Medical Word Parts Flashcards
What does the prefix ‘-ac’ mean?
pertaining to
What does ‘andr-‘ or ‘andro-‘ refer to?
male
What does the prefix ‘auto-‘ indicate?
self
What does ‘bio-‘ mean?
life
What does ‘chem-‘ or ‘chemo-‘ stand for?
chemistry
What does ‘cyt-‘ or ‘cyto-‘ refer to?
cell
What does the suffix ‘-blast-‘, ‘-blasto’, or ‘-blastic’ indicate?
bud, germ
What does ‘-cyte’ or ‘-cytic’ mean?
cell
What does ‘fibr-‘ or ‘fibro-‘ refer to?
fiber
What does ‘gluco-‘ or ‘glycol-‘ indicate?
glucose, sugar
What does ‘gyn-‘, ‘gyno-‘, or ‘gynec-‘ mean?
female
What does ‘hetero-‘ signify?
other, different
What does ‘hydr-‘ or ‘hydro-‘ refer to?
water
What does the prefix ‘idio-‘ indicate?
self, one’s own
What does the suffix ‘-ity’ mean?
pertaining to
What does ‘karyo-‘ refer to?
nucleus
What does ‘neo-‘ signify?
new
What does the suffix ‘-ous’ mean?
pertaining to
What does ‘oxy-‘ refer to?
sharp, acute, oxygen
What does ‘pan-‘, ‘pant-‘, or ‘panto-‘ mean?
all or everywhere
What does ‘pharmaco-‘ indicate?
drug, medicine
What does ‘re-‘ mean?
again, backward
What does ‘somat-‘, ‘somatico-‘, or ‘somato-‘ refer to?
body, bodily
What does ‘acous-‘ or ‘acouso-‘ indicate?
hearing
What does ‘aden-‘ or ‘adeno-‘ mean?
gland
What does ‘adip-‘ or ‘adipo-‘ refer to?
fat
What does ‘adren-‘ or ‘adreno-‘ indicate?
gland
What does ‘angi-‘ or ‘angio-‘ mean?
blood vessel
What does ‘ateri-‘ or ‘aterio-‘ refer to?
artery
What does ‘arthr-‘ or ‘arthro-‘ indicate?
joint
What does ‘blephar-‘ mean?
eyelid
What does ‘bronch-‘ or ‘bronchi-‘ refer to?
bronchus (large airway that leads from the trachea to a lung)
What does ‘bucc-‘ or ‘bucco-‘ indicate?
cheek
What does ‘burs-‘, ‘burso-‘ mean?
bursa (a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts)
What does ‘carcin-‘ or ‘carcino-‘ refer to?
cancer
What does ‘cardi-‘ or ‘cardio-‘ indicate?
heart
What does ‘cephal-‘ or ‘cephalo-‘ mean?
head
What does ‘chol-‘ represent?
bile
What does ‘chondr-‘ refer to?
cartilage
What does ‘Coron-‘ mean?
heart
What does ‘cost-‘ refer to?
rib
What does ‘crani-‘ or ‘cranio-‘ indicate?
brain
What does ‘cutane’ mean?
skin
What does ‘cyst-‘, ‘cysti-‘, or ‘cysto-‘ refer to?
bladder or sac
What does ‘dactyl-‘, ‘dactylo-‘ mean?
digit (finger or toe)
What does ‘derm-‘, ‘dermato-‘ indicate?
skin
What does ‘duodeno-‘ refer to?
duodenum (the first part of your small intestine, right after your stomach)
What does ‘-esthesio’ signify?
sensation
What does ‘gloss-‘ or ‘glosso-‘ mean?
tongue
What does ‘gastr-‘ represent?
stomach
What does ‘gnath-‘ or ‘gnatho-‘ indicate?
jaw
What does ‘grav-‘ mean?
heavy
What does ‘hem’, ‘hema-‘, ‘hemat-‘, ‘hemato-‘, or ‘hemo-‘ refer to?
blood
What does ‘hepat-‘, ‘hepatico-‘, or ‘hepato-‘ indicate?
liver
What does ‘hidr-‘ or ‘hidro-‘ mean?
sweat
What does ‘hist-‘, ‘histio-‘, or ‘histo-‘ refer to?
tissue
What does ‘hyster-‘, ‘hystero-‘ mean?
uterus
What does ‘ileo-‘ signify?
ileum (the lower part of the small intestine)
What does ‘irid-‘ or ‘irido-‘ refer to?
iris
What does ‘ischi-‘ or ‘ischio-‘ mean?
ischium (the lower and back part of the hip bone)
What does ‘-ium’ indicate?
structure or tissue
What does ‘kerat-‘ or ‘kerato-‘ refer to?
cornea (eye or skin)
What does ‘lacrim-‘ or ‘lacrimo-‘ mean?
tear (from your eyes)
What does ‘lact-‘, ‘lacti-‘, or ‘lacto-‘ signify?
milk
What does ‘laryng-‘ or ‘laryngo-‘ refer to?
larynx (voice box)
What does ‘lingu-‘ or ‘linguo-‘ mean?
tongue
What does ‘lip-‘ or ‘lipo-‘ indicate?
fat
What does ‘lith-‘ or ‘litho-‘ refer to?
stone
What does ‘lymph-‘ or ‘lympho-‘ signify?
lymph
What does ‘mamm’, ‘mast-‘, or ‘masto-‘ mean?
breast
What does ‘mening-‘, ‘meningo-‘ refer to?
meninges (the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord)
What does ‘muscul-‘, ‘musclo-‘ indicate?
muscle
What does ‘my-‘, ‘myo-‘ refer to?
muscle
What does ‘myel-‘, ‘myelo-‘ mean?
spinal cord OR bone marrow
What does ‘myring-‘, ‘myringo-‘ indicate?
eardrum
What does ‘nephr-‘, ‘nephro-‘ refer to?
kidney
What does ‘neur-‘, ‘neuri-‘, or ‘neuron’ mean?
nerve
What does ‘oculo-‘ signify?
eye
What does ‘odont-‘, ‘odonto-‘ refer to?
tooth
What does ‘onych-‘, ‘onycho-‘ indicate?
fingernail, toenail
What does ‘oo-‘ mean?
egg, ovary
What does ‘oophor-‘, ‘oophoro-‘ refer to?
ovary
What does ‘op-‘ or ‘opt-‘ signify?
vision
What does ‘ophthalm-‘, ‘ophthalmo-‘ mean?
eye
What does ‘orchid-‘, ‘orchido-‘, or ‘orchio-‘ refer to?
testis
What does ‘ossi-‘ indicate?
bone
What does ‘osseo-‘ mean?
bony
What does ‘ost-‘, ‘oste-‘, or ‘osteo-‘ refer to?
bone
What does ‘ot-‘ or ‘oto-‘ mean?
ear
What does ‘ovari-‘, ‘ovario-‘, ‘ovi-‘, or ‘ovo-‘ signify?
ovary
What does ‘phalang-‘ refer to?
phalanx (any bone in the fingers or toes)
What does ‘pharyng-‘, ‘pharyngo-‘ indicate?
pharynx, throat
What does ‘phleb-‘, ‘phlebo-‘ mean?
vein
What does ‘phob-‘, ‘phobia’ signify?
fear
What does ‘phren-‘, ‘phreni-‘, ‘phrenico-‘, or ‘phreno-‘ refer to?
diaphragm
What does ‘pleur-‘, ‘pleura-‘, or ‘pleuro-‘ mean?
rib, pleura (membrane that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity)
What does ‘pneum-‘, ‘pneuma-‘, ‘pneumat-‘, or ‘pneumato-‘ indicate?
air, lung
What does ‘pod-‘ or ‘podo-‘ refer to?
foot
What does ‘prostat-‘ signify?
prostate
What does ‘psych-‘, ‘psyche-‘, or ‘psycho-‘ mean?
mind
What does ‘proct-‘, ‘procto-‘ indicate?
anus, rectum
What does ‘pyel-‘, ‘pyelo-‘ refer to?
pelvis
What does ‘rachi-‘ mean?
spine
What does ‘rect-‘ or ‘recto-‘ signify?
rectum
What does ‘ren-‘, ‘reno-‘ refer to?
kidney
What does ‘retin-‘ mean?
retina (of the eye)
What does ‘rhin-‘, ‘rhino-‘ indicate?
nose
What does ‘salping-‘, ‘salpingo-‘ refer to?
tube
What does ‘sial-‘, ‘sialo-‘ mean?
saliva, salivary gland
What does ‘sigmoid-‘, ‘sigmoido-‘ indicate?
sigmoid colon
What does ‘splanchn-‘, ‘splanchnic-‘, or ‘splanchn- refer to?
viscera (internal organ)
What does ‘sperma-‘, ‘spermato-‘, or ‘spermo-‘ mean?
sperm
What does ‘spirat-‘ signify?
breathe
What does ‘splen-‘, ‘spleno-‘ refer to?
spleen
What does ‘spondyl-‘, ‘spondylo-‘ mean?
vertebra
What does ‘stern-‘ indicate?
sternum (breastbone)
What does ‘stom-‘, ‘stoma-‘, ‘stomat-‘, or ‘stomato-‘ refer to?
mouth
What does ‘thel-‘, ‘thelo-‘ mean?
nipples
What does ‘thorac-‘, ‘thoracico-‘, or ‘thoraco-‘ signify?
chest
What does ‘thromb-‘, ‘thrombo-‘ indicate?
blood clot
What does ‘thyr-‘, ‘thyro-‘ refer to?
thyroid gland
What does ‘trache-‘, ‘tracheo-‘ mean?
trachea (windpipe)
What does ‘tympan-‘, ‘tympano-‘ signify?
eardrum
What does ‘ur-‘, ‘uro-‘ mean?
urine
What does ‘uri-‘, ‘uric-‘, or ‘urico-‘ refer to?
uric acid
What does ‘-uria’ indicate?
in the urine
What does ‘vagin-‘ mean?
vagina
What does ‘varic-‘, ‘varico-‘ refer to?
duct, blood vessel
What does ‘vasculo-‘ indicate?
blood vessel
What does ‘ven-‘, ‘veno-‘ refer to?
vein
What does ‘vertebr-‘ mean?
vertebra, spine
What does ‘vesic-‘, ‘vesico-‘ signify?
vesicle (cyst or pouch)
What does the prefix ‘ab-‘ or ‘abs-‘ mean?
away from
What does ‘ambi-‘ signify?
both sides
What does ‘ante-‘ refer to?
before, forward
What does ‘circum-‘ mean?
around
What does ‘cycl-‘ indicate?
circle, cycle
What does ‘dextr-‘ or ‘dextro-‘ refer to?
right side
What does ‘de-‘ mean?
away from, ending
What does ‘dia-‘ signify?
across, through
What does ‘ect-‘, ‘ecto-‘, or ‘exo-‘ mean?
outer; outside
What does ‘en-‘ refer to?
inside
What does ‘end-‘, ‘endo-‘, ‘ent-‘, ‘enter-‘, or ‘entero-‘ mean?
within; inner
What does ‘epi-‘ indicate?
upon, outside of
What does ‘ex-‘ or ‘extra-‘ refer to?
beyond
What does ‘infra-‘ mean?
beneath; below
What does ‘inter-‘ signify?
between
What does ‘intra-‘ indicate?
within
What does ‘meso-‘ mean?
middle
What does ‘meta-‘ signify?
beyond, change
What does ‘para-‘ mean?
alongside, abnormal
What does ‘per-‘ refer to?
through
What does ‘peri-‘ mean?
around
What does ‘post-‘ indicate?
behind, after
What does ‘pre-‘ signify?
before, in front
What does ‘retro-‘ mean?
backward, behind
What does ‘sinistr-‘ or ‘sinistro-‘ refer to?
left, left side
What does ‘sub-‘ mean?
under
What does ‘super-‘ signify?
above
What does ‘supra-‘ mean?
above, upon
What does ‘sy-‘, ‘syl-‘, ‘sym-‘, ‘syn-‘, or ‘sys-‘ indicate?
together
What does ‘trans-‘ refer to?
across, through
What does ‘bi-‘ mean?
two
What does ‘brady-‘ signify?
slow
What does ‘diplo-‘ refer to?
double
What does ‘hemi-‘ mean?
half
What does ‘homo-‘ indicate?
same
What does ‘hyper-‘ signify?
above, beyond, excessive
What does ‘hypo-‘ mean?
under, deficient
What does ‘iso-‘ refer to?
equal, like
What does ‘macro-‘ signify?
large, long, big
What does ‘meg-‘, ‘mega-‘, ‘megal-‘, or ‘megalo-‘ mean?
great, large
What does ‘-megaly’ refer to?
enlargement
What does ‘mic-‘ or ‘micro-‘ signify?
small
What does ‘mon-‘, ‘mono-‘ mean?
one
What does ‘multi-‘ indicate?
many
What does ‘olig-‘, ‘oligo-‘ mean?
few, little
What does ‘poly-‘ signify?
many, excessive
What does ‘quadri-‘ refer to?
four
What does ‘semi-‘ mean?
half
What does ‘tachy-‘ indicate?
fast
What does ‘tetra-‘ refer to?
four
What does ‘tri-‘ signify?
three
What does ‘uni-‘ mean?
one
What does ‘chlor-‘ or ‘chloro-‘ mean?
green
What does ‘chrom-‘ or ‘chromato-‘ signify?
color
What does ‘cyano-‘ refer to?
blue
What does ‘erythr-‘ or ‘erythro-‘ mean?
red
What does ‘leuk-‘ or ‘leuko-‘ signify?
white
What does ‘melan-‘ or ‘melano-‘ refer to?
black
What does ‘xanth-‘ or ‘xantho-‘ mean?
yellow
What does the suffix ‘-cele’ indicate?
bulge
What does ‘elect-‘ refer to?
electrical activity
What does ‘kin-‘, ‘kine-‘, ‘kinesi-‘, ‘kinesio-‘, or ‘kino-‘ signify?
movement
What does ‘kyph-‘, ‘kypho-‘ mean?
humped
What does ‘morph-‘ or ‘morpho-‘ refer to?
shape
What does ‘rhabd-‘, ‘rhabdo-‘ indicate?
rod-shaped, striated
What does ‘scoli-‘, ‘scolio-‘ signify?
twisted
What does ‘cry-‘ or ‘cryo-‘ mean?
cold
What does ‘phon-‘ or ‘phono-‘ refer to?
sound
What does ‘phos-‘ signify?
light
What does ‘phot-‘ or ‘photo-‘ mean?
light
What does ‘reticul-‘, ‘reticulo-‘ indicate?
net
What does ‘therm-‘ or ‘thermo-‘ refer to?
heat
What does ‘tono-‘ mean?
tone, tension, pressure
What does ‘-alge-‘ or ‘-algesi’ indicate?
pain
What does ‘a-‘ or ‘an-‘ mean?
without; lacking
What does ‘anti-‘ signify?
against
What does ‘contra-‘ refer to?
against
What does ‘dis-‘ mean?
separation, taking apart
What does ‘-dynia’ indicate?
pain, swelling
What does ‘dys-‘ mean?
difficult, abnormal
What does ‘-eal’ or ‘-ial’ signify?
pertaining to
What does ‘-ectasis’ refer to?
expansion or dilation
What does ‘-emesis’ mean?
vomiting
What does ‘-emia’ indicate?
blood condition
What does ‘-esis’ refer to?
state or condition
What does ‘eu-‘ mean?
good, well
What does ‘-ia’ signify?
condition
What does ‘-iasis’ mean?
condition, formation of
What does ‘-ism’ indicate?
condition
What does ‘-ites’ or ‘-itis’ refer to?
inflammation
What does ‘-lysis’, ‘-lytic’, ‘lyso-‘, or ‘lys-‘ signify?
break down, destruction, dissolving
What does ‘mal-‘ mean?
bad, abnormal
What does ‘-malacia’ indicate?
softening
What does ‘-mania’ signify?
morbid impulse towards an object/thing
What does ‘myc-‘ or ‘myco-‘ mean?
fungus
What does ‘myx-‘ or ‘myxo-‘ refer to?
mucus
What does ‘necr-‘ or ‘necro-‘ indicate?
death
What does ‘normo-‘ signify?
normal
What does ‘-odyn’ mean?
pain
What does ‘-oma’ refer to?
tumor
What does ‘-oid’ indicate?
resembling
What does ‘orth-‘, ‘ortho-‘ mean?
straight, normal, correct
What does ‘-osis’ signify?
condition, usually abnormal
What does ‘-pathy’, ‘patho-‘, or ‘path-‘ mean?
disease
What does ‘-penia’ indicate?
deficiency, lack of
What does ‘-phagia’ or ‘-phagy’ refer to?
eating, swallowing
What does ‘-phasia’ signify?
speech
What does ‘-plasia’ or ‘-plastic’ mean?
growth
What does ‘-plegia’ refer to?
paralysis
What does ‘-pnea’ indicate?
breathing
What does ‘-poiesis’ mean?
production
What does ‘-praxia’ refer to?
movement
What does ‘pro-‘ indicate?
favoring, supporting
What does ‘pseudo-‘ mean?
false
What does ‘-ptosis’ signify?
falling, drooping
What does ‘pyo-‘ refer to?
pus
What does ‘pyro-‘ mean?
fever
What does ‘onco-‘ indicate?
tumor, bulk, volume
What does ‘-rrhage’ or ‘-rrhagic’ mean?
bleeding
What does ‘-rrhea’ signify?
flow or discharge
What does ‘sarco-‘ refer to?
muscular, fleshlike
What does ‘schisto-‘ mean?
split, cleft, division
What does ‘schiz-‘ or ‘schizo-‘ indicate?
split, cleft
What does ‘sclera-‘ or ‘sclero-‘ signify?
hardness
What does ‘-sclerosis’ refer to?
hardening
What does ‘-sis’ mean?
condition
What does ‘-spasm’ indicate?
muscle condition
What does ‘spasmo-‘ refer to?
spasm
What does ‘-stasis’ signify?
level, unchanging
What does ‘sten-‘, ‘stenosis’ mean?
narrowed, blocked
What does ‘-taxis’ indicate?
movement
What does ‘-trophy’ mean?
growth
What does ‘-centesis’ refer to?
surgical puncture to remove fluid
What does ‘-desis’ signify?
surgical binding
What does ‘-ectomy’ mean?
cut out, removal
What does ‘-gram’, ‘-graph’, or ‘-graphy’ indicate?
recording, written
What does ‘-meter’ refer to?
device used for measuring
What does ‘-metry’ mean?
measurement of
What does ‘-opsy’ signify?
visual examination
What does ‘-ostomy’ indicate?
opening
What does ‘-otomy’ mean?
incision
What does ‘-pexy’ refer to?
surgical fixation
What does ‘-plasty’ indicate?
surgical reconstruction
What does ‘radio-‘ mean?
radiation, radius
What does ‘-rrhaphy’ signify?
suture
What does ‘-scope’ or ‘-scopy’ refer to?
examine, for examining
What does ‘-stomy’ mean?
surgical opening
What does ‘-tomy’ indicate?
cutting; incision
What does ‘-tripsy’ signify?
crushing
