Medical Prefixes, Suffixes, & Roots

Front 1

a- , an-, in-

Back 1

without, negative, inability

(ex: amenorrhea - w/o a monthly flow)

Front 2

ab-

Back 2

from, away from

(ex: abnormal - away from normal)

Front 3

ad- , ac- , as- , at-

Back 3

to, toward

(ex: adduct - carry toward)

Front 4

aniso-

Back 4

unequal

(ex: anisocytosis - abnormal condition of unequal cells)

Front 5

ante- , pre-

Back 5

before

(ex: anterior - front, prenatal - before birth)

Front 6

Poly-

Back 6

Much, many

(ex: Polycystic - many cytes)

Front 7

Post-

Back 7

After

(ex: Postmortem - after death)

Front 8

Pre-

Back 8

Before

(ex: Prenatal - before birth)

Front 9

Presby-

Back 9

Old

(ex: Presbyopia - old vision)

Front 10

Primi-

Back 10

First

(ex: Primigravida - first pregnancy)

Front 11

-megaly

Back 11

Enlargment

(ex: Splenomegaly - enlargement of spleen)

Front 12

Splen-

Back 12

Spleen

(ex: Splenomegaly - enlargement of spleen)

Front 13

-meter

Back 13

Measure

(ex: Thermometer - instrument to measure temperature)

Front 14

-oid

Back 14

Resembling

(ex: Mucoid - resembling mucus)

Front 15

-oma

Back 15

Tumor (ex: Neuroma - nerve tumor)

Front 16

-opia

Back 16

Vision (ex: Amblyopia - dim vision)

Front 17

-osis

Back 17

Abnormal Condition (ex: Nephrosis - abnormal condition of kidney)

Front 18

-osme / -osmia

Back 18

Smell (ex: Anosmia - inability to smell)

Front 19

-ostomy

Back 19

Create an Opening (ex: Colostomy - create an opening in the colon)

Front 20

-otia

Back 20

Ear (ex: Macrotia - large ear)

Front 21

-ic

Back 21

Agent (ex: Anesthetic - agent to eliminate sensation)

Front 22

-rrhea

Back 22

Flow, Dischargea (ex: Diarrhea - flow through)

Front 23

-phagia

Back 23

Swallowing (ex: Aerophagia - swallowing of air)

Front 24

-pathy

Back 24

Disease (ex: Encephalopathy - disease of the brain)

Front 25

-penia

Back 25

Deficiency, Poor (ex: Leukocytopenia - deficiency of white cells)

Front 26

-pepsia

Back 26

Digestion (ex: Dyspepsia - bad digestion)

Front 27

-pexy

Back 27

Surgical Fixation (ex: Nephropexy - surgical fixation of kidney)

Front 28

-phasia

Back 28

Speak, Say (ex: Aphasia - ability to speak)

Front 29

-philia

Back 29

Love, Attraction (ex: Chromophilic - attracted to color)

Front 30

-phobia

Back 30

Abnormal Fear

(Ex : Agoraphobia - abnormal fear of the crowd)

Front 31

-plasia

Back 31

Formation

(ex: Hyperplasia - excessive formation)

Front 32

-plasm

Back 32

Substance

(ex: Protoplasm - original subtance)

Front 33

-plasty

Back 33

Make, Shape, Repair, Revision

(Ex: Rhinoplasty - to shape the nose)

Front 34

-plegia

Back 34

Paralysis

(Ex: Hemiplegia - paralysis on one side of the body)

Front 35

-pnea

Back 35

Breath

(Ex: Tachypnea - fast breathing)

Front 36

-rrhagia

Back 36

Burst, Forth

(Ex: Metorrhagia - hemorrhage from uterus)

Front 37

-rrhaphy

Back 37

Suture, Sew

(Ex: Heniorrhaphy - suture of hernia)

Front 38

-scope

Back 38

Instrument for viewing

(Ex: Otoscope - instrument to look in ears)

Front 39

-scopy

Back 39

Visualization

(Ex: Laryngoscopy - visualization of larynx)

Front 40

-some , -soma

Back 40

Body

(Ex: Lysosome - body that lyses/dissolved)

Front 41

-spasm

Back 41

Twitching

(Ex: Blepharospasm - twitching of eyelids)

Front 42

-stasis

Back 42

Stop, Control

(Ex: Hemostasis - control of bleeding)

Front 43

-therapy

Back 43

Treatment

(Ex: Hydrotherapy - treatment with water)

Front 44

-tome

Back 44

Instrument to Cut

(Ex: Osteotome - instrument to cut bone)

Front 45

-tomy

Back 45

To cut, Incision

(Ex: Laparotomy - to cut in the abdomen)

Front 46

-tripsy

Back 46

Crushing

(Ex: Nephrolithotripsy - crushing of stone i kidney)

Front 47

-trophy , -trophic , -trophin

Back 47

Development

(Ex: Hypertrophy - overdevelopment)

Front 48

-uria

Back 48

Urine

(Ex: Hematuria - blood in urine)

Front 49

Acr-

Back 49

Extremity, Heights

(Ex: Acromegaly - enlargment extremities , Acrophobia - abnormal fear of heights)

Front 50

Aden-

Back 50

Gland

(Ex: Adenophathy - disease of a gland)

Front 51

Aer-

Back 51

Air

(Ex: Aerophagia - swallowing of air)

Front 52

Angi-

Back 52

Vessel

(Ex: Angioma - tumor of a vessel)

Front 53

Arthr-

Back 53

Joint

(Ex: Arthralgia - pain in joint)

Front 54

Blast-

Back 54

Bud, Growing Thing

(Ex: Neuroblast - growing of a nerve cell)

Front 55

Blephar-

Back 55

Eyelid

(Ex: Blepharoptosis - drooping of eyelid)

Front 56

Brachi-

Back 56

Arm

(Ex: Brachial - pertaining to the arm)

Front 57

Bronch-

Back 57

Windpipe

(Ex: Bronchus - branch of trachea (windpipe))

Front 58

Carcin-

Back 58

Cancer

(Ex: Adenocarcinoma - cancerous tumor of a gland)

Front 59

Cardi-

Back 59

Heart

(Ex: Myocarditis - inflammation of heart muscle)

Front 60

Carp-

Back 60

Wrist

(Ex: Flexor Carpi - muscle to bend wrist)

Front 61

Caud-

Back 61

Tail

(Ex: Caudal - pertaining to tail)

Front 62

Celio-

Back 62

Abdomen, Stomach

(Ex: Celiotomy - incision of the stomach)

Front 63

Cephal-

Back 63

Head

(Ex: Cephalodynia - pain in the head)

Front 64

Cervic-

Back 64

Neck

(Ex: Cervicitis - inflammation of the nect of uterus)

Front 65

Cheil-

Back 65

Lip

(Ex: Cheiloplasty - shaping the lips)

Front 66

Cheir- , Chir-

Back 66

Hand

(Ex: Chiromegaly - large hands)

Front 67

Chol-

Back 67

Bile, Gallbladder

(Ex: Cholecystectomy - surgical removal of the gallbladder)

Front 68

Chondr-

Back 68

Cartilage

(Ex: Chondromalacia - softening of cartilage)

Front 69

Chrom-

Back 69

Color

(Ex: Polychromatic - having many colors)

Front 70

Chron-

Back 70

Time

(Ex: Synchronous - occuring at the same time)

Front 71

Col-

Back 71

Colon

(Ex: Megacolon - enlarged colon)

Front 72

Colp-

Back 72

Vagina

(Ex: Colporrhaphy - suture of vagina)

Front 73

Cost-

Back 73

Rib

(Ex: Intercostal - between ribs)

Front 74

Crani-

Back 74

Skull

(Ex: Craniotomy - incision into the skull)

Front 75

Cry-

Back 75

Hidden, Cold

(Ex: Cryptorchidism - a hidden undescended testicle)

Front 76

Cutan- , Cut-

Back 76

Skin

(Ex: Subcutaneous - below the skin)

Front 77

Cyan-

Back 77

Blue

(Ex: Acrocyanosis - abnormal condition of blueness of extremities)

Front 78

Cyst-

Back 78

Bladder, Cyst

(Ex: Cystocele - bladder hernia)

Front 79

Dacry-

Back 79

Tear

(Ex: Dacryorrhea - flow of tear)

Front 80

Dent- , Odont-

Back 80

Tooth

(Ex: Periodontal - around the tooth , Dentalgia - toothache)

Front 81

Derm- , Dermat-

Back 81

Skin

(Ex: Intradermal - within the skin)

Front 82

Dips-

Back 82

Thirst

(Ex: Polydipsia - excessive thirst)

Front 83

Dors-

Back 83

Back

(Ex: Dorsal - pertaining to the back)

Front 84

Duct-

Back 84

Carry

(Ex: Oviduct - tube to carry ova ( egg))

Front 85

Encephal-

Back 85

Brain

(Ex: Encephalocele - hernia of the brain)

Front 86

Enter-

Back 86

Intestine

(Ex: Gastroenteritis - inflammation of stomach and intestine)

Front 87

Erg-

Back 87

Work

(Ex: Energy - working with)

Front 88

Erythr-

Back 88

Red

(Ex: Erythrocytopenia - deficiency of red cell)

Front 89

Esthe-

Back 89

Sensation

(Ex: Anesthetic - agent to eliminate sensation)

Front 90

Esthen-

Back 90

Weakness

(Ex: Myasthenia - muscle weakness)

Front 91

Febr-

Back 91

Fever

(Ex: Febrile - without fever)

Front 92

Flex-

Back 92

Bend

(Ex: Dorsiflex - bend backward)

Front 93

Gastr-

Back 93

Stomach

(Ex: Gastroscopy - visualization of the stomach)

Front 94

Gen-

Back 94

Produce

(Ex: Pathogenic - agent that produces disease)

Front 95

Gingiv-

Back 95

Gums

(Ex: Gingivectomy - removal of gums)

Front 96

Gloss-

Back 96

Tongue

(Ex: Hypoglossal - under the tongue)

Front 97

Glyc- , Gluc-

Back 97

Sugar

(Ex: Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar)

Front 98

Gnath-

Back 98

Jaw

(Ex: Micrognathism - small jaw)

Front 99

Grav-

Back 99

Heavy

(Ex: Secundigravida - second pregnancy)

Front 100

Gynec-

Back 100

Female

(Ex: Gynecology - study of female conditions)

Front 101

Hem- , Hemat-

Back 101

Blood

(Ex: Hematemesis - vomiting of blood)

Front 102

Hepat-

Back 102

Liver

(Ex: Hepatomegaly - enlargement of liver)

Front 103

Heter-

Back 103

Different

(Ex: Heterogeneous - different origins)

Front 104

Hidr-

Back 104

Perspiration

(Ex: Hidrorrhea - flow of perspiration)

Front 105

Hist-

Back 105

Tissue

(Ex: Histology - study of tissue)

Front 106

Home- , Hom-

Back 106

Same

(Ex: Homeostasis - Stay same, equilibrium)

Front 107

Hydr- , Hydra-

Back 107

Water

(Ex: Dehydration - process of losing water)

Front 108

Hyster-

Back 108

Uterus

(Ex: Hysterectomy - removal of the uterus)

Front 109

Iatr-

Back 109

Physician

(Ex: Iatrogenic - produced by the physician)

Front 110

Irid-

Back 110

Iris

(Ex: Iridectomy - surgical removal of iris)

Front 111

Is-

Back 111

Equal

(Ex: Isotonic - equal in pressure)

Front 112

Kary-

Back 112

Nut, Nucleus

(Ex: Megakaryocytes - cell with large nucleus)

Front 113

Kerat-

Back 113

Cornea

(Ex: Keratoplasty - repair of cornea)

Front 114

Kin-

Back 114

Move

(Ex: Kinesiology - study of movement)

Front 115

Lacrim-

Back 115

Tear

(Ex: Lacrimation - milk production)

Front 116

Lact- , Galact-

Back 116

Milk

(Ex: Lactogenic - milk production)

Front 117

Lapar-

Back 117

Abdomen

(Ex: Laparorrhaphy - suture of the abdomen)

Front 118

Laryngo-

Back 118

Larynx

(Ex: Laryngoscopy - visualization of larynx)

Front 119

Later-

Back 119

Side

(Ex: Bilateral - two sides)

Front 120

Gravida-

Back 120

Pregnancy

(Ex: Secundigravida - second pregnancy)

Front 121

Leuk- , Leuc-

Back 121

White

(Ex: Leukorrhea - white discharges)

Front 122

Lip-

Back 122

Fat

(Ex: Lipoma - tumor of fat)

Front 123

Lith-

Back 123

Stone

(Ex: Lithotripsy - crushing a stone)

Front 124

Mast- , Mamm-

Back 124

Breast

(Ex: Mastitis - inflammation of breast , Mammogram - x-ray of breast)

Front 125

Melan-

Back 125

Black

(Ex: Melanoma - black tumor)

Front 126

Men-

Back 126

Monthly, Menses

(Ex: Dysmenorrhea - difficult monthly flow)

Front 127

Mening-

Back 127

Membrane

(Ex: Meninges - membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord)

Front 128

Metr-

Back 128

Uterus

(Ex: Endometrium - lining of uterus)

Front 129

Morph-

Back 129

Shape, Form

(Ex: Polymorphic - pertaining to many shapes)

Front 130

My-

Back 130

Muscle

(Ex: Myometritis - inflammation of muscle in uterus)

Front 131

Myc-

Back 131

Fungus

(Ex: Onychomychosis - fungus condition of the nails)

Front 132

Myel-

Back 132

Marrow, Spinal Cord

(Ex: Myelogram - x-ray record of the spinal cord)

Front 133

Myring-

Back 133

Eardrum

(Ex: Myringotomy - opening into eardrum)

Front 134

Nas-

Back 134

Nose

(Ex: Nasopharyngeal - pertaining to the nose and throat)

Front 135

Nephr- , Ren-

Back 135

Kidney

(Ex: Hydronephrosis - abnormal condition of water in the kidney)

Front 136

Nat-

Back 136

To Be Born

(Ex: Prenatal - before birth)

Front 137

Neur-

Back 137

Nerve

(Ex: Neuralgia - nerve pain)

Front 138

Noct- , Nyct-

Back 138

Night

(Ex: Nocturia - voiding at night)

Front 139

Nucle-

Back 139

Kernel

(Ex: Nucleus - dense core (kernel) of an atom)

Front 140

Null-

Back 140

None

(Ex: Nulligravida - woman has no pregnancy)

Front 141

Ocul-

Back 141

Eye

(Ex: Monocular - pertaining to one eye)

Front 142

Omphal-

Back 142

Umbilicus

(Ex: Omphalorrhea - discharge from the navel)

Front 143

Onych-

Back 143

Nail

(Ex: Onychocryptosis - condition of hidden nail (ingrowth))

Front 144

Oo-

Back 144

Ova, Egg

(Ex: Oogenesis - producing egg)

Front 145

Oophor-

Back 145

Ovary

(Ex: Oophorocystectomy - removal of cyst from ovary)

Front 146

Opthalm-

Back 146

Eye

(Ex: Exophthalmos - condition of protruding eyes)

Front 147

Or-

Back 147

Mouth

(Ex: Oropharyngeal - pertaining to mouth and throat)

Front 148

Orchid-

Back 148

Testis

(Ex: Orchidectomy - removal of testes)

Front 149

Orexia-

Back 149

Appetite

(Ex: Anorexia - absence of appetite)

Front 150

Orth-

Back 150

Straight

(Ex: Orthodontist - one who straightens teeth)

Front 151

Oste- , Oss-

Back 151

Bone

(Ex: Osteochondroma - tumor of bone and cartilage)

Front 152

Ot- , Aur-

Back 152

Ear

(Ex: Otitis - inflammation of the ear , Post-Auricular - behind the ear)

Front 153

Para-

Back 153

To Bear

(Ex: Primipara - to bear first child)

Front 154

Path-

Back 154

Diseases

(Ex: Pathophysiology - study of effects of disease on body functioning)

Front 155

Pect-

Back 155

Chest

(Ex: Pectoralis - chest muscle)

Front 156

Ped-

Back 156

Child

(Ex: Pediatrician - doctor who specializes in children)

Front 157

Peps-

Back 157

Digest

(Ex: Dyspepsia - bad digestion)

Front 158

Phag-

Back 158

Swallow, Eat

(Ex: Aphagia - inability to swallow)

Front 159

Pharmacy-

Back 159

Drug

(Ex: Pharmacology - study of drugs)

Front 160

Pharyng-

Back 160

Throat

(Ex: Pharyngitis - inflammation of throat)

Front 161

Phas-

Back 161

Speak, Say

(Ex: Tachyphasia - speaking fast)

Front 162

Phleb-

Back 162

Vein

(Ex: Phlebothrombosis - abnormal condition of clot in vein)

Front 163

Phon-

Back 163

Voice

(Ex: Aphonic - absence of voice)

Front 164

Pil- , Trich-

Back 164

Hair

(Ex: Trichoglossia - hairy tongue)

Front 165

Pneum-

Back 165

Air, Breath

(Ex: Pneumothorax - air in chest)

Front 166

Pod-

Back 166

Foot

(Ex: Podiatrist - one who specializes in foot problems)

Front 167

Proct-

Back 167

Rectum

(Ex: Proctoscopy - visualization of the rectum)

Front 168

Pseud-

Back 168

False

(Ex: Pseudocyesis - false pregnancy)

Front 169

Psych-

Back 169

Mind

(Ex: Psychosomatic - pertaining to the mind and the body)

Front 170

Pulm-

Back 170

Lung

(Ex: Cardiopulmonary - pertaining heart to lungs)

Front 171

Py-

Back 171

Pus

(Ex: Pyorrhea - flow of pus)

Front 172

Pyel-

Back 172

Kidney Pelvis

(Ex: Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the kidney pelvis)

Front 173

Pyl-

Back 173

Door, Orifice

(Ex: Pyloric Sphincter - ring muscle that controls food entry into the duodenum)

Front 174

Pyr-

Back 174

Fire, Fever

(Ex: Anti-pyretic - agent used against fever)

Front 175

Quadri-

Back 175

Four

(Ex: Quadriplegia - paralysis of all four extremities)

Front 176

Rhin-

Back 176

Nose

(Ex: Rhinoplasty - revision of the nose)

Front 177

Salping-

Back 177

Uterine Tube

(Ex: Salpingitis - inflammation of the uterine tube)

Front 178

Sanguine-

Back 178

Blood

(Ex: Exsanguinations - process of bleeding out (bleed to death)

Front 179

Sarc- , Sarco-

Back 179

Flesh, Striated Muscle

(Ex: Sarcolemma - cell membrane of a muscle fiber)

Front 180

Scler- , Sclera-

Back 180

Hard

(Ex: Arteriosclerosis - condition of hardening of arteries)

Front 181

Sect-

Back 181

Cut

(Ex: Dissection - cutting apart)

Front 182

Sept-

Back 182

Contamination

(Ex: Anti-septic - agent used against contamination)

Front 183

Sial-

Back 183

Saliva

(Ex: Polysialia - excessive salivation)

Front 184

Sten-

Back 184

Narrow, Constricted

(Ex: Pyloric Stenosis - narrowing of pylorus)

Front 185

Stomat-

Back 185

Mouth

(Ex: Stomatitis - inflammation of the mouth)

Front 186

Strict-

Back 186

Draw tight, Compresses

(Ex: Vasoconstrictor - agent that compresses vessel)

Front 187

Tax-

Back 187

Order, Arrange

(Ex: Ataxic - uncoordinated)

Front 188

Ten-

Back 188

Tendon

(Ex: Tenorrhaphy - suture a tendon)

Front 189

Therm-

Back 189

Heat

(Ex: Hyperthermia - increasing body heat)

Front 190

Thorac-

Back 190

Chest

(Ex: Thoracocentesis - puncture to aspirate fluid from chest)

Front 191

Thromb-

Back 191

Clot

(Ex: Thrombocyte - clotting cell)

Front 192

Tox-

Back 192

Poison

(Ex: Toxemia - poison in the blood)

Front 193

Trache-

Back 193

Windpipe

(Ex: Tracheomalacia - softening of tracheal cartilages)

Front 194

Trachel-

Back 194

Neck

(Ex: Trachelorrhaphy - suture of cervix (neck of uterus))

Front 195

Traumat-

Back 195

Wound

(Ex: Traumatology - study of trauma)

Front 196

Tri-

Back 196

Three

(Ex: Trigeminal - having three beginnings)

Front 197

Troph-

Back 197

Turn

(Ex: Ectropion - turned out)

Front 198

Ur-

Back 198

Urine

(Ex: Uremia - urine constituents in the blood)

Front 199

Vas-

Back 199

Vessel

(Ex: Vasoconstriction - narrowing of a vessel)

Front 200

Vasic-

Back 200

Bladder

(Ex: Vasicocele - hernia of the bladder)

Front 201

Viscer-

Back 201

Internal Organs

(Ex: Evisceration- process of viscera protruding from abdominal wall)

Front 202

Vitra-

Back 202

Life

(Ex: Vital - necessary for life)

Front 203

-tion

Back 203

Process

(Ex: Evisceration - process of viscera protruding from abdominal wall)

Front 204

-opia

Back 204

Vision

(Ex: Amblyopia - dim vision)

Front 205

Vert-

Back 205

Turn

(Ex: Retroverted - turned backward)