Medical Prefixes You Should Know

A - "Without"

• Example: Aphasia - without the ability to communicate.

Ab - "Away"

• Example: Abduction - moving arms away from the body.

Ad - "Toward"

• Example: Adduction - moving arms toward the trunk of the body.

Acu - "Hearing"

• Example: Acoustic Trauma - damage to hearing.

Acra - "Extreme/Extremity"

• Example: Acrocyanosis - bluish color in extremities, seen in newborns.

Andro - "Male Reproductive System"

• Example: Androgens - sex hormones promoting male characteristics.

Angie - "Vessel"

• Example: Angioma - tumor made up of blood vessels.

Anti - "Before/In Front of"

• Example: Antecubital - region before/in front of the elbow.

Anti - "Against/Instead of"

• Example: Antibiotics - works against bacteria.

Arth - "Joint"

• Example: Arthritis - inflammation affecting joints.

Auto - "Self/Own"

• Example: Autoimmune Disease - disease attacking own tissues.

Bi - "Two"

• Example: Bicuspid Valve - valve with two cusps.

Bio - "Life"

• Example: Biology - the study of life.

Blast - "Bud/Immature Form"

• Example: Blastocyte - immature cell.

Brady - "Slow"

• Example: Bradycardia - slow heart rate (<60 bpm in adults).

Broncho - "Lungs"

• Example: Bronchoconstriction - narrowing of large lung tubes.

Bucco - "Cheek"

• Example: Buccal Route - medication given in the cheek.

Cardio - "Heart"

• Example: Cardiologist - heart specialist.

Cephal - "Head"

• Example: Cephalic - relating to the head.

Cerebro - "Brain/Cerebrum"

• Example: Cerebrovascular Accident - stroke affecting the brain.

Circum - "Around"

• Example: Circumduction - moving limbs in a circular motion.

Cos - "Ribs"

• Example: Costovertebral - where ribs meet vertebrae.

Derm - "Skin"

• Example: Dermis - middle layer of skin.

Dys - "Difficult"

• Example: Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing/eating.

Endo - "Within"

• Example: Endoscopy - procedure to look within the body.

Entero - "Intestine"

• Example: Enteritis - inflammation of the intestines.

Epi - "Above/On Top of"

• Example: Epidermis - top layer of skin.

Erythro - "Red"

• Example: Erythrocyte - red blood cell.

Gastro - "Stomach"

• Example: Gastritis - inflammation of the stomach.

Glossy-o - "Tongue"

• Example: Glossopharyngeal Nerve - controls tongue movement.

Gyneco - "Female Reproductive System"

• Example: Gynecologist - specialist in female reproductive system.

Hemi - "Half"

• Example: Hemispheres - halves of the brain.

Hemo/Hema - "Blood"

• Example: Hematologist - specialist in blood disorders.

Hepat - "Liver"

• Example: Hepatitis - inflammation of the liver.

Hydro - "Water"

• Example: Hydronephrosis - excess fluid on kidneys.

Hyper - "Excessive/High"

• Example: Hypernatremia - high sodium levels in blood.

Hypo - "Low/Below"

• Example: Hyponatremia - low sodium levels in blood.

Inter - "Between"

• Example: Intercostal - space between ribs.

Intra - "Within/Inside"

• Example: Intravenous - within venous system.

Iso - "Equal"

• Example: Isotonic - solutions with equal tonicity as blood plasma.

Lipo - "Fat"

• Example: Liposuction - removal of fat.

Macro - "Large"

• Example: Macrocytic Anemia - large red blood cells.

Meningo - "Membrane"

• Example: Meningitis - inflammation of brain's membrane.

Meta - "Beyond"

• Example: Metatarsal - bones beyond the tarsals of the foot.

Micro - "Small"

• Example: Microcytic Anemia - small red blood cells.

Myo - "Muscle"

• Example: Myocardium - heart muscle layer.

Nephro - "Kidney"

• Example: Nephrologist - kidney specialist.

Neuro - "Nerve"

• Example: Neurologist - nerve/brain specialist.

Oligo - "Scanty/Little"

• Example: Oliguria - little urine output.

Ophthalmol - "Eye"

• Example: Ophthalmologist - eye specialist.

Osteo - "Bone"

• Example: Osteoporosis - bone disorder.

Oto - "Ear"

• Example: Ototoxicity - ear/hearing issues.

Para - "Beside/Near"

• Example: Parathyroid - near the thyroid gland.

Peri - "Surrounding/Around"

• Example: Pericardium - layer around the heart.

Phleb - "Vein"

• Example: Phlebotomy - removing blood from a vein.

Post - "After"

• Example: Postpartum - after childbirth.

Pre - "Before"

• Example: Prenatal - before childbirth.

Pseudo - "Fake/False"

• Example: Pseudoscience - falsely claims to be scientific.

Pulmo - "Lungs"

• Example: Pulmonologist - lung specialist.

Rhino - "Nose"

• Example: Rhinitis - inflammation of the nasal area.

Spleno - "Spleen"

• Example: Splenomegaly - enlarged spleen.

Sub - "Below"

• Example: Sublingual - below the tongue.

Supra - "Above/On Top"

• Example: Supraventricular Tachycardia - fast heart rhythm above the ventricles.

Tachy - "Fast"

• Example: Tachycardic - fast heart rate (>100 bpm).

Thoraco - "Chest"

• Example: Thoracic - chest region.

Trans - "Across"

• Example: Transmembrane - across the membrane.

Uro - "Urinary Tract System"

• Example: Urostomy - opening to the urinary tract system.

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