GLOSSARY OF COMBINING FORMS IN MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: List 1 Words Beginning with A-B
A combining form is a root with a combining vowel. The root is the foundation of all words. All medical terms have at least one root, and it isn't uncommon for them to have several roots. The combining vowel links a root to another root or suffix. The vowel o is commonly used as a combining vowel. The word hematology, for example, shows how the combining vowel links the root hemat- to the suffix -logy. Combining vowels have no meaning. They are just the lock blocks of medical terminology. There are some rules about combining forms and when to use them. Medical terminology has its own grammar. 1. Drop the combining vowel before a suffix that begins with a vowel. For example, gastritis. Gastr/o is a combining form, and - itis is a suffix. Since the suffix begins with a vowel, you will drop the combining vowel and just use the root gastr- . 2. Use the combining vowel to connect two ro...