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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/medwords/beginend3.html
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Beginnings and Endings—Part 3 of 4


Now let's see how those beginnings, roots, and endings get combined:

  • Derma - is skin and - itis equals inflammation
    So...
  • Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin

  • Colo - is colon and - ostomy is opening of
    So...
  • Colostomy is creating an opening in the colon

Now that you know cardi or cardio means heart, look at what else you know!

  • Carditis is inflammation of the heart
  • Cardiology is study of the heart
  • Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle
  • Echocardiography is heart test using ultrasonic waves

You now know that colo is colon , look at what else you know!

  • Colitis is inflammation of the colon
  • Colectomy means removal of the colon
  • Colonoscopy is view of the colon

Now, you know that the word ending - itis means inflammation, look at what else you know!

  • Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver
  • Pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs
  • Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach
  • Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain
  • Otitis is inflammation of the ear

You also now know that the work ending of - ectomy equals removal, so....

  • Gastrectomy means removal of the stomach
  • Colectomy means removal of the colon
  • Nephrectomy means removal of the kidney
  • Tonsillectomy means removal of the tonsils
  • Appendectomy means removal of the appendix
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