Prefixation and suffixation

Prefixation and suffixation

B. Prefixes for direction and position

Prefixes
A. Prefixes denoting numbers
PREFIX
bididipl/ohemimon/omultipolyprim/iquadr/isemitetratriuni1.

MEANING
two, twice
two, twice
double
half, one side
one
many
many, much
first
four
half, partial
four
three
one

EXAMPLE
bicuspid
dicephalus
diplococcus
hemianopia
monosaccharide
multidisciplinary
polysaccharide
primary
quadriplegic
semiliquid
tetradactyly
triangular
unicellular

Use the prefixes in the box above to complete the words in the following
sentences:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.

antanopia is a specific kind of eye disorder that affects one quadrant

of a persons vision.
ary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic and progressive cholestatic disease of
the liver.
centric reticulohistiocytosis is a relatively rare condition.
plegia is a condition in which the limbs on one side of the body have
severe weakness.
plegia may occur after the spinal cord has been injured.
polar neurons make up the majority of sensory neurons from the body
and head.
Carbon oxide poisoning can be lethal.
Mrs Dawson will need focal lenses.
Poor old Mr Jones suffers from pia.
The gastric muscle is located under the jaw.
There are several types of cystic kidney disease.
Unfortunately, the patient is still comatose.

PREFIX
abadanaanteapocircumdediaecectoepiexoextraim-, ininfrainterintraintrometaparaperperipostpreproretrosubsupersupratrans-

MEANING
away from
to, toward, near
up, back, again, excessive
before, forward
from, away from
around, about
away from
through, apart, across, completely
out from
on outer side, situated on
upon, on
outside, on outer side, outer layer
outside
in, into
below
between
within
into, within
beyond, after, change
beside, beyond, near
through, excessive
around
after, behind
before, in front of
before, in front of
backward, located behind
under
above, upper, excessive
above, upper, excessive
across, through, beyond

EXAMPLE
abductor
adductor
anatomy
antecubital
aponeurosis
circumflex
dehydrate
diaphragm
ectopic
ectoderm
epidural
exogenous
extracellular
immersion; infiltration
infraorbital
intercostal
intracerebral
introversion
metacarpal
paraurethral
permeate; peracute
periatrial
postocular
premaxillary
prognosis
retrocervical
subcutaneous
supercilia
suprarenal
transection

Prefixation and suffixation

2.

Use the prefixes in the box to complete the words in the sentences below:

abcircumepi-

addeexo-

anadiaextra-

anteecin-

c.
d.

Does the patient really need a surgical vention?

Extended duodenal sphincteroplasty has been suggested as an
alternative to choledochoduodenostomy1 for the surgical management
of bile duct stones.
e. Have you been duced to Professor Medley?
f. HIV infection is a condition in which a person with established
human immunodeficiency virus infection acquires a second strain of the
virus.
g. Nowadays forated peptic ulcers can be treated nonoperatively.
h. The .tarsal bones are a group of five long bones in the foot.
i. The bulbar space is the area just behind the eye.
j. The lingual region has a rich blood supply derived from the carotid
artery.
k. The renal cortical hormone is secreted by the cortex of the adrenal
glands.
l. The baby was born maturely.
m. The goal of operative pain management is to relieve pain.
n. This kind of inflammation may occur in the interstitial tissues, in the
lymphatic vessels or in the bronchial tissues of the lung.
o. We have examined several patients with cardiac adenopathy.

apoectoinfra-

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

colitis is the inflammation of the outer coat of the colon.

compensation may occur due to fatigue, stress, illness, or old age.
genesis is the evolution of species involving an entire population.
jection is one of the most common health care procedures.
tasia occurs as part of a pathophysiological process.
A nasogastric tube can be placed to facilitate palpation of the
oesophagus during posterior pleural dissection.
g. At the clavicular level, the cords of the brachial plexus are arranged
around the second part of the axillary artery.
h. I am afraid that cardiac failure is not a proper gnosis for the patients
condition.
i. In every case of an flexion a weakening of tissue at the point of
flexure must occur.
j. Researchers have discovered a new compound in the skeleton of a
crustacean.
k. Some normal cells are more likely than others to be cancerous.
l. The dermis is a stratified squamous epithelium.
m. The renal glands are the part of the body responsible for releasing
different classes of hormones.
n. The laser is used in sports rheumatology to treat syndromes caused by
strain of muscles and articular soft tissues.
o. This chromatic microscope objective lens has a magnification of
about 40 times.
3.

C. Prefixes pertaining to colours

PREFIX
cyan(o)erythr(o)leuk(o)-/ leuc(o)melan(o)xanth(o)4.

Use the prefixes in the box to complete the words in the sentences below:
interperretroa.
b.

intraperisub-

intropostsuper-

metapresupra-

paraprotrans-

phase is the stage of mitosis in which the chromatin condenses into a

chromosome.
ventricular haemorrhage is most common in premature babies.

EXAMPLE
cyanosis
erythrocyte
leukoplakia
melanin
xanthoderma

Use the prefixes from the box above to complete the words in the sentences
below:
a.
b.

MEANING
blue
red
white, colourless
black, dark
yellow

An blast is a type of red blood cell which retains a cell nucleus.

Over 100,000 new cases of invasive oma are diagnosed worldwide
each year.

anastomosis of the common bile duct to the duodenum

2

Prefixation and suffixation

c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

ism is the occurrence of an increased amount of dark pigmentation in

an organism.
elasma is a sharply demarcated yellowish collection of cholesterol
underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids.
blastosis fetalis can affect new-born babies.
cytes are either granular or nongranular.
sis is a blue coloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the
presence of greater than five grams per decilitre of deoxygenated
haemoglobin in the blood vessels near the skin.
Excessive intake of carrots may lead to aemia.
nychia is visible as white lines or spots in the nail plate and may be
caused by tiny bubbles of air that are trapped in the nail plate layers.
cobalamin is a compound that is metabolised to a vitamin in the B
complex commonly known as vitamin B12.

D. Prefixes used for negatives

PREFIX
a-, ananticontradedisim-, innonun-

MEANING
without, lack of
against,
opposed
to,
reversed
against, opposite
down, without
reversal,
apart
from,
separation
not
not
not

EXAMPLE
apathy
antiperistalsis
contralateral
depilate
disinfection
immature
noninflammatory
unmedicated

Apart from the prefixes above, in order to refer to negatives or opposites,

many terms beginning with the letter r- will add the prefix ir-, while those which
begin with l- will take the il- prefix. Thus the negative of regular is irregular, while
the one for logical is illogical.
5.

Complete the following words with prefixes from the table above:
a.
b.
c.

The nurse applied an medicated dressing on the wound.

infectious cystitis is irritation of the bladder.
The conscious patient was lying on the floor.

d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Vaccination makes the body create its own bodies.

The vaginal diaphragm is a circular ceptive device for women.
His fingertips were coloured from smoking cigarettes.
The indication of paediatric use for aspirin-containing products has
made acetaminophen one of the most commonly used drugs in
paediatric medicine.
The ability to urinate may also be caused by enlarged prostate.
Armpit comfort can happen after different types of surgeries.
iridia, the absence of the iris, usually occurs in both eyes.

E. Prefixes denoting degree

PREFIX
hyperhypoolig(o)pan6.

MEANING
over, above, excessive
under, below, deficient
few, scanty
all

EXAMPLE
hyperplasia
hypotension
oligaemia
panarthritis

Choose the odd one (out?) from each set of terms:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

hypersensitive, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, hyperarthritis

hypothermia, hypochondriasis, hyposurgic, hypothyroid
oligothermia, oligodactylism, oligodontia, oligomenorrhoea
pancarditis, paninfection panhysterectomy, panotitis
panacinar, panlobular, panthyroidism, panmyelosis

F. Prefixes for size and comparison

PREFIX
equiheterohom(e)oisomacromega(lo)microneopseudo-

MEANING
equal, same
other, unequal, different
same, unchanging
equal, same
large
large
small
new
false

EXAMPLE
equilateral
heterozygous
homeostasis
isograft
macrocheilia
megaloblast
microaneurysm
neonatologist
pseudoangina
3

Prefixation and suffixation

7.

For sentences a-j choose the best option A, B or C:

a.

A(n) is a procedure where the patients organ is replaced using a

donors organ.
A. equigraft
B. micrograft
C. homograft
can be defined as a temporary fall of the temperature in a disease
usually ending by crisis.
A. pseudocrisis
B. neocrisis
C. microcrisis
In a chemical process, chemical ...... is the state in which the chemical
activities or concentrations of the reactants and products have no net change
over time.
A. equity
B. equilibrium
C. equibase
It is common knowledge that intestinal lesions favour ...... stimulation by
intestinal bacteria.
A. isograft
B. isoantibody
C. isoleucine
In anatomy, ...... refers to a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but
also of hair or skin.
A. heterochromia
B. heterogeneity
C. heteronymy
...... is the enlargement of red blood cells with near-constant haemoglobin
concentration.
A. monocytosis
B. microcytosis
C. macrocytosis
The psychopathological condition characterised by delusional fantasies of
wealth, power, or omnipotence is commonly known as ...... .
A. megalomania
B. megalocephaly
C. megakaryocyte
The abnormal proliferation of cells is called ...... .
A. neoplasty
B. neoplasia
C. neonatology
...... , a visual disorder in which objects appear much smaller than they
actually are, is a relatively rare condition.
A. microdontism
B. microglossia
C. micropsia
The cause of ...... is a pre-existing psychiatric illness.
A. pseudomyxoma
B. pseudodementia
C. pseudoplegia

b.
c.

d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
8.

Add the prefixes from the box to the terms a- t:

il-

a.
b.
c.
d.

active
articulate
artificial
audible

im-

in-

ir-

e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.

condensable
consistency
legal
legitimate
mature
mobilise
paired
patient
penetrable
perceptible
perfect
rational
reducible
responsive
sensibility
sufficient

9.

Match the prefixed words with their meaning:

1.
2.

diataxia
ectocardia

a.
b.

3.
4.

hyperacidity
hypochondria

c.
d.

5.

macromelia

e.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

microradiography
polynuclear
prodrug
triceps
uniocular

f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

excessive amount of acidity

a condition in which a person has
unusually large limbs
with several nuclei
a condition in which a person is too
worried about his or her own health and
believes he or she is ill
inactive or partially active drug that is
metabolically changed in the body to an
active drug
three-headed muscle of the upper arm
ataxia affecting both sides of the body
pertaining to one eye
congenital displacement of the heart
radiography under conditions which
permit
subsequent
microscopic
examination

Prefixation and suffixation

G. Prefixes for diseases
PREFIX
bradydysmalpachytachyxero-

MEANING
slow
abnormal,
difficult,
impaired, painful
bad, poor, unusual
thickening
fast, rapid
dry

EXAMPLE
bradycardia
dysphonia
malabsorption
pachydactyly
tachycardia
xeroderma

10. Use the words in the box to complete the sentences:

dysgenesis
malformation
tachycardia
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

dysphagia
malposition
tachyphrasia
xerostomia

Suffixes
A. Suffixes meaning condition of
SUFFIX
-ia
-ism
-sis
-y

EXAMPLE
septicemia
alcoholism
acidosis
tetany

11. Match the following terms with their meaning:

dyspraxia
pachyonychia
xerophthalmia

Chiari ...... consists of a downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils.

...... , also known as dry mouth, is not a disease but can be a symptom of
certain diseases.
Ectropion is the most common lower eyelid ...... .
...... is a condition that primarily affects the nails and skin.
People with ...... have difficulty swallowing and may also experience pain
while swallowing.
...... is a disorder that affects motor skill development.
People with mental disorders may develop ......, a particularly rapid way of
speaking.
...... is a dry, thickened, lustreless condition of the eyeball resulting from
vitamin A deficiency.
Reticular ...... is a very rare congenital immunodeficiency characterised by
impairment of both lymphoid and myeloid cell development.
Supraventricular ...... may be a side effect of medications such as asthma
medications, or cold remedies.

1.

amblyopia

a.

2.

amnesia

b.

3.

astigmatism

c.

4.
5.
6.

epilepsy
favism
gargoylism

d.
e.
f.

7.

gastroptosis

g.

8.

sclerosis

h.

9.

surgery

i.

10. tuberculosis

j.

a congenital condition of the metabolism which

causes polysaccharides and fat cells to
accumulate in the body
a disorder of the nervous system in which there
are convulsions and loss of consciousness due to
a disordered discharge of cerebral neurones
the treatment of diseases or disorders by
procedures which require an operation to cut
into, to remove or to manipulate tissue, organs or
parts
a condition in which the stomach hangs down
a condition in which tissue becomes hard
a lack of normal vision without a structural
cause
a condition in which the eye cannot focus
vertical and horizontal lines simultaneously,
an infectious disease where infected lumps form
in the tissue
a type of inherited anaemia caused by an allergy
to beans
loss of memory

Prefixation and suffixation

B. Suffixes for medical specialties and specialists
SUFFIX
-ian
-iatrics
-iatry
-ics
-ist
-logy

EXAMPLE
geriatrician
paediatrics
podiatry
bariatrics
psychiatrist
pathology

-ar
-ary
-ic
-ical
-ile
-oid
-ory
-ous

muscular
urinary
epileptic
anatomical
virile
rhomboid
respiratory
fibrous
13. Turn the following nouns into adjectives by adding suitable suffixes:

12. Match the terms on the left with their meaning on the right:
1.
2.

bioethics
clinician

a.
b.

3.

cytology

c.

4.

dietician

d.

5.

endocrinologist

e.

6.
7.

geriatrics
gynaecology

f.
g.

8.

orthopaedics

h.

9.

paediatrics

i.

10. psychiatry

j.

an expert in food and nutrition

a branch of surgery dealing with irregularities,
diseases and injuries of the locomotor system
the study of the diseases and disorders of old
people
the branch of medicine concerned with the
diagnosis and treatment of mental and
behavioural disorders
the study of the moral and ethical choices in
medical research and treatment of patients,
especially when advanced technology is
available
the study of the structure and function of cells
a doctor who specialises in the study of
endocrinology
a doctor, usually not a surgeon, who has
considerable experience in treating patients
the study of children, their development and
diseases
the study of female sex organs and the
treatment of diseases of women in general

C. Adjectival suffixes meaning pertaining to or resembling

SUFFIX
-ac
-al

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.

aliment
clavicle
clinic
cube
delta
diabetes
expiration
granule
hallucination
heredity
ileum
infant
infection
inflammation
lobule
membrane
mucus
penis
psychopathy
psychopathology
rheumatism
surgery
synapse
therapy

....................................
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....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................

EXAMPLE
cardiac
vocal
6