prefix, root, suffix |
meaning |
example |
-ache |
pain |
headache, backache, earache, toothache |
aden(o) |
gland, glandular tissue |
adenitis, adenotomy, adenoids, adenocarcinoma |
aer(o) |
air, with air, with oxygen, in gas |
aerobic, aerate, aerosol, aerocele |
alg- |
pain |
algometry, algogenic, algesic |
-algia |
pain |
gastralgia, neuralgia, arthralgia, fibromyalgia |
angi(o) |
blood vessel |
angioplasty, angioma, angiogenesis |
ante- |
before, forward, in front of |
antepartum, anteflexion, anteversion |
anti- |
against |
antihistamine, antiinflammatory, antipyretic |
arteri(o) |
artery |
arteriopathy, arteriosclerosis, arterial |
arthr(o) |
joint |
arthritis, arthrotomy, arthralgia |
-ase |
enzyme |
protease, urease, amylase, lactase |
audi(o) |
hearing |
audiogram, auditory, audiology |
brady- |
slow |
bradycardia, bradypnea, bradyphasia |
bronch(o) |
bronchial tube, bronchus |
bronchoscope, bronchospasm, bronchitis |
carcin(o) |
cancer |
carcinogen, carcinoma, carcinogenic |
cardi, cardia, cardio |
heart |
cardiac, cardiotonic, cardiovascular, cardiopathy |
-cele |
hernia, protrusion, tumor |
cystocele, meningocele, encephalocele |
-centesis |
surgical puncture |
amniocentesis, arthrocentesis, paracentesis |
cephal(o) |
head |
cephalogram, cephalalgia, cephalic |
cerebr(o) |
cerebrum, brain |
cerebrospinal, cerebral, cerebrovascular |
cervic(o) |
neck, cervix |
cervical, cervicectomy, cervicitis |
chol(e) |
bile, gall |
cholorrhea, cholecystogram, choleresis |
chondr(o) |
cartilage |
chondral, chondrotomy, hypochondriac |
-coccus, -cocci |
bacterium, bacteria, organism |
pneumococcus, gonococcus, streptococci |
col(o) |
colon |
colitis, colonoscopy, colotomy |
cortic(o) |
cortex |
corticosteroid, cortical, adrenocorticotropic |
cost(o) |
rib |
costal, intercostal, costectomy |
crani(o) |
skull, cranium |
craniometry, craniectomy, cranial |
cyan(o) |
blue, blueness |
cyanosis, cyanobacteria, acrocyanosis |
cyst(o) |
bladder |
cystoscopy, cystocele, cystitis |
cyt(o) |
cell |
cytology, cytoplasm, cytosome |
-cyte |
cell |
hepatocyte, leukocyte, microcyte, monocyte |
dent- |
tooth |
dental, dentist, dentistry |
derm(o), dermat(o) |
skin |
dermis, dermatologist, dermatitis, acrodermatitis |
dipl(o) |
double, twofold |
diplopia, diplocardia, diploic, diplegia |
dors(o) |
back |
dorsal, dorsispinal, dorsolateral |
dys- |
difficult, abnormal, bad, painful |
dysfunction, dysplasia, dyspnea, dyschromia |
-ectomy |
excision, removal, to cut out |
appendectomy, thrombectomy, gastrectomy |
-emia |
blood condition |
anemia, septicemia, leukemia, uremia |
encephal(o) |
brain, inside the head |
encephalitis, electroencephalogram |
end(o)- |
inside, internal, within |
endaural, endocrine, endoskeleton |
enter(o) |
intestine |
enteric, dysentery, enterocele |
epi- |
outer, upon |
epidermis, epibulbar, epidural |
erythr(o) |
red |
erythrocyte, erythrosis, erythrocytopenia |
eu- |
normal, well, good |
euphoria, eupnea, eupepsia |
extra- |
outside, beyond |
extrauterine, extracystic, extrahepatic |
gastr(o) |
stomach |
gastrostomy, gastrointestinal, gastritis |
-genic |
producing, originating, forming |
pyogenic, carcinogenic, nephrogenic |
ger(o) |
old age |
geriatric, gerontology, geratology, geroderma |
gingiv(o) |
gum, gums |
gingivitis, gingivoplasty, gingivostomatitis |
gloss(o) |
tongue |
glossitis, glossal, hypoglossal, glossopathy |
gluc(o) |
sugar |
glucose, glucagon, glucosuria |
glyc(o) |
sugar, sweet |
hyperglycemia, glycosuria, glycogen |
-gram |
picture, graph, record |
encephalogram, cardiogram, cholecystogram |
-graph |
recording instrument |
polygraph, cardiograph, craniograph |
hemo-, hema- |
blood |
hemorrhage, hemoglobin, hemostasis, hemal |
hemat(o) |
blood |
hematoma, hematemesis, hematogenous |
hemi- |
half |
hemiplegia, hemianalgesia, hemicrania |
hepat(o) |
liver |
hepatitis, hepatotoxic, hepatomegaly |
hidr(o) |
sweat, sweat glands |
hidradenoma, hidrosis, hidradenitis |
hist(o) |
tissue |
histogenesis, histamine, histology |
homo- |
same, alike, similar |
homologous, homosexual, homogeneous |
hydr |
water |
hydration, dehydration, hydremia |
hydro- |
water, fluid, liquid |
hydrocephalus, hydronephrosis, hydrotherapy |
hyper- |
excessive, high, above, upward |
hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertonic |
hypo- |
deficient, low, below, down, under |
hypoallergenic, hypocalcemia, hypodermic |
hyster(o) |
uterus, womb |
hysterotomy, hysteroscopy, hysterectomy |
-iasis |
condition of disease |
trichomoniasis, giardiasis, amebiasis |
immun(o) |
immune |
immunodeficiency, immunization, immunity |
infra- |
below, beneath |
inframammary, infracardiac, infrasonic, infrarenal |
inter- |
between, among |
intercostal, intercellular, intercerebral |
intra- |
within, inside |
intravenous, intramuscular, intrarenal, intradermal |
iso- |
equal, same |
isotonic, isometric, isomorphic |
-itis |
inflammation |
arthritis, colitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, laryngitis |
kerat(o) |
cornea |
keratitis, keratotomy, keratoplasty, keratocele |
lact(o) |
milk |
lactose, lactase, lactosuria, lactic |
laryng(o) |
larynx, voice box |
laryngitis, laryngospasm, laryngoscope |
leuk(o) |
white |
leukemia, leukopenia, leukorrhea, leukocyte |
lingu |
tongue |
sublingual, linguiform, lingual |
lip(o) |
fat |
lipid, lipoprotein, liposuction, lipoma |
lith(o) |
stone, calculus |
nephrolithiasis, lithotripsy, urolith |
-logist |
one who studies or specializes |
cardiologist, anesthesiologist, urologist |
-logy |
the study of |
biology, gynecology, dermatology |
-lysis |
breakdown, destruction, dissolution |
neurolysis, urinalysis, histolysis, thrombolysis |
macro- |
large |
macrocyte, macromania, macromolecule |
mal- |
bad, abnormal, inadequate |
malnutrition, malpractice, malformed |
-malacia |
soft, softening, softness |
encephalomalacia, osteomalacia, chondromalacia |
mamm- |
breast, mammary gland |
mammogram, mammography, mammaplasty |
megalo- |
large, enlarged, grandiose |
megalomania, megalocephaly, megalocyte |
-megaly |
enlargement |
cardiomegaly, acromegaly, hepatomegaly |
melan(o) |
dark pigmented, black |
melanoma, melanoderma, melanogenesis |
men(o) |
menstruation, menses |
menopause, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia |
mening(o) |
meninges |
meningitis, meningococcus, meningeal |
-metry |
process of measuring or counting |
audiometry, pelvimetry, biometry, fetometry |
micro- |
small |
microscope, microgram, microorganism |
my(o) |
muscle |
myocardial, myalgia, myofibroma, fibromyalgia |
myc(o) |
fungus, fungi |
mycosis, mycelium, mycology, dermatomycosis |
myel(o) |
bone marrow, spinal cord |
myelopathy, myelocyte, myeloma |
nas(o) |
nose |
nasal, nasosinusitis, nasogastric |
-natal |
birth, infant |
prenatal, intranatal, neonatal, postnatal, perinatal |
nephr(o) |
kidney |
nephrectomy, nephropexy, nephrolysis |
neur(o) |
nerve |
neurology, neurosurgery, neurotransmitter |
non- |
not |
nonsteroidal, nonallergic, nontoxic |
odont |
tooth |
odontitis, odontology, orthodontist |
-oma |
tumor, abnormal growth |
carcinoma, osteosarcoma, adenoma |
onco- |
tumor |
oncology, oncogenic, oncogene, oncolysis |
onych- |
nail of the finger or toe |
onychectomy, onychauxis, onychodystrophy |
ophthalm(o) |
vision, eye |
ophthalmology, ophthalmoscope, ophthalmia |
-opia |
vision, eye |
myopia, presbyopia, nyctalopia, diplopia |
opt- |
vision, eye |
optician, optical, optometry, optokinetic |
orchi |
testes, testis |
cryptorchidism, orchiectomy, orchidopexy |
-osis |
condition, increase, disorder |
halitosis, leukocytosis, neurosis, acidosis |
oste(o) |
bone |
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteoclast |
ot(o) |
ear |
otic, otitis, otalgia, otorrhea, otoplasty, otoscope |
-pathy |
disease, anomaly |
neuropathy, myopathy, osteopathy |
pelv(i), pelv(o) |
pelvis |
pelvimetry, pelvic |
-penia |
deficiency, low number |
eosinopenia, thrombocytopenia, erythropenia |
-pepsia |
digestion |
dyspepsia, eupepsia |
peri- |
near, around, surrounding |
pericardium, periodontal, perineurium |
-pexy |
fixation |
hysteropexy, orchiopexy, gastropexy |
phag(o) |
eat, swallow, consume |
phagolysis, phagedena, phagocyte |
pharyng(o) |
pharynx |
pharyngitis, pharyngeal, pharyngoesophageal |
phleb(o) |
vein |
phlebitis, phlebotomy, phlebosclerosis |
-phobia |
fear of |
hydrophobia, acrophobia, necrophobia |
physi(o) |
body function, bodily process |
physiology, physiopathology, physique |
-plasia |
development, formation |
neoplasia, myelodysplasia, hyperplasia |
-plasty |
surgical repair or restoration |
arthroplasty, osteoplasty, rhinoplasty |
-plegia |
paralysis |
paraplegia, diplegia, hemiplegia, monoplegia |
-pnea |
breathing, breath |
apnea, hyperpnea, orthopnea |
pneum(o) |
air, lung |
pneumonia, pneumothorax, pneumonocentesis |
pod(o) |
foot |
podiatrist, podiatric, podalic, podagra |
poly- |
much, many, several, excessive |
polyuria, polycystic, polyarthritis, polymorphism |
post- |
after |
postnatal, postcoronary, postoperative |
pre- |
before, in front of, earlier than |
prenatal, preoperative, premature, preanal |
presby(o) |
old age |
presbyopia, presbycusis, presbyophrenia |
proct(o) |
anus, rectum |
proctitis, proctoscopy, proctology |
psych(o) |
mind, mental |
psychology, psychotropic, psychiatry |
-ptosis |
prolapse, sagging, sagged |
blepharoptosis, nephroptosis, proptosis |
pulmon- |
lung |
pulmonary, pulmonology, pulmonectomy |
py(o) |
pus |
pyorrhea, pyogenic, pyemia, empyema |
pyel(o) |
pelvis of kidney, renal pelvis |
pyelonephritis, pyelitis, pyeloplasty |
pyr-, pyro- |
fever, heat |
pyrogen, pyrolysis, pyrogenic |
radi(o) |
x-ray, radiation |
radiology, radiograph, radioactive, radiotherapy |
ren(o) |
kidney |
renogram, renal, renoprival |
retro- |
behind, backward, in back of |
retroocular, retrocolic, retroflexion, retrolental |
rhin(o) |
nose |
rhinorrhea, rhinitis, rhinoplasty |
-rrhagia |
excessive discharge or flow |
enterorrhagia, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia |
-rrhea |
excessive discharge or flow |
gonorrhea, diarrhea, leukorrhea |
salping(o) |
fallopian tube |
salpingitis, salpingostomy, salpingectomy |
scler(o) |
hard, hardening |
atherosclerosis, myelosclerosis, arteriosclerosis |
-scope |
instrument used to exam or look |
microscope, arthroscope, otoscope, anoscope |
-scopy |
examining, viewing |
arthroscopy, endoscopy, colposcopy, anoscopy |
-spasm |
involuntary contraction |
angiospasm, vasospasm, bronchospasm |
spondyl(o) |
spine, vertebra, vertebrae |
spondylosis, spondylopathy, spondylolysis |
-stomy |
surgical opening |
enterostomy, colostomy, gastrostomy |
sub- |
under, beneath, below |
sublingual, subcutaneous, subcostal |
tachy- |
fast, rapid |
tachypnea, tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia |
thorac(o) |
chest, thorax |
thoracotomy, thoracodorsal, thoracoscopy |
thromb(o) |
blood clot |
thrombosis, thrombogenic, thrombus |
thyr(o) |
thyroid |
thyroxine, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism |
-tomy |
incision, incise, to cut into |
gastrotomy, duodenotomy, laparotomy |
toxi- |
poison |
toxic, toxicology, toxicity |
trache- |
trachea, windpipe |
tracheitis, tracheoscopy, tracheostomy |
trans- |
across, over, through, transfer |
transdermal, transfusion, transthoracic, transurethral |
-trophy |
growth, development |
hypertrophy, hypotrophy, dystrophy |
urethr(o) |
urethra |
urethritis, urethrotomy, urethroscope |
-uria |
urine |
pyuria, nocturia, polyuria, albuminuria |
vas(o) |
blood vessel, vas deferens |
vascular, vasospasm, vasectomy, vasodilator |
ven(o) |
vein |
venipuncture, venous, venopressor, intravenous |
prefix, root, suffix |
meaning |
example |