Medical Terminology Simplified

Word Root

A word root (WR) is the main part, or foundation, of a word. All medical words have at least one word root.

1–16 In the words teacher, teaches, teaching, the word root

is __________.

1–17 In the words speaker, speaks, speaking, the word root

is __________.

1–18 Identify the roots in the following words:

Word Root

reader __________

spending __________

playful __________

A word root, also called a root,may be used alone or combined with other elements to form another word

with a different meaning.

1–19 Review the following examples to see how roots are used alone or with other

elements to form words. The meaning of each term in the right-hand column is also

provided.

Root as a Complete Word Root as Part of a Word

alcohol alcoholism (condition marked by impaired

control over alcohol use)

sperm spermicide (agent that kills sperm)

thyroid thyroidectomy (excision of the thyroid

gland)

1–20 Throughout the book, a slash is used to separate word elements, as shown in

the following examples.

Write the roots in the right-hand column for each of these terms:

alcohol/ic ____________________

dent/ist ____________________

lump/ectomy ____________________

insulin/ism ____________________

gastr/itis ____________________

4 CHAPTER 1• Introduction to Programmed Learning and Medical Word Building

teach

speak

read

spend

play

alcohol

dent

lump

insulin

gastr

!