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2
Prefixes and Suffixes
Learning Objectives
- Understand the difference between a prefix and a suffix.
- Differentiate prefixes that deal with body parts, color, and direction.
- Distinguish suffixes that deal with procedures.
Prefixes
Prefixes are located at the beginning of a medical term. The prefix alters the meaning of the medical term. It is important to spell and pronounce prefixes correctly.
Many prefixes that you find in medical terms are common to English language prefixes. A good technique to help with memorization is the following:
- Start by reviewing the most common prefixes.
- Consider common English language words that begin with the same prefixes.
- Compare them to the examples of use in medical terms.
Common Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| A-, An- | Without; Lacking | Anemia |
| Andr/o- | Male | Androgen |
| Anti- | Against | Anticholinergic drugs |
| Auto- | Self | Autocrine |
| Bio- | Life | Biology |
| Chem/o- | Chemistry | Chemotherapy |
| Contra- | Against | Contraception |
| Cyt/o- | Cell | Cytokine |
| Dis- | Separation; Taking apart | Dissection |
| Dys- | Difficult; Abnormal | Dyspnea |
| Eu- | Good; Well | Eupnea |
| Fibr/o- | Fiber | Fibrosis |
| Gluco-, Glyco- | Glucose; Sugar | Glycogen |
| Gyn/o-, Gynec- | Female | Gynecology |
| Hydr/o- | Water | Hydrocephalus |
| Idio- | Self; One’s own | Idiopathic |
| Lyso-, Lys- | Break down; Destruction; Dissolving | Lysosome |
| Mal- | Bad; Abnormal | Malignant |
| Myc/o- | Fungus | Mycetoma |
| Necr/o- | Death | Necrosis |
| Neo- | New | Neonate |
| Oxy- | Sharp; Acute; Oxygen | Oxytocin |
| Pan-, Pant/o- | All or everywhere | Pancytopenia |
| Pharmaco- | Drug; Medicine | Pharmacist |
| Re- | Again; Backward | Rejuvenation |
| Somat/o-, Somatico- | Body; Bodily | Somatic cell |
Body Part Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| Acous/o- | Hearing | Acoustic meatus |
| Aden/o- | Gland | Adenoid |
| Adip/o- | Fat | Adipocyte |
| Adren/o- | Gland | Adrenal cortex |
| Angi/o- | Blood vessel | Angioplasty |
| Arteri/o- | Artery | Arteriole |
| Arthr/o- | Joint | Arthroplasty |
| Bucc/o- | Cheek | Buccal cavity |
| Bronch/i- | Bronchus | Bronchioles |
| Burs/o- | Bursa | Bursa |
| Carcin/o- | Cancer | Basal cell carcinoma |
| Cardi/o- | Heart | Cardiology |
| Cephal/o- | Head | Cephalic flexure |
| Chol- | Bile | Cholesterol |
| Chondri- | Cartilage | Chondrosarcoma |
| Coron- | Heart | Coronary arteries |
| Cost- | Rib | Costal cartilage |
| Crani/o- | Brain | Cranium |
| Cutane- | Skin | Cutaneous |
| Cyst/o-, Cysti- | Bladder or sac | Cystoscopy |
| Derm-, Dermat/o- | Skin | Dermatologist |
| Duoden/o- | Duodenum | Duodenitis |
| Gastr- | Stomach | Gastrectomy |
| Gloss- | Tongue | Glossectomy |
| Hem-, Hema-, Hemat-, Hemo-, Hemat/o- | Blood | Hematopoiesis |
| Hepat/o-, Hepatico- | Liver | Hepatic portal system |
| Hist/o-, Histio- | Tissue | Histology |
| Hyster/o- | Uterus | Hysterectomy |
| Ileo- | Ileum | Ileostomy |
| Ischi/o- | Ischium | Ischial tuberosity |
| Kerat/o- | Corena (eye or skin) | Keratin |
| Lacrim/o- | Tear (from your eyes) | Lacrimal fluid |
| Lact/o-, Lacti- | Milk | Lactose |
| Laryng/o- | Larynx | Laryngitis |
| Lingu/o- | Tongue | Lingual tonsil |
| Lip/o- | Fat | Lipolysis |
| Lymph/o- | Lymph | Lymphocyte |
| Mamm-, Mast/o- | Breast | Mammary glands |
| Mening/o- | Meninges | Meningitis |
| Muscul/o- | Muscle | Musculoskeletal |
| My/o- | Muscle | Myocardium |
| Myel/o- | Spinal cord or bone marrow | Myelin |
| Nephr/o- | Kidney | Nephron |
| Neur/i-, Neur/o- | Nerve | Neuron |
| Oculo- | Eye | Oculomotor nerve |
| Onco- | Tumor; Bulk; Volume | Oncogene |
| Onych/o- | Fingernail; Toenail | Onychodystrophy |
| Oo- | Egg; Ovary | Oocyte |
| Oophor/o- | Ovary | Oophorectomy |
| Op-, Opt- | Vision | Optic nerve |
| Ophthalm/o- | Eye | Ophthalmic artery |
| Orchid/o-, Orchio- | Testis | Orchidectomy |
| Orth/o- | Straight; Normal; Correct | Orthostatic |
| Osseo- | Bony | Osseous tissue |
| Ossi- | Bone | Ossicles |
| Ost-, Oste/o- | Bone | Osteoporosis |
| Ot/o- | Ear | Otolaryngologist |
| Ovar/i-, Ovario-, Ovi-, Ovo- | Ovary | Ovarian follicle |
| Phalang- | Phalanx | Phalanges |
| Pharyng/o- | Pharynx; Throat | Pharyngeal tonsil |
| Phleb/o- | Vein | Phlebotomist |
| Phren/i-, Phreno-, Phrenico- | Diaphragm | Phrenic nerve |
| Pleur-, Pleur/a-, Pleur/o- | Rib, pleura | Pleural cavity |
| Pneum/a- Pneumat/o- | Air; Lung | Pneumonia |
| Proct/o- | Anus; Rectum | Proctoscopy |
| Prostat- | Prostate | Prostatectomy |
| Pseudo- | False | Pseudostratified |
| Psych/o-, Psyche- | Mind | Psychiatrist |
| Radio- | Radiation; Radius | Radioisotopes |
| Ren/o- | Kidney | Renal cortex |
| Retin- | Retina (of the eye) | Retinitis pigmentosa |
| Rhin/o- | Nose | Rhinoscope |
| Salping/o- | Tube | Salpingo-oophorectomy |
| Sarco- | Muscular; Flesh-like | Sarcomere |
| Schiz/o- | Split; Cleft | Schizophrenia |
| Sclera-, Sclero- | Hardness | Sclerosis |
| Sigmoid/o- | Sigmoid colon | Sigmoidoscopy |
| Sperma-, Spermo-, Spermato- | Sperm | Spermatocyte |
| Splen/o- | Spleen | Splenomegaly |
| Sten/o- | Narrowed; Blocked | Stenosis |
| Stern- | Sternum | Sternoclavicular joint |
| Stom/a-, Stomat/o- | Mouth | Stomatitis |
| Thorac/o-, Thoracico- | Chest | Thoracic cavity |
| Thromb/o- | Blood clot | Thrombolytic |
| Thyr/o- | Thyroid gland | Thyroiditis |
| Trache/o- | Trachea | Trachealis |
| Tympan/o- | Eardrum | Tympanic membrane |
| Ur/o- | Urine | Urologist |
| Vagin- | Vagina | Vaginal |
| Varic/o- | Duct; Blood vessel | Varicose veins |
| Vasculo- | Blood vessel | Vasculitis |
| Ven/o- | Vein | Venae cavae |
| Vertbr- | Vertebra; Spine | Vertebral column |
Color Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| Chlor/o- | Green | Chlorophyll |
| Chrom-, Chromato- | Color | Chromosome |
| Cyano- | Blue | Cyanosis |
| Erythr/o- | Red | Erythrocyte |
| Leuk/o- | White | Leukocyte |
| Melan/o- | Black | Melanin |
Physical Property and Shape Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| Cry/o- | Cold | Cryotherapy |
| Elect- | Electrical activity | Electrocardiogram |
| Kin/o-, Kine-, Kinesi/o- | Movement | Kinetic energy |
| Kyphy/o- | Humped | Kyphosis |
| Rhabd/o- | Rod-shaped; Striated | Rhabdomyosarcoma |
| Phot/o- | Light | Photoreceptor |
| Reticul/o- | Net | Reticulocytes |
| Scoli/o- | Twisted | Scoliosis |
| Therm/o- | Heat | Thermotherapy |
Direction and Position Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| Ab-, Abs- | Away from | Abductor |
| Ad- | Towards | Adductor |
| Ante- | Before; Forward | Antenatal |
| Circum- | Around | Circumcision |
| Cycl- | Circle; Cycle | Cyclic neutropenia |
| De- | Away from; Ending | Dehydration |
| Dia- | Across; Through | Diagnosis |
| Ect/o-, Exo- | Outer; Outside | Exocrine gland |
| End/o-, Ent-, Enter/o- | Within; Inner | Endocrine gland |
| Epi- | Upon; Outside of | Epidermis |
| Ex-, Extra- | Beyond | Expiration |
| Infra- | Beneath; Below | Infratemporal fossa |
| Inter- | Between | Interstitial fluid |
| Intra- | Within | Intracellular fluid |
| Meso- | Middle | Mesoderm |
| Meta- | Beyond; Change | Metabolism |
| Para- | Alongside; Abnormal | Parathyroid glands |
| Path/o- | Disease | Pathologist |
| Peri- | Around | Pericardium |
| Post- | Behind; After | Postpartum |
| Pre- | Before; In front | Precancerous |
| Retro- | Backward; Behind | Retroperitoneum |
| Sub- | Under | Subcutaneous layer |
| Super- | Above | Superior |
| Supra- | Above; Upon | Supraglottis |
| Sy-, Syl-, Sym-, Syn-, Sys- | Together | Syndrome |
| Trans- | Across; Through | Transdermal |
Quantity Prefixes
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| Bi- | Two | Biceps |
| Brady- | Slow | Bradycardia |
| Diplo- | Double | Diploid |
| Hemi- | Half | Hemihypertrophy |
| Hetero- | Other; Different | Heterogeneous |
| Homo- | Same | Homozygous genotype |
| Hyper- | Above; Beyond; Excessive | Hypertension |
| Hypo- | Under; Deficient | Hypotension |
| Iso- | Equal; Like | Isointense |
| Macro- | Large; Long; Big | Macrophage |
| Mic-, Micro- | Small | Microglia |
| Mon-, Mono- | One | Monocyte |
| Olig/o- | Few; Little | Oliguria |
| Poly- | Many; Excessive | Polyuria |
| Quadri- | Four | Quadriceps |
| Semi- | Half | Semilunar valves |
| Tachy- | Fast | Tachycardia |
| Tetra- | Four | Tetralogy of Fallot |
| Tri- | Three | Triceps |
| Uni- | One | Unicellular |
Concept Check
- Do you know the difference between the prefixes inter-, infra-, and intra-?
- What color is an erythrocyte? A leukocyte?
- Which prefixes could you use to indicate something is:
- around something else?
- within something else?
- below something else?
Suffixes
Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly.
Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.
Common Suffixes
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| -ac | Pertaining to | Cardiac |
| -blast, -blasto, -blastic | Bud; Germ | Myeloblast |
| -cyte, -cytic | Cell | Thrombocyte |
| -dynia | Pain; Swelling | Thoracodynia |
| -eal, -ial | Pertaining to | Esophageal |
| -ectasis | Expansion; Dilation | Atelectasis |
| -emia | Blood condition | Anemia |
| -ia | Condition | Hemophilia |
| -iasis | Condition; Formation of | Psoriasis |
| -ism | Condition | Hypothyroidism |
| -ites, -itis | Inflammation | Arthritis |
| -ity | Pertaining to | Immunity |
| -ium | Structure or tissue | Epithelium |
| -lysis, -lytic | Break down; Destruction; Dissolving | Osteolytic |
| -malacia | Softening | Osteomalacia |
| -megaly | Enlargement | Acromegaly |
| -oid | Resembling | Arachnoid trabeculae |
| -oma | Tumor | Angiosarcoma |
| -osis | Condition; Usually abnormal | Endometriosis |
| -ous | Pertaining to | Aqueous |
| -pathy | Disease | Lymphadenopathy |
| -penia | Deficiency; Lack of | Thrombocytopenia |
| -phagia, -phagy | Eating; Swallowing | Dysphagia |
| -phasia | Speech | Aphasia |
| -plasia, -plastic | Growth | Hyperplasia |
| -plegia | Paralysis | Hemiplegia |
| -pnea | Breathing | Sleep apnea |
| -poiesis | Production | Hemopoiesis |
| -ptosis | Falling; Drooping | Apoptosis |
| -rrhage, -rrhagic | Bleeding | Hemorrhage |
| -rrhea | Flow or discharge | Diarrhea |
| -sclerosis | Hardening | Arteriosclerosis |
| -sis | Condition | Agranulocytosis |
| -stasis | Level; Unchanging | Homeostasis |
| -trophy | Growth | Hypertrophy |
| -uria | In the urine | Anuria |
Procedure Suffixes
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| -centesis | Surgical puncture to remove fluid | Thoracentesis |
| -desis | Surgical binding | Pleurodesis |
| -ectomy | Cut out; Removal | Mastectomy |
| -gram | Record; Picture | Electrocardiogram |
| -graph | Instrument used to create a record or picture | Electrocardiograph |
| -graphy | To record or take a picture | Echocardiography |
| -meter | Device used for measuring | Sphygmomanometer |
| -opsy | Visual examination | Biopsy |
| -ostomy | Opening | Colostomy |
| -otomy | Incision | Laparotomy |
| -pexy | Surgical fixation | Oophoropexy |
| -plasty | Surgical reconstruction | Vertebroplasty |
| -scope | For examining | Endoscope |
| -scopy | Examine | Endoscopy |
Concept Check
- Do you know the difference between the suffixes -gram, -graph, and -graphy?
- Which suffixes denote a condition or disease?
Word parts and definitions from “Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean” by MedlinePlus and is under public domain.
Definitions of medical term examples from:
- Anatomy and Physiology (on OpenStax), by Betts et al. and is used under a CC BY 4.0 international license. Download and access this book for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction
- Concepts of Biology (on OpenStax), by Fowler et al. and is used under a CC BY 4.0 international license. Download and access this book for free at https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/1-introduction
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms by the National Cancer Institute and is used under public domain.
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