Affix Meaning Example(s) Translation

not, without
a-, an- analgesic, apathy  
(alpha privative)
from; away
ab- abduction  
from
of or relating to
abdomin- abdominal muscles  
the abdomen
pertaining to;
-ac one afflicted cardiac  
with

acanth- thorn or spine acanthocyte  

of or relating
acou- hyperacusis  
to hearing

extremity,
acr- acromegaly  
topmost

-acusis hearing acoustic nerve  

toward, in the
-ad ventrad  
direction of
at, increase,
ad- adduction  
on, toward
of or relating to
aden- adenocarcinoma  
a gland

of or relating
adip- to fat or fatty adipocyte  
tissue
of or relating to
adren- the adrenal adrenal artery  
glands

-aemia, ema,
hemat blood condition anaemia  

aer(o)- air, gas aerosinusitis  

aesthesi- sensation anaesthesia  

-al pertaining to abdominal, femoral  

denoting a white
alb- or pale color albinism  
alge(si)- pain analgesic  
-algia, alg(i)o- pain myalgia, analgesia  

denoting
something as
all- alloantigen  
different, or as
an addition
denoting
something as
positioned on
ambi- ambidextrous  
both sides;
describing both
of two
Pertaining to
the
amnio- membranous amniocentesis  
fetal sac
(amnion)
amph(i)-, on both sides amphicrania  
starchy,
amylo- carbohydrate- Amylase  
related
not, without
an- analgesia  
(alpha privative)
ana- back, again, up anaplasia  
an- anus Anal  
pertaining to
andr- andrology, androgen  
a man

angi- blood vessel angiogram, angioplasty  

describing
aniso- something as Anisocytosis  
unequal
denoting
something as
ankyl-, ancyl- ankylosis  
crooked or
bent
describing
something as
ante- positioned in antepartum  
front of another
thing

anthropo- human anthropology  

describing
anti- antibody, antipsychotic  
something as
 'against' or
'opposed to'
another
away,
separated
apo- apoptosis  
from, derived
from
archi- first, primitive Archinephron  
of or pertaining
arsen(o)- to a male; Arsenoblast  
masculine
of or pertaining
arteri(o)- arteriole, artery  
to an artery
of or pertaining
arthr- to the joints, arthritis  
limbs
articul- joint Articulation  
-ary pertaining to biliary tract, coronary  
-ase enzyme Lactase  

-asthenia weakness Myasthenia gravis  

imperfect or
atel(o)- incomplete atelocardia  
development
fatty deposit,
ather- soft gruel-like Atherosclerosis  
deposit

-ation process medication, civilization  

an atrium (esp.
atri- atrioventricular  
heart atrium)
of or pertaining
aur- Aural  
to the ear

aut- self Autoimmune  

increase; Auxocardia: enlargement of the

aux(o)-  
growth heart

of or pertaining
to the armpit
axill- Axilla  
(uncommon as
a prefix)
 azothermia: raised temperature
nitrogenous
azo(to)- due to nitrogenous substances in  
compound
blood

B[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

bacillus rod-shaped Bacillus anthracis  
Pertaining
bacteri- bacteriophage, bactericide  
to bacteria
of the glans
balan- penis or glans balanitis  
clitoridis
of or pertaining
bas- Basolateral  
to base
bi- twice, double binary vision  

bio- life biology, biological  

blast- germ or bud Blastocyst  
of or pertaining
blephar(o)- blepharoplasty  
to the eyelid
of or relating to
brachi(o)- brachial artery  
the arm
Indicating
'short' or less
brachy- brachycephalic  
commonly
'little'
brady- 'slow' bradycardia  
of or relating to
bronch(i)- Bronchitis  
the bronchus
of or pertaining
bucc(o)- Buccal mucosa  
to the cheek
bursa (fluid sac
burs(o)- between the bursa, bursitis  
bones)

C[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
capill- capillus  
to hair
capit- pertaining to capitation, decapation  
the head as a
 whole
carcin- cancer carcinoma  
of or pertaining
cardi- cardiology  
to the heart
of or pertaining
carp- Carpal tunnel syndrome  
to the wrist

cata- down, under catabolism  

pouching, herni
-cele Hydrocele, Varicocele  
a
surgical
-centesis puncture amniocentesis  
for aspiration
of or pertaining
cephal(o)- to the head (as hydrocephalus  
a whole)
of or pertaining
cerat(o)- to the cornu; a ceratoid  
horn
of or pertaining
cerebell(o)- to cerebellum  
the cerebellum
of or pertaining
cerebr- cerebr- Cerebral cortex  
to the brain
of or pertaining
cervic- to the neck or cervical vertebrae  
the cervix
of or pertaining
cheil- angular cheilitis  
to the lips
chemistry,
chem- Chemotherapy  
drug
of or pertaining
chir-, cheir- chiropractor  
to the hand
denoting a
chlor- chlorophyll  
green color
of or pertaining
chol(e)- cholecystitis  
to bile

of or pertaining
cholecyst(o)- to cholecystectomy  
the gallbladder
cartilage,
gristle,
chondr(i)o- chondrocalcinosis  
granule,
granular
chrom(ato)- color hemochromatosis  

killing,
-cidal, -cide Bactericidal  
destroying
of or pertaining
to the cilia, the
cili- ciliary  
eyelashes;
eyelids
denoting
something as
circum- circumcision  
'around'
another
cis- on this side cisgender  
clast break osteoclast  
clostr- spindle Clostridium  
with, together,
co- Co-enzyme  
in association
round,
coccus Streptococcus  
spherical

col-, colo-,
colon colonoscopy  
colono-

of or pertaining
colp(o)- colposcopy  
to the vagina
com- with, together Communicate  
contra against contraindication  
cor- with, together Corrective  
of or pertaining
cor- to the corectomy  
eye's pupil
of or pertaining
to the heart
cord(i)- commotio cordis,  
(uncommon as
a prefix)
applied to
describing
processes and
cornu- parts of the greater cornu  
body as
likened or
similar to horns
pertaining to
coron(o)- coronary heart disease  
the heart
cortex, outer
cortic(o)- corticosteroid  
region
 of or pertaining
cost- costochondral  
to the ribs
of or relating to
cox- the hip, haunch, Coccyx  
or hip-joint
belonging or
crani(o)- relating to Cranial nerves  
the cranium

-crine, crin(o) to secrete endocrine  

cry(o)- cold Cryoablation  

cutane- skin subcutaneous  

having a blue
cyan(o)- Cyanosis  
color

cycl- circle, cycle cyclosis, cyclops, tricycle  

denotes
something as
cyph(o)- bent cyphosis  
(uncommon as
a prefix)
of or pertaining
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)- to the urinary cystotomy  
bladder

cyt(o)-, -cyte cell cytokine, leukocyte, cytoplasm  

D[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
dacry(o)-  dacryocystitis  
to tears

of or pertaining
-dactyl(o)- polydactyly  
to a finger, toe

from, down, or
de- dehydrate  
away from
of or pertaining
dent- dentist, dental  
to teeth

dermat(o)-, of or pertaining
Xeroderma  
derm(o)- to the skin
-desis binding arthrodesis  
right, on the
dextr(o)- dextrocardia  
right side
di- two diplopia,  
apart,
di- dilation, distal, dilute  
separation
through,
dia- dialysis  
during, across
apart,
dif- Different  
separation
of or pertaining
to the
digit- digit  
finger [rare as
a root]
diplo- twofold diploid  

(condition of)
-dipsia polydipsia  
thirst

separation,
dis- dissection  
taking apart

dors(o)-, of or pertaining
Dorsal  
dors(i)- to the back

running,
dromo- conduction, dromotropic  
course

duodeno- twelve duodenal atresia, duodenum  

dura- hard dura matter  

force, energy, hand strength dynamometer,

dynam(o)-  
power dynamics

-dynia pain mastodynia  

bad, difficult,
dys- defective, Dysphagia  
abnormal

E[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

adenohypophyseal, corneal, esop
-eal (see -al) pertaining to  
hageal, perineal

Ectopia vesica, ectopic
ec- out, away  
pregnancy
ect(o)- outer, outside ectoblast, ectoderm, ectoplasm  

-ectasia, expansion, dilati
Bronchiectasis  
-ectasis on

denotes a
surgical
operation or
-ectomy removal of a mastectomy  
body part;
resection,
excision
vomiting conditi
-emesis hematemesis  
on
blood condition
-emia anemia  
(Am. Engl.)
of or pertaining
encephal(o)- to the brain; see encephalogram  
also cerebro-
denotes
endo- something as endocrinology  
inside or within
having a red
eosin(o)- eosinophil  
color
of or pertaining
enter(o)- gastroenterology  
to the intestine

epi- on, upon Epidermis  

of or pertaining
to the pubic
episi(o)- episiotomy  
region, the
loins
having a red
erythr(o)- erythrocyte  
color

-esophageal,
gullet (AmE) esophagus  
-esophago-

sensation
esthesio- Anesthesia  
(AmE)
true, good,
eu- eukaryote  
well, new
 out of, away
ex- excision, except  
from
denotes
something as
exo- exophthalmos  
"outside"
another

extra- outside Extradural hematoma  

F[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
faci- Facial nerve  
to the face

fibr- fiber Fibroid tumor  

fil- fine, hair-like filament  

hole, opening,
or aperture,
foramen foramen magnum  
particularly in
bone
used to form
adjectives
-form indicating falciform  
"having the
form of"
before or
fore- foregut  
ahead
a hollow or
depressed
fossa fossa ovalis  
area; a trench
or channel
of or pertaining
front- frontonasal  
to the forehead

G[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

galact- milk Galactorrhea  
of or pertaining
gastr- Gastrectomy  
to the stomach
 *born in, from  
-gen

of a certain
heterogenous  
kind
formative;
-genic pertaining to cardiogenic shock  
producing
of or pertaining
genu- genu valgum  
to the knee

ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, 
-geusia taste  
hypogeusia, parageusia

of or pertaining
gingiv- gingivitis  
to the gums
Having a grey
glauc(o)- or bluish-grey glaucoma  
colour

gloss(o)-, glott( of or pertaining
glossitis  
o)- to the tongue

gluco- sweet glucose  

glyc- sugar glycolysis  

of or pertaining
gnath- gnathodynamometer  
to the jaw
-gnosis knowledge diagnosis, prognosis  
seed, semen;
gon- gonorrhea  
reproductive
-gram, - record or
angiogram, gramophone  
gramme picture
instrument
-graph used to record electrocardiograph, seismograph  
data or picture
process of
-graphy angiography  
recording
gyno-, gynaeco
gynaecology, gynecomastia, gyno
-(BrE), gyneco- woman  
ecium
(AmE)

H[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

to wander in
halluc- hallucination  
mind

hemat-,
of or pertaining hematology, older
haemato-  
to blood form haematology
(haem-, hem-)

hema- or hemo- blood (AmE) hemoglobin  

hemangi or
blood vessels hemangioma  
hemangio-

hemi- one-half cerebral hemisphere  

hepat- of or pertaining
 hepatitis  
(hepatic-) to the liver

denotes
something as
"the other" (of
heter(o)- heterogeneous  
two), as an
addition, or
different
hidr(o)- sweat hyperhidrosis  

hist(o)-, histio- tissue histology  

home(o)- similar homeopathy  

denotes
something as
homosexuality, homozygote,
hom(o)- "the same" as  
homophobic
another or
common
 of or pertaining
to the shoulder
humer(o)- humerus  
(or [rarely] the
upper arm)

hydr(o)- water hydrophobe, hydrogen  

extreme or
hyper- Hypertension  
beyond normal
hyp(o)- below normal hypovolemia, hypoxia  
of or pertaining
hyster(o)- to the womb or Hysterectomy  
the uterus

I[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

condition,
-iasis formation, or mydriasis  
presence of
of or pertaining
to medicine or a
physician
iatr(o)- (uncommon as a iatrogenesis  
prefix but
common as a
suffix; see -iatry)
denotes a field
in medicine
-iatry -iatry emphasizing a podiatry, psychiatry  
certain body
component
-ic pertaining to hepatic artery  
organized
-ics knowledge, obstetrics  
treatment
idio- self, one's own idiopathic  
ileo- ileum ileocecal valve  
infra- below infrahyoid muscles  
between,
inter- interarticular ligament  
among
intra- within intramural  
ipsi- same ipsilateral  
of or pertaining
irid(o)- iridectomy  
to the iris
isch- restriction ischemia  
ischio- of or pertaining ischium  
 to the ischium,
the hip-joint
condition,
-ism dwarfism  
disease
spasm,
-ismus hemiballismus  
contraction
denoting
iso- something as isotonic  
being equal
one who
-ist pathologist  
specializes in
the nature of,
-ite dendrite  
resembling
-itis inflammation tonsillitis  
structure,
-ium pericardium  
tissue

J–K[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

Near to,
juxta (iuxta) alongside or juxtaglomerular apparatus  
next to
kal- potassium hyperkalemia  
kary-[3] nucleus eukaryote  
cornea (eye or
kerat-[4] keratomalacia  
skin)
kine-[5] movement Pharmacokinetics  

koil-[6] hollow koilocyte  

kyph-[7] humped kyphosis  

L[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
labi- labiodental  
to the lip

lacrim(o)- tear Lacrimal gland  

lact(i)-, lact(o) milk lactiferous duct  

of or pertaining
to the
lapar(o)- laparotomy  
abdominal
wall, flank
 of or pertaining
to the larynx,
the lower
laryng(o)- throat cavity Laryngeal nerve  
where
the voice
box is
latero- lateral lateral pectoral nerve  
lei(o)- smooth leiomyoma  

-lepsis, -lepsy attack, seizure epilepsy, narcolepsy  

lept(o)- light, slender Leptomeningeal  

leuc(o)-, denoting a
leukocyte  
leuk(o)- white color

lingu(a)-, of or pertaining
linguistics  
lingu(o)- to the tongue

lip(o)- fat liposuction  

liss(os)- smooth lissencephaly  
lith(o)- stone, calculus lithotripsy  
log(o)- speech Neologism  
denotes
someone who
studies a
certain field
-logist oncologist, pathologist  
(the field of
_____-logy); a
specialist; one
who treats
denotes the
academic
study or
-logy hematology, urology  
practice of a
certain field;
the study of
of or relating to
the part of the
lumb(o)-,
trunk between lumbar vertebrae  
lumb(a)-
the lowest ribs
and the pelvis.

lymph(o)- lymph lymphedema  

lys(o)-, -lytic dissolution lysosome  

 destruction,
-lysis paralysis  
separation

M[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

macr(o)- large, long macrophage  

-malacia softening osteomalacia  

of or pertaining
mamm(o)- mammogram  
to the breast
of or pertaining
mammill(o)- mammillaplasty, mammillitis  
to the nipple
of or pertaining
manu- manufacture  
to the hand
of or pertaining
mast(o)- mastectomy  
to the breast

meg(a)-,
enlargement,
megal(o)-, Splenomegaly  
million
-megaly

having a black
melan(o)- melanin  
color
melos extremity erythromelalgia  

mening(o)- membrane meningitis  

month, menstru
men- menopause, menorrhagia  
al cycle

mer- part Merocrine  

mes- middle mesoderm  

after, beside,
met, meta- beyond or metacarpal  
change

instrument
used to sphygmomanometer, thermomete
-meter  
measure or r
count
process of
measuring, -
-metry optometry  
meter + -y (see -
meter)
 pertaining to
conditions or
metr- metrorrhagia  
instruments of
the uterus
millionth;
denoting
micr- something as microscope  
small, relating
to smallness
milli- thousandth milli liter  

mon- single infectious mononucleosis  

morph- form, shape morphology  

muscul(o)- muscle musculoskeletal system  

of or relating
my(o)- myoblast  
to muscle
myc(o)- fungus onychomycosis  
of or relating
to bone
myel(o)- myelin sheath, myeloblast  
marrow or
the spinal cord
of or relating
myl(o)- to molar teeth mylohyoid nerve  
or the lower jaw
myri- ten thousand myriad  

myring(o)- eardrum myringotomy/ myringoplasty  

myx(o)- mucus myxoma  

N[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

nan(o)- dwarf, small nanosecond  

narc(o)- numb, sleep narcolepsy  

of or pertaining
nas(o)- Nasal  
to the nose
nat(o)- birth neonatology  

necr(o)- death necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis  

neo- new neoplasm  

of or pertaining
nephr(o)- nephrology  
to the kidney
 of or pertaining
to nerves and
the nervous
system(uncom
nerv- nerve, nervous system  
mon as a
root: neuro- m
ostly always
used)
of or pertaining
neur(i)-, to nerves and
neuroma  
neur(o)- the nervous
system
noci- pain, injury, hurt nociception  
normo- normal normocapnia  

O[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
ocul(o)- Oculist  
to the eye
of or pertaining
odont(o)- orthodontist  
to teeth

odyn(o)- pain stomatodynia  

-oesophageal,
oesophago- (Br gullet oesophagus  
E)

resemblance
-oid Sarcoidosis  
to
Ole small or little arteriole  
having little,
olig(o)- oligotrophy  
having few
om(o)- shoulder omoplate  

-oma (singular),  tumor, mass, sarcoma, teratoma, mesotheliom

 
-omata (plural) fluid collection a

of or pertaining
omphal(o)- to the navel, omphalocele  
the umbilicus
onco- tumor, bulk, oncology  
 volume
-one   hormone  
of or pertaining
onych(o)- to the nail (of a onychomycosis  
finger or toe)
of or pertaining
to an (egg), a
oo- oogenesis  
woman's egg,
the ovum
of or pertaining
oophor(o)- to the woman's oophorectomy  
(ovary)
of or pertaining
ophthalm(o)- ophthalmology  
to the (eye)
back, behind,
opistho- opisthotonus  
rear[8]
examination or
-opsy biopsy, autopsy  
inspection
of or relating to
chemical
optic(o)- optic nerve  
properties of
the eye
of or pertaining
or(o)- oral  
to the mouth
one who,
-or agent noun– Doctor  
forming suffix

orchi(o)-,
orchid(o)-, testis orchiectomy, orchidectomy  
orch(o)-

denoting
something as
orth(o)- orthodontist  
straight or
correct
a
-osis condition, disea osteoporosis  
se or increase

ossi-, osse- bone, bony intraosseous  

ost(e)-, oste(o)- bone osteoporosis, osteoarthritis  

of or pertaining
ot(o)- otology  
to the ear
-ous pertaining to porous  
 of or pertaining
ovari(o)- ovariectomy  
to the ovaries
of or pertaining
ovo-, ovi-, ov- to the eggs, ovogenesis  
the ovum
addition
oxo-    
of oxygen

sharp, acid,
oxy- oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone  
acute; oxygen

P
Affix Meaning Example(s)  
pachy- thick pachyderma  
of or pertaining
to the eyelid
palpebr- palpebra  
(uncommon as
a root)

denoting
something as
'complete' or
pan-, pant(o)- Pancytopenia  
containing
'everything';
"all"

of or pertaining
to the nipple
papill- papillitis  
(of the
chest/breast)
Indicates papulo
sity, a small
elevation or
papul(o)- papulation  
swelling in the
skin, a pimple,
swelling
para- alongside of paraubilical hernia  
-paresis slight paralysis hemiparesis  
parvo- small Parvovirus  
path(o)- disease Pathological fracture  
 denotes (with a
negative
-pathy sense) a sociopathy, neuropathy  
disease, or
disorder
pauci- Few Pauci-immune  

pector- breast or chest Pectoralis major  

of or pertaining
ped-, -ped-,
to the foot; Pedoscope  
-pes
-footed
of or pertaining
ped-, pedo- Pediatrics  
to the child

pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- hip bone Pelvis  

-penia deficiency osteopenia  

of or pertaining
peo- Peotomy  
to the penis
denotes
something
relating to
-pepsia dyspepsia  
digestion, or
the digestive
tract.
per- through Percutaneous  
denoting
something with
a position
peri- periodontal  
'surrounding'
or 'around'
another
-pexy fixation nephropexy  

phacolysis, phacometer,
phaco- lens-shaped  
phacoscotoma

Forms terms
denoting
conditions
-phagia, -phage Odynophagia  
relating to
eating or
ingestion
eating,
-phago- phagocyte  
devouring
Forms nouns
phagist- that denote a Lotophagi  
person who
 'feeds on' the
first element or
part of the
word
Forms nouns
that denotes
'feeding on' the
-phagy hematophagy  
first element or
part of the
word
phall- phallus Aphallia  
drug,
pharmac- pharmacology  
medication
of or pertaining
to the pharynx,
pharyng- pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy  
the upper throat
cavity
-phil(ia) attraction for hemophilia  
of or pertaining
phleb- to the (blood) phlebography, phlebotomy  
veins, a vein
exaggerated
fear,
-phobia arachnophobia  
sensitivity,
aversion
phon- sound phonograph, symphony  
of or pertaining
to light or its
chemical
properties, now
phos- historic and phosphene  
used rarely. See
the common
root phot- belo
w.
of or pertaining
phot- photopathy  
to light
The
phren-, phrenic
diaphragm/ the Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia  
-
mind

phyllo- leaf-like phyllodes tumour  

-phyte, phyto- to grow hydrophyte  

pia soft pia mater  

piri- Pear Piriformis muscle  
formation,
-plasia Achondroplasia  
development
surgical repair,
-plasty rhinoplasty  
reconstruction
-plegia paralysis paraplegia  
more,
pleio- excessive, pleiomorphism  
multiple
of or pertaining
pleur- Pleurogenous  
to the ribs
stroke or
-plexy Cataplexy  
seizure

air, breath, apnea, pneumatology, pneumoni

pne-, pneum-  
lung a

of or pertaining
pod-, -pod-,
to the foot, podiatry  
-pus
-footed
-poiesis production hematopoiesis  
having a grey
polio- poliomyelitis  
color
denotes a
poly- 'plurality' of polymyositis  
something
por- pore, porous Pore  
denotes a
porphyr- porphyria  
purple color
denotes
something as
post- 'after' or postoperation, postmortem  
'behind'
another
denotes
something as
'before'
pre- another (in premature birth  
[physical]
position or
time)
presby- old age presbyopia, presbycusis[10]  
denotes
something as
prim- Primary  
'first' or 'most-
important'
pro- denotes procephalic  
 something as
'before'
another (in
[physical]
position or
time)
proct- anus, rectum proctology  
prosop- face prosopagnosia  
denotes
something as
prot- protoneuron  
'first' or 'most
important'
denotes
pseud- something pseudoephedrine  
false or fake
psor- Itching psoriasis  
of or pertaining
psych- psychology, psychiatry  
to the mind
Pertaining to a
wing;
ptero-, ptery- lateral pterygoid plate  
'pterygo-',
wing-shaped
falling,
drooping,
-ptosis downward apoptosis, nephroptosis  
placement,
prolapse
saliva, salivary
-ptyal-,ptyalo glands, ptyalolithiasis  
sialaden

hemoptysis, the spitting of blood

-ptysis spitting derived from the lungs or  
bronchial tubes

pulmon-, of or relating to
Pulmonary artery  
pulmo- the lungs
py- pus pyometra  
pyel- pelvis pyelonephritis  
to thicken (as
the nucleus
pykno- does in early pyknosis  
stages of cell
death)
pylor- gate pyloric sphincter  
pyr- fever antipyretic  
Q-R

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

quadr(i)- four quadriceps  
radi- radiation radiowave  
referring to the
beginning, or
the root, of a
radic- radiculopathy  
structure,
usually a nerve
or a vein
re- again, back relapse  
rect- rectum rectal, rectum  
of or pertaining
ren- renal  
to the kidney

reticul(o)- net reticulocyte  

backward,
retro- retroversion, retroverted  
behind
rod shaped,
rhabd(o)- rhabdomyolysis  
striated

rhachi(o)- spine rachiopathy  

of or pertaining
rhin(o)-  rhinoplasty  
to the nose
denoting a
rhod(o)- Rhodopsin  
rose-red color
burst forth,
-rrhage,
rapid flow (of hemorrhage, menorrhagia  
-rrhagia
blood, usually)
surgical
-rrhaphy hymenorrhaphy, neurorrhaphy  
suturing

flowing,
-rrhea (AmE) galactorrhea, diarrhea  
discharge

-rrhexis rupture karyorrhexis  

flowing,
-rrhoea (BrE) diarrhoea  
discharge

rubr(o)- of or pertaining rubrospinal  

to the red
nucleus of the
 brain
-rupt break or burst erupt, interrupt  

S[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
to tubes, salpingectomy, salpingopharynge
salping(o)-  
e.g. Fallopian us muscle
tubes

sangui-, of or pertaining
sanguineous discharge  
sanguine- to blood

relating to
sapro- putrefaction or Saprogenic  
decay.
muscular,
sarco- sarcoma, sarcoidosis  
flesh-like

schist(o)- split, cleft schistocyte  

denoting
something
schiz(o)- schizophrenia  
"split" or
"double-sided"

scler(o)- hard scleroderma  

-sclerosis hardening atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis  

scoli(o)- twisted scoliosis  

instrument for
-scope stethoscope  
viewing
process of
-scopy endoscopy  
viewing
scoto- darkness scotopic vision  
semi- one-half, partly Semiconscious  
saliva, salivary
sial(o)- sialagogue  
gland
sigmoid, S-
sigmoid(o)- shaped sigmoid colon  
curvature

sinistr(o)- left, left side    

sinus- of or pertaining sinusitis  

 to the sinus
sito- food, grain sitophobia  

somat(o)-,
body, bodily Somatic  
somatico-

somn(o) Sleep insomniac[11]  

-spadias slit, fissure hypospadias, epispadias  

spasmo- spasm Spasmodic dysphonia  

sperma-,
semen, sperm
spermo-, spermatogenesis  
atozoa
spermato-

splanchn(i)-,
viscera Splanchnic vessels  
splanchn(o)-

splen(o)- spleen splenectomy  

of or pertaining
spondyl(o)- to the spine, spondylitis  
the vertebra
denoting
something as
squamos(o)- squamous cell  
"full of scales"
or "scaly"
-stalsis contraction peristalsis  
stopping,
-stasis cytostasis, homeostasis  
standing
dripping,
-staxis  Epistaxis  
trickling
denoting
something as
narrow in
sten(o)- stenography  
shape or
pertaining to
narrowness
-stenosis abnormal restenosis, stenosis  
narrowing of a
blood vessel or
other tubular
 organ or
structure
of or pertaining
to the upper
chest, the area
steth- stethoscope  
above the
breast and
under the neck
strength, force,
stheno-  Asthenospermia  
power
of or pertaining
to the mouth;
stom-, stomat- an artificially Stomatitis  
created
opening[12]
creation of an
-stomy colostomy  
opening
sub- beneath, under subcutaneous tissue  
in excess,
super- above, superior vena cava  
superior
above,
supra- supraorbital vein  
excessive
indicates
similarity,
likeness, or
being together;
assimilates
sy, syl-, sym-, before some symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, 
 
syn-, sys- consonants: syssarcosis
before l to syl-, s 
to sys-, before
a labial
consonant to sy
m-

T[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

denoting
something as
tachy- tachycardia  
fast, irregularly
fast

-tension,
pressure hypertension  
-tensive
terato- Monster teratoma, teratogen  
tetan- rigid, tense tetanus  
thec- case, sheath intrathecal  
of or pertaining
to a nipple
thel- Theleplasty, thelarche  
(uncommon as
a prefix)
denoting
something as
thely- relating to a Thelygenous  
woman,
feminine
therap- treatment hydrotherapy, therapeutic  

therm(o)- Heat hypothermia  

of or pertaining
to the upper
thorac(i)-,
chest, chest;
thorac(o)-, thoracic, thorax  
the area above
thoracico-
the breast and
under the neck
of or relating to
a blood clot,
thromb(o)- thrombus, thrombocytopenia  
clotting of
blood
thyr(o)- thyroid  Thyroid lobe  
thym- Emotions dysthymia  
-tic pertaining to    
toco- Childbirth tocolytic  
cutting
-tome  Microtome  
instrument
act of cutting;
-tomy incising, Gastrotomy  
incision
tone, tension,
ton-    
pressure
-tony Tension    
top(o)- place, topical Topical anesthetic  
tort(i)- Twisted Torticollis  

tox(i)-, tox(o)-,
toxin, poison Toxoplasmosis  
toxic(o)-
trache(a)- trachea Tracheotomy  

of or pertaining
trachel(o)- tracheloplasty  
to the neck
denoting
something as
trans- moving or Transfusion  
situated across
or through
tri- three triangle, triceps  

of or pertaining
trich(i)-, trichia,
to hair, hair- trichocyst  
trich(o)-
like structure

-tripsy crushing lithotripsy  

nourishment,
-trophy pseudohypertrophy  
development

geotropic (The directional growth

of an organism in response to  
gravity)

phototropic (taking a particular

direction under the influence of  
light)
turned toward,
with an
neurotropic (having an affinity for
orientation
-tropic nerve cells or tissue, e.g. a
toward, having  
neurotropic virus; a neurotropic
an affinity for,
drug)
affecting

gonadotropic (pertaining to
substances formed in the anterior
 
pituitary gland that affect the
activity of the ovary or testis)

tympan(o)- eardrum tympanocentesis  

U[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

-ula, -ule small Nodule  

beyond,
ultra- ultrasound, ultraviolet  
excessive
of or pertaining
umbilic- to the navel, umbilical  
the umbilicus
of or pertaining
ungui- to the nail, a unguiform, ungual  
claw
un(i)- one unilateral hearing loss  

antidiuretic,
of or pertaining diuresis, diuretic, dysuria,
ur- to urine, the enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, urae  
urinary system mia/uremia, uremic, ureter,
urethra, urology

of or pertaining
urin- to urine, the uriniferous  
urinary system
of or pertaining
uter(o)- to the uterus or uterus  
womb

V[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

of or pertaining
vagin- vaginal epithelium  
to the vagina
swollen or
varic(o)- varicose  
twisted vein
duct, blood
vas(o)- vasoconstriction  
vessel

vasculo- blood vessel    

of or pertaining
to the veins,
venous blood,
ven- venule, venospasm  
and
the vascular
system
of or pertaining
to the belly, the
ventr(o)- ventrodorsal  
stomach
cavities
 of or pertaining
to
cardiac
the ventricles;
ventricul(o)- ventriculography, atrioventricular  
any hollow
node
region inside an
organ

-version turning anteversion, retroversion  

of or pertaining
vesic(o)- vesical arteries  
to the bladder
of or pertaining
to the internal
viscer(o)- viscera  
organs,
the viscera

X–Z[edit]

Affix Meaning Example(s)  

having a
yellow color,
xanth(o)- especially an xanthopathy  
abnormally
yellow color
foreign,
xen(o)- xenograft  
different
xer(o)- dry, desert-like xerostomia, xeroderma  

xiph- sword xiphisternum, xiphoid  

condition or
-y surgery  
process of
ze- boil eczema  
animal, animal
zo(o)- zoology  
life
zym(o)- fermentation enzyme, lysozyme