Common Prefixes Flashcards

1
Q

Prefix: A-, An-

A

Meaning- Without; Lacking

Example of use in Medical Terms
Anemia: A condition in which the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin is deficient.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Prefix: Andr/o-

A

Meaning: Male

Example of use in Medical Terms
Androgen: Male sex hormones; for example, testosterone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Prefix: Anti-

A

Meaning: Against

Example of use in Medical Terms
Anticholinergic drugs: Drugs that inhibit the release of acetylcholine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Prefix: Auto

A

Meaning: Self

Example of use in Medical Terms
Autocrine: A chemical that elicits a response in the same cell that secreted it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Prefix: Bio-

A

Meaning: Life

Example of use in Medical Terms
A science concerned with the origin, structure, development, growth, function, genetics, and reproduction of animals, plants, and microorganisms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Prefix: Chem/o-

A

Meaning: Chemistry

Chemotherapy: Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Prefix: Contra-

A

Meaning: Against

Example of use in Medical Terms
Contraception: The use of drugs, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Prefix: Cyt/o-

A

Meaning: Cell

Example of use in Medical Terms
Cytokine: A signaling molecule that allows cells to communicate with each other over short distances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Prefix: Dis-

A

Meaning: Separation; Taking apart

Example of use in Medical Terms
Dissection: When a body is dissected, it’s structures are cut apart in order to observe their physical attributes and relationships to one another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Prefix: Dys-

A

Difficult; Abnormal

Example of use in Medical Terms
Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Prefix: Eu-

A

Meaning: Good; Well

Example of use in Medical Terms
Eupnea: A mode of breathing that occurs at rest and does not require the cognitive thought of the individual; also known as quiet breathing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Prefix: Fibr/o-

A

Meaning: Fiber

Example of use in Medical Terms
Fibrosis: A process in which muscle fibers are replaced by scar tissue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Prefix: Gluco-, Glyco-

A

Meaning
Glucose; Sugar

Example of use in Medical Terms
Glycogen: A polysaccharide that is converted to glucose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Prefix: Gyn/o-, Gynec-

A

Meaning: Female

Example of use in Medical Terms
Gynecology: A medical-surgical specialty concerned with the physiology and disorders primarily female genital tract, as well as female endocrinology and reproductive physiology.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Prefix: Hydro/o-

A

Meaning: Water

Example of use in Medical Terms
Hydrocephalus: The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Prefix: Idio-

A

Meaning: Self; One’s own

Example of use in Medical Terms
Idiopathic: Something that is unknown

17
Q

Prefix: Lyso-, Lys

A

Meaning: Break down; Destruction; Dissolving

Example of use in Medical Terms
Lysosome: An organelle that contains enzymes that break down and digest unneeded cellular components.

18
Q

Prefix: Mal-

A

Meaning: Bad; Abnormal

Example of use in Medical Terms
Malignant: Cancerous

19
Q

Prefix: Myc/o-

A

Meaning: Fungus

Example of use in Medical Terms
Mycetoma: A chronic subcutaneous infection

20
Q

Prefix: Necro/o-

A

Meaning: Death

Example of use in Medical Terms
Necrosis: The death of the cells in body tussues.

21
Q

Prefix: Neo-

A

Meaning: New

Example of use in Medical Terms
Neonate: An infant during the first 28 days after birth.

22
Q

Prefix: Oxy-

A

Meaning: Sharp; Acute; Oxygen

Example of use in Medical Terms
Oxytocin: Hypothalamic hormone stored in the posterior pituitary gland and important in stimulating uterine contractions in labor, milk ejection during breastfeeding, and feelings of attachment.

23
Q

Prefix: Pan-, Pant/o-

A

Meaning: All or everywhere

Example of use in Medical Terms
Pancytopenia: A condition in which there is a lower-than-normal number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood.

24
Q

Prefix: Pharmaco-

A

Meaning: Drug; Medicine

Example of use in Medical Terms
Pharmacist: A health professional who has special training in preparing and dispensing (giving out) prescription drugs.

25
Q

Prefix: Re-

A

Meaning: Against; Backward

Example of use in Medical Terms
Rejuvenation: The phenomenon of youthfulness, vitality, and freshness being restored.

26
Q

Pefix: Somat/o-, Somatico-

A

Meaning: Body;Bodily

Example of use in Medical Terms
Somatic Cell: General term for a body cell