List of Medical Prefixes and Suffixes

Derek Tanner, RN - Professional Headshot

Written by Derek Tanner, RN
Registered Nurse | Healthcare Experience Since 2009

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

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