This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology

Medical terminology

Medical terminology is a vocabulary for accurately describing the human body and associated components, conditions, processes and process in a science-based manner. Some examples are: R.I.C.E., trapezius, and latissimus dorsi. It is to be used in the medical and nursing fields...

, their meanings, and their etymology

Etymology

Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...

. There are a few rules when using medical roots

Root (linguistics)

The root word is the primary lexical unit of a word, and of a word family , which carries the most significant aspects of semantic content and cannot be reduced into smaller constituents....

. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek

Ancient Greek

Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...

, but also in Latin

Latin

Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...

, have a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o- almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology. But generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem; e.g. arthr- + itis = arthritis, instead of arthr-o-itis. Secondly, medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary

International Scientific Vocabulary

International scientific vocabulary comprises scientific and specialized words whose language of origin may or may not be certain, but which are in current use in several modern languages. The name "International Scientific Vocabulary" was first used by Philip Gove in Webster’s Third New...

 is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and an English example.

A

Prefix or suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
a-, an-	Denotes an absence of, without	Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), without, not	Apathy Apathy Apathy is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical or physical life.They may lack a sense of purpose or meaning in... , Analgia
ab-	away from	Latin	Abduction Abduction (kinesiology) Abduction, in functional anatomy, is a movement which draws a limb away from the median plane of the body. It is thus opposed to adduction.-Upper limb:* of arm at shoulder ** Supraspinatus** Deltoid* of hand at wrist...
abdomin(o)-	Of or relating to the abdomen Abdomen In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...	Latin (abdōmen), abdomen, fat around the belly	Abdomen Abdomen In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
-ac, -acal	pertaining to	Greek -ακός (-akos)	cardiac, hydrophobiac, pharmacomaniacal
acanth(o)-	thorn or spine	Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (akantha), thorn	acanthion, acanthocyte Acanthocyte Acanthocyte, in human biology and medicine, refers to a form of red blood cell that are spiked, or possess various abnormal thorny projections. Acanthocytosis is the condition with acanthocyte-like red blood cells.... , acanthoma Acanthoma An acanthoma is a skin neoplasm composed of squamous or epidermal cells. It is located in the prickle cell layer.Types of acanthoma include pilar sheath acanthoma, a benign follicular tumor usually of the upper lip; clear cell acanthoma, a benign tumor found most frequently on the legs; and Degos... , acanthulus
acous(io)-	Of or relating to hearing Hearing (sense) Hearing is the ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations through an organ such as the ear. It is one of the traditional five senses...	Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing	acoumeter, acoustician
acr(o)-	extremity, topmost	Greek ἄκρον (akron), highest or farthest point	Acrocrany, acromegaly Acromegaly Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the anterior pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone after epiphyseal plate closure at puberty... , acroosteolysis Acroosteolysis Acroosteolysis is a cutaneous condition characterized by destructive changes in the distal phalangeal bone, and may be associated with minimal skin changes or with ischemic skin lesions that may result in digital necrosis.... , acroposthia
-acusis	hearing	Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing	paracusis
-ad	toward, in the direction of		dorsad
ad-	increase, adherence, motion toward, very	Latin	Adduction Adduction Adduction is a movement which brings a part of the anatomy closer to the middle sagittal plane of the body. It is opposed to abduction.-Upper limb:* of arm at shoulder ** Subscapularis** Teres major** Pectoralis major** Infraspinatus...
aden(o)-, aden(i)-	Of or relating to a gland Gland A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release of substances such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface .- Types :...	Ancient Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν- (adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland Gland A gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release of substances such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface .- Types :...	Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma is a cancer of an epithelium that originates in glandular tissue. Epithelial tissue includes, but is not limited to, the surface layer of skin, glands and a variety of other tissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium can be derived embryologically from... , adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus
adip(o)-	Of or relating to fat Fat Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...  or fatty tissue	Latin (adeps, adip-), fat	Adipocyte Adipocyte However, in some reports and textbooks, the number of fat cell increased in childhood and adolescence. The total number is constant in both obese and lean adult...
adren(o)-	Of or relating to adrenal gland Adrenal gland In mammals, the adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys; in humans, the right suprarenal gland is triangular shaped, while the left suprarenal gland is semilunar shaped... s	Latin	adrenal artery Adrenal artery The adrenal arteries are arteries in the human abdomen that supply blood to the adrenal glands.The adrenal glands actually receive input from 3 different arteries on both the left and right sides of the body:...
-aemia (BrE British English British English, or English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere... )	blood Blood Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....  condition	Greek ἀναιμία, without blood	Anaemia
aer(o)-	air, gas	Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος	Aerosinusitis Aerosinusitis Aerosinusitis, also called barosinusitis, sinus squeeze or sinus barotrauma is a painful inflammation and sometimes bleeding of the membrane of the paranasal sinus cavities, normally the frontal sinus...
aesthesio- (BrE)	sensation	Greek αἴσθησις	Anesthesia Anesthesia Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
-al	pertaining to	Latin -alis	abdominal
alb-	Denoting a white or pale color	Latin albus, white	Albino
alge(si)-	pain Pain Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...	Greek ἄλγος	Analgesic Analgesic An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
-algia	pain	Greek	Myalgia Myalgia Myalgia means "muscle pain" and is a symptom of many diseases and disorders. The most common causes are the overuse or over-stretching of a muscle or group of muscles. Myalgia without a traumatic history is often due to viral infections...
alg(i)o-	pain	Greek	Myalgia Myalgia Myalgia means "muscle pain" and is a symptom of many diseases and disorders. The most common causes are the overuse or over-stretching of a muscle or group of muscles. Myalgia without a traumatic history is often due to viral infections...
allo-	Denoting something as different, or as an addition	Ancient Greek ἄλλος (allos), another, other	Alloantigen, allopathy
ambi-	Denoting something as positioned on both sides; Describing both of two	Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides	Ambidextrous
amnio-	Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)	Greek ἄμνιον	Amniocentesis Amniocentesis Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections, in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is sampled from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for...
amph-, amphi-	on both sides	Greek ἀμφί (amphi)	Amphicrania, amphismela Amphismela An amphismela is an anatomical knife, edged on both sides. The term comes from the Greek αμφι , and μελιζω .... , amphomycin
an-	not, without	Greek	Analgesia
ana-	back, again, up	Greek	Anaplasia Anaplasia Anaplasia refers to a reversion of differentiation in cells and is characteristic of malignant neoplasms . Sometimes, the term also includes an increased capacity for multiplication. Lack of differentiation is considered a hallmark of aggressive malignancies. The term anaplasia literally means "to...
an(o)	anus Anus The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...	Latin
andr(o)-	pertaining to a man Man The term man is used for an adult human male . However, man is sometimes used to refer to humanity as a whole...	Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ-	Andrology Andrology Andrology is the medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological problems that are unique to men. It is the counterpart to gynaecology, which deals with medical issues which are specific to the female reproductive... , android
angi(o)-	blood vessel Blood vessel The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...	Greek ἀγγεῖον	Angiogram Angiogram Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart chambers...
aniso-	Describing something as unequal	Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος (anīsos), unequal	Anisotropic, anisocytosis Anisocytosis Anisocytosis is a medical term meaning that a patient's red blood cells are of unequal size. This is found in anemia and other blood conditions...
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)-	Denoting something as crooked or bent	Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος (ankýlos), crooked, curved	Ankylosis Ankylosis Ankylosis or anchylosis is a stiffness of a joint due to abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of the joint, which may be the result of injury or disease. The rigidity may be complete or partial and may be due to inflammation of the tendinous or muscular structures outside the joint or of...
ante-	Describing something as positioned in front of another thing	Latin (āntē), before, in front of	antepartum
anti-	Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another	Ancient Greek αντι (anti), against	Antibody Antibody An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen... , antipsychotic Antipsychotic An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...
apo-	separated from, derived from	Ancient Greek ἀπό	Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes and death. These changes include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosomal DNA fragmentation...
arch(i,e,o)	first, primitive		archinephron : first formed kidney
arsen(o)-	Of or pertaining to a male; masculine	Greek (arsein)
arteri(o)-	Of or pertaining to an artery Artery Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....	Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)	Artery Artery Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries.... , Arteriole Arteriole An arteriole is a small diameter blood vessel in the microcirculation that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries.Arterioles have muscular walls and are the primary site of vascular resistance...
arthr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs	Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb	Arthritis Arthritis Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
articul(o)-	joint	Latin articulum	Articulation
-ary	pertaining to	Latin -arius	bilary tract
-ase	enzyme Enzyme Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...	Greek διάστασις, division	Lactase Lactase Lactase , a part of the β-galactosidase family of enzymes, is a glycoside hydrolase involved in the hydrolysis of the disaccharide lactose into constituent galactose and glucose monomers...
-asthenia	weakness Muscle weakness Muscle weakness or myasthenia is a lack of muscle strength. The causes are many and can be divided into conditions that have true or perceived muscle weakness...	Greek, ἀσθένεια	Myasthenia gravis Myasthenia gravis Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability...
atel(o)	imperfect or incomplete development		atelocardia : imperfect development of the heart
ather(o)-	fatty deposit, Soft gruel-like deposit
-ation	process	Latin	Habitation, Lubrication Lubrication Lubrication is the process, or technique employed to reduce wear of one or both surfaces in close proximity, and moving relative to each another, by interposing a substance called lubricant between the surfaces to carry or to help carry the load between the opposing surfaces. The interposed...
atri(o)-	an atrium (esp. heart atrium)		atrioventricular
aur(i)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Latin (auris), the ear	Aural
aut(o)-	self	Greek αὐτο-	Autoimmune
aux(o)-	increase; growth		auxocardia : enlargement of the heart
axill-	Of or pertaining to the armpit [uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (axilla), armpit	Axilla
azo(to)	nitrogenous compound		azothermia : raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood

B

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
balano-	Of the glans penis Glans penis The glans penis is the sensitive bulbous structure at the distal end of the penis. The glans penis is anatomically homologous to the clitoral glans of the female...  or glans clitoridis	Greek βάλανος - balanos, acorn, glans	Balanitis Balanitis Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis . When the foreskin is also affected, it is termed balanoposthitis....
bi-	twice, double	Latin	Binary Binary - Mathematics :* Binary numeral system, a representation for numbers using only two digits * Binary function, a function in mathematics that takes two arguments- Computing :* Binary file, composed of something other than human-readable text...
bio-	life	Ancient Greek βίος	Biology Biology Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
blast(o)-	germ Germ cell A germ cell is any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism that reproduces sexually. In many animals, the germ cells originate near the gut of an embryo and migrate to the developing gonads. There, they undergo cell division of two types, mitosis and meiosis, followed by...  or bud	Greek βλαστός	Blastomere Blastomere A blastomere is a type of cell produced by division of the egg after fertilization.- References :* "Blastomere." Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 27th ed. . ISBN 0-683-40007-X...
blephar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid	Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid	Blepharoplast
brachi(o)-	Of or relating to the arm	Latin (brachium), from Ancient Greek βραχίων (brachiōn), arm	Brachium of inferior colliculus Brachium of inferior colliculus The Brachium of inferior colliculus carries auditory afferent fibers from the inferior colliculus of the mesencephalon to the medial geniculate nucleus.-External links:* via the Neuroscience Information Framework...
brachy-	Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little'	Ancient Greek βραχύς (brachys), short; little, shallow	brachycephalic
brady-	'slow'	Ancient Greek βραδύς (bradys), slow	Bradycardia Bradycardia Bradycardia , in the context of adult medicine, is the resting heart rate of under 60 beats per minute, though it is seldom symptomatic until the rate drops below 50 beat/min. It may cause cardiac arrest in some patients, because those with bradycardia may not be pumping enough oxygen to their heart...
bronch(i)-	bronchus Bronchus A bronchus is a passage of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. The bronchus branches into smaller tubes, which in turn become bronchioles....		Bronchiolitis obliterans Bronchiolitis obliterans Bronchiolitis obliterans , also called obliterative bronchiolitis and constrictive bronchiolitis , is a rare and life-threatening form of non-reversible obstructive lung disease in which the bronchioles are compressed and narrowed by fibrosis and/or inflammation...
bucc(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cheek	Latin (bucca), cheek	Buccolabial
burs(o)-	bursa Bursa (anatomy) A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac lined by synovial membrane with an inner capillary layer of slimy fluid . It provides a cushion between bones and tendons and/or muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and allows free movement...  (fluid sac between the bones)	Latin	Bursitis Bursitis Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae of synovial fluid in the body. The bursae rest at the points where internal functionaries, such as muscles and tendons, slide across bone. Healthy bursae create a smooth, almost frictionless functional gliding surface making normal movement painless...

C

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
capill-	Of or pertaining to hair	Latin (capillus), hair	Capillus
capit-	Pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Latin (caput, capit-), the head	Capitation Capitation Capitation can refer to:*Poll tax, or head tax, a tax of a fixed amount per individual*Capitation , a system of payment to medical service providers...
carcin(o)-	cancer Cancer Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...	Greek καρκίνος (karkinos), crab	Carcinoma Carcinoma Carcinoma is the medical term for the most common type of cancer occurring in humans. Put simply, a carcinoma is a cancer that begins in a tissue that lines the inner or outer surfaces of the body, and that generally arises from cells originating in the endodermal or ectodermal germ layer during...
cardi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the heart	Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía), heart	Cardiology Cardiology Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
carp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the wrist	Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.	Carpopedal
cata-	down, under	Greek κατά (kata)	Cataract Cataract A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
-cele	pouching, hernia Hernia A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....	Ancient Greek κήλη (kēlē)	Hydrocele Hydrocele A hydrocoele denotes a pathological accumulation of serous fluid in a body cavity. It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to high levels of lead in the mother's blood during pregnancy....
-centesis	surgical puncture for aspiration Needle aspiration biopsy Needle aspiration biopsy , may refer to fine needle aspiration cytology , fine needle aspiration biopsy and fine needle aspiration , is a diagnostic procedure sometimes used to investigate superficial lumps or masses...	Ancient Greek κέντησις (kentēsis)	Amniocentesis Amniocentesis Amniocentesis is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections, in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is sampled from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for...
cephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Ancient Greek κεφαλή (képhalē), the head	Cephalalgy
cerat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cornu Cornu Cornu is a Latin word for horn.Cornu may also refer to:*Cornu , an ancient musical instrumentPeople:*Dominique Cornu, a Belgian road and track cyclist, born 1985.... ; a horn	Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn	Ceratoid
cerebell(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cerebellum Cerebellum The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and in regulating fear and pleasure responses, but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established...	Latin (cerebellum), little brain	Cerebellum Cerebellum The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and in regulating fear and pleasure responses, but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established...
cerebr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain	Latin (cerebrum), brain	Cerebrology
cervic-	Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix Cervix The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall...	Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix	Cervicodorsal
chem(o)-	chemistry, drug	Greek χημεία	Chemotherapy Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
chir(o)-, cheir(o)-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand	Chiropractor Chiropractor A Chiropractor, according to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges , "focuses on the relationship between the body's main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient's health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to...
chlor(o)-	Denoting a green color	Ancient Greek χλωρός (chloros), green, yellow-green	Chlorophyll Chlorophyll Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
chol(e)-	Of or pertaining to bile	Ancient Greek χολή (cholē), bile	Cholaemia
cholecyst(o)-	Of or pertaining to the gallbladder Gallbladder In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....	Ancient Greek χοληκύστις (cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολή (cholē), bile, gall + κύστις (kýstis), bladder	Cholecystectomy Cholecystectomy Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is the most common method for treating symptomatic gallstones. Surgical options include the standard procedure, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and an older more invasive procedure, called open cholecystectomy.-Open surgery:A...
chondr(i)o-	cartilage, gristle, granule, granular	Ancient Greek χονδρός (chondros)	Chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-	color	Ancient Greek χρῶμα	Hemochromatosis
-cidal, -cide	killing, destroying	Latin	bacteriocidal
cili-	Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids	< Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid	Ciliary Eyelash An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris and perform some of the same function as whiskers do on a cat or a mouse in the sense that they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object is near...
circum-	Denoting something as 'around' another	Latin (circum), around	Circumcision Circumcision Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
cis-	on this side	Latin (cis)
clast	break	Greek κλαστός	osteoclast
co-	with, together, in association	Latin	coenzymes
col-, colo-, colono-	colon Colon (anatomy) The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...		Colonoscopy Colonoscopy Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It may provide a visual diagnosis and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected...
colp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth	Colposcopy Colposcopy Colposcopy is a medical diagnostic procedure to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics which can be detected through the examination...
com-	with, together	Latin
contra	against	Latin	Contraindicate
cor-	with, together	Latin
cor-, core-, coro-	Of or pertaining to eye's pupil	Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye	Corectomy
cordi-	Of or pertaining to the heart [Uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (cor, cordi-), heart	Commotio cordis Commotio cordis Commotio cordis is a disruption of heart rhythm that occurs as a result of a blow to the area directly over the heart , at a critical time during the cycle of a heart beat. It is a form of ventricular fibrillation, not mechanical damage to the heart muscle or surrounding organs, and not the result...
cornu-	Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns	Latin (cornū), horn
coron(o)-	heart
cost(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (costa), rib	Costochondral
cox-	Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint	Latin (coxa), hip	Coxopodite
crani(o)-	Belonging or relating to the cranium	Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον (krānion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain	Craniology
-crine	to secrete	εκκρίνει ecrine	Endocrine
cry(o)-	cold	Greek κρύος	Cryoablation Cryoablation Cryoablation is a process that uses extreme cold to remove tissue .Cryoablation is used in a variety of clinical applications using hollow needles through which cooled, thermally conductive, fluids are circulated...
cutane-	skin	Latin	Subcutaneous
cyan(o)-	Denotes a blue color	Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos), blue	Cyanopsia Cyanopsia Cyanopsia is a medical term for seeing everything tinted with blue. It is also referred to as blue vision. Cyanopsia often occurs for a few days, weeks, or months after removal of a cataract from the eye. Cyanopsia also sometimes occurs as a side effect of taking sildenafil , Cialis, or Levitra...
cycl-	circle, cycle	Greek κύκλος (kuklos)
cyph(o)-	Denotes something as bent [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek κυφός (kȳphós), bent, hunchback	Cyphosis
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-	Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder Urinary bladder The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...	Ancient Greek κύστις (kýstis), bladder; cyst	Cystotomy
cyt(o)-	cell Cell (biology) The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....	Greek κύτος	Cytokine Cytokine Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
-cyte	cell	Greek	Leukocyte

D

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
dacryo-	tear	Greek δάκρυ
dactyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to a finger, toe	Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe	Dactylology
de-	away from, cessation	Latin de-
dent-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Latin (dens, dentis), tooth	Dentist Dentist A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the skin	Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματ- (dérma, démat-), skin, human skin	Dermatology Dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
-desis	binding	Greek δέσις (desis)	arthrodesis
dextr(o)-	right, on the right side	Latin dexter	Dextrocardia Dextrocardia Dextrocardia is a congenital defect in which the heart is situated on the right side of the body. There are two main types of dextrocardia: dextrocardia of embryonic arrest and dextrocardia situs inversus...
di-	two	Greek δι-	Diplopia Diplopia Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in relation to each other...
di-	apart, separation	Latin
dia-	(same as Greek meaning)	Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across	Diacetyl Diacetyl Diacetyl is a natural byproduct of fermentation. It is a vicinal diketone with the molecular formula C4H6O2...
dif-	apart, separation	Latin
digit-	Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]	Latin (digitus), finger, toe	Digit Digit (anatomy) A digit is one of several most distal parts of a limb, such as fingers or toes, present in many vertebrates.- Names:Some languages have different names for hand and foot digits ....
-dipsia	suffix meaning "(condition of) thirst"'		polydipsia Polydipsia Polydipsia is a medical symptom in which the patient displays excessive thirst. The word derives from the Greek πολυδιψία, which is derived from πολύς + δίψα...  hydroadipsia, oligodipsia
dis-	separation, taking apart	Latin dis-	Dissection Dissection Dissection is usually the process of disassembling and observing something to determine its internal structure and as an aid to discerning the functions and relationships of its components....
dors(o)-, dors(i)-	Of or pertaining to the back	Latin (dorsum), back	dorsal Dorsum (biology) In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow... , Dorsocephalad
duodeno-	duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine (twelve inches long on average), connects to the stomach	Latin duodeni	Duodenal atresia Duodenal atresia Duodenal atresia is the congenital absence or complete closure of a portion of the lumen of the duodenum. -Associated conditions:Approximately 20–40% of all infants with duodenal atresia have Down syndrome....
dynam(o)-	force, energy, power	Greek δύναμις (dunamis)
-dynia	pain		Vulvodynia Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome that affects the vulvar area and occurs without an identifiable cause or visible pathology categorized in the ICD-9 group 625—specifically ICD-9 625.7, which is for pain and other disorders of the female genital organs...
dys-	bad, difficult	Greek δυσ-	Dysphagia Dysphagia Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. Although classified under "symptoms and signs" in ICD-10, the term is sometimes used as a condition in its own right. Sufferers are sometimes unaware of their dysphagia.... , dysphasia

E

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-eal	pertaining to	Latin
ec-	out, away	Greek ἐκ- (ek-)
ect(o)-	outer, outside	Greek ἐκτός	Ectopic pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy, or eccysis , is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity. With rare exceptions, ectopic pregnancies are not viable. Furthermore, they are dangerous for the parent, since internal haemorrhage is a life threatening complication...
-ectasis, -ectasia	expansion, dilation	Ancient Greek ἔκτασις	Bronchiectasis Bronchiectasis Bronchiectasis is a disease state defined by localized, irreversible dilation of part of the bronchial tree caused by destruction of the muscle and elastic tissue. It is classified as an obstructive lung disease, along with emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis... , Telangiectasia Telangiectasia Telangiectasias /tɛ.læn.dʒiː'ɛk.teɪ.ʃi:ə/ are small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter. They can develop anywhere on the body but are commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks, and chin...
-ectomy	Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision	Ancient Greek ἐκτομή (ectomē), excision	Mastectomy Mastectomy Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
-emesis	vomiting Vomiting Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...  condition	Greek ἕμεσις	Hematemesis Hematemesis Hematemesis or haematemesis is the vomiting of blood. The source is generally the upper gastrointestinal tract. Patients can easily confuse it with hemoptysis , although the latter is more common.-Signs:...
-emia	blood Blood Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....  condition (AmE)	Greek ἀν-αιμία, without blood	Anemia Anemia Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
encephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro.	Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain	Encephalogram
endo-	Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within'	Ancient Greek ἐνδο- (endo-), inside, internal	Endocrinology Endocrinology Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of... , Endospore Endospore An endospore is a dormant, tough, and temporarily non-reproductive structure produced by certain bacteria from the Firmicute phylum. The name "endospore" is suggestive of a spore or seed-like form , but it is not a true spore . It is a stripped-down, dormant form to which the bacterium can reduce...
eosin Eosin Eosin is a fluorescent red dye resulting from the action of bromine on fluorescein. It can be used to stain cytoplasm, collagen and muscle fibers for examination under the microscope. Structures that stain readily with eosin are termed eosinophilic.... (o)-	Red	Eosin comes from Eos, the Greek word for 'dawn' and the name of the Greek Goddess of the Dawn.	Eosinophil granulocyte Eosinophil granulocyte Eosinophil granulocytes, usually called eosinophils or eosinophiles , are white blood cells that are one of the immune system components responsible for combating multicellular parasites and certain infections in vertebrates. Along with mast cells, they also control mechanisms associated with...
enter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the intestine	Ancient Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine	Gastroenterology Gastroenterology Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine whereby the digestive system and its disorders are studied. The name is a combination of three Ancient Greek words gaster , enteron , and logos...
epi-	[Same as Greek meaning: on, upon]	Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of	Epistaxis, epicardium Epicardium Epicardium describes the outer layer of heart tissue . When considered as a part of the pericardium, it is the inner layer, or visceral pericardium, continuous with the serous layer.... , episclera Episclera The episclera is the outermost layer of the sclera. It is composed of loose, fibrous, elastic tissue and attaches to Tenon's capsule.A vascular plexus is found between the conjunctiva and the sclera consisting of two layers of vessels, the superficial episcleral vessels and the deep episcleral... , epidural Epidural The term epidural is often short for epidural analgesia, a form of regional analgesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space...
episi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins	Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον- (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva	Episiotomy Episiotomy An episiotomy , also known as perineotomy, is a surgically planned incision on the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall during second stage of labor. The incision, which can be midline or at an angle from the posterior end of the vulva, is performed under local anaesthetic , and is sutured...
erythr(o)-	Denotes a red color	Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (erythros), red	Erythrocyte
-esophageal, -esophago	gullet (AmE)	Greek οἰσοφάγος
esthesio-	sensation (AmE)	Greek αἴσθησις
eu-	true, good, well, new	Greek	Eukaryote Eukaryote A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes. Eukaryotes may more formally be referred to as the taxon Eukarya or Eukaryota. The defining membrane-bound structure that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the nucleus, or nuclear...
ex-	out of, away from	Latin	Exophthalmos Exophthalmos Exophthalmos is a bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. Exophthalmos can be either bilateral or unilateral . Measurement of the degree of exophthalmos is performed using an exophthalmometer...
exo-	Denotes something as 'outside' another	Ancient Greek ἐξω- (exo-), outside of, external	Exoskeleton Exoskeleton An exoskeleton is the external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to the internal skeleton of, for example, a human. In popular usage, some of the larger kinds of exoskeletons are known as "shells". Examples of exoskeleton animals include insects such as grasshoppers...
extra-	outside	Latin	Extradural hematoma

F

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
faci(o)-	Of or pertaining to the face	Latin (faciēs), the face, countenance	Facioplegic
fibr(o)	fiber		Fibroblast Fibroblast A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing...
filli-	fine, hair like
-form, -iform	Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of'	Latin (forma), form, shape	Cuneiform Cuneiform Cuneiform can refer to:*Cuneiform script, an ancient writing system originating in Mesopotamia in the 4th millennium BC*Cuneiform , three bones in the human foot*Cuneiform Records, a music record label...
fossa	A hollow or depressed area; trench or channel	Latin (fossa), ditch, pit	fossa ovalis Fossa ovalis Fossa ovalis can refer to:* Fossa ovalis , also called the saphenous opening* Fossa ovalis , an embryonic remnant of the foramen ovale...
front-	Of or pertaining to the forehead	Latin (frōns, front-), the forehead	Frontonasal

G

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
galact(o)-	milk	Greek γάλα, γαλακτ-	Galactorrhea Galactorrhea Galactorrhea or galactorrhoea is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care defines galactorrhea as "nipple discharge." -Causes:...
gastr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the stomach	Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr), γαστρ-, stomach, belly	Gastric bypass
-gen	(1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind'	Ancient Greek -γενής (-genēs) < γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born	(1) Endogen; (2) Heterogenous
-genic	Formative, pertaining to producing	Greek	Cardiogenic shock Cardiogenic shock Cardiogenic shock is based upon an inadequate circulation of blood due to primary failure of the ventricles of the heart to function effectively....
genu-	Of or pertaining to the knee	Latin (genū), knee	Genu valgum Genu valgum Genu valgum, commonly called "knock-knee", is a condition where the knees angle in and touch one another when the legs are straightened. Women have a wider pelvis than men and a relatively shorter length of the thigh bone, and as a result, have a greater static genu valgum than men...
gingiv-	Of or pertaining to the gums	Latin (gingīva), gum	Gingivitis Gingivitis Gingivitis is a term used to describe non-destructive periodontal disease. The most common form of gingivitis is in response to bacterial biofilms adherent to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis, and is the most common form of periodontal disease...
glauc(o)-	Denoting a grey or bluish-grey colour	Ancient Greek γλαυκός (glaukos), grey, bluish-grey	Glaucoma Glaucoma Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
gloss(o)-, glott(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue	Glossology
gluco-	glucose Glucose Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...	Greek γλυκός, sweet	Glucocorticoid Glucocorticoid Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor , which is present in almost every vertebrate animal cell...
glyco-	sugar Sugar Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...		Glycolysis Glycolysis Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose C6H12O6, into pyruvate, CH3COCOO− + H+...
gnath(o)-	Of or pertaining to the jaw	Ancient Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw	Gnathodynamometer Gnathodynamometer A gnathodynamometer is an instrument for measuring the force exerted in closing the mouth. A bimeter gnathodynamometer is one with an adjustable central-bearing point....
-gnosis	knowledge	Greek	diagnosis Diagnosis Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships... , prognosis Prognosis Prognosis is a medical term to describe the likely outcome of an illness.When applied to large statistical populations, prognostic estimates can be very accurate: for example the statement "45% of patients with severe septic shock will die within 28 days" can be made with some confidence, because...
gon(o)-	seed, semen; also, reproductive	Ancient Greek γόνος	Gonorrhea Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The usual symptoms in men are burning with urination and penile discharge. Women, on the other hand, are asymptomatic half the time or have vaginal discharge and pelvic pain...
-gram, -gramme	record or picture	Greek γράμμα (gramma)	Angiogram Angiogram Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart chambers...
-graph	instrument used to record data or picture	Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	Electrocardiograph
-graphy	process of recording		Angiography
gyn(aec)o- (BrE), gyn(ec)o- (AmE)	woman	Greek γυνή, γυναικ-	Gynecomastia Gynecomastia Gynecomastia or Gynaecomastia, , is the abnormal development of large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement. The term comes from the Greek γυνή gyné meaning "woman" and μαστός mastós meaning "breast"...

H

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
halluc-	to wander in mind	Classical Latin to wander in mind	Hallucinosis
hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-)	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (hæma) < Ancient Greek αἵμα, αἱματ- (haima, haimat-), blood	Hematology Hematology Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases... , older form Haematology
hema or hemo-	blood (AmE)	Greek	Hematological malignancy Hematological malignancy Hematological malignancies are the types of cancer that affect blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. As the three are intimately connected through the immune system, a disease affecting one of the three will often affect the others as well: although lymphoma is technically a disease of the lymph...
hemangi or hemangio-	blood vessels
hemi-	one-half	Ancient Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), "half"	Cerebral hemisphere Cerebral hemisphere A cerebral hemisphere is one of the two regions of the eutherian brain that are delineated by the median plane, . The brain can thus be described as being divided into left and right cerebral hemispheres. Each of these hemispheres has an outer layer of grey matter called the cerebral cortex that is...
hepat- (hepatic-)	Of or pertaining to the liver	Ancient Greek ἥπαρ, ἡπατο- (hēpar, hēpato-), the liver	Hepatology Hepatology Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders. Etymologically the word Hepatology is formed of ancient Greek hepar or hepato- meaning ' liver' and suffix -logia meaning 'word' or 'speech'...
heter(o)-	Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different	Ancient Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different	Heterogeneous
hidr(o)-	sweat SWEAT SWEAT is an OLN/TSN show hosted by Julie Zwillich that aired in 2003-2004.Each of the 13 half-hour episodes of SWEAT features a different outdoor sport: kayaking, mountain biking, ice hockey, beach volleyball, soccer, windsurfing, rowing, Ultimate, triathlon, wakeboarding, snowboarding, telemark...	Greek ἱδρωτ-	Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature.-Classification:Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body...
hist(o)-, histio-	tissue Biological tissue Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...	Greek ἱστός	Histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
home(o)-	similar	Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (homoios)	Homeopathy Homeopathy Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
hom(o)-	Denotes something as 'the same' as another or common	Ancient Greek ὁμο- (homo-), the same, common	Homosexuality Homosexuality Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
humer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)	Incorrect Etymology < Latin (umerus), shoulder	Humerus Humerus The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow....
hydr(o)-	water	Greek ὕδωρ	Hydrophobe Hydrophobe In chemistry, hydrophobicity is the physical property of a molecule that is repelled from a mass of water....
hyper-	Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond normal'	Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme	Hypertension Hypertension Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
hyp(o)-	Denotes something as 'below normal'	Ancient Greek ὑπ(ο)- (hypo-), below, under	Hypovolemia Hypovolemia In physiology and medicine, hypovolemia is a state of decreased blood volume; more specifically, decrease in volume of blood plasma... ,
hyster(o)-	Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus	Ancient Greek ὑστέρα (hystéra), womb	Hysterectomy Hysterectomy A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...

I

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-i-asis	condition	Greek -ίασις	Mydriasis Mydriasis Mydriasis is a dilation of the pupil due to disease, trauma or the use of drugs. Normally, the pupil dilates in the dark and constricts in the light to respectively improve vividity at night and to protect the retina from sunlight damage during the day...
iatr(o)-	Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician [uncommon as a prefix; common as as suffix, see -iatry]	Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Iatrochemistry Iatrochemistry Iatrochemistry is a branch of both chemistry and medicine. Having its roots in alchemy, iatrochemistry seeks to provide chemical solutions to diseases and medical ailments....
-iatry	Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component	Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Podiatry Podiatry Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their... , Psychiatry Psychiatry Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
-ic	pertaining to	Greek -ικός (-ikos)	Hepatic artery Hepatic artery Hepatic artery can refer to:* Common hepatic artery * Hepatic artery proper...
-icle	small	Latin	Ovarian follicle Ovarian follicle Ovarian follicles are the basic units of female reproductive biology, each of which is composed of roughly spherical aggregations of cells found in the ovary. They contain a single oocyte . These structures are periodically initiated to grow and develop, culminating in ovulation of usually a single...
-ics	organized knowledge, treatment	Latin -ica < Greek < -ικά	Obstetrics Obstetrics Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
idio-	self, one's own	Greek ἴδιος, idios, "one's own"	Idiopathic Idiopathic Idiopathic is an adjective used primarily in medicine meaning arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause. From Greek ἴδιος, idios + πάθος, pathos , it means approximately "a disease of its own kind". It is technically a term from nosology, the classification of disease...
ileo-	ileum Ileum The ileum is the final section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms posterior intestine or distal intestine may be used instead of ileum.The ileum follows the duodenum...	Greek ἰλεός	Ileocecal valve Ileocecal valve The ileocecal valve, or ileocaecal valve, is of a bilabial papilla structure with physiological sphincter muscle situated at the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine, with recent evidence indicating an anatomical sphincter may also be present in humans) Its critical function is...
infra-	below	Latin	Infrahyoid muscles
inter-	between, among	Latin	Interarticular ligament Interarticular ligament The intra-articular ligament of head of rib is situated in the interior of the articulation of head of rib....
intra-	within	Latin	Intracranial hemorrhage Intracranial hemorrhage An intracranial hemorrhage is a hemorrhage, or bleeding, within the skull.-Causes:Intracranial bleeding occurs when a blood vessel within the skull is ruptured or leaks. It can result from physical trauma or nontraumatic causes such as a ruptured aneurysm...
irid(o)-	iris	Greek ἴρις	Iridectomy Iridectomy An iridectomy, also known as a surgical iridectomy or corectomy, is the surgical removal of part of the iris. These procedures are most frequently performed in the treatment of closed-angle glaucoma and iris melanoma....
ischio-	Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint	Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν (ischión), hip-joint, ischium	Ischiorrhogic
-ism	condition, disease		Dwarfism Dwarfism Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches  , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
-ismus	spasm Spasm In medicine a spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of pain, but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes... , contraction	Greek -ισμός	Hemiballismus Hemiballismus Hemiballismus is a very rare movement disorder. It is 500 times rarer than Parkinson's disease. Its effects can sometimes be severe enough to prevent patients from being able to perform daily functions. It is usually associated with structural brain lesions but can occur with metabolic abnormalities...
iso-	Denoting something as being 'equal'	Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal	Isotonic Isotonic The term isotonic may refer to;*Isotonic for the term associated with muscle contraction*An isotone in nuclear physics*Sports drinks are sometimes designed in an isotonic way to assist athletes rehydrate while balancing electrolytes...
-ist	one who specializes in	Greek -ιστής (-istes)	Pathologist
-ite	the nature of, resembling	Greek -ίτης	Hermaphrodite Hermaphrodite In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
-itis	inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...		Tonsillitis Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms of tonsillitis include sore throat and fever. While no treatment has been found to shorten the duration of viral tonsillitis, bacterial causes are treatable with antibiotics...
-ium	structure, tissue		pericardium
isch-	Restriction	Greek ἴσχω	Ischemia Ischemia In medicine, ischemia is a restriction in blood supply, generally due to factors in the blood vessels, with resultant damage or dysfunction of tissue. It may also be spelled ischaemia or ischæmia...

K

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
kal/i	potassium
karyo-	nucleus	Greek κάρυον, "nut"	Eukaryote Eukaryote A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes. Eukaryotes may more formally be referred to as the taxon Eukarya or Eukaryota. The defining membrane-bound structure that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the nucleus, or nuclear...
kerat(o)-	cornea Cornea The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...  (eye or skin)	Greek	Keratoscope Keratoscope A keratoscope, sometimes known as Placido's disk, is an ophthalmic instrument for assessing the shape of the anterior surface of the cornea. A series of concentric rings are projected onto the cornea and their reflection viewed by the examiner through a small hole in the centre of the disk. A...
kin(e)-, kin(o), kinesi(o)-	movement	Greek κινέω	Kinesthesia
koil(o)-	hollow	Greek κοῖλος (koilos)	Koilocyte
kyph(o)-	humped	Greek κυφός	Kyphoscoliosis Kyphoscoliosis Kyphoscoliosis describes an abnormal curvature of the spine in both a coronal and sagittal plane. It is a combination of kyphosis and scoliosis. Kyphoscoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder causing chronic underventilation of the lungs and may be one of the major causes of pulmonary hypertension...

L

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
labi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lip	Latin (labium), lip	Labiodental
lacrim(o)-	tear	Latin	Lacrimal canaliculi Lacrimal canaliculi The lacrimal canaliculi, also known as the lacrimal canals or lacrimal ducts, are the small channels in each eyelid that commence at minute orifices, termed puncta lacrimalia, on the summits of the papillae lacrimales, seen on the margins of the lids at the lateral extremity of the lacus...
lact(i)-, lact(o)	milk	Latin	Lactation Lactation Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process occurs in all female mammals, however it predates mammals. In humans the process of feeding milk is called breastfeeding or nursing...
lapar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the abdomen-wall, flank	Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ (lapárā), flank	Laparotomy Laparotomy A laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. It is also known as coeliotomy.- Terminology :...
laryng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the larynx Larynx The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume... , the lower throat cavity where the voice box Larynx The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...  is	Ancient Greek λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ- (lárynx, laryng-), throat, gullet	Larynx Larynx The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
latero-	lateral	Latin	Lateral pectoral nerve Lateral pectoral nerve The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the fifth, sixth, and seventh cervical nerves....
lei(o)-	smooth	Greek λεῖος	Leiomyoma Leiomyoma A leiomyoma is a benign smooth muscle neoplasm that is not premalignant. They can occur in any organ, but the most common forms occur in the uterus, small bowel and the esophagus.- Etymology:* Greek:** λεῖος leios "smooth"...
-lepsis, -lepsy	attack, seizure	Greek λῆψις	Epilepsy Epilepsy Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases... , narcolepsy Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, or dyssomnia, characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks at inappropriate times, such as while at work. People with narcolepsy often experience disturbed nocturnal sleep and an abnormal daytime sleep pattern, which often is confused with insomnia...
lept(o)-	light, slender	Greek λεπτός (leptos)
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	Denoting a white color	Ancient Greek λευκός (leukos), white, bright	Leukocyte
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Latin (lingua), tongue	Linguistics Linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
lip(o)-	fat	Greek λίπος	Liposuction Liposuction Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty , liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body...
lith(o)-	stone, calculus Calculus (medicine) A calculus is a stone that forms in an organ or duct of the body. Formation of calculi is known as lithiasis...	Greek λίθος	Lithotripsy Lithotripsy Lithotripsy refers to the physical destruction of gallstones or kidney stones. The term is derived from the Greek words meaning "breaking stones" .Forms include:* Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy...
log(o)-	speech	Greek λόγος
-logist	Denotes someone who studies a certain field: _____-logy	Ancient Greek λογιστής (logistēs), studier, practitioner	Oncologist, pathologist
-logy	Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; The study of	Ancient Greek λόγoς (logos) study	hematology Hematology Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases... , urology Urology Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
lymph(o)-	lymph Lymphatic system The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...	Greek λέμφος, λύμφη	Lymphedema Lymphedema Lymphedema , also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system....
lys(o)-, -lytic	dissolution Solvation Solvation, also sometimes called dissolution, is the process of attraction and association of molecules of a solvent with molecules or ions of a solute...	Greek	Lysosome Lysosome thumb|350px|Schematic of typical animal cell, showing subcellular components. [[Organelle]]s: [[nucleoli]] [[cell nucleus|nucleus]] [[ribosomes]] [[vesicle |vesicle]] rough [[endoplasmic reticulum]]...
-lysis	Destruction, separation	Greek λύσις	Paralysis Paralysis Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...

M

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
macr(o)-	large, long	Greek μακρός	Macrophage Macrophage Macrophages are cells produced by the differentiation of monocytes in tissues. Human macrophages are about in diameter. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes. Macrophages function in both non-specific defense as well as help initiate specific defense mechanisms of vertebrate animals...
-malacia	softening	Greek μαλακία	Osteomalacia Osteomalacia Osteomalacia is the softening of the bones caused by defective bone mineralization secondary to inadequate amounts of available phosphorus and calcium, or because of overactive resorption of calcium from the bone as a result of hyperparathyroidism...
mamm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Latin (mamma), breast; udder	Mammogram
mammill(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nipple	Latin (mammilla), nipple
manu-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Latin (manus), hand	Manufacture
mast(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Ancient Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, women's breast; man's pectoral muscle	Mastectomy Mastectomy Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly	enlargement	Greek μέγας	Splenomegaly Splenomegaly Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant of the human abdomen. It is one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism, some reduction in the number of circulating blood cells affecting granulocytes, erythrocytes or platelets in any...
melan(o)-	black color	Ancient Greek μέλας, μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark	Melanin Melanin Melanin is a pigment that is ubiquitous in nature, being found in most organisms . In animals melanin pigments are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine. The most common form of biological melanin is eumelanin, a brown-black polymer of dihydroxyindole carboxylic acids, and their reduced forms...
melos	extremity	Ancient Greek μέλος	erythromelalgia Erythromelalgia Erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell's disease , acromelalgia, red neuralgia, or erythermalgia, is a rare neurovascular peripheral pain disorder in which blood vessels, usually in the lower extremities , are episodically blocked , then become hyperemic and inflamed...
mening(o)-	membrane Biological membrane A biological membrane or biomembrane is an enclosing or separatingmembrane that acts as a selective barrier, within or around a cell. It consists of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that may constitute close to 50% of membrane content...	Greek μῆνιγξ, μηνιγγ-	Meningitis Meningitis Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
mero-	part	Greek μέρος (meros), part	merocrine Merocrine Merocrine is a term used to classify exocrine glands and their secretions in the study of histology. A cell is classified as merocrine if the secretions of that cell are excreted via exocytosis from secretory cells into an epithelial-walled duct or ducts and thence onto a bodily surface or into the... , meroblastic
mes(o)-	middle	Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle"	Mesoderm Mesoderm In all bilaterian animals, the mesoderm is one of the three primary germ cell layers in the very early embryo. The other two layers are the ectoderm and endoderm , with the mesoderm as the middle layer between them.The mesoderm forms mesenchyme , mesothelium, non-epithelial blood corpuscles and...
meta-	after, behind	Greek μετά	Metacarpus
-meter	instrument used to measure or count	Greek μέτρον	Sphygmomanometer Sphygmomanometer A sphygmomanometer or blood pressure meter is a device used to measure blood pressure, comprising an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just...
-metry	process of measuring	Greek -μετρία	Optometry Optometry Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are state licensed medical professionals trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision,...
metr(o)-	Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus	Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā), womb, uterus	Metrorrhagia Metrorrhagia Metrorrhagia, also known as breakthrough bleeding or spotting, is uterine bleeding at irregular intervals, particularly between the expected menstrual periods.In some women, menstrual spotting between periods occurs as a normal and harmless part of ovulation...
micro-	denoting something as small, or relating to smallness	Ancient Greek μικρός (mikros), small	Microscope Microscope A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
mon(o)-	single	Greek μονός	Infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
morph(o)-	form, shape	Greek μορφή	Morphology Morphology (biology) In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
muscul(o)-	muscle Muscle Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...	Latin	Musculoskeletal system Musculoskeletal system A musculoskeletal system is an organ system that gives animals the ability to move using the muscular and skeletal systems...
my(o)-	Of or relating to muscle Muscle Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...	Ancient Greek μῦς, μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel	Myoblast Myoblast A myoblast is a type of embryonic progenitor cell that gives rise to muscle cells .The muscle cells can be skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle....
myc(o)-	fungus Fungus A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...	Greek μύκης, μυκητ-	Onychomycosis Onychomycosis Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities....
myel(o)-	Of or relating to bone marrow Bone marrow Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...	Ancient Greek μυελόν (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow	Myeloblast Myeloblast The myeloblast is a unipotent stem cell, which will differentiate into one of the actors of the Granulocyte series.- Origin :These cells descend from the primitive reticulum cells, which are found in the stroma of the marrow. There is also an intermediate phase between the myeloblast and these...
myring(o)-	eardrum Eardrum The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and the other ossicles...	Latin myringa	Myringotomy Myringotomy Myringotomy is a surgical procedure in which a tiny incision is created in the eardrum, so as to relieve pressure caused by the excessive build-up of fluid, or to drain pus. Myringotomy is often performed as a treatment for acute suppurative otitis media...
myx(o)-	mucus Mucus In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...	Greek μύξα	Myxoma Myxoma A myxoma is a tumor of primitive connective tissue. It is the most common primary tumor of the heart in adults, but can also occur in other locations....

N

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
narc(o)-	numb, sleep	Greek νάρκη	narcolepsy Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, or dyssomnia, characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks at inappropriate times, such as while at work. People with narcolepsy often experience disturbed nocturnal sleep and an abnormal daytime sleep pattern, which often is confused with insomnia...
nas(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose Human nose The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...	Latin (nāsum), nose	nasal
necr(o)-	death	Greek νεκρός	Necrotizing fasciitis Necrotizing fasciitis Necrotizing fasciitis , commonly known as flesh-eating disease or Flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, is a rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, easily spreading across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue.Necrotizing fasciitis is a quickly progressing and...
neo-	new	Greek νέος	Neoplasm
nephr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Ancient Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney	Nephrology Nephrology Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.-Scope of the specialty:...
nerv-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system Nervous system The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...  [Uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used]	Latin (nervus), tendon; nerve; Cognate with the Greek νευρον (neuron) (see below)	Nerve Nerve A peripheral nerve, or simply nerve, is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of peripheral axons . A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that are transmitted along each of the axons. Nerves are found only in the peripheral nervous system...
neur(i)-, neur(o)-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system Nervous system The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...	Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neuron), tendon, sinew; nerve	Neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis is a genetically-inherited disorder in which the nerve tissue grows tumors that may be benign or may cause serious damage by compressing nerves and other tissues...
normo-	normal	Latin	Normocapnia Normocapnia Normocapnia or normocarbia is a state of normal arterial carbon dioxide pressure.See Hypercapnia for more information....

O

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
ocul(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Latin (oculus), the eye	Oculist
odont(o)-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Ancient Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth	orthodontist
odyn(o)-	pain	Greek ὀδύνη	stomatodynia
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE)	gullet	Greek οἰσοφάγος
-oid	resemblance to	Greek -οειδής	Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis , also called sarcoid, Besnier-Boeck disease or Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, is a disease in which abnormal collections of chronic inflammatory cells form as nodules in multiple organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown...
ole	small or little	Latin
olig(o)-	Denoting something as 'having little, having few'	Ancient Greek ὀλίγος (oligos), few	Oligotrophy
om(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder	Ancient Greek ὠμός (ōmos), shoulder	Omoplate
-oma (singular), -omata (plural)	tumor Tumor A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer... , mass, collection	Greek -ωμα	Sarcoma Sarcoma A sarcoma is a cancer that arises from transformed cells in one of a number of tissues that develop from embryonic mesoderm. Thus, sarcomas include tumors of bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, vascular, and hematopoietic tissues... , Teratoma Teratoma A teratoma is an encapsulated tumor with tissue or organ components resembling normal derivatives of all three germ layers. There are rare occasions when not all three germ layers are identifiable...
omphal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Navel The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...	Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button	Omphalotomy
onco-	tumor, bulk, volume	Greek ὄγκος	Oncology Oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
onych(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe)	Ancient Greek < ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónyx, ónycho-), nail; claw; talon	Onychophagy
oo-	Of or pertaining to the an egg, a woman's egg, the ovum	Ancient Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōón, ōo-), egg, ovum	Oogenesis Oogenesis Oogenesis, ovogenesis or oögenesis is the creation of an ovum . It is the female form of gametogenesis. The male equivalent is spermatogenesis...
oophor(o)-	Of or pertaining to the woman's ovary	Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōophóron), ovary, egg-bearing	Oophorectomy Oophorectomy Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. The surgery is also called ovariectomy, but this term has been traditionally used in basic science research describing the surgical removal of ovaries in laboratory animals...
ophthalm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye	Ophthalmology Ophthalmology Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
optic(o)-	Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye	Middle French (optique) < Greek ὀπτικός (optikós); Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye	Opticochemical
or(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Latin (ōs, or-), mouth	Oral Mouth The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food andsaliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth....
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)-	testis	Greek ὀρχις (orkhis, orkhi-)	Orchiectomy, Orchidectomy
orth(o)-	Denoting something as straight or correct	Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthos), straight, correct, normal	Orthodontist
-osis	a condition, disease or increase	Greek -ωσις	Harlequin type ichthyosis Harlequin type ichthyosis Harlequin-type ichthyosis , a skin disease, is the most severe form of congenital ichthyosis, characterized by a thickening of the keratin layer in fetal human skin... , Psychosis Psychosis Psychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"... , osteoperosis
osseo-	bony	Latin
ossi-	bone Bone Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...	Latin	Peripheral ossifying fibroma Peripheral ossifying fibroma Ossifying fibroma or peripheral ossifying fibroma is an oral pathologic condition that appears in the mouth as an overgrowth of gingival tissue due to irritation or trauma. Because of its overwhelming incidence on the gingiva, the condition is associated with two other diseases, though not because...
ost(e)-, oste(o)-	bone	Greek ὀστέον	Osteoporosis Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
ot(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Ancient Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (ous, ōt-), the ear	Otopathy
-ous	pertaining to	Latin -osus
ovari(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ovaries	Latin (ōvarium), ovary	Ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-, ov-	Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum	Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum	Ovogenesis
oxo-	addition of oxygen Oxygen Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...	Greek ὀξύς
oxy-	sharp, acid Acid An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red... , acute, oxygen	Greek ὀξύς

P

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
pachy-	thick	Greek παχύς	pachyderma Pachyderma Pachyderma is the thickening of skin like that of a pachyderm. It occurs in the condition Pachydermoperiostosis; an X-linked genetic disorder....
palpebr-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid [uncommon as a root]	Latin (palpebra), eyelid	Palpebra
pan-, pant(o)-	Denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything'	Ancient Greek πᾶς, παν- (pas, pan-), all, every	panophobia Panophobia Panphobia, from the Greek 'pan' and 'phobos,' also called omniphobia, pantophobia, or panophobia, is a phobia known as a "non-specific fear" or "the fear of everything" and is described as "a vague and persistent dread of some unknown evil".... , panopticon Panopticon The Panopticon is a type of building designed by English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the late eighteenth century. The concept of the design is to allow an observer to observe all inmates of an institution without them being able to tell whether or not they are being watched...
papill-	Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast)	Latin (papilla), nipple; dimunitive of papula (see below)	Papillitis Papillitis Papillitis is the term for a specific type of optic neuritis. If ocular inflammation is restricted to the optic nerve head the condition is called papillitis , and if it is located in the orbital portion of the nerve it is called retrobulbar optic neuritis .Papilledema, a bulging of the optic...
papul(o)-	Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling	Latin (papula), pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin	Papulation
para-	alongside of, abnormal	Ancient Greek παρά (para)
-paresis	slight paralysis Paralysis Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...	Greek πάρεσις	hemiparesis Hemiparesis Hemiparesis is weakness on one side of the body. It is less severe than hemiplegia - the total paralysis of the arm, leg, and trunk on one side of the body. Thus, the patient can move the impaired side of his body, but with reduced muscular strength....
parvo-	small	Latin parvus	Parvovirus Parvovirus Parvovirus, often truncated to "parvo", is both the common name in English casually applied to all the viruses in the Parvoviridae taxonomic family, and also the taxonomic name of the Parvovirus genus within the Parvoviridae family...
path(o)-	disease	Greek πάθος	Pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
-pathy	Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder	Ancient Greek πάθος (pathos), suffering, accident	sociopathy Psychopathy Psychopathy is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime... , neuropathy
ped-, -ped-, -pes	Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed	Latin pēs, pēd-, foot	Pedoscope
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)-	hip bone	Latin	Pelvis Pelvis In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
-penia	deficiency	Greek πενία	osteopenia Osteopenia Osteopenia is a condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal. It is considered by many doctors to be a precursor to osteoporosis. However, not every person diagnosed with osteopenia will develop osteoporosis...
peo-	Of or pertaining to the penis	Greek πέος (peos)	Peotomy
-pepsia	Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract.	Ancient Greek πεπτός (peptós) cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō) I boil, cook; digest	Dyspepsia Dyspepsia Dyspepsia , also known as upset stomach or indigestion, refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is a medical condition characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating...
per-	through	Latin
peri-	Denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another	Ancient Greek περί (peri), around	Periodontal
-pexy	fixation	Greek πῆξις	Nephropexy Nephropexy Nephropexy is the surgical fixation of a floating or mobile kidney .It was first performed by Eugen Hahn on 10 April 1881....
phaco-	lens-shaped	Greek φακός	phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma
-phage, -phagia	Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion	Ancient Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φαγεῖν (phagein) to eat	Sarcophagia
-phago-	eating, devouring	Greek -φάγος	phagocyte Phagocyte Phagocytes are the white blood cells that protect the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells. Their name comes from the Greek phagein, "to eat" or "devour", and "-cyte", the suffix in biology denoting "cell", from the Greek kutos, "hollow vessel". They are...
phagist-:	Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγιστής (phagistēs) eater; see -phagia	Lotophagi
-phagy	Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia	Anthropophagy Anthropophagy Anthropophagy is the eating of human flesh. It may refer to:*Cannibalism, the eating of human flesh by another human**Self-cannibalism, the eating of one's own flesh*Man-eating, the eating of human flesh by man-eaters...
phallo-	phallus Phallus (embryology) In embryology, the primordial phallus refers to the clitoris of a female or the penis in the male, particularly during fetal development of the urinary and reproductive organs, before sexual differentiation is evident. This is also the case for the immature male analog, the immature glans penis....	Greek φαλλός (phallos)	Aphallia Aphallia Aphallia is a congenital malformity in which the phallus is absent. The word is derived from the Greek "a" for negative or no, and "phallia" for penis.-Incidence/prevalence:...
pharmaco-	drug, medication	Greek φάρμακον	pharmacology
pharyng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pharynx Pharynx The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx... , the upper throat cavity	Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm	Pharyngitis Pharyngitis Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx. In most cases it is quite painful, and is the most common cause of a sore throat.Like many types of inflammation, pharyngitis can be acute – characterized by a rapid onset and typically a relatively short course – or chronic.... , Pharyngoscopy
-phil(ia)	attraction for	Greek φιλία	Hemophilia
phleb(o)-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein	Ancient Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phleps, phlebo-), blood-vessel, vein	Phlebography, Phlebotomy Phlebotomy Phlebotomy is the process of making an incision in a vein.It is associated with the following concepts:* Venipuncture, the practice of collecting venous blood samples* The main practice of a phlebotomist, an individual trained to draw blood...
-phobia	exaggerated fear, sensitivity	Greek φόβος	arachnophobia Arachnophobia Arachnophobia or arachnephobia is a specific phobia, the fear of spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions. It is a manifestation of zoophobia, among the most common of all phobias. The reactions of arachnophobics often seem irrational to others...
phon(o)-	sound	Greek φωνή
phos-	Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot(o)- below.	Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Phosphene Phosphene A phosphene is a phenomenon characterized by the experience of seeing light without light actually entering the eye. The word phosphene comes from the Greek words phos and phainein...
phot(o)-	Of or pertaining to light	Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Photopathy
phren(i)-, phren(o)-, phrenico	the mind	Greek φρήν, φρεν-	Phrenic nerve Phrenic nerve The phrenic nerve originates mainly from the 4th cervical nerve, but also receives contributions from the 5th and 3rd cervical nerves in humans.... , schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social... , diaphragm
-plasia	formation, development	Greek πλάσις	Achondroplasia Achondroplasia Achondroplasia dwarfism occurs as a sporadic mutation in approximately 85% of cases or may be inherited in an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that is a common cause of dwarfism...
-plasty	surgical repair, reconstruction	Greek πλαστός	rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty , also nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting and reconstructing the form, restoring the functions, and aesthetically enhancing the nose, by resolving nasal trauma , congenital defect, respiratory impediment, and a failed primary rhinoplasty...
-plegia	paralysis	Greek πληγή	paraplegia Paraplegia Paraplegia is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The word comes from Ionic Greek: παραπληγίη "half-striking". It is usually the result of spinal cord injury or a congenital condition such as spina bifida that affects the neural elements of the spinal canal...
pleio-	more, excessive, multiple	Greek pleion	pleiomorphism
pleur(o)-, pleur(a)	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (pleura) from Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body	Pleurogenous
-plexy	stroke or seizure	Greek πλῆξις	Cataplexy Cataplexy Cataplexy is a sudden and transient episode of loss of muscle tone, often triggered by emotions. It is a rare disease , but affects roughly 70% of people who have narcolepsy...
pneum(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lungs	Ancient Greek πνεύμων, πνευμον- (pneumōn, pneumon-), lung < πνεῦμα (pneuma), wind, spirit	Pneumonocyte, Pneumonia Pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
pneumat(o)-	air, lung	Ancient Greek
pod-, -pod-, -pus	Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed	Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot	Podiatry Podiatry Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...
-poiesis	production		hematopoiesis
polio-	Denoting a grey color	Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós), grey	Poliomyelitis Poliomyelitis Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
poly-	Denotes a 'plurality' of something	Ancient Greek πολυς (polys), much, many	Polymyositis Polymyositis Polymyositis is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis.-Signs and symptoms:...
por(o)-	pore, porous
porphyr(o)-	Denotes a purple color	Ancient Greek πορπύρα (porphýra), purple	Porphyroblast Porphyroblast A porphyroblast is a large mineral crystal in a metamorphic rock which has grown within the finer grained groundmass. Porphyroblasts are commonly euhedral crystals, but can also be partly to completely irregular in shape....
post-	Denotes something as 'after' or 'behind' another	Latin (post), after, behind	Postoperation, Postmortem
pre-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Medieval Latin (pre-) < (Classical) Latin (præ), before, in front of	Prematurity
presby(o)-	old age	Greek	Presbyopia Presbyopia Presbyopia is a condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age. Presbyopia’s exact mechanisms are not known with certainty; the research evidence most strongly supports a loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens, although changes in the...
prim-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important'	Latin prīmus, first, most important	Primary
pro-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Ancient Greek προ (pro), before, in front of	Procephalic
proct(o)-	anus Anus The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,... , rectum Rectum The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...		proctology Proctology Colorectal surgery is a field in medicine, dealing with disorders of the rectum, anus, and colon. The field is also known as proctology, but the term is outdated in the more traditional areas of medicine...
prosop(o)-	face Face The face is a central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can, depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyelashes, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, temple, teeth, skin, and...	Greek (prosopon), face, mask	Prosopagnosia Prosopagnosia Prosopagnosia is a disorder of face perception where the ability to recognize faces is impaired, while the ability to recognize other objects may be relatively intact...
prot(o)-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most important'	Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important	Protoneuron
pseud(o)-	Denotes something false or fake	Ancient Greek
psych(e)-, psych(o)	Of or pertaining to the mind	Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul	Psychology Psychology Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society... , psychiatry Psychiatry Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
pterygo-	Pertaining to a wing	Greek	Lateral pterygoid plate Lateral pterygoid plate The lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid is broad, thin, and everted; its lateral surface forms part of the medial wall of the infratemporal fossa, and gives attachment to the lateral pterygoid muscle; its medial surface forms part of the pterygoid fossa, and gives attachment to the medial...
psor-	Itching		Psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
-ptosis	falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse		Apoptosis Apoptosis Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes and death. These changes include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosomal DNA fragmentation...
-ptysis	(a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes		hemoptysis
pulmon-, pulmo-	Of or relating to the lungs.	Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used in plural), a lung	pulmonary
pyel(o)-	pelvis Pelvis In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...	Ancient Greek (pyelos)	Pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis is an ascending urinary tract infection that has reached the pyelum or pelvis of the kidney. It is a form of nephritis that is also referred to as pyelitis...
pyo-	pus Pus Pus is a viscous exudate, typically whitish-yellow, yellow, or yellow-brown, formed at the site of inflammatory during infection. An accumulation of pus in an enclosed tissue space is known as an abscess, whereas a visible collection of pus within or beneath the epidermis is known as a pustule or...	Greek πύον	Pyometra Pyometra Pyometra is a disease of the uterus most commonly seen in female dogs, but also seen in female cats , rabbits, ferrets, rats and guinea pigs. Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner because of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated...
pyro-	fever Fever Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...	Greek πῦρ, πυρετός	Antipyretic Antipyretic Antipyretics ; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature...

Q

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
quadr(i)-	four	Latin	quadriceps

R

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
radio-	radiation	Latin	radiowave
re-	again, backward	Latin	relapse Relapse Relapse, in relation to drug misuse, is resuming the use of a drug or a dependent substance after one or more periods of abstinence. The term is a landmark feature of both substance dependence and substance abuse, which are learned behaviors, and is maintained by neuronal adaptations that mediate...
rect(o)-	rectum Rectum The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...	Latin
ren(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Latin (rēnes), kidney	renal
reticul(o)-	net	Latin	reticulocyte Reticulocyte Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells, typically composing about 1% of the red cells in the human body.Reticulocytes develop and mature in the red bone marrow and then circulate for about a day in the blood stream before developing into mature red blood cells. Like mature red blood cells,...
retro-	backward, behind	Latin	retroversion, retroverted
rhabd(o)-	rod shaped, striated	Greek ῥάβδος	rhabdomyolysis Rhabdomyolysis Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle tissue breaks down rapidly. Breakdown products of damaged muscle cells are released into the bloodstream; some of these, such as the protein myoglobin, are harmful to the kidneys and may lead to kidney failure...
rhachi(o)-	spine Vertebral column In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...	Greek ῥάχις	rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy
rhin(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose	Ancient Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhīs, rhīno-), nose	rhinoceros Rhinoceros Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia.... , rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty , also nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting and reconstructing the form, restoring the functions, and aesthetically enhancing the nose, by resolving nasal trauma , congenital defect, respiratory impediment, and a failed primary rhinoplasty...
rhod(o)-	Denoting a rose-red color	Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose	rhodophyte
-rrhage	burst forth	Greek -ρραγία	Hemorrhage
-rrhagia	rapid flow of blood	Greek -ρραγία
-rrhaphy	surgical suturing	Greek ῥαφή
-rrhea (AmE)	flowing, discharge	Greek -ρροια	Galactorrhea Galactorrhea Galactorrhea or galactorrhoea is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care defines galactorrhea as "nipple discharge." -Causes:... , Diarrhea Diarrhea Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
-rrhexis	rupture	Greek ῥῆξις
-rrhoea (BrE)	flowing, discharge	Greek -ρροια	diarrhoea
rubr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain	Latin (ruber), red	Rubrospinal

S

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
salping(o)-	Of or pertaining to the fallopian tubes	Ancient Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-) trumpet (literally)	Salpingectomy Salpingectomy Salpingectomy refers to the surgical removal of a Fallopian tube.-Indications:The procedure was first performed by Lawson Tait in patients with a bleeding ectopic pregnancy; this procedure has since saved the lives of countless women... , Salpingopharyngeus muscle Salpingopharyngeus muscle The salpingopharyngeus muscle arises from the inferior part of the cartilage of the pharyngotympanic tube in the nasal cavity; it passes downward and blends with the posterior fasciculus of the palatopharyngeus muscle....
sangui-, sanguine-	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood	Sanguine Sanguine Sanguine is chalk of a reddish color, often called the true colour of blood. tending to brown, used in drawing, The word also describes any drawing done in sanguine.-Technique:...
sarco-	muscular, fleshlike	Greek σάρξ, σαρκ-	sarcoma Sarcoma A sarcoma is a cancer that arises from transformed cells in one of a number of tissues that develop from embryonic mesoderm. Thus, sarcomas include tumors of bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, vascular, and hematopoietic tissues...
schist(o)-	split, cleft	Greek σχιστός (schistos)
schiz(o)-	Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided'	Ancient Greek σχιζω; Irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν (schizein), to cut, split	Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
scler(o)-	hardness	Greek σκληρός	atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
-sclerosis	hardening of the skin	Greek	Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
scoli(o)-	twisted	Greek σκολιός (skolios)	scoliosis Scoliosis Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an X-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line...
-scope	instrument for viewing	Greek -σκόπος	stethoscope Stethoscope The stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal body. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins...
-scopy	use of instrument for viewing	Greek -σκοπία	endoscopy Endoscopy Endoscopy means looking inside and typically refers to looking inside the body for medical reasons using an endoscope , an instrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, endoscopes are inserted directly into the organ...
semi-	one-half, partly	Latin
sial(o)-	saliva Saliva Saliva , referred to in various contexts as spit, spittle, drivel, drool, or slobber, is the watery substance produced in the mouths of humans and most other animals. Saliva is a component of oral fluid. In mammals, saliva is produced in and secreted from the three pairs of major salivary glands,... , salivary gland Salivary gland The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands, glands with ducts, that produce saliva. They also secrete amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose...	Greek σίαλος (sialos)	sialagogue Sialagogue A herb with sialagogue action stimulates the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands.Herbs with sialagogue action include:*Bloodroot *Blue Flag *Cayenne pepper...
sigmoid(o)-	sigmoid, sigmoid colon Sigmoid colon The sigmoid colon is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about 40 cm...	Greek σιγμοειδής
sinistr(o)-	left, left side	Latin
sinus-	Of or pertaining to the sinus	Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay	Sinusitis Sinusitis Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days...
sito-	food, grain	Greek σῖτος
somat(o)-, somatico-	body, bodily	Greek σῶμα
spasmo-	spasm Spasm In medicine a spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of pain, but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes...	Greek σπασμός	Spasmodic dysphonia Spasmodic dysphonia Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder characterized by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx during speech.- Types of spasmodic dysphonia :...
sperma-, spermo-, spermato-	semen Semen Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova... , spermatozoa	Greek σπέρμα (sperma)	Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis is the process by which male primary germ cells undergo division, and produce a number of cells termed spermatogonia, from which the primary spermatocytes are derived. Each primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes, and each secondary spermatocyte into two...
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)-	viscera	Greek σπλάγχνον
splen(o)-	spleen Spleen The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...	Greek σπλήν, σπλην-	Splenectomy Splenectomy A splenectomy is a surgical procedure that partially or completely removes the spleen.-Indications:The spleen, similar in structure to a large lymph node, acts as a blood filter. Current knowledge of its purpose includes the removal of old red blood cells and platelets, and the detection and fight...
spondyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra	Greek σπόνδυλος / σφόνδυλος, (spóndylos / sphóndylos), the spine	Spondylitis Spondylitis Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebra. It is a form of spondylopathy. In many cases, spondylitis involves one or more vertebral joint as well, which itself is called spondylarthritis.-Examples:...
squamos(o)-	Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly'	Latin (sqāmōsus), full of scales; scaly	Squama Squama Squama refers to a structure shaped like the scale of a fish. More specifically, it can refer to:* Squama frontalis* Squama occipitalis* Squama temporalis, the squamous portion of the temporal bone* Squamous cell...
-stasis	stop, stand	Greek στάσις
-staxis	dripping, trickling	Greek στακτός
sten(o)-	Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrow-ness	Ancient Greek στενός (stenos), narrow; short	Stenography
-stenosis	abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure	Ancient Greek στενός (stenos), narrow; short	Stenosis Stenosis A stenosis is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure.It is also sometimes called a stricture .... , Restenosis Restenosis Restenosis literally means the reoccurrence of stenosis, a narrowing of a blood vessel, leading to restricted blood flow. Restenosis usually pertains to an artery or other large blood vessel that has become narrowed, received treatment to clear the blockage and subsequently become renarrowed...
steth(o)-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck	Ancient Greek στῆθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass	Stethoscope Stethoscope The stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal body. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins...
stheno-	strength, force, power	Greek σθένος
stom(a)	mouth	Greek στόμα	stomatognathic system Stomatognathic system In anatomy, the stomatognathic system consists of the mouth, jaws, and closely associated structures.Stomatognathic diseases are treated by dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and ear, nose and throat specialists....
stomat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth	Stomatogastric
-stomy	creation of an opening	Greek -στομία	colostomy Colostomy A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a stoma is formed by drawing the healthy end of the large intestine or colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place. This opening, in conjunction with the attached stoma appliance, provides an alternative channel...
sub-	beneath	Latin	subcutaneous tissue Subcutaneous tissue The hypodermis, also called the hypoderm, subcutaneous tissue, or superficial fascia is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates. Types of cells that are found in the hypodermis are fibroblasts, adipose cells, and macrophages...
super-	in excess, above, superior	Latin	superior vena cava Superior vena cava The superior vena cava is truly superior, a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium...
supra-	above, excessive	Latin	supraorbital vein Supraorbital vein The supraorbital vein begins on the forehead where it communicates with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal vein.It runs downward superficial to the Frontalis muscle, and joins the frontal vein at the medial angle of the orbit to form the angular vein.Previous to its junction with the...
sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys-	Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; Assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant Labial consonant Labial consonants are consonants in which one or both lips are the active articulator. This precludes linguolabials, in which the tip of the tongue reaches for the posterior side of the upper lip and which are considered coronals...  to sym-.	Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together	Synalgia, Synesthesia Synesthesia Synesthesia , from the ancient Greek , "together," and , "sensation," is a neurologically based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway... , Syssarcosis

T

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
tachy-	Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast	Ancient Greek ταχύς (tachys), fast, quickly	Tachycardia Tachycardia Tachycardia comes from the Greek words tachys and kardia . Tachycardia typically refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal range for a resting heart rate...
-tension, -tensive	pressure Pressure Pressure is the force per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of an object. Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to the local atmospheric or ambient pressure.- Definition :...	Latin	Hypertension Hypertension Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
tetan-	rigid, tense		tetanus Tetanus Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani...
thec-	case, sheath Scabbard A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...	Ancient Greek θήκη (theke)	Intrathecal Intrathecal Intrathecal is an adjective that refers to something introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord...
thel(e)-, thel(o)-	Of or pertaining to a nipple [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple	Theleplasty
thely-	Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine'	Ancient Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine	Thelygenous
therm(o)-	heat	Ancient Greek θερμός
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck	Latin (thōrāx) < Ancient Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass	Thorax Thorax The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.-In tetrapods:...
thromb(o)-	Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood	Ancient Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood	Thrombus Thrombus A thrombus , or blood clot, is the final product of the blood coagulation step in hemostasis. It is achieved via the aggregation of platelets that form a platelet plug, and the activation of the humoral coagulation system... , Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia is a relative decrease of platelets in blood.A normal human platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. These limits are determined by the 2.5th lower and upper percentile, so values outside this range do not necessarily indicate disease...
thyr(o)-	thyroid Thyroid The thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid , in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage...	Greek θυρεο-ειδής
thym(o)(ia)-	emotions	Greek: "thymos," spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions	dysthymia
-tic	pertaining to	Greek -τικός
toco-	childbirth	Greek τόκος
-tome	cutting instrument	Greek τομή
-tomy	act of cutting; incising, incision	Greek -τομία	Gastrotomy
tono-	tone, tension, pressure	Greek τόνος
-tony	tension	Greek -τονία
top(o)-	place, topical	Greek τόπος
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxico-	toxin Toxin A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded... , poison	Greek τοξικόν	Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite infects most genera of warm-blooded animals, including humans, but the primary host is the felid family. Animals are infected by eating infected meat, by ingestion of feces of a cat that has itself...
trache(o)-	trachea Vertebrate trachea In tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...	Greek τραχεία
trachel(o)-	Of or pertaining to the neck	Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck	Tracheotomy Tracheotomy Among the oldest described surgical procedures, tracheotomy consists of making an incision on the anterior aspect of the neck and opening a direct airway through an incision in the trachea...
trans-	Denoting something as moving or situated 'across' or 'through'	Latin (trāns), across, through	Transfusion
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)-	Of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure	Ancient Greek θρίξ, τριχ(ο)- (thríx, trich(o)-), hair	Trichocyst Trichocyst http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/68/8968-004-A94DB3DF.jpg A trichocyst is a structure in the cortex of certain ciliate and flagellate protozoans consisting of a cavity and long, thin threads that can be ejected in response to certain stimuli...
-tripsy	crushing	Greek τρίψις	Lithotripsy
-trophy	nourishment, development	Greek -τροφία, τροφή	Pseudohypertrophy
tympan(o)-	eardrum Eardrum The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and the other ossicles...	Greek τύμπανον	Tympanocentesis Tympanocentesis Tympanocentesis is the drainage of fluid from the middle ear by using a small-gauge needle to puncture the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum....

U

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ula, -ule	small	Latin	Nodule
ultra-	beyond, excessive	Latin
umbilic-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Navel The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...	Latin (umbilīcus), navel, belly-button	Umbilical Navel The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
ungui-	Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw	Latin (unguis), nail, claw	Unguiform, Ungual Ungual An ungual is a highly modified distal toe bone which ends in a hoof, claw, or nail. Elephants and other ungulates have ungual phalanges, as did the sauropods and horned dinosaurs. A claw is a highly modified ungual phalange.As an adjective, ungual means related to nail, as in periungual .-External...
un(i)-	one	Latin (unus)	Unilateral hearing loss Unilateral hearing loss Unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness is a type of hearing impairment where there is normal hearing in one ear and impaired hearing in the other ear.-Signs and symptoms:Patients with unilateral hearing loss have difficulty in...
ur(o)-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system; (specifically) pertaining to the physiological chemistry of urine	Ancient Greek οὖρον (ouron), urine	Urology Urology Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
uri(c)-, urico-	uric acid Uric acid Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3. It forms ions and salts known as urates and acid urates such as ammonium acid urate. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down purine nucleotides. High blood concentrations of uric acid...	Greek οὐρικός
urin-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Latin (ūrīna), urine < Ancient Greek ουρον (ouron), see above.	Uriniferous
uter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the uterus or womb	Latin (uterus), womb, uterus	Uterus Uterus The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...

V

Prefix or suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Examples
vagin-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Latin (vāgīna), sheath, scabbard	Vagina Vagina The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
varic(o)-	swollen or twisted vein Vein In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...	Latin varix	varicose
vas(o)-	duct, blood vessel	Latin	vasoconstriction Vasoconstriction Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels, particularly the large arteries, small arterioles and veins. The process is the opposite of vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels. The process is particularly important in...
vasculo-	blood vessel	Latin vāsculum
ven-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein (used in terms pertaining to the vascular system)	Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein	Vein Vein In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart... , Venospasm
ventr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach cavities	Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the womb	Ventrodorsal
ventricul(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ	Latin (venter), the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain	Cardiac ventriculography Cardiac ventriculography Cardiac Ventriculography is a medical imaging test used to determine a patient's cardiac function in the right, or more typically, left ventricle. Cardiac ventriculography involves injecting contrast media into the heart's ventricle to measure the volume of blood pumped...
-version	turning	Latin versiō	anteversion Anteversion Anteversion and retroversion are complementary anatomical terms of location, describing the degree to which an anatomical structure is rotated forwards or backwards respectively, relative to some datum position.More specifically, neck anteversion is a neck tilted further forward than normal.A... , retroversion
vesic(o)-	Of or pertaining to the bladder Urinary bladder The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...	Latin (vēsīca), bladder; blister	Vesica Vesica Vesica is Latin for "bladder", and may refer too:Anatomy* Vesica, mainly used for the urinary bladder, also used for the gall bladder and in entomology for a part of the male genitals....
viscer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera	Latin (viscera), internal organs; plural of (viscerum), internal organ	Viscera

X

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
xanth(o)-	Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color	Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós), yellow	Xanthopathy
xen(o)-	Foreign, different	Greek ξένος (xenos), stranger	Xenograft
xer(o)-	dry, desert-like	Greek ξερός (xeros), dry	Xerostomia Xerostomia Xerostomia is the medical term for the subjective complaint of dry mouth due to a lack of saliva. Xerostomia is sometimes colloquially called pasties, cottonmouth, drooth, or doughmouth. Several diseases, treatments, and medications can cause xerostomia. It can also be exacerbated by smoking or...

Y

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-y	condition or process of	Latin -ia < Greek -ία	Surgery Surgery Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...

Z

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
zo(o)-	animal, animal life	Greek ζῷον
zym(o)-	fermentation Fermentation (biochemistry) Fermentation is the process of extracting energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. In contrast, respiration is where electrons are donated to an exogenous electron acceptor, such as oxygen,... , enzyme Enzyme Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...	Greek ζύμη

English meanings

This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.

Roots of bodily concepts

Bodily concept	Greek root	Latin root	Other root
Digestion	-pepsia	-	-
Disease	-pathy	-	-
Eating	-phagia	-	-

Roots of body parts and components

(Internal anatomy, external anatomy, body fluids, body substances)

Body part or component	Greek root	Latin root	Other root
abdomen	lapar(o)-	abdomin-	-
aorta	aort(o)-	aort(o)-	-
arm	brachi(o)-	-	-
armpit	-	axill-	-
artery	arteri(o)-	-	-
back	-	dors-	-
big toe	-	allic-	-
bladder	cyst(o)-	vesic(o)-	-
blood	haemat-, hemat- (haem-, hem-)	sangui-, sanguine-	-
blood clot	thromb(o)-	-	-
blood vessel	angi(o)-	vascul-, vas-	-
body	somat-, som-	corpor-	-
bone	oste(o)-	ossi-	-
bone marrow, marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	-
brain	encephal(o)-	cerebr(o)-	-
breast	mast(o)-	mamm(o)-	-
chest	steth(o)-	-	-
cheek	-	bucc-	-
ear	ot(o)-	aur(i)-	-
eggs, ova	oo-	ov-	-
eye	ophthalm(o)-	ocul(o)-	optic(o)- [French]
eyelid	blephar(o)-	cili-; palpebr-	-
face	prosop(o)-	faci(o)-	-
fallopian tubes	salping(o)-	-	-
fat, fatty tissue	lip(o)-	adip-	-
finger	dactyl(o)-	digit-	-
forehead	-	front(o)-	-
gallbladder	cholecyst(o)-	fell-	-
genitals, sexually undifferentiated	gon(o)-, phall(o)-	-	-
gland	aden(o)-	-	-
glans penis or clitoridis	balan(o)-	-	-
gums	-	gingiv-	-
hair	trich(o)-	capill-	-
hand	cheir(o)-, chir(o)-	manu-	-
head	cephal(o)-	capit(o)-	-
heart	cardi(o)-	cordi-	-
hip, hip-joint	-	cox-	-
horn	cerat(o)-	cornu-	-
intestine	enter(o)-	-	-
jaw	gnath(o)-	-	-
kidney	nephr(o)-	ren-	-
knee	gon-	genu-	-
lip	cheil(o)-, chil(o)-	labi(o)-	-
liver	hepat(o)- (hepatic-)	jecor-	-
loins, pubic region	episi(o)-	pudend-	-
lungs	pneumon-	pulmon(i)- (pulmo-)	-
marrow, bone marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	-
mind	psych-	ment-	-
mouth	stomat(o)-	or-	-
muscle	my(o)-	-	-
nail	onych(o)-	ungui-	-
navel	omphal(o)-	umbilic-	-
neck	trachel(o)-	cervic-	-
nerve; the nervous system	neur(o)-	nerv-	-
nipple, teat	thele-	papill-, mammill-	-
nose	rhin(o)-	nas-	-
ovary	oophor(o)-	ovari(o)-	-
pelvis	pyel(o)-	pelv(i)-	-
penis	pe(o)-	-	-
pupil (of the eye)	cor-, core-, coro-	-	-
rib	pleur(o)-	cost(o)-	-
rib cage	thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-	-	-
shoulder	om(o)-	humer(o)-	-
sinus	-	sinus-	-
skin	dermat(o)- (derm-)	cut-, cuticul-	-
skull	crani(o)-	-	-
stomach	gastr(o)-	ventr(o)-	-
testis	orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-	-	-
throat (upper throat cavity)	pharyng(o)-	-	-
throat (lower throat cavity/voice box])	laryng(o)-	-	-
thumb	-	pollic-	-
tooth	odont(o)-	dent(i)-	-
tongue	gloss-, glott-	lingu(a)-	-
toe	dactyl(o)-	digit-	-
tumour	cel-, onc(o)-	tum-	-
ureter	ureter(o)-	ureter(o)-	-
urethra	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	-
urine, urinary System	ur(o)-	urin(o)-	-
uterine tubes	sarping(o)-	sarping(o)-	-
uterus	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	-
vagina	colp(o)-	vagin-	-
vein	phleb(o)-	ven-	-
vulva	episi(o)-	vulv-	-
womb	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	-
wrist	carp(o)-	carp(o)-	-

Roots of color

Color	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
black	melano-	nigr-	-
blue	cyano-	-	-
gray, grey	polio-	-	-
green	chlor(o)-	vir-	-
purple	porphyr(o)-	purpur-, purpureo-	-
red	erythr(o)-, rhod(o)-	rub-, rubr-	-
red-yellow	cirrh(o)-	-	-
white	leuc-, leuk-	alb-	-
yellow	xanth(o)-	flav-	jaun - [French]

Roots of description

(Size, shape, strength, etc.)

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
bad, incorrect	cac(o)-, dys-	mal(e)-	-
bent, crooked	ankyl(o)-	prav(i)-	-
big	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	-
biggest	megist-	maxim-	-
broad, wide	eury-	lat(i)-	-
cold	cry(o)-	frig(i)-	-
dead	necr(o)-	mort-	-
equal	is(o)-	equ(i)-	-
false	pseud(o)-	fals(i)-	-
female, feminine	thely-	-	-
flat	platy-	plan(i)-	-
good, well	eu-	ben(e)-, bon(i)-	-
great	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	-
hard	scler(o)-	dur(i)-	-
heavy	bar(o)-	grav(i)-	-
hollow	coel(o)-	cav(i)-	-
huge	megal(o)-	magn(i)-	-
incorrect, bad	cac(o)-, dys-	mal(e)-	-
irregular	poikil(o)	-
large; extremely large	mega-	magn(i)-	-
largest	megist-	maxim-	-
long	macr(o)-	long(i)-	-
male, masculine	arseno-	vir-	-
narrow	sten(o)-	angust(i)-	-
new	neo-	nov(i)-	-
normal, correct	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	-
old	paleo-	veter-	-
sharp	oxy-	ac-	-
short	brachy-	brev(i)-	-
small	micr(o)-	parv(i)- (rare)	-
smallest	-	minim-	-
slow	brady-	tard(i)-	-
fast	tachy-	celer-	-
soft	malac(o)-	moll(i)-	-
straight	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	-
thick	pachy-	crass(i)-	-
varied, various	poikilo-	vari-	-
well, good	eu-	ben(e)-	-
wide, broad	eury-	lat(i)-	-

Roots of position

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
around	peri-	circum-	-
left	levo-	laev(o)-, sinistr-	-
middle	mes(o)-	medi-	-
right	dexi(o)-	dextr(o)-	-
surrounding	peri-	circum-	-

Roots of quantity

(Amount, quantity)

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
double	diplo-	dupli-	-
equal	iso-	equi-	-
few	oligo-	pauci-	-
half	hemi-	semi-	demi- (French)
many, much	poly-	multi-	-
twice	dis-	bis-	-

See also

• Classical compound
  Classical compound
  Classical compounds are compound words composed from Latin or Ancient Greek root words. A large portion of the technical and scientific lexicon of English and other Western European languages consists of classical compounds. For example, bio- combines with -graphy to form biography...
  
  
• International scientific vocabulary
  International Scientific Vocabulary
  International scientific vocabulary comprises scientific and specialized words whose language of origin may or may not be certain, but which are in current use in several modern languages. The name "International Scientific Vocabulary" was first used by Philip Gove in Webster’s Third New...
  
  
• List of medical abbreviations
• Medical dictionary
  Medical dictionary
  A medical dictionary is a lexicon for words used in medicine. The three major English language medical dictionaries are Stedman's, Taber's, and Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary. Other significant medical dictionaries are distributed by Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of medical and...
  
  
• Medicine
  Medicine
  Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....