List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes
This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. Most of them are combining forms in New Latin and hence international scientific vocabulary. There are a few general rules about how they combine. First, prefixes and suffixes, most of which are derived from ancient Greek or classical Latin, have a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o- almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology. But generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem; e.g. arthr- + itis = arthritis, instead of *arthr-o-itis. Second, medical roots generally go together according to language, i.e., Greek prefixes occur with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots.
Prefixes and suffixes
The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and English examples.
A
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| a-, an- | not, without | Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), not, without | Analgesic, apathy |
| ab- | from; away from | Latin | Abduction |
| abdomin- | Of or relating to the abdomen | Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly | Abdomen, abdominal |
| -ac, -acal | pertaining to | Greek -ακός (-akos) | cardiac, hydrophobiac |
| acanth(o)- | thorn or spine | Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (akantha), thorn | acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus |
| acous(io)- | Of or relating to hearing | Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing | acoumeter, acoustician |
| acr(o)- | extremity, topmost | Greek ἄκρον (akron), highest or farthest point | Acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia |
| -acusis | hearing | Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing | paracusis |
| -ad | toward, in the direction of | dorsad | |
| ad- | at, increase, on, toward | Latin | Adduction |
| aden(o)-, aden(i)- | Of or relating to a gland | Ancient Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν- (adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland | Adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus |
| adip(o)- | Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue | Latin (adeps, adip-), fat | Adipocyte |
| adren(o)- | Of or relating to adrenal glands | Latin | adrenal artery |
| -aemia (BrE) | blood condition | Greek ἀναιμία, without blood | Anaemia |
| aer(o)- | air, gas | Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος | Aerosinusitis |
| aesthesio- (BrE) | sensation | Greek αἴσθησις | Anesthesia |
| -al | pertaining to | Latin -alis | abdominal, femoral |
| alb- | Denoting a white or pale color | Latin albus, white | Albino |
| alge(si)- | pain | Greek ἄλγος | Analgesic |
| -algia, alg(i)o- | pain | Greek | Myalgia |
| all(o)- | Denoting something as different, or as an addition | Ancient Greek ἄλλος (allos), another, other | Alloantigen, allopathy |
| ambi- | Denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two | Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides | Ambidextrous |
| amni- | Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) | Greek ἄμνιον | Amniocentesis |
| amph(i)-, | on both sides | Greek ἀμφί (amphi) | Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin |
| amylo- | starchy, carbohydrate-related | Latin amylum (starch) | Amylase, amylophagia |
| an- | not, without | Greek | Analgesia |
| ana- | back, again, up | Greek | Anaplasia |
| an- | anus | Latin | anal |
| andr(o)- | pertaining to a man | Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- | Android, andrology, androgen |
| angi(o)- | blood vessel | Greek ἀγγεῖον | Angiogram |
| aniso- | Describing something as unequal | Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος (anīsos), unequal | Anisocytosis, anisotropic |
| ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)- | Denoting something as crooked or bent | Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος (ankýlos), crooked, curved | Ankylosis |
| ante- | Describing something as positioned in front of another thing | Latin (āntē), before, in front of | antepartum |
| anti- | Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another | Ancient Greek αντι (anti), against | Antibody, antipsychotic |
| apo- | away, separated from, derived from | Ancient Greek ἀπό | Apoptosis |
| arch- | first, primitive | Ancient Greek | archinephron |
| arsen(o)- | Of or pertaining to a male; masculine | Greek (arsein) | arsenoblast |
| arteri(o)- | Of or pertaining to an artery | Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein) | Arteriole, artery |
| arthr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs | Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb | Arthritis |
| articul(o)- | joint | Latin articulus | Articulation |
| -ary | pertaining to | Latin -arius | biliary tract |
| -ase | enzyme | Greek διάστασις, division | Lactase |
| -asthenia | weakness | Greek, ἀσθένεια | Myasthenia gravis |
| atel(o)- | imperfect or incomplete development | atelocardia | |
| ather(o)- | fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit | Atherosclerosis | |
| -ation | process | Latin | medication |
| atri(o)- | an atrium (esp. heart atrium) | Latin | atrioventricular |
| aur(i)- | Of or pertaining to the ear | Latin (auris), the ear | Aural |
| aut(o)- | self | Greek αὐτο- | Autoimmune |
| aux(o)- | increase; growth | Auxocardia: enlargement of the heart, Auxology | |
| axill- | Of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix) | Latin (axilla), armpit | Axilla |
| azo(to)- | nitrogenous compound | azothermia: raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood |
B
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| bacteri(o)- | Pertaining to bacteria | Latin ("bacterium"); Greek βακτήριον ("baktḗrion"), “small staff” | Bacteriophage, Bactericide |
| balano- | Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis | Greek βάλανος (bálanos), acorn, glans | Balanitis |
| bas(o)- | Of or pertaining to base | Greek βάσις (básis), "foundation", "base" | Basolateral |
| bi- | twice, double | Latin | Binary |
| bio- | life | Ancient Greek βίος (bíos) | Biology |
| blast(o)- | germ or bud | Greek βλαστός (blastós) | Blastomere |
| blephar(o)- | Of or pertaining to the eyelid | Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid | Blepharoplast |
| brachi(o)- | Of or relating to the arm | Latin (bracchium), from Ancient Greek βραχίων (brachiōn), arm | Brachium of inferior colliculus |
| brachy- | Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little' | Ancient Greek βραχύς (brachys), short, little, shallow | brachycephalic |
| brady- | 'slow' | Ancient Greek βραδύς (bradys), slow | Bradycardia |
| bronch(i)- | of or relating to the bronchus | Latin (bronchus); Ancient Greek βρόγχος (brónkhos), windpipe | Bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans |
| bucc(o)- | Of or pertaining to the cheek | Latin (bucca), cheek | Buccolabial |
| burs(o)- | bursa (fluid sac between the bones) | Latin (bursa), purse; Ancient Greek βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin | Bursa, bursitis |
C
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| capill- | Of or pertaining to hair | Latin (capillus), hair | Capillus |
| capit- | Pertaining to the head (as a whole) | Latin (caput, capit-), the head | Capitation |
| carcin(o)- | cancer | Greek καρκίνος (karkinos), crab | Carcinoma |
| cardi(o)- | Of or pertaining to the heart | Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía), heart | Cardiology |
| carp(o)- | Of or pertaining to the wrist | Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit. | Carpopedal |
| cata- | down, under | Greek κατά (kata) | Cataract, catabolism |
| -cele | pouching, hernia | Ancient Greek κήλη (kēlē) | Hydrocele, Varicocele |
| -centesis | surgical puncture for aspiration | Ancient Greek κέντησις (kentēsis) | Amniocentesis |
| cephal(o)- | Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole) | Ancient Greek κεφαλή (képhalē), the head | Cephalalgy, hydrocephalus |
| cerat(o)- | Of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn | Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn | Ceratoid |
| cerebell(o)- | Of or pertaining to the cerebellum | Latin (cerebellum), little brain | Cerebellum |
| cerebr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the brain | Latin (cerebrum), brain | Cerebrology |
| cervic- | Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix | Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix | Cervicodorsal |
| cheil(o)- | Of or pertaining to the lips | Latin (cheilitis) | Angular Cheilitis |
| chem(o)- | chemistry, drug | Greek χημεία | Chemotherapy |
| chir(o)-, cheir(o)- | Of or pertaining to the hand | Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand | Chiropractor |
| chlor(o)- | Denoting a green color | Ancient Greek χλωρός (chloros), green, yellow-green | Chlorophyll |
| chol(e)- | Of or pertaining to bile | Ancient Greek χολή (cholē), bile | Cholaemia (UK)/ Cholemia (US), Cholecystitis |
| cholecyst(o)- | Of or pertaining to the gallbladder | Ancient Greek χοληκύστις (cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολή (cholē), bile, gall + κύστις (kýstis), bladder | Cholecystectomy |
| chondr(i)o- | cartilage, gristle, granule, granular | Ancient Greek χονδρός (chondros) | Chondrocalcinosis |
| chrom(ato)- | color | Ancient Greek χρῶμα (chrōma) | Hemochromatosis |
| -cidal, -cide | killing, destroying | Latin | bacteriocidal |
| cili- | Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids | Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid | Ciliary |
| circum- | Denoting something as 'around' another | Latin (circum), around | circumcision |
| cis- | on this side | Latin cis | cisgender |
| clast | break | Greek κλαστός "broken" | osteoclast |
| clostr- | spindle | Greek κλωστήρ (klōstēr) | Clostridium |
| co- | with, together, in association | Latin | coenzymes |
| col-, colo-, colono- | colon | κόλον (kólon) | Colonoscopy |
| colp(o)- | Of or pertaining to the vagina | Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth | Colposcopy |
| com- | with, together | Latin cum | |
| contra | against | Latin | Contraindicate |
| cor- | with, together | Latin | corrective |
| cor- | Of or pertaining to eye's pupil | Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye | Corectomy |
| cord- | Of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix) | Latin (cor, cordi-), "heart" | Commotio cordis |
| cornu- | Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns | Latin cornū, "horn" | Greater cornu |
| coron(o)- | pertaining to heart | Latin corōna | coronary heart disease |
| cost- | Of or pertaining to the ribs | Latin (costa), "rib" | Costochondral |
| cox- | Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint | Latin (coxa), hip | Coxopodite |
| crani(o)- | Belonging or relating to the cranium | Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον (krānion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain | Craniology |
| -crine, crin(o) | to secrete | εκκρίνει ecrine | Endocrine |
| cry(o)- | cold | Greek κρύος | Cryoablation |
| cutane- | skin | Latin cutis | Subcutaneous |
| cyan(o)- | Denotes a blue color | Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos), blue | Cyanopsia |
| cycl- | circle, cycle | Greek κύκλος (kuklos) | |
| cyph(o)- | Denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix) | Ancient Greek κυφός (kȳphós), bent, hunchback | Cyphosis |
| cyst(o)-, cyst(i)- | Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder | Ancient Greek κύστις κύστις (kýstis); bladder, cyst | Cystotomy |
| cyt(o)-, -cyte | cell | Greek κύτος | Cytokine, leukocyte |
D
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| dacry(o)- | Of or pertaining to tears | Greek δάκρυ, tear | Dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis |
| -dactyl(o)- | Of or pertaining to a finger, toe | Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe | dactylology, polydactyly |
| de- | from, down, or away from | Latin de- | dehydrate |
| dent- | Of or pertaining to teeth | Latin (dens, dentis), tooth | Dentist |
| dermat(o)-, derm(o)- | Of or pertaining to the skin | Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmat-), skin, human skin | Dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma |
| -desis | binding | Greek δέσις (désis) | arthrodesis |
| dextr(o)- | right, on the right side | Latin dexter | Dextrocardia |
| di- | two | Greek δι- | Diplopia |
| di- | apart, separation | Latin | dilation, distal |
| dia- | through, during, across | Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across | dialysis |
| dif- | apart, separation | Latin | different |
| digit- | Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root] | Latin (digitus), finger, toe | Digit |
| diplo- | twofold | Greek διπλόος (diplóos) | diploid, diplosis |
| -dipsia | suffix meaning "(condition of) thirst"' | Greek δίψα (dípsa) | dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia |
| dis- | separation, taking apart | Latin dis- | Dissection |
| dors(o)-, dors(i)- | Of or pertaining to the back | Latin (dorsum), back | dorsal, dorsocephalad |
| dromo- | running, conduction, course | Greek δρόμος (drómos) | Dromotropic, syndrome |
| duodeno- | duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine (twelve inches long on average), connects to the stomach | Latin duodeni | Duodenal atresia |
| dynam(o)- | force, energy, power | Greek δύναμις (dúnamis) | Hand strength dynamometer |
| -dynia | pain | Vulvodynia | |
| dys- | bad, difficult, defective, abnormal | Greek δυσ- (dus-) | dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia |
E
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -eal | pertaining to | Latin | adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal |
| ec- | out, away | Greek ἐκ- (ek-) | Ectopia, ectopic pregnancy |
| ect(o)- | outer, outside | Greek ἐκτός (ektós) | Ectoblast, ectoderm |
| -ectasia, -ectasis | expansion, dilation | Ancient Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis) | Bronchiectasis, telangiectasia |
| -ectomy | Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision | Ancient Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision | Mastectomy |
| -emesis | vomiting condition | Greek ἕμεσις (émesis) | Hematemesis |
| -emia | blood condition (Am Engl) | Greek ἀν-αιμία, without blood | Anemia |
| encephal(o)- | Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro. | Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain | Encephalogram |
| endo- | Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within' | ἐνδο- (endo-), inside, internal | Endocrinology, endospore |
| eosin(o)- | Red | Ancient Greek Eos, the Greek word for 'dawn' and the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. | Eosinophil granulocyte |
| enter(o)- | Of or pertaining to the intestine | Ancient Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine | Gastroenterology |
| epi- | on, upon | Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of | Epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis |
| episi(o)- | Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins | Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον- (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva | Episiotomy |
| erythr(o)- | Denotes a red color | Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (erythrós), red | Erythrocyte |
| -esophageal, -esophago- | gullet (AmE) | Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos) | Esophagus |
| esthesio- | sensation (AmE) | Greek αἴσθησις (aisthēsis) | Esthesia |
| eu- | true, good, well, new | εὖ (eû) | Eukaryote |
| ex- | out of, away from | Latin | Excision |
| exo- | Denotes something as 'outside' another | Ancient Greek ἐξω- (exo-), outside of, external | Exophthalmos, exoskeleton |
| extra- | outside | Latin | Extradural hematoma |
F
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| faci(o)- | Of or pertaining to the face | Latin faciēs, the face, countenance | Facioplegic |
| fibr- | fiber | Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails[1] | fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast |
| filli- | fine, hair-like | Latin (filum), thread | |
| foramen | hole, opening, or aperature, particularly in bone | Latin | Foramen magnum |
| -form | Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of' | Latin (forma), form, shape | cruciform, cuneiform, falciform |
| fore- | before or ahead | foregut | |
| fossa | A hollow or depressed area; trench or channel | Latin (fossa), ditch, pit | fossa ovalis |
| front- | Of or pertaining to the forehead | Latin (frōns, front-), the forehead | frontonasal |
G
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| galact(o)- | milk | Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- | Galactorrhea |
| gastr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the stomach | Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr), γαστρ-, stomach, belly | Gastric bypass |
| -gen | (1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind' | Ancient Greek -γενής (-genēs), from γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born | (1) Endogen; (2) Heterogenous |
| -genic | Formative, pertaining to producing | Greek | Cardiogenic shock |
| genu- | Of or pertaining to the knee | Latin (genū), knee | Genu valgum |
| -geusia | Taste | Ancient Greek γεῦσις (geusis) | Ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia |
| gingiv- | Of or pertaining to the gums | Latin gingīva, gum | Gingivitis |
| glauc(o)- | Denoting a grey or bluish-grey colour | Ancient Greek γλαυκός (glaukos), grey, bluish-grey | Glaucoma |
| gloss(o)-, glott(o)- | Of or pertaining to the tongue | Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue | Glossology |
| gluco- | sweet | Greek γλυκός, sweet | Glucocorticoid |
| glyc(o)- | sugar | Ancient Greek | Glycolysis |
| gnath(o)- | Of or pertaining to the jaw | Ancient Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw | Gnathodynamometer |
| -gnosis | knowledge | Greek | diagnosis, prognosis |
| gon(o)- | seed, semen; also, reproductive | Ancient Greek γόνος | Gonorrhea |
| -gram, -gramme | record or picture | Greek γράμμα (gramma) | Angiogram |
| -graph | instrument used to record data or picture | Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | Electrocardiograph |
| -graphy | process of recording | Ancient Greek | Angiography |
| gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE) | woman | Greek γυνή, γυναικ- | Gynecomastia |
H
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| halluc- | to wander in mind | Classical Latin to wander in mind | Hallucinosis |
| hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-) | Of or pertaining to blood | Latin (hæma) < Ancient Greek αἵμα, αἱματ- (haima, haimat-), blood | Hematology, older form Haematology |
| hema- or hemo- | blood (AmE) | Greek | Hemal, Hemoglobin |
| hemangi or hemangio- | blood vessels | Hemangioma | |
| hemi- | one-half | Ancient Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), "half" | Cerebral hemisphere |
| hepat- (hepatic-) | Of or pertaining to the liver | Ancient Greek ἥπαρ, ἡπατο- (hēpar, hēpato-), the liver | Hepatology |
| heter(o)- | Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different | Ancient Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different | Heterogeneous |
| hidr(o)- | sweat | Greek ἱδρωτ- | Hyperhidrosis |
| hist(o)-, histio- | tissue | Greek ἱστός | Histology |
| home(o)- | similar | Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) | Homeopathy |
| hom(o)- | Denotes something as 'the same' as another or common | Ancient Greek ὁμο- (homo-), the same, common | Homosexuality |
| humer(o)- | Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm) | Latin (umerus), shoulder | Humerus |
| hydr(o)- | water | Greek ὕδωρ | Hydrophobe |
| hyper- | Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond normal' | Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme | Hypertension |
| hyp(o)- | Denotes something as 'below normal' | Ancient Greek ὑπ(ο)- (hypo-), below, under | Hypovolemia, |
| hyster(o)- | Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus | Ancient Greek ὑστέρα (hystéra), womb | Hysterectomy, Hysteria |
I
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -i-asis | condition, formation, or presence of | Greek -ίασις | Mydriasis |
| iatr(o)- | Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician (uncommon as a prefix; common as a suffix, see -iatry) | Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician | Iatrochemistry |
| -iatry | Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component | Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician | Podiatry, psychiatry |
| -ic | pertaining to | Greek -ικός (-ikos) | Hepatic artery |
| -icle | small | Latin | Ovarian follicle |
| -ics | organized knowledge, treatment | Latin -ica < Greek < -ικά | Obstetrics |
| idio- | self, one's own | Greek ἴδιος, idios, "one's own" | Idiopathic |
| ileo- | ileum | Greek ἰλεός | Ileocecal valve |
| infra- | below | Latin | Infrahyoid muscles |
| inter- | between, among | Latin | Interarticular ligament |
| intra- | within | Latin | intramural |
| ipsi- | same | Latin | Ipsilateral |
| irid(o)- | iris | Greek ἴρις | Iridectomy |
| isch- | restriction | Greek ἴσχω | Ischemia |
| ischio- | Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint | Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν (ischión), hip-joint, ischium | Ischioanal fossa |
| -ism | condition, disease | Dwarfism | |
| -ismus | spasm, contraction | Greek -ισμός | Hemiballismus |
| iso- | Denoting something as being 'equal' | Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal | Isotonic |
| -ist | one who specializes in | Greek -ιστής (-istes) | Pathologist |
| -ite | the nature of, resembling | Greek -ίτης | Hermaphrodite |
| -itis | inflammation | Tonsillitis | |
| -ium | structure, tissue | pericardium |
J
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| juxta (iuxta) | Near to, alongside or next to | Latin | Juxtaglomerular apparatus |
K
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| kal- | potassium | Hyperkalemia | |
| karyo- | nucleus | Greek κάρυον, "nut" | eukaryote |
| kerat(o)- | cornea (eye or skin) | Greek | keratoscope |
| kin(e)-, kin(o), kinesi(o)- | movement | Greek κινέω | kinesthesia |
| koil(o)- | hollow | Greek κοῖλος (koilos) | koilocyte |
| kyph(o)- | humped | Greek κυφός | kyphoscoliosis |
L
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| labi(o)- | Of or pertaining to the lip | Latin (labium), lip | Labiodental |
| lacrim(o)- | tear | Latin | Lacrimal canaliculi |
| lact(i)-, lact(o) | milk | Latin | Lactation |
| lapar(o)- | Of or pertaining to the abdomen-wall, flank | Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ (lapárā), flank | Laparotomy |
| laryng(o)- | Of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is | Ancient Greek λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ- (lárynx, laryng-), throat, gullet | Larynx |
| latero- | lateral | Latin | Lateral pectoral nerve |
| lei(o)- | smooth | Greek λεῖος | Leiomyoma |
| -lepsis, -lepsy | attack, seizure | Greek λῆψις | Epilepsy, narcolepsy |
| lept(o)- | light, slender | Greek λεπτός (leptos) | Leptomeningeal |
| leuc(o)-, leuk(o)- | Denoting a white color | Ancient Greek λευκός (leukos), white, bright | Leukocyte |
| lingu(a)-, lingu(o)- | Of or pertaining to the tongue | Latin (lingua), tongue | Linguistics |
| lip(o)- | fat | Greek λίπος (lipos) | Liposuction |
| lith(o)- | stone, calculus | Greek λίθος (lithos) | Lithotripsy |
| log(o)- | speech | Greek λόγος (logos) | |
| -logist | Denotes someone who studies a certain field: _____-logy; a specialist; one who treats | Ancient Greek λογιστής (logistēs), studier, practitioner | Oncologist, pathologist |
| -logy | Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; The study of | Ancient Greek λόγoς (logos) study | hematology, urology |
| lumb(o)-'''lumb(a)- | Of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis. | Latin (lumbus or lumbaris) loin | Lumbar vertebrae |
| lymph(o)- | lymph | Latin lympha - water | Lymphedema |
| lys(o)-, -lytic | dissolution | Greek | Lysosome |
| -lysis | Destruction, separation | Greek λύσις | Paralysis |
M
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| macr(o)- | large, long | Greek μακρός | Macrophage |
| -malacia | softening | Greek μαλακία | Osteomalacia |
| mamm(o)- | Of or pertaining to the breast | Latin (mamma), breast; udder | Mammogram |
| mammill(o)- | Of or pertaining to the nipple | Latin mammilla, nipple | mammillaplasty, mammillitis |
| manu- | Of or pertaining to the hand | Latin (manus), hand | Manufacture |
| mast(o)- | Of or pertaining to the breast | Ancient Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, women's breast; man's pectoral muscle | Mastectomy |
| meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly | enlargement, million | Greek μέγας | Splenomegaly, megameter |
| melan(o)- | black color | Ancient Greek μέλας, μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark | Melanin |
| melos | extremity | Ancient Greek μέλος | erythromelalgia |
| mening(o)- | membrane | Greek μῆνιγξ, μηνιγγ- | Meningitis |
| men(o)- | month, menstrual cycle | Ancient Greek μήν (mḗn), month | menopause, menorrhagia, |
| mero- | part | Greek μέρος (meros), part | merocrine, meroblastic |
| mes(o)- | middle | Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle" | Mesoderm |
| meta- | after, beyond or change | Greek μετά | Metacarpus |
| -meter | instrument used to measure or count | Greek μέτρον | Sphygmomanometer |
| -metry | process of measuring | Greek -μετρία | Optometry |
| metr(o)- | Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus | Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā), womb, uterus | Metrorrhagia |
| micro- | denoting something as small, or relating to smallness, millionth | Ancient Greek μικρός (mikros), small | Microscope |
| milli- | thousandth | Latin mille, thousand | milliliter |
| mon(o)- | single | Greek μονός (monos) | Infectious mononucleosis |
| morph(o)- | form, shape | Greek μορφή (morphē) | Morphology |
| muscul(o)- | muscle | Latin | Musculoskeletal system |
| my(o)- | Of or relating to muscle | Ancient Greek μῦς, μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel | Myoblast |
| myc(o)- | fungus | Greek μύκης, μυκητ- | Onychomycosis |
| myel(o)- | Of or relating to bone marrow or spinal cord | Ancient Greek μυελόν (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow | Myeloblast |
| myl(o)- | Of or relating to molar teeth or lower jaw | Greek (myle) | Mylohyoid nerve |
| myri- | ten thousand | Ancient Greek μύριοι (mýrioi), myriad | myriad |
| myring(o)- | eardrum | Latin myringa | Myringotomy |
| myx(o)- | mucus | Greek μύξα | Myxoma |
N
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| narc(o)- | numb, sleep | Greek νάρκη | narcolepsy |
| nas(o)- | Of or pertaining to the nose | Latin (nāsum), nose | nasal |
| necr(o)- | death | Greek νεκρός | Necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis |
| neo- | new | Greek νέος | Neoplasm |
| nephr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the kidney | Ancient Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney | Nephrology |
| nerv- | Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system [Uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used] | Latin (nervus), tendon; nerve; Cognate with the Greek νευρον (neuron) (see below) | Nerve, nervous system |
| neur(i)-, neur(o)- | Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system | Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neuron), tendon, sinew; nerve | Neurofibromatosis |
| noci- | pain, injury, hurt | Latin (noceo) | Nociception |
| normo- | normal | Latin | Normocapnia |
O
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ocul(o)- | Of or pertaining to the eye | Latin (oculus), the eye | Oculist |
| odont(o)- | Of or pertaining to teeth | Ancient Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth | orthodontist |
| odyn(o)- | pain | Greek ὀδύνη | stomatodynia |
| -oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE) | gullet | Greek οἰσοφάγος | oesophagus |
| -oid | resemblance to | Greek -οειδής | Sarcoidosis |
| ole | small or little | Latin | |
| olig(o)- | Denoting something as 'having little, having few' | Ancient Greek ὀλίγος (oligos), few | Oligotrophy |
| om(o)- | shoulder | Ancient Greek ὠμός (ōmos), shoulder | Omoplate |
| -oma (singular), -omata (plural) | tumor, mass, fluid collection | Greek -ωμα | Sarcoma, teratoma |
| omphal(o)- | Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus | Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button | Omphalotomy |
| onco- | tumor, bulk, volume | Greek ὄγκος | Oncology |
| -one | hormone | ||
| onych(o)- | Of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe) | Ancient Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónyx, ónycho-), nail; claw; talon | Onychophagy |
| oo- | Of or pertaining to an (egg), a woman's egg, the ovum | Ancient Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōón, ōo-), egg, ovum | Oogenesis |
| oophor(o)- | Of or pertaining to the woman's (ovary) | Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōophóron), ovary, egg-bearing | Oophorectomy |
| ophthalm(o)- | Of or pertaining to the (eye) | Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye | Ophthalmology |
| -opsy | Examination or inspection | Ancient Greek ὄψις (opsis), sight | Biopsy, autopsy |
| optic(o)- | Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye | Middle French (optique) < Greek ὀπτικός (optikós); ώψ (opsi), vision. Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye | Opticochemical, biopsy |
| or(o)- | Of or pertaining to the mouth | Latin (ōs, or-), mouth | Oral |
| -or | one who | doctor | |
| orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)- | testis | Greek ὀρχις (orkhis, orkhi-) | Orchiectomy, orchidectomy |
| orth(o)- | Denoting something as straight or correct | Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight, correct, normal | Orthodontist |
| -osis | a condition, disease or increase | Greek -ωσις | Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis |
| osse- | bony | Latin | Osseous |
| ossi- | bone | Latin | Peripheral ossifying fibroma |
| ost(e)-, oste(o)- | bone | Greek ὀστέον | Osteoporosis |
| ot(o)- | Of or pertaining to the ear | Ancient Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (ous, ōt-), the ear | Otology |
| -ous | pertaining to | Latin -osus | |
| ovari(o)- | Of or pertaining to the ovaries | Latin (ōvarium), ovary | Ovariectomy |
| ovo-, ovi-, ov- | Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum | Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum | Ovogenesis |
| oxo- | addition of oxygen | Greek ὀξύς | |
| oxy- | sharp, acid, acute, oxygen | Greek ὀξύς(oxus) |
P
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| pachy- | thick | Greek παχύς | pachyderma |
| palpebr- | Of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root) | Latin (palpebra), eyelid | palpebra |
| pan-, pant(o)- | Denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything' | Ancient Greek πᾶς, παν- (pas, pan-), all, every | panophobia, panopticon |
| papill- | Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast) | Latin (papilla), nipple; diminutive of papula (see below) | papillitis |
| papul(o)- | Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling | Latin (papula), pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin | papulation |
| para- | alongside of | Ancient Greek παρά (para) | paracyesis |
| -paresis | slight paralysis | Greek πάρεσις | hemiparesis |
| parvo- | small | Latin parvus | Parvovirus |
| path(o)- | disease | Greek πάθος | Pathology |
| -pathy | Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder | Ancient Greek πάθος (pathos), suffering, accident | sociopathy, neuropathy |
| pauci- | Few | Latin paucus | Pauci-immune |
| pector- | breast or chest | Latin pectus | pectoralgia, pectoriloquy, pectorophony |
| ped-, -ped-, -pes | Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed | Latin pēs, pēd-, foot | Pedoscope |
| ped-, pedo- | Of or pertaining to the child | Ancient Greek παιδός, child | pediatrics. pedophilia |
| pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- | hip bone | Latin | Pelvis |
| -penia | deficiency | Greek πενία | osteopenia |
| peo- | Of or pertaining to the penis | Greek πέος (peos) | Peotomy |
| -pepsia | Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. | Ancient Greek πεπτός (peptós) cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō) I boil, cook; digest | Dyspepsia |
| per- | through | Latin | percutaneous |
| peri- | Denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another | Ancient Greek περί (peri), around | Periodontal |
| -pexy | fixation | Greek πῆξις | Nephropexy |
| phaco- | lens-shaped | Greek φακός | phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma |
| -phage, -phagia | Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion | Ancient Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φαγεῖν (phagein) to eat | Sarcophagia |
| -phago- | eating, devouring | Greek -φάγος | phagocyte |
| phagist- | Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word | Ancient Greek φαγιστής (phagistēs) eater; see -phagia | Lotophagi |
| -phagy | Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word | Ancient Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia | hematophagy |
| phallo- | phallus | Greek φαλλός (phallos) | Aphallia |
| pharmaco- | drug, medication | Greek φάρμακον | pharmacology |
| pharyng(o)- | Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity | Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm | Pharyngitis, Pharyngoscopy |
| -phil(ia) | attraction for | Greek φιλία | Hemophilia |
| phleb(o)- | Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein | Ancient Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phleps, phlebo-), blood-vessel, vein | Phlebography, Phlebotomy |
| -phobia | exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion | Greek φόβος | arachnophobia |
| phon(o)- | sound | Greek φωνή | phonograph, symphony |
| phos- | Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot(o)- below. | Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light | Phosphene |
| phot(o)- | Of or pertaining to light | Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light | Photopathy |
| phren(i)-, phren(o)-, phrenico | the mind | Greek φρήν, φρεν- | Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia, diaphragm |
| phyt- | to grow | hydrophyte | |
| piri- | Pear | Latin pirum, pear | Piriformis muscle |
| -plasia | formation, development | Greek πλάσις | Achondroplasia |
| -plasty | surgical repair, reconstruction | Greek πλαστός | rhinoplasty |
| -plegia | paralysis | Greek πληγή | paraplegia |
| pleio- | more, excessive, multiple | Greek pleion | pleiomorphism |
| pleur- | Of or pertaining to the ribs | Latin (pleura) from Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body | Pleurogenous |
| -plexy | stroke or seizure | Greek πλῆξις | Cataplexy |
| pne-, pneum- | air, breath, lung | Ancient Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος (pneûma), πνεύμων (pneúmōn) | apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia |
| pod-, -pod-, -pus | Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed | Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot | podiatry |
| -poiesis | production | hematopoiesis | |
| polio- | Denoting a grey color | Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós), "grey" | poliomyelitis |
| poly- | Denotes a 'plurality' of something | Ancient Greek πολυς (polys), "much, many" | Polymyositis |
| por(o)- | pore, porous | πόρος (póros) | pore |
| porphyr(o)- | Denotes a purple color | Ancient Greek πορπύρα (porphýra), purple | Porphyroblast |
| post- | Denotes something as 'after' or 'behind' another | Latin (post), after, behind | Postoperation, Postmortem |
| pre- | Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time) | Medieval Latin (pre-) < (Classical) Latin (præ), before, in front of | Premature birth |
| presby(o)- | old age | Greek | Presbyopia, presbycusis[2] |
| prim- | Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important' | Latin prīmus, first, most important | Primary |
| pro- | Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time) | Ancient Greek προ (pro), before, in front of | Procephalic |
| proct(o)- | anus, rectum | proctology | |
| prosop(o)- | face | Greek (prosopon), face, mask | Prosopagnosia |
| prot(o)- | Denotes something as 'first' or 'most important' | Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important | Protoneuron |
| pseud(o)- | Denotes something false or fake | Ancient Greek | Pseudoephedrine |
| psych(e)-, psych(o) | Of or pertaining to the mind | Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul | Psychology, psychiatry |
| pterygo- | Pertaining to a wing | Greek | Lateral pterygoid plate |
| psor- | Itching | Psoriasis | |
| -ptosis | falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse | Apoptosis, nephroptosis | |
| -ptysis | (a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes | hemoptysis | |
| pulmon-, pulmo- | Of or relating to the lungs | Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used in plural), a lung | pulmonary |
| pyel(o)- | pelvis | Ancient Greek (pyelos) | Pyelonephritis |
| pykno- | to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death) | Greek πυκνωνω, to thicken/condense | Pyknosis |
| py(o)- | pus | Greek πύον | Pyometra |
| pyr(o)- | fever | Greek πῦρ, πυρετός | Antipyretic |
Q
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| quadr(i)- | four | Latin | quadriceps |
R
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| radi- | radiation | Latin | radiowave |
| radic- | referring to the beginning, or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein | Latin (radix) root | radiculopathy |
| re- | again, back | Latin | relapse |
| rect- | rectum | Latin | |
| ren- | Of or pertaining to the kidney | Latin (rēnes), kidney | renal |
| reticul(o)- | net | Latin | reticulocyte |
| retro- | backward, behind | Latin | retroversion, retroverted |
| rhabd(o)- | rod shaped, striated | Greek ῥάβδος | rhabdomyolysis |
| rhachi(o)- | spine | Greek ῥάχις | rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy |
| rhin(o)- | Of or pertaining to the nose | Ancient Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhīs, rhīno-), nose | rhinoceros, rhinoplasty |
| rhod(o)- | Denoting a rose-red color | Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose | rhodophyte |
| -rrhage | burst forth | Greek -ρραγία | Hemorrhage |
| -rrhagia | rapid flow of blood | Greek -ρραγία | menorrhagia |
| -rrhaphy | surgical suturing | Greek ῥαφή | |
| -rrhea (AmE) | flowing, discharge | Greek -ρροια | Galactorrhea, Diarrhea |
| -rrhexis | rupture | Greek ῥῆξις | Karyorrhexis |
| -rrhoea (BrE) | flowing, discharge | Greek -ρροια | diarrhoea |
| rubr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain | Latin (ruber), red | Rubrospinal |
| -rupt | Break or burst | Latin | Erupt, Interrupt |
S
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| salping(o)- | Of or pertaining to tubes e.g. fallopian tubes | Ancient Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-) trumpet (literally) | Salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle |
| sangui-, sanguine- | Of or pertaining to blood | Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood | Sanguine |
| sarco- | muscular, fleshlike | Greek σάρξ, σαρκ- | sarcoma, sarcoidosis |
| schist(o)- | split, cleft | Greek σχιστός (schistos) | schistocyte |
| schiz(o)- | Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided' | Ancient Greek σχιζω; irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν (schizein), to cut, split | Schizophrenia |
| scler(o)- | hard | Greek σκληρός | Scleroderma |
| -sclerosis | hardening | Greek σκλήρωσις | Atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis |
| scoli(o)- | twisted | Greek σκολιός (skolios) | scoliosis |
| -scope | instrument for viewing | Greek -σκόπος | stethoscope |
| -scopy | use of instrument for viewing | Greek -σκοπία | endoscopy |
| scoto- | darkness | Greek σκότος (skotos) | scotopic vision |
| semi- | one-half, partly | Latin | semiconscious |
| sial(o)- | saliva, salivary gland | Greek σίαλος (sialos) | sialagogue |
| sigmoid(o)- | sigmoid, S-shaped curvature | Greek σιγμοειδής | sigmoid colon |
| sinistr(o)- | left, left side | Latin | |
| sinus- | Of or pertaining to the sinus | Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay | Sinusitis |
| sito- | food, grain | Greek σῖτος (sitos) | Sitophobia |
| somat(o)-, somatico- | body, bodily | Greek σῶμα (sōma) | somatic |
| -spadias | slit, fissure | Greek σπάδων | hypospadias, epispadias |
| spasmo- | spasm | Greek σπασμός | Spasmodic dysphonia |
| sperma-, spermo-, spermato- | semen, spermatozoa | Greek σπέρμα (sperma) | Spermatogenesis |
| splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)- | viscera | Greek σπλάγχνον | splanchnology |
| splen(o)- | spleen | Greek σπλήν, σπλην- | Splenectomy |
| spondyl(o)- | Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra | Greek σπόνδυλος / σφόνδυλος, (spóndylos, sphóndylos), the spine | Spondylitis |
| squamos(o)- | Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly' | Latin sqāmōsus, full of scales; scaly | Squamous cell |
| -stalsis | contraction | Greek στάλσις | Peristalsis |
| -stasis | stopping, standing | Greek στάσις | Cytostasis, homeostasis |
| -staxis | dripping, trickling | Greek στάξις, στακτός | |
| sten(o)- | Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrowness | Ancient Greek στενός (stenos); narrow, short | Stenography |
| -stenosis | abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure | Ancient Greek στένωσις (stenōsis) | Restenosis, stenosis |
| steth(o)- | Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck | Ancient Greek στῆθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass | Stethoscope |
| stheno- | strength, force, power | Greek σθένος | |
| stom(a) | mouth; an artificially created opening[3] | Greek στόμα | |
| stomat(o)- | Of or pertaining to the mouth | Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth | Stomatogastric, stomatognathic system |
| -stomy | creation of an opening | Greek -στομία | colostomy |
| sub- | beneath, under | Latin | subcutaneous tissue |
| super- | in excess, above, superior | Latin | superior vena cava |
| supra- | above, excessive | Latin | supraorbital vein |
| sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- | Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant to sym-. | Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together | Symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis |
T
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| tachy- | Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast | Ancient Greek ταχύς (tachys), fast, quickly | Tachycardia |
| -tension, -tensive | pressure | Latin | Hypertension |
| terato- | Monster | Ancient Greek teras(s) terata(pl) | teratoma, teratogen |
| tetan- | rigid, tense | Ancient Greek tetanos | tetanus |
| thec- | case, sheath | Ancient Greek θήκη (thēkē) | Intrathecal |
| thel- | Of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix) | Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple | Theleplasty, thelarche |
| thely- | Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine' | Ancient Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine | Thelygenous |
| therap- | treatment | Ancient Greek (therapeía) | hydrotherapy, therapeutic |
| therm(o)- | heat | Ancient Greek θερμός (thermós) | |
| thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico- | Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck | Latin (thōrāx) < Ancient Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass | thoracic, thorax |
| thromb(o)- | Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood | Ancient Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood | Thrombus, thrombocytopenia |
| thyr(o)- | thyroid | Greek θυρεο-ειδής | |
| thym- | emotions | Greek: "thymos", spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions | dysthymia |
| -tic | pertaining to | Greek -τικός | |
| toco- | childbirth | Greek τόκος | |
| -tome | cutting instrument | Greek τομή (tomē) | |
| -tomy | act of cutting; incising, incision | Greek -τομία | Gastrotomy |
| ton- | tone, tension, pressure | Greek τόνος (tonos) | |
| -tony | tension | Greek -τονία | |
| top(o)- | place, topical | Greek τόπος (topos) | Topical anesthetic |
| tort(i)- | twisted | Latin tortus | Torticollis |
| tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)- | toxin, poison | Greek τοξικόν | Toxoplasmosis |
| trache(a)- | trachea | Greek τραχεία | Tracheotomy |
| trachel(o)- | Of or pertaining to the neck | Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck | tracheloplasty |
| trans- | Denoting something as moving or situated across or through | Latin trāns, "across, through" | Transfusion |
| tri- | three | Latin | triangle, triceps |
| trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)- | Of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure | Ancient Greek θρίξ, τριχ(ο)- (thríx, trich(o)-), hair | Trichocyst |
| -tripsy | crushing | Greek τρίψις | Lithotripsy |
| -trophy | nourishment, development | Greek -τροφία, τροφή | Pseudohypertrophy |
| tympan(o)- | eardrum | Greek τύμπανον | Tympanocentesis |
U
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ula, -ule | small | Latin | Nodule |
| ultra- | beyond, excessive | Latin ultra | Ultrasound, ultraviolet |
| umbilic- | Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus | Latin umbilīcus, navel, belly-button | Umbilical |
| ungui- | Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw | Latin unguis, nail, claw | Unguiform, Ungual |
| un(i)- | one | Latin unus | Unilateral hearing loss |
| ur- | Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system | Greek οὐρεῖν (oureîn); οὖρον (oûron), urine; οὐρητήρ (ourētḗr); οὐρήθρα (ourḗthra) | antidiuretic, diuresis, diuretic, dysuria, enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, uraemia/uremia, uremic, ureter, urethra, urology |
| uric- | uric acid | Greek οὐρικός | |
| urin- | Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system | Latin ūrīna, urine < Ancient Greek ουρον (ouron), see above. | Uriniferous |
| uter(o)- | Of or pertaining to the uterus or womb | Latin (uterus), womb, uterus | Uterus |
V
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| vagin- | Of or pertaining to the vagina | Latin (vāgīna), sheath, scabbard | Vagina |
| varic(o)- | swollen or twisted vein | Latin varix | varicose |
| vas(o)- | duct, blood vessel | Latin | vasoconstriction |
| vasculo- | blood vessel | Latin vāsculum | |
| ven- | Of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system | Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein | Venule, Venospasm |
| ventr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach cavities | Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the womb | Ventrodorsal |
| ventricul(o)- | Of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ | Latin (venter), the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain | Cardiac ventriculography |
| -version | turning | Latin versiō | anteversion, retroversion |
| vesic(o)- | Of or pertaining to the bladder | Latin (vēsīca), bladder; blister | vesical arteries |
| viscer(o)- | Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera | Latin (viscus, pl. viscera), internal organ(s) | Viscera |
X
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| xanth(o)- | Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color | Greek ξανθός (xanthós), yellow | Xanthopathy |
| xen(o)- | Foreign, different | Greek ξένος (xénos), stranger | Xenograft |
| xer(o)- | dry, desert-like | Greek ξηρός (xērós), dry | Xerostomia, xeroderma |
| xiph- | sword | Greek ξίφος (xíphos), sword | xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphoidalgia |
Y
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -y | condition or process of | Latin -ia < Greek -ία | Surgery |
Z
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| zo(o)- | animal, animal life | Greek ζῷον | zoology |
| zym(o)- | fermentation | Greek ζύμη | enzyme, lysozyme |
English meanings
This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.
Roots of the body
Roots of bodily concepts
| Bodily concept | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digestion | -pepsia | - | - |
| Disease | -pathy | - | - |
| Eating | -phagia | -vory | - |
Roots of body parts and components
(Internal anatomy, external anatomy, body fluids, body substances)
| Body part or component | Greek root | Latin root | Other root |
|---|---|---|---|
| abdomen | lapar- | abdomin- | - |
| aorta | aort(o)- | aort(o)- | - |
| arm | brachi- | arm- | - |
| armpit | maschal- | axill- | - |
| artery | arteri- | – | - |
| back | not- | dors- | - |
| big toe | – | allic-, hallic- | - |
| bladder | cyst- | vesic- | - |
| blood | haemat-, hemat- (haem-, hem-) | sangui-, sanguin- | - |
| blood clot | thromb- | – | - |
| blood vessel | angi- | vas-, vascul- | - |
| body | somat-, som- | corpor- | - |
| bone | oste- | ossi- | - |
| bone marrow, marrow | myel- | medull- | - |
| brain | encephal(o)- | cerebr- | - |
| breast | mast- | mamm(o)- | - |
| chest | steth- | pector- | - |
| cheek | parei- | bucc- | - |
| ear | ot(o)- | aur(i)- | - |
| eggs, ova | oo- | ov- | - |
| eye | ophthalm(o)- | ocul(o)- | optic(o)- (French) |
| eyelid | blephar(o)- | cili-, palpebr- | - |
| face | prosop(o)- | faci(o)- | - |
| fallopian tubes | salping(o)- | – | - |
| fat, fatty tissue | lip(o)- | adip- | - |
| finger | dactyl(o)- | digit- | - |
| forehead | - | front(o)- | - |
| gallbladder | cholecyst(o)- | fell- | - |
| genitals, sexually undifferentiated | gon(o)-, phall(o)- | - | - |
| gland | aden(o)- | - | - |
| glans penis or clitoridis | balan(o)- | - | - |
| gums | - | gingiv- | - |
| hair | trich(o)- | capill- | - |
| hand | cheir(o)-, chir(o)- | manu- | - |
| head | cephal(o)- | capit(o)- | - |
| heart | cardi(o)- | cordi- | - |
| hip, hip-joint | - | cox- | - |
| horn | cerat(o)- | cornu- | - |
| intestine | enter(o)- | - | - |
| jaw | gnath(o)- | - | - |
| kidney | nephr(o)- | ren- | - |
| knee | gon- | genu- | - |
| lip | cheil(o)-, chil(o)- | labi(o)- | - |
| liver | hepat(o)-, (hepatic-) | jecor- | - |
| loins, pubic region | episi(o)- | pudend- | - |
| lungs | pneumon- | pulmon(i)-, (pulmo-) | - |
| marrow, bone marrow | myel(o)- | medull- | - |
| mind | psych- | ment- | - |
| mouth | stomat(o)- | or- | - |
| muscle | my(o)- | - | - |
| nail | onych(o)- | ungui- | - |
| navel | omphal(o)- | umbilic- | - |
| neck | trachel(o)- | cervic- | - |
| nerve; the nervous system | neur(o)- | nerv- | - |
| nipple, teat | thele- | papill-, mammill- | - |
| nose | rhin(o)- | nas- | - |
| ovary | oophor(o)- | ovari(o)- | - |
| pelvis | pyel(o)- | pelv(i)- | - |
| penis | pe(o)- | - | - |
| pupil (of the eye) | cor-, core-, coro- | - | - |
| rib | pleur(o)- | cost(o)- | - |
| rib cage | thorac(i)-, thorac(o)- | - | - |
| shoulder | om(o)- | humer(o)- | - |
| sinus | - | sinus- | - |
| skin | dermat(o)-, (derm-) | cut-, cuticul- | - |
| skull | crani(o)- | - | - |
| stomach | gastr(o)- | ventr(o)- | – |
| testis | orchi(o)-, orchid(o)- | - | – |
| throat (upper throat cavity) | pharyng(o)- | - | – |
| throat (lower throat cavity/voice box]) | laryng(o)- | - | – |
| thumb | - | pollic- | – |
| tooth | odont(o)- | dent(i)- | – |
| tongue | gloss-, glott- | lingu(a)- | – |
| toe | dactyl(o)- | digit- | – |
| tumour | cel-, onc(o)- | tum- | – |
| ureter | ureter(o)- | ureter(o)- | – |
| urethra | urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- | urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- | – |
| urine, urinary system | ur(o)- | urin(o)- | – |
| uterine tubes | salping(o)- | salping(o)- | – |
| uterus | hyster(o)-, metr(o)- | uter(o)- | – |
| vagina | colp(o)- | vagin- | – |
| vein | phleb(o)- | ven- | – |
| vulva | episi(o)- | vulv- | – |
| womb | hyster(o)-, metr(o)- | uter(o)- | – |
| wrist | carp(o)- | carp(o)- | – |
Roots of color
| Color | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root |
|---|---|---|---|
| black | melan- | atr-, nigr- | – |
| blue | cyan- | cerule- | – |
| gray, grey | poli- | can- | – |
| green | chlor- | vir- | – |
| purple | porphyr(o)- | purpur-, purpureo- | – |
| red | erythr(o)-, rhod(o)- | rub-, rubr- | – |
| red-orange | cirrh(o)- | – | – |
| white | leuc-, leuk- | alb-, cand- | – |
| yellow | xanth- | flav- | jaun- (French) |
Roots of description
(Size, shape, strength, etc.)
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root |
|---|---|---|---|
| bad, incorrect | cac(o)-, dys- | mal(e)- | mis- |
| bent, crooked | ankyl(o)- | prav(i)- | – |
| big | mega-, megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| biggest | megist- | maxim- | – |
| broad, wide | eury- | lat(i)- | – |
| cold | cry(o)- | frig(i)- | – |
| dead | necr(o)- | mort- | – |
| equal | is(o)- | equ(i)- | – |
| false | pseud(o)- | fals(i)- | – |
| female, feminine | thely- | - | – |
| flat | platy- | plan(i)- | – |
| good, well | eu- | ben(e)-, bon(i)- | – |
| great | mega-, megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| hard | scler(o)- | dur(i)- | – |
| heavy | bar(o)- | grav(i)- | – |
| hollow | coel(o)- | cav(i)- | – |
| huge | megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| incorrect, bad | cac(o)-, dys- | mal(e)- | mis- |
| irregular | poikil(o) | – | – |
| large; extremely large | mega- | magn(i)- | – |
| largest | megist- | maxim- | – |
| long | macr(o)- | long(i)- | – |
| male, masculine | arseno- | vir- | – |
| narrow | sten(o)- | angust(i)- | – |
| new | ne(o)- | nov(i)- | – |
| normal, correct | orth(o)- | rect(i)- | – |
| old | paleo- | veter- | – |
| sharp | oxy- | ac- | – |
| short | brachy- | brev(i)- | – |
| small | micr(o)- | parv(i)- (rare) | – |
| smallest | - | minim- | – |
| slow | brady- | tard(i)- | – |
| fast | tachy- | celer- | – |
| soft | malac(o)- | moll(i)- | – |
| straight | orth(o)- | rect(i)- | – |
| thick | pachy- | crass(i)- | – |
| varied, various | poikilo- | vari- | – |
| well, good | eu- | ben(e)- | – |
| wide, broad | eury- | lat(i)- | – |
Roots of position
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root |
|---|---|---|---|
| around | peri- | circum- | – |
| left | levo- | laev(o)-, sinistr- | – |
| middle | mes(o)- | medi- | – |
| right | dexi(o)- | dextr(o)- | – |
| surrounding | peri- | circum- | – |
Prefixes of quantity or amount
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root |
|---|---|---|---|
| double | diplo- | dupli- | – |
| equal | iso- | equi- | – |
| few | oligo- | pauci- | – |
| half | hemi- | semi- | demi- (French) |
| many, much | poly- | multi- | – |
| twice | dis- | bis- | – |
See also
- Classical compound
- International scientific vocabulary
- List of medical abbreviations
- Medical dictionary
- Medicine
References
- ↑ http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=fibra&la=la
- ↑ Stedman's Online
- ↑ Stanfield, P. Essential Medical Terminology, 4th Edition, P. 154
Bibliography
- "Root Words: Quick Reference." LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 March 2013.
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