Medical Prefixes

Medical Prefix Definition Example Medical Prefix Definition Example

a-, an- Without Anuria Lymph-, lympho- Fluid Lymphatic
Aden-, adeno- Gland Adenopathy Macro- Large Macrocellular
Andr-, andro- Male Androgen Mamm-, mammo- Breast Mammogram
Angio- Vessel (blood) Angioedema Men-, meno- Menstruation Dysmenorrhea
Ankyl- Crooken, looped Ankylosis Mening-, meningo- Membrane around CNS Meningitis
Ante- Before Antipartum Metr-, metro- Uterus
Anti- Against Antihypertensive Micro- Small Microcephalis
Arterio- Artery Arteriosclerosis Mict- Urine Micturition
Arthr-, Arthro- Joint Arthralgia Mono- One, single Monozygous
Aud-, aur- Ear, hearing Audible My-, myo- Muscle Myoproliferative
Bar- Weight Bariatric Myel-, myelo- Bone marrow, spinal cord Myelosuppressive
Bi- Both, two Bifocal Neo- New Neonate
Brady- Slow Bradycardia Nephr-, nephro- Kidney Nephrolitiasis
Bronchi-, broncho- Bronchial Bronchitis Neur-, neuro- Nerve Neurosurgery
Buccal- Cheek Buccally Oligo- Few, scanty Oligouria
Burs-, burso- Bursa Bursitis Onych- Finger or toe nail Onychymycosis
Carcin-, carcino- Malignant Carcinoma Oophr-, oophro Ovary Oopherectomy
Cardio- Heart Cardiomyopathy Ophthal- Eye Ophthalmology
Caud- Tail Caudal Orchid-, orchido- Testes Orchiditis
Cephal- cephalo- Head Cephalogram Ortho- Straight Orthodontist
Cerebro- Brain Cerebrovascular Oste-, osteo- Bone Osteomyelitis
Chole- Bile Cholestasis Oto- Ear, hearing Otoscope
Chondr-, chondro- Cartilage Chondritis Pan- All Pancytopenia
Circum- Around Circumcise Part- Labor, birth Partum
Contra- Against Contraindicated Ped-, pod- Foot Podiatrist
Cyan-, cyano- Blue Cyanosis Peri- Around Perianal
Cyst-, cysto- Bladder or sac Cystitis Phleb- Vein Phlebotomy
Cyt-, cyte-, cyto- Cell Cytology Pleur- Pleura of lung Pleurisy
Diplo- Double Diplopia Pneum, pneumo- Lung Pneumonia
Dys- Painful, difficult Dysuria Poly- Many Polysubstance
Edem- Swelling (fluid) Edema Pre- Before Preterm
Emes-, emeso- Vomit Emesis Prostat- Prostate Prostatitis
Encephal-, encephalo- Brain Encephalitis Pseudo- False Pseudocyst
Endo- Inside, within Endoscophy Pulm-, pulmo- Lung Pulmonary
Entero- Intestine Enterocolitis Pyel-, pyelo- Kidney Pyelonephritis
Epi- Upon, on top Epidermis Py-, pyo- Pus Pyuria
Erythro- Red Erythrocyte Ren-, reno- Kidney Renal
Gastr-, gastro- Stomach Gastritis Retro- Behind Retrosternal
Haemo-, hemo- Blood Hemostasis Rhin-, rhino- Nose Rhinorrhea
Hemi- Half Hemiplegia Salping-, salpingo- Fallopian tubes Salpingitis
Hepato- Liver Hepatocarcinoma Spondyl- Spine Spondylosis
Hydro- Water Hydronephrosis Sub- Below Subclavian
Hyper- Excessive, above Hyperreflexia Tachy- Fast, rapid Tachycardia
Hypo- Deficient, below Hypotension Ten-, teno- Tendon Tendonitis
Hyster-, hystero- Uterus Hysterectomy Test-, testo- Testes Testicular
Inter- Between Intercostal Therm-, thermo Heat Thermometer
Intra- Inside, within Intraabdominal Thromb, thrombo- Clot Thromboprophylaxis
Lapar-, laparo- Abdominal wall Laparotomy Trache-, tracheo- Trachea Tracheotomy
Laryng-, laryngo- Larynx Laryngectomy Trans- Through Transurethral
Leuk-, leuko- White Leukocyte Ur-, uro- Urine Urostomy
Lip-, lipo- Fat Lipolysis Vas-, vaso- Vessel Vascular
Lith- Stone Lithiasis
Medical Suffixes
Medical Suffix Definition Example Medical Suffix Definition Example
-algesia Pain Analgesia -pareunia Intercourse Dyspareunia
-algia Pain Myalgia -pathy Disease or condition Adenopathy
-asthenia Weakness Myasthenia -penia Deficiency Osteopenia
-cele Swelling Varicele -phagia Swallow Dysphagia
-centesis To puncture Amniocentesis -phobia Fear Panophobia
-coit- Intercourse Precoital -phrenia Mental disorder Schizophrenia
-crine Secrete within Endocrine -plasia Development, growth Hyperplasia
-dema Swelling (fluid) Edema -plegia Paralysis Hemiplegia
-dynia Pain Mastodynia -porosis Porous, with lots of holes Osteoprosis
-ectasis Enlargement Bronchiestasis -rrhagia Hemorrhage Hemmorrhagia
-emia Blood Anemia -rrhaphy To suture
-itis Inflammation Hepatitis -rrhea Flowing Diarrhea
-lysis Seperation, dissolve Hemolysis -sclerosis Hardening Artherosclerosis
-malacia Softening Osteomalacia -spasm Contraction Bronchospasm
-megaly Enlarged Hepatomefaly -stasis To stop Venostasis
-oid Similar Opioid -tripsy To crush Lithotripsy
-ology Study Biology -trophy Development, growth Atrophy
-oma Tumor Carcinoma -uria Urine Dysuria
-osis Disease or condition Ankylosis
Noun Endings Adjective Endings
Medical Suffix Definition Example Medical Suffix Definition Example
-ectomy Surgical removal Nephrectomy -ac Pertaining to Cardiac
-ia An unhealthy state or abnormAnesthesia -al Pertaining to Skeletal
-iac Person with a disease Hemophiliac -ar Pertaining to Muscular
-iasis Abnormal condition Cholelithiasis -ary Pertaining to Salivary
-is Forms the noun from the roo Pelvis -ic Pertaining to Pelvic
-ism Condition Alcoholism -ical Pertaining to Surgical
-ist One who specializes Pharmacist -ous Pertaining to Venous
-osis Abnormal condition Scloiosis -tic Pertaining to Paralytic
-otomy A cutting operation Sphincterotomy
-pexy Surgically reattach Nephropexy
-plasty Reconstruction Rhinoplasty
-pnea Breath, air, lung Tachypnea
-ptysis Spitting, coughing Hemoptysis
-y Condition Neuropathy