Medical Terminology Terms
Based on a series of root words preceded by pre-fixes and ending with suffixes, medical terminology is a system of terms that are used in the medical community. Many of the terms are derived from Latin or Greek words, as anatomy, in a big part, had its beginning during the Renaissance period with its physicians members of schools in Italy. Throughout the Middle Ages, however, Arabic individuals made many medical advances, and some medical terminology root words come from the Arabic language. The prefixes and suffixes that are added to many of the root words are primarily Latin in origin. The root word in a medical term will specifically address the disease or body part. Prefixes will refer to a particular area of the body, and the suffix may relate what sort of problem is being experienced in that area of the body. For example, “gastroenteritis” will be an inflammation (“-itis”) of the stomach (denoted by the Latin root word “gastro.”) When one becomes familiar with the prefixes and suffixes and then can recognize the body parts indicated by the root words, they are easily able to distinguish the definition of many medical terms. The following are examples of common prefixes, root words, and suffixes used by the medical community.
A
a-, an-, ar-: an absence or low amount of something
ab-: abnormal
abatement: the easing back of something or reduction
abaxial: in an area outside of its usual place
abdomin/o–: in reference to the abdomen
abdominocentesis: aspiration of fluid from the abdomen
abrasion: the removal of the outermost layer of skin, either accidentally or for healing purposes
abscess: a cavity formed by a wound
absolute zero: the lowest possible temperature in which heat no longer exists on any level
-ac: in regards to a particular site
acardia: not having a heart
acanthoid: in the same shape as a spine
achalasia: inability to relax in regard to muscles
acouso-, aucousto-: in regard to hearing or sound
acr/o: in regad to the extremities or top of something
acute: rapid onset
ad-, -ad: in regard to something moving toward another
aden/o-: in regards to a gland
adenoma: word used to describe a benign mass that is unlikely to spread to other areas
aer/o-: in regards to air
aerobic: word used to describe something that lives in air
-agon: suffix meaning a gathering or assembly
alb/o, albin/o: something that is a white color
-algesia: a suffix that describes a pain sensitivy
ambi-: refers to something that is on both sides, or wrapped around, another thing
analgesic: something will will help to relieve pain
anatomy: word referring to the study of the body and its structure
ante: in reference to something forward of another, or before
anti-: against
arthro-: in reference to limbs and/or joints
-ase: in reference to an enzyme
-ation: a process
aut(o)-: in reference to one’s self
B
Barrett’s syndrome: a disease identified by an abnormal lining in the esophagus which can increase the possibility of esophageal cancer
benign: an abnormality that is not cancerous in nature
bi–: referring to something that is done twice, or doubled
bio-: in reference to “life” or the study of life
biopsy: the process of removing tissue either in or out of the body to study
blast(o)-: in reference to a germ
blood pressure: a measure of the pressure that is in the arteries as an indication of how hard your heart is working to pump blood
bone graft: the transfer of a bone, or bone material, from one person to another, or from one bone to another in a single individual
brady-: something is that slowed
bronchi-: in reference to the bronchial tubes
bruise: an injury to the skin that does not result in puncture of the skin but causes minor damage underneath the skin surface
C
cannula: a tube that is used to put fluid into a cavity
capill: in reference to the hair or hair follicles or pertaining to the hair
carcin(o) -: in reference to cancer
cardi/o-: in reference to the heart
cardiomegaly: an inflammation of the heart
cartilage: a hard connective tissue found in the nose, ears, and also in fetuses before development of bones
cata-: referring something that is under another or down from another
celiac sprue: a disease caused by an allergy to gluten in the diet and characterized by gastric and intestinal symptoms
-centesis: a surgical puncture for aspiration
cephalic-: in reference to the head
cerebr(o)-: in reference to the brain
chem(o)-: refers to a process in which chemicals are used
chemotherapy: a treatment using chemicals in the body to treat cancer
chlor(o)-: something green in color
cholecystitis: an inflammation of the gallbladder
cholecyst(o)-: in reference to the gallbladder
-cidal, -cide: suffix meaning the killing or destroying of something
circum-: refers to something around something else
cis-: on the side
co-: things that work together as a system or in association with one another
col-, colo-, colono-: in reference to the colon
colonoscopy: an examination with a scope of the rectum and colon
contra-: a prefix meaning something is against something other
colitis: an inflammation of the lining of the colon
-crine: to secrete
cry(o)-: in reference to something cold
cyan(o)-: something blue in color
cyt(o)-: in reference to a cell
D
de-: the process of taking away or removing
decay: the deterioration of an organism
decubitus- the state of lying down, as in a patient
dehydration: the lack of water for an organism
dent(o): in reference to the teeth
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-: in reference to the skin
dermatology: the study of diseases of the skin
-desis: the binding process
dextr(o)-: meaning on the right side
di –: in reference to two items
di –: also means the separation of items
dilation: the increased opening of a cavity in the body such as the pupils
dis-: the process of separating or taking apart
-dynia: suffix indicating the source of the root word is in pain
dys-: a difficulty or something negative
E
-eal: suffix meaning to pertain to
ec-: meaning out or away
-ectomy: the surgical removal or excision of a part of the body
edema: a condition of having an excess amount of fluid under the skin
-emesis: a vomiting condition
-emia: a suffix referring to blood
encaphal(o)-: in reference to the brain
endo-: something that is inside another, or inside something else
enter(o)-: in reference to the intestine
erythro-: something red in color
excise: the process of cutting something out
excision: an area in which something is removed or taken out
exo-: in reference to something outside something else
F
faci(o): in reference to the face
fascia: a mass of connective tissue that holds muscles together in their correct place
fibro-: in reference to fiber
foramen: the hollow tubes in the bone that contain nerves and large vessels
-form, -iform: suffix meaning to have the form of something else
fossa (ae): areas of depression
front: in reference to the forehead
G
galact(o)-: in reference to milk
gastr(o)-: in reference to the stomach
-gen: suffix meaning to be born in of a specific kind
-genic: suffix meaning to produce
glauc(o)-: a blueish gray color
gluco-: in reference to glucose
glyco-: in reference to sugar
-gnosis: suffix inferring the knowledge of
-gram, -graph: a record or picture taken during a diagnostic test
-graphy: suffix meaning the processing of creating a graph or picture during a diagnostic test
gyne-: in reference to a woman
H
hallucination: something derived in the mind that the individual believes to be true
hemat(o)-: in reference to blood
hemi-: implying half, or one side, of something
hemorrhoidectomy: the removal, by surgery, of hemorrhiods
hepat(o)-: in reference to the liver
home(o): a prefix indicating that one item is similar to another
hom(o)- “the same” as another or common
hydr(o): in reference to water
hyper-: prefix indicating that something is beyond normal or greater than normal
hyp(o)-: prefix indicating that something is lower than normal
I
-i-asis: suffix indicating a condition
-iatry: study of a specific field of medicine
-ic: suffix meaning relating to
-icle: suffix meaning small
-ics: suffix indicating treatment knowledge
idio: reference to one’s self
infra-: reference of below
inter-: prefix meaning between
intra -: prefix indicating within
interphalangeal joints fingers and toes
intervertebral disks cartilaginous material between vertebrae
-ism: suffix meaning a disease of
-ismus: indicating a spasm
iso-: prefix meaning equal
-ist: suffix indicating a specialist
-itis: suffix meaning inflammation of
isch-: prefix meaning a restriction
J
jejun(o)-jejunum: in reference to the small intestine
K
karyo-: in reference to the nucleus
kerat(o)-: in reference to the cornea of the eye
kin(e)-, kin(o)-, kinesi(o)-: prefix indicating movement of
kyph(o)-: in reference to something being hump-like
L
labi(o)-: in reference to the lip
lact(i)-, lact(o)-: in reference to milk
laryng(o)-: in reference to the voice box, or larynx
later(o)-: prefix meaning lateral
lei(o)-: prefix meaning smooth
-lepsis, -lepsy: suffix indicating an attack or seizure
lept(o)-: prefix meaning slender or light in weight
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-: something of white color
lip(o)-: in reference to fat
log(o)-: in reference to speech
-logist: suffix indicating someone who practices in a specialized field of medicine
-logy: suffix indicating a specialized filed of medicine
lymph(o)-: in reference to the lymph nodes or lymphatic system
-lysis: suffix indicating a separation of two things or a destruction
M
macr(o)-: in reference to something long or big
macroangiopathy: term meaning a disease of the large blood vessels
-malacia: suffix meaning something going soft
malleolus- a protrusion on the ankle, hammer-like
mamm(o): in reference to the breast
mania: a disease of the mind in which emotions swing from very high to very low with little provocation
manu-: in reference to the hand
meatus: an opening or passage into the body
medulla: term meaning the inner part
meg(a)-, meg(o)- , -megaly: suffix meaning an enlargement of
melano-: in reference to something black
melanocyte: the darkening of the pigment of the skin
meniscus: cartilage around the knee
mero-: prefix meaning a part of
mes(o)-: prefix meaning in the middle of
meta-: prefix indicating that something is behind, or after, another
-meter: suffix meaning a measurement of something else
-metry: suffix indicating the measuring of something
micro-: prefix meaning small
molecule: the smallest unit of life
mon(o)-: prefix indicating a single thing
muscul(o)-: in reference to muscle
myelitis: term meaning an inflammation of the spinal cord
myle(o)-: in reference to bone marrow
N
narc(o)-: prefix indicating sleep or numbness
narcolepsy: disease in which the individual has an excessive need for sleep
nas(o)-: in reference to the nose
nasogastric: in reference to the tube from the stomach up to the nose
necr(o)-: prefix indicating death
necrosis: the death of living tissue
neo-: prefixing indicating something new
nephr(o)-: in reference to the kidneys
nephrolithasis: a kidney stone
neur(o): in reference to the nerves
neuralgia: pain in the nerves
nocturia: an increased urination at night
normo-: prefix indicating something is normal
normoxia: having a normal level of oxygen in the blood
nyctophobia: an excessive fear of the dark
O
obese: overweight
oblique: adjective to mean that something is at an angle
obstetrics: the specialty having to do with pregnancy and delivery
odyn(o)-: prefix meaning pain of
-oid: suffix meaning something resembles something else
ole-: indicating something small
olfaction: the sense of smell
-oma: suffix indicating a mass or a tumor
onco-: in reference to a tumor
onychocrytosis: an ingrown toenail
oopherectomy: the surgical removal of the ovaries
opthal(o)-: in reference to the eye
ophthalmology: the study of the eye and its functions
or(o)-: in reference to the mouth
osteotomy: removing or cutting of the bone
-ous: suffix meaning relative to
P
pachy-: prefix meaning thick
pan-: prefix indicating that something is complete
pancolitis: inflammation that involves the entire colon
pancreat(o)-: in reference to the pancreas
para-: prefix meaning along the side of, usually meaning an abnormality
paraplegia: a paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body
-paresis: suffix indicating mild paralysis
parvo-: prefix meaning small
path(o)-: prefix meaning disease of
pathogenic: something that may cause a disease
-pathy: suffix indicating disease
-penia: suffix indicating a deficiency of
-pepsia: suffix meaning in relation to digestion
peripheral: word meaning the outer edges of something
-pexy: suffix indicating a fixation
phaco-: prefix indicating the shape of a lens
-phagia: suffix meaning relating to eating
pharmac(o)-: in reference to medication or a drug
pharyng(o)-: in reference to the throat
-philia: suffix indicating an attraction for
phlebitis: inflammation of one of the nerves in the body
phleb(o)-: in reference to the veins and blood
phobo-: prefix indicating an unrealistic fear
phot(o)-: in reference to light
-plasia: suffix meaning the formation of
-plegia: suffix indicating a paralysis of
pneumocyte: a term defining a cell within the lung
poly-: prefix meaning more than one
polydactyly: having an abnormally high number of fingers or toes
post-: prefix meaning behind or after
pre-: prefix meaning before something
prognosis: a prediction of the outcome of an illness
pseudo-: prefix indicating something false
-ptosis: suffix indicating something that is dropping forward
pulmon-: in reference to lungs
Q
quadrant: one of four parts
quadr(i)-: prefix meaning four
quadricep: a muscle in the thigh
quiescent: quiet, tranquil, peaceful
R
radio-: in reference to radiation
radiologist: a physician specializing in reading x-rays
re-: prefix meaning again
reabsorption: the reabsorbing of a substance
recumbent: adjective meaning lying down
referred pain: used to describe a pain other than where the injury actually is
refractory: not responsive to treatment
retro-: prefix meaning behind or going backward
rheumatologist: a physician specializing in arthritis and other rheumatoid diseases
rhinitis: an inflammation of the tissues in the nose
rhin(o)-: in reference to the nose
rhod(o)-: indicating something rose-red in color
rodenticide: a poison made to kill rodents
-rrhage: suffix meaning to burst forth
-rrhea: suffix meaning a discharge something flowing
rumination: the process of regurgitating eaten food
S
saccade: in reference to a rapid movement of the eye back and forth
sacr(o)-: in reference to the sacrum
sanguine: refers to someone having a ruddy facial complexion
sarco-: prefix meaning like muscle or flesh
schiz(o)-: a prefix meaning split or double
schizophrenia: a mental condition which causes an individual to hear voices or having split personalities
scleroderma: a disease known by the hardening of the skin, typically on the face, back, neck, and shoulders
sclero-: a prefix indicating hardness
scoli(o)-: a prefix indicating something twisted
-scope: a suffix meaning an instrument for viewing during a medical examination
-scopy: a suffix indicating use of instrument for viewing during a medical examination
sedative: a drug that will calm down a person in distress
semi-: a prefix meaning halfway or in part
septic: diseased or infected
sinuses: the space in the head that is empty for use as a chamber for in which the voice can resonate
sociogenomics: referring to the genes that determine behavior
somnolence: sleepy
spectrophobia: an exaggerated fear of ghosts
-sten(o)-: a prefix indicating something narrow
stenosis: the noun indication an area of narrowing
-stomy: suffix indicting a medical opening in the body
strabismus: a condition in which the eyes appear to look in different directions, caused by a muscle weakness
sub-: a prefix meaning beneath
super-: a prefix meaning excessive, superior, or above
T
tachy-: prefix meaning fast
tachycardia: the noun indicating a fast heartbeat
temporomandibular joint TMJ: the connection between the jawbone and temporal bone
-tension, -tensive: suffix indicating pressure
tendon: tissue that attaches bone to muscle
therapeutic: referring to the treatment of an illness
therm(o)-: prefix indicating heat
thoracotomy: a surgical opening of the chest
thromb(o)-: a prefix indicating the clotting of the blood
thyr(o)-: in reference to the thyroid
thyroidectomy: the surgical removal of the thyroid gland
-tic: suffix meaning pertaining to
tinnitus: the condition of ringing in the ears
-tomy: suffix referring to something being cut
tonsillitis: an inflammation of the tonsils
-tony: suffix indicating pressure
top(o)-: prefix indicating something topical
trans-: prefix indicating something that is moving across something else
transillumination: the process of using a light to pass through the body for diagnostic purposes
transplant: the switching of a diseased body part or tissue with a healthy substitute
-trips: suffix indicating a crushing of something
-trophy: suffix to indicate nourishment or the development of
truncate: verb meaning to shorten
U
-ula, -ule: suffix meaning small
ulcer: an area of tissue that has eroded
ulocarcinoma: a cancer of the lining of the gums
ultra-: prefix indicating that something is beyond something else or excessive
un(i)-: prefix indicating one
unilateral: in reference to one side of something
upright: to be in a standing position
ureter(o): in reference to the ureter
V
vallecula: a medical term meaning the depression of an area
varic(o)-: prefix referring to a swollen or twisted vein
vas(o): in reference to a kind of vessel
ven(o): in reference to a vein
venule: a noun referring to a small vein
-version: suffix indicating the turning of something
vertebral column: the phrase referring to the spinal column from the neck to the tailbone
volar: in reference to the sole of the foot or the palm of the hand
X
xanth(o): referring to something yellow
xanthoma: noun referring to a yellowish rash on the skin
xen(o)-: referring to something different
xenobiotic: substance in the natural environment that are foreign to an individual’s body
xer(o)-: referring to something dry
xerosis: a noun referring to the abnormal drying of the skin
Y
-y: referring to a condition or process of
Z
zo(o)-: referring to the animal
Zoophobia: an exaggerated fear of animals
zym(o)-: referring to a fermentation enzyme
