Medical Prefixes Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Overview of key medical prefixes and their meanings.
• Importance of understanding prefixes for medical terminology.

Common Medical Prefixes

A (Without)

• Example: Aphasia - without ability to communicate.

Ab (Away)

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

Ad (Toward)

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

Acou (Hearing)

• Example: Acoustic trauma - damage to hearing.

Acr (Extremity/Extreme)

• Example: Acrocyanosis - bluish discoloration of extremities seen during newborn assessment.

Andro (Male Reproductive System)

• Example: Androgens - sex hormones promoting male characteristics.

Angi (Vessel)

• Example: Angioma - tumor composed of blood vessels.

Ante (Before/Front of)

• Example: Anticubital - region in front of the elbow.

Anti (Against)

• Example: Antibiotics - works against bacteria.

Arth (Joint)

• Example: Arthritis - inflammation of joints.

Auto (Self)

• Example: Autoimmune - disease attacking one’s own tissue.

Bi (Two)

• Example: Bicuspid valve - heart valve with two cusps.

Bio (Life)

• Example: Biology - study of life.

Blast (Immature/Bud)

• Example: Blastocyte - immature cell.

Brady (Slow)

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

Broncho (Lungs)

• Example: Bronchoconstriction - narrowing of large lung tubes.

Bucc (Cheek)

• Example: Buccal route - administration via cheek.

Cardi (Heart)

• Example: Cardiologist - heart specialist.

Cephal (Head)

• Example: Cephalalgia - headache.

Cerebro (Brain)

• Example: Cerebrovascular accident - stroke.

Circum (Around)

• Example: Circumduction - circular limb movement.

Cost (Ribs)

• Example: Costovertebral - region where ribs meet vertebra.

Derm (Skin)

• Example: Dermis - middle skin layer.

Dys (Difficult)

• Example: Dysphagia - difficulty in swallowing.

Endo (Within)

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

Entero (Intestine)

• Example: Enteritis - inflammation of the intestine.

Epi (Above)

• Example: Epidermis - top skin layer.

Erythro (Red)

• Example: Erythrocyte - red blood cell.

Gastro (Stomach)

• Example: Gastritis - stomach inflammation.

Glosso (Tongue)

• Example: Glossopharyngeal nerve - cranial nerve affecting tongue.

Gyneco (Female Reproductive System)

• Example: Gynecologist - specialist of female reproductive system.

Hemi (Half)

• Example: Hemispheres - two halves of the brain.

Hemo (Blood)

• Example: Hematologist - blood specialist.

Hepat (Liver)

• Example: Hepatitis - liver inflammation.

Hydro (Water)

• Example: Hydronephrosis - fluid accumulation in the kidney.

Hyper (Excessive)

• Example: Hypernatremia - high sodium levels in the blood.

Hypo (Low)

• Example: Hyponatremia - low sodium levels in the blood.

Inter (Between)

• Example: Intercostal - space between ribs.

Intra (Within/Inside)

• Example: Intravenous - within the veins.

Iso (Equal)

• Example: Isotonic - 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/spinal membranes.

Meta (Beyond)

• Example: Metatarsals - bones beyond tarsal bones of 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 disorder specialist.

Oligo (Scanty)

• Example: Oliguria - low urinary output.

Ophthalmo (Eye)

• Example: Ophthalmologist - eye specialist.

Osteo (Bone)

• Example: Osteoporosis - bone disease.

Oto (Ear)

• Example: Ototoxicity - ear-related side effects.

Para (Beside/Near)

• Example: Parathyroid - gland near thyroid.

Peri (Surrounding)

• Example: Pericardium - surrounding layer of the heart.

Phleb (Vein)

• Example: Phlebotomy - drawing blood from vein.

Post (After)

• Example: Postpartum - after childbirth.

Pre (Before)

• Example: Prenatal - before childbirth.

Pseudo (False)

• Example: Pseudoscience - false science.

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 - beneath the tongue.

Supra (Above)

• Example: Supraventricular tachycardia - fast heart rhythm originating above ventricles.

Tachy (Fast)

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

Thoraco (Chest)

• Example: Thoracic - referring to the chest region.

Trans (Across)

• Example: Transmembrane - across the membrane.

Uro (Urinary Tract)

• Example: Urostomy - opening into the urinary tract.

Conclusion

• Recap of medical prefixes and their significance.
• Encouragement to watch the rest of the series for more detailed information.