Medical Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes

Study Notes

Medical Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes

inter: Means "between" or "within"; example - interdisciplinary refers to being between different academic disciplines.
a, an: Indicates absence; example - analgesic means without pain.
leuk: Denotes "white"; example - leukocyte refers to a white blood cell.
ante: Means "before"; example - antepartum refers to the period before delivery.
anti: Signifies "against"; example - anticoagulant prevents blood from clotting.
bi: Represents "two"; example - bifocal refers to glasses with two lenses.
olig: Indicates "small" or "scant"; example - oliguria refers to a small amount of urine.
brady: Means "slow"; example - bradycardia indicates a slow heartbeat.
patho: Relates to disease; example - pathology is the study of diseases.
contra: Signifies "against"; example - contraceptive prevents pregnancy.

Commonly Used Medical Prefixes

per: Means "by" or "through"; example - perforate means to make a hole through.
dis: Indicates separation; example - disinfected means free from microorganisms.
peri: Refers to "around"; example - pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart.
dys: Means "bad" or "painful"; example - dysuria refers to painful urination.
poly: Indicates "many" or "much"; example - polyuria refers to excessive urination.
endo: Denotes "inner"; example - endoscope is an instrument for internal examination.

Additional Medical Roots and Their Meanings

post: Means "after"; example - postmortem refers to events occurring after death.
pre: Indicates "before"; example - prenatal refers to the period before birth.
sub: Means "under" or "beneath"; example - subcutaneous refers to tissue beneath the skin.
supra: Means "above" or "over"; example - suprapelvic indicates a position above the pelvis.
tachy: Refers to "swift" or "fast"; example - tachycardia indicates a rapid heartbeat.
hemi: Signifies "half"; example - hemisphere refers to one half of the brain.

Medical Conditions and Procedures

hyper: Indicates excessive amounts; example - hypertension is high blood pressure.
hypo: Means "below" or "under"; example - hypotension refers to low blood pressure.
abdomin(o): Related to the abdomen; example - abdominal pertains to that area.
aden(o): Refers to glands; example - adenitis is inflammation of a gland.
angi(o): Pertains to vessels; example - angioplasty is the surgical repair of a vessel.
arteri(o): Relates to arteries; example - arteriosclerosis refers to the hardening of artery walls.

Body Systems and Anatomy

arthro: Refers to joints; example - arthrotomy means cutting into a joint.
cardio: Pertains to the heart; example - cardiology is the study of the heart.
cephal(o): Means "head"; example - cephalalgia refers to headache.
cerebr(o): Relates to the brain; example - cerebrospinal pertains to the brain and spinal cord.
chol(e): Refers to bile; example - cholecystitis is inflammation of the gall bladder.
col(o): Pertains to the colon; example - colostomy creates an opening in the abdomen to allow feces expulsion.

Infections and Inflammation

cyan(o): Indicates a blue color; example - cyanosis refers to a bluish tinge to the skin due to oxygen deficiency.
cyst(o): Refers to the bladder; example - cystitis is inflammation of the bladder.
dermat(o): Pertains to skin; example - dermatitis indicates inflammation of the skin.
gastro: Refers to the stomach; example - gastritis means inflammation of the stomach.
hem(o): Related to blood; example - hemostasis is the process of stopping blood flow after injury.

Surgical Procedures

hyster(o): Indicates uterus; example - hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus.
nephr(o): Pertains to the kidney; example - nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney.
neur(o): Refers to nerves; example - neuritis indicates inflammation of a nerve.
ophthalmo: Related to the eye; example - ophthalmologist is a specialist in eye care.
thorac(o): Refers to the chest; example - thoracotomy is incision into the chest wall.

Specialized Medical Fields

onc(o): Pertains to tumors; example - oncology is the study of tumors.
pneum(a): Refers to air; example - pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs.
pod(o): Relates to the foot; example - podiatrist is a doctor specializing in foot care.
procto: Pertains to the anus or rectum; example - proctalgia refers to rectal pain.
toxic(o): Relates to poisons; example - toxicology is the study of poisons.

Description

Test your knowledge of medical terminology with this quiz focusing on prefixes and suffixes. Learn how these components alter meanings and enhance your understanding of medical terms commonly used in healthcare. Perfect for students and professionals in the medical field.