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Medical Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes Glossary
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This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. There are
a few rules when using medical roots. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes,
primarily in Greek, but also in Latin, 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 it is technically considered
acceptable to create hybrid words, it is strongly preferred to not 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 |
Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-),
without, not |
Apathy, Analgia |
ab- |
away from |
Latin |
Abduction |
abdomin(o)- |
Of or relating to the abdomen |
Latin (abdōmen), abdomen, fat around the
belly |
Abdomen |
-ac,
-acal |
pertaining to |
Greek -ακός (-akos) |
cardiac,
hydrophobiac, pharmacomaniacal |
acanth(o)- |
thorn or spine |
Ancient Greek ἄκανθα
(akantha), thorn |
acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus |
acous(io)- |
Of or relating to hearing |
Greek ἀκουστικός
(acoustikos), of or for hearing |
acoumeter, acoustician |
acr(o)- |
extremity, topmost |
Greek ἄκρον
(akron), highest or farthest point |
Acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, 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 |
aden(o)-, aden(i)- |
Of or relating to a gland |
Ancient Greek ἀδήν,
ἀδέν-
(adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland |
Adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus |
adip(o)- |
Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue |
Latin (adeps, adip-), fat |
Adipocyte |
adren(o)- |
Of or relating to adrenal
glands |
Latin |
adrenal artery |
-aemia (BrE) |
blood condition |
Greek ἀναιμία,
without blood |
Anaemia |
aer(o)- |
air, gas |
Greek ἀήρ,
ἀέρος |
Aerosinusitis |
aesthesio- (BrE) |
sensation |
Greek αἴσθησις |
Anesthesia |
-al |
pertaining to |
Latin -alis |
abdominal |
alb- |
Denoting a white or pale color |
Latin albus, white |
Albino |
alge(si)- |
pain |
Greek ἄλγος |
Analgesic |
-algia |
pain |
Greek |
Myalgia |
alg(i)o- |
pain |
Greek |
Myalgia |
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 |
amph-,
amphi- |
on both sides |
Greek ἀμφί
(amphi) |
Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin |
an- |
not, without |
Greek |
Analgesia |
ana- |
back, again, up |
Greek |
Anaplasia |
an(o) |
anus |
Latin |
|
andr(o)- |
pertaining to a man |
Greek ἀνήρ,
ἀνδρ- |
Andrology, android |
angi(o)- |
blood
vessel |
Greek ἀγγεῖον |
Angiogram |
aniso- |
Describing something as unequal |
Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος
(anīsos), unequal |
Anisotropic, anisocytosis |
ankyl(o)-,
ancyl(o)- |
Denoting something as crooked or bent |
Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος
(ankýlos), crooked, curved |
Ankylosis |
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, antipsychotic |
apo- |
separated from, derived from |
Ancient Greek ἀπό |
Apoptosis |
arch(i,e,o) |
first, primitive |
|
archinephron : first formed
kidney |
arteri(o)- |
Of or pertaining to an artery |
Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία
(artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a
vein) |
Artery, Arteriole |
arthr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs |
Ancient Greek αρθρος
(arthros), a joint, limb |
Arthritis |
articul(o)- |
joint |
Latin articulum |
Articulation |
-ary |
pertaining to |
Latin -arius |
bilary
tract |
-ase |
enzyme |
Greek
διάστασις,
division |
Lactase |
-asthenia |
weakness |
Greek, ἀσθένεια |
Myasthenia
gravis |
atel(o) |
imperfect or incomplete development |
|
atelocardia : imperfect development of
the heart |
-ation |
process |
Latin |
|
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 or glans clitoridis |
Greek
βάλανος - balanos, acorn,
glans |
Balanitis |
bi- |
twice, double |
Latin |
|
bio- |
life |
Ancient Greek βίος |
Biology |
blast(o)- |
germ or bud |
Greek
βλαστός |
Blastomere |
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 |
brachy- |
Indicating 'short' or less commonly
'little' |
Ancient Greek βραχύς
(brachys), short; little, shallow |
brachycephalic |
brady- |
'slow' |
Ancient Greek βραδύς
(bradys), slow |
Bradycardia |
bronch(i)- |
bronchus |
|
Bronchiolitis
obliterans |
bucc(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the cheek |
Latin (bucca), cheek |
Buccolabial |
burs(o)- |
bursa
(fluid sac between the bones) |
Latin |
Bursitis |
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 |
carcin(o)- |
cancer |
Greek καρκίνος
(karkinos), crab |
Carcinoma |
cardi(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the heart |
Ancient Greek καρδία
(kardía), heart |
Cardiology |
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 |
-cele |
pouching, hernia |
Ancient Greek κήλη
(kēlē) |
Hydrocele |
-centesis |
surgical puncture for aspiration |
Ancient Greek
κέντησις (kentēsis) |
Amniocentesis |
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; a horn |
Ancient Greek κέρας,
κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn |
Ceratoid |
cerebell(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the cerebellum |
Latin (cerebellum), little brain |
Cerebellum |
cerebr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the brain |
Latin (cerebrum), brain |
Cerebrology |
cervic- |
Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix |
Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck,
cervix |
Cervicodorsal |
chem(o)- |
chemistry, drug |
Greek
χημεία |
Chemotherapy |
chir(o)-, cheir(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the hand |
Ancient Greek χείρ,
χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand |
Chiropractor |
chlor(o)- |
Denoting a green color |
Ancient Greek χλωρός
(chloros), green, yellow-green |
Chlorophyll |
chol(e)- |
Of or pertaining to bile |
Ancient Greek χολή
(cholē), bile |
Cholaemia |
cholecyst(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the gallbladder |
Ancient Greek
χοληκύστις
(cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολή
(cholē), bile, gall + κύστις
(kýstis), bladder |
Cholecystectomy |
chondr(i)o- |
cartilage, gristle, granule, granular |
Ancient Greek
χονδρός (chondros) |
Chondrocalcinosis |
chrom(ato)- |
color |
Ancient Greek χρῶμα |
Hemachromatosis |
-cidal, -cide |
killing, destroying |
Latin |
bacteriocidal |
cili- |
Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids |
< Latin (cilium), eyelash;
eyelid |
Ciliary |
circum- |
Denoting something as 'around' another |
Latin (circum), around |
Circumcision |
cis- |
on this side |
Latin (cis) |
|
clast |
break |
Greek
κλαστός |
osteoclast |
co- |
with, together, in association |
Latin |
|
col-, colo-, colono- |
colon |
|
Colonoscopy |
colp(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the vagina |
Ancient Greek κόλπος
(kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth |
Colposcopy |
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 |
cornu- |
Applied to processes and parts of the body
describing them likened or similar to horns |
Latin (cornū), horn |
|
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 |
|
Endocrine |
cry(o)- |
cold |
Greek κρύος |
Cryoablation |
cutane- |
skin |
Latin |
Subcutaneous |
cyan(o)- |
Denotes a blue color |
Ancient Greek
κύανος,
κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos),
blue |
Cyanopsia |
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 |
Ancient Greek κύστις
(kýstis), bladder; cyst |
Cystotomy |
cyt(o)- |
cell |
Greek κύτος |
Cytokine |
-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 |
dermat(o)-, derm(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the skin |
Ancient Greek δέρμα,
δέρματ- (dérma, démat-), skin,
human skin |
Dermatology |
-desis |
binding |
Greek δέσις
(desis) |
arthrodesis |
dextr(o)- |
right, on the right side |
Latin dexter |
Dextrocardia |
di- |
two |
Greek δι- |
|
di- |
apart, separation |
Latin |
|
dia- |
(same as Greek
meaning) |
Ancient Greek διά (diá),
through, during, across |
Diacetyl |
dif- |
apart, separation |
Latin |
|
digit- |
Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a
root] |
Latin (digitus), finger, toe |
Digit |
dis- |
separation, taking apart |
Latin dis- |
Dissection |
dors(o)-, dors(i)- |
Of or pertaining to the back |
Latin (dorsum), back |
dorsal, Dorsocephalad |
duodeno- |
duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small
intestine (twelve inches long on average), connects to the stomach |
Latin duodeni |
Duodenal
atresia |
dynam(o)- |
force, energy, power |
Greek δύναμις
(dunamis) |
|
-dynia |
pain |
|
Vulvodynia |
dys- |
bad, difficult |
Greek δυσ- |
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 |
-ectasis |
expansion, dilation |
Ancient Greek ἔκτασις |
Bronchiectasis |
-ectomy |
Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body
part. Resection, excision |
Ancient Greek ἐκτομή
(ectomē), excision |
Mastectomy |
-emesis |
vomiting condition |
Greek ἕμεσις |
Hematemesis |
-emia |
blood condition (AmE) |
Greek ἀν-αιμία,
without blood |
Anemia |
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, Endospore |
enter(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the intestine |
Ancient Greek ἔντερον
(énteron), intestine |
Gastroenterology |
epi- |
[Same as Greek meaning: on,
upon] |
Ancient Greek ἐπι-
(epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of |
Epistaxis, epicardium, episclera, epidural |
episi(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the
loins |
Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον-
(epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva |
Episiotomy |
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 |
ex- |
out of, away from |
Latin |
|
exo- |
Denotes something as 'outside' another |
Ancient Greek ἐξω-
(exo-), outside of, external |
Exoskeleton |
extra- |
outside |
Latin |
|
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 |
filli- |
fine, hair like |
|
|
-form, -iform |
Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the
form of' |
Latin (forma), form, shape |
Cuneiform |
fossa |
|
Latin (fossa), ditch, pit |
fossa
ovalis |
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 |
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 |
genu- |
Of or pertaining to the knee |
Latin (genū), knee |
Genu
valgum |
gingiv- |
Of or pertaining to the gums |
Latin (gingīva), gum |
Gingivitis |
glauc(o)- |
Denoting a grey, bluish-grey color |
Ancient Greek γλαῦκος
(glaúkos), grey, bluish-grey |
Glaucoma |
gloss(o)-, glott(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the tongue |
Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα
(glōssa, glōtta), tongue |
Glossology |
gluco- |
glucose |
Greek γλυκός,
sweet |
Glucocorticoid |
glyco- |
sugar |
|
Glycolysis |
gnath(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the jaw |
Ancient Greek γνάθος
(gnáthos), jaw |
Gnathodynamometer |
-gnosis |
knowledge |
Greek |
diagnosis, prognosis |
gon(o)- |
seed, semen; also, reproductive |
Ancient Greek
γόνος |
Gonorrhea |
-gram |
record or picture |
Greek
γράμμα |
Angiogram |
-graph |
record 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 |
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, older form Haematology |
hema or hemo- |
blood (AmE) |
Greek |
Hematological
malignancy |
hemi- |
one-half |
Ancient Greek ἡμι-
(hēmi-), "half" |
Cerebral
hemisphere |
hepat- (hepatic-) |
Of or pertaining to the liver |
Ancient Greek ἥπαρ,
ἡπατο-
(hēpar, hēpato-), the liver |
Hepatology |
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 |
Greek ἱδρωτ- |
Hyperhidrosis |
hist(o)-, histio- |
tissue |
Greek ἱστός |
Histology |
home(o)- |
similar |
Ancient Greek ὅμοιος
(homoios) |
Homeopathy |
hom(o)- |
Denotes something as 'the same' as another or
common |
Ancient Greek ὁμο-
(homo-), the same, common |
Homosexuality |
humer(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the
upper arm) |
Incorrect Etymology < Latin (umerus),
shoulder |
Humerus |
hydr(o)- |
water |
Greek ὕδωρ |
Hydrophobe |
hyper- |
Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond
normal' |
Ancient Greek ὑπέρ
(hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme |
Hypertension |
hyp(o)- |
Denotes something as 'below normal' |
Ancient Greek ὑπ(ο)-
(hypo-), below, under |
Hypovolemia, |
hyster(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the womb, the
uterus |
Ancient Greek ὑστέρα
(hystéra), womb |
Hysterectomy |
I
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
-i-asis |
condition |
Greek -ίασις |
Mydriasis |
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 |
-iatry |
Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body
component |
Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός
(iātrós), healer, physician |
Podiatry, Psychiatry |
-ic |
pertaining to |
Greek -ικός (-ikos) |
Hepatic artery |
-icle |
small |
Latin |
Ovarian
follicle |
-ics |
organized knowledge, treatment |
Latin -ica < Greek <
-ικά |
|
idio- |
self, one's own |
Greek ἴδιος,
idios, "one's own" |
Idiopathic |
ileo- |
ileum |
Greek ἰλεός |
Ileocecal valve |
infra- |
below |
Latin |
Infrahyoid
muscles |
inter- |
between, among |
Latin |
Interarticular
ligament |
intra- |
within |
Latin |
Intracranial
hemorrhage |
irid(o)- |
iris |
Greek ἴρις |
Iridectomy |
ischio- |
Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint |
Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν
(ischión), hip-joint, ischium |
Ischiorrhogic |
-ism |
condition, disease |
|
Dwarfism |
-ismus |
spasm, contraction |
Greek -ισμός |
|
iso- |
Denoting something as being 'equal' |
Ancient Greek ἴσος
(ísos), equal |
Isotonic |
-ist |
one who specializes in |
Greek -ιστής
(-istes) |
Pathologist |
-ite |
the nature of, resembling |
Greek -ίτης |
Hermaphrodite |
-itis |
inflammation |
|
Tonsillitis |
-ium |
structure, tissue |
|
pericardium |
isch- |
Restriction |
Greek ἴσχω |
Ischemia |
K
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
karyo- |
nucleus |
Greek κάρυον,
"nut" |
Eukaryote |
kerat(o)- |
cornea (eye or skin) |
Greek |
Keratoscope |
kin(e)-, kin(o),
kinesi(o)- |
movement |
Greek κινέω |
Kinesthesia |
koil(o)- |
hollow |
Greek κοῖλος
(koilos) |
Koilocyte |
kyph(o)- |
humped |
Greek κυφός |
Kyphoscoliosis |
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 |
lact(i)-, lact(o) |
milk |
Latin |
Lactation |
lapar(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the abdomen-wall,
flank |
Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ (lapárā),
flank |
Laparotomy |
laryng(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the larynx,
the lower throat cavity where the voice box is |
Ancient Greek
λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ-
(lárynx, laryng-), throat, gullet |
Larynx |
latero- |
lateral |
Latin |
Lateral pectoral
nerve |
lei(o)- |
smooth |
Greek λεῖος |
Leiomyoma |
-lepsis, -lepsy |
attack, seizure |
Greek λῆψις |
Epilepsy, narcolepsy |
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 |
lip(o)- |
fat |
Greek λίπος |
Liposuction |
lith(o)- |
stone, calculus |
Greek λίθος |
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 |
Ancient Greek λόγoς (logos)
study |
hematology, urology |
lymph(o)- |
lymph |
Greek λέμφος,
λύμφη |
Lymphedema |
lys(o)-, -lytic |
dissolution |
Greek |
Lysosome |
-lysis |
Destruction, separation |
Greek λύσις |
Paralysis |
M
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
macr(o)- |
large, long |
Greek
μακρός |
Macrophage |
-malacia |
softening |
Greek μαλακία |
Osteomalacia |
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 |
meg(a)-, megal(o)-,
-megaly |
enlargement |
Greek μέγας |
Splenomegaly |
melan(o)- |
black color |
Ancient Greek μέλας,
μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark |
Melanin |
melos |
extremity |
Ancient Greek
μέλος |
erythromelalgia |
mening(o)- |
membrane |
Greek μῆνιγξ,
μηνιγγ- |
Meningitis |
mero- |
part |
Greek μέρος (meros),
part |
merocrine, meroblastic |
mes(o)- |
middle |
Ancient Greek μέσος
(mesos), "middle" |
Mesoderm |
meta- |
after, behind |
Greek μετά |
Metacarpus |
-meter |
measurement |
Greek
μέτρον |
Sphygmomanometer |
-metry |
process of measuring |
Greek
-μετρία |
Optometry |
metr(o)- |
Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the
uterus |
Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā),
womb, uterus |
Metrorrhagia |
micro- |
denoting something as small, or relating to smallness |
Ancient Greek μικρός
(mikros), small |
Microscope |
mon(o)- |
single |
Greek μονός |
Infectious
mononucleosis |
morph(o)- |
form, shape |
Greek μορφή |
Morphology |
muscul(o)- |
muscle |
Latin |
Musculoskeletal
system |
my(o)- |
Of or relating to muscle |
Ancient Greek μῦς,
μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel |
Myoblast |
myc(o)- |
fungus |
Greek μύκης,
μυκητ- |
Onychomycosis |
myel(o)- |
Of or relating to bone marrow |
Ancient Greek μυελόν
(myelon), marrow; bone-marrow |
Myeloblast |
myring(o)- |
eardrum |
Latin myringa |
Myringotomy |
myx(o)- |
mucus |
Greek μύξα |
Myxoma |
N
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
narc(o)- |
numb, sleep |
Greek νάρκη |
narcolepsy |
nas(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the nose |
Latin (nāsum), nose |
nasal |
necr(o)- |
death |
Greek
νεκρός |
Necrotizing
fasciitis |
neo- |
new |
Greek νέος |
Neoplasm |
nephr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the kidney |
Ancient Greek νεφρός
(nephrós), kidney |
Nephrology |
nerv- |
Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system
[Uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used] |
Latin (nervus), tendon; nerve; Cognate with the
Greek νευρον (neuron) (see below) |
Nerve |
neur(i)-, neur(o)- |
Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system |
Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neuron), tendon,
sinew; nerve |
Neurofibromatosis |
normo- |
normal |
Latin |
Normocapnia |
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 |
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, mass, collection |
Greek -ωμα |
Sarcoma, Teratoma |
omphal(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus |
Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός
(omphalós), navel, belly-button |
Omphalotomy |
onco- |
tumor, bulk, volume |
Greek ὄγκος |
Oncology |
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 |
oophor(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the woman's ovary |
Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον
(ōophóron), ovary, egg-bearing |
Oophorectomy |
ophthalm(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the eye |
Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός
(ophthalmós), the eye |
Ophthalmology |
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 |
orchi(o)-, orchido- |
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, Psychosis, osteoperosis |
osseo- |
bony |
Latin |
|
ossi- |
bone |
Latin |
Peripheral ossifying fibroma |
ost(e)-, oste(o)- |
bone |
Greek ὀστέον |
Osteoporosis |
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 |
Greek ὀξύς |
|
oxy- |
sharp, acid,
acute, oxygen |
Greek ὀξύς |
|
P
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
pachy- |
thick |
Greek παχύς |
pachyderma |
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, panopticon |
papill- |
Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the
chest/breast) |
Latin (papilla), nipple; dimunitive of papula (see
below) |
Papillitis |
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 |
|
-paresis |
slight paralysis |
Greek
πάρεσις |
hemiparesis |
parvo- |
small |
Latin parvus |
Parvovirus |
path(o)- |
disease |
Greek πάθος |
Pathology |
-pathy |
Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or
disorder |
Ancient Greek πάθος
(pathos), suffering, accident |
sociopathy, neuropathy |
ped-, -ped-, -pes |
Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed |
Latin (pēs, pēd-), foot |
Pedoscope |
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- |
hip bone |
Latin |
Pelvis |
-penia |
deficiency |
Greek πενία |
osteopenia |
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 |
per- |
through |
Latin |
|
peri- |
Denoting something with a position 'surrounding'
or 'around' another |
Ancient Greek περί (peri),
around |
Periodontal |
-pexy |
fixation |
Greek πῆξις |
Nephropexy |
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 |
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 |
phallo- |
phallus |
Greek φαλλός
(phallos) |
Aphallia |
pharmaco- |
drug, medication |
Greek φάρμακον |
pharmacology |
pharyng(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat
cavity |
Ancient Greek
φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ-
(phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm |
Pharyngitis, 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 |
phob(o)- |
exaggerated fear, sensitivity |
Greek φόβος |
arachnophobia |
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 |
phot(o)- |
Of or pertaining to light |
Ancient Greek φῶς,
φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light |
Photopathy |
phren(i)-, phren(o)-,
phrenico |
[[diaphragm (anatomy)|diaphragm], the
mind] |
Greek φρήν,
φρεν- |
Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia |
-plasia |
formation, development |
Greek
πλάσις |
Achondroplasia |
-plasty |
surgical repair, reconstruction |
Greek
πλαστός |
rhinoplasty |
-plegia |
paralysis |
Greek πληγή |
paraplegia |
pleio- |
more, excessive, multiple |
Greek pleion |
pleiomorphism |
pleur(o)-, pleur(a) |
Of or pertaining to the ribs |
Latin (pleura) < Ancient Greek
πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the
body |
Pleurogenous |
-plexy |
stroke or seizure |
Greek πλῆξις |
Cataplexy |
pneum(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the lungs |
Ancient Greek
πνεύμων,
πνευμον- (pneumōn, pneumon-), lung
< πνεῦμα
(pneuma), wind, spirit |
Pneumonocyte, Pneumonia |
pneumat(o)- |
air, lung |
|
|
pod-, -pod-, -pus |
Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed |
Ancient Greek πούς,
ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot |
Podiatry |
-poiesis |
production |
|
hematopoiesis |
polio- |
Denoting a grey color |
Ancient Greek πολιός
(poliós), grey |
Poliomyelitis |
poly- |
Denotes a 'plurality' of something |
Ancient Greek πολυς
(polys), much, many |
Polymyositis |
por(o)- |
pore, porous |
|
|
porphyr(o)- |
Denotes a purple color |
Ancient Greek
πορπύρα (porphýra), purple |
Porphyroblast |
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 |
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, rectum |
|
proctology |
prot(o)- |
Denotes something as 'first' or
'most-important' |
Ancient Greek πρωτος
(prōtos), first; principle, most important |
Protoneuron |
pseudo- |
Denotes something false or fake |
psych(e)-, psych(o) |
Of or pertaining to the mind |
Ancient Greek ψυχή
(psyché), breath, life, soul |
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. |
Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used
in plural), a lung |
pulmonary |
pyel(o)- |
pelvis |
Ancient Greek (pyelos) |
Pyelonephritis |
pyo- |
pus |
Greek πύον |
Pyometra |
pyro- |
fever |
Greek πῦρ,
πυρετός |
Antipyretic |
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 |
rect(o)- |
rectum |
Latin |
|
ren(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the kidney |
Latin (rēnes), kidney |
renal |
reticul(o)- |
net |
Latin |
|
retro- |
backward, behind |
Latin |
retroverted |
rhabd(o)- |
rod shaped, striated |
Greek ῥάβδος |
|
rhachi(o)- |
spine |
Greek ῥάχις |
rachial, rachialgia, rachidian,
rachiopathy |
rhin(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the nose |
Ancient Greek ῥίς,
ῥῑνο-
(rhīs, rhīno-), nose |
rhinoceros, 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, Diarrhea |
-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, Salpingopharyngeus
muscle |
sangui-, sanguine- |
Of or pertaining to blood |
Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood |
Sanguine |
sarco- |
muscular, fleshlike |
Greek σάρξ,
σαρκ- |
sarcoma |
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 |
scler(o)- |
hardness |
Greek
σκληρός |
atherosclerosis |
-sclerosis |
hardening of the skin |
Greek |
Multiple
sclerosis |
scoli(o)- |
twisted |
Greek σκολιός
(skolios) |
scoliosis |
-scope |
instrument for viewing |
Greek
-σκόπος |
stethoscope |
-scopy |
use of instrument for viewing |
Greek
-σκοπία |
endoscopy |
semi- |
one-half, partly |
Latin |
|
sial(o)- |
saliva, salivary gland |
Greek σίαλος
(sialos) |
sialagogue |
sigmoid(o)- |
sigmoid, sigmoid colon |
Greek
σιγμοειδής |
|
sinistr(o)- |
left, left side |
Latin |
|
sinus- |
Of or pertaining to the sinus |
Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay |
Sinusitis |
sito- |
food, grain |
Greek σῖτος |
|
somat(o)-, somatico- |
body, bodily |
Greek σῶμα |
|
spasmo- |
spasm |
Greek
σπασμός |
|
sperma-, spermo-,
spermato- |
semen, spermatozoa |
Greek σπέρμα
(sperma) |
Spermatogenesis |
splanchn(i)-,
splanchn(o)- |
viscera |
Greek
σπλάγχνον |
|
splen(o)- |
spleen |
Greek σπλήν,
σπλην- |
Splenectomy |
spondyl(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra |
Greek
σπόνδυλος /
σφόνδυλος, (spóndylos /
sphóndylos), the spine |
Spondylitis |
squamos(o)- |
Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly' |
Latin (sqāmōsus), full of scales;
scaly |
Squama |
-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 |
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 |
stheno- |
strength, force, power |
Greek
σθένος |
|
stom(a) |
mouth |
Greek στόμα |
stomatognathic
system |
stomat(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the mouth |
Ancient Greek στόμα,
στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth |
Stomatogastric |
-stomy |
creation of an opening |
Greek
-στομία |
colostomy |
sub- |
beneath |
Latin |
subcutaneous
tissue |
super- |
in excess, above, superior |
Latin |
superior vena
cava |
supra- |
above, excessive |
Latin |
supraorbital
vein |
sy(l)-, sym-, syn-,
sys- |
Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together;
Assimilates before some consonants: before l to
syl-, s to sys-,
before a labial to
sym-. |
Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with,
together |
Synalgia, Synesthesia, 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 |
-tension, -tensive |
pressure |
Latin |
Hypertension |
tetan- |
rigid, tense |
|
tetanus |
thec- |
case, sheath |
Ancient Greek θήκη
(theke) |
Intrathecal |
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 |
thromb(o)- |
Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of
blood |
Ancient Greek
θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot
of blood |
Thrombus, Thrombocytopenia |
thyr(o)- |
thyroid |
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, poison |
Greek
τοξικόν |
Toxoplasmosis |
trache(o)- |
trachea |
Greek
τραχεία |
|
trachel(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the neck |
Ancient Greek
τράχηλος (tráchēlos),
neck |
Tracheotomy |
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 |
-tripsy |
crushing |
Greek τρίψις |
Lithotripsy |
-trophy |
nourishment, development |
Greek -τροφία,
τροφή |
Pseudohypertrophy |
tympan(o)- |
eardrum |
Greek
τύμπανον |
Tympanocentesis |
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 |
Latin (umbilīcus), navel,
belly-button |
Umbilical |
ungui- |
Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw |
Latin (unguis), nail, claw |
Unguiform, Ungual |
un(i)- |
one |
Latin (unus) |
Unilateral
hearing loss |
ur(o)- |
Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system;
(specifically) pertaining to the physiological chemistry of urine |
Ancient Greek οὖρον
(ouron), urine |
Urology |
uri(c)-, urico- |
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 |
V
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
vagin- |
Of or pertaining to the vagina |
Latin (vāgīna), sheath,
scabbard |
Vagina |
varic(o)- |
swollen or twisted vein |
Latin |
varicose |
vas(o)- |
duct, blood vessel |
Latin |
vasoconstriction |
vasculo- |
blood vessel |
Latin |
|
ven- |
Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein
[used in terms pertaining to the vascular system
] |
Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein |
Vein, Venospasm |
ventr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach
cavities |
Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the
womb |
Ventrodorsal |
vesic(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the bladder |
Latin (vēsīca), bladder;
blister |
Vesica |
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 |
Y
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
-y |
condition or process of |
Latin -ia < Greek -ία |
Surgery |
Z
Prefix/suffix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
zo(o)- |
animal, animal life |
Greek ζῷον |
|
zym(o)- |
fermentation, enzyme |
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 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 |
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- |
- |
eggs, ova |
oo- |
ov- |
- |
eye |
ophthalm(o)- |
ocul(o)- |
optic(o) [French] |
eyelid |
blephar(o)- |
cili-; palpebr- |
- |
face |
- |
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 all medical glossaries:
Published - February 2011
Text is available under the Creative
Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
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