List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Non-English words and morphemes should be tagged with {{lang}}, {{transl}}, or {{wikt-lang}} for consistent formatting, screen readers, and spell checkers. (April 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymologies. 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[edit]
The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origins, and English examples.
A[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
a-, an- | not, without (alpha privative) | 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 | pertaining to; one afflicted with | Greek -ακός (-akós) | cardiac, hydrophobiac |
acanth- | thorn or spine | Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha), thorn | acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus |
acou-[1] | of or relating to hearing | Greek ἀκούειν (akoúein), ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing | acoumeter, acoustician, hyperacusis |
acr- | extremity, topmost | Greek ἄκρον (ákron), highest or farthest point | acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia |
-acusis | hearing | Greek ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing | paracusis |
-ad | toward, in the direction of | Latin ad, toward, to | dorsad, ventrad |
ad- | at, increase, on, toward | Latin ad-, to | adduction |
aden- | of or relating to a gland | Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν-, (adḗn, adén-), an acorn; a gland | adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus |
adip- | of or relating to fat or fatty tissue | Latin (adeps, adip-), fat | adipocyte |
adren- | of or relating to the adrenal glands | Latin ad + rēnēs, kidneys | adrenal artery |
-aemia (BrE) | blood condition | Greek ἀναιμία (anaimía, without blood | anaemia |
aer(o)- | air, gas | Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος (aḗr, aéros) | aerosinusitis |
aesthesi- (BrE) | sensation | Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis) | anaesthesia |
-al -al | pertaining to | Latin -alis | abdominal, femoral |
alb- | denoting a white or pale color | Latin albus, white | albino, tunica albica |
alge(si)- | pain | Greek ἄλγος (álgos) | analgesic |
-algia, alg(i)o- | pain | Greek | myalgia |
all- | denoting something as different, or as an addition | Greek ἄλλος (állos), another, other | alloantigen, allopathy |
ambi- | denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two | Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides | ambidextrous |
amnio- | Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) | Greek ἄμνιον (ámnion) | amniocentesis |
amph(i)-, | on both sides | Greek ἀμφί (amphí) | amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin |
amylo- | starchy, carbohydrate-related | Latin amylum (starch) | amylase, amylophagia |
an- | not, without (alpha privative) | Greek | analgesia |
ana- | back, again, up | Greek ἀνα- (ana-) | anaplasia |
an- | anus | Latin | anal |
andr- | pertaining to a man | Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- (anḗr, andr-), male | android, andrology, androgen |
angi- | blood vessel | Greek ἀγγεῖον (angeîon) | angiogram, angioplasty |
aniso- | describing something as unequal | Greek ἄνῑσος (ánīsos), unequal | anisocytosis, anisotropic |
ankyl-, ancyl- | denoting something as crooked or bent | Greek ἀγκύλος (ankúlos), 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 | Greek αντι (anti), against | antibody, antipsychotic |
apo- | away, separated from, derived from | Greek ἀπό (apó) | apoptosis |
archi- | first, primitive | Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-) | archinephron |
arsen(o)- | of or pertaining to a male; masculine | Greek (αρσενικός (arsenikós) | arsenoblast |
arteri(o)- | of or pertaining to an artery | Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein) | arteriole, artery |
arthr- | of or pertaining to the joints, limbs | Greek ἄρθρον (árthron), a joint, limb | arthritis |
articul- | joint | Latin articulus | Articulation |
-ary | pertaining to | Latin -arius | biliary tract, coronary |
-ase | enzyme | from Greek διάστασις (δια- (dia-, part, apart) + στάσις (stásis, stand)), division | Lactase |
-asthenia | weakness | Greek ἀσθένεια (asthéneia) | Myasthenia gravis |
atel(o)- | imperfect or incomplete development | Greek ἀτελής (atelḗs), without end, incomplete | atelocardia |
ather- | fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit | ἀθάρη (athárē) | Atherosclerosis |
-ation | process | Latin | medication |
atri- | an atrium (esp. heart atrium) | Latin | atrioventricular |
aur- | of or pertaining to the ear | Latin (auris), the ear | Aural |
aut- | self | Greek αὐτός, αὐτο- (autós, auto-) | Autoimmune |
aux(o)- | increase; growth | Greek αὐξάνω, αὔξω (auxánō, aúxō) | 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 | French azote, nitrogen; from Greek άζωτικός (ázōtikós) ἀ- (a-, no, without) + ζωή (zōḗ, life)), mephitic air | azothermia: raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood |
B[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
bacillus | rod-shaped | Latin baculus, stick | Bacillus anthracis |
bacteri- | Pertaining to bacteria | Latin (bacterium; Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion), small staff | bacteriophage, bactericide |
balan- | of the glans penis or glans clitoridis | Greek βάλανος (bálanos), acorn, glans | balanitis |
bas- | of or pertaining to base | Greek βάσις ({grc-transl|βάσις}}), foundation, base | basolateral |
bi- | twice, double | Latin bi- | binary vision |
bio- | life | Greek βίος (bíos) | biology |
blast- | germ or bud | Greek βλαστός (blastós) | blastomere |
blephar(o)- | of or pertaining to the eyelid | Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid | blepharoplasty |
brachi(o)- | of or relating to the arm | Latin (bracchium), from Greek βραχίων (brakhíōn), arm | brachium of inferior colliculus |
brachy- | Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little' | Greek βραχύς (brakhús), short, little, shallow | brachycephalic |
brady- | 'slow' | Greek βραδύς (bradús), slow | bradycardia |
bronch(i)- | of or relating to the bronchus | Latin (bronchus); 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; Greek βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin | bursa, bursitis |
C[edit]
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- | cancer | Greek καρκίνος (karkínos), crab | carcinoma |
cardi- | of or pertaining to the heart | Greek καρδία (kardía), heart | cardiology |
carp- | of or pertaining to the wrist | Latin (carpus) < Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit. | carpopedal spasm |
cata- | down, under | Greek κατά (katá) | cataract, catabolism |
-cele | pouching, hernia | Greek κήλη (kḗlē) | Hydrocele, Varicocele |
-centesis | surgical puncture for aspiration | Greek κέντησις (kéntēsis) | amniocentesis |
cephal(o)- | of or pertaining to the head (as a whole) | Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ), the head | cephalalgy, hydrocephalus |
cerat(o)- | of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn | Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn | ceratoid |
cerebell(o)- | of or pertaining to the cerebellum | Latin cerebellum, little brain | cerebellum |
cerebr- cerebr- | of or pertaining to the brain | Latin cerebrum, brain | cerebrology |
cervic- | of or pertaining to the neck or the cervix | Latin cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix | cervicodorsal, cervical vertebrae |
cheil- | of or pertaining to the lips | Greek χεῖλος (kheîlos), lip, mouth, beak | angular cheilitis |
chem- | chemistry, drug | Greek χημεία (khēmeía) | chemotherapy |
chir-, cheir- | of or pertaining to the hand | Greek χείρ, χειρο- (kheír, kheiro-), hand | chiropractor |
chlor- | denoting a green color | Greek χλωρός (khlōrós), green, yellow-green | chlorophyll |
chol(e)- | of or pertaining to bile | Greek χολή (kholḗ), bile | cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US), cholecystitis |
cholecyst(o)- | of or pertaining to the gallbladder | Greek χοληκύστις (kholēkústis), gallbladder < χολή (kholḗ), bile, gall + κύστις (kústis), bladder | cholecystectomy |
chondr(i)o- | cartilage, gristle, granule, granular | Greek χονδρός (grc) | chondrocalcinosis |
chrom(ato)- | color | Greek χρῶμα (khrôma) | hemochromatosis |
-cidal, -cide | killing, destroying | Latin -cīda, cutter, killer | 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 (klastós), broken | osteoclast |
clostr- | spindle | Greek κλωστήρ (klōstḗr), spindle, thread | Clostridium |
co- | with, together, in association | Latin co- | coenzymes |
coccus | round, spherical | Greek κόκκος (kókkos), berry, seed | Streptococcus |
col-, colo-, colono- | colon | Greek κόλον (kólon) | colonoscopy |
colp(o)- | of or pertaining to the vagina | Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth | colposcopy |
com- | with, together | Latin cum | |
contra | against | Latin contrā | contraindication |
cor- | with, together | Latin cor- | corrective |
cor- | of or pertaining to the eye's pupil | Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye | corectomy |
cord(i)- | of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix) | Latin cor, heart | commotio cordis |
cornu- | applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened or similar to horns | Latin cornū, horn | greater cornu |
coron(o)- | pertaining to the heart | Latin corōna | coronary heart disease |
cortic(o)- | cortex, outer region | Latin cortex, bark of a tree | corticosteroid |
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, from Greek κρᾱνίον (krāníon), cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain | craniology |
-crine, crin(o) | to secrete | Greek κρίνω (krínō), separate, divide, discern | endocrine |
cry(o)- | cold | Greek κρύος (krúos), cold, frost | cryoablation |
cutane- | skin | Latin cutis | subcutaneous |
cyan(o)- | having a blue color | Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kúanos, kuáneos, blue, of the color blue | cyanopsia |
cycl- | circle, cycle | Greek κύκλος (kúklos) | cyclosis |
cyph(o)- | denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix) | Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent, hunchback | cyphosis |
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)- | of or pertaining to the urinary bladder | Greek κύστις (kústis), bladder, cyst | cystotomy |
cyt(o)-, -cyte | cell | Greek κύτος (kútos), a hollow, vessel | cytokine, leukocyte |
D[edit]
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 | Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos), 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 | Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmatos), 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 dis- | dilation, distal |
dia- | through, during, across | Greek διά (diá), through, during, across | dialysis |
dif- | apart, separation | Latin dif- | 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 | (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- | twelve | Latin duodeni | duodenal atresia, duodenum |
dura- | hard | Latin durus | dura mater |
dynam(o)- | force, energy, power | Greek δύναμις (dúnamis) | hand strength dynamometer |
-dynia | pain | Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) | vulvodynia |
dys- | bad, difficult, defective, abnormal | Greek δυσ- (dus-) | dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia |
E[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
-eal (see -al) | pertaining to | English -al, from Latin -ālis | adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal |
ec- | out, away | Greek ἐκ (ek), out of, from | ectopia, ectopic pregnancy |
ect(o)- | outer, outside | Greek ἐκτός (ektós) | ectoblast, ectoderm |
-ectasia, -ectasis | expansion, dilation | Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis) | bronchiectasis, telangiectasia |
-ectomy | denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision | Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision | mastectomy |
-emesis | vomiting condition | Greek ἕμεσις (hémesis) | hematemesis |
-emia | blood condition (Am. Engl.) | Greek αἷμα (haîma), "blood" | anemia |
encephal(o)- | of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro- | Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain | encephalogram |
endo- | denotes something as inside or within | Greek ἔνδον (éndon), inside, internal | endocrinology, endospore |
eosin(o)- | having a red color | Greek ἠώς (ēṓs), dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn (Ἠώς, Ēṓs) | eosinophil granulocyte |
enter(o)- | of or pertaining to the intestine | Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine | gastroenterology |
epi- | on, upon | 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 | Greek ἐπίσιον (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva | episiotomy |
erythr(o)- | having a red color | Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), red | erythrocyte |
-esophageal, -esophago- | gullet (AmE) | Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos) | esophagus |
esthesio- | sensation (AmE) | Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis), to perceive | esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia |
eu- | true, good, well, new | εὖ (eû) | eukaryote |
ex- | out of, away from | Latin ex- | excision |
exo- | denotes something as "outside" another | Greek ἔξω (éxō), outside of, external | exophthalmos, exoskeleton |
extra- | outside | Latin extra, outside of, beyond | extradural hematoma |
F[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
faci- | of or pertaining to the face | Latin faciēs, the face, countenance | facioplegic |
fibr- | fiber | Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails[2] | fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast |
fil- | fine, hair-like | Latin fīlum, thread | filament, filum terminale |
foramen | hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone | Latin forāmen | foramen magnum |
-form | used to form adjectives indicating "having the form of" | Latin fōrma, form, shape | cruciform, cuneiform, falciform |
fore- | before or ahead | Old English fōr(e)-, before, in front of | foregut |
fossa | a hollow or depressed area; a trench or channel | Latin fossa, ditch, pit | fossa ovalis |
front- | of or pertaining to the forehead | Latin frōns, front-, the forehead | frontonasal |
G[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
galact(o)- | milk | Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- (gála, galakt- | galactorrhea, galaxy |
gastr(o)- | of or pertaining to the stomach | Greek γαστήρ, γαστρ- (gastḗr, gastr-), stomach, belly | gastric bypass |
-gen | *born in, from
|
Greek -γενής (-genḗs), from γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born | *endogen |
-genic | formative; pertaining to producing | Greek -γενής (-genḗs) | cardiogenic shock |
genu- | of or pertaining to the knee | Latin genū, knee | genu valgum |
-geusia | taste | Greek γεῦσις (geûsis) | ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia |
gingiv- | of or pertaining to the gums | Latin gingīva, gum | gingivitis |
glauc(o)- | Having a grey or bluish-grey colour | Greek γλαυκός (glaukós), grey, bluish-grey | glaucoma |
gloss(o)-, glott(o)- | of or pertaining to the tongue | Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glôssa, glôtta), tongue | glossology |
gluco- | sweet | Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet | glucocorticoid |
glyc(o)- | sugar | Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet | glycolysis |
gnath(o)- | of or pertaining to the jaw | Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw | gnathodynamometer |
-gnosis | knowledge | Greek γνῶσις (gnôsis), inquiry, knowledge | diagnosis, prognosis |
gon(o)- | seed, semen; reproductive | Greek γόνος (gónos), fruit, seed, procreating | gonorrhea |
-gram, -gramme | record or picture | Greek γράμμα (grámma), picture, letter, writing | angiogram |
-graph | instrument used to record data or picture | Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | electrocardiograph |
-graphy | process of recording | Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | angiography |
gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE) | woman | Greek γυνή, γυναικ (gunḗ, gunaik) | gynecomastia |
H[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
halluc- | to wander in mind | Latin ālūcinor, to wander in mind | hallucinosis |
hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-) | of or pertaining to blood | Latin hæma[citation needed], from Greek αἷμα, αἱματ- (grc), blood | hematology, older form haematology |
hema- or hemo- | blood (AmE) | Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood | hemal, hemoglobin |
hemangi or hemangio- | blood vessels | Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood, + ἀγγεῖον (angeîon), vessel, urn | hemangioma |
hemi- | one-half | Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), half | cerebral hemisphere |
hepat- (hepatic-) | of or pertaining to the liver | Greek ἧπαρ, ἠπᾰτ- (hêpar, ēpat-), the liver | hepatology, hepatitis |
heter(o)- | denotes something as "the other" (of two), as an addition, or different | Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different | heterogeneous |
hidr(o)- | sweat | Greek ἱδρώς, ἱδρωτ- (hidrṓs, hidrōt-), sweat, perspiration | hyperhidrosis |
hist(o)-, histio- | tissue | Greek ἱστός (histós), web, tissue | histology |
home(o)- | similar | Greek ὅμοιος (homoios), like, resembling, similar | homeopathy |
hom(o)- | denotes something as "the same" as another or common | Greek ὁμός (homós), the same, common | homosexuality, homozygote |
humer(o)- | of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm) | Latin umerus, shoulder | humerus |
hydr(o)- | water | Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr), water | hydrophobe |
hyper- | extreme or beyond normal | Greek ὑπέρ (hupér), over, above; beyond, to the extreme | hypertension, hypertrichosis |
hyp(o)- | below normal | Greek ὑπό, ὑπο- (hupó), below, under | hypovolemia, hypoxia |
hyster(o)- | of or pertaining to the womb or the uterus | Greek ὑστέρα (hustéra), womb | hysterectomy, hysteria |
I[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
-iasis | condition, formation, or presence of | Latin -iasis, pathological condition or process; from Greek ἴασις (íasis), cure, repair, mend | mydriasis |
iatr(o)- | of or pertaining to medicine or a physician (uncommon as a prefix but common as a suffix; see -iatry) | Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician | iatrochemistry, iatrogenesis |
-iatry -iatry | denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component | Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician | podiatry, psychiatry |
-ic | pertaining to | Greek -ικός (-ikós) | hepatic artery |
-ics | organized knowledge, treatment | Latin -icus, collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek -ικός (ikós), of, pertaining to | obstetrics |
idio- | self, one's own | Greek ἴδιος (ídios), one's own | idiopathic |
ileo- | ileum | Greek εἰλεός (eileós), to shut in, intestinal obstruction | ileocecal valve |
infra- | below | Latin īnfrā, below | infrahyoid muscles |
inter- | between, among | Latin inter | interarticular ligament |
intra- | within | Latin intrā | intramural |
ipsi- | same | Latin ipsi- | ipsilateral |
irid(o)- | of or pertaining to the iris | Latin īrīs, rainbow; from Greek ἶρις (îris), rainbow | iridectomy |
isch- | restriction | Greek ἴσχω (ískhō), hold back, restrain | ischemia |
ischio- | of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint | Greek ἰσχίον (iskhíon), hip-joint, ischium | ischioanal fossa |
-ism | condition, disease | Greek -ισμός (-ismós), suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine | dwarfism |
-ismus | spasm, contraction | Greek -ισμός | hemiballismus |
iso- | denoting something as being equal | Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal | isotonic |
-ist | one who specializes in | Greek -ιστής (-istḗs), agent noun, one who practices | pathologist |
-ite | the nature of, resembling | Latin -ītēs, those belonging to, from Greek -ίτης (-ítēs) | dendrite |
-itis | inflammation | Greek -ῖτις (-îtis) fem. form of -ίτης (-ítēs), pertaining to, because it was used with the feminine noun νόσος (nósos, disease), thus -îtis nósos, disease of the, disease pertaining to | tonsillitis |
-ium | structure, tissue | Latin -ium, aggregation or mass of (such as tissue) | pericardium |
J–K[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
juxta (iuxta) | Near to, alongside or next to | Latin iuxta | juxtaglomerular apparatus |
kal- | potassium | New Latin kalium, potassium | hyperkalemia |
kary-[3] | nucleus | Greek κάρυον (káruon), nut | eukaryote |
kerat-[4] | cornea (eye or skin) | Greek κέρας (kéras), horn | keratoscope |
kine-[5] | movement | Greek κινέω (kinéō), to move, to change | akinetopsia, kinesthesia |
koil-[6] | hollow | Greek κοῖλος (koîlos) | koilocyte |
kyph-[7] | humped | Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent forward, stooping, hunchbacked | kyphoscoliosis |
L[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
labi- | of or pertaining to the lip | Latin labia, labium, lip | labiodental |
lacrim(o)- | tear | Latin lacrima, tear from crying | Lacrimal canaliculi |
lact(i)-, lact(o) | milk | Latin lac, milk | lactation |
lapar(o)- | of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank | Greek λαπάρα (lapára), flank | laparotomy |
laryng(o)- | of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is | Greek λᾰ́ρυγξ, (lárunx), throat, gullet | larynx |
latero- | lateral | Latin laterālis, lateral, of or belonging to the side | lateral pectoral nerve |
lei(o)- | smooth | Greek λεῖος (leîos), smooth | leiomyoma |
-lepsis, -lepsy | attack, seizure | Greek λῆψις (lêpsis), seizure | epilepsy, narcolepsy |
lept(o)- | light, slender | Greek λεπτός (leptós), thin, lean | leptomeningeal |
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)- | denoting a white color | Greek λευκός (leukós), white, bright, pale | leukocyte |
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)- | of or pertaining to the tongue | Latin lingua, tongue, speech, language | linguistics |
lip(o)- | fat | Greek λίπος (lípos), fat, lard | liposuction |
liss(os)- | smooth | Greek Λισσός (Lissós), smooth | lissencephaly |
lith(o)- | stone, calculus | Greek λῐ́θος (líthos) | lithotripsy |
log(o)- | speech | Greek λόγος (lógos) | dialog, catalog, logos |
-logist | denotes someone who studies a certain field (the field of _____-logy); a specialist; one who treats | Greek λογιστής (logistḗs), studier, practitioner (lit., accountant) | oncologist, pathologist |
-logy | denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; the study of | Greek -λογῐ́ᾱ (-logíā) base noun for the study of something | 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 λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release, + -ic | lysosome |
-lysis | destruction, separation | Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release | paralysis |
M[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
macr(o)- | large, long | Greek μᾰκρός (makrós), long, tall | macrophage |
-malacia | softening | Greek μαλακία (malakía), soft, weak, self-indulgent | 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 | Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, woman's breast, man's pectoral muscle | mastectomy |
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly | enlargement, million | Greek μέγᾰς (mégas), big, large, great, mighty | splenomegaly, megameter |
melan(o)- | having a black color | Greek μέλᾱς, μελανο- (mélās, melano-), black, dark | melanin |
melos | extremity | Greek μέλος (mélos), part of a body, limb, member | erythromelalgia |
mening(o)- | membrane | Greek μῆνῐγξ (mêninx) | meningitis |
men- | month, menstrual cycle | Greek μήν (mḗn), month | menopause, menorrhagia |
mer- | part | Greek μέρος (méros), part, component, region | merocrine, meroblastic |
mes- | middle | Greek μέσος (mésos), middle, between, half | mesoderm |
met, meta- | after, beside, beyond or change | Greek μετᾰ́ (metá), with, among, along with, in common with | metacarpal, metacarpus, metacromion, metanephros, metatheria |
-meter | instrument used to measure or count | Greek μέτρον (métron), measure or property, something used to measure | sphygmomanometer, thermometer |
-metry | process of measuring, -meter + -y (see -meter) | Greek μέτρον (métron) | optometry |
metr- | pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus | Greek μήτρᾱ (mḗtrā), womb, uterus | metrorrhagia |
micr- | millionth; denoting something as small, relating to smallness | Greek μῑκρός (mīkrós), small | microscope |
milli- | thousandth | Latin mille, thousand | milliliter |
mon- | single | Greek μονός (monós) | infectious mononucleosis |
morph- | form, shape | Greek μορφή (morphḗ) | morphology |
muscul(o)- | muscle | Latin mūsculus, muscle (lit. mouse-like, due to mouse-shaped appearance of some muscles; loanword from Greek μῦς (mûs), mouse, + Latin -culus, diminutive suffix) | musculoskeletal system |
my(o)- | of or relating to muscle | Greek μῦς, μυ- (mûs, mu-), muscle, mouse, mussel | myoblast |
myc(o)- | fungus | Greek μύκης, μυκητ- | onychomycosis |
myel(o)- | of or relating to bone marrow or the spinal cord | Greek μυελός (muelós), marrow, bone-marrow | myelin sheath, myeloblast |
myl(o)- | of or relating to molar teeth or the lower jaw | Greek μῠ́λη (múlē, mill, grind, molars | mylohyoid nerve |
myri- | ten thousand | Greek μῡρῐ́ος (mūríos), innumerable, countless, infinite | myriad |
myring(o)- | eardrum | Latin myringa, eardrum | myringotomy |
myx(o)- | mucus | Greek μύξᾰ (múxa), mucus, nasal discharge | myxoma |
N[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
nan(o)- | dwarf, small | Greek νᾶνος (nânos), dwarf | nanogram, nanosecond |
narc(o)- | numb, sleep | Greek νάρκη (nárkē), numbess, torpor | narcolepsy |
nas(o)- | of or pertaining to the nose | Latin nāsus, nose | nasal |
necr(o)- | death | Greek νεκρός (nekrós), dead body, corpse, dying person | necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis |
neo- | new | Greek νέος (néos), young, youthful, new, fresh | neoplasm |
nephr(o)- | of or pertaining to the kidney | 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 Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, string, nerve | nerve, nervous system |
neur(i)-, neur(o)- | of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system | Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, sinew, nerve | neurofibromatosis |
noci- | pain, injury, hurt | Latin noceō | nociception |
normo- | normal | Latin nōrma, norm or standard; lit. carpenter's square | normocapnia |
O[edit]
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 | Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-, tooth | orthodontist |
odyn(o)- | pain | Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) | stomatodynia |
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE) | gullet | Greek οἰσοφᾰ́γος (oisophágos) | oesophagus |
-oid | resemblance to | Greek -ειδής (-eidḗs), like, connected to, pertaining to | Sarcoidosis |
ole | small or little | Latin -olus, suffix to form a diminutive of the noun | arteriole |
olig(o)- | having little, having few | Greek ὀλῐ́γος (olígos), few | oligotrophy |
om(o)- | shoulder | Greek ὦμος (ômos), shoulder | omoplate |
-oma (singular), -omata (plural) | tumor, mass, fluid collection | Greek -μα (-ma), suffix added to verbs to form nouns indicating the result of a process or action; cf. English -tion | sarcoma, teratoma, mesothelioma |
omphal(o)- | of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus | Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button | omphalotomy |
onco- | tumor, bulk, volume | Greek ὄγκος (ónkos) | oncology |
-one | hormone | ||
onych(o)- | of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe) | Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónux, onukho-), nail; claw; talon | onychophagy |
oo- | of or pertaining to an (egg), a woman's egg, the ovum | Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōión, ōio-), egg, ovum | oogenesis |
oophor(o)- | of or pertaining to the woman's (ovary) | Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōiophóron), ovary, egg-bearing | oophorectomy |
ophthalm(o)- | of or pertaining to the (eye) | Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye | ophthalmology |
opistho- | back, behind, rear[8] | Greek ὄπῐσθεν (ópisthen), behind, at the back | opisthotonus |
-opsy | examination or inspection | Greek ὄψῐς (ópsis), view | biopsy, autopsy |
optic(o)- | of or relating to chemical properties of the eye | Middle French optique; from Greek ὀπτῐκός (optikós); cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye | opticochemical, biopsy |
or(o)- | of or pertaining to the mouth | Latin ōs, ōris, mouth | oral |
-or | one who, agent noun–forming suffix | generally appended where Latin would do it—to the root of a Latin-type perfect passive participle. Cf. -er | doctor |
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)- | testis | Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), testicle, ovary | orchiectomy, orchidectomy |
orth(o)- | denoting something as straight or correct | Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight, correct, normal | orthodontist |
-osis | a condition, disease or increase | Greek -ωσις (-ōsis), state, abnormal condition, action | Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis |
ossi-, osse- | bone, bony | Latin os, bone | peripheral ossifying fibroma, osseous |
ost(e)-, oste(o)- | bone | Greek ὀστέον (ostéon), bone | osteoporosis, osteoarthritis |
ot(o)- | of or pertaining to the ear | Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (oûs, ōt-), the ear | otology |
-ous | pertaining to | Latin -ōsus, full of, prone to | porous |
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 | ||
oxy- | sharp, acid, acute; oxygen | borrowed from French oxygène (originally principe oxigine, 'acidifying principle', referring to oxygen's role in the formation of acids, from Greek ὀξύς (oxús), sharp, pointed + γένος (génos), birth) | oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone |
P[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
pachy- | thick | Greek πᾰχῠ́ς (pakhús), thick, large, stout | 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'; "all" | Greek πᾶς, παν- (pâs, pan-), all, every | panophobia, panopticon, pancytopenia (deficiency in all blood cell types - erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes)[9] |
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 | Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (pará) | paracyesis |
-paresis | slight paralysis | Greek πάρεσις (páresis) | hemiparesis |
parvo- | small | Latin parvus, small, little, unimportant | Parvovirus |
path(o)- | disease | Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), pain, suffering, condition | Pathology |
-pathy | denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder | Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), 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 | Greek παῖς, παιδός (paîs, paidós), child | pediatrics. pedophilia |
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- | hip bone | Latin pelvis, basin | Pelvis |
-penia | deficiency | Greek πενῐ́ᾱ, poverty, indigence | osteopenia |
peo- | of or pertaining to the penis | Greek πέος (péos) | Peotomy |
-pepsia | denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. | Greek πεπτός (peptós), cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō), I boil, cook; digest | dyspepsia |
per- | through | Latin per, through, by means of | percutaneous |
peri- | denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another | Greek περῐ́ (perí), around, about, concerning | periodontal |
-pexy | fixation | Greek πῆξις (pêxis), fixing in place, fastening | nephropexy |
phaco- | lens-shaped | Greek φᾰκός (phakós), lentil-bean | phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma |
-phagia, -phage | Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion | Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φᾰγεῖν (phageîn), to eat | Sarcophagia |
-phago- | eating, devouring | Greek -φᾰ́γος (-phágos), eater of, eating | phagocyte |
phagist- | Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word | Greek φαγιστής (phagistḗs) eater; see -phagia | Lotophagi |
-phagy | Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word | Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia | hematophagy |
phall- | phallus | Greek φαλλός (phallós), penis | Aphallia |
pharmac- | drug, medication | Greek φάρμᾰκον (phármakon) | pharmacology |
pharyng- | of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity | Greek φᾰ́ρῠγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárunx, pharung-), throat, windpipe; chasm | pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy |
-phil(ia) | attraction for | Greek φῐλῐ́ᾱ (philíā), friendship, love, affection | hemophilia |
phleb- | of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein | Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phléps, phleb-), blood-vessel, vein | phlebography, phlebotomy |
-phobia | exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion | Greek φόβος (phóbos), terror, fear, flight, panic | arachnophobia |
phon- | sound | Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) | phonograph, symphony |
phos- | of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot- below. | Greek φῶς, φᾰ́ος, φωτ- (phôs, pháos), light | phosphene |
phot- | of or pertaining to light | Greek φωτω- (phōtō-), < φῶς (phôs), light | photopathy |
phren-, phrenic- | the mind | Greek φρήν (phrḗn), intellect, wits, mind | phrenic nerve, schizophrenia |
phyllo- | leaf-like | Greek φῠ́λλον (phúllon), leaf, foliage, plant | phyllodes tumour, phyllotaxis |
-phyte, phyto- | to grow | Greek φῠτόν (phutón), plant, tree | hydrophyte |
pia | soft | Medieval Latin pia mater, tender mother, from Latin pia, pius, pious, dutiful, good | pia mater |
piri- | Pear | Latin pirum, cognate with Greek ἄπιον (ápion), pear | Piriformis muscle |
-plasia | formation, development | Greek πλᾰ́σῐς (plásis), moulding, conformation | Achondroplasia |
-plasty | surgical repair, reconstruction | Greek πλαστός (plastós), molded, formed | rhinoplasty |
-plegia | paralysis | Greek πληγή (plēgḗ), stroke (from a sword), from πληγή (plēgḗ), to strike or smite | paraplegia |
pleio- | more, excessive, multiple | Greek πλεῖον (pleîon), more | pleiomorphism |
pleur- | of or pertaining to the ribs | Greek πλευρᾱ́ (pleurā́), rib, side of the body | Pleurogenous |
-plexy | stroke or seizure | Greek πλήσσω, πλήσσειν (plḗssō, plḗssein), to strike or smite | Cataplexy |
pne-, pneum- | air, breath, lung | Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος (pneûma, pneúmatos), πνεύμων (pneúmōn) | apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia |
pod-, -pod-, -pus | of or pertaining to the foot, -footed | Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot | podiatry |
-poiesis | production | Greek ποίησις (poíēsis), poetry, poem, creation | hematopoiesis |
polio- | having a grey color | Greek πολῐός (poliós), grey, grizzled | poliomyelitis |
poly- | denotes a 'plurality' of something | Greek πολῠ́ς (polús), many, a lot of, large, great | polymyositis |
por- | pore, porous | πόρος (póros), passage, passageway | pore |
porphyr- | denotes a purple color | Greek πορφύρα (porphúra), Tyrian purple, royal 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) | Middle English pre-, from Medieval Latin pre- < (Classical) Latin prae-, before, in front of | premature birth |
presby- | old age | Greek πρέσβυς (présbus), old man, elder | presbyopia, presbycusis[10] |
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) | Greek πρό- (pró-), before, in front of | procephalic |
proct- | anus, rectum | Greek πρωκτός (prōktós) | proctology |
prosop- | face | Greek πρόσωπον (prósōpon), face, visage, mask | prosopagnosia |
prot- | denotes something as 'first' or 'most important' | Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important | protoneuron |
pseud- | denotes something false or fake | Greek ψεύδω (pseúdō), to lie or deceive | pseudoephedrine |
psor- | Itching | Greek ψώρα (psṓra), itch, mange, scurvy | psoriasis |
psych- | of or pertaining to the mind | Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ), breath, life, soul | psychology, psychiatry |
ptero-, ptery- | Pertaining to a wing; 'pterygo-', wing-shaped | Greek πτερόν (pterón), wing, feather | lateral pterygoid plate |
-ptosis | falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse | Greek πτῶσῐς (ptôsis), falling | apoptosis, nephroptosis |
-ptysis | spitting | Greek πτῡ́ω (ptū́ō), to spit up, disgorge; + -σις (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process | hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes |
pulmon-, pulmo- | of or relating to the lungs | Latin pulmō, a lung | pulmonary |
py- | pus | Greek πύον (púon | pyometra |
pyel- | pelvis | Greek πύελος (púelos), pelvis, wash basin | pyelonephritis |
pykno- | to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death) | Greek πύκνωσις (púknōsis), thickening | pyknosis |
pylor- | gate | Greek πυλωρός (pulōrós), gate keeper; lower orifice of the stomach | pyloric sphincter |
pyr- | fever | Greek πῦρ, πυρετός (pûr, puretós), fire, heat, fever | antipyretic |
Q–R[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
quadr(i)- | four | Latin | quadriceps |
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 | rectal, rectum |
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 | Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhīs, rhīno-), nose | rhinoceros, rhinoplasty |
rhod(o)- | denoting a rose-red color | Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose | rhodophyte |
-rrhage | burst forth | Greek -ρραγία | Hemorrhage |
-rrhagia | rapid flow of blood | Greek -ρραγία | menorrhagia |
-rrhaphy | surgical suturing | Greek ῥαφή | neurorrhaphy |
-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[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
salping(o)- | of or pertaining to tubes, e.g. Fallopian tubes | Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-), "trumpet" | salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle |
sangui-, sanguine- | of or pertaining to blood | Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood | sanguine |
sarco- | muscular, flesh-like | Greek σάρξ, σαρκ- | sarcoma, sarcoidosis |
schist(o)- | split, cleft | Greek σχιστός (schistos) | schistocyte |
schiz(o)- | denoting something "split" or "double-sided" | 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 |
somn(o) | Sleep | insomniac[11] | |
-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 | Greek στενός (stenos); narrow, short | stenography |
-stenosis | abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure | Greek στένωσις (stenōsis) | restenosis, stenosis |
steth- | of or pertaining to the upper chest, the area above the breast and under the neck | Greek στῆθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass | stethoscope |
stheno- | strength, force, power | Greek σθένος | |
stom-, stomat- | of or pertaining to the mouth; an artificially created opening[12] | 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- | Greek συν- (syn), with, together | symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis |
T[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
tachy- | denoting something as fast, irregularly fast | Greek ταχύς (tachys), fast, quickly | tachycardia |
-tension, -tensive | pressure | Latin | hypertension |
terato- | Monster | Greek teras(s) terata(pl) | teratoma, teratogen |
tetan- | rigid, tense | Greek tetanos | tetanus |
thec- | case, sheath | Greek θήκη (thēkē) | intrathecal |
thel- | of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix) | Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple | Theleplasty, thelarche |
thely- | denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine' | Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine | Thelygenous |
therap- | treatment | Greek (therapeía) | hydrotherapy, therapeutic |
therm(o)- | heat | Greek θερμός (thermós) | hypothermia |
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico- | of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck | Latin (thōrāx) < Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass | thoracic, thorax |
thromb(o)- | of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood | 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 | tocolytic |
-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 | 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 | 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[edit]
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 < Greek ουρον (ouron), see above. | uriniferous |
uter(o)- | of or pertaining to the uterus or womb | Latin uterus, womb, uterus | uterus |
V[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
vagin- | of or pertaining to the vagina | Latin vāgīna, sheath, scabbard | vaginal epithelium |
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), belly, stomach, 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, atrioventricular node |
-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–Z[edit]
Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
---|---|---|---|
xanth(o)- | having a yellow color, especially 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 | condition or process of | Latin -ia, from Greek -ία | surgery |
ze- | boil | Greek ζεῖν (zeîn) | eczema |
zo(o)- | animal, animal life | Greek ζῷον | zoology |
zym(o)- | fermentation | Greek ζύμη | enzyme, lysozyme |
English meanings[edit]
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[edit]
Roots of bodily concepts[edit]
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 substances[edit]
Body part or component | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
---|---|---|---|
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[edit]
Color | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
---|---|---|---|
black | melan- | atr-, nigr- | – |
blue | cyan- | cerule- | – |
gold | chrys- | aur- | – |
gray, grey | poli- | can- | – |
green | chlor- | vir- | – |
purple | porphyr- | purpur-, purpureo- | – |
red | erythr-, rhod- | rub-, rubr-, ruf- | – |
red-orange | cirrh- | – | – |
silver | – | argent- | – |
white | leuc-, leuk- | alb-, cand- | – |
yellow | xanth- | flav- | jaun- (French) |
Roots of description[edit]
Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
---|---|---|---|
bad, incorrect | cac-, dys- | mal- | mis- |
bent, crooked | ankyl- | prav- | – |
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[edit]
Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
---|---|---|---|
around, surrounding | peri- | circum- | – |
left | levo- | laev-, sinistr- | – |
middle | mes- | medi- | – |
right | dexi- | dextr- | – |
Prefixes of quantity or amount[edit]
Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
---|---|---|---|
double | diplo- | dupli- | – |
equal | iso- | equi- | – |
few | oligo- | pauci- | – |
half | hemi- | semi- | demi- (French) |
many, much | poly- | multi- | – |
twice | dis- | bis- | – |
See also[edit]
- Medicine
- Glossary of medicine
- Classical compound
- International scientific vocabulary
- List of medical abbreviations
- Medical dictionary
- Medicine
References[edit]
- ^ ἀκούω
- ^ "Latin Word Study Tool". Tufts.edu. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ^ κάρυον. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project
- ^ κέρας in Liddell and Scott
- ^ κινέω in Liddell and Scott
- ^ κοῖλος in Liddell and Scott
- ^ κύπτω in Liddell and Scott
- ^ "opistho-". dictionary.com
- ^ The Language of Medicine, 11th edition , Davi-Ellen Chabner
- ^ Stedman's Online
- ^ The Language of Medicine 11th Edition , Davi-Ellen Chabner
- ^ Stanfield, Peggy S.; Hui, Y. H.; Cross, Nanna (30 September 2013). "Essential Medical Terminology". Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved 25 February 2017 – via Amazon.
External links[edit]
- "Root Words & Prefixes: Quick Reference." LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 March 2013.