Medical Terminology: Prefixes and Suffixes

This study guide covers prefixes and suffixes commonly used in medical terminology, focusing on healthcare professions.

Prefixes

• Definition: Located at the beginning of a medical term; alters the meaning of the medical term.
• Memorization Tips:
  • Start with the most common prefixes.
  • Associate them with common English words.
  • Compare with medical terms.

Common Prefixes

• A-, An-: Without; Lacking. Example: Anemia
• Andr/o-: Male. Example: Androgen
• Anti-: Against. Example: Anticholinergic drugs
• Auto-: Self. Example: Autocrine
• Bio-: Life. Example: Biology

Body Part Prefixes

• Acous/o-: Hearing. Example: Acoustic meatus
• Aden/o-: Gland. Example: Adenoid
• Adip/o-: Fat. Example: Adipocyte
• Adren/o-: Gland. Example: Adrenal cortex

Color Prefixes

• Chlor/o-: Green. Example: Chlorophyll
• Cyano-: Blue. Example: Cyanosis
• Erythr/o-: Red. Example: Erythrocyte
• Leuk/o-: White. Example: Leukocyte

Direction and Position Prefixes

• Ab-, Abs-: Away from. Example: Abductor
• Ad-: Towards. Example: Adductor
• Ante-: Before; Forward. Example: Antenatal
• Circum-: Around. Example: Circumcision
• De-: Away from; Ending. Example: Dehydration

Quantity Prefixes

• Bi-: Two. Example: Biceps
• Brady-: Slow. Example: Bradycardia
• Diplo-: Double. Example: Diploid
• Hyper-: Above; Beyond; Excessive. Example: Hypertension
• Hypo-: Under; Deficient. Example: Hypotension

Suffixes

• Definition: Located at the end of words; alters the meaning of medical terms.
• Importance: Critical for correct spelling, pronunciation, and understanding of medical terms.

Common Suffixes

• -ac: Pertaining to. Example: Cardiac
• -blast: Bud; Germ. Example: Myeloblast
• -cyte: Cell. Example: Thrombocyte
• -dynia: Pain; Swelling. Example: Thoracodynia

Procedure Suffixes

• -centesis: Surgical puncture to remove fluid. Example: Thoracentesis
• -desis: Surgical binding. Example: Pleurodesis
• -ectomy: Cut out; Removal. Example: Mastectomy
• -gram: Record; Picture. Example: Electrocardiogram
• -graph: Instrument to create a record or picture. Example: Electrocardiograph

Review Questions

• Know the difference between inter-, infra-, and intra-.
• What colors are associated with erythrocyte and leukocyte?
• Which prefixes indicate position:
  • Around: Circum-
  • Within: Intra-
  • Below: Infra-

References

• Definitions and examples sourced from MedlinePlus, OpenStax, and the National Cancer Institute.