Common Prefixes

Question 1

What does the prefix ‘a-, an-‘ mean?

Answer 1

Without, not

Example: Aseptic (without infection)

Question 2

What does the prefix ‘ab-‘ mean?

Answer 2

Away from

Example: Abduct (to move away from the midline)

Question 3

What does the prefix ‘ad-‘ mean?

Answer 3

Toward, near

Example: Adduct (to move toward the midline)

Question 4

What does the prefix ‘anti-‘ mean?

Answer 4

Against

Example: Antibiotic (against life, referring to bacteria)

Question 5

What does the prefix ‘auto-‘ mean?

Answer 5

Self

Example: Autoimmune (immune response against one’s own body)

Question 6

What does the prefix ‘brady-‘ mean?

Answer 6

Slow

Example: Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Question 7

What does the prefix ‘bi-‘ mean?

Answer 7

Two, double

Example: Bilateral (affecting both sides)

Question 8

What does the prefix ‘contra-‘ mean?

Answer 8

Against, opposite

Example: Contraindication (against indication)

Question 9

What does the prefix ‘chlor-‘ mean?

Answer 9

Green

Example: Chlorophyll (green pigment in plants)

Question 10

What does the prefix ‘cyano-‘ mean?

Answer 10

Blue

Example: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin)

Question 11

What does the prefix ‘de-‘ mean?

Answer 11

Down, away from

Example: Dehydrate (to remove water)

Question 12

What does the prefix ‘dys-‘ mean?

Answer 12

Bad, difficult, painful

Example: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Question 13

What does the prefix ‘erythro-‘ mean?

Answer 13

Red

Example: Erythrocyte (red blood cell)

Question 14

What does the prefix ‘endo-‘ mean?

Answer 14

Within, inner

Example: Endoscope (instrument for examining the inside)

Question 15

What does the prefix ‘epi-‘ mean?

Answer 15

Upon, over

Example: Epidermis (outer layer of skin)

Question 16

What does the prefix ‘ex-, exo-‘ mean?

Answer 16

Out, outside

Example: Exhale (to breathe out)

Question 17

What does the prefix ‘hemi-‘ mean?

Answer 17

Half

Example: Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body)

Question 18

What does the prefix ‘hyper-‘ mean?

Answer 18

Over, excessive

Example: Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Question 19

What does the prefix ‘hypo-‘ mean?

Answer 19

Under, below

Example: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Question 20

What does the prefix ‘hetero-‘ mean?

Answer 20

Different

Example: Heterogeneous (composed of different elements)

Question 21

What does the prefix ‘homo-‘ mean?

Answer 21

Same

Example: Homogeneous (of the same kind)

Question 22

What does the prefix ‘inter-‘ mean?

Answer 22

Between

Example: Intercostal (between the ribs)

Question 23

What does the prefix ‘intra-‘ mean?

Answer 23

Within

Example: Intravenous (within a vein)

Question 24

What does the prefix ‘iso-‘ mean?

Answer 24

Equal, same

Example: Isotonic (having equal tension or tone)

Question 25

What does the prefix 'leuko-' mean?

Answer 25

White ## Footnote Example: Leukocyte (white blood cell)

Question 26

What does the prefix 'macro-' mean?

Answer 26

Large ## Footnote Example: Macrocyte (large cell)

Question 27

What does the prefix 'micro-' mean?

Answer 27

Small ## Footnote Example: Microbiology (study of microscopic organisms)

Question 28

What does the prefix 'multi-' mean?

Answer 28

Many ## Footnote Example: Multigravida (a woman who has been pregnant more than once)

Question 29

What does the prefix 'neo-' mean?

Answer 29

New, recent ## Footnote Example: Neonatal (pertaining to newborns)

Question 30

What does the prefix 'oligo-' mean?

Answer 30

Few, scanty ## Footnote Example: Oliguria (scanty urine production)

Question 31

What does the prefix 'pan-' mean?

Answer 31

All ## Footnote Example: Pandemic (a disease affecting all or most people in a large area)

Question 32

What does the prefix 'peri-' mean?

Answer 32

Around ## Footnote Example: Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)

Question 33

What does the prefix 'pan-' mean?

Answer 33

All, entire ## Footnote Example: Panacea (a remedy that is supposed to cure all diseases)

Question 34

What does the prefix 'peri-' mean?

Answer 34

Around, surrounding ## Footnote Example: Pericardium (membrane surrounding the heart)

Question 35

What does the prefix 'poly-' mean?

Answer 35

Many, much ## Footnote Example: Polyuria (excessive urination)

Question 36

What does the prefix 'post-' mean?

Answer 36

After, behind ## Footnote Example: Postoperative (after surgery)

Question 37

What does the prefix 'pre-' mean?

Answer 37

Before, in front of ## Footnote Example: Prenatal (before birth)

Question 38

What does the prefix 'pro-' mean?

Answer 38

Before, forward ## Footnote Example: Prognosis (predicted course and outcome of a disease)

Question 39

What does the prefix 'pseudo-' mean?

Answer 39

False, deceptive ## Footnote Example: Pseudoscience

Question 40

What does the prefix 'quadri-' mean?

Answer 40

Four ## Footnote Example: Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)

Question 41

What does the prefix 'retro-' mean?

Answer 41

Backward, behind ## Footnote Example: Retrograde (moving backward)

Question 42

What does the prefix 'sub-' mean?

Answer 42

Under, below ## Footnote Example: Subcutaneous (under the skin)

Question 43

What does the prefix 'syn-, sym-' mean?

Answer 43

Together, with ## Footnote Example: Syndrome (a group of symptoms that occur together)

Question 44

What does the prefix 'tri-' mean?

Answer 44

Three ## Footnote Example: Tricuspid (having three points or cusps)

Question 45

What does the prefix 'tachy-' mean?

Answer 45

Fast, rapid ## Footnote Example: Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

Question 46

What does the prefix 'trans-' mean?

Answer 46

Across, through ## Footnote Example: Transdermal (across the skin)

Question 47

What does the prefix 'ultra-' mean?

Answer 47

Beyond, excessive ## Footnote Example: Ultrasound (sound waves beyond the range of human hearing)

Question 48

What does the prefix 'uni-' mean?

Answer 48

One, single ## Footnote Example: Unilateral (affecting one side)