Table of Contents
A
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning
|
Examples
|
|
a-, an- |
denotes an absence of |
apathy, analgia |
|
ab- |
away from |
abduction |
|
abdomin(o)- |
of or relating to the abdomen |
abdomen, abdominal |
|
-ac, -acal |
pertaining to |
cardiac, hydrophobiac |
|
acanth(o)- |
thorn or spine |
acanthion, acanthocyte |
|
acous(io)- |
of or relating to hearing |
acoumeter, acoustician |
|
acr(o)- |
extremity, topmost |
acrocrany, acromegaly |
|
-acusis |
hearing |
paracusis |
|
-ad |
toward, in the direction of |
dorsad |
|
aden(o)-, aden(i)- |
of or relating to a gland |
adenocarcinoma, adenology |
|
adip(o)- |
of or relating to fat or fatty tissue |
adipose, adipocyte |
|
adren(o)- |
of or relating to adrenal glands |
adrenal artery |
|
-aemia |
blood condition |
anaemia |
|
aer(o)- |
air, gas |
aerosinusitis |
|
aesthesio- |
sensation |
anesthesia |
|
-al |
pertaining to |
abdominal |
|
alb- |
denoting a white or pale color |
albino |
|
alge(si)- |
pain |
analgesic |
|
-algia |
pain |
myalgia |
|
allo- |
denoting something as different, or as an addition |
alloantigen, allopathy |
|
ambi- |
denoting something as positioned on both sides, describing both of two |
ambidextrous |
|
amnio- |
pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) |
amniocentesis |
|
amph-, amphi- |
on both sides |
amphicrania, amphomycin |
|
an- |
not, without |
analgesia |
|
ana- |
back, again, up |
anaplasia |
|
an(o)- |
anus |
anogenital |
|
andr(o)- |
pertaining to a man |
andrology, android |
|
angi(o)- |
blood vessel |
angiogram |
|
aniso- |
describing something as unequal |
anisotropic, anisocytosis |
|
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)- |
denoting something as crooked or bent |
ankylosis |
|
ante- |
describing something as positioned in front of another thing |
antepartum |
|
anti- |
describing something as “against” or “opposed to” another |
antibody, antipsychotic |
|
apo- |
separated from, derived from |
apoptosis |
|
arch(i,e,o)- |
first, primitive |
archinephron |
|
arteri(o)- |
of or pertaining to an artery |
artery, arteriole |
|
arthr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the joints, limbs |
arthritis |
|
articul(o)- |
joint |
articulation |
|
-ary |
pertaining to |
biliary tract |
|
-ase |
enzyme |
lactase, peroxidase |
|
-asthenia |
weakness |
myasthenia gravis |
|
atel(o)- |
imperfect or incomplete development |
atelocardia |
|
-ation |
process |
ambulation |
|
atri(o)- |
an atrium |
atrioventricular |
|
aur(i)- |
of or pertaining to the ear |
aural |
|
aut(o)- |
self |
autoimmune |
|
aux(o)- |
increase, growth |
auxocardia |
|
axill- |
of or pertaining to the armpit |
axilla, axillary |
|
azo(to)- |
nitrogenous compound |
azothermia |
B
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
balano- |
of the glans penis or glans clitoridis |
balantis |
|
bi- |
twice, double |
biphasic, bigeminy |
|
bio- |
life |
biology |
|
blast(o)- |
germ or bud |
blastomere, blastocyst |
|
blephar(o)- |
of or pertaining to the eyelid |
blepharoplast |
|
brachi(o)- |
of or relating to the arm |
brachium, brachial |
|
brachy- |
indicating “short or less commonly “little” |
brachycephalic, brachytherapy |
|
brady- |
slow |
bradycardia |
|
bronch(i)- |
bronchus |
bronchiolitis, bronchitis |
|
bucc(o)- |
of or pertaining to the cheek |
buccolabial, buccal |
|
burs(o)- |
bursa (fluid sac between the bones) |
bursitis |
C
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
capill- |
of or pertaining to the hair |
capillus |
|
capit- |
pertaining to the head |
capitation |
|
carcin(o)- |
cancer |
carcinoma |
|
cardi(o)- |
of or pertaining to the heart |
cardiology |
|
carp(o)- |
of or pertaining to the wrist |
carpopedal, carpal |
|
cata- |
down, under |
cataract |
|
-cele |
pouching, hernia |
hydrocele |
|
-centesis |
surgical puncture for aspiration |
amniocentesis |
|
cephal(o)- |
of or pertaining to the head |
cephalgy |
|
cerat(o)- |
of or pertaining to the cornu, a horn |
ceratoid |
|
cerebell(o)- |
of or pertaining to the cerebellum |
cerebellum |
|
cerebr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the brain |
cerebrology, cerebrum |
|
cervic- |
of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix |
cervicodorsal |
|
chem(o)- |
chemistry, drug |
chemotherapy |
|
chir(o)-, cheir(o)- |
of or pertaining to the hand |
chiropractor |
|
chlor(o)- |
denoting a green color |
chlorophyll |
|
chol(e)- |
of or pertaining to bile |
cholaemia |
|
cholecyst(o)- |
of or pertaining to the gallbladder |
cholecystectomy |
|
chondr(i)o- |
cartilage, gristle, granule, granular |
chondrocalcinosis |
|
chrom(ato)- |
color |
hemachromatosis |
|
-cidal, -cide |
killing, destroying |
bacteriocidal |
|
cili- |
of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes, eyelids |
ciliary |
|
circum- |
denoting something as “around” another |
circumcision |
|
cis- |
on this side |
cistern |
|
-clast |
break |
osteoclast |
|
co- |
with, together, in association |
comorbidity |
|
col-, colo-, colono- |
colon |
colonoscopy |
|
colp(o)- |
of or pertaining to the vagina |
colposcopy |
|
com- |
with, together |
communicate |
|
contra |
against |
contraindicate |
|
cor- |
with, together |
corporal |
|
cor-, core-, coro- |
of or pertaining to eye’s pupil |
corectomy |
|
cordi- |
of or pertaining to the heart |
commotio cordis |
|
cornu- |
applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns |
cornual pregnancy |
|
cost(o)- |
of or pertaining to the ribs |
costochondral |
|
cox- |
of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip joint |
coxopodite |
|
crani(o)- |
belonging or relating to the cranium |
craniology |
|
-crine |
to secrete |
endocrine |
|
cry(o)- |
cold |
cryoablation, cryotherapy |
|
cutane- |
skin |
subcutaneous |
|
cyan(o)- |
denotes a blue color |
cyanopsia, cyanobacteria |
|
cycl- |
circle, cycle |
cyclobenzaprine |
|
cyph(o)- |
denotes something as bent |
cyphosis |
|
cyst(o, i)- |
of or pertaining to the urinary bladder |
cystotomy, cystoscopy |
|
cyt(o)- |
cell |
cytokine |
|
-cyte |
cell |
leukocyte |
D
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
dacryo- |
tear |
dacryocystitis |
|
dactyl(o)- |
of or pertaining to a finger, toe |
dactylology |
|
de- |
away from, cessation |
desensitization |
|
dent- |
of or pertaining to teeth |
dentist |
|
dermat(o)-, derm(o)- |
of or pertaining to the skin |
dermatology |
|
-desis |
binding |
arthrodesis |
|
dextr(o)- |
right, on the right side |
dextrocardia |
|
di- |
two |
dioxide |
|
dia- |
across |
diacetyl |
|
dif- |
apart, separation |
differential |
|
digit- |
of or pertaining to the finger |
digit |
|
dis- |
separation, taking apart |
dissection |
|
dors(o, i)- |
of or pertaining to the back |
dorsal, dorsiflexion |
|
duodeno- |
duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine, connects to the stomach |
duodenal atresia |
|
dynam(o)- |
force, energy, power |
dynamic |
|
-dynia |
pain |
vulvodynia |
|
dys- |
bad, difficult |
dysphagia, dysphasia |
E
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
-eal |
pertaining to |
peritoneal |
|
ec- |
out, away |
eccentric |
|
ect(o)- |
outer, outside |
ectopic pregnancy |
|
-ectasis |
expansion, dilation |
bronchiectasis |
|
-ectomy |
denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision |
mastectomy |
|
-emesis |
vomiting condition |
hematemesis |
|
-emia |
blood condition |
anemia |
|
encephal(o)- |
of or pertaining to the brain |
encephalogram |
|
endo- |
denotes something as “inside” or “within” |
endocrinology, endospore |
|
enter(o)- |
of or pertaining to the intestine |
gastroenterology |
|
epi- |
on, upon |
epistaxis, epicardium, epidural |
|
episi(o)- |
of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins |
episiotomy |
|
erythr(o)- |
denotes a red color |
erythrocyte |
|
esophageal, -esophago |
of or pertaining to the esophagus |
esophageal plexus |
|
esthesio- |
sensation |
esthesioneuroblastoma |
|
eu- |
true, good, well, new |
eukaryote |
|
ex- |
out of, away from |
external |
|
exo- |
denotes something as “outside” another |
exoskeleton |
|
extra- |
outside |
extravasation |
F
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
faci(o)- |
of or pertaining to the face |
facioplegic |
|
fibr(o)- |
fiber |
fibroblast |
|
fil(a, i)- |
fine, hair like |
filament |
|
-form, -iform |
use to form adjectives indicating “having the form of” |
cuneiform |
|
fossa |
small cavity or depression |
fossa ovalis |
|
front- |
of or pertaining to the forehead |
frontonasal |
G
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
galact(o)- |
milk |
galactorrhea |
|
gastr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the stomach |
gastric bypass |
|
-gen |
denotes the sense “born in, from” or “of a certain kind” |
endogen, heterogenous |
|
-genic |
formative, pertaining to producing |
cardiogenic shock |
|
genu- |
of or pertaining to the knee |
genu valgum |
|
gingiv- |
of or pertaining to the gums |
gingivitis |
|
glauc(o)- |
denoting a grey, bluish-grey color |
glaucoma |
|
gloss(o)-, glott(o)- |
of or pertaining to the tongue |
glossology, epiglottis |
|
gluco- |
glucose |
glucocorticoid |
|
glyco- |
sugar |
glycolysis |
|
gnath(o)- |
of or pertaining to the jaw |
gnathodynamometer |
|
-gnosis |
knowledge |
diagnosis, prognosis |
|
gon(o)- |
seed, semen, reproductive |
gonorrhea |
|
-gram |
record or picture |
angiogram |
|
-graph |
record or picture |
electrocardiograph |
|
-graphy |
process of recording |
angiography |
|
gyn(aec)o-, gyn(ec)o- |
woman |
gynecomastia |
H
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
halluc- |
to wander in mind |
hallucinosis, hallucinogenic |
|
hemat-, haemato- |
of or pertaining to blood |
hematology |
|
hema or hemo- |
blood |
hematological malignancy |
|
hemi- |
one-half |
cerebral hemisphere |
|
hepat-, hepatic- |
of or pertaining to the liver |
hepatology, hepatitis |
|
heter(o)- |
denotes something as “the other” (of two), as an addition, or different |
heterogeneous, heterosexual |
|
hidr(o)- |
sweat |
hyperhidrosis |
|
hist(o)-, histio- |
tissue |
histology |
|
home(o)- |
similar |
homeopathy |
|
hom(o)- |
denotes something as “the same” as another or common |
homosexuality |
|
humer(o)- |
of or pertaining to the shoulder |
humerus |
|
hydr(o)- |
water |
hydrophobe |
|
hyper- |
denotes something as “extreme” or “beyond normal” |
hypertension, hyperplasia |
|
hyp(o)- |
denotes something as “below normal” |
hypovolemia, hypotension |
|
hyster(o)- |
of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus |
hysterectomy |
I
Prefixes / Suffixes |
Meaning |
|
|
-iasis |
condition |
mydriasis |
|
iatr(o)- |
of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician |
iatrochemistry |
|
-iatry |
denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component |
podiatry, psychiatry |
|
-ic |
pertaining to |
hepatic |
|
-icle |
small |
follicle |
|
-ics |
organized knowledge, treatment |
acoustics |
|
idio- |
self, one’s own |
idiopathic |
|
ileo- |
ileum |
ileocecal valve |
|
infra- |
below |
infrahyoid muscles |
|
inter- |
between, among |
interarticular |
|
intra- |
within |
intracranial |
|
irid(o)- |
iris |
iridectomy |
|
ischio- |
of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip joint |
ischiorrhogic |
|
-ism |
condition, disease |
dwarfism |
|
-ismus |
spasm, contraction |
strabismus |
|
iso- |
denoting something as being “equal” |
isotonic |
|
-ist |
one who specializes in |
pathologist, oncologist |
|
-ite |
the nature of, resembling |
hermaphrodite |
|
-itis |
inflammation |
tonsilitis |
|
-ium |
structure, tissue |
pericardium |
|
isch- |
restriction |
ischemia |
K
Prefixes / Suffixes |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
karyo- |
nucleus |
eukaryote |
|
kerat(o)- |
cornea (eye or skin) |
keratoscope |
|
kin(e, o), kinesi(o)- |
movement |
kinesthesia |
|
koil(o)- |
hollow |
koilocyte |
|
kyph(o)- |
humped |
kyphoscoliosis, kyphosis |
L
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
labi(o)- |
of or pertaining to the lip |
labiodental |
|
lacrim(o)- |
tear |
lacrimal canaliculi |
|
lact(i, o)- |
milk |
lactation |
|
lapar(o)- |
of or pertaining to the abdomen wall, flank |
laparotomy |
|
laryng(o)- |
of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is |
larynx |
|
latero- |
lateral |
lateralis |
|
lei(o)- |
smooth |
leiomyoma |
|
-lepsis, -lepsy |
attack, seizure |
epilepsy, narcolepsy |
|
lept(o)- |
light, slender |
leptocephalus |
|
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)- |
denoting a white color |
leukocyte |
|
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)- |
of or pertaining to the tongue |
linguistics |
|
lip(o)- |
fat |
liposuction |
|
lith(o)- |
stone, calculus |
lithotripsy |
|
log(o)- |
speech |
logophobia |
|
-logist |
denotes someone who studies a certain field |
oncologist, pathologist |
|
-logy |
denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field |
hematology, psychology |
|
lymph(o)- |
lymph |
lymphedema |
|
lys(o)-, -lytic |
dissolution |
lysosome |
|
-lysis |
destruction, separation |
paralysis |
M
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
macr(o)- |
large, long |
macrophage |
|
-malacia |
softening |
osteomalacia |
|
mamm(o)- |
of or pertaining to the breast |
mammogram |
|
mammill(o)- |
of or pertaining to the nipple |
mammillothalamic |
|
manu- |
of or pertaining to the hand |
manufacture |
|
mast(o)- |
of or pertaining to the breast |
mastectomy |
|
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly |
enlargement |
splenomegaly |
|
melan(o)- |
black color |
melanin |
|
mening(o)- |
membrane |
meningitis |
|
mero- |
part |
merocrine, meroblastic |
|
mes(o)- |
middle |
mesoderm |
|
meta- |
after, behind |
metacarpus |
|
-meter |
measurement |
sphygmomanometer |
|
-metry |
process of measuring |
optometry |
|
metr(o)- |
pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus |
metrorrhagia |
|
micro- |
denoting something as small, or relating to smallness |
microscope |
|
mon(o)- |
single |
mononucleosis |
|
morph(o)- |
form, shape |
morphology |
|
muscul(o)- |
muscle |
musculoskeletal |
|
my(o)- |
of or relating to the muscle |
myoblast |
|
myc(o)- |
fungus |
onychomycosis |
|
myel(o)- |
of or relating to bone marrow |
myeloblast |
|
myring(o)- |
eardrum |
myringotomy |
|
myx(o)- |
mucus |
myxoma |
N
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
narc(o)- |
numb, sleep |
narcolepsy |
|
nas(o)- |
of or pertaining to the nose |
nasal |
|
necr(o)- |
death |
necrotizing fasciitis |
|
neo- |
new |
neoplasm |
|
nephr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the kidney |
nephrology |
|
nerv- |
of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system |
nerve |
|
neur(i, o)- |
of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system |
neurofibromatosis |
|
normo- |
normal |
normocapnia |
O
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
ocul(o)- |
of or pertaining to the eye |
oculist |
|
odont(o) |
of or pertaining to teeth |
orthodontist |
|
odyn(o)- |
pain |
stomatodynia |
|
-oesophageal, oesophago- |
gullet (passage of food from mouth to stomach) |
oesophagostomum |
|
-oid |
resemblance to |
sarcoidosis |
|
-ole |
small or little |
arteriole |
|
olig(o)- |
denoting something as “having little or few” |
oligotrophy |
|
om(o)- |
of or pertaining to the shoulder |
omoplate |
|
-oma, -omata |
tumor, mass, collection |
sarcoma, teratoma |
|
omphal(o)- |
of or pertaining to the navel or umbilicus |
omphalotomy |
|
onco- |
tumor, bulk, volume |
oncology |
|
onych(o)- |
of or pertaining to the nail of a finger or toe |
onychophagy |
|
oo- |
of or pertaining to an egg, the ovum |
oogenesis |
|
oophor(o)- |
of or pertaining to the woman’s ovary |
oophorectomy |
|
ophthalm(o)- |
of or pertaining to the eye |
ophthalmology |
|
optic(o)- |
of or relating to chemical properties of the eye |
opticochemical |
|
or(o)- |
of or pertaining to the mouth |
oral |
|
orchi(o)-, orchido- |
testis |
orchiectomy, orchidectomy |
|
orth(o)- |
denoting something as straight or correct |
orthodontist |
|
-osis |
a condition, disease, or increase |
psychosis, osteoporosis |
|
osseo- |
bony |
osseous |
|
ossi- |
bone |
ossification |
|
ost(e)-, oste(o)- |
bone |
osteoporosis |
|
ot(o)- |
of or pertaining to the ear |
otopathy |
|
-ous |
pertaining to |
contageous |
|
ovari(o)- |
of or pertaining to the ovaries |
ovariectomy |
|
ov(i, o)- |
of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum |
ovogenesis |
|
oxo- |
addition of oxygen |
oxocomplex |
|
oxy- |
sharp, acid, acute |
oxygen |
P
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
pachy- |
thick |
pachyderma |
|
palpebr- |
of or pertaining to the eyelid |
palpebra |
|
pan-, pant(o)- |
denoting something as “complete” or containing “everything” |
panophobia, panopticon |
|
papill- |
of or pertaining to the nipple |
papillitis |
|
papul(o)- |
indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling |
papulation |
|
para- |
alongside of, abnormal |
paraplegic |
|
-paresis |
slight paralysis |
hemiparesis |
|
parvo- |
small |
parovirus |
|
path(o)- |
disease |
pathology |
|
-pathy |
denotes a disease, or disorder |
sociopathy, neuropathy |
|
ped-, -ped-, -pes |
of or pertaining to the foot |
pedoscope, pedal |
|
pelv(i, o)- |
hip bone |
pelvis |
|
-penia |
deficiency |
osteopenia, pancytopenia |
|
peo- |
of or pertaining to the penis |
peotomy |
|
-pepsia |
denotes something relating to digestion or the digestive tract |
dyspepsia |
|
per- |
through |
percutaneous |
|
peri- |
position “surrounding” or “around” another |
periodontal |
|
-pexy |
fixation |
nephropexy |
|
phaco- |
lens shaped |
phacolysis, phacometer |
|
-phage, -phagia |
conditions relating to eating or ingestion |
sarcophagia, dysphagia |
|
phago- |
eating, devouring |
phacocyte, phagocytosis |
|
phagist- |
a person who “feeds on” something |
lotophagi |
|
-phagy |
“feeding on” something |
anthropophagy |
|
phallo- |
phallus (penis) |
aphallia |
|
pharmaco- |
drug, medication |
pharmacology |
|
pharyng(o)- |
of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity |
pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy |
|
-phil(ia) |
attraction for |
hemophilia |
|
phleb(o)- |
of or pertaining to the veins |
phlebography, phlebotomy |
|
phob(o)- |
exaggerated fear, sensitivity |
arachnophobia, agoraphobia |
|
phon(o)- |
sound |
phonotation |
|
phos- |
chemical properties |
phosphene |
|
phot(o)- |
of or pertaining to light |
photopathy, photophobia |
|
phren(i, o)-, phrenico |
diaphragm, the mind |
phrenic nerve, schizophrenia |
|
-plasia |
formation, development |
achondroplasia, dysplasia |
|
-plasty |
surgical repair, reconstruction |
rhinoplasty, arthroplasty |
|
-plegia |
paralysis |
paraplegia |
|
pleio- |
more, excessive, multiple |
pleiomorphism |
|
pleur(a, o)- |
of or pertaining to the ribs |
pleurogenous, pleurisy |
|
-plexy |
stroke or seizure |
cataplexy |
|
pneum(o)- |
of or pertaining to the lungs |
pneumonia, pneumonocyte |
|
pneumat(o)- |
air, lung |
pneumatosis |
|
pod-, -pus |
of or pertaining to the foot |
podiatry |
|
-poiesis |
production |
hematopoiesis |
|
polio- |
denoting a grey color |
poliomyelitis |
|
poly- |
denotes a “plurality” of something |
polymyositis |
|
por(o)- |
pore, porous |
porosity |
|
porphyr(o)- |
denotes a purple color |
porphyroblast |
|
post- |
denotes something as “after” or “behind” another |
postoperation, postmortem |
|
pre- |
denotes something as “before” another |
prematurity, prehypertension |
|
presby(o)- |
old age |
presbyopia |
|
prim- |
denotes something as “first” or “most important” |
primary |
|
pro- |
denotes something as before another |
procephalic, prototype |
|
proct(o)- |
anus, rectum |
proctology |
|
prot(o)- |
denotes something as “first” or “most important” |
protoneuron |
|
pseudo- |
denotes something false or fake |
pseudomonas |
|
psych(e, o)- |
of or pertaining to the mind |
psychology, psychiatry |
|
-ptosis |
falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse |
apoptosis |
|
-ptysis |
spitting |
hemoptysis |
|
pulmo(n)- |
of or relating to the lungs |
pulmonary |
|
pyel(o)- |
pelvis |
pyelonephritis |
|
pyo- |
pus |
pyometra |
|
pyro- |
fever |
antipyretic |
Q
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
quadr(i)- |
four |
quadriceps, quadriplegic |
R
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
radio- |
radiation |
radiowave, radiology |
|
re- |
again, backward |
relapse |
|
rect(o)- |
rectum |
rectal |
|
ren(o)- |
of or pertaining to the kidney |
renal |
|
reticul(o)- |
small net, dim |
reticulocyte |
|
retro- |
backward, behind |
retroverted |
|
rhabd(o)- |
rod shaped, striated |
rhabdomyolysis |
|
rhachi(o) |
spine |
rachial, rachialgia |
|
rhin(o)- |
of or pertaining to the nose |
rhinoplasty, rhinoceros |
|
rhod(o)- |
denoting a rose-red color |
rhodophyte |
|
-rrhage |
bust forth |
hemorrhage |
|
-rrhagia |
rapid flow of blood |
bronchorrhagia |
|
-rrhaphy |
surgical suturing |
gastrorrhaphy |
|
-rrhea |
flowing, discharge |
diarrhea, galactorrhea |
|
-rrhexis |
rupture |
enterorrhexis |
|
-rrhoea |
flowing, discharge |
diarrhoea |
|
rubr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain |
rubrospinal |
S
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
salping(o)- |
of or pertaining to the fallopian tubes |
salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle |
|
sangui-, sanguine- |
of or pertaining to blood |
sanguine |
|
sarco- |
muscular, fleshlike |
sarcoma |
|
schist(o)- |
split, cleft |
schistosoma |
|
schiz(o)- |
denoting something “split” or “double sided” |
schizophrenia |
|
scler(o)- |
hardness |
multiple sclerosis |
|
-sclerosis |
hardening of the skin |
atherosclerosis |
|
scoli(o)- |
twisted |
scholiosis |
|
-scope |
instrument for viewing |
stethoscope |
|
-scopy |
use of instrument for viewing |
endoscopy, colonoscopy |
|
semi- |
one half, partly |
semicoma, semisupination |
|
sial(o)- |
saliva, salivary gland |
sialagogue |
|
sigmoid(o)- |
sigmoid, sigmoid colon |
sigmoidectomy |
|
sinistr(o)- |
left, left side |
sinistrophobia |
|
sinus- |
of or pertaining to the sinus |
sinusitis |
|
sito- |
food, grain |
sitomania, sitotherapy |
|
somat(o)-, somatico- |
body, bodily |
somatotropic cell |
|
spasmo- |
spasm |
spasmodic, spasmolytic |
|
sperm(a, o)-, spermato- |
semen |
spermatogenesis, spermatozoa |
|
splanchn(i, o)- |
viscera |
splanchnic, splanchnocranium |
|
splen(o)- |
spleen |
splenectomy |
|
spondyl(o)- |
of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra |
spondylitis |
|
squamos(o)- |
denoting something as “full of scales” or “scaly” |
squama, squamous cell |
|
-stasis |
stop, stand |
homeostasis |
|
-staxis |
dripping, trickling |
epistaxis |
|
sten(o)- |
“narrow in shape” or pertaining to narrowness |
stenography |
|
steth(o)- |
of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck |
stethoscope |
|
stheno- |
strength, force, power |
sthenolagnia |
|
stom(a)- |
mouth |
stomatognathic system |
|
stomat(o)- |
of or pertaining to the mouth |
stomatogastric |
|
-stomy |
creation of an opening |
colostomy, ileostomy |
|
sub- |
beneath |
subcutaneous tissue, subacute |
|
super- |
in excess, above, superior |
superior vena cava |
|
supra- |
above, excessive |
supraorbital vein |
|
sy(l, m, n, s)- |
indicates similarity, likeness, or being together |
synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis |
T
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
tachy- |
denoting something as fast, irregularly fast |
tachycardia |
|
-tension, -tensive |
pressure |
hypertension |
|
tetan- |
rigid, tense |
tetanus |
|
thec- |
case, sheath |
intrathecal |
|
thel(e, o)- |
of or pertaining to a nipple |
theleplasty |
|
thely- |
denoting something as “relating to a woman, feminine” |
thelygenous |
|
therm(o)- |
heat |
thermometer |
|
thorac(i, o)-, thoracico- |
of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck |
thorax |
|
thromb(o)- |
of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood |
thrombus, thrombocytopenia |
|
thyr(o)- |
thyroid |
thyroidectomy |
|
thym(o, ia)- |
emotions |
dysthymia |
|
-tic |
pertaining to |
hematotic, neurotic |
|
toco- |
childbirth |
tocolytics |
|
-tome |
cutting instrument |
labiotome, neurotome |
|
-tomy |
act of cutting, incising, incision |
gastrotomy |
|
tono- |
tone, tension, pressure |
tonometer |
|
-tony |
tension |
monotony |
|
top(o)- |
place, topical |
topography, topology |
|
tox(i, o)-, toxico- |
toxin, poison |
toxoplasmosis |
|
trache(o)- |
trachea |
tracheostomy, tracheostenosis |
|
trachel(o)- |
of or pertaining to the neck |
tracheotomy |
|
trans- |
denoting something as moving or situated “across” or “through” |
transfusion, transition |
|
trich(i, o)-, trichia- |
of or pertaining to hair, hairlike structure |
trichocyst |
|
-tripsy |
crushing |
lithotripsy |
|
-trophy |
nourishment, development |
pseudohypertrophy |
|
tympan(o)- |
eardrum |
tympanocentesis, tympanic |
U
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
-ula, -ule |
small |
nodule |
|
ultra- |
beyond, excessive |
ultrasound |
|
umbilic- |
of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus |
umbilical |
|
ungui- |
of or pertaining to the nail, a claw |
unguiform, ungual |
|
un(i)- |
one |
unilateral, universal |
|
ur(o)- |
of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system, chemistry of urine |
urology, urosepsis |
|
uri(c)-, urico- |
uric acid |
uricosuria |
|
urin- |
of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system |
uriniferous |
|
uter(o)- |
of or pertaining to the uterus or womb |
uterus |
V
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
vagin- |
of or pertaining to the vagina |
vaginal |
|
varic(o)- |
swollen or twisted vein |
varicose |
|
vas(o)- |
duct, blood vessel |
vasoconstriction |
|
vasculo- |
blood vessel |
vasculopathy |
|
ven- |
of or pertaining to tblood veins, a vein |
venospasm |
|
ventr(o)- |
of or pertaining to the belly, the stomach cavities |
ventrodorsal, ventrogluteal |
|
vesic(o)- |
of or pertaining to the bladder |
vesica, vesicoureteral |
|
viscer(o)- |
of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera |
viscerogenic, visceromegaly |
X
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
xanth(o)- |
denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color |
xanthopathy |
|
xen(o)- |
foreign, different |
xenograft |
Y
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
-y |
condition or process of |
surgery, rumbly |
Z
Prefix / Suffix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
zo(o)- |
animal, animal life |
zoology |
|
zym(o)- |
fermentation, enzyme |
zymogen |
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Medical References and Resources for Caregivers
References:
https://www.translationdirectory.com/glossaries/glossary328.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_roots,_suffixes_and_prefixes
