Which term describes the word part that provides the main meaning of a medical term?

• A. Suffix
• B. Root Word
• C. Prefix
• D. Abbreviation

Answer: (B)

The main meaning of a medical term comes from the root word—the base that names the body part or concept being discussed. Prefixes attach at the front to add details like location, number, or condition, and suffixes attach at the end to signal a state, procedure, or part of speech. Abbreviations are shorthand forms, not the building blocks that carry the core meaning. For example, in gastritis, the root gastr- means stomach, and the suffix -itis shows inflammation; the central idea is inflammation of the stomach, derived from the root. Another example: cardiology uses the root cardi- for heart, with suffix -logy indicating study of, and prefixes can further modify meaning. Therefore, the part that provides the main meaning is the root word.