Medical Prefixes and Terminology

Introduction

• Discussion led by John Campbell on medical prefixes.
• Importance of prefixes: they provide context to medical terms.

Prefix: A- or An-

• Apnea: Without breath
• Achlorhydria: Without hydrochloric acid
• Atony: Loss of muscle tone
• Anaerobic: Without oxygen
• Anemic: Lack of blood
• Anesthesia: Without feeling

Prefix: Anti-

• Antibiotic: Against bacteria
• Antiperistalsis: Reverse peristalsis
• Anti-inflammatory: Against inflammation

Prefix: Ante-

• Antenatal: Before birth

Prefix: Brady-

• Bradypnea: Slow breathing
• Bradycardia: Slow heart rate
• Bradykinesia: Slow movement

Prefix: Cardio-

• Cardiac Arrest: Heart stoppage
• Cardiomegaly: Enlarged heart
• Cardiology: Study of the heart

Prefix: Chole-

• Cholecystectomy: Removal of gallbladder
• Cholangitis: Inflammation of bile ducts
• Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder

Prefix: Colo-

• Colostomy: Opening of the colon
• Colectomy: Removal of colon
• Colitis: Inflammation of the colon
• Coliform: Type of bacteria in the colon

Prefix: Cyst-

• Cystitis: Inflammation of bladder
• Cystoscopy: Examination of bladder

Prefix: Endo-

• Endocardium: Inside layer of the heart
• Endocarditis: Inflammation of endocardium
• Endometrium: Inside layer of uterus

Prefix: Enteric-

• Enteric Fever: Intestinal infection
• Enteral Feeding: Feeding into the intestines

Prefix: Dys-

• Dysuria: Painful urination
• Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation
• Dyspnea: Difficult breathing
• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing
• Dysphasia: Difficulty speaking

Prefix: Gastro-

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach
• Gastroscopy: Examination of the stomach
• Gastroparesis: Stomach weakness

Prefix: Gly-

• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar
• Glycogen: Storage form of glucose

Prefix: Hem-/Haem-

• Hematuria: Blood in urine
• Hematemesis: Blood in vomit
• Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood

Prefix: Hemi-

• Hemiplegia: Paralysis of half the body
• Hemicolectomy: Removal of half the colon

Prefix: Hepat-

• Hepatocyte: Liver cell
• Hepatitis: Inflammation of liver
• Hepatomegaly: Enlarged liver

Prefix: Hyper-/Hypo-

• Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar
• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar

Prefix: Lapar-

• Laparotomy: Opening of abdomen
• Laparoscopy: Examination of abdomen

Prefix: Lith-

• Lithiasis: Presence of stones
• Lithotripsy: Crushing of stones

Prefix: Lip-

• Lipoemia: Fat in blood
• Dyslipidemia: Abnormal blood fat levels
• Lipoma: Fatty lump

Prefix: Mal-

• Malfunction: Abnormal function
• Malabsorption: Abnormal absorption
• Malnutrition: Abnormal nutrition

Prefix: Mast-

• Mastectomy: Removal of breast
• Mastitis: Inflammation of breast
• Mastalgia: Breast pain
• Gynecomastia: Male breast tissue enlargement

Prefix: Myo-

• Myocarditis: Inflammation of heart muscle
• Myopathy: Muscle disease
• Myoma: Muscle lump

Prefix: Nephro-

• Nephrology: Study of kidneys
• Nephrotic Syndrome: Protein loss in urine
• Nephritis: Kidney inflammation

Prefix: Oligo-

• Oliguria: Low urine output
• Oligospermia: Low sperm count

Prefix: Peri-

• Pericarditis: Inflammation around heart
• Perinatal: Around birth

Prefix: Prostate-

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of prostate
• Prostatectomy: Removal of prostate

Prefix: Pyro-

• Pyrexia: Fever
• Antipyretic: Fever reducing

Prefix: Tachy-

• Tachycardia: Fast heart rate
• Tachypnea: Fast breathing

These notes summarize the key prefixes in medical terminology and their meanings in context. They provide a base understanding of how prefixes modify the meaning of medical terms and describe various conditions and procedures.