Chapter 14, Problem 1MWE

Summary Introduction

A medical word contains a word root, combining form, suffix, or prefix. A medical word can consist of all these four elements or some of these elements. A “word root” is referred to as the foundation of a “medical term” and the word root contains the primary meaning of the medical term. The combining of the word root (for example, hepat) and the combining vowel (i or o) results in the formation of a combining form (for example, (hepat/o). A suffix is referred to as a word element that attached or placed to the end of a word (for example, hepatitis). The suffix alters the meaning of a word. A prefix is referred to as a word element that attached or placed to the beginning of a word root or word (for example, intra/muscular).

Answer to Problem 1MWE

A tumor of the thymus is referred to as thymoma.

Explanation of Solution

In the medical term thyoma, “thym” is a word root. The word root, “thym” describes the thymus. The thymus gland is a bilobed or butterfly-shaped gland, located at the base of the neck. This gland is formed of lymphatic tissue. It serves as a part of the immune and the endocrine system in the body. The thymus secretes thymopoietin, thymosin, and thymulin hormones, which regulate the development and function of T cells and other lymphatic organs.

In the term thymoma, -oma is a suffix that denotes a tumor. Hence, the word thymoma is referred to as a tumor of the thymus gland. Abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth in the thymus can lead to thymoma. The thymoma is a rare neoplasm or tumor of the thymus. It can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.