Medical Prefixes and Their Meanings

Study Notes

Medical Prefixes and Their Meanings

Atresia: A condition lacking an opening; combines "a" (without) and "tresia" (perforation).
Paracervical: Refers to areas next to the cervix; combines "para" (beside) and "cervical" (cervix).
Amniocentesis: A procedure to analyze amniotic fluid; combines "amnio" (fetal sac) and "centesis" (puncture).
Anterior: The front part of a structure; combines "ante" (before) and "rior" (foremost).
Pseudocyesis: A condition where a woman feels she is pregnant without being so; combines "pseudo" (false) and "cyes" (pregnant).
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons; combines "tendin" (tendons) and "itis" (inflammation).
Albino: An individual lacking pigmentation in skin, eyes, and hair; uses "alb" (white).
Pericardium: The protective sac surrounding the heart; combines "peri" (around) and "cardium" (heart).
Nullipara: A woman who has never given birth; combines "nulli" (none) and "para" (childbirth).
Alveolitis: Inflammation of the alveoli; combines "alve" (cavity) and "itis" (inflammation).
Lacrimal gland: Gland that secretes tears; combines "lacrim" (tears) and "al" (related to).
Leiodermia: A condition of smooth skin; combines "lei" (smooth) and "derm" (skin).
Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidney; combines "nephr" (kidney) and "itis" (inflammation).
Cryptogenic: A disease whose origin remains unknown; combines "crypto" (hidden) and "genic" (origin).
Auricle: The outer part of the ear; combines "aur" (ear) with diminutive forms.
Cryotherapy: Treatment that uses cold; combines "cry" (cold) and "therapy."
Diaphragm: Muscular wall separating chest cavity; combines "dia" (across) and "phragm" (muscular wall).
Etiology: Study of diseases' causes; combines "eti" (causing disease) and "logy" (study).
Binocular: Referring to two eyes; combines "bi" (two) and "ocular" (eye).
Metamorphosis: A significant change in shape; combines "meta" (change) and "morph" (shape).
Exoskeleton: The hard outer covering of many invertebrates; combines "ex" (outside) and "skeleton."
Nocturia: Excessive urination during the night; combines "noct" (night) and "uria" (urination).
Polymorphous: Having various shapes or forms; combines "poly" (many) and "morp" (shape).
Ectoderm: The outer layer of cells in an embryo; combines "ecto" (outside) and "derm" (skin).
Myocardium: The muscle tissue of the heart; combines "myo" (muscle) and "card" (heart).
Bradypnea: An abnormally slow rate of breathing; combines "brady" (slow) and "pnea" (breathing).
Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation; combines "dys" (painful) and "men" (month) with "rrhea" (bursting forth).
Transducer: A device that sends and receives sound wave signals; combines "trans" (through) and "duc" (lead).
Suprapatellar: Refers to the area above the kneecap; combines "supra" (above) and "patell" (kneecap).
Euthanasia: Bringing about death to alleviate suffering; combines "eu" (normal) with "thanas" (death).
Panacea: A universal remedy purported to cure all ailments; combines "pan" (all) and "acea" (remedy).
Rhabdomyoma: A tumor of striated muscle; combines "rhabdo" (striated) and "myo" (muscle).
Sclera: The hard outer layer of the eye; combines "scler" (hard) with "a" (singular noun).
Tonometer: An instrument used to measure pressure in the eyeball; combines "ton" (pressure) with "meter" (instrument).
Symmetry: Equal correspondence of body parts on both sides; combines "sym" (together) and "metry" (measure).
Subcutaneous: Located under the skin; combines "sub" (under) and "cutaneous" (skin).
Hemiplegia: Paralysis on one side of the body; combines "hemi" (half) and "plegia" (paralysis).

Description

Test your knowledge of medical prefixes and their meanings with this engaging quiz. Each term is broken down to help you understand the roots and meanings, essential for anyone studying medicine or healthcare. Challenge yourself and enhance your medical vocabulary!