derstanding Prefixes
l\fter completing this chapter,
will be able to:
Define and spell the prefixes
commonly used in medical
terminology.
Identify prefixes in medical
terms.
Use prefixes to build medical
terms.
40 | Chapter 3
Getting Started with Prefixes ►►►►►
Review the following list of some prefixes and their definitions. This will help you become more familiar with prefixes.
Prefixes
Denmtion
a-
without, absence of
ab-
away from
bi-
two
endo-
within
hyper-
excessive, abnormally high, above
hypo-
deficient, abnormally low, below
intra-
within
post-
to follow after
pre-
to come before
sub-
under, beneath, below
3.1 A prefix is the word part that is placed before the root to modify its
fjx
meaning. The word prefix literally means "to
.
at
the beginning of a word." The following frames contain some examples of
prefixes.
3.2 The familiar word abnormal, which can be shown as:
obinorm! al
includes the prefix ab-, which means "away from." It is the
r:
^^_ because it is placed before the root to modify the
word's meaning.
3.3 The medical term intravenous, which can be shown as:
intmlven/ous
jntra.
means "pertaining to within a vein." The prefix is
,
which means "within." It is the prefix because it is placed before the root to
modify the word's meaning.
3.4 The word hypertension can be shown as:
hyper/tens/ion
.
The prefix is
high, or above."
■ which means "excessive, abnormally
Understanding Prefixes | 4|
Prefix Introduction
Complete the following frames to expand the prefixes you know.
3.5 The prefix anti- means "against or opposite of as in the term anticonvulsive,
convulsions
which is a type of drug used to stop
3.6 The one-letter prefix that means "without or absence of is
a-
. An example of its use is found in the term aphasia,
which means "absence of speech."
3.7 The prefix con- means "with, together, or jointly." For example, when
twins are conjoined the con- prefix indicates that the twins are joined
together
3.8 Contra- means "counter or against" as in the term contraception, which
conception
literally means "against
WORDS
TO
OUT
I
."
contra- or con-?
Don't confuse the prefix a nra- with the prefix con-. Their meanings are very dif
ferent, t
?- means "counter or against"; the prefix o i- means "with, together.
or jointly.'
3.9 Meta- means "after or change" as in the term metabolism, which is the
changed
process by which foods are
the body.
PRACTICE: Prefix Introduction
The Right Match
Match the prefix on the left with the correct definition on the right.
1,
meta-
a.
against or opposite
2.
a-
b.
after or change
3.
contra-
c.
without or absence of
4.
con-
d.
counter or against
5.
anti-
e.
with, together, or jointly
into energy for use by
42 | Chapter 3
Prefix Linkup
Link the prefixes in the list to create the terms that match the definitions.
Prefix
Definition
a-
without or absence of
con-
with, together, or jointly
contra-
counter or against
meta-
after or change
Term
Definition
[.
2.
contraception
prevention of conception
bolism
the process by which foods are changed into energy
for use by the body
3.
when twins are joined together
4.
the absence of speech
Joined
_phasia
Prefixes That Indicate Number or Quantity
Complete the following frames to learn about prefixes that indicate number or quantity.
3.10 The prefix ambi- means "both"; the term ambidextrous is the ability to
both
bifocal
use
hands equally.
3.11 The prefix bi- means "two." For example,
means "peitaining to two focal points," as in eyeglasses that correct for both
near vision and far vision.
two
points.
3.12 The term bicuspid means "having
3.13 Another way to say "two" is "second." Therefore, a woman who has
second
given birth for the
time is bipara.
3.14 The prefix di- means "double." Therefore, dipiegia is
plegia, or paralysis of double (two) limbs.
double
3.15 The prefix dipl- also means "double." In the term diptopia, the prefix dipiindicates that a person with the condition perceives a single object as two
double
images; it is also called
vision.
Understanding Prefixes | 43
3.16 Because the prefix hem*- means "half," hemiplegia is a paralysis of half
one
the body; in other words, on
side of the body.
3.17 The prefix mono- means "one." Monoplegia means "paralysis of
limb or muscle/muscle group."
one
3.18 The prefix muki- means "many, more than once, or numerous." A
many
multipolar neuron is a nerve cell that includes
branches, called dendrites, at one end of the cell.
3.19 When a woman's chart indicates muitipara, it means that she has given
once
birth multiple times, or more than
.
3.20 The terms nuliipara and nulligravida share the prefix nulli-, which means
"none." Nullipara means "the condition of never having given birth or no
never
births"; nulligravida means "
having been pregnant or
no pregnancies."
3.21 Because the prefix pan- means "all," the term pandemic refers to
a disease occurring over a wide geographic area. Also, pansinusitis is
all
inflammation of
paranasal sinuses on one or both
sides of the nose.
poly-
.The
3.22 The term polyphagia includes the prefix
prefix means "excessive, over, or many." The term means "excessive
eating."
thirst.
excessive
3.23 Polydipsia is
excessive
3.24 Polyuria is the
many
3.25 Polyarteritis is the inflammation of.
excretion of urine.
medium and
small arteries where they branch.
3.26 The prefix primi- means "first." A woman who has given birth for the
time is a primipara.
first
primi-
3.27 A woman who is pregnant for the first time is a
gravida.
44 | Chapter 3
3.28 The terms quadriplegia and tetraplegia both mean "paralysis of
four limbs." Therefore, quadri- and tetra- are both prefixes that mean
four
■
3.29 The prefix semi- means "half or partial." The term semiconscious means
partially
"
conscious."
3.30 The prefix tri- means "three," as in tricycle. The term tripara means
three
"a woman who has given birth
three
3.31 The tricuspid valve consists of
times."
cusps, which are
membranous flaps that control blood flow between the right atrium and the
right ventricle of the heart
3.32 The prefix uni- means "one," similar to mono-. Therefore, a unipara
one
woman has given birth to
child.
PRACTICE: Prefixes That Indicate Number or Quantity
The Right Match
Match the prefix on the left with the correct definition on the right.
I.
di-
a.
2.
ambi-
b. half
3.
quad-
c. first
4.
hemi-
d. half or partial
5.
bi-
e.
two
6.
primi-
f.
double
7.
cri-
g.
both
8.
pan-
h. four
9.
semi-
i.
one
10. uni-
j.
one
II, multi-
k.
null or none
12. poly-
I.
all
13.
mono-
14. nulli-
excessive, over, or many
m. many, more than once, or numerous
n.
three
Understanding Prefixes | 45
Prefix Linkup
Link the prefixes in the list to create the terms that match the definitions. You may use them more than once.
Prefix
Definition
ambi-
both
mono-
one
nulli-
none
poly-
excessive, over, or many
quadri-
four
tetra-
four
tri-
three
Definition
Term
1.
paralysis of one limb or muscle/muscle group
_plegia
2.
never having been pregnant or no pregnancies
_gravida
3.
the ability to use both hands equally
_dextrous
4.
excessive eating
_phagia
5.
the valve that consists of three cusps that control blood flow
.cuspid
between the right atrium and the right ventricle
6.
_ptegia
a condition of paralysis of all limbs
Prefixes That Indicate Location or Timing
Complete the following frames to learn about prefixes that indicate location or timing.
3.33 The prefix ab- means "away from," so the term abduction means
away
"
from the midline of the body."
3.34 The prefix ad- means "toward," so the term adduction means
toward
"
the midline of the body."
3.35 The prefix ana- means "up, toward"; the word root torn means "to cut";
anatomy
and the suffix -y means "process of." So the term
means "process of cutting up."
3.36 The terms prenatal and antenatal share the root fiot, which means "birth."
Both terms mean "before birth." so both prefixes, pre- and ante-, have the
before
same meaning, which is "
" or "to come before."
46 | Chapter 3
3.37 The term dialysis literally means "to loosen through" because the prefix
through
dia- means "_
," and the suffix -lysis means "to loosen."
The term dialysis refers to the procedure that removes uric acid and urea
from circulating blood.
3.38 The prefix dis- means "apart or away." In the term dislocation, the
apart
prefix indicates that the dislocated part is
or
from its normal position in the body.
away
3.39 £c- and eclo- mean "outside or out." An ectopic pregnancy is one in
outside
which the fertilized egg implants somewhere .
the
uterus.
3.40 The prefix endo- means "within." Thus, the term endogastric means
within
"
the stomach." (See Figure 3.1 ■.)
Endoscope
Figure 3.11
■ Stomach
Endogastric procedure using
- Light with
an endoscope to observe the
camera
internal stomach lining.
3.41 The prefixes ep- and epi- mean "upon, over, above, or on top." The
over
epidermis is the outermost layer of skin because it is
the dermis layer.
inward
3.42 Esotropia is a condition where the eye deviates
because the prefix eso- means "inward."
3.43 The prefixes ex- and exo- mean "outside or away from," so in the
away from
condition exotropia, the eye deviates .
its normal position.
Understanding Prefixes | 47
3.44 The common prefix shared by the terms extracellular, extracorporeai, and
extra-
extrauterine is
, which means "outside."
3.45 Infer- has the meaning "below," as in the term inferior. The term inferior
below
indicates a position
another point of reference.
3.46 Because the prefix inter- means "between," the term intervertebrai
between
indicates a position
the vertebrae.
3.47 The terms intracellular and intrauterine share the prefix
, which also means "within."
intra-
3.48 Because intra- means "within," the term intraderma! means
within
"
the layers of the skin."
3.49 The prefix para- means "alongside or abnormal." In the term paracusis, it
abnormal
indicates
hearing or a disorder in hearing.
3.50 The prefix peri- means "around." In the term pericardium, this prefix
around
indicates that the membrane called the pericardium covers the area
the heart.
3.51 The prefix post- means "to follow after," thus the term postpartum means
after
"to follow
birth."
3.52 The terms postnatal and postpartum share the prefix post-, which means
after
"to follow after." Both terms mean "to follow
birth."
48 I Chapter 3
3.53 The prefixes sub- and hypo- both mean "below." To build a term that
hypo-
means "below the skin," add :he prefix
to the word
root for skin, dermis. The resulting term is hypodermis. An alternate term for
the area below the skin attaches the prefix sub- to another word for skin,
subcutaneous
cutaneous. The resulting term is
. (See Figure 3.2B.)
Pore of sweat gland
Sensory
receptors
Epidermis —
Sebaceous
gland
Arrector
Dermis -
pili muscle
Hair
Figure 3.2 ■
Skin layers. The epidermis is
Nerve
Subcutaneous
Vein
layer -
Artery
on cop of the dermis, and the
hypodcrmis (or subcutaneous
layer) is below the dermis.
Sweat gland
3.54 The prefixes super- and supra- share the meaning "above"; in the term
above
superior it indicates a position
another point of
reference.
3.55 The prefixes sym- and syn- also share a meaning. In this case they mean
"together or joined." For example, a syndrome is a group of symptoms or
together
signs that occur
.
Understanding Prefixes | 49
PRACTICE: Prefixes That Indicate Location or Timing
The Right Match
Match the prefix on the left with the correct definition on the right.
1.
ab-
a.
to come before
2.
dia-
b.
up or toward
3.
ad-
c.
apart or away
4.
endo-
d.
outside
5.
ante-
e.
away from
6.
extra-
7.
ep-, epi-
g.
toward
8.
ana-
h.
within
9.
infer-
i.
inward
10.
ec-, ecto-
j.
through
II.
para-
12. dis-
f.
k.
I.
outside or away from
upon, over, above, or on top
to follow after
13. peri-
m.
between
14.
n.
alongside or abnormal
15. inrer-
o.
below
16.
eso-
p.
around
17. sub-
q.
outside or out
ex-, exo-
18.
post-
r.
before
19.
pre-
s.
together or joined
20.
super-.supra-
t.
under, beneath, below
21.
sym-, syn-
u.
above
50 I Chapter 3
Prefix Linkup
Link the prefixes in the list to create the terms that match the definitions. You may use them more than once.
Prefix
Definition
ab-
away from
iinn-
up, toward
ante-
before
dia-
through
ecto-
outside, out
exo-
outside, away from
infer-
below
para-
alongside, abnormal
pre-
to come before
sub-
under, beneath, below
syn-
together, joined
Definition
Term
1.
to cut up
_tomy
2.
away from the midline of the body
.duction
3.
a pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the
.pic
uterus
4.
a procedure that removes uric acid and urea from circulating blood
5.
a condition in which the eye deviates away from its normal position
_tropia
6.
a position below another point of reference
Jor
7.
a disorder in hearing
_cusis
8.
below the skin
_cutaneous
9.
a group of symptoms or signs that occur togcthcr
_drome
10.
before birth
natal
Understanding Prefixes [_Sj
Prefixes That Indicate a Specific Quality about a Term
Complete the following frames to learn about prefixes that indicate a specific quality about a term.
3.56 Because the prefix a- means "without or absence of," the term aseptic
without
means "sterile," or "pertaining to
living pathogenic
organisms."
3.57 Similarly, asymptomatic means "pertaining to not having symptoms,"
because the prefix
__^_ means "without."
3.58 The prefix an- also means "without or absence of." Thus, the term anoxia
without
means "
oxygen."
3.59 Because brady- means "slow," the term bradycardia means "condition of
heart-
slow
3.60 The term bradykinesia combines brady- with the root kines to mean
slowing
"condition of
or decreasing movement."
3.61 The term circumference contains the prefix tircum-, which
means "around." The term circumcision literally translates as a "cut
." Circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin
around
around the penis.
dys-
3.62 The term dyslexia has the prefix
which means
"bad, abnormal, painful, or difficult." It is a learning disability involving impaired
reading, spelling, and writing ability.
3.63 The prefix eu- means "normal or good." It is a prefix in the terms
euthanasia, and eupepsia, where it alters the meaning of the root to include
good
the meaning of "normal or
."
3.64 Hen r- and hetero- both mean "different." In medicine, tropia is an
abnormal deviation of the eye. Adding the prefix hetero- adds to the meaning
different
of the term to indicate the eyes are oriented in
directions.
3.65 The terms hyperacidity, hyperemesis, hyperkinesia, and hyperthermia share
hyper-
the common prefix
abnormally high, or above."
, which means "excessive,
S2 | Chapter 3
excessive
3.66 Hyperthyroidism is a condition of.
levels of
thyroid hormones in the body.
3.67 The prefix hypo- means "deficient, abnormally low, or below."
low
Hypothyroidism is a condition of abnormally
levels
of thyroid hormones in the body, causing high blood calcium, reduced energy,
and weight gain.
3.68 The prefix hypo- has a meaning that is the opposite of the prefix
hyper-
3.69 In the term hypocalcemia, hypo- indicates that the levels of calcium in the
abnormally
blood are
low.
3.70 The term hypothermia means a "state of abnormally
body temperature."
low
3.71 The prefix macro- means "large." The word root cephal means "head,"
and the suffix -y means "process of," so the term macrocephaly means
large
"process of_
head."
3.72 The prefix mo/- means "bad," so the term malobsorption literally means
bad
"
absorption."
3.73 The prefix mega- is familiar to many people and is in common use today.
It shares the meaning "large or great" with the prefix megalo-. So the term
large
megalocyte literally means "
cell."
3.74 The prefix micro- means "small." Microcephaly means "process of
head."
small
3.75 The term neonate refers to a newborn, specifically a baby within the first
neo-
28 days of life. The prefix
means "new," and the root
nat means "birth."
3.76 The prefix pseudo- means "false," as in the term pseudocyesis, which
false
means "
pregnancy."
3.77 The prefix tetchy- means "rapid, fast." Tachycardia is an abnormally
rapid
heart rate that is usually defined as more than 100
beats per minute at rest in adults.
Understanding Prefixes | 53
3.78 The prefix trans- means "through, across, or beyond," as
through
in transvaginal, which means ".
.
or
_the vagina," transexual, which means to "go through
across
crossing
the process of _
across
transverse, which means to "lie
over to another gender," and
or in a crosswise
direction."
3.79 The prefix ultra- means "beyond normal," as in ultrasound, which is a
noninvasive diagnostic procedure that provides images of internal structures
beyond normal
by bouncing inaudible, or
sound waves through the body (Figure 3.3H).
Figure 3.3 ■
Ultrasound imaging. In this
noninvasive procedure,
inaudible sound waves are
bounced through the bod/,
detected by a sensor, and
interpreted by a computer to
reveal internal structures, such
as n fetus within the uterus.
Source: Photodisc/Tk inks tock.
,
54 I Chapter 3
PRACTICE: Prefixes That Indicate a Specific Quality about a Term
Prefix Linkup
.
Link the prefixes in the list to create the terms that match the definitions. You may use them more than once.
Prefix
Definition
a-
without or absence of
brady-
slow
circum-
around
dys-
bad, abnormal, painful, or difficult
hyper-
excessive, abnormally high, above
mal-
bad
megalo-
large, erect
neo-
new
pseudo-
false
trans-
through, across, or beyond
ultra-
beyond normal
Definition
Term
1.
false pregnancy
_cyesis
2.
sterile, having no living pathogenic organisms
_septic
3.
a newborn; specifically, a baby within the first 28 days of life
_nate
4.
abnormally slow heart rate
_cardia
5.
a surgery to remove the foreskin around the penis
^cision
6.
a person who goes through the process of crossing over
_scxual
to another gender
7.
a learning disability involving impaired reading, spelling,
Jexia
and writing ability
8.
a condition of excess levels of thyroid hormones in the body
_thyroidism
9.
bad absorption
^absorption
10.
large cell
_cyte
11.
a diagnostic procedure that provides images of internal
structures by bouncing sound waves through the body
sound
Understanding Prefixes | 55
The Right Match
Match the prefix on the left with the correct definition on the right.
I.
a-, an-
a.
bad
1.
hypo-
b.
slow
3.
neo-
c.
small
A.
tachy-
d.
false
5.
trans-
e.
around
6.
dys-
7.
macro-
g.
deficient, abnormally low, below
8.
hyper-
h.
without or absence of
9.
circum-
f.
normal or good
i.
different
10. brady-
j.
rapid, fast
I I. micro-
k.
12. eu-
I.
bad, abnormal, painful, or difficult
large or great
13. mal-
m.
large
14. pseudo-
n.
through, across, or beyond
15. heter-. hetero-
o.
new
16. mega-, megalo-
p.
excessive, abnormally high, above
56 | Chapter 3
>► Chapter Review
Word Building
_
Construct medical terms from the following meanings. The first question has been completed for you as an example.
1.
excessive or abnormally high sensitivity to painful stimuli
2.
a substance that stops convulsions
convulsive
3.
process by which foods are changed into
bolism
energy for use by the body
4.
condition of seeing a single object as two images
5.
paralysis of half the body
6.
has given birth more than once
7.
has never given birth
8.
a disease that is highly prevalent
9.
paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body
10.
inflammation of many medium and small arteries
I 1.
having given birth for the first time
12.
toward the midline of the body
_duction
13.
procedure that removes uric acid and urea from blood
Jysis
14.
body part that is apart or away from its normal position
15.
pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants
_opia
.
_para
_para
_demic
arteritis
_para
_—
located
_pic
somewhere outside the uterus
_dermal
16.
within the layers of the skin
17.
membrane that covers around the heart
_cardium
18.
a group of symptoms or signs occurring together
jdrome
19.
pertaining to not having symptoms
20.
a state of sterility, having no living pathogens
21.
slowing or decreasing movement:
22.
removal of the foreskin around the penis
23.
"normal" or "good" death
24.
abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood
25.
false pregnancy
26.
rapid heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
27.
twins that are joined together
28.
literally, "against conception"
29.
ability to use both hands equally
symptomatic
sepsis
kinesia
_cision
_thanasia
_calcemla
_cyesis
_cardia
_joined
_ception
dextrous
Understanding Prefixes | 57
30.
pertaining to two focal points
31.
paralysis of one limb or muscle/muscle group
32.
paralysis of four limbs
33.
partially conscious
34.
a woman who has given birth three times
35.
a woman who has given birth to one child
36.
away from the midiine of the body
37.
process of cutting up
_tomy
38.
before birth
_natal
39.
within the stomach
_gastric
40.
layer of skin that is over the dermis layer
41.
condition in which the eye deviates inward
_cropia
42.
condition in which the eye deviates away
_tropia
dermis
from its normal position
43.
outside the cellular area
_ce!lular
44.
position below another point of reference
Jerior
45.
position between the vertebrae
..vertebral
46.
abnormal hearing or a disorder in hearing
_cusis
47.
to follow after birth
_partum
48.
area below the skin
^cutaneous
49.
position above another point of reference
_ior
50.
without, or absence of, oxygen
_oxia
51.
learning disability that involves impaired
Jexla
reading, spelling, and writing ability
52.
eyes oriented in different directions
_tropia
53.
literally, "process of large head"
_cephaly
54.
literally, "bad absorption"
.absorption
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY INTERACTIVE
Medical Terminology Interactive is a premium online homework management system
that includes a host of features to help you study. Registered users will find:
• Fun games and activities built within a virtual hospital
• Powerful tools that track and analyze your results—allowing you to create a personalized
learning experience
• Videos, flashcards, and audio pronunciations to help enrich your progress
• Streaming video lesson presentations and self-paced learning modules
www.pearsonhighered.com/mti
!►►►
CHAPTER
The Human Body
in Health and Disease
After completing this chapter,
you will be able to:
Define and spell the word
parts used to create terms for
the human body.
Identify the building blocks,
organ systems, and cavities of
the body.
Identify the anatomical planes,
regions, and directional terms
used to describe areas of the
body.
Break down and define the
important terms associated
with the anatomy and
physiology of the human body.
Define the introductory
terms associated with medical
terminology.
Identify the five major
diagnostic imaging procedures.
58