1
What does the prefix a- / an- mean?
Without, absence of. Apnea = without breathing. Anemia = without enough blood cells.
2
What does the prefix brady- mean?
Slow. Bradycardia = slow heart rate. Bradypnea = slow breathing.
3
What does the prefix tachy- mean?
Fast, rapid. Tachycardia = fast heart rate. Tachypnea = rapid breathing.
4
What does the prefix hyper- mean?
Above normal, excessive. Hypertension = high blood pressure. Hyperglycemia = high blood sugar.
5
What does the prefix hypo- mean?
Below normal, deficient. Hypotension = low blood pressure. Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar.
6
What does the prefix dys- mean?
Difficult, painful, abnormal. Dyspnea = difficulty breathing. Dysphagia = difficulty swallowing.
7
What does the prefix peri- mean?
Around, surrounding. Pericardium = membrane surrounding the heart. Perioperative = around the time of surgery.
8
What does the prefix sub- mean?
Below, under. Subcutaneous = under the skin. Sublingual = under the tongue.
9
What does the prefix trans- mean?
Across, through. Transdermal = through the skin. Transfusion = transferring blood through vessels.
10
What does the prefix intra- mean?
Within, inside. Intravenous = within a vein. Intramuscular = within a muscle.
11
What does the prefix inter- mean?
Between. Intercostal = between the ribs. Intervertebral = between vertebrae.
12
What does the prefix poly- mean?
Many, much, excessive. Polyuria = excessive urination. Polydipsia = excessive thirst.
13
What does the prefix oligo- mean?
Few, little, deficient. Oliguria = scant urine output (< 400 mL/day).
14
What does the prefix hemi- mean?
Half. Hemiplegia = paralysis of one side of the body. Hemianopia = vision loss in half the visual field.
15
What does the prefix bi- mean?
Two. Bilateral = affecting both sides. Bifurcation = splitting into two branches.
16
What does the prefix macro- mean?
Large. Macrocyte = abnormally large red blood cell. Macrosomia = abnormally large fetus.
17
What does the prefix micro- mean?
Small. Microcyte = abnormally small red blood cell. Microorganism = a tiny organism.
18
What does the prefix neo- mean?
New. Neoplasm = new, abnormal growth (tumor). Neonatal = relating to a newborn.
19
What does the prefix ante- mean?
Before. Antepartum = before birth. Antecubital = before/in front of the elbow.
20
What does the prefix post- mean?
After. Postoperative = after surgery. Postpartum = after childbirth.
21
What does the suffix -itis mean?
Inflammation. Appendicitis = inflammation of the appendix. Arthritis = inflammation of joints.
22
What does the suffix -ectomy mean?
Surgical removal. Appendectomy = removal of the appendix. Mastectomy = removal of the breast.
23
What does the suffix -ostomy mean?
Creating an artificial opening. Colostomy = opening into the colon. Tracheostomy = opening into the trachea.
24
What does the suffix -otomy mean?
Cutting into. Tracheotomy = cutting into the trachea. Thoracotomy = cutting into the chest cavity.
25
What does the suffix -plasty mean?
Surgical repair or reconstruction. Rhinoplasty = surgical repair of the nose. Angioplasty = repair of a blood vessel.
26
What does the suffix -scopy mean?
Visual examination using a scope. Colonoscopy = visual exam of the colon. Bronchoscopy = visual exam of the airways.
27
What does the suffix -graphy mean?
Process of recording or imaging. Radiography = X-ray imaging. Electrocardiography = recording heart activity.
28
What does the suffix -gram mean?
Record or image produced. Electrocardiogram (ECG) = recording of heart activity. Mammogram = X-ray image of breast tissue.
29
What does the suffix -logy mean?
Study of. Cardiology = study of the heart. Neurology = study of the nervous system.
30
What does the suffix -ology vs -ologist mean?
-ology = the study or science. -ologist = the specialist who studies it. Cardiology vs Cardiologist.
31
What does the suffix -algia mean?
Pain. Myalgia = muscle pain. Neuralgia = nerve pain. Cardialgia = heart pain.
32
What does the suffix -dynia mean?
Pain. Pleurodynia = pain in the pleura (chest). Cephalodynia = headache.
33
What does the suffix -pathy mean?
Disease or disorder. Neuropathy = nerve disease. Cardiomyopathy = disease of the heart muscle.
34
What does the suffix -emia mean?
Blood condition. Anemia = low red blood cells. Septicemia = bacteria in the blood. Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar.
35
What does the suffix -uria mean?
Urine condition. Hematuria = blood in urine. Proteinuria = protein in urine. Polyuria = excessive urination.
36
What does the suffix -pnea mean?
Breathing. Dyspnea = difficult breathing. Apnea = no breathing. Tachypnea = rapid breathing.
37
What does the suffix -phobia mean?
Fear of. Hydrophobia = fear of water. Claustrophobia = fear of enclosed spaces.
38
What does the suffix -plegia mean?
Paralysis. Hemiplegia = paralysis of one side. Paraplegia = paralysis of lower body. Quadriplegia = all four limbs.
39
What does the suffix -stenosis mean?
Narrowing. Aortic stenosis = narrowing of the aortic valve. Spinal stenosis = narrowing of the spinal canal.
40
What does the suffix -megaly mean?
Enlargement. Cardiomegaly = enlarged heart. Hepatomegaly = enlarged liver. Splenomegaly = enlarged spleen.
