Prefixes and suffixes
The following is an alphabetical list of medical
prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings,
origin, and an English example.
adren(o)-
Of or relating
to adrenal
glands
adrenal artery
-aemia
(BrE)
blood
condition
Anaemia
aer(o)-
air, gas
Aerosinusitis
aesthesio(BrE)
sensation
Anesthesia
A
Prefix or
suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
a-, an-
Denotes an
absence of
Apathy, Analgia
-al
pertaining to
abdominal
ab-
away from
Abduction
alb-
Denoting a
white or pale
color
Albino
abdomin(o)-
Of or relating
to the
abdomen
Abdomen
alge(si)-
pain
Analgesic
-algia
pain
Myalgia
pertaining to
cardiac,
hydrophobiac,
pharmacomaniacal
alg(i)o-
pain
Myalgia
allo-
Denoting
something
as different,
or as an
addition
Alloantigen,
allopathy
ambi-
Denoting
something
as
positioned
on both
sides;
Describing
both of two
Ambidextrous
amnio-
Pertaining to
the
membranous
fetal sac
(amnion)
Amniocentesis
-ac, -acal
acanth(o)-
thorn or
spine
acanthion,
acanthocyte,
acanthoma,
acanthulus
acous(io)-
Of or relating
to hearing
acoumeter,
acoustician
acr(o)-
extremity,
topmost
Acrocrany,
acromegaly,
acroosteolysis,
acroposthia
-acusis
hearing
paracusis
-ad
toward, in
the direction
of
dorsad
ad-
increase,
adherence,
motion
toward, very
Adduction
amph-,
amphi-
on both
sides
Amphicrania,
amphismela,
amphomycin
an-
not, without
Analgesia
aden(o)-,
aden(i)-
Of or relating
to a gland
Adenocarcinoma,
adenology,
adenotome,
adenotyphus
ana-
back, again,
up
Anaplasia
Of or relating
to fat or fatty
tissue
an(o)
anus
adip(o)-
andr(o)-
pertaining to
a man
Adipocyte
Andrology,
android
angi(o)-
blood
vessel
Angiogram
aniso-
Describing
something
as unequal
Anisotropic,
anisocytosis
ankyl(o)-,
ancyl(o)-
Denoting
something
as crooked
or bent
ante-
Describing
something
as
positioned in
front of
another thing
separated
from, derived
from
Apoptosis
arch(i,e,o)
first,
primitive
archinephron :
first formed kidney
arteri(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
an artery
Artery, Arteriole
Of or
pertaining to
the joints,
limbs
Arthritis
joint
Articulation
arthr(o)-
articul(o)-ary
pertaining to
bilary tract
-ase
enzyme
Lactase
-asthenia
weakness
Myasthenia gravis
atel(o)
imperfect or
incomplete
development
atelocardia :
imperfect
development of the
heart
-ation
process
atri(o)-
an atrium
(esp. heart
atrium)
Aural
aut(o)-
self
Autoimmune
aux(o)-
increase;
growth
auxocardia :
enlargement of the
heart
axill-
Of or
pertaining to
the armpit
[uncommon
as a prefix]
Axilla
azo(to)
nitrogenous
compound
azothermia :
raised temperature
due to nitrogenous
substances in blood
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
balano-
Of the
glans
penis or
glans
clitoridis
bi-
twice,
double
bio-
life
Biology
blast(o)-
germ or
bud
Blastomere
blephar(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
eyelid
Blepharoplast
brachi(o)-
Of or
relating to
the arm
Brachium of
inferior
colliculus
brachy-
Indicating
'short' or
less
commonly
'little'
brachycephalic
brady-
'slow'
Bradycardia
bronch(i)-
bronchus
Bronchiolitis
antepartum
Antibody,
antipsychotic
apo-
Of or
pertaining to
the ear
Ankylosis
Describing
something
as 'against'
or 'opposed
to' another
anti-
aur(i)-
B
atrioventricular
Balanitis
obliterans
bucc(o)-
burs(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
cheek
Buccolabial
bursa
(fluid sac
between
the
bones)
Bursitis
C
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
capill-
Of or
pertaining to
hair
Capillus
capit-
Pertaining
to the head
(as a whole)
Capitation
carcin(o)-
cancer
Carcinoma
cardi(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the heart
Cardiology
carp(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the wrist
Carpopedal
down, under
-cele
pouching,
hernia
Hydrocele
-centesis
surgical
puncture for
aspiration
Amniocentesis
cerat(o)-
cerebell(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the head
(as a whole)
Cephalalgy
Of or
pertaining to
the cornu;
a horn
Ceratoid
Of or
pertaining to
the
cerebellum
Of or
pertaining to
the brain
Cerebrology
cervic-
Of or
pertaining to
the neck,
the cervix
Cervicodorsal
chem(o)-
chemistry,
drug
Chemotherapy
chir(o)-,
cheir(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the hand
Chiropractor
chlor(o)-
Denoting a
green color
Chlorophyll
chol(e)-
Of or
pertaining to
bile
Cholaemia
cholecyst(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the
gallbladder
Cholecystectomy
chondr(i)o-
cartilage,
gristle,
granule,
granular
Chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-
color
Hemachromatosis
-cidal, -cide
killing,
destroying
bacteriocidal
cili-
Of or
pertaining to
the cilia,
the
eyelashes;
eyelids
Ciliary
circum-
Denoting
something
as 'around'
another
Circumcision
cis-
on this side
clast
break
co-
with,
together, in
association
col-, colo-,
colon
Cataract
cata-
cephal(o)-
cerebr(o)-
Cerebellum
osteoclast
Colonoscopy
colono-
colp(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the vagina
com-
with,
together
contra
against
cor-
with,
together
cor-, core-,
coro-
Of or
pertaining to
eye's pupil
cordi-
Of or
pertaining to
the heart
[Uncommon
as a prefix]
cornu-
cost(o)-
cox-
Cyphosis
cyst(o)-,
cyst(i)-
Of or
pertaining to
the urinary
bladder
Cystotomy
cyt(o)-
cell
Cytokine
-cyte
cell
Leukocyte
Meaning
Example(s)
Colposcopy
Contraindicate
Corectomy
D
Prefix/suffix
Commotio cordis
Applied to
processes
and parts of
the body
describing
them
likened or
similar to
horns
Of or
pertaining to
the ribs
Costochondral
Of or
relating to
the hip,
haunch, or
hip-joint
Coxopodite
Belonging
or relating
to the
cranium
Craniology
-crine
to secrete
Endocrine
cry(o)-
cold
Cryoablation
crani(o)-
cyph(o)-
Denotes
something
as bent
[uncommon
as a prefix]
cutane-
skin
Subcutaneous
cyan(o)-
Denotes a
blue color
Cyanopsia
cycl-
circle, cycle
dacryo-
tear
dactyl(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to a finger,
toe
de-
away from,
cessation
dent-
Of or
pertaining
to teeth
Dentist
dermat(o)-,
derm(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the skin
Dermatology
-desis
binding
arthrodesis
dextr(o)-
right, on
the right
side
Dextrocardia
di-
two
di-
apart,
separation
dia-
(same as
Greek
meaning)
dif-
apart,
separation
digit-
Of or
pertaining
Dactylology
Diacetyl
Digit
to the
finger [rare
as a root]
dis-
separation,
taking
apart
Dissection
dors(o)-,
dors(i)-
Of or
pertaining
to the back
dorsal,
Dorsocephalad
duodeno-
duodenum,
twelve:
upper part
of the
small
intestine
(twelve
inches
long on
average),
connects
to the
stomach
dynam(o)-
-dynia
pain
Vulvodynia
dys-
bad,
difficult
Dysphagia,
dysphasia
E
Meaning
vomiting
condition
Hematemesis
-emia
blood
condition
(AmE)
Anemia
encephal(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
brain. Also
see
Cerebro.
Encephalogram
endo-
Denotes
something
as 'inside'
or 'within'
Endocrinology,
Endospore
enter(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
intestine
Gastroenterology
epi-
[Same as
Greek
meaning:
on, upon]
Epistaxis,
epicardium,
episclera,
epidural
episi(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
pubic
region, the
loins
Episiotomy
erythr(o)-
Denotes a
red color
Erythrocyte
esophageal,
-esophago
gullet
(AmE)
esthesio-
sensation
(AmE)
Duodenal
atresia
force,
energy,
power
Prefix/suffix
-emesis
Example(s)
-eal
pertaining
to
ec-
out, away
ect(o)-
outer,
outside
Ectopic
pregnancy
eu-
true, good,
well, new
-ectasis
expansion,
dilation
Bronchiectasis
ex-
out of,
away from
exo-
-ectomy
Denotes a
surgical
operation
or removal
of a body
part.
Resection,
excision
Denotes
something
as
'outside'
another
extra-
outside
Mastectomy
Eukaryote
Exoskeleton
F
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
faci(o)-
Facioplegic
fibr(o)
fiber
Fibroblast
filli-
fine, hair
like
-form, iform
front-
Cuneiform
fossa ovalis
fossa
Of or
pertaining
to the
forehead
Denoting a
grey, bluishgrey color
Glaucoma
gloss(o)-,
glott(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the tongue
Glossology
gluco-
glucose
Glucocorticoid
glyco-
sugar
Glycolysis
gnath(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the jaw
Gnathodynamometer
-gnosis
knowledge
diagnosis, prognosis
gon(o)-
seed,
semen;
also,
reproductive
Gonorrhea
-gram
record or
picture
Angiogram
-graph
record or
picture
Electrocardiograph
-graphy
process of
recording
Angiography
gyn(aec)o(BrE),
gyn(ec)o(AmE)
woman
Gynecomastia
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
halluc-
to wander
in mind
Hallucinosis
Of or
pertaining
to blood
Hematology,
older form
Haematology
Example(s)
Of or
pertaining
to the face
Used to
form
adjectives
indicating
'having the
form of'
glauc(o)-
Frontonasal
G
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
galact(o)-
milk
Galactorrhea
gastr(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the stomach
Gastric bypass
(1) Denotes
the sense
'born in,
from' (2)
Denotes the
sense 'of a
certain kind'
(1) Endogen; (2)
Heterogenous
-gen
H
-genic
Formative,
pertaining to
producing
Cardiogenic shock
hemat-,
haemato(haem-,
hem-)
genu-
Of or
pertaining to
the knee
Genu valgum
hema or
hemo-
blood
(AmE)
Hematological
malignancy
hemi-
one-half
gingiv-
Of or
pertaining to
the gums
Cerebral
hemisphere
hepat(hepatic-)
Of or
pertaining
Hepatology
Gingivitis
to the liver
Denotes
something
as 'the
other' (of
two), as
an
addition,
or
different
Heterogeneous
hidr(o)-
sweat
Hyperhidrosis
hist(o)-,
histio-
tissue
Histology
home(o)-
similar
hom(o)-
Denotes
something
as 'the
same' as
another or
common
heter(o)-
humer(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
shoulder
(or [rarely]
the upper
arm)
hydr(o)-
water
hyper-
Denotes
something
as
'extreme'
or 'beyond
normal'
hyp(o)-
hyster(o)-
Homeopathy
iatr(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
medicine, or a
physician
[uncommon as
a prefix;
common as as
suffix, see iatry]
Iatrochemistry
-iatry
Denotes a
field in
medicine of a
certain body
component
Podiatry,
Psychiatry
-ic
pertaining to
Hepatic artery
-icle
small
Ovarian follicle
-ics
organized
knowledge,
treatment
idio-
self, one's own
Idiopathic
ileo-
ileum
Ileocecal valve
infra-
below
Infrahyoid
muscles
inter-
between,
among
Interarticular
ligament
intra-
within
Intracranial
hemorrhage
irid(o)-
iris
Iridectomy
ischio-
Of or
pertaining to
the ischium,
the hip-joint
Ischiorrhogic
-ism
condition,
disease
Dwarfism
-ismus
spasm,
contraction
iso-
Denoting
something as
being 'equal'
Isotonic
-ist
one who
specializes in
Pathologist
-ite
the nature of,
Hermaphrodite
Homosexuality
Humerus
Hydrophobe
Hypertension
Denotes
something
as 'below
normal'
Hypovolemia,
Of or
pertaining
to the
womb, the
uterus
Hysterectomy
I
Prefix/suffix
-i-asis
Meaning
condition
Example(s)
Mydriasis
resembling
-itis
-ium
isch-
is
inflammation
structure,
tissue
Restriction
Tonsillitis
Meaning
lateral
Lateral
pectoral
nerve
lei(o)-
smooth
Leiomyoma
-lepsis, lepsy
attack,
seizure
Epilepsy,
narcolepsy
lept(o)-
light,
slender
leuc(o)-,
leuk(o)-
Denoting a
white color
Leukocyte
pericardium
Ischemia
K
Prefix/suffix
latero-
Example(s)
karyo-
nucleus
Eukaryote
kerat(o)-
cornea
(eye or
skin)
Keratoscope
lingu(a)-,
lingu(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
tongue
Linguistics
kin(e)-,
kin(o),
kinesi(o)-
movement
Kinesthesia
lip(o)-
fat
Liposuction
koil(o)-
hollow
Koilocyte
lith(o)-
stone,
calculus
Lithotripsy
kyph(o)-
humped
Kyphoscoliosis
log(o)-
speech
-logist
Denotes
someone
who studies
a certain
field:
_____-logy
Oncologist,
pathologist
-logy
Denotes the
academic
study or
practice of
a certain
field
hematology,
urology
lymph(o)-
lymph
Lymphedema
lys(o)-, lytic
dissolution
Lysosome
-lysis
Destruction,
separation
Paralysis
L
Prefix/suffix
labi(o)-
Meaning
Of or
pertaining
to the lip
Example(s)
Labiodental
lacrim(o)-
tear
Lacrimal
canaliculi
lact(i)-,
lact(o)
milk
Lactation
lapar(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
abdomenwall, flank
laryng(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
larynx, the
lower throat
cavity
where the
voice box
Laparotomy
M
Larynx
Prefix/suffix
macr(o)-
Meaning
large, long
Example(s)
Macrophage
-malacia
softening
Osteomalacia
mamm(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the breast
Mammogram
mammill(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the nipple
manu-
Of or
pertaining to
the hand
Manufacture
mast(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the breast
Mastectomy
system
my(o)-
Of or relating
to muscle
Myoblast
myc(o)-
fungus
Onychomycosis
myel(o)-
Of or relating
to bone
marrow
Myeloblast
myring(o)-
eardrum
Myringotomy
myx(o)-
mucus
Myxoma
N
meg(a)-,
megal(o)-, megaly
enlargement
melan(o)-
black color
Melanin
melos
extremity
erythromelalgia
Splenomegaly
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
narc(o)-
numb,
sleep
narcolepsy
nas(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the nose
nasal
mening(o)-
membrane
Meningitis
mero-
part
merocrine,
meroblastic
necr(o)-
death
Necrotizing
fasciitis
mes(o)-
middle
Mesoderm
neo-
new
Neoplasm
meta-
after, behind
Metacarpus
-meter
measurement
Sphygmomanometer
nephr(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
kidney
Nephrology
-metry
process of
measuring
Optometry
metr(o)-
Pertaining to
conditions or
instruments
of the uterus
Metrorrhagia
nerv-
Nerve
denoting
something as
small, or
relating to
smallness
Microscope
Of or
pertaining
to nerves
and the
nervous
system
[Uncommon
as a root:
neuromostly
always
used]
mon(o)-
single
Infectious
mononucleosis
neur(i)-,
neur(o)-
Neurofibromatosis
morph(o)-
form, shape
Morphology
Of or
pertaining
to nerves
and the
nervous
system
muscul(o)-
muscle
Musculoskeletal
normo-
normal
Normocapnia
micro-
O
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Of or
pertaining to
the eye
Oculist
odont(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
teeth
orthodontist
pain
stomatodynia
oesophageal,
oesophago(BrE)
Of or
pertaining to
the woman's
ovary
Oophorectomy
ophthalm(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the eye
Ophthalmology
optic(o)-
Of or
relating to
chemical
properties of
the eye
Opticochemical
or(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the mouth
Oral
orchi(o)-,
orchido-
testis
Orchiectomy,
Orchidectomy
orth(o)-
Denoting
something
as straight
or correct
Orthodontist
-osis
a condition,
disease or
increase
Harlequin type
ichthyosis,
Psychosis,
osteoperosis
Example(s)
ocul(o)-
odyn(o)-
oophor(o)-
gullet
-oid
resemblance
to
ole
small or little
olig(o)-
Denoting
something
as 'having
little, having
few'
Oligotrophy
om(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the shoulder
Omoplate
osseo-
bony
-oma
(singular), omata (plural)
tumor,
mass,
collection
Sarcoma,
Teratoma
ossi-
bone
Peripheral
ossifying
fibroma
ost(e)-,
oste(o)-
bone
Osteoporosis
omphal(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the navel,
the
umbilicus
Omphalotomy
ot(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the ear
Otopathy
onco-
tumor, bulk,
volume
Oncology
-ous
pertaining to
ovari(o)-
onych(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the nail (of a
finger or toe)
Of or
pertaining to
the ovaries
Ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-,
ov-
Of or
pertaining to
the eggs,
the ovum
Ovogenesis
oo-
Of or
pertaining to
the an egg,
a woman's
egg, the
ovum
oxo-
addition of
oxygen
Sarcoidosis
Onychophagy
Oogenesis
oxy-
sharp, acid,
acute,
oxygen
P
Prefix/suffix
pachy-
Meaning
thick
palpebr-
Of or pertaining to the
eyelid [uncommon as
a root]
pan-,
pant(o)-
Denoting something
as 'complete' or
containing 'everything'
papill-
Of or pertaining to the
nipple (of the
chest/breast)
papul(o)-
Indicates papulosity,
a small elevation or
swelling in the skin, a
pimple, swelling
para-
alongside of,
abnormal
-paresis
slight paralysis
Example(s)
peri-
Denoting something
with a position
'surrounding' or
'around' another
Periodontal
-pexy
fixation
Nephropexy
phaco-
lens-shaped
phacolysis,
phacometer,
phacoscotoma
-phage, phagia
Forms terms denoting
conditions relating to
eating or ingestion
Sarcophagia
-phago-
eating, devouring
phagocyte
phagist-:
Forms nouns that
denote a person who
'feeds on' the first
element or part of the
word
Lotophagi
-phagy
Forms nouns that
denotes 'feeding on'
the first element or
part of the word
Anthropophagy
phallo-
phallus
Aphallia
pharmaco-
drug, medication
pharmacology
pharyng(o)-
Of or pertaining to the
pharynx, the upper
throat cavity
Pharyngitis,
Pharyngoscopy
pachyderma
Palpebra
panophobia,
panopticon
Papillitis
Papulation
hemiparesis
parvo-
small
Parvovirus
path(o)-
disease
Pathology
-phil(ia)
attraction for
Hemophilia
-pathy
Denotes (with a
negative sense) a
disease, or disorder
sociopathy,
neuropathy
phleb(o)-
Of or pertaining to the
(blood) veins, a vein
Phlebography,
Phlebotomy
ped-, -ped-,
-pes
Of or pertaining to the
foot; -footed
phob(o)-
exaggerated fear,
sensitivity
arachnophobia
phon(o)-
sound
phos-
Of or pertaining to
light or its chemical
properties, now
historic and used
rarely. See the
common root phot(o)below.
Phosphene
phot(o)-
Of or pertaining to
light
Photopathy
phren(i)-,
phren(o)-,
[[diaphragm
(anatomy)|diaphragm],
Phrenic nerve,
schizophrenia
pelv(i)-,
pelv(o)-
hip bone
-penia
deficiency
Pedoscope
Pelvis
osteopenia
peo-
Of or pertaining to the
penis
Peotomy
-pepsia
Denotes something
relating to digestion,
or the digestive tract.
Dyspepsia
per-
through
phrenico
the mind]
-plasia
formation,
development
Achondroplasia
-plasty
surgical repair,
reconstruction
rhinoplasty
paralysis
paraplegia
-plegia
proct(o)-
anus, rectum
proctology
prot(o)-
Denotes something as
'first' or 'mostimportant'
Protoneuron
pseudo-
Denotes something
false or fake
psych(e)-,
psych(o)
Of or pertaining to the
mind
Psychology,
Psychiatry
-ptosis
falling, drooping,
downward placement,
prolapse
Apoptosis
-ptysis
(a spitting), spitting,
hemoptysis, the
spitting of blood
derived from the lungs
or bronchial tubes
pulmon-,
pulmo-
Of or relating to the
lungs.
pulmonary
pleio-
more, excessive,
multiple
pleur(o)-,
pleur(a)
Of or pertaining to the
ribs
Pleurogenous
-plexy
stroke or seizure
Cataplexy
pneum(o)-
Of or pertaining to the
lungs
Pneumonocyte,
Pneumonia
pneumat(o)-
air, lung
pod-, -pod-,
-pus
Of or pertaining to the
foot, -footed
Podiatry
pyel(o)-
pelvis
Pyelonephritis
-poiesis
production
hematopoiesis
pyo-
pus
Pyometra
polio-
Denoting a grey color
Poliomyelitis
pyro-
fever
Antipyretic
poly-
Denotes a 'plurality' of
something
Polymyositis
Q
por(o)-
pore, porous
porphyr(o)-
Denotes a purple
color
post-
Denotes something as
'after' or 'behind'
another
pre-
Denotes something as
'before' another (in
[physical] position or
time)
Prematurity
presby(o)-
old age
Presbyopia
prim-
Denotes something as
'first' or 'mostimportant'
Primary
pro-
Denotes something as
'before' another (in
[physical] position or
time)
pleiomorphism
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
Porphyroblast
quadr(i)-
four
quadriceps
Postoperation,
Postmortem
R
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
radio-
radiation
radiowave
re-
again,
backward
relapse
rect(o)-
rectum
ren(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
kidney
reticul(o)-
net
Procephalic
renal
retro-
backward,
behind
rhabd(o)-
rod
shaped,
striated
rhachi(o)-
spine
fleshlike
retroverted
rachial,
rachialgia,
rachidian,
rachiopathy
schist(o)-
split, cleft
schiz(o)-
Denoting
something
'split' or
'double-sided'
Schizophrenia
scler(o)-
hardness
atherosclerosis
-sclerosis
hardening of
the skin
Multiple sclerosis
scoli(o)-
twisted
scoliosis
Of or
pertaining
to the
nose
rhinoceros,
rhinoplasty
rhod(o)-
Denoting a
rose-red
color
Rhodophyte
-scope
instrument for
viewing
stethoscope
-rrhage
burst forth
Hemorrhage
-scopy
use of
instrument for
viewing
endoscopy
-rrhagia
rapid flow
of blood
semi-
one-half,
partly
sial(o)-
saliva,
salivary
gland
sigmoid(o)-
sigmoid,
sigmoid
colon
sinistr(o)-
left, left side
sinus-
Of or
pertaining to
the sinus
sito-
food, grain
somat(o)-,
somatico-
body, bodily
spasmo-
spasm
sperma-,
spermo-,
spermato-
semen,
spermatozoa
splanchn(i)-,
splanchn(o)-
viscera
splen(o)-
spleen
Splenectomy
spondyl(o)-
Of or
Spondylitis
rhin(o)-
-rrhaphy
surgical
suturing
-rrhea
(AmE)
flowing,
discharge
-rrhexis
rupture
-rrhoea
(BrE)
flowing,
discharge
rubr(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the red
nucleus of
the brain
Galactorrhea,
Diarrhea
Diarrhoea
Rubrospinal
S
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
salping(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the fallopian
tubes
sangui-,
sanguine-
Of or
pertaining to
blood
Sanguine
sarco-
muscular,
sarcoma
Salpingectomy,
Salpingopharyngeus
muscle
sialagogue
Sinusitis
Spermatogenesis
pertaining to
the spine, the
vertebra
squamos(o)-
Denoting
something as
'full of scales'
or 'scaly'
-stasis
stop, stand
-staxis
dripping,
trickling
sten(o)-
Denoting
something as
'narrow in
shape' or
pertaining to
narrow-ness
steth(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the upper
chest, chest,
the area
above the
breast and
under the
neck
stheno-
strength,
force, power
stom(a)
mouth
Squama
T
Prefix/suffix
Stethoscope
-stomy
creation of an
opening
colostomy
sub-
beneath
subcutaneous
tissue
Tachycardia
-tension, tensive
pressure
Hypertension
tetan-
rigid, tense
tetanus
thec-
case,
sheath
Intrathecal
thel(e)-,
thel(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
a nipple
[uncommon
as a prefix]
Theleplasty
thely-
Denoting
something
as 'relating
to a woman,
feminine'
Thelygenous
therm(o)-
heat
thorac(i)-,
thorac(o)-,
thoracico-
Of or
pertaining to
the upper
chest, chest;
the area
above the
breast and
under the
neck
Thorax
thromb(o)-
Of or relating
to a blood
clot, clotting
of blood
Thrombus,
Thrombocytopenia
thyr(o)-
thyroid
thym(o)(ia)-
emotions
Stomatogastric
super-
in excess,
above,
superior
superior vena cava
supra-
above,
excessive
supraorbital vein
Indicates
similarity,
likeness, or
being
together;
Assimilates
Synalgia,
Synesthesia,
Syssarcosis
Example(s)
tachy-
stomatognathic
system
Of or
pertaining to
the mouth
Meaning
Denoting
something
as fast,
irregularly
fast
Stenography
stomat(o)-
sy(l)-, sym-,
syn-, sys-
before some
consonants:
before l to syl, s to sys-,
before a
labial to sym.
dysthymia
-tic
pertaining to
toco-
childbirth
-tome
cutting
instrument
-tomy
act of
cutting;
incising,
incision
tono-
tone,
tension,
pressure
-tony
tension
top(o)-
place,
topical
tox(i)-,
tox(o)-,
toxico-
toxin,
poison
trache(o)-
trachea
trachel(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the neck
trans-
Denoting
something
as moving or
situated
'across' or
'through'
Gastrotomy
ultra-
beyond,
excessive
umbilic-
Of or
pertaining to
the navel, the
umbilicus
Umbilical
ungui-
Of or
pertaining to
the nail, a
claw
Unguiform,
Ungual
un(i)-
one
Unilateral
hearing
loss
ur(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
urine, the
urinary
system;
(specifically)
pertaining to
the
physiological
chemistry of
urine
Urology
uri(c)-,
urico-
uric acid
urin-
Of or
pertaining to
urine, the
urinary
system
Uriniferous
uter(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
the uterus or
womb
Uterus
Toxoplasmosis
Tracheotomy
Transfusion
trich(i)-,
trichia,
trich(o)-
Of or
pertaining to
hair, hair-like
structure
Trichocyst
-tripsy
crushing
Lithotripsy
-trophy
nourishment,
development
Pseudohypertrophy
tympan(o)-
eardrum
Tympanocentesis
V
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
vagin-
Of or
pertaining
to the
vagina
Vagina
varic(o)-
swollen
or twisted
vein
varicose
vas(o)-
duct,
blood
vessel
vasoconstriction
U
Prefix/suffix
-ula, -ule
Meaning
small
Example(s)
Nodule
Example(s)
Z
vasculo-
blood
vessel
ven-
Of or
pertaining
to the
(blood)
veins, a
vein
[used in
terms
pertaining
to the
vascular
system ]
Vein,
Venospasm
Of or
pertaining
to the
belly; the
stomach
cavities
Ventrodorsal
Of or
pertaining
to the
bladder
Vesica
ventr(o)-
vesic(o)-
viscer(o)-
Of or
pertaining
to the
internal
organs,
the
viscera
Prefix/suffix
xanth(o)-
xen(o)-
Meaning
zo(o)-
animal, animal
life
zym(o)-
fermentation,
enzyme
Example(s)
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.
Viscera
Roots of the Body
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/Component
X
Prefix/suffix
Meaning
Example(s)
Denoting a
yellow
color, an
abnormally
yellow color
Xanthopathy
Foreign,
different
Xenograft
Greek Root
Other
Root
Latin 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)-
-
-
Y
Prefix/suffix
-y
Meaning
condition
or process
of
Example(s)
Surgery
blood vessel
angi(o)-
vascul-,
vas-
-
body
somat-, som-
corpor-
-
bone
oste(o)-
ossi-
-
bone marrow,
marrow
myel(o)-
brain
encephal(o)-
cerebr(o)-
-
breast
mast(o)-
mamm(o)-
-
chest
steth(o)-
-
-
cheek
-
bucc-
-
medull-
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-
-
-
ear
ot(o)-
aur-
-
eggs, ova
oo-
ov-
-
eye
ophthalm(o)-
ocul(o)-
optic(o)
[French]
loins, pubic
region
episi(o)-
pudend-
-
eyelid
blephar(o)-
cili-;
palpebr-
-
lungs
pneumon-
pulmon(i)(pulmo-)
-
face
-
faci(o)-
-
marrow, bone
marrow
myel(o)-
medull-
-
fallopian tubes
salping(o)-
-
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)-
-
fat, fatty tissue
finger
forehead
gallbladder
lip(o)dactyl(o)cholecyst(o)-
adipdigitfront(o)fell-
-
genitals, sexually
undifferentiated
gon(o)-,
phall(o)-
-
-
gland
aden(o)-
-
-
glans penis or
clitoridis
balan(o)-
-
-
gums
-
hair
hand
trich(o)cheir(o)-,
chir(o)-
gingivcapill-
manu-
-
-
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-
-
vein
phleb(o)-
ven-
-
vulva
episi(o)-
vulv-
-
womb
hyster(o)-,
metr(o)-
uter(o)-
-
wrist
carp(o)-
carp(o)-
-
Roots of Color
Color
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)-
-
skin
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-
-
cirrh(o)-
-
-
-
thumb
-
pollic-
-
redyellow
tooth
odont(o)-
dent(i)-
-
white
leuc-, leuk-
alb-
-
tongue
gloss-, glott-
lingu(a)-
-
yellow
xanth(o)-
flav-
jaun [French]
toe
dactyl(o)-
digit-
-
Roots of description
tumour
cel-, onc(o)-
tum-
-
[Size, Shape, Strength, etc.]
Description
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-
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-
-
smallest
-
minim-
-
equal
is(o)-
equ(i)-
-
slow
brady-
tard(i)-
-
false
pseud(o)-
fals(i)-
-
fast
tachy-
celer-
-
female,
feminine
thely-
-
-
soft
malac(o)-
moll(i)-
-
straight
orth(o)-
rect(i)-
-
flat
platy-
plan(i)-
thick
pachy-
crass(i)-
-
eu-
ben(e)-,
bon(i)-
varied, various
poikilo-
vari-
-
well, good
eu-
ben(e)-
-
wide, broad
eury-
lat(i)-
-
good, well
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)
-
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-
-
large;
extremely
large
mega-
magn(i)-
-
largest
megist-
maxim-
-
right
dexi(o)-
dextr(o)-
-
long
macr(o)-
long(i)-
-
surrounding
peri-
circum-
-
male,
masculine
arseno-
vir-
-
(Amount, Quantity)
narrow
sten(o)-
angust(i)-
-
Description
Greek
Root in
English
Latin
Root in
English
new
neo-
nov(i)-
double
diplo-
dupli-
-
Roots of quantity
Other
Root
normal,
correct
orth(o)-
rect(i)-
-
equal
iso-
equi-
-
old
paleo-
veter-
-
few
oligo-
pauci-
-
sharp
oxy-
ac-
-
half
hemi-
semi-
demi(French)
short
brachy-
brev(i)-
many,
much
poly-
multi-
-
twice
dis-
bis-
-
small
micr(o)-
parv(i)- (rare)
-