<P> An additional challenge to the student of medical terminology is that the formation of the plural of a word must be done using the rules of forming the proper plural form as used in the source language . This is more difficult than in English, where adding - s or - es is the rule . Greek and Latin each have differing rules to be applied when forming the plural form of the word root . Often such details can be found using a medical dictionary . </P> <P> When more than one body part is used in the formation of a medical term, the individual word roots are joined together by using the combining form using the letter - o - to indicate the joining together of various body parts . For example if there is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, this would be written as gastro - and enter - plus - itis, gastroenteritis . In this example, the - o - signifies the joining together of two body parts . </P> <P> Medical Terminology often uses words created using prefixes and suffixes in Latin and Ancient Greek . In medicine, their meanings, and their etymology, are informed by the language of origin . Prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek--but also in Latin, have a dropable - o - . Medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin Prefixes with Latin Suffixes . Although it is technically considered acceptable to create hybrid words, it is strongly preferred not to mix different lingual roots . Examples of well - accepted medical words that do mix lingual roots are neonatology and quadriplegia . </P> <P> Suffixes are attached to the end of a word root to add meaning such as condition, disease process, or procedure . </P>

Greek is the origin for terms that relate to the body's organs