Medical Terminology Prefixes & Suffixes

Prefixes

• Prefix "A" means without; examples include:

  • Anemia: lack of blood
  • Apnea: absence of breath
  • Aphasia: inability to speak

• Prefix "Acu" refers to needle; example:

  • Acupuncture: a therapeutic practice involving needles

• Prefix "Anti" means against; examples include:

  • Antibacterial: fights bacteria
  • Antiviral: combats viruses

• Prefix "Auto" indicates self; example:

  • Autoimmune disorder: a condition where the body attacks itself

• Prefix "Bi" signifies two; example:

  • Bilateral: relating to both sides

• Prefix "Brady" means slow; example:

  • Bradycardia: a slower than normal heart rate

• Prefix "Contra" refers to against or opposite; example:

  • Contraindication: a sign that suggests a particular treatment should be avoided

• Prefix "Dys" means abnormal; example:

  • Dysrhythmia: irregular heart rhythm

• Prefix "Endo" indicates within

• Prefix "Hetero" denotes opposite; example:

  • Heterosexual: attracted to the opposite sex

• Prefix "Homo" means same; example:

  • Homosexual: attracted to the same sex

• Prefix "Hyper" refers to excessive; example:

  • Hypertension: high blood pressure

• Prefix "Hyster" indicates uterus; example:

  • Hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus

• Prefix "Men" relates to menstruation

• Prefix "Super" signifies above

• Prefix "Tachy" means fast; example:

  • Tachycardia: an increase in heart rate

• Prefix "Tri" denotes three

Suffixes

• Suffix "Ectomy" means removal of something; examples include:

  • Laminectomy: removal of the lamina
  • Hysterectomy: removal of the uterus

• Suffix "Plasty" refers to surgical repair; example:

  • Arthroplasty: joint repair procedure

• Suffix "Stomy" means to create an opening; example:

  • Colostomy: surgically creating an opening in the colon

• Suffix "Centisis" indicates drawing fluid from; example:

  • Arthrocentesis: drawing fluid from a joint

• Suffix "Gram" means written record; example:

  • Arthrogram: record of a joint

• Suffix "Graphy" refers to the process of recording; examples include:

  • Arthrography: recording of joint images
  • Cardiography: recording of heart activity

• Suffix "Oma" signifies tumor; example:

  • Carcinoma: cancerous tumor

• Suffix "Opy" means to view; examples include:

  • Biopsy: viewing of tissue samples
  • Autopsy: examining cause of death

• Suffix "Opia" relates to vision

• Suffix "Osis" signifies condition; example:

  • Narcosis: drug-induced condition

• Suffix "Pathy" means disease; example:

  • Myopathy: muscular disease

• Suffix "Plasm" pertains to growth

• Suffix "Rrhiga" means excessive flow; example:

  • Hemorrhage: excessive bleeding

• Suffix "Scope" indicates an examining instrument; example:

  • Arthroscope: tool for examining joints

• Suffix "Sect" means to cut; example:

  • Dissect: to cut apart for examination

• Suffix "Therapy" means treatment; example:

  • Hydrotherapy: treatment using water

• Suffix "Tomy" means to cut into; example:

  • Craniotomy: cutting into the skull for surgical access