PLURAL

US I UM A A AE IS ES
alumnus alumni acetabulum acetabula alga algae analysis analyses
alveolus alveoli atrium atria alumna alumnae auris aures
bacillus bacilli bacterium bacteria aorta aortae axis axes
bronchus bronchi calcaneum calcanea axilla axillae basis bases
calcaneus calcanei cecum ceca bursa bursae crisis crises
calculus calculi cerebrum cerebra cannula cannulae diagnosis diagnoses
carpus carpi cilium cilia coxa coxae dialysis dialyses
coccus cocci cranium crania fibula fibulae ecchymosis ecchymoses
embolus emboli curriculum curricula flora florae ellipsis ellipses
esophagus esophagi datum data formula formulae epistaxis epistaxes
focus foci duodenum duodena lacuna lacunae hypothesis hypotheses
fungus fungi endocardium endocardia larva larvae metatarsis metatarses
humerus humeri epithelium epithelia lingua linguae neurosis neuroses
locus loci ilium ilia macula maculae oasis oases
malleus mallei ischium ischia maxilla maxillae paralysis paralyses
malleolus malleoli medium media medulla medullae paranthesis parantheses
microvillus microvilli mediastinum mediastina mucosa mucosae pelvis pelves
nucleus nuclei myocardium myocardia palpebra palpebrae prognosis prognoses
oculus oculi omentum omenta patella patellae prophylaxis prophylaxes
phalangus phalangi ovum ova pleura pleurae psychosis psychoses
radius radii pericardium pericardia plica plicae pubis pubes
ramus rami periosteum periostea scapula scapulae symphysis symphyses
stimulus stimuli residuum residua sequela sequelae synthesis syntheses
streptococcus streptococci sacrum sacra tibia tibiae testis testes
sulcus sulci septum septa trachea tracheae thesis theses
syllabus syllabi spectrum spectra ulna ulnae
talus tali sporangium sporangia vena venae
tarsus tarsi sputum sputa vena cava venae cavae
thrombus thrombi sternum sterna vertebra vertebrae
uterus uteri stratum strata vesica vesicae
vagus vagi
villus villi

US ORA/ERA ON A IS IDES EN INA

corpus corpora criterion criteria arthritis arthritides foramen foramina
crus crura ganglion ganglia dermatitis dermatitides limen limina
genus genera phenomenon phenomena epidermis epidermides lumen lumina
latus latera protozoon protozoa epiglottis epiglottides stamen stamina
pectus pectora spermatozoon spermatozoa iris irides/irises
viscus viscera mitochondrion mitochondria
IX/EX/AX ICES X GES MA MATA
appendix appendices coccyx coccyges carcinoma carcinomata
cervix cervices larynx larynges emphysema emphysemata
cicatrix cicatrices meninx meninges melanoma melanomata
matrix matrices phalanx phalanges oedema oedemata
radix radices pharynx pharynges sarcoma sarcomata
varix varices salpinx salpinges schema schemata
apex apices syrinx syringes stigma stigmata
cortex cortices stoma stomata
index indices trauma traumata
pollex pollices
thorax thoraces

consoana => ges: laryNx -> laryNges

vocala => ces: thorAx -> thorAces

SG = PL SG PL
apparatus caput capita
ductus cor corda
hiatus dens dentes
meatus femur femora
series furfur furfures
species genu genua
stapes incus incudes
stapidies margo margines
tractus os orra
os ossa
pancreas pancreata
pars parties
pes pedes
pons ponties
pulmo pulmones
ren renes
stapes stapedes
vas vassa
 SYNONYMS

abnormality = anomaly breastfeed = lactate

absence = lack brittle = fragile
absorb = take in bruise = ecchymosis, hematoma
abundant = plentiful b i i = ho emaid knee
activate = trigger, induce calcaneum = heel bone
accumulate = gather cancellous = spongy, porous
accurate = precise cancerous = malignant
additive = cumulative candida = thrush
adequate = proper, appropriate cardiac arrest = myocardial stop
adenohypophysis = anterior pituitary cardiologist = heart specialist
adverse reaction = side effect carpals = carpal bones = bones of the wrist
agony = torment carry out = perform
aim = goal, objective, purpose cast = plaster
airways = air passages cavity = socket, hole
alike = similar, identical cerebral palsy = (to be) spastic
allergy = hypersensitivity cervix = neck
alopecia = baldness chemist = druggist, pharmacist
alveolus = air pockets (sacs) childbirth = parturition
ambulation = walking chills = rigor
analgesic = painkiller chiropodist = foot doctor, podiatrist (podolog)
anaphylaxis = severe allergic reaction clavicle = collarbone
angina pectoris = chest pain closed fracture = simple fracture
antiemetic = anti-vomiting clotting = obstruction
appearance = occurrence cluster = bundle, group
appointment = call coccyx = tailbone, rump bone
arteriosclerosis = hardening of the arteries cold = coryza
articulation = joint colorectal surgery = proctology
asphyxiation = suffocation compassion = empathy
assay = test, trial, attempt compulsory = mandatory, obligatory, required
atrium = auricle concussion = brain injury
atrophy = degeneration condition = problem, trouble
auscultation = listening contagious = infectious, transmissible,
autopsy = postmortem evaluation catching, communicative, communicable
available = accessible container = recipient
bad breath = halitosis continuous = ongoing, permanent
bedridden = immobilised to bed cough = tussis
before = prior to, anterior to covered = coated, draped
bending = flexion covering = protecting
bind = to link, unite, merge, combine coxal bone = hip bone
biotransformation = drug metabolism cranium = skull
bleeding = blood loss, hemorrhage crave = lust, to long for
blood = vascular crossed-eyed = squint
blood clot = thrombus cure = heal
blood group = blood type cut = laceration, incision
blood platelet = thrombocyte cutaneous = dermal
bloodstream = blood flow cyanosis = bluish discoloration
bony = osseous dangerous = hazardous
bore = hole defect = fault
boundary = limit, margin, extremity, edge degenerative = progressivly damaging
delay = postpone fascia = fibrous tissue
depicted = described family doctor = family physician, general
dermis = corium, derma, cutis practitioner (GP)
detalied = minute, thorough fatal = deadly, lethal
device = machine fatigue = tiredness
diaphoresis = extreme sweating febrile = fevirish, pyretic
dietitian = nutritionist feed = nourish
diffuse = spread, scatter fellow = subspecialist
disability = inability, incapacity fellowship = subspecialty training
disadvantage = drawback femur = thigh bone
disease = affliction, ailment, illness, fever = pyrexia
sickness, trouble, malady fibula = splinter bone, calf bone
distress = discomfort fit = healthy
dizziness = vertigo, unsteadiness fixed = immobile
doctor = clinician, physician, medical flatulence = wind, gas
practitioner foramen = opening
dormant = inactive, inert, latent, passive forefinger = index
dormitory = dorm, hostel form = shape
drops (eye) = instillation formation = synthesis
drowsy = sleepy frequency = rate, speed
duct = tube, tunnel freshman = fresher
dyspnea = shortness of breath, air hunger frontal = anterior/ventral
dyspepsia = indigestion, upset stomach function = role
eager = willing fungus = mold
echography = ultrasound gall = bile
effort = exertion gallbladder = cholecyst
egg = ovum gaster = stomach
emesis = vomiting general = systemic
empty = hollow germ = microbe, pathogen
endocrine glands = ductless glands = glands gigantism = giantism, macrosomia
of internal secretion groove = sulcus
endurance = resistance, stamina gross anatomy = macroscopic anatomy
endure = resist, withstand growth = development
enema = clyster gum = gingiva
enhance = improve happen = occur, to take place
enlarge = dilate, expand, widen hay fever = allergic rhinitis
epidemic = outbreak healthcare = medical care
episode = attack, seizure, paroxysm heart attack = myocardial infarction
epistaxis = nosebleed heartburn = pyrosis
epithelial tissue = epithelium hematopoiesis = formation of blood cells
eruption = rush hemorrhage = massive/severe bleeding
eructation = belching, burping hemorrhoids = piles
erythrocyte = red blood cell herpes simplex = cold sore
(o)esophagus = gullet herpes zoster = shingles
essay = written report hiatus = perforation
etiology = cause, origin histology = microscopic anatomy
exhibit = show homogenous = compact
exocrine glands = duct glands hospital chart = observation chart
expectoration = sputum humerus = upper arm bone
extension = stretching hypotension = low blood pressure
fainting = syncope, loss of consciousness hypertension = high blood pressure
fallopian tube = salpinx inactivate = neutralize
incapable of = unable to mumps = infectious parotitis, epidemic parotitis
incus = anvil myocyte = muscle cell
indispensable = vital narrowing = stenosis
induced = provoked, caused nas(o) = rhin(o)
infectious mononucleosis = glandular fever, nephro = reno
kissing disease nerve cell = neurone
inflexible = rigid neurohypophysis = posterior pituitary
influenza = the flu neurosurgery = brain surgery
ingest = swallow nose = nasal passages
inherited = genetic, hereditary nosocomial infection = hospital acquired infection
inhibit = suppress normal = physiological
injection = shot nutritive = nourishing
injury = wound (o)edema = swelling
innate = natural obstruction = blockage, congestion, occlusion
inpatient = hospitalised patient onset = start, beginning
inspecting = looking open fracture = compound fracture
integument = skin ophthalmologist = eye doctor
intern = physician in training orderly = porter
internship = hands-on medical training origin = source
intestine = bowel, gut orthopedist = orthopedic surgeon
intolerance = allergy, abnormal sensitivity ossicles = bones of the ear
itching = pruritus osteoblast = bone forming cell
job = role, task, function otolaryngologist = ENT specialist
larynx = voice box outcome = result, prognosis
lateral = outside outpatient = ambulatory patient
layer = stratum overall = total, general
la man e m = imple/gene al e m over the counter medication (OTC) = non-
lazy = slob prescription drugs
leak = outflow pace = rhythm
lethargy = fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness pacemaker = cardiac stimulator
leukocyte = white blood cell pain = ache
licence = bachelo deg ee paleness = pallor
likelihood = probability paralysis = palsy
likely to = prone to, susceptible to paramedic = emergency medical technician
limb = member paramedical personnel = health-allied personnel
lining = padding patella = knee cap
lipid = fat peak = top, tip, apex, summit
lumbago = lower back pain pep pill = stimulant
lump = nodule percussion = tapping
lung = pulmon pernicious = harmful, delirious
malaise = nausea personnel = staff
malleus = hammer/mallet pertussis = whooping cough
mandible = lower jaw phalanx = bone of the finger/toe
matrix = uterus, womb pharmacy = drugstore
maxilla = jawbone, upper jaw pharynx = throat
medial = inside phlegm = thick mucus, sputum
medicine = medication, drug phylaxis = protection against infection
mental hospital = psychiatric hospital pineal = epiphysis
mild = minor pinky = baby finger
minute = tiny, small pit = fossa/hole
moist = humid, damp pituitary = hypophysis
mouth = oral cavity, stoma platelets = thrombocytes
pneumonia = pneumonitis stiffness = ankylosis
poisonous = toxic strabismus = squint
poliomyelitis = polio strenuous = exhausting, demanding
polix = thumb striations = stripes
posterior (view) = rear stroke = cerebral infarction, cerebrovascular accident
predisposition = susceptibility stuffy nose = blocked nose
prescription = medication order sudoriferous = sweat glands
private practice = medical office supervise = monitor, oversee
prophylaxis = prevention supply = deliver, provide, give
pulse = heart rate sutures = stitches
radius = forearm bone swallowing = deglutition
range = variety system = structure, organisation
readily = easily tarsal = tarsal bone, bone of the ankle
recovery = recuperation term = semestre
recovery period = convalescence tendonitis = tennis elbow
relapse = recurrence testicles = testes
relieve = allay, alleviate, assuage, calm, tetany = intermitent cramp
comfort, dull, ease, mitigate, palliate, soothe thin = slim, slender
ren = kidney tibia = shinbone, shankbone
renal calculi = kidney stones tight junction = occluding junction
residency = speciality training tongue = glossa, lingua
resident = specialist in training to abstain = to restrain
resist = withstand to amputate = to cut, to sever, to eliminate
rhinorrhea = runny nose to ascertain = to determine
rigidity = stiffness to bandage = to dress a wound
root = radix to be good at = to excel in, to be proficient in
routed = directed, distributed to break down = to decompose
rubella = German measles to breathe in = to inhale, inspire
rubeola = measles, morbilli to breathe out = to exhale, expel
saliva = spit to bring about = to cause, to determine (to
scanty = insufficient happen), to stir
scapula = shoulder blade to bring back = to restore
scar = cicatrix to care for patients = to attent to patients
schedule = timetable to catch = to pick-up (a disease)
sclerosis = hardening to chew = to masticate
sebaceous = oil glands to compensate for = to make-up for
secrete = release, emit, produce to constrict = to narrow
sepsis = blood infection to cut down = to reduce
serious = severe to cut out = to eliminate
shaft = diaphysis to dispose of = to discard, to get rid of, to
sideways = lateral dispense with, to eliminate
sight = vision to err = to make a mistake
site = place, location to fall into = to fall under
slurred speech = dysarthria, mumbling to give off = to emit
sore = ulcer, wound to grade someone = to mark someone
spectrum = array, range to inflame = to swell
spermatozoon = male sex cell to line = to pad
squama = scale, solze to be medically insured = to be covered by
stapes = stirrup medical insurance, to have a medical insurance
state (hospital) = public, government to mould = to shape
sternum = breastbone, chestbone to replace = to substitute
sternutation = sneezing to sweat = to perspire
to test/feel/check/measure the pulse varicella = chickenpox
to weaken = to debilitate variola = smallpox
torticollis = wryneck verrucae = warts
trachea = windpipe vertebral column = spinal column, back
turning = rotation bone, spine
ulna = cubitus, elbow bone waste = residue, debris, residuum
undue = unnecessary weakness = frailty, fragility
urticaria = hives, heat spots, nettle rash while = whilst
vagus nerve = pneumogastric nerve worker = employee

Opposites
dis like, satisfaction, infect
anti pyretic, biotic, tussive, inflammatory
(mal) dys trophy, lexia, function

abd c o add c o efficien inefficien

abili di abili , inabili endoc ine e oc ine
able nable e acell la in acell la
ab ndan ca ce feb ile an ifeb ile
ac i a ion inac i a ion flabb m cle one
ac i e pa i e fo ma ion malfo ma ion
ac e ch onic f on ea
adeq a e inadeq a e f nc ion d f nc ion
ad e e benefic ha mf l ha mle
an e io po e io heal h nheal h , ick, ill
app op ia e inapp op ia e he e ogeneo homogeneo
balance imbalance, nbalance h midified deh midified
benign malignan h d a ion deh d a ion
bod an ibod h po h pe
breathe-in b ea he-out hypoventilation hyperventilation
coag lan an icoag lan ill heal h , fi
comfo able ncomfo able indica ion con aindica ion
compa ible incompatible infec io noninfec io
compo e decompo e inflamma o noninflamma o , an i-inflammatory
conge an deconge an inhale e hale
connec ed di connec ed, nconnec ed in pi a ion e pi a ion
con cio ncon cio in e nal e e nal
con agio noncon agio in a e a
con in o di con in o in a eno e a eno
con ac ion ela a ion ma e imma e
coo dina ed ncoo dina ed mild evere
c able inc able mo able immo able
diagno e mi diagno e m co ic an im co ic
di ec l indi ec l no mal abno mal
di e ic an idi e ic o ganic ino ganic
dono ecipien o gani a ion di o gani a ion
do al en al o gani ed di o gani ed
d moi o e inne
edible inedible outer-mo inne -most
effec i e ineffec i e o e e po e nde e po e
o gena e deo gena ed c e c ele
painf l painle , pain-free c ed n c ed
pala able (g o ) npala able pe ficial deep, p ofo nd
pe meable impe meable ole dia ole
plen if l ca ce o con ic o enla ge, dila e
p ope imp ope o con in e o di con in e, o in e p, o
p e ic an ip e ic stop, to cease
eac i e non-reactive o c e a di ea e o heal an inj
eg la i eg la o inc ea e o dec ea e, o ed ce
e pon ible i e pon ible o infec to disinfect
h hmic a h hmic o inhibi o lo , o op
igid of o pa o fail
en i i e non-sensitive, insensitive o p o ide o ge id of
ep i a ep i o ppl o ecei e
ep ic an i ep ic, a ep ic nde and mi nde and
skill-f ll kill-less ed blood clean ed blood
moo h o gh opia d opia
ol ble in ol ble a c la a a c la
pecific non pecific i ible in i ible
able n able i al non-vital
e ile con amina ed, n e ile ol n a involuntary
e oidal non-steroidal ide p ead locali ed

Enteral - per os: ora, ossa

- suppository
Parenteral: IV, IM, SC, IA
Topical ointment = unguent
- liniment = alifie
- drops = picaturi

triangle => triangular

rectangle => rectangular nose = pyramidal
square => square gallbladder = pear-shaped
circle => circular liver = triangular
sphere => spherical heart = conical
cone => conical kidney = bean-shaped
pyramid => pyramidal eye => spherical
tube => tubular esophagus => tubular
dome => dome-shaped
pear => pear-shaped
bean => bean-shaped
verb => noun The cure for HIV is complex.
to cure => cure I need something to cure my addiction.
to prescribe => prescription I just got the medical prescription.
to refer => referral After you finish med school you can prescribe
to contaminate => contamination medication.
to administer => administration Please refer to me by my first name.
to diagnose => diagnosis The doctor game me a referral.
to experience => experiment You must be careful not to contaminate others.
to withdraw => withdrawal The contamination extended beyond the city border.
to examine => examination Did you administered the shot?
The administration of the drugs was done 2h ago.
We must rule out a possible diagnosis.
I ha d o diagnose some infections from other.

to lay laid laid (a organiza)

to lie lay lain (a sta culcat)
to lie lied lied (a minti)

a geon - operates on a patient

- performs/does surgery
surgery room = operation room (OR)

ge can effe o: - the operation room

- the operation itself / the procedure
- the specialty

bedside manners = the way a doctor interacts and communicates with patients
dead on arrival = DoA
bedsore = hospital gangrene = pressure sore/ulcer/gangrene = decubital gangrene = decubitus
ulcer = nosocomial gangrene

ane he i ane he iologi

anesthetist = the person who administers the anesthetic
anesthesiologist = specialist who prescribes the anesthetic, doses

to suture = the medical act

the suture = the suture itself
suture = the material used for suture (surgical thread)

ailment = durere usoara eye sore = ulcior

complaint = durere locala leprosy = lepra
disease = pe termen lung lozenges = drajeuri medicale
disorder = tulburare nettle = urzica
sickness = stare bolnavicioasa orderly = brancardier
attending doctor/physician = medic curant pep = vlaga
senior specialist = medic primar pilgrim = pelerin
bedridden patient = imobilizat la pat plaster = ghips
endowments = inzestrare, dotare private/individual room = rezerva
hemodialysis unit = unitate de dializat rubella = pojarel
hospital stay = perioada de internare rubeola = pojar
hospital training = stagiu de pregatire in spital thrush = afta
hospital wastes = deseuri de spital strecher = targa
trolley = pat mobil
teaching hospital = spital clinic
university hospital = spital universitar
to admit a patient = a interna un pacient
to discharge a patient from a hospital = a
externa un pacient
to dispense = eliberare medicamente fara retete
bedsore = escara
knot = nod
surgical approach = abord chirurgical
surgical appliance = dispozitiv chirurgical
curette = chiureta
curettage = chiuretaj
drain = tub de dren
flap = lambou
surgical bone impression = amprenta osoasa
chirurgicala
surgical suite = bloc operator
surgical wound infection = infectia plagii chirurgicale
chief surgeon = surgeon-in-chief = chirurg principal
assistant surgeon = chiru g a i en mana a 2-a
throbbing pain = durere pulsatila
istorical record = fisa medicala
ward = salon
unit = sectie
individual/private room = rezerva
salary = once a month
wage = two times a month

Combining forms
blood hemo-, hemato-
blood vessels angio-
bone osteo- Surgery suffixes
bronchia bronch(o)- -centesis = surgical puncture
cancer onco- -clasia = crushing, breaking up
fluid hydro- -desis = fusion of two parts, stabilization
heart cardio- -ectomy = surgical removal
joint arthro- -odynia = pain
liver hepato- -oma = tumor
lung pneumo- , pulmo- -opsy = looking at
muscle myo- -oscopy = viewing of
nervous system neuro- -ostomy = surgical creating a hole
nose rhino- -otomy = cutting into, incision
pancreas pancreato- -pexy = fixing, lifting, securing
pus pyo- -plasty = modifying, reshaping
renal system nephro- -rrhaphy = strenghtening with suture
stomach gastro- -rrhexis = breaking, rupturing, splitting
tissue histo-
 Education

Levels of education
- Pre-school - kindergarden
- nursery school
- Elementary school: 1-8
Primary school: 1-4
Gymnasium: 5-8
- Secondary school = Highschool
Junior: 9-10
Senior: 11-12
- Higher education = invatamant superior

Formal education = until 10th class illiteracy = analfabetism

Profil: real = sciences; uman = humanities
academic year = an universitar
to enroll = a se inscrie
enrollment = inscriere
to attend (lectures/seminars) = a frecventa
attendance list = lista de prezenta
to make the roll call = a face prezenta
to expel = a exmatricula
to drop out = a abandona/ renunta
to take a year off = a lua pauza 1 an
to miss a class, to skip a class
headmaster/headmistress
eache aff oom = cancela ia
baccalaureate diploma
to be on a leave = a fi in concediu
to be on a sick leave = a fi in concediu
medical
timetable/schedule = orar
mark/grade = nota
school report = situatia scolara
to assess = a asculta
assessment = evaluare
average = medie
GPA = grade point average = nota de trecere
overall GPA = media anilor de scoala
to take/sit for a test
to flunk = a pica
to pass = a trece
to pass with flying colors
resit = restanta
to cheat
subject = materie (history, geography, math)
to be good at/ bad at
to be proficient in a language
proficient = expert, competent
he 3 R : Reading W i ing, A i hme ic
illiterate = analfabet
assignment = tema
spelling = ortografie
midwife = moasa
freshman = student in anul I
sophomore = student in anul II
bachelo deg ee = diploma de licenta
ma e deg ee = diploma de ma e
bachelo /ma e deg ee of a / cience
undergraduate education = licenta
graduate education = masterat (educatie
universitara)
postgraduate education = educatie
postuniversitara
PhD = doc o degree
MD = ptr cei ce au terminat facultatea de
medicina
grade record = foaie matricola
academic year/ grade record
curriculum = plan de invatamant curricula
syllabus = programa
certificate = adeverinta
private/ state university
vocational school = scoala profesionala
substitute teacher = profesor suplimentar
academic rank:
- asistent universitar = assistant lecturer
- sef de lucrari/lector = lecturer
- conferentiar = associate professor
- profesor universitar = full professor
teaching load = norma didactica
care subjects = materii de
baza/fundamentale
required subjects = materii obligatorii
elective subjects = materii optionale
university = universitate
faculty = facultate
department = departament
chair = catedra
rector vice-rector
dean vice-dean
head of department
head of chair
registrar = secretar de facultate
chief registrar = secretar sef
personal assistant = secretar particular
evening courses = cursuri de seara
distance education
registration fee = taxa de inscriere
tuition fee = taxa de scolarizare
lecture hall = sala de cursuri
term = semestru
lab = laborator
dormitory = dorms = camin
exam session = sesiune de examene
entrance examination = examen de admitere
examiner = examinator
oral exam; practical exam = colocviu
make-up exam = examen de diferenta
score = punctaj
revision = recapitulare
revise for a exam
o defend o doc o di e a ion
the public defense of a PhD thesis
thesis = teza, dizertatie
made by IN0
a$c11 = 086105107107105095076079086069
 Medical Terminology
1. Suffixes and Prefixes

SUFFIXES
A suffix is a word ending that modifies a root which may indicate that the word is a noun or an
adjective.

● Suffixes that mean “condition of”

Suffix Example Meaning

-ia insomnia Inability to sleep
anesthesia Loss of sensation
phobia Abnormal fear
-ism alcoholism Chronic dependence on or addiction to alcohol
egotism Exaggerated self-importance
embolism Blockage of a vessel
-sis neurosis Psychological disorder
(-osis, -esis, psychosis Mental disorder
-asis, iasis) cirrhosis Liver degeneration
-y atony Lack of muscle tone
tetany Sustained muscle contraction
dysentery Intestinal disorder

● Suffixes that mean “pertaining to”, “characterized by”, “resembling” – adjective endings

Suffix Example Definition

-ac cardiac Pertaining to the heart
-al skeletal Pertaining to the skeleton
-ar muscular Pertaining to muscle
-ary urinary Pertaining to urine
-ic pelvic Pertaining to the pelvis
-ical surgical Pertaining to surgery
-ile febrile Pertaining to fever
-ous venous Pertaining to a vein
-form epileptiform Like or resembling epilepsy
-oid mucoid Like or resembling mucus
(nouns) -sis changes into -tic (to form the adjective): neurosis – neurotic, diuresis - diuretic

1
● Suffixes pertaining to specialties and specialists

Suffix Meaning Example Definition

-logy Study of physiology Study of function in a living organism
-ist Specialist in a field dentist Specialist in the study and treatment of
of study the teeth and mouth
-ian,-ician Specialist in a field Physician Practitioner of medicine
of study
-iatrics,-iatry Field of medicine psychiatry Study and treatment of mental illness
-iatrist Specialist in a field podiatrist Specialist in the study and treatment of
of study the foot

■ Exercises
1. Identify the suffix that means “pertaining to”(“resembling”) in each of the following words:
primary cellular virile physiologic
topical biologic rheumatoid exploratory
focal dystrophy fibrous muciform
lymphoid cutaneous cuboid nuclear
salivary bacterial metric thermal
anatomical cellular lymphoid basic

2. Identify the suffix that means “condition of”in each of the following words:
analgesia parasitism stenosis dystrophy
thrombosis anemia acidosis

3. Write a word for a specialist in each of the following fields:

biology obstetrics pediatrics
allergy psychiatry dermatology
technology anatomy gynecology
pharmacy radiology orthodontics

PREFIXES

● Prefixes pertaining to numbers

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Prim/i- first primigravida Woman pregnant for the first time
Mon/o- one monoclonal Pertaining to a cell colony arising from a single cell
Uni- one unicellular Pertaining to an organism composed of a single cell
Bi- Two, twice Bicuspid Having two points

2
 Di- Two, twice diplegia Paralysis (-plegia) affecting both sides of the body
Diplo- double diplopia Double vision(-opia)
Hemi- Half, one side hemithorax One side of the chest (thorax)
Semi- Half, partial semilunar Resembling a half-moon
Tri- three triad Group of three
Quadr/i- four quadrant One fourth of an area
Multi- many multiple Consisting of many parts
Poly- Many much polymorphic Having many shapes (morph/o)

■ Exercises
1. Define the following words:
primary multicellular
trisect unilateral
polymorphous hemithorax bipolar

2. Fill in the blanks:

1. Monarthritis is arthritis affecting … joint (s).
2. A tricuspid tooth has … points
3. Unilateral means affecting … side
4. A quadruplet is one of … offspring produced in a single birth.
5. A biped is an animal with … feet.
3. Give a prefix similar in meaning to each of the following:
bi- hemi- multi-

● Prefixes pertaining to color

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Cyan/o- Blue cyanosis Bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of
oxigen
Erythr/o- Red erythrocyte Red blood cell
Leuk/o- White, colorless leukoplakia White patches in the mouth
Melano/o- Black, dark melanin The dark pigment that colors the hair and
skin
Xanth/o- yellow xanthoma Yellow raised area of the skin

● Negative prefixes

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

A-, An- Not, without, lack of, absence amorphous Without form
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 Anti- against antidote Means for counteracting a poison
Contra- against contralateral Pertaining to the opposite side
De- Down, without, removal, loss detoxify To remove a poison
Dis- Absence, removal, separation disinfect To remove infectious organisms
from
In-, im- Not (in- before b, m, p) incontinence Lack of control over excretion
Un- Not unconscious Not responsive

■ Exercises
1. Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:
e.g. inadequate in- (prefix) = not (meaning)
amnesia contraception antibody
disease antiserum decongestant
contraindication
2. Write the negative(opposite) of each of the following words. There may be more than one answer
for each.
coordinated ability mature
septic adequate
humidify fertility active
congestant permeable sufficient
responsive compatible

● Prefixes pertaining to direction

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Ab- away from abduct To move away from the midline
Ad- Toward, near adhesion An attachment of parts
Dia- through dialysis Separation by passage through a membrane
Per- through percutaneous Through the skin
Trans- Through, across, transfusion Introduction of blood or blood components
beyond into the bloodstream

■ Exercises
1. Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words
absorb transmit
perforate adhesive diarrhea
transcortical adduct
● Prefixes pertaining to degree

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

4
 Hyper- Over, excess, abnormally hypertension High blood pressure
high, increased
Hypo- Under, below, abnormally hypoventilation Low amount of air entering the
low, decreased lungs
Olig/o- Few, scanty, deficiency of oligospermia Low number of sperm in the
semen
Pan- all panplegia Total paralysis (-plegia)
Super- Above, excess superinfection Second infection

● Prefixes pertaining to size and comparison

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Eu- True, good, easy, normal euthanasia Easy or painless death
Hetero- Other, different, unequal heterosexual Pertaining to the opposite sex
H o m o - / Same, unchanging homothermic Maintaining a constant body
homeo temperature, warm blooded
Iso- Equal, same isograft Graft between two genetically
identical individuals
Macro- Large, abnormally large macroscopic Visible with the naked eye
M e g a - / Large, abnormally large megabladder Permanent enlargement of the
megalo- bladder
Micro- small microsurgery Surgery of extremely small
structures under the microscope
Neo- new neonate Newborn infant
Normo- normal normovolemia Normal blood volume
Ortho- Straight, correct, upright Orthosis Appliance used to correct or
prevent deformities
Pseudo- false pseudoparalysis False paralysis
Re- Again, back reflux Backward or return flow

■ Exercises
1. Match the following terms with their definition:
leukocyte, hypersensitivity, erythroderma, recuperate, pandemic,
xanthoderma, hypotension, pseudoreaction, oligomenorrhea, orthodontic, melanoma,
supermotility, cyanotic, normothermic
a. dark growth on the skin b. white blood cell c. yellow coloration on the skin
d. redness of the skin e. pertaining to bluish discoloration f. low blood pressure
g. scanty menstrual flow h. excess movement i. excessive responsiveness
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j. disease affecting an entire population k. false response l. pertaining to normal body
temperature m. pertaining to straight teeth n. recover from illness

● Prefixes pertaining to time and/or position

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Ante- before antenatal Before birth
Per- Before, in front of predisposing Leading toward a condition such
as a disease
Pro- before, in front of prophylaxis Prevention of disease
Post- After, behind postoperative After a surgical operation

Oprit aici – de facut ex. student

■ Exercises
1. Match the following terms with their definition :
ectocardia (d), postnasal (c), syndrome (f), endonasal (a), telencephalon (b), hyposecretion (e)

a. within the nose b. endbrain c. behind the nose

d. displacement of the heart from its normal position e. underproduction of a substance
f. group of symptoms occurring together

2. Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words

6. premenstrual (pre-/ before, in front of);

7. post-traumatic (post-/ after, behind)

8. progenitor (pro-/ before, in front of)

9. antedate (ante-/ before)

KEY
6.
7. 8.
9.

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:

Prefix Meaning
6. protrude
7. antecedent
8. premenstrual
9. extra
10. mesoderm
11.

6
● Prefixes pertaining to position

Prefix Meaning Example Definition

Dextr/o- right dextrocardia Location of the heart in the right side of the
chest
Sinistr/o- left sinistrad Toward the left
Ecto- out,outside ectopic Outside the normal position
Ex/o- away from, outside excise To cut out
Endo- in, within endoscope Device for viewing the insite of a cavity or
organ
Mes/-o middle mesencephalon Midbrain
S y n , together synapse Junction between two nerve cell
sym-
T e l / e - , end telangion Terminal blood vessel
tel/o-

■ Exercises

1. Write the opposite of each of the following words.

exotoxin (endotoxin), macroscopic (microscopic), homograft (heterograft), hypoactive
(hyperactive), preoperative (postoperative), antepartum (postpartum), preadolescent
(postadolescent), sinistromanual (= left handed) (dextromanual), exogenous (= outside the
organism) (endogenous), organization (disorganization), adduct (abduct),

2. Match the following terms with their definition:

pandemic (d), hypertension (e), neonate (g), oligodontia (b), superficial (a), heterothermic (i),
melanoma (c), panplegia (j), xanthocyte (f), percutaneous (h), mesencephalon (k).

a. located at the surface (above other structures) b. less than the normal number of teeth
c. dark tumor d. disease affecting an entire population e. high blood pressure
f. cell with yellow color g. a newborn h. through the skin
i. having varying body temperature j. total paralysis k. midbrain

de la Mirel
Write the suffix in each of the following words that means “study of,” “medical specialty,” or
“specialist in a field of study”:

1. dentist (one who treats the teeth and mouth) -ist

2. neurology (the study of the nervous system)
3. pediatrics (treatment of children)
7
4. technologist (specialist in a technical field)
5. psychiatry (study and treatment of mental disorders)

KEY:
1. -ist
2. -logy
3. -iatrics
4. -ist
5. -iatry

Write a word for a specialist in each of the following fields:

6. anatomy (study of body structure)
7. pediatrics (care and treatment of children)
8. radiology (use of radiation in diagnosis and treatment)
9. orthodontics (correction of the teeth)

KEY:
6. anatomist
7. pediatrician
8. radiologist
9. orthodontist

Identify the suffix that means “condition of” in each of the following words:
1. egotism
2. anemia
3. stenosis
4. dystrophy
5. acidosis
6. anesthesia

KEY:
1. -ism
2. -ia
3. -sis
4. -y
5. -sis
6. -ia

Give the suffix in the following words that means “specialty” or “specialist”:
7. psychiatry
8. orthopedist
9. obstetrics
10. urology

KEY:
7. -iatry
8
8. -ist
9. -ics
10. -logy

Give the name of the specialist in each of the following fields:

11. pediatrics
12. dermatology
13. pharmacy
14. gynecology

KEY :
11. pediatrician
12. dermatologist
13. pharmacist
14. gynecologist

Identify the adjective suffix in each of the following words that means “pertaining to” or
“resembling”:

15. physiologic
16. local
17. cutaneous
18. lymphoid
19. cellular
20. basic
21. salivary
22. oral
23. rheumatoid
24. virile
25. anatomical
26. circular
27. exploratory

KEY:
15. -ic
16. -al
17. -ous
18. -oid
19. -ar
20. -ic
21. -ary
22. -al
23. -oid
24. -ile
25. -ical
26. -ar
9
27. -ory

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:

1. amorphous (without form) (root morph/o) a- not, without, lack of, absence
2. antibody
3. amnesia
4. disintegrate
5. contralateral
6. incontinent
7. dehumidify
8. noncontributory

KEY
1. a-; not, without, lack of, absence
2. anti-; against, opposite
3. a-; not, without (root mnem/o means “memory”)
4. dis-; absence, removal, separation
5. contra-; against
6. in-; not
7. de-; down, without, removal, loss
8. non-; not

Add a prefix to form the negative of each of the following words:

9. coordinated uncoordinated
10. adequate
11. infect
12. permeable (capable of being penetrated)
13. congestant
14. compatible

KEY
9. uncoordinated
10. inadequate
11. disinfect
12. impermeable
13. decongestant
14. incompatible

Match the following terms and write the appropriate letter to the left of each number:

1. pandemic
a. located at the surface (above other structures)
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2. hyposecretion
b. less than the normal number of teeth
3. hypertension
c. underproduction of a substance
4. oligodontia
d. disease affecting an entire population
5. superficial
e. high blood pressure

KEY
1. d
2. c
3. e
4. b
5. a

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:

6. equidistant (equi-; equal, same)

7. orthopedics
8. recuperate
9. euthyroidism
10. neocortex
11. megacolon
12. isometric

KEY
6.
7. ortho-; straight, correct, upright
8. re-; again, back
9. eu-; true, good, easy, normal
10. neo-; new
11. mega-; large, abnormally large
12. iso-; equal, same

Write the opposite of each of the following words:

13. heterogeneous (composed of different materials) / . homogeneous

14. macroscopic (visible with the naked eye) / microscopic

Match the following terms and write the appropriate letter to the left of each number:

1. postnasal
a. throwing or extending forward
2. antecedent
b. occurring before the proper time
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3. projection
c. behind the nose
4. premature
d. before birth
5. prenatal
e. occurring before another event

KEY
1. c
2. e
3. a
4. b
5. d

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:

6. premenstrual
7. post-traumatic
8. progenitor
9. antedate

KEY
6. pre-; before, in front of
7. post-; after, behind
8. pro-; before, in front of
9. ante-; before

Match the following terms and write the appropriate letter to the left of each number:

1. endonasal
a. placement of the heart outside its normal position
2. syndrome
b. middle layer of the developing embryo
3. mesoderm
c. the last stage of cell division
4. ectocardia
d. within the nose
5. Telophase
e. group of symptoms occurring together

KEY
1. d
2. e
3. b
4. a
5. c

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Match the following terms and write the appropriate letter to the left of each number:

1. primary
a. one half or one side of the chest
2. trisect
b. having many forms
3. unilateral
c. to cut into three parts
4. polymorphous
d. pertaining to one side
5. hemithorax
e. first
6. neonate
a. cell with yellow color
7. melanoma
b. through the skin
8. xanthocyte
c. dark tumor
9. percutaneous
d. a newborn
10. leukoderma
e. loss of color in the skin
11. heterothermic
a. endbrain
12. mesencephalon
b. having varying body temperature
13. panplegia
c. total paralysis
14. telencephalon
d. correcting or preventing deformities
15. orthopedic
e. midbrain

KEY
1. e
2. c
3. d
4. b
5. a
6. d
7. c
8. a
9. b
10. e
11. b
12. e
13. c
14. a
13
15. d

Match each of the following prefixes with its meaning:

16. oligo-
a. equal, same
17. pseudo-
b. right
18. eu-
c. few, scanty
19. iso-
d. good, true, easy
20. dextro-
e. false

KEY
16. c
17. e
18. d
19. a
20. b

Identify and define the prefix in each of the following words:

29. nonexistent
30. transmit
31. equivalent
32. react
33. exhale
34. absent
35. contraindication
36. detoxify
37. predict
38. perforate
39. adduct
40. dialyze
41. antiserum
42. microsurgery
43. disease
44. ectoparasite
45. symbiotic
46. prognosis
47. inadequate

KEY
29. non-; not
14
30. trans-; through, across, beyond
31. equi-; equal, same
32. re-; again, back
33. ex-; away from, outside
34. ab-; away from
35. contra-; against, opposite
36. de-; down, without
37. pre-; before, in front of
38. per-; through
39. ad-; toward, near
40. dia-; through
41. anti-; against
42. micro-; small
43. dis-; absence, removal, separation
44. ecto-; out, outside
45. sym-; together
46. pro-; before, in front of
47. in-; not

Opposites. Write a word that means the opposite of each of the following:

48. responsive
49. mature
50. active
51. sufficient
52. exotoxin
53. macroscopic
54. homograft
55. hypoactive
56. preoperative

KEY
48. unresponsive
49. immature
50. inactive
51. insufficient
52. endotoxin
53. microscopic
54. heterograft
55. hyperactive
56. postoperative

Synonyms. Write a word that means the same as each of the following:

57. supersensitivity
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58. megalocyte (extremely large red blood cell)
59. antenatal
60. equilateral (having equal sides)

KEY
57. hypersensitivity
58. macrocyte
59. prenatal
60. isolateral

Identify and define the prefixes in the following words:

5. displace and dislocate

6. replacement, recovery, and rehabilitation
7. avascular
8. anesthesia and analgesic
9. orthopedic
10. externally
11. bipolar
12. unremarkable

KEY
5. dis-; absence, removal, separation
6. re-; again, back
7. a-; not, without
8. an-; not, without
9. ortho-; straight, correct, upright
10. ex-; away from, outside
11. bi-; two, twice
12. un-; not

16