Common Prefixes and Suffixes by Shiland provides a comprehensive overview of medical terminology essential for students and professionals in healthcare. This resource details common prefixes and suffixes used in medical language, helping readers understand and construct medical terms effectively. Ideal for medical students, nursing professionals, and anyone studying healthcare terminology, this guide simplifies complex concepts into easily digestible information. The content includes definitions and examples that enhance learning and retention of medical vocabulary.

Key Points

  • Explains common medical prefixes and their meanings, such as 'a-' for without and 'hyper-' for excessive.
  • Details various suffixes used in medical terminology, including '-itis' for inflammation and '-ectomy' for surgical removal.
  • Aids healthcare students in mastering essential vocabulary for effective communication in medical settings.
  • Includes a structured format that categorizes prefixes and suffixes for easy reference and study.
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Shiland
Edition:2011
2 pages
Language:English
Type:Notes
Medicine & Health
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Shiland
Edition:2011
2 pages
Language:English
Type:Notes
Medicine & Health
268
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Medical Terminology
Common Prefixes
Prefix Meaning
a- without, not
ab- from, away from
acro- heights, extremities
ad- toward, increase
allo- other, different
ambi- both, both sides
an- without, not
ante- before, in front
anti- against
auto- self
bi- two, double
brady- slow
cata- down
circum- around
con- together
contra- against, opposite
de- down, lack of
dia- through, complete
dis- apart, abnormal
dys- bad, difficult, painful
ecto- outside
en- in
endo- within, inner
epi- upon, over
eso- inward
eu- healthy, normal
ex- out
extra- outside of, beyond
hemi- half
homo- same
hydro- water
hyper- excessive, above
hypo- less than, under
in- in, not
infra- beneath, below, under
Prefix Meaning
inter- between
intra- within
ipsi- same
juxta- near, beside
macro- large
mal- bad poor
meso- middle
meta- change, after
micro- small
mid- middle
milli- one-thousandth
mono- one, single
multi- many
non- not
nulli- none
pan- all
para- near, beside
per- through
peri- around
poly- many, much
post- after, behind
pre- before, in front
presby- old age
primi- first
pro- forward, in front of
pseudo- false
quadri- four
retro- backward, behind
rube- red
sub- under, below
supra- above, over, upward
tachy- rapid, fast
tri- three
ultra- beyond, excess
uni- one
Medical Terminology
Common Suffixes
Suffix_____ Meaning
-ac, -al, -an pertaining to
-ad toward
-algesia sensitivity to pain
-algia pain
-ar, -ary pertaining to
-arche beginning
-ase enzyme
-blast immature, embryonic
-carcinoma cancer of epithelial origin
-cele herniation, protrusion
-centesis surgical puncture
-chezian condition of stool
-cusis hearing
-cyte cell
-desis binding or surgical fusion
-dipsia condition of thirst
-dynia pain
-eal, -ic, -ical pertaining to
-ectomy surgical removal
-edema swelling
-emesis vomiting
-emia blood condition
-esthesia condition of feeling, sensation
-esis condition of
-genesis generating, formation, origin
-gnosia condition of knowing
-gram record or picture
-graph instrument to record
-graphia condition of writing
-graphy process of recording
-gravida pregnancy, gestation
-ia condition
-iasis condition, presence of
-iatric (s) field of medicine
-istrist, -ician specialist in a field of study
-iatry field of medicine
-ic, -ical, -ile pertaining to
-ism condition
-itis inflammation
-lepsy seizure or sudden attack
-lexia condition of reading
-lithotomy removal of stone
-logist one who specializes in the study
-logy the study of
-lysis destruction, breaking down,
-malacia softening
-mania mental disorder, madness
-megaly enlargement
Suffix_____Meaning
-meter instrument to measure
-metry process of measuring
-occult secret, hidden
-oid resembling, like
-oma tumor
-opia, -opsia visual condition
-ory, -ous pertaining to
-osis abnormal condition
-para delivery, parturition
-paresis slight paralysis, weakness
-pathy disease
-penia decrease, deficiency
-pepsia digestion
-pexy fixation, suspension
-phagia condition of eating, swallowing
-phasia condition of speaking
-phil, -philia attracted to
-phobia abnormal fear, sensitivity
-plasia condition of formation
-plasty surgical repair
-plegia paralysis; stroke
-pnea breathing
-poiesis formation, production
-ptosis drooping, prolapse, falling
-ptysis spitting, coughing up
-rrhagia excessive flow, bursting forth
-rrhaphy suture, repair
-rrhea drainage, flow, discharge
-rrhexis rupture
-salpinx tube, fallopian or eustachian
-sarcoma connective tissue cancer
-sclerosis abnormal hardening condition
-scope instrument to view
-scopy process of viewing
-stalsis contraction
-stasis stopping, controlling
-stenosis abnormal narrowing condition
-stomy new opening
-tocia condition of labor, delivery
-tome instrument to cut
-tomy incision
-tripsy process of crushing
-trophy process of nourishment
-um structure, thing, membrane
-uria urinary condition
-us structure, thing
-y process of
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FAQs

What are common medical prefixes and their meanings?
Medical prefixes are used to modify the meaning of medical terms. Some common prefixes include 'a-' meaning 'without or not', 'ab-' meaning 'from or away from', and 'ad-' meaning 'toward or increase'. Others include 'anti-' meaning 'against', 'bi-' meaning 'two or double', and 'hyper-' meaning 'excessive or above'. Understanding these prefixes helps in deciphering complex medical terminology.
What are some examples of medical suffixes and their definitions?
Medical suffixes also modify the meanings of terms and can indicate conditions, procedures, or specialties. For example, '-itis' indicates 'inflammation', '-ectomy' means 'surgical removal', and '-pathy' refers to 'disease'. Other suffixes include '-algia' for 'pain', '-emia' for 'blood condition', and '-osis' for 'abnormal condition'. These suffixes are essential for understanding various medical diagnoses and treatments.
How do prefixes like 'hypo-' and 'hyper-' differ in medical terminology?
In medical terminology, 'hypo-' means 'less than' or 'under', while 'hyper-' signifies 'excessive' or 'above'. For instance, 'hypoglycemia' refers to low blood sugar levels, whereas 'hyperglycemia' refers to high blood sugar levels. These prefixes are crucial for accurately describing conditions and understanding patient diagnoses.
What does the suffix '-logy' signify in medical terms?
The suffix '-logy' denotes 'the study of' a particular subject. For example, 'biology' is the study of life, and 'psychology' is the study of the mind. In the medical field, suffixes like '-logy' help categorize various disciplines, allowing professionals to specialize in specific areas of medicine.
What is the significance of the prefix 'peri-' in medical terms?
The prefix 'peri-' means 'around' or 'surrounding'. It is often used in medical terminology to describe anatomical locations or conditions. For instance, 'pericardium' refers to the membrane surrounding the heart. Understanding this prefix can aid in comprehending various medical contexts and conditions.
What does the suffix '-emia' indicate in medical terminology?
The suffix '-emia' indicates a condition related to the blood. For example, 'anemia' refers to a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, while 'leukemia' refers to a type of cancer affecting blood-forming tissues. This suffix is essential for identifying and describing various blood-related conditions.
What are the meanings of the prefix 'dys-' in medical terminology?
The prefix 'dys-' signifies 'bad', 'difficult', or 'painful'. It is commonly used in medical terms to describe conditions that are abnormal or problematic. For instance, 'dysfunction' refers to impaired or abnormal functioning of an organ or system, highlighting the importance of this prefix in understanding medical diagnoses.

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