 | Medical Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes Glossary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_roots,_suffixes_and_prefixes
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This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. There are a few rules when using medical roots. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek, but also in 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. Secondly, medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although it is technically considered acceptable to create hybrid words, it is strongly preferred to not mix different lingual roots. Prefixes and suffixes The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and an English example. A | Prefix or suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | a-, an- | Denotes an absence of | Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), without, not | Apathy, Analgia | | ab- | away from | Latin | Abduction | | abdomin(o)- | Of or relating to the abdomen | Latin (abdōmen), abdomen, fat around the belly | Abdomen | | -ac, -acal | pertaining to | Greek -ακός (-akos) | cardiac, hydrophobiac, pharmacomaniacal | | 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- | increase, adherence, motion toward, very | 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 | | alb- | Denoting a white or pale color | Latin albus, white | Albino | | alge(si)- | pain | Greek ἄλγος | Analgesic | | -algia | pain | Greek | Myalgia | | alg(i)o- | pain | Greek | Myalgia | | allo- | 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 | | amnio- | Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) | Greek ἄμνιον | Amniocentesis | | amph-, amphi- | on both sides | Greek ἀμφί (amphi) | Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin | | an- | not, without | Greek | Analgesia | | ana- | back, again, up | Greek | Anaplasia | | an(o) | anus | Latin | | | andr(o)- | pertaining to a man | Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- | Andrology, android | | angi(o)- | blood vessel | Greek ἀγγεῖον | Angiogram | | aniso- | Describing something as unequal | Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος (anīsos), unequal | Anisotropic, anisocytosis | | 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- | separated from, derived from | Ancient Greek ἀπό | Apoptosis | | arch(i,e,o) | first, primitive | | archinephron : first formed kidney | | arteri(o)- | Of or pertaining to an artery | Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein) | Artery, Arteriole | | arthr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs | Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb | Arthritis | | articul(o)- | joint | Latin articulum | Articulation | | -ary | pertaining to | Latin -arius | bilary tract | | -ase | enzyme | Greek διάστασις, division | Lactase | | -asthenia | weakness | Greek, ἀσθένεια | Myasthenia gravis | | atel(o) | imperfect or incomplete development | | atelocardia : imperfect development of the heart | | -ation | process | Latin | | | atri(o)- | an atrium (esp. heart atrium) | | 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 | | 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 | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | balano- | Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis | Greek βάλανος - balanos, acorn, glans | Balanitis | | bi- | twice, double | Latin | | | bio- | life | Ancient Greek βίος | Biology | | blast(o)- | germ or bud | Greek βλαστός | Blastomere | | blephar(o)- | Of or pertaining to the eyelid | Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid | Blepharoplast | | brachi(o)- | Of or relating to the arm | Latin (brachium), 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)- | bronchus | | Bronchiolitis obliterans | | bucc(o)- | Of or pertaining to the cheek | Latin (bucca), cheek | Buccolabial | | burs(o)- | bursa (fluid sac between the bones) | Latin | Bursitis | C | Prefix/suffix | 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 | | -cele | pouching, hernia | Ancient Greek κήλη (kēlē) | Hydrocele | | -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 | | 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 | | 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 | | 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 | Hemachromatosis | | -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) | | | clast | break | Greek κλαστός | osteoclast | | co- | with, together, in association | Latin | | | col-, colo-, colono- | colon | | Colonoscopy | | colp(o)- | Of or pertaining to the vagina | Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth | Colposcopy | | com- | with, together | Latin | | | contra | against | Latin | Contraindicate | | cor- | with, together | Latin | | | cor-, core-, coro- | Of or pertaining to eye's pupil | Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye | Corectomy | | cordi- | 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 | | | cost(o)- | 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 | to secrete | | Endocrine | | cry(o)- | cold | Greek κρύος | Cryoablation | | cutane- | skin | Latin | 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 (kýstis), bladder; cyst | Cystotomy | | cyt(o)- | cell | Greek κύτος | Cytokine | | -cyte | cell | Greek | Leukocyte | D | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | dacryo- | tear | Greek δάκρυ | | | dactyl(o)- | Of or pertaining to a finger, toe | Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe | Dactylology | | de- | away from, cessation | Latin de- | | | dent- | Of or pertaining to teeth | Latin (dens, dentis), tooth | Dentist | | dermat(o)-, derm(o)- | Of or pertaining to the skin | Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματ- (dérma, démat-), skin, human skin | Dermatology | | -desis | binding | Greek δέσις (desis) | arthrodesis | | dextr(o)- | right, on the right side | Latin dexter | Dextrocardia | | di- | two | Greek δι- | | | di- | apart, separation | Latin | | | dia- | (same as Greek meaning) | Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across | Diacetyl | | dif- | apart, separation | Latin | | | digit- | Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root] | Latin (digitus), finger, toe | Digit | | dis- | separation, taking apart | Latin dis- | Dissection | | dors(o)-, dors(i)- | Of or pertaining to the back | Latin (dorsum), back | dorsal, Dorsocephalad | | 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 (dunamis) | | | -dynia | pain | | Vulvodynia | | dys- | bad, difficult | Greek δυσ- | Dysphagia, dysphasia | E | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | -eal | pertaining to | Latin | | | ec- | out, away | Greek ἐκ- (ek-) | | | ect(o)- | outer, outside | Greek ἐκτός | Ectopic pregnancy | | -ectasis | expansion, dilation | Ancient Greek ἔκτασις | Bronchiectasis | | -ectomy | Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision | Ancient Greek ἐκτομή (ectomē), excision | Mastectomy | | -emesis | vomiting condition | Greek ἕμεσις | Hematemesis | | -emia | blood condition (AmE) | 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' | Ancient Greek ἐνδο- (endo-), inside, internal | Endocrinology, Endospore | | enter(o)- | Of or pertaining to the intestine | Ancient Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine | Gastroenterology | | epi- | [Same as Greek meaning: on, upon] | Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of | Epistaxis, epicardium, episclera, epidural | | 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 (erythros), red | Erythrocyte | | -esophageal, -esophago | gullet (AmE) | Greek οἰσοφάγος | | | esthesio- | sensation (AmE) | Greek αἴσθησις | | | eu- | true, good, well, new | Greek | Eukaryote | | ex- | out of, away from | Latin | | | exo- | Denotes something as 'outside' another | Ancient Greek ἐξω- (exo-), outside of, external | Exoskeleton | | extra- | outside | Latin | | F | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | faci(o)- | Of or pertaining to the face | Latin (faciēs), the face, countenance | Facioplegic | | fibr(o) | fiber | | Fibroblast | | filli- | fine, hair like | | | | -form, -iform | Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of' | Latin (forma), form, shape | Cuneiform | | fossa | | Latin (fossa), ditch, pit | fossa ovalis | | front- | Of or pertaining to the forehead | Latin (frōns, front-), the forehead | Frontonasal | G | Prefix/suffix | 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) < 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 | | gingiv- | Of or pertaining to the gums | Latin (gingīva), gum | Gingivitis | | glauc(o)- | Denoting a grey, bluish-grey color | Ancient Greek γλαῦκος (glaúkos), grey, bluish-grey | Glaucoma | | gloss(o)-, glott(o)- | Of or pertaining to the tongue | Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue | Glossology | | gluco- | glucose | Greek γλυκός, sweet | Glucocorticoid | | glyco- | sugar | | 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 | record or picture | Greek γράμμα | Angiogram | | -graph | record or picture | Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | Electrocardiograph | | -graphy | process of recording | | Angiography | | gyn(aec)o- (BrE), gyn(ec)o- (AmE) | woman | Greek γυνή, γυναικ- | Gynecomastia | H | Prefix/suffix | 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 | Hematological malignancy | | 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) | Incorrect Etymology < 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 | I | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | -i-asis | condition | Greek -ίασις | Mydriasis | | iatr(o)- | Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician [uncommon as a prefix; common as as 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 | | | 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 | Intracranial hemorrhage | | irid(o)- | iris | Greek ἴρις | Iridectomy | | ischio- | Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint | Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν (ischión), hip-joint, ischium | Ischiorrhogic | | -ism | condition, disease | | Dwarfism | | -ismus | spasm, contraction | Greek -ισμός | | | 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 | | isch- | Restriction | Greek ἴσχω | Ischemia | K | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | 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 | Prefix/suffix | 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) | | | 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 | Liposuction | | lith(o)- | stone, calculus | Greek λίθος | Lithotripsy | | log(o)- | speech | Greek λόγος | | | -logist | Denotes someone who studies a certain field: _____-logy | Ancient Greek λογιστής (logistēs), studier, practitioner | Oncologist, pathologist | | -logy | Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field | Ancient Greek λόγoς (logos) study | hematology, urology | | lymph(o)- | lymph | Greek λέμφος, λύμφη | Lymphedema | | lys(o)-, -lytic | dissolution | Greek | Lysosome | | -lysis | Destruction, separation | Greek λύσις | Paralysis | M | Prefix/suffix | 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 | | | 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 | Greek μέγας | Splenomegaly | | 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 | | mero- | part | Greek μέρος (meros), part | merocrine, meroblastic | | mes(o)- | middle | Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle" | Mesoderm | | meta- | after, behind | Greek μετά | Metacarpus | | -meter | measurement | 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 | Ancient Greek μικρός (mikros), small | Microscope | | mon(o)- | single | Greek μονός | Infectious mononucleosis | | morph(o)- | form, shape | Greek μορφή | 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 | Ancient Greek μυελόν (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow | Myeloblast | | myring(o)- | eardrum | Latin myringa | Myringotomy | | myx(o)- | mucus | Greek μύξα | Myxoma | N | Prefix/suffix | 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 | 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 | | neur(i)-, neur(o)- | Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system | Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neuron), tendon, sinew; nerve | Neurofibromatosis | | normo- | normal | Latin | Normocapnia | O | Prefix/suffix | 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 | | | -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)- | Of or pertaining to the shoulder | Ancient Greek ὠμός (ōmos), shoulder | Omoplate | | -oma (singular), -omata (plural) | tumor, mass, 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 | | 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 the 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 | | optic(o)- | Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye | Middle French (optique) < Greek ὀπτικός (optikós); Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye | Opticochemical | | or(o)- | Of or pertaining to the mouth | Latin (ōs, or-), mouth | Oral | | orchi(o)-, orchido- | testis | Greek ὀρχις (orkhis, orkhi-) | Orchiectomy, Orchidectomy | | orth(o)- | Denoting something as straight or correct | Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthos), straight, correct, normal | Orthodontist | | -osis | a condition, disease or increase | Greek -ωσις | Harlequin type ichthyosis, Psychosis, osteoperosis | | osseo- | bony | Latin | | | 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 | Otopathy | | -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 | | P | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | 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; dimunitive 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, abnormal | Ancient Greek παρά | | | -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 | | ped-, -ped-, -pes | Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed | Latin (pēs, pēd-), foot | Pedoscope | | 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 | | | 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 | Anthropophagy | | 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 | | phob(o)- | exaggerated fear, sensitivity | Greek φόβος | arachnophobia | | phon(o)- | sound | Greek φωνή | | | 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 | [[diaphragm (anatomy)|diaphragm], the mind] | Greek φρήν, φρεν- | Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia | | -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(o)-, pleur(a) | Of or pertaining to the ribs | Latin (pleura) < Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body | Pleurogenous | | -plexy | stroke or seizure | Greek πλῆξις | Cataplexy | | pneum(o)- | Of or pertaining to the lungs | Ancient Greek πνεύμων, πνευμον- (pneumōn, pneumon-), lung < πνεῦμα (pneuma), wind, spirit | Pneumonocyte, Pneumonia | | pneumat(o)- | air, lung | | | | 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 | | | | 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 | Prematurity | | presby(o)- | old age | Greek | Presbyopia | | 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 | | prot(o)- | Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important' | Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principle, most important | Protoneuron | | pseudo- | Denotes something false or fake | | psych(e)-, psych(o) | Of or pertaining to the mind | Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul | Psychology, Psychiatry | | -ptosis | falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse | | Apoptosis | | -ptysis | (a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes | | | 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 | | pyo- | pus | Greek πύον | Pyometra | | pyro- | fever | Greek πῦρ, πυρετός | Antipyretic | Q | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | quadr(i)- | four | Latin | quadriceps | R | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | radio- | radiation | Latin | radiowave | | re- | again, backward | Latin | relapse | | rect(o)- | rectum | Latin | | | ren(o)- | Of or pertaining to the kidney | Latin (rēnes), kidney | renal | | reticul(o)- | net | Latin | | | retro- | backward, behind | Latin | retroverted | | rhabd(o)- | rod shaped, striated | Greek ῥάβδος | | | 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 | | | -rrhaphy | surgical suturing | Greek ῥαφή | | | -rrhea (AmE) | flowing, discharge | Greek -ρροια | Galactorrhea, Diarrhea | | -rrhexis | rupture | Greek ῥῆξις | | | -rrhoea (BrE) | flowing, discharge | Greek -ρροια | Diarrhoea | | rubr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain | Latin (ruber), red | Rubrospinal | S | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | salping(o)- | Of or pertaining to the 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 | | schist(o)- | split, cleft | Greek σχιστός (schistos) | | | schiz(o)- | Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided' | Ancient Greek σχιζω; Irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν (schizein), to cut, split | Schizophrenia | | scler(o)- | hardness | Greek σκληρός | atherosclerosis | | -sclerosis | hardening of the skin | Greek | 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 | | semi- | one-half, partly | Latin | | | sial(o)- | saliva, salivary gland | Greek σίαλος (sialos) | sialagogue | | sigmoid(o)- | sigmoid, sigmoid colon | Greek σιγμοειδής | | | 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 | | | somat(o)-, somatico- | body, bodily | Greek σῶμα | | | spasmo- | spasm | Greek σπασμός | | | sperma-, spermo-, spermato- | semen, spermatozoa | Greek σπέρμα (sperma) | Spermatogenesis | | splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)- | viscera | Greek σπλάγχνον | | | 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 | Squama | | -stasis | stop, stand | Greek στάσις | | | -staxis | dripping, trickling | Greek στακτός | | | sten(o)- | Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrow-ness | Ancient Greek στενός (stenos), narrow; short | Stenography | | 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 | Greek στόμα | stomatognathic system | | stomat(o)- | Of or pertaining to the mouth | Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth | Stomatogastric | | -stomy | creation of an opening | Greek -στομία | colostomy | | sub- | beneath | Latin | subcutaneous tissue | | super- | in excess, above, superior | Latin | superior vena cava | | supra- | above, excessive | Latin | supraorbital vein | | sy(l)-, sym-, syn-, sys- | Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; Assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial to sym-. | Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together | Synalgia, Synesthesia, Syssarcosis | T | Prefix/suffix | 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 | | tetan- | rigid, tense | | tetanus | | thec- | case, sheath | Ancient Greek θήκη (theke) | Intrathecal | | thel(e)-, thel(o)- | Of or pertaining to a nipple [uncommon as a prefix] | Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple | Theleplasty | | thely- | Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine' | Ancient Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine | Thelygenous | | therm(o)- | heat | Ancient Greek θερμός | | | 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 | 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(o)(ia)- | emotions | Greek: "thymos," spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions | dysthymia | | -tic | pertaining to | Greek -τικός | | | toco- | childbirth | Greek τόκος | | | -tome | cutting instrument | Greek τομή | | | -tomy | act of cutting; incising, incision | Greek -τομία | Gastrotomy | | tono- | tone, tension, pressure | Greek τόνος | | | -tony | tension | Greek -τονία | | | top(o)- | place, topical | Greek τόπος | | | tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxico- | toxin, poison | Greek τοξικόν | Toxoplasmosis | | trache(o)- | trachea | Greek τραχεία | | | trachel(o)- | Of or pertaining to the neck | Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck | Tracheotomy | | trans- | Denoting something as moving or situated 'across' or 'through' | Latin (trāns), across, through | Transfusion | | 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 | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | -ula, -ule | small | Latin | Nodule | | ultra- | beyond, excessive | Latin | | | 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(o)- | Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system; (specifically) pertaining to the physiological chemistry of urine | Ancient Greek οὖρον (ouron), urine | Urology | | uri(c)-, urico- | 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 | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | vagin- | Of or pertaining to the vagina | Latin (vāgīna), sheath, scabbard | Vagina | | varic(o)- | swollen or twisted vein | Latin | varicose | | vas(o)- | duct, blood vessel | Latin | vasoconstriction | | vasculo- | blood vessel | Latin | | | ven- | Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein [used in terms pertaining to the vascular system ] | Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein | Vein, Venospasm | | ventr(o)- | Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach cavities | Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the womb | Ventrodorsal | | vesic(o)- | Of or pertaining to the bladder | Latin (vēsīca), bladder; blister | Vesica | | viscer(o)- | Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera | Latin (viscera), internal organs; plural of (viscerum), internal organ | Viscera | X | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | xanth(o)- | Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color | Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós), yellow | Xanthopathy | | xen(o)- | Foreign, different | Greek ξένος (xenos), stranger | Xenograft | Y | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | -y | condition or process of | Latin -ia < Greek -ία | Surgery | Z | Prefix/suffix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) | | zo(o)- | animal, animal life | Greek ζῷον | | | zym(o)- | fermentation, enzyme | Greek ζύμη | | 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 | Latin Root | Other Root | | Digestion | -pepsia | - | - | | Disease | -pathy | - | - | | Eating | -phagia | - | - | Roots of body parts and components (Internal Anatomy, External Anatomy, Body Fluids, Body Substances) | Body Part/Component | Greek Root | Latin Root | Other Root | | abdomen | lapar(o)- | abdomin- | - | | aorta | aort(o)- | aort(o)- | - | | arm | brachi(o)- | - | - | | armpit | - | axill- | - | | artery | arteri(o)- | - | - | | back | - | dors- | - | | big toe | - | allic- | - | | bladder | cyst(o)- | vesic(o)- | - | | blood | haemat-, hemat- (haem-, hem-) | sangui-, sanguine- | - | | blood clot | thromb(o)- | - | - | | blood vessel | angi(o)- | vascul-, vas- | - | | body | somat-, som- | corpor- | - | | bone | oste(o)- | ossi- | - | | bone marrow, marrow | myel(o)- | medull- | - | | brain | encephal(o)- | cerebr(o)- | - | | breast | mast(o)- | mamm(o)- | - | | chest | steth(o)- | - | - | | cheek | - | bucc- | - | | ear | ot(o)- | aur- | - | | eggs, ova | oo- | ov- | - | | eye | ophthalm(o)- | ocul(o)- | optic(o) [French] | | eyelid | blephar(o)- | cili-; palpebr- | - | | face | - | 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 | sarping(o)- | sarping(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 | melano- | nigr- | - | | blue | cyano- | - | - | | gray, grey | polio- | - | - | | green | chlor(o)- | vir- | - | | purple | porphyr(o)- | purpur-, purpureo- | - | | red | erythr(o)-, rhod(o)- | rub-, rubr- | - | | red-yellow | cirrh(o)- | - | - | | white | leuc-, leuk- | alb- | - | | yellow | xanth(o)- | 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)- | - | | 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)- | - | | 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 | neo- | 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- | - | Roots of quantity (Amount, Quantity) | 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 all medical glossaries: - Medical Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes Glossary
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- Glossary of Diseases and Symptoms (Italiano-Inglese and English-Italian)
- Glossary of Anatomy (Italiano-Inglese and English-Italian)
- Clinical research glossary
- Psychiatry glossary
- Medical prescriptions abbreviations glossary
- Medical slang glossary
- Anatomy glossary
- List of medical abbreviations
- Abbreviations for medical organisations and personnel
- English-French Glossary for Medical Learners, Doctors and Nurses
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- Glossary of HIV/AIDS Related Terms (English)
Glosario de infoSIDA (Spanish) - HIV Vaccine Glossary
- Health and Social Services Glossary of Acronyms
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- Oncology-related Terms Glossary
Published - February 2011 Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details.
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