Medical Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes

Study Notes

Medical Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes

Myel/o = spinal cord
My/o = muscle
Oste/o = bone
Neur/o = nerve
Arthr/o = joint
Cyan/o = blue
Erythr/o = red
Leuk/o = white
Melan/o = black
Poli/o = gray
Necrosis = tissue death
Cardi/o = heart
Gastr/o = stomach
-ectomy = surgical removal
-ology = study of
-sclerosis = abnormal hardening
-malacia = abnormal softening
-stenosis = abnormal narrowing
-graphy = process of producing a picture or record
-rrhage = bleeding
Hem/o = blood
-rrhaphy = surgical suturing
-rrhea = flow or discharge
-rrhexis = rupture/break, burst
Angi/o = blood vessel
-centesis = surgical puncture/pierce to remove fluid
Perinatal = time and events surrounding birth
Dys- = bad, difficult, painful
Hyper- = excessive, increased
-megaly = enlargement
-algia = pain, suffering

Medical Procedures and Conditions

Tonsillectomy = surgical removal of the tonsils
Colostomy = surgical creation of a permanent opening in the abdomen for drainage into a bag (for colon removal)
Gastroenterologist = specialist in diseases of the digestive tract
Hepatomegaly = enlarged liver
Nephritis = inflammation of the kidneys
Cardiologist = specialist in heart diseases
Electrocardiography = records brain electrical activity
Mammogram = X-ray image of the breasts
Hysterectomy = surgical removal of the uterus
Salpingitis = inflammation of the fallopian tubes
Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach
Appendectomy = surgical removal of the appendix
Electromyography = records electrical activity of the muscles
Mammoplasty = surgical repair of the breasts
Oophorectomy = removal of the ovaries
Electroencephalography = records the brain's electrical activity
Mastectomy = surgical removal of the breast

Medical Terms and Definitions

Angina = chest pain
Stenosis = abnormal narrowing
Hematoma = collection of blood outside blood vessels
Hemorrhage = loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Bronchoscopy = procedure to examine the lung passageways
Myocardial Infarct = permanent damage to heart muscle due to a blocked artery
Phlebitis = inflammation of veins
Phlebotomist = medical technician who draws blood
Rhinitis = inflammation of the nose
Neuralgia = pain in a nerve or nerves
Cardiomegaly = enlarged heart
Neuropathy = noninflammatory disease of the nerves
Myelodysplasia = abnormal or lack of development of part of the spinal cord
Paroxysms = sudden attack or series of attacks

Other Relevant Medical Information

Pericarditis = inflammation of the tough sac surrounding the heart
Bradycardia = abnormally slow heart rate
Thrombocytopenia = low platelet count in the blood
Erythrocytes = red blood cells, give blood its red color
Hematoma = large collection of blood outside of blood vessels
Hemoptysis = coughing up blood from the lungs
Dysphagia = difficulty in swallowing
Abdominocentesis = procedure to puncture the abdomen to remove fluid to see if there is blood
GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease (severe heartburn)
Cholangioenterostomy = surgical procedure to make a passageway between the gallbladder duct to the intestine
Rhinoplasty = surgical reconstruction or cosmetic alteration of the nose
Tachypnea = faster than normal respiratory rate of breathing
Anuria = condition where kidneys stop producing urine
Nephrolithiasis = presence of a kidney stone
Oliguria = scanty or less than normal urine formation
Hematuria = blood in the urine
Myeloma = bone marrow tumor
Meningioma = tumor of protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord
Hypertrophy = increase in muscular size
Anencephaly = born without a brain
Myalgia = painful, aching muscles
Bursitis = inflammation of bursa (shock absorber-like structure)
Osteomalacia = soft rubbery bones due to inadequate calcium deposition
Meningitis = inflammation of the membranes around the brain
Nephrotomy = removal of a kidney
Medical Specialists
- Dermatologist = specialist in diagnosing and treating skin diseases
- Neurologist = specialist in nervous system disorders
- Cardiologist = specialist in heart disorders
- Urologist = specialist in diseases of the urinary tract (bladder and urethra)