All prefix & suffix of HAP / Pharmacology

Here is the process and you should follow to read and learn from this table effectively:

Step 1: Understand the Structure

The table is organized into three columns for a specific purpose:

1. Prefix/suffix/root: The component part of a medical word.
2. To do with: The literal meaning of that component. This is the key vocabulary to memorize.
3. Examples in the text: Complete medical words where the component is used.

Step 2: Learn the Components (Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes)

A student should focus on memorizing the first two columns together:

• Read across the row: “Myo” means “muscle.”
• Identify the component type: Is it a Prefix (at the start, like hyper-), a Root (the core meaning, like card-), or a Suffix (at the end, like -itis)?
• Flashcard Practice: Create a flashcard with the component on one side (nephro-) and the meaning on the other (kidney).

Step 3: Analyze the Examples (Putting the Word Together)

1. Identify and Isolate the Components: Mentally or literally separate the word into its prefix, root, and suffix using the entries from the table.

   • Example: Take the word “Hepatitis”. Separate it into the core meaning (Hepat-) and the ending (-itis).

2. Determine the Meaning of Each Component: Look up the isolated parts in the table to find their literal definitions.

   • Example:
     • Hepat- is found to mean “liver”.
     • -itis is found to mean “inflammation”.

3. Combine the Meanings to Define the Word: Put the components’ meanings together, typically starting with the suffix or a modifying prefix, and ending with the root.

   • Example: “Inflammation” of the “liver”.

4. Repeat with More Complex Words: The process works even with three parts:

   • Example: Take the word “Bradycardia”.
     • Components: Brady- (Prefix) + card- (Root) + -ia (Suffix).
     • Meanings: Brady- = “slow”, card- = “heart”, -ia = “condition”.
     • Combined Meaning: A condition of a slow heart (rate).

Step 4: Practice Deconstruction and Construction

The ultimate goal is to move beyond memorization to application:

1. Deconstruction: Look at a new word (e.g., nephropathy). Break it down: nephro- (kidney) + -pathy (disease). Conclusion: Kidney disease.
2. Construction: Given a concept (e.g., “fast heartbeat”), build the word: tachy- (excessively fast) + card- (heart) + -ia (condition) = tachycardia.

Step 5: Test and Review

Students should regularly cover the second and third columns and try to recall the meanings and examples.

• Self-Quiz (Column 1 to 2): Read the component (myo-) and try to state the meaning (muscle).
• Self-Quiz (Column 3 to 2): Read an example (dysuria) and try to guess the overall meaning by mentally breaking it down.