the left ovary and oviduct
vaginal hysterectomy
hyster
uterus, womb
-ectomy
surgical removal
vaginal hysterectomy:
surgical removal of the uterus through the vagina
transurethral prostatectomy
prostato
prostate
-ectomy
surgical removal
transurethral prostatectomy:
surgical removal of prostate through the urethra
                        OTHER WORD ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER
        WORD ELEMENT    EXAMPLE         DEFINITION
        -orrhaphy       herniorrhaphy   surgical repair of a hernia
        -ostomy         ureterostomy    formation of an opening for
                                          ureteral drainage
        -otomy          colpotomy       surgical incision into the 
                                          vagina
        -pexy           cystopexy       fixation of the bladder to the 
                                          abdominal wall
        -plasty         rhinoplasty     plastic surgery of the nose
        IV.  SUMMARY:  There is a group of medical terms that pertain 
        only to surgical procedures.  Word elements and modifying words 
        which precede the medical terms are used to more accurately 
        describe the surgical procedure.  It is important that all 
        medical personnel become familiar with these terms and make 
        them a part of their medical vocabulary.
        V.   COMPREHENSIVE TEST:  Would you like to take the 
        comprehensive final test at this time?
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