List of Medical Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes

[Pages:24]List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

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List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. There are a few rules when using medical roots. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek, but also in Latin, have a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o- almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology. But generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem; e.g. arthr+ itis = arthritis, instead of arthr-o-itis. Secondly, medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and an English example.

A

Prefix or suffix

Meaning

a-, an-

Denotes an absence of, without

ab-

away

abdomin(o)- Of or relating to the abdomen

-ac, -acal acanth(o)-

pertaining to thorn or spine

acous(io)-

Of or relating to hearing

acr(o)-

extremity, topmost

-acusis

hearing

-ad ad-

aden(o)-, aden(i)adip(o)adren(o)-aemia (BrE) aer(o)aesthesio(BrE) -al alb-

toward, in the direction of increase, adherence, motion toward, very Of or relating to a gland

Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue Of or relating to adrenal glands blood condition air, gas sensation

pertaining to Denoting a white or pale color

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Ancient Greek -/- (a-/an-), without, not Apathy, Analgia

Latin

Abduction

Latin (abdmen), abdomen, fat around the Abdomen belly

Greek - (-akos)

cardiac, hydrophobiac, pharmacomaniacal

Ancient Greek (akantha), thorn

acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus

Greek (acoustikos), of or for hearing

acoumeter, acoustician

Greek (akron), highest or farthest point

Acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia

Greek (acoustikos), of or for hearing

paracusis

dorsad

Latin

Adduction

Ancient Greek , - (adn, aden-), an acorn; a gland Latin (adeps, adip-), fat Latin Greek , without blood Greek , Greek

Adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus Adipocyte adrenal artery Anaemia Aerosinusitis Anesthesia

Latin -alis Latin albus, white

abdominal Albino

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alge(si)-

pain

Greek

Analgesic

-algia

pain

Greek

Myalgia

alg(i)o-

pain

Greek

Myalgia

allo-

Denoting something as different, or as Ancient Greek (allos), another, other Alloantigen, allopathy

an addition

ambi-

Denoting something as positioned on Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides both sides; Describing both of two

Ambidextrous

amnio-

Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac Greek (amnion)

Amniocentesis

amph-, amphi- on both sides

Greek (amphi)

Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin

an-

not, without

Greek

Analgesia

ana-

back, again, up

Greek

Anaplasia

an(o)

anus

Latin

andr(o)-

pertaining to a man

Greek , -

Andrology, android

angi(o)-

blood vessel

Greek

Angiogram

aniso-

Describing something as unequal

Ancient Greek (ansos), unequal Anisotropic, anisocytosis

ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)-

Denoting something as crooked or bent Ancient Greek (ank?los), crooked, Ankylosis curved

ante-

Describing something as positioned in Latin (nt), before, in front of front of another thing

antepartum

anti-

Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another

Ancient Greek (anti), against

Antibody, antipsychotic

apo-

separated from, derived from

Ancient Greek

Apoptosis

arch(i,e,o)

first, primitive

archinephron : first formed kidney

arsen(o)-

Of or pertaining to a male; masculine Greek (arsein)

arteri(o)-

Of or pertaining to an artery

Ancient Greek (artr?a), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)

Artery, Arteriole

arthr(o)-

Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs

Ancient Greek (arthros), a joint, limb

Arthritis

articul(o)-

joint

Latin articulum

Articulation

-ary

pertaining to

Latin -arius

bilary tract

-ase

enzyme

Greek , division

Lactase

-asthenia

weakness

Greek,

Myasthenia gravis

atel(o)

imperfect or incomplete development

atelocardia : imperfect development of the heart

ather(o)-

fatty deposit, Soft gruel-like deposit

Atherosclerosis

-ation

process

Latin

Habitation, Lubrication

atri(o)-

an atrium (esp. heart atrium)

atrioventricular

aur(i)-

Of or pertaining to the ear

Latin (auris), the ear

Aural

aut(o)-

self

Greek -

Autoimmune

aux(o)-

increase; growth

auxocardia : enlargement of the heart

List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

axillazo(to)

Of or pertaining to the armpit [uncommon as a prefix]

nitrogenous compound

Latin (axilla), armpit

3

Axilla

azothermia : raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood

B

Prefix/suffix

Meaning

balano-

Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis

bi-

twice, double

bio-

life

blast(o)- germ or bud

blephar(o)- Of or pertaining to the eyelid

brachi(o)- Of or relating to the arm

brachy-

bradybronch(i)bucc(o)burs(o)-

Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little' 'slow' bronchus Of or pertaining to the cheek bursa (fluid sac between the bones)

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Greek - balanos, acorn, glans

Balanitis

Latin

Binary

Ancient Greek

Biology

Greek

Blastomere

Ancient Greek (bl?pharon), eyelid

Blepharoplast

Latin (brachium), from Ancient Greek (brachin), Brachium of inferior

arm

colliculus

Ancient Greek (brachys), short, little, shallow

brachycephalic

Ancient Greek (bradys), slow

Latin (bucca), cheek Latin

Bradycardia Bronchiolitis obliterans Buccolabial Bursitis

C

Prefix or suffix

capillcapitcarcin(o)cardi(o)carp(o)-

cata-cele

-centesis cephal(o)cerat(o)cerebell(o)cerebr(o)cervicchem(o)-

Meaning

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Of or pertaining to hair

Latin (capillus), hair

Capillus

Pertaining to the head (as a whole)

Latin (caput, capit-), the head

Capitation

cancer

Greek (karkinos), crab

Carcinoma

Of or pertaining to the heart

Ancient Greek (kard?a), heart

Cardiology

Of or pertaining to the wrist

Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek (karp?s), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)meaning fruit.

Carpopedal

down, under

Greek (kata)

Cataract

pouching, hernia

Ancient Greek (kl)

Hydrocele, Varicocele

surgical puncture for aspiration

Ancient Greek (kentsis)

Amniocentesis

Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole) Ancient Greek (k?phal), the head

Cephalalgy

Of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn

Ancient Greek , - (k?ras, kerat-), a horn

Ceratoid

Of or pertaining to the cerebellum

Latin (cerebellum), little brain

Cerebellum

Of or pertaining to the brain

Latin (cerebrum), brain

Cerebrology

Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix Latin (cervix, cervc-), neck, cervix

Cervicodorsal

chemistry, drug

Greek

Chemotherapy

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chir(o)-, cheir(o)chlor(o)chol(e)cholecyst(o)-

chondr(i)ochrom(ato)-cidal, -cide cili-

circumcisclast cocol-, colo-, colonocolp(o)comcontra corcor-, core-, corocordi-

cornu-

coron(o)cost(o)cox-

crani(o)-

-crine cry(o)cutanecyan(o)cyclcyph(o)-

cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-

Of or pertaining to the hand

Ancient Greek , - (cheir, cheiro-), hand

Denoting a green color Of or pertaining to bile Of or pertaining to the gallbladder

cartilage, gristle, granule, granular color killing, destroying Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids Denoting something as 'around' another on this side break with, together, in association colon

Ancient Greek (chloros), green, yellow-green Ancient Greek (chol), bile Ancient Greek (cholk?stis), gallbladder < (chol), bile, gall + (k?stis), bladder Ancient Greek (chondros) Ancient Greek Latin < Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid

Latin (circum), around Latin (cis) Greek Latin

Of or pertaining to the vagina with, together against with, together Of or pertaining to eye's pupil

Ancient Greek (k?lpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth Latin Latin Latin Ancient Greek (k?r), girl, doll; pupil of the eye

Of or pertaining to the heart [Uncommon Latin (cor, cordi-), heart as a prefix]

Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns

Latin (corn), horn

crown

Latin corna ("garland, crown")

Of or pertaining to the ribs

Latin (costa), rib

Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint

Latin (coxa), hip

Belonging or relating to the cranium

Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek (krnion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain

to secrete

ecrine

cold

Greek

skin

Latin cutis

Denotes a blue color

Ancient Greek , (k?anos, ky?neos), blue

circle, cycle

Greek (kuklos)

Denotes something as bent (uncommon as Ancient Greek (kph?s), bent, hunchback a prefix)

Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder Ancient Greek (k?stis); bladder, cyst

Chiropractor Chlorophyll Cholaemia Cholecystectomy Chondrocalcinosis Hemochromatosis bacteriocidal Ciliary Circumcision

osteoclast coenzymes Colonoscopy Colposcopy

Contraindicate

Corectomy Commotio cordis

Costochondral Coxopodite Craniology Endocrine Cryoablation Subcutaneous Cyanopsia

Cyphosis Cystotomy

List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

cyt(o)-

cell

-cyte

cell

Greek Greek

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Cytokine Leukocyte

D

Prefix/suffix dacryodactyl(o)-

Meaning tear Of or pertaining to a finger, toe

dedentdermat(o)-, derm(o)-desis dextr(o)dididia-

away from, cessation Of or pertaining to teeth Of or pertaining to the skin

binding right, on the right side two apart, separation (same as Greek meaning)

difdigit-dipsia

apart, separation Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root] suffix meaning "(condition of) thirst"'

Origin language and etymology Greek Ancient Greek (d?ktylos), finger, toe Latin deLatin (dens, dentis), tooth Ancient Greek , (d?rma, d?mat-), skin, human skin Greek (desis) Latin dexter Greek Latin Ancient Greek (di?), through, during, across Latin Latin (digitus), finger, toe

dis-

separation, taking apart

Latin dis-

dors(o)-, dors(i)- Of or pertaining to the back

Latin (dorsum), back

duodeno-

duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine (twelve Latin duodeni inches long on average), connects to the stomach

dynam(o)-

force, energy, power

Greek (dunamis)

-dynia

pain

dys-

bad, difficult

Greek -

Example(s)

Dactylology

Dentist Dermatology arthrodesis Dextrocardia Diplopia

Diacetyl

Digit polydipsia hydroadipsia, oligodipsia Dissection dorsal, Dorsocephalad Duodenal atresia

Vulvodynia Dysphagia, dysphasia

E

List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

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Prefix/suffix

Meaning

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

-eal

pertaining to

Latin

ec-

out, away

Greek - (ek-)

ect(o)-

outer, outside

Greek

Ectopic pregnancy

-ectasis, -ectasia expansion, dilation

Ancient Greek

Bronchiectasis, Telangiectasia

-ectomy

Denotes a surgical operation or removal Ancient Greek (ectom), excision of a body part. Resection, excision

Mastectomy

-emesis

vomiting condition

Greek

Hematemesis

-emia

blood condition (AmE)

Greek -, without blood

Anemia

encephal(o)-

Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro.

Ancient Greek (enk?phalos), the brain

Encephalogram

endo-

Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within' Ancient Greek - (endo-), inside, internal

Endocrinology, Endospore

eosin(o)-

Red

Eosin comes from Eos, the Greek word for 'dawn' and Eosinophil granulocyte the name of the Greek Goddess of the Dawn.

enter(o)-

Of or pertaining to the intestine

Ancient Greek (?nteron), intestine

Gastroenterology

epi-

[Same as Greek meaning: on, upon]

Ancient Greek - (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, Epistaxis, epicardium,

outside of

episclera, epidural

episi(o)-

Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the Ancient Greek - (ep?sion), the pubic area,

loins

loins; vulva

Episiotomy

erythr(o)-

Denotes a red color

Ancient Greek (erythros), red

Erythrocyte

-esophageal, -esophago

gullet (AmE)

Greek

esthesio-

sensation (AmE)

Greek

eu-

true, good, well, new

Greek

Eukaryote

ex-

out of, away from

Latin

Exophthalmos

exo-

Denotes something as 'outside' another Ancient Greek - (exo-), outside of, external

Exoskeleton

extra-

outside

Latin

Extradural hematoma

F

Prefix/suffix

Meaning

Origin language and etymology Example(s)

faci(o)-

Of or pertaining to the face

Latin (facis), the face, countenance Facioplegic

fibr(o)

fiber

Fibroblast

filli-

fine, hair like

-form, -iform Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of' Latin (forma), form, shape

Cuneiform

fossa

A hollow or depressed area; trench or channel

Latin (fossa), ditch, pit

fossa ovalis

front-

Of or pertaining to the forehead

Latin (frns, front-), the forehead Frontonasal

List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

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G

Prefix/suffix galact(o)gastr(o)-

-gen

-genic genugingivglauc(o)-

gloss(o)-, glott(o)-

glucoglycognath(o)-gnosis gon(o)-gram, -gramme -graph

-graphy gyn(aec)o- (BrE), gyn(ec)o- (AmE)

Meaning milk Of or pertaining to the stomach

(1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind' Formative, pertaining to producing Of or pertaining to the knee Of or pertaining to the gums Denoting a grey or bluish-grey colour

Of or pertaining to the tongue

glucose sugar Of or pertaining to the jaw knowledge seed, semen; also, reproductive record or picture instrument used to record data or picture

process of recording woman

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Greek , -

Galactorrhea

Ancient Greek (gastr), -, stomach, belly

Gastric bypass

Ancient Greek - (-gens) < - (1) Endogen; (2)

(gen-n?ein), to be born

Heterogenous

Greek

Cardiogenic shock

Latin (gen), knee

Genu valgum

Latin (gingva), gum

Gingivitis

Ancient Greek (glaukos), grey, bluish-grey

Glaucoma

Ancient Greek , (glssa, gltta), tongue

Glossology

Greek , sweet

Glucocorticoid

Glycolysis

Ancient Greek (gn?thos), jaw

Gnathodynamometer

Greek

diagnosis, prognosis

Ancient Greek

Gonorrhea

Greek (gramma)

Angiogram

Ancient Greek - (-graph?a), written, Electrocardiograph drawn, graphic interpretation

Angiography

Greek , -

Gynecomastia

H

Prefix/suffix

Meaning

halluc-

to wander in mind

hemat-, haemato(haem-, hem-)

Of or pertaining to blood

hema or hemo-

blood (AmE)

hemangi or hemangio- blood vessels

hemi-

one-half

hepat- (hepatic-)

Of or pertaining to the liver

heter(o)-

hidr(o)hist(o)-, histiohome(o)-

Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different sweat tissue similar

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Classical Latin to wander in mind

Hallucinosis

Latin (h?ma) < Ancient Greek , - Hematology, older form

(haima, haimat-), blood

Haematology

Greek

Hematological malignancy

Ancient Greek - (hmi-), "half" Ancient Greek , - (hpar, hpato-), the liver Ancient Greek (h?teros), the other (of two), another; different Greek Greek Ancient Greek (homoios)

Cerebral hemisphere Hepatology

Heterogeneous

Hyperhidrosis Histology Homeopathy

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hom(o)-

humer(o)-

hydr(o)hyper-

hyp(o)hyster(o)-

Denotes something as 'the same' as another Ancient Greek - (homo-), the same,

or common

common

Homosexuality

Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] Incorrect Etymology < Latin (umerus),

the upper arm)

shoulder

Humerus

water

Greek

Hydrophobe

Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond Ancient Greek (hyper), over, above;

normal'

beyond, to the extreme

Hypertension

Denotes something as 'below normal'

Ancient Greek ()- (hypo-), below, under Hypovolemia,

Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus Ancient Greek (hyst?ra), womb

Hysterectomy

I

Prefix/suffix

Meaning

-i-asis

condition

iatr(o)-

Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician [uncommon as a prefix; common as as suffix, see -iatry]

-iatry

Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component

-ic -icle -ics idioileoinfrainter-

pertaining to small organized knowledge, treatment self, one's own ileum below between, among

intra-

within

ipsi-

same

irid(o)ischischio-

iris restriction Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint

-ism -ismus iso-ist -ite -itis -ium

condition, disease spasm, contraction Denoting something as being 'equal' one who specializes in the nature of, resembling inflammation structure, tissue

Origin language and etymology

Example(s)

Greek -

Mydriasis

Ancient Greek (itr?s), healer, physician

Iatrochemistry

Ancient Greek (itr?s), healer, physician

Podiatry, Psychiatry

Greek - (-ikos)

Hepatic artery

Latin

Ovarian follicle

Latin -ica < Greek < -

Obstetrics

Greek , idios, "one's own"

Idiopathic

Greek

Ileocecal valve

Latin

Infrahyoid muscles

Latin

Interarticular ligament

Latin

Intracranial hemorrhage

Latin

Ipsilateral hemiparesis

Greek

Iridectomy

Greek

Ischemia

Ancient Greek (ischi?n), hip-joint, ischium

Ischioanal fossa

Dwarfism

Greek -

Hemiballismus

Ancient Greek (?sos), equal

Isotonic

Greek - (-istes)

Pathologist

Greek -

Hermaphrodite

Tonsillitis

pericardium

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