What is the main part of a term that contains the primary meaning called?

The main part of a term that contains the primary meaning is referred to as the word root. This is the foundational component of medical terminology and conveys the essential concept of the term. For example, in the word "cardiology," "cardio" is the word root that refers to the heart. Understanding the word root allows healthcare professionals to grasp the central idea of the term, which is crucial for effective communication in the medical field.

While prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms play important roles in modifying or adding to the meaning of the word root, they do not represent the core definition of the term. A prefix is an element placed at the beginning of a word to alter its meaning, a suffix is added at the end, and a combining form is a modified version of a word root that includes a vowel to facilitate pronunciation when combined with other elements. By focusing on the word root, one can better understand the basic meaning and function of various medical terms.