Direction And Position Prefixes Flashcards
What does the prefix ‘Ab-‘ or ‘Abs-‘ mean?
Away from
Commonly used in medical terms to indicate a movement away from a structure.
What does the prefix ‘Ad-‘ mean?
Towards
Often indicates movement towards a structure.
What does the prefix ‘Ante-‘ mean?
Before; Forward
Used to denote a position in front of or prior to something.
What does the prefix ‘Circum-‘ mean?
Around
Indicates a surrounding or encircling position.
What does the prefix ‘Cycl-‘ mean?
Circle; Cycle
Refers to circular or cyclical processes.
What does the prefix ‘De-‘ mean?
Away from; Ending
Used to indicate removal or reversal.
What does the prefix ‘Dia-‘ mean?
Across; Through
Indicates movement through or across a structure.
What does the prefix ‘Ect/o-‘ or ‘Exo-‘ mean?
Outer; Outside
Often used to describe structures that are external.
What does the prefix ‘End/o-‘, ‘Ent-‘, or ‘Enter/o-‘ mean?
Within; Inner
Refers to internal structures.
What does the prefix ‘Epi-‘ mean?
Upon; Outside of
Used to denote a position on top of or external to something.
What does the prefix ‘Ex-‘ or ‘Extra-‘ mean?
Beyond
Indicates something that is outside or additional.
What does the prefix ‘Infra-‘ mean?
Beneath; Below
Used to indicate a position lower than another.
What does the prefix ‘Inter-‘ mean?
Between
Refers to a position or relationship occurring between two structures.
What does the prefix ‘Intra-‘ mean?
Within
Indicates something located inside a structure.
What does the prefix ‘Meso-‘ mean?
Middle
Used to denote a central position.
What does the prefix ‘Meta-‘ mean?
Beyond; Change
Indicates a transition or change in position.
What does the prefix ‘Para-‘ mean?
Alongside; Abnormal
Refers to a position adjacent to or abnormal conditions.
What does the prefix ‘Path/o-‘ mean?
Disease
Used in medical terminology to refer to conditions of disease.
What does the prefix ‘Peri-‘ mean?
Around
Indicates a surrounding position.
What does the prefix ‘Post-‘ mean?
Behind; After
Used to denote a position following or after something.
What does the prefix ‘Pre-‘ mean?
Before; In front
Indicates a position that occurs prior to another.
What does the prefix ‘Retro-‘ mean?
Backward; Behind
Refers to a position towards the back.
What does the prefix ‘Sub-‘ mean?
Under
Indicates a position beneath another structure.
What does the prefix ‘Super-‘ mean?
Above
Used to denote a position higher than another.
What does the prefix ‘Supra-‘ mean?
Above; Upon
Indicates a position over or higher than another structure.
What does the prefix ‘Sy-‘, ‘Syl-‘, ‘Sym-‘, ‘Syn-‘, or ‘Sys-‘ mean?
Together
Refers to a union or combination of structures.
What does the prefix ‘Trans-‘ mean?
Across; Through
Indicates movement from one side to another.
Fill in the blank: The prefix that means ‘Away from’ is _______.
Ab- or Abs-
Commonly used in various medical terms.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Ad-‘.
Adductor
Refers to a muscle that moves a limb towards the body.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Ante-‘.
Antenatal
Refers to the period before birth.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Circum-‘.
Circumcision
A surgical procedure involving the removal of the foreskin.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Cycl-‘.
Cyclic neutropenia
A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of low neutrophil counts.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘De-‘.
Dehydration
A condition resulting from excessive loss of body fluids.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Diagnosis’.
Diagnosis
The identification of the nature of an illness.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Ecto-‘.
Exocrine gland
A gland that secretes substances outside of the body or into a cavity.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Endo-‘.
Endocrine gland
A gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Epi-‘.
Epidermis
The outermost layer of skin.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Intra-‘.
Intracellular fluid
Fluid found within cells.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Meso-‘.
Mesoderm
The middle layer of an embryo in early development.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Meta-‘.
Metabolism
The chemical processes that occur within a living organism.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Patho-‘.
Pathologist
A medical professional who studies the causes and effects of diseases.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Peri-‘.
Pericardium
The membrane enclosing the heart.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Post-‘.
Postpartum
Referring to the period after childbirth.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Pre-‘.
Precancerous
Referring to conditions that may lead to cancer.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Retro-‘.
Retroperitoneum
The space behind the peritoneum.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Sub-‘.
Subcutaneous layer
The layer of tissue beneath the skin.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Super-‘.
Superior
Referring to a position that is higher than another.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Supra-‘.
Supraglottis
The area above the vocal cords.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Sy-‘.
Syndrome
A group of symptoms that consistently occur together.
Give an example of a medical term using the prefix ‘Trans-‘.
Transdermal
Referring to the delivery of medication through the skin.
