When studying medical terminology, which part of the word gives the word's primary meaning?

In medical terminology, the part of the word that gives the primary meaning is the word root. The root typically conveys the fundamental concept or core idea of the term, which is essential for understanding its overall meaning. For example, in the word "cardiology," the root "cardio-" refers to the heart, providing the foundation for the term, which relates to the study of heart-related conditions.

The suffix and the prefix serve to modify the meaning of the root by adding additional information such as conditions, procedures, or locations. However, they do not establish the core meaning of the word itself. The tense is not a relevant component in the context of medical terminology, as it pertains more to language structure rather than the composition of medical terms. Understanding the role of the word root is crucial for correctly interpreting and using medical terminology.