List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix. It is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terminology is used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This article provides an overview of the medical roots, suffixes, and prefixes that are used in the English language.

Prefixes

Prefixes are used at the beginning of a word to modify or vary the meaning of the word. When the prefixes are detached from a term, it is followed by a hyphen (-).

Examples

• A-, An-: Meaning without or not.
• Anti-, Contra-: Meaning against or opposed to.
• Brady-: Meaning slow.
• Dys-: Meaning bad, difficult, or painful.
• Hyper-: Meaning excessive or increased.
• Hypo-: Meaning under, below normal.
• Tachy-: Meaning fast.

Suffixes

Suffixes are attached at the end of words to change or add to the original meaning. In medical terminology, suffixes usually signify a medical condition, surgical procedure, diagnostic term, test information, disease, or part of speech.

Examples

• -algia: Meaning pain and suffering.
• -ectomy: Meaning surgical removal.
• -itis: Meaning inflammation.
• -ology: Meaning the study of.
• -osis: Meaning abnormal condition or disease.
• -pathy: Meaning disease or disorder.
• -plasty: Meaning surgical repair.

Roots

Root words are the main part of a word and provide the basic meaning. Medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes.

Examples

• Cardi-: Heart.
• Derm-: Skin.
• Gastro-: Stomach.
• Neuro-: Nerve.
• Onc-: Tumor, mass.
• Osteo-: Bone.
• Patho-: Disease.

Combining Forms

Combining forms are similar to prefixes but can be used at the beginning or end of a word. They are used with a root to change the meaning or create a new word.

Examples

• Arthro-: Joint.
• Cephalo-: Head.
• Cyt-: Cell.
• Hemo-: Blood.
• Lipo-: Fat.
• Nephro-: Kidney.
• Psycho-: Mind.

List of Medical Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes

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See Also

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology