Medical prefixes and suffixes Flashcards
1
Q
a-, an-
A
not, without
Greek (ἀ-/ἀν): not, without
analgesic, apathy
2
Q
ab-
A
from; away from
Latin
abduction
3
Q
abdomin-
A
of or relating to the abdomen
Latin (abdōmen): fat around the belly
abdominal
4
Q
-ac
A
pertaining to; one afflicted with
Greek (ακός)
cardiac, hydrophobiac
5
Q
acanth-
A
thorn or spine
Greek (ἄκανθα): thorn
acanthion (porcupine), acanthocyte, acanthoma
6
Q
acou-
A
of or related to hearing
Greek (ἀκούειν, ἀκουστικός): of or for hearing
acoustician, hyperacusis
7
Q
acr-
A
extremity, topmost
Greek (ἄκρον): highest or farthest point
acromegaly, acroosteolysis
8
Q
-ad
A
toward, in the direction of
Latin (ad): toward, to
dorsad, ventrad
9
Q
ad-
A
at, increase, on, toward
Latin (ad-): to
adduction
10
Q
aden-
A
of or relating to a gland
Greek (ἀδήν, ἀδέν): an acorn; a gland
adenocarcinoma, adenology
11
Q
adip-
A
of or relating to fat or fatty tissue
Latin (adeps, adip-): fat
adipocyte
12
Q
adren-
A
of or relating to the adrenal glands
Latin (ad + rēnēs): kidneys
adrenal artery
13
Q
-aemia
A
blood condition
Greek (ἀναιμία)
aneamia
14
Q
are(o)-
A
air, gas
Greek (ἀήρ, ἀέρος)
aerosinusitis
15
Q
aesthesi-
A
sensation
Greek (αἴσθησις)
anaesthesia
16
Q
-al
A
pertaining to
Latin (-alis)
abdominal, femoral
17
Q
alb-
A
denoting a white or pale color
Latin (albus): white
albino
18
Q
alge(si-), algia, alg(i)o-
A
pain
Greek (ἄλγος)
analgesic, myalgia
19
Q
all-
A
denoting something as different, or as an addition
Greek (ἄλλος): another, other
alloantigen
20
Q
ambi-
A
denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two
Latin (amibi-, ambo): both, on both sides
ambidextrous
21
Q
amnio-
A
pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)
Greek (ἄμνιον)
aminocentesis
22
Q
amph(i)-
A
on both sides
Greek (ἀμφί)
amphismela
23
Q
amylo-
A
starchy, carbohydrate-related
Latin (amylum): starch
amylase, amylophagia
24
Q
ana-
A
back, again, up
Greek (ἀνα-)
anabiosis, anadromous
25
andr-
pertaining to a man
Greek (ἀνήρ): male
andriod, androgen
26
angi-
blood vessel
Greek (ἀγγεῖον)
angiogram, angioplasty
27
aniso-
describing something as unequal
Greek (ἄνῑσος): unequal
anisocytosis, anisotropic
28
ankyl-, ancyl-
denoting something as crooked or bent
| Greek (ἀγκύλος): crooked, curved
29
ante-
describing something as positioned in front of another thing
Latin (āntē): before, in front of
antepartum
30
anti-
describing something as "against" or "opposed to" another
Greek (αντι): against
antibody, antipsychotic
31
apo-
away, separated from, derived from
Greek (ἀπό)
apoptosis
32
archi-
first, primitive
Greek (ἀρχι-)
archinephron
33
arsen(o)-
of or pertaining to a male; masculine
Greek (αρσενικός)
arsenoblast
34
arteri(o)-
of or pertaining to an artery
Greek (ἀρτηρία): a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)
arteriole, artery
35
anthr-
of or pertaining to the joints, limbs
Greek (ἄρθρον): a joint, limb
arthritis
36
articul-
joint
Latin (articulus)
articulation
37
-ary
pertaining to
Latin (-arius)
biliary, coronary
38
-ase
enzyme
Greek (δια- [part, apart] + στάσις [stand]: division
lactase
39
-asthenia
weakness
Greek (ἀσθένεια): lack of strength, disease
neurasthenia
40
atel(o)-
imperfect or incomplete development
Greek (ἀτελής): without end, incomplete
atelocardia
41
ather-
fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit
Greek (ἀθάρη)
atherosclerosis
42
-ation
process
Latin
medication
43
atri-
an atrium (esp. heart atrium)
Latin
atrioventricular
44
aur-
of or pertaining to the ear
Latin (auris): the ear
aural
45
aut-
self
Greek (αὐτός)
autoimmune
46
aux(o)-
increase; growth
Greek (αὐξάνω, αὔξω)
auxocardia (enlargement of the heart), auxology
47
axill-
of or pertaining to the armpit (more common: axilla--armpit
Latin (axilla): armpit
axilla
48
azo(to)-
nitrogenous compound
French (azote): nitrogen. From the Greek (ά + ζωτικός): without + life, or mephitic air
azothermia: raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in the blood
49
bacillus
rod-shaped
Latin (baculus): stick
bacillus anthracis
50
bacteri-
pertaining to bacteria
Latin (bacterium); Greek (βακτήριον): small staff
bacteriophage
51
balan-
of the glans penis, or glans clitoridis
Greek (βάλανος): acorn, glans
balanitis
52
bas-
of or pertaining to a base
Greek (βάσις): foundation, base
basolateral
53
bi-
twice, double
Latin bi-
binary vision
54
bio-
life
Greek (βίος): life
biology
55
blast-
germ or bid
Greek (βλαστός)
blastomere
56
blephar(o)-
of or pertaining to the eyelid
Greek (βλέφαρον): eyelid
blepharoplasty
57
brachi(o)-
of or relating to the arm
Latin (bracchium); Greek (βραχίων): arm
brachium of inferior colliculus
58
brachy-
indicating "short", or less commonly "little"
Greek (βραχύς): short, little, shallow
brachycephalic
59
brady-
slow
Greek (βραδύς): slow
bradycardia
60
bronch(i)-
of or relating to the bronchus
Latin (bronchus); Greek (βρόγχος): windpipe
bronchitis
61
bucc(o)-
of or pertaining to the cheek
Latin (bucca): cheek
buccolabial
62
burs(o)-
bursa (fluid sac between the bones)
Latin (bursa): purse; Greek (βύρσα): hide, wine-skin
bursa, bursitis
63
capill-
of or pertaining to hair
| Latin (capillus): hair
64
capit-
pertaining to the head as a whole
| Latin (caput, capit-): the head
65
carcin-
cancer
Greek (καρκίνος): crab
carcinoma
66
cardi-
of or pertaining to the heart
Greek (καρδία): heart
cardiology
67
carp-
of or pertaining to the wrist
Latin (carpus); Greek (καρπός): wrist
Note: not to be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit
carpopedal spasm
68
cata-
down, under
Greek (κατά)
cataract, catabolism
69
-cele
pouching, hernia
Greek (κήλη)
hydrocele, varicocele
70
-centesis
surgical puncture for aspiration
Greek (κέντησις)
amniocentesis
71
cephal(o)-
of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)
Greek (κεφαλή): the head
cephalagy, hydrocephalus
72
cerat(o)-
of or pertaining to the cornu (a type of horn)
Greek (κέρας): a horn
ceratoid
73
cerebell(o)-
of or pertaining to the cerebellum
| Latin (cerebellum): little brain
74
cerebr-
of or pertaining to the brain
Latin (cerebrum): brain
cerebrology
75
cervic-
of or pertaining to the neck or cervix
Latin (cervix): neck, cervix
cervicodorsal, cervical vertebrae
76
cheil-
of or pertaining to the lips
Greek (χεῖλος): lip, mouth, beak
angular cheilitis
77
chem-
chemistry, drug
Greek (χημεία)
chemotherapy
78
chir-, cheir-
of or pertaining to the hand
Greek (χείρ, χειρο-): hand
chiropractor
79
chlor-
denoting a green color
Greek (χλωρός): green, yellow-green
chlorophyll
80
chol(e)-
of or pertaining to bile
Greek (χολή): bile
cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US)
81
cholecyst(o)-
of or pertaining to the gallbladder
Greek (χολη + κύστις): bile, gall + bladder
cholecystectomy
82
chondr(i)o-
cartilage, gristle, granule, granular
Greek (χονδρός)
chondrocalcinosis
83
chrom(ato)-
color
Greek (χρῶμα)
hemochromatosis
84
-cidal, -cide
killing, destroying
Latin (-cīda): cutter, killer
bacteriocidal
85
cili-
of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids
Latin (cilium): eyelash; eyelid
ciliary
86
circum-
denoting something as "around" another
Latin (circum): around
circumcision
87
cis-
on this side
Latin (cis)
cisgender
88
clast
break
Greek (κλαστός): broken
osteoclast
89
clostr-
spindle
Greek (κλωστήρ): spindle, thread
Clostridium
90
co-
with, together, in association
Latin (co-)
coenzymes
91
coccus
round, spherical
Greek (κόκκος): berry, seed
Streptococcus
92
col-, colo-, colono-
colon
Greek (κόλον)
colonscopy
93
colp(o)-
of or pertaining to the vagina
Greek (κόλπος): bosom, womb; hollow, depth
colposcopy
94
com-
with, together
| Latin (cum)
95
contra
against
Latin (contrā)
contraindiction
96
cor-
of or pertaining to the eye's pupil
Greek (κόρη): girl, doll; pupil of the eye
corectomy
97
cord(i)-
of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix)
Latin (cor): heart
commotio cordis
98
cornu-
applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened to or similar to horns
Latin (cornū): horn
greater cornu
99
coron(o)-
pertaining to the heart
Latin (corōna)
coronary heart disease
100
cortic(o)-
cortex, outer region
Latin (cortex): bark of a tree
corticosteroid
101
cost-
of or pertaining to the ribs
Latin (costa): rib
costochondral
102
cox-
of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint
| Latin (coxa): hip
103
crani(o)-
belonging or relating to the cranium
Latin (cranium); Greek (κρᾱνίον): cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain
craniology
104
-crine, crin(o)
to secrete
Greek (κρίνω): seperate, divide, discern
endocrine
105
cry(o)-
cold
Greek (κρύος)L cold, frost
cryoablation
106
cutane-
skin
Latin (cutis)
subcutaneous
107
cyan(o)-
having a blue color
| Greek (κύανος): blue, of the color blue
108
cycl-
circle, cycle
Greek (κύκλος)
cyclosis
109
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-
of or pertaining to the urinary bladder
| Greek (κύστις): bladder, cycst
110
cyt(o)-, -cyte
cell
Greek (κύτος): a hollow, vessel
cytokine, leukocyte
111
dracy(o)-
of or pertaining to tears
Greek (δάκρυ): tear
dacryoadenitis, dracyocystitis
112
-dactyl(o)-
of or pertaining to a finger or toe
| Greek (δάκτυλος): finger, toe
113
de-
from, down, or away from
Latin (de-)
dehydrate
114
dent-
of or pertaining to teeth
Latin (dens, dentis): tooth
dentist
115
dermat(o)-, derm(o)
of or pertaining to the skin
Greek (δέρμα, δέρματος): skin, human skin
dermatology, epidermis, xeroderma
116
-desis
binding
Greek (δέσις)
arthrodesis
117
dextr(o)-
right, on the right side
Latin (dexter)
dextrocardia
118
di-
```
two
Greek (δι-)
diplopia
---or---
apart, separation
Latin (dis-)
dilation, distal
```
119
dia-
through, during, across
Greek (διά): through, during across
dialysis
120
dif-
apart, seperation
Latin (dif-)
different
121
digit-
of or pertaining to the finger
| Latin (digitus): finger, toe
122
diplo-
twofold
Greek (διπλόος)
diploid, diplosis, diploma (double-folded document)
123
-dipsia
condition of (thirst)
Greek (δίψα)
dipsomania, polydipsia
124
dis-
separation, taking apart
Latin (dis-)
dissection
125
dors(o)-, dors(i)-
of or pertaining to the back
Latin (dorsum): back
dorsal
126
dromo-
running, conduction, course
Greek (δρόμος)
dromotropic, syndrome
127
dura-
hard
Latin (durus)
dura matter
128
duodeno-
twelve
Latin (duideni)
duodenal atresia, duodenum
129
dynam(o)-
force, energy, power
Greek (δύναμις)
hand strength dynamometer
130
-dynia
pain
Greek (ὀδύνη)
vulvodynia
131
dys-
bad, difficult, defective, abnormal
Greek (δυσ-)
dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia
132
ec-
out, away
Greek (ἐκ): out of, from
ectopia, ectopic pregnancy
133
ect(o)-
outer, outside
Greek (ἐκτός)
ectoblast, ectoderm
134
-ectasio, -ectasis
expansion, dilation
Greek (ἔκτασις)
bronchiectasis, telangiectasia
135
-ectomy
denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision
Greek (ἐκτομή): excision
mastectomy
136
-emesis
vomiting condition
Greek (ἕμεσις)
hematemesis
137
-emia
blood condition (American English)
Greek (αἷμα): blood
anemia
138
encephal(o)-
of or pertaining to the brain
Greek (ἐγκέφαλος): the brain
encephalogram
139
endo-
deontes something as inside or within
Greek (ἔνδον): inside, internal
endocrinology, endoscope
140
eosin(o)-
having a red color
Greek (ἠώς): dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn
eosinophil granulocyte
141
enter(o)-
of or pertaining to the intestine
Greek (ἔντερον): intestine
gastroenterology
142
epi-
on, upon
Greek (ἐπι-): before, upon, on, outside, outside of
epicardium, epidermis, epidural
143
episi(o)-
of or pertaining to the public region, the loins
Greek (ἐπίσιον): the pubic area, loins; vulva
episiotomy
144
erythr(o)-
having a red color
Greek (ἐρυθρός): red
erythrocyte
145
esthesio-
sensation (American English)
Greek (αἴσθησις): to perceive
esthesia
146
eu-
true, good, well, new
Greek (εὖ)
eukaryote
147
ex-
out of, away from
Latin (ex-)
excision
148
exo-
denotes something as "outside" another
Greek (ἔξω): outside of, external
exophthalmos, exoskeleton
149
extra-
outside
Latin (extra): outside of, beyond
extradural hematoma
150
faci-
of or pertaining to the face
| Latin (faciēs): the face, countenance
151
fibr-
fiber
Latin (fibra): fiber, filament, entrails
fibrin, fibroblast
152
fil-
fine, hair-like
Latin (filum): thread
filament
153
foramen
hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone
| Latin (forāmen)
154
-form
used to form adjectives indicating "having the form of"
Latin (fōrma): form, shape
cuneiform, cruciform
155
fore-
before or ahead
Old English (fōr(e)-) before, in front of
foregut
156
fossa
a hollow or depressed area: a trench or channel
Latin (fossa): ditch, pit
fossa ovalis
157
front-
of or pertaining to the forehead
Latin (frōns): the forehead
frontonasal
158
galact(o)-
milk
Greek (γάλα, γαλακτ-)
galactorrhea, galaxy
159
gastr(o)-
of or pertaining to the stomach
Greek ( γαστήρ, γαστρ-): stomach, belly
gastric bypass
160
-gen
A) born in, from B) of a certain kind
Greek (-γενής): to be born
A) endogen B) heterogenous
161
-genic
formative, pertaining to producing
Greek (-γενής)
cardiogenic shock
162
genu-
of or pertaining to the knee
Latin (genū): knee
genu valgum
163
-guesia
taste
Greek (γεῦσις)
ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia
164
gingiv-
of or pertaining to the gums
Latin (gingīva): gum
gingivitis
165
glauc(o)-
having a gray or bluish-gray color
Greek (γλαυκός): gray, bluish-gray
glaucoma
166
gloss(o)-, glotto(0)-
of or pertaining to the tongue
Greek (γλῶσσα): tongue
glossology
167
gluco-
sweet
Greek (γλυκύς): sweet
glucocorticoid
168
glyc(o)-
sugar
Greek (Greek (γλυκύς): sweet
glycolysis
169
gnath(o)-
of or pertaining to the jaw
Greek (γνάθος): jaw
gnathodynamometer
170
-gnosis
knowledge
Greek (γνῶσις): inquiry, knowledge
diagnosis, prognosis
171
gon(o)-
seed, semen; reproductive
Greek (γόνος): fruit, seed, procreating
gonorrhea
172
-gram, -gramme
record or picture
Greek (γράμμα): picture, letter, writing
angiogram
173
-graph
instrument used to record data or picture
Greek (-γραφία): written, drawn, graphic interpretation
electrocardiograph
174
gyno-, gyneco-
woman
Greek (γυνή)
gynecomastia
175
halluc-
to wander in mind
Latin (ālūcinor): to wander in mind
hallucinosis
176
hema-, hemat-
of or pertaining to blood
Latin (hæma): from the Greek (αἷμα, (grc)): blood
hemal, hemoglobin, hematology
177
hemangi(o)-
blood vessels
Greek (αἷμα (grc) + ἀγγεῖον): blood + vessel, urn
hemangioma
178
hemi-
one-half
Greek (ἡμι-): half
cerebral hemisphere
179
hepat(ic)-
of or pertaining to the liver
Greek (ἧπαρ): the liver
hepatology, hepatitis
180
heter(o)-
denotes something as "the other" (of two), as an addition, or different
Greek (ἕτερος): the other (of two), another; different
181
hidr(o)-
sweat
Greek (ἱδρώς): sweat, perspiration
hyperhidrosis
182
hist(o)-, histio-
tissue
Greek (ἱστός): web, tissue
histology
183
home(o)-
similar
Greek (ὅμοιος): like, resembling, similar
homeopathy ("like cures like")
184
hom(o)-
denotes something as "the same" as another; common
Greek (ὁμός): the same, common
homosexuality, homozygote
185
humer(o)-
of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)
Latin umerus: shoulder
humerus
186
hydr(o)-
water
Greek (ὕδωρ): water
hydrophobe
187
hyper-
extreme or beyond normal
Greek (ὑπέρ): over, above; beyond, to the extreme
hypertension, hypertrichosis
188
hyp(o)-
below normal
Greek (ὑπό): below, under
hypovolemia, hypoxia
189
hyster(o)-
of or pertaining to the uterus
Greek (ὑστέρα): womb
hysterectomy
190
-iasis
condition, formation, or presence of
Latin -iasis: pathological condition or process; from the Greek (ἴασις): cure, repair, mend
mydriasis
191
-iatry
denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component
Greek (ἰατρός): healer, physician
poditry, psychiatry
192
-ic
pertaining to
Greek (-ικός): of, pertaining to
hepatic artery
193
-ics
organized knowledge, treatment
Latin -icus: collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek (-ικός): of, pertaining to
obstetrics
194
idio-
self, one's own
Greek (ἴδιος): one's own
idiopathic
195
infra-
below
Latin (īnfrā): below
infrahyoid muscles
196
inter-
between, among
Latin (inter)
interarticular ligament
197
intra-
```
within
Latin (intrā)
intramural
```
198
ipsi-
same
Latin (ipsi-)
ipsilateral
199
irid(o)-
of or pertaining to the iris
Latin (īrīs): rainbow; from the Greek (ἶρις): rainbow
iridectomy
200
isch-
restriction
Greek (ἴσχω): hold back, restrain
ischemia
201
-ism
condition, disease
Greek (-ισμός): suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine
dwarfism
202
-ismus
spasm, contraction
Greek (-ισμός)
hemiballismus
203
iso-
denoting something as being equal
Greek (ἴσος): equal
isotonic
204
-ist
one who specializes in
Greek (-ιστής): agent noun, one who practices
pathologist
205
-ite
the nature of, resembling
Latin (-ītēs): those belonging to; from Greek (-ίτης)
dendrite
206
-itis
inflammation
Greek (-ῖτις)
tonsillitis
207
-ium
structure, tissue
Latin (-ium): aggregation or mass of (such a tissue)
pericardium
