What are the three parts of medical terminology?

The three fundamental components of medical terminology consist of the root word, suffix, and prefix.

The root word serves as the core of the term and often indicates the main subject or body part being referenced. For example, in the term "cardiology," "cardio" is the root word that refers to the heart.

The prefix is an element added to the beginning of the root word to modify its meaning, indicating aspects such as location, number, or time. For instance, in "hypotension," "hypo-" serves as the prefix meaning "below normal."

The suffix is appended to the end of the root word to give additional information about the condition, procedure, or disease. For example, in "gastritis," "-itis" indicates inflammation.

Understanding these components is critical for breaking down complex medical terms, allowing practitioners to interpret and communicate medical information effectively.