The Importance of Word Affixes in Medical Terms

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of word affixes in forming medical terms by defining Medical Terminology (MT) and its characteristics showing how the Medical vocabulary is consistent and uniform throughout the world since it is based on Greek and Latin languages, therefore; medical terms can be divided into three groups. The first group is the medical words which have been derived from the Greek language only e.g. the Greek word (kardia) is a root = cardi= heart. The second group is the medical words which have been derived from the Latin language only e.g. the Latin word (pulmo) is a root = lung. The third group is the medical words which have been derived from both Greek and Latin languages. e.g. Greek + Latin roots = nepher (Greek), ren (Latin) = kidney.The Medical vocabulary is vast, and learning it may seem like learning the entire vocabulary of a foreign language, like the jargon that arises in all changing fields, it is always expanding : e.g.: terms with the development of computers, such as software, megabyte, e-mail …etc. So, by learning these meanings, we can analyze and remember many words. Moreover, the study shows the great role that word affixes play in modifying the meaning or changing the pronunciation or even the grammatical functions of medical terms.