Medical Terminology Prefixes and Suffixes

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)

Test your knowledge of essential medical terminology prefixes and suffixes with this quiz. Understanding these terms is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in healthcare as they form the basis of many medical terms. Dive in and enhance your medical language skills!