Body Part Prefixes

Question 1

What does the prefix ‘cephal(o)’ mean?

Answer 1

Head

Example: Cephalgia (headache)

Question 2

What does the prefix ‘cervic(o)’ mean?

Answer 2

Neck, cervix

Example: Cervical (pertaining to the neck or the cervix)

Question 3

What does the prefix ‘thorac(o)’ mean?

Answer 3

Chest

Example: Thoracotomy (surgical incision into the chest)

Question 4

What does the prefix ‘abdomin(o)’ mean?

Answer 4

Abdomen

Example: Abdominal (pertaining to the abdomen)

Question 5

What does the prefix ‘lapar(o)’ mean?

Answer 5

Abdomen, abdominal wall

Example: Laparoscopy (visual examination of the abdominal cavity)

Question 6

What does the prefix ‘gastr(o)’ mean?

Answer 6

Stomach

Example: Gastroenterology (study of the stomach and intestines)

Question 7

What does the prefix ‘enter(o)’ mean?

Answer 7

Intestine

Example: Enteritis (inflammation of the intestine)

Question 8

What does the prefix ‘hepato-‘ mean?

Answer 8

Liver

Example: Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

Question 9

What does the prefix ‘nephro-‘ mean?

Answer 9

Kidney

Example: Nephrology (study of kidney function and diseases)

Question 10

What does the prefix ‘uro-‘ mean?

Answer 10

Urinary tract

Example: Urology (study of the urinary system)

Question 11

What does the prefix ‘cyst(o)’ mean?

Answer 11

Bladder

Example: Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)

Question 12

What does the prefix ‘procto-‘ mean?

Answer 12

Rectum, anus

Example: Proctology (study of rectal and anal disorders)

Question 13

What does the prefix ‘col(o)’ mean?

Answer 13

Colon

Example: Colonoscopy (examination of the colon)

Question 14

What does the prefix ‘splen(o)’ mean?

Answer 14

Spleen

Example: Splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen)

Question 15

What does the prefix ‘cardi(o)’ mean?

Answer 15

Heart

Example: Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)

Question 16

What does the prefix ‘angi(o)’ mean?

Answer 16

Vessel

Example: Angioplasty (surgical repair of a blood vessel)