What does the prefix a- / an- mean? — Without, absence of. Apnea = without breathing. Anemia = without enough blood cells.

What does the prefix brady- mean? — Slow. Bradycardia = slow heart rate. Bradypnea = slow breathing.

What does the prefix tachy- mean? — Fast, rapid. Tachycardia = fast heart rate. Tachypnea = rapid breathing.

What does the prefix hyper- mean? — Above normal, excessive. Hypertension = high blood pressure. Hyperglycemia = high blood sugar.

What does the prefix hypo- mean? — Below normal, deficient. Hypotension = low blood pressure. Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar.

What does the prefix dys- mean? — Difficult, painful, abnormal. Dyspnea = difficulty breathing. Dysphagia = difficulty swallowing.

What does the prefix peri- mean? — Around, surrounding. Pericardium = membrane surrounding the heart. Perioperative = around the time of surgery.

What does the prefix sub- mean? — Below, under. Subcutaneous = under the skin. Sublingual = under the tongue.

What does the prefix trans- mean? — Across, through. Transdermal = through the skin. Transfusion = transferring blood through vessels.

What does the prefix intra- mean? — Within, inside. Intravenous = within a vein. Intramuscular = within a muscle.

What does the prefix inter- mean? — Between. Intercostal = between the ribs. Intervertebral = between vertebrae.

What does the prefix poly- mean? — Many, much, excessive. Polyuria = excessive urination. Polydipsia = excessive thirst.

What does the prefix oligo- mean? — Few, little, deficient. Oliguria = scant urine output (< 400 mL/day).

What does the prefix hemi- mean? — Half. Hemiplegia = paralysis of one side of the body. Hemianopia = vision loss in half the visual field.

What does the prefix bi- mean? — Two. Bilateral = affecting both sides. Bifurcation = splitting into two branches.

What does the prefix macro- mean? — Large. Macrocyte = abnormally large red blood cell. Macrosomia = abnormally large fetus.

What does the prefix micro- mean? — Small. Microcyte = abnormally small red blood cell. Microorganism = a tiny organism.

What does the prefix neo- mean? — New. Neoplasm = new, abnormal growth (tumor). Neonatal = relating to a newborn.

What does the prefix ante- mean? — Before. Antepartum = before birth. Antecubital = before/in front of the elbow.

What does the prefix post- mean? — After. Postoperative = after surgery. Postpartum = after childbirth.

What does the suffix -itis mean? — Inflammation. Appendicitis = inflammation of the appendix. Arthritis = inflammation of joints.

What does the suffix -ectomy mean? — Surgical removal. Appendectomy = removal of the appendix. Mastectomy = removal of the breast.

What does the suffix -ostomy mean? — Creating an artificial opening. Colostomy = opening into the colon. Tracheostomy = opening into the trachea.

What does the suffix -otomy mean? — Cutting into. Tracheotomy = cutting into the trachea. Thoracotomy = cutting into the chest cavity.

What does the suffix -plasty mean? — Surgical repair or reconstruction. Rhinoplasty = surgical repair of the nose. Angioplasty = repair of a blood vessel.

What does the suffix -scopy mean? — Visual examination using a scope. Colonoscopy = visual exam of the colon. Bronchoscopy = visual exam of the airways.

What does the suffix -graphy mean? — Process of recording or imaging. Radiography = X-ray imaging. Electrocardiography = recording heart activity.

What does the suffix -gram mean? — Record or image produced. Electrocardiogram (ECG) = recording of heart activity. Mammogram = X-ray image of breast tissue.

What does the suffix -logy mean? — Study of. Cardiology = study of the heart. Neurology = study of the nervous system.

What does the suffix -ology vs -ologist mean? — -ology = the study or science. -ologist = the specialist who studies it. Cardiology vs Cardiologist.

What does the suffix -algia mean? — Pain. Myalgia = muscle pain. Neuralgia = nerve pain. Cardialgia = heart pain.

What does the suffix -dynia mean? — Pain. Pleurodynia = pain in the pleura (chest). Cephalodynia = headache.

What does the suffix -pathy mean? — Disease or disorder. Neuropathy = nerve disease. Cardiomyopathy = disease of the heart muscle.

What does the suffix -emia mean? — Blood condition. Anemia = low red blood cells. Septicemia = bacteria in the blood. Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar.

What does the suffix -uria mean? — Urine condition. Hematuria = blood in urine. Proteinuria = protein in urine. Polyuria = excessive urination.

What does the suffix -pnea mean? — Breathing. Dyspnea = difficult breathing. Apnea = no breathing. Tachypnea = rapid breathing.

What does the suffix -phobia mean? — Fear of. Hydrophobia = fear of water. Claustrophobia = fear of enclosed spaces.

What does the suffix -plegia mean? — Paralysis. Hemiplegia = paralysis of one side. Paraplegia = paralysis of lower body. Quadriplegia = all four limbs.

What does the suffix -stenosis mean? — Narrowing. Aortic stenosis = narrowing of the aortic valve. Spinal stenosis = narrowing of the spinal canal.

What does the suffix -megaly mean? — Enlargement. Cardiomegaly = enlarged heart. Hepatomegaly = enlarged liver. Splenomegaly = enlarged spleen.