Medical Terminology Combining Forms

Key Medical Terminology Combining Forms

• Aden/o: Refers to glands; example term is "adenoma," meaning a tumor of the gland.
• Arthr/o: Indicates joints; example term is "arthritis," which means inflammation of the joints.
• Bi/o: Signifies life; example term is "biology," referring to the study of life.
• Carcin/o: Denotes cancer; example term "carcinoma" means cancerous tumor.
• Cardi/o: Pertains to the heart; example term "cardiology" refers to the study of the heart.
• Cephal/o: Relates to the head; example term "cephalic" means pertaining to the head.
• Cerebr/o: Refers to the cerebrum, the largest brain part; example term "cerebral" means pertaining to the cerebrum.
• Cis/o: Means to cut; example term "incision" refers to the process of cutting into.
• Cyst/o: Indicates the urinary bladder or a sac; example term "cytcopy" means study of cells.
• Cyt/o: Refers to cells; example term "cytology" means study of cells.
• Derm/o & Dermat/o: Pertains to skin; example term "dermatitis" indicates inflammation of the skin.
• Electr/o: Relates to electricity; example term "electrocardiogram" is the recording of electrical activity of the heart.
• Encephal/o: Signifies the brain; example term "electroencephalogram" means recording the electrical activity of the brain.
• Enter/o: Refers to the intestines, usually small; example term "enteritis" means inflammation of the intestines.
• Gastro/o: Indicates the stomach; example term "gastrectomy" is the removal of part of the stomach.
• Gynec/o: Pertains to women or female; example term "gynecology" means the study of women's health.
• Hemat/o & Hem/o: Relate to blood; example term "hematology" means the study of blood.
• Hepat/o: Refers to the liver; example term "hepatitis" indicates inflammation of the liver.
• Leuk/o: Means white; example term "leukocyte" refers to white blood cells.
• Nephr/o: Pertains to kidneys; example term "nephritis" means inflammation of the kidneys.
• Neur/o: Relates to nerves; example term "neurology" refers to the study of nerves.
• Onc/o: Pertains to tumors; example term "oncologist" is a specialist in tumors.
• Ophthalm/o: Refers to the eye; example term "ophthalmoscope" is an instrument used for examining the eye.
• Oste/o: Means bone; example term "osteitis" indicates inflammation of the bone.
• Path/o: Refers to disease; example term "pathology" means the study of disease.
• Ped/o: Indicates child; example term "pediatric" refers to the study of children.
• Radi/o: Relates to X-rays; example term "radiology" is the study of X-rays.
• Ren/o: Pertains to kidneys; example term "renal" means pertaining to kidneys.
• Rhin/o: Refers to the nose; example term "rhinitis" indicates inflammation of the nose.
• Thromb/o: Relates to clotting; example term "thrombocyte" refers to blood platelets involved in clotting.
• Ur/o: Indicates the urinary tract or urine; example term "urology" refers to the study of the urinary tract.