Medical Terminology

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

a-, an-

without, lack of

anuria (lack of urine output)

ab-

away from

abnormal (a structure or process that is not normal)

ad-

toward, near

adrenal glands (two small triangular endocrine glands situated one upon the upper end of each kidney)

ambi-

both sides

ambidextrous (using both hands)

ante-

before, forward

antepartum (an event before labour starts in pregnancy)

anti-

against

Antidotes (a therapeutic substance used to counteract the toxic action(s) of a specific substance)

apo-

off, away from

apophysis (growth or protuberance)

auto-

self

autograft (a transplant made using parts of the person’s own body)

Prefix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

bi-

two, both

bilateral (occurring on both sides of the body)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

cata-

downwards

Catabolism (the process of breaking down complex chemicals into simple chemicals)

con-

with, together

congenital (disease or physical abnormality present from birth)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

de-

without

depigmentation (without pigment)

diplo-

double

diplopia (double vision)

dys-

painful, difficult, abnormal

Dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

ec-, ecto

out, outside

ectoderm (the outer layer of an early embryo)

endo-

within, inside

endoscopy (an examination of the inside of the body using an endoscope)

epi-

above

epigastric (above the stomach)

eu-

normal

euthyroid (normal thyroid function)

ex-

outwards

exostosis (condition of outward, or projecting, bone)

extra-

outside of

extrapleural (outside the pleural cavity)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

hemi-

half

hemiplegia (paralysis that is limited to one side of the body)

hetero-

different

heterograft (A transplant from one animal to another of a different species)

homo-

same

homoplasty (surgery to replace lost tissues by grafting similar tissues from another person)

hyper-

excessive, too much, above

hyperplasia (an abnormal increase in the number of cells in a tissue.)

hypo-

deficient, below

hypotension (low blood pressure), hypodermic (below the skin)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

in-

inward, not

inhalation (to breathe in), infertility (not fertile)

Infra-

beneath

infra-axillary (below the axilla)

inter-

between

intervertebral (between the vertebrae)

intra-

within

intramuscular (into the muscle)

Prefix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

juxta-

near

juxta-articular (near a joint)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

macro-

large

macroglossia (an abnormally large tongue)

mal-

bad, abnormal

malformation (abnormally formed)

mega-

great, large

megacolon (enlarged colon)

meta-

change, beyond

metaplasia (a change of one tissue to another), metastasis (the spreading of a malignant disease to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymph system)

micro-

small

microtia (having small ears)

mono-

one

monochromatic (having only one colour)

morph(o)-

shape

morphology (study of the form and structure of
organisms)

multi-

many

Multigravida (a pregnant woman who has had more than one pregnancy)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

neo-

new

neonatal (pertaining to the first month of life.)

nulli-

none

nullipara (a woman who has never borne a child)

Prefix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

olig(o)-

scanty, little

oliguria (an abnormally low excretion of urine)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

pan-

all

panacea (a medicine which is supposed to cure everything)

Par(a)-

beside, abnormal

paranasal (beside the nose), paraesthesia (abnormal or an unexplained tingling sensation)

per-

through

percutaneous (through the skin)

peri-

surrounding

periosteum (membrane surrounding a bone)

pico-

one-trillionth

picornavirus (extremely small RNA virus)

poly-

many, much

polyuria (production of excessive amounts of urine)

post-

after

postpartum (after childbirth)

pre-

before

precancer (a growth or cell which is not malignant but which may become cancerous)

pseudo-

false

pseudocyesis (spurious or false pregnancy)

Prefix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

quadri-

four

quadriplegia (paralysis of the four limbs of the body)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

re-

again

reinfection (infection of an area for another time after recovery, especially with the same microorganism)

retr(o)-

backward, behind

retrograde (going backwards or deteriorating), retroperitoneal (at the back of the peritoneum)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

semi-

Partial, half

semicomatose (almost unconscious or half asleep, but capable of being woken up)

sub-

under, less than

subcutaneous (under the skin)

super-

above

supercilia (the eyebrow)

supra-

above, upon

suprarenal (above the kidneys

syn-

with, together

syndrome (a group of symptoms occurring together regularly, and thus constituting a disease to which some particular name is given)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

tetra-

four

tetraplegia (paralysis of the body’s four limbs, also called quadriplegia.)

trans-

through, across

transdermal (entering through the skin), transurethral (across the urethra)

Prefixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

un-

not

unconscious (not conscious)

uni-

one

unilateral (affecting one side of the body only)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

abdomin(o)-

abdomen

abdominoscopy (an internal examination of the abdomen, usually with an endoscope)

acou-

hearing

acoustics (the science of sounds)

acr(o)-

extremity, peak

acrocyanosis (a blue coloration of the extremities, i.e. the fingers, toes, ears and nose, which is due to poor circulation)

aden(o)-

gland

adenocarcinoma (a malignant tumour of a gland)

adipo-

fat

adiposis (a state where too much fat is accumulated in the body)

andr(o)-

male

androsterone (one of the male sex hormones)

angi(o)-

blood vessel

angiosarcoma (a malignant tumour in a blood vessel)

ankyl

crooked, fusion

ankylosis (a condition in which the bones of a joint fuse together)

arteri(o)-

arteries

arteriopathy (a disease of an artery)

arthr(o)-

joint

arthroplasty (a surgical operation to repair or replace a joint)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

bili

bile

biliuria (the presence of bile in the urine)

bi(o)-

life

biocide (a substance which kills living organisms)

blast- or -blast

embryonic state

blastocyst (an early stage in the development of an embryo)

blephar(o)-

eyelid

blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid)

brachi(o)-

arm

brachialis muscle (a muscle that causes the elbow to bend)

brady-

slow

bradypnoea (unusually slow breathing)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

calc(i)

heel

calcaneus (the heel bone situated underneath the talus)

carcin(o)-

cancer

carcinogen (a substance which produces a carcinoma or cancer)

cardi(o)-

heart

cardiopathy (any kind of heart disease)

caud-

tail

caudal (toward the tail)

cephal(o)-

head

cephalalgia (pain in the head)

cerebr(o)-

cerebrum

cerebrospinal (referring to the brain and the spinal cord)

chem(o)-

chemical

chemotherapy (treatment with chemicals)

chol(e)-

bile

cholecystitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, causing severe abdominal pain)

chondr(o)-

cartilage

chondritis (inflammation of a cartilage)

col(i)(o)-

colon

colitis (inflammation of the colon)

cost(o)-

rib

costalgia (pain around the chest due to damage to a rib or to one of the intercostal nerves beneath the ribs)

cut-

skin

cutaneous (relating to the skin)

cyan(o)-

blue

cyanosis (a bluish coloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to too much deoxygenated haemoglobin in the blood)

cyst(i)(o)-

bladder

cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder, which makes someone pass water often and with a burning sensation)

cyt(o)-

cell

cytodiagnosis (diagnosis after examination of cells)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

derm- or -derm

skin

dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)

dors(i)(o)-

back

dorsum (the back of any part of the body)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

encephal(o)-

brain

encephaloma (a tumour of the brain)

enter(o)-

intestine

enterocolitis (inflammation of the colon and small intestine)

erythr(o)-

red

erythrocytes (a mature red blood cell)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

fasci-

bundle

fasciae (bundles of muscle fibers)

febri-

fever

febrile (feverish or related to fever, as in febrile convulsions)

fil-

threadlike

filariasis (a tropical disease caused by parasitic threadworms in the lymph system, transmitted by mosquito bites)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

galact(o)-

milk

galactorrhoea (the excessive production of milk)

gastro-

stomach

gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)

ger(o)- or geront(o)-

aging

gerontology (study of aging)

gloss(o)(a)-

tongue

glossitis (inflammation of the surface of the tongue)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

haeme(a)(o)- or haemato-

blood

haematology (the scientific study of blood, its formation and its diseases)

hepat(o)-

liver

hepatitis (inflammation of the liver through disease or drugs)

hist(i)(o)-

tissue

histogenesis (the formation and development of tissue from the embryological germ layer)

hydro-

water

hydrorrhoea (a discharge of watery fluid)

hyster(o)-

uterus

hysterotomy (a surgical incision into the uterus, as in caesarean section or for some types of abortion)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

ile(o)-

ileum

ileostomy (a surgical operation to make an opening between the ileum and the abdominal wall to act as an artificial opening for excretion of faeces)

ischi(o)-

hip

ischiopubic (pertaining to the ischium and pubes)

Root

Meaning

Example (Definition)

jejun(o)-

jejunum

jejunectomy (a surgical operation to cut into the jejunum)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

kerat(o)-

horny tissue, cornea

keratoma (a hard-thickened growth due to hypertrophy of the horny zone of the skin)

kine(t)(o)-

movement

kinesiology (the study of human movements, particularly with

regard to their use in treatment)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

labio-

lips, labia

labioplasty (a surgical operation to repair damaged or deformed lips)

lact(o)-

milk

lactose (a type of sugar found in milk)

laryng(o)-

larynx

laryngology (the study of diseases of the larynx, throat and vocal cords)

leuk(o)-

white

leukocytes (a white blood cell which contains a nucleus but

has no haemoglobin)

lip(o)-

fat

lipoma (a benign tumour formed of fatty tissue)

lith(o)-

stone

litholapaxy (the evacuation of pieces of a stone in the bladder after crushing it with a lithotrite)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

mamm(o)-

breast

mammoplasty (plastic surgery to alter the shape or size of the breasts)

mast(o)-

breast

mastectomy (the surgical removal of a breast)

melan(o)-

black

melanoma (a tumour formed of dark pigmented cells)

meno-

menses

menorrhagia (very heavy bleeding during menstruation)

my(o)-

muscle

myocele (a condition in which a muscle pushes through a gap in the surrounding membrane)

myc(o)-

fungus

mycosis (any disease caused by a fungus, e.g. athlete’s foot)

myel(o)-

bone marrow, spinal cord

myelocyte (a cell in bone marrow which develops into a granulocyte)

myx

mucus

myxoma (a benign tumour of mucous tissue, usually found in subcutaneous tissue of the limbs and neck)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

nas(o)-

nose

nasosinusitis (a condition in which the nose and sinuses swell up)

nephr(o)-

kidney

nephrolithiasis (a condition in which stones form in the kidney)

neur(o)-

nerve or nervous system

neurohormone (a hormone produced in some nerve cells and secreted from the nerve endings)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

ocul(o)-

eye

oculoplethysmography (measurement of the pressure

inside the eyeball)

onc(o)-

tumor (cancerous)

oncogene (a part of the genetic system which causes malignant tumours to develop)

ophthalm(o)-

eye

ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of the muscles of the eye)

orchi(o)-

testes

orchitis (inflammation of the testes, characterised by hypertrophy, pain and a sensation of weight)

oro

mouth

oropharynx (a part of the pharynx below the soft palate at the back of the mouth)

oste(o)-

bone

osteitis (inflammation of a bone due to injury or infection)

ot(o)-

ear

otorrhoea (the discharge of pus from the ear)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

paed- or ped(o)-

child

paediatrics (the study of children, their development and diseases.)

path(o)-

disease

pathogen (microorganism which causes a disease)

pharmaco

drugs

pharmacokinetics (the study of how the body reacts to drugs over a period of time)

pharyng(o)-

pharynx

pharyngitis (sore throat)

phleb(o)-

vein

phlebolith (a stone which forms in a vein as a result of an old thrombus becoming calcified)

phot(o)-

light

photopsia (a condition of the eye in which someone sees flashes of light)

plasm(o)-

liquid part of blood

plasminogen (a substance in blood plasma which becomes activated and forms plasmin)

pleur(o)-

pleura, rib, side

pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura)

pneum(o)-

lung

pneumonia (inflammation of a lung, where the tiny alveoli of the lung become filled with fluid)

pod(o)-

foot

podiatry (the study of minor diseases and disorders of the feet)

proct(o)-

anus or rectum

proctoclysis (the introduction of a lot of fluid into the rectum slowly)

psych(o)-

mind

psychiatry (study and treatment of mental disorders)

pyel(o)-

kidney

pyelotomy (a surgical operation to make an opening in the pelvis of the kidney)

pyr(o)-

burning or fever

pyrogen (a substance which causes fever)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

ren(o)-

kidney

renography (an examination of a kidney after injection of a radioactive substance, using a gamma camera)

rhin(o)-

nose

rhinoplasty (plastic surgery to correct the appearance of the nose)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

sarc(o)-

flesh

sarcoma (a highly malignant tumour made of connective tissue cells)

scler(o)-

hard

scleroma (a patch of hard skin or hard mucous membrane)

soma- or somat(o)-

body

somatization (psychiatric condition expressed through physical symptoms)

sten(o)-

narrow

stenosis (a condition in which a passage becomes narrow)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

tachy

Rapid, fast

tachyarrhythmia (a fast irregular heartbeat)

therm(o)-

heat

thermoanaesthesia (a condition in which someone cannot tell the difference between hot and cold)

thorac(o)-

chest

thoracotomy (a surgical operation to remove one or more ribs)

thromb(o)-

clot

thromboangiitis (a condition in which the blood vessels swell and develop blood clots along their walls)

trache(o)-

trachea

tracheobronchitis (inflammation of both the trachea and the bronchi)

Root

Meaning

Example (Definition)

ur(o)-

urinary, urine

urochesia (the passing of urine through the rectum, due to injury of the urinary system)

Roots

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

vas(o)-

Vessel, vas deferens

vasopressor (a substance which increases blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels), vasoligation (a surgical operation to tie the vasa deferentia to prevent infection entering the epididymis from the urinary system)

ven(i)(o)-

vein

venoclysis (the procedure of slowly introducing a saline or other solution into a vein)

vesic(o)-

bladder

vesicospinal (pertaining to the urinary bladder and spine)

Suffix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

-algia

pain

neuralgia (a spasm of pain which runs along a nerve)

Suffix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

-cyte

cell

leucocyte (white blood cell)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-ectasis

dilation

bronchiectasis (dilated bronchi)

-ectomy

surgical removal

splenectomy (a surgical operation to remove the spleen)

-oedema (also a standalone word)

excessive fluid

angioedema (fluid buildup that causes swelling under the skin)

-emesis

vomiting

hematemesis (vomiting of blood)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-itis

inflammation

colitis (inflammation of the colon)

-ism

state of

hypothyroidism (state of low thyroid)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-logist

one who studies

cardiologist (a doctor who specialises in the study of the heart)

-lys(i)(o)

breakdown

cytolysis (the breaking down of cells)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-oma

tumour

glioma (any tumour of the glial tissue in the brain or spinal cord)

-osis

condition

fibrosis (the process of replacing damaged tissue by scar tissue)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-pathy

disease

myopathy (muscle disease)

-plasia

growth

hypoplasia (a lack of development or incorrect formation of a body tissue or an organ)

-plasty

surgical repair

angioplasty (plastic surgery to repair a blood vessel, e.g. a narrowed coronary artery)

-plegia

paralysis

hemiplegia (severe paralysis affecting one side of the body due to damage of the central nervous system)

-pnoea

breathing

orthopnoea (a condition in which a person has great difficulty in breathing while lying down)

-poiesis

production

erythropoiesis (the formation of red blood cells in red bone marrow)

-praxia

movement

apraxia (a condition in which someone is unable to make proper movements)

Suffix

Meaning

Example (Definition)

-rrhoea

fluid discharge

diarrhoea (a condition in which someone frequently passes liquid faeces)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-scope

observe

endoscope (tool for observing the interior of body organs)

-stomy

opening

duodenostomy (a permanent opening made between the duodenum and the abdominal wall)

Suffixes

Meanings

Examples (Definitions)

-taxis

movement

ataxia (a failure of the brain to control movements)

-tomy

incision

canaliculotomy (a surgical operation to open up a little canal)

-tripsy

crushing

lithotripsy (the process of breaking up kidney or gall bladder stones into small fragments that the body can eliminate them unaided)

-trophy

growth

hypertrophy (an increase in the number or size of cells in a tissue)