A Presentation by Diana Simion

The root word dermat/o combined with suffix -itis (inflammation) results in the medical term:

Dermatitis = inflammation of the skin

We have other medical terms that uses the word root dermat/o:

• Dermatologist = specialist in skin

• Dermatology = part of medicine that handles skin and its diseases

• Dermatosis = abnormal condition of skin

• Dermatopathy = skin disease

• Dermatoplasty = surgical repair of the skin

The suffix –derma combined with the word root xer/o (dry)

results in the medical term:

Xeroderma = dry skin

We have other medical terms that uses the suffix –derma:

• Erythroderma = red skin

• Itchyoderma = scaly and dry skin

• Leukoderma = white skin

• Pyoderma = pus skin

• Scleroderma = hard skin

• Pachyderma = thick skin (an elephant, rhinoceros,

hippopotamus)

The root word onych/o combined with suffix –ectomy

(surgical removal) results in the medical term:

Onychectomy = removal of a nail

We have other medical terms that uses the word root

onych/o:

• Onychomalacia = softening of nails

• Onychomycosis = fungal infection of the nails

• Onychophagia = nail eating (nail biting)

• Onychogryposis = abnormally curved nails

• Onychodystrophy = abnormal growth and development of

the nails

The word root melan/o combined with suffix –oma (tumor)

results in the medical term:

Melanoma = black tumor, a tumor containing dark pigment

We have other medical terms that uses the word root

melan/o:

• Melanocyte = black cell

• Melanin = black/dark pigment that gives skin its color

• Melanism = the occurrence of an increased amount of dark

pigmentation

• Melanoderma = black skin

The root word leuk/o combined with suffix –cyte (cell) results

in the medical term:

Leukocyte = white cell

We have other medical terms that uses the word root leuk/o:

• Leukopenia = lack of white blood cells

• Leukopoiesis = the formation or production of white blood

cells

• Leukocytosis = an increase in the number of white blood

cells in the circulating blood

• Leukorrhea = a white or yellowish discharge of mucous

material from the vagina, often an indication of infection