Body Part Prefixes

Question 1

Acous/o-

Answer 1

Meaning: Hearing
Example: Acoustic meatus: The opening that provides for passage of the nerve from the hearing and equilibrium organs of the inner ear.

Question 2

Aden/o-

Answer 2

Meaning: Gland

Example:
Adenoid: Pharyngeal tonsil

Question 3

Adip/o-

Answer 3

Meaning: Fat

Example: Fat Cell

Question 4

Adren/o-

Answer 4

Meaning: Gland

Example:
Adrenal cortex: The outer region of the adrenal gland; secretes steroid hormones

Question 5

Angio/o-

Answer 5

Meaning: Blood vessel

Example:
Angioplasty: A procedure in which an occlusion is mechanically widened with a balloon.

Question 6

Arteri/o-

Answer 6

Meaning: Artery

Example:
Arteriole: A very small artery that leads to a capillary.

Question 7

Arthr/o-

Answer 7

Meaning: Joint

Example:
Arthroplasty: Joint replacement surgery

Question 8

Bucc/o-

Answer 8

Meaning: Cheek

Example:
Buccal cavity: The cheeks, tongue, and palate.

Question 9

Bronch/i-

Answer 9

Meaning: Bronchus

Example:
Bronchioles: Branches of the bronchi (large airway that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to a lung

Question 10

Burs/o-

Answer 10

Meaning: Bursa

Example:

Bursa: A thin connective tissue sac filled with lubricating liquid.

Question 11

Carcin/o-

Answer 11

Meaning: Cancer

Example:

Basal cell carcinoma: A form of cancer that affects the stratum basale of the epidermis.

Question 12

Cardi/o-

Answer 12

Meaning: Heart

Example:
Cardiology: The study of the heart.

Question 13

Cephal/o

Answer 13

Meaning: Head

Example:

Cephalic flexure: The curve between the brain stem and forebrain.

Question 14

Chol-

Answer 14

Meaning: Bile

Example:
Cholesterol: An important component of bile acids; a building block of many hormones

Question 15

Chondri-

Answer 15

Meaning: Cartilage

Example:
Chondrosarcoma: A type of cancer that forms in bone cartilage.

Question 16

Coron-

Answer 16

Meaning: Heart

Example:
Coronary arteries: Supply blood to the myocardium and other components of the heart.

Question 17

Cost-

Answer 17

Meaning: Rib

Example: Costal Cartilage: Made of hyaline cartilage and located at the end of each rib.

Question 18

Crani/o

Answer 18

Meaning: Brain

Example:
Cranium: Completely surrounds and protects the brain from non-traumatic injury.

Question 19

Cutane-

Answer 19

Meaning: Skin

Example:
Cutaneous lession: Skin lession

Question 20

Cyst/o-, Cysti-

Answer 20

Meaning: Bladder or sac

Example:
Cystoscopy: Examination of the bladder and urethra using a cystoscope, inserted into the urethra.

Question 21

Derm-, Dermat/o

Answer 21

Meaning: Skin

Example:
Dermatologist: A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin disorders.

Question 22

Duoden/o

Answer 22

Meaning: Duodenum

Duodenitis: Inflammation of the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine)

Question 23

Gastr-

Answer 23

Stomach

Gastrectomy: Stomach removal

Question 24

Gloss-

Answer 24

Tongue

Glossectomy: Surgical removal of all or part if the tongue

Question 25

Hem-, Hema-, Hemat-, Hemo-, Hemat/o-

Answer 25

Blood

Hematopoiesis: The production of blood cells

Question 26

Hepat/o-, Hepatico-

Answer 26

Liver

Hepatic portal system: Carries blood to the liver for processing before it enters circulation

Question 27

Hist/o-, Histo-

Answer 27

Tissue

Histology: The study of tissues

Question 28

Hyster/o-

Answer 28

Uterus

Hysterectomy:
Surgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix

Question 29

Lleo-

Answer 29

Lleum

Lleostomy:
A procedure in which the ileum (the longest part of the small intestine) is brought through the abdominal wall

Question 30

Lschi/o

Answer 30

Lschium

Lschial tuberosity: The large, roughened area of the inferior ischium (the lower and back part of the hip bone)