© TAFE frontiers 2001 1
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
A
a- away from, no, not
ab- away from
abdomin/o abdomen
-able capable
abort/o premature expulsion of viable foetus
abrad/o, abras/o scrape
abrupt/o broken away from
ab- away from
abscess/o collection of pus
absorpt/o suck up
ac- toward
-ac pertaining to
acanth/o spiny, thorny
acetabul/o acetabulum (hip socket)
-acious characterised by
acne/o peak
acou/o, acous/o hearing
aquir/o obtain
-acusia, -acusis, acust/o hearing, sense of hearing
acr/o extremities
acromi/o acromion, point of shoulder blade
acu/o sharp, severe, sudden
acuit/o, acut/o sharp, sharpness
ad-, -ad toward, in direction of
aden/o gland
adenoid/o adenoids
adhes/o stick to
adip/o fat
adnex/o bound to
adren/o, adrenal/o adrenal glands
-aemia blood
aer/o air, gas
aesthet/o, esthet/o sensation
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
af- toward, to
affect/o exert influence on
ag- toward, to
agglutin/o clumping
aggress/o attack
-ago attack, diseased state or condition
agor/a marketplace
-agra excessive pain seizure, attack of severe pain
-aise comfort, ease
al- like, similar
-al pertaining to
alb/i, alb/o, albin/o white
albumin/o albumin (protein)
alg/e, alg/o pain
algesi/o, -algesia suffering, pain
-algesic painful
algi-, -algia suffering, pain
align/o bring into line or correct position
aliment/o to nourish
all/o all- other, different
alopec/o baldness
alveol/o alveolus, air sac, small sac
amb-, ambi- on both sides, around or about, double
ambly/o dim
ambly/o dim, dull
ambul/o, ambulat/o to walk
ametr/o out of proportion
-amine nitrogen compound
amni/o amnion, foetal membrane
amph- around, on both sides, doubly
amput/o, amputat/o cut away, cut off a part of body
amyl/o starch
an- no, not, without
an-, ana- up, apart, backward, excessive
andr/o male
aneurysm/o aneurysm
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
angi/o, angi-, angio- lymph vessels or blood vessels
angin/o choking
anis/o unequal
an/o anus, ring
ankyl/o crooked, bent, stiff
anomal/o irregularity
ante- before, forward
anter/o front
anthrac/o coal dust
anti- against, counter
anxi/o, anxiet/o uneasy, anxious, distressed
aort/o aorta
ap- toward, to
-apheresis removal
aphth/o small ulcer
apic/o apex
aplast/o defective or lack of development
apo- opposed
aponeur/o aponeurosis
apoplect/o a stroke
append/o, appendic/o appendix
aqu/i, aqu/o, aque/o water
-ar pertaining to
arc/o bow, arc
-arche beginning
arachn/o spider web, spider
areat/o occurring in patches or circumscribed areas
areol/o little open space
arrect/o upright, lifted up, raised
arteri/o artery
articul/o, arthr/o joint
-ary pertaining to
as- toward, to
-ase enzyme
asphyxi/o absence of a pulse
aspir/o, aspirat/o to breathe in
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
asthen-, -asthenia weakness, lack of strength
-asthmat/o gasping, choking
at- toward to
atel/o incomplete
ather/o plaque, fatty substance
athet/o uncontrolled
-atonic lack of tone
atop/o strange, out of place
atres/i without an opening
atri/o atrium
-atrophy degeneration
attenuat/o diluted, weakened
aud-, audi/o, audit/o ear, hearing, sense of hearing
aur/i, aur/o ear, hearing
auscult/o listen
aut/o self
axill/o armpit
ax/o axis, main stem
azot/o urea, nitrogen
B
bacill/o little stick or rod
bacteri/o bacteria, rod or staff
balan/o glans penis
bar/o pressure, weight
bas/o base, opposite of acid
bi-, -bin, bis- twice, double, two
bi/o, bio- life
bifid/o split, cleft into two parts
bifurcat/o divide or fork into two branches
bil/i, gall
bilirubin/o bilirubin
-blast, blast/i embryonic, immature
blephar/o eyelid
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
borborygm/o rumbling sound
brachi/o arm
brachy- short
brady- slow
brev/i, brev/o short
bronch/i, bronch/o bronchial tube, windpipe
bronchi/o bronchial tube
bronchiol/o bronchiole, bronchiolus
brux/o grind
bucc/o, bucca- cheek
burs/o bursa, sac of fluid near joint
C
cac-, cac/o, caco- evil, bad, diseased, weak
cadaver/o dead body
calc/o calcium
calcane/o calcaneus, heel bone
calc/i calcium, lime, heel
calcul/o little stone, stone
cali/o, calic/o cup, calyx
call/i, callos/o hard, hardened and thickened
calor/i heat
canalicul/o little canal or duct
canth/o corner of eye
capill/o hair
capit/o head
capn/o, -capnia smoke, carbon dioxide
capsul/o little box
carb/o carbon
carbuncul/o carbuncles
carcin/o cancerous
cardi/o heart
cari/o decay, rot
carot/o stupor, sleep
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
carp/o corpus, wrist bone
cartilag/o cartilage
caruncul/o bit of flesh
cat-, cata-, cath- down, lower, under, downward
catabol/o breaking down
cathart/o cleansing, purging
cathet/o send down, insert
caud/o tail, lower part of body
caus/o, caust/o burn, burning
cauter/o, caut/o burn, heat
cav/i, cav/o hollow, cave
cavern/o containing hollow spaces
cec/o cecum, blind gut
-cele tumour, cyst, hernia
celi/o belly, abdomen
cement/o rough stone, cementum
cent- hundred
-centesis surgical puncture to remove fluid
cephal/o, cephal-, -ceps head
cera- wax
cerebell/o cerebellum
cerebr/o brain, cerebrum
cerumin/o cerumen
cervic/o neck, cervix
chalas/o, -chalasis relaxation, loosening
chalaz/o a hailstone
cheil/o lip
cheir/o, cheir- hand
chem/i, chem/o drug, chemical
chemic/o drug, chemical
chir/o, chiro- hand
chlorhydr/o hydrochloric acid
chol/e bile, gall
cholangi/o bile duct
cholecyst/o gallbladder
choledoch/o common bile duct
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
cholesterol/o cholesterol
chondr/o, chondri/o cartilage
chord/o the spinal cord
chori/o chorion membrane
choroid/o choroid layer of eye
chrom/o, chromat/o colour
chym/o juice
cib/o meal
cicatric/o scar
-cidal pertaining to death
-cide causing death
cili/o microscopic hair-like projections, eyelashes
cine/o movement
circ/i ring or circle
circulat/o go around in a circle
circum- around, about
circumcis/o cutting around
circumscrib/o confined, limited in space
cirrh/o tawny, orange-yellow
cis/o cut
-clasis, -clast break
claudicat/o limping
claustr/o barrier, closed in
clav/i key
clavicul/o, cleid/o clavicle, collarbone
climacter/o crisis, rung of a ladder
clitor/o, clitorid/o clitoris, small hill
clon/o violent action
clus/o shut or close
-clysis irrigation, washing
co- together, with
coagul/o, coagulat/o fix together
coarct/o, coarctat/o press together, narrow
cocc/i, cocc/o, -coccus berry shaped bacterium, spherical bacterium
coccyg/o coccyx, tailbone
cochle/o snail, snail shell, spiral
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
coher/o, cohes/o cling or stick together
coit/o a coming together
col/o colon, large intestine
coll/a glue
coll/i neck
colon/o colon, large intestine
colp/o vagina
column/o pillar
com- together, with
comat/o deep sleep
comminut/o break into pieces
communic/o share, to make common
compatibil/o sympathise with
con- together, with
concav/o hollow
concentr/o condense, intensify, remove excess water
concept/o receive, become pregnant
conch/o shell
concuss/o shaken together
condyl/o knuckle, knob
confus/o disorder, confusion
conjunctiv/o conjunctiva, joined together
consci/o aware
consolid/o become firm
constipat/o pressed together
constrict/o draw tightly together
contact/o touched, infected
contagi/o touching of something, unclean, infection
contaminat/o pollute, render unclean by contact
contine/o, continent/o hold back, restrain, keep in, contain
contra- against, counter, opposite
contracept/o prevention of conception
contus/o bruise
convalesc/o recover
convex/o arched, vaulted
convolut/o coiled, twisted
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
convuls/o pull together
copi/o abundant
copulat/o joining together
core-, cor/o pupil
cord/o spinal cord, cord
cardi/o heart
core/o pupil
cori/o skin, leather
corne/o cornea
coron/o crown, coronary
corp/u, corpor/o body
corpuscul/o little body
cort- covering
cortic/o cortex outer region
cost/o rib
cox/o hip, hip joint
crani/o skull
-crasia mixture
crepit/o, crepitat/o crackling
crin/o, crine secrete, separate
cris/o, critic/o turning point
-crit separate
cry/o cold
crypt/o hidden
cubit/o elbow
cuboid/o cube-like
culd/o cul-de-sac, blind pouch
cult/o cultivate, plough
-cusis hearing
cusp/i point, pointed flap
cut-, cutane/o skin
cyan/o blue
cycl/o ciliary body of eye, cycle
cyes/i, cyes/o, -cyesis pregnancy
cyst-, -cyst bag, bladder
cyst/o cyst, urinary bladder, sac of fluid
10 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
cyt/o, -cyte cell
-cytic pertaining to a cell
-cytosis condition of cells
D
dacrocyst/o tear sac
dacry/o, dacry- tear, tear duct, lacrimal duct
dactyl/o, dacytyl- fingers, toes
dart/o skinned
de- not, down, lack of
debrid/e open a wound
deca-, deci- ten, tenth
decidu/o shedding
decubit/o lying down
defec/o, defecat/o free from waste
defer/o carrying down or out
degenerat/o gradual impairment, breakdown, diminished function
deglutit/o swallow
dehisc/o burst open, split
deliri/o wandering in the mind
delt/o Greek letter delta (∆), triangular shape
delus/o cheat, delude
-dema swelling (fluid)
demi- half
dem/o people, population
dendr/o tree, branching like a tree
dent-, dent/i, dent/o tooth
depilat/o removal of hair
depress/o press down lower, pressed or sunk down
derm/o, derma- skin
dermat/o skin
-desis bind together, tie, surgical fixation of bone or joint
deteriorat/o worsening or gradual impairment
dextr/o right side
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
di- twice
dia- through, between, apart, complete
diaphor/o sweat
diaphragmat/o diaphragm, partition
diastol/o standing apart, expansion
didym/o testes, twins, double
diffus/o pour out
digest/o divide, distribute
digit/o finger or toe
dilat/o, dilatat/o expand
dilut/o dissolve
diphther/o membrane
dipl/o, dipla- double
dips/o, -dipsia thirst
dis- absence of
dislocat/o displacement
dissect/o cutting apart
disseminat/o widely scattered
dist/o far
distend/o, distent/o expand
diur/o, diuret/o tending to increase urine output
divert/i turning aside, bypath
domin/o controlling, ruling
don/o give
dors/i , dors/o back of body
drom/o, -drome run, running
duct/o to lead, tube to carry
-duct opening
duoden/i, duoden/o duodenum
dur/o dura mater
-dynia pain
dys- difficult, painful, bad
12 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
E
e- out of
-eal pertaining to
ec- outside
ecchym/o pouring out of juice
ech/o sound
eclamps/o, eclampt/o flashing or shining
-ectasia, -ectasis stretching, dilation, enlargement
ecto- out
-ectomy surgical removal, excision, cutting out
eczemat/o boil, eruption
edem-, edemat/o swelling, fluid, tumour
edentul/o toothless
ef- out
effect/o bring about a response
effus/o pouring out
ejaculat/o throw out
elasm/o plate
electr/o electric, electricity
eliminat/o expel from the body
em- in
emaciat/o lean, wasted by disease
embol/o something inserted or thrown in
embras/o a sloped opening
embry/o fertilised ovum, embryo
-emesis vomiting
emet/o vomit
-emia blood, blood condition
emmetr/o in proper measure
emolli/o soften
en- in, into, within
encephal/o brain
end/o, endo- within, in, inside, internal
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
endocrin/o secrete within
enem/o inject
enter/o small intestine
ento- within
enzym/o leaven
eosin/o red, rosy, dawn-coloured
epi- upon, above, on, upper
epidemi/o among the people, an epidemic
epididym/o epididymis
epiglott/o epiglottis
episi/o vulva
epithel/i, epitheli/o epithelium
equin/o horse
erg/o work
erect/o upright
erot/o sexual love
eruct/o, eructat/o belch forth
erupt/o break out, burst forth
erythr/o red
erythem/o, erythemat/o flushed redness
es- out of, outside, away from
-esis state or condition, abnormal condition
eso- inward
esophag/o oesophagus
-esthesia, esthesi/o sensation, feeling
esthet/o feeling, sense of perception
estr/o female
ethm/o sieve
eti/o cause
eu- well, normal, good
evacu/o, evacuat/o empty out
eviscer/o, eviscerat/o protrusion of viscera
ex- out of, outside, away from
exacerbat/o aggravate
excis/o cutting out
excori/o, excoriat/o abrade or scratch
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
excret/o separate, discharge
excruciat/o intense pain, agony
exhal/o, exhalat/o breathe out
-exial, -exis condition
exo- out of, outside, away from
exocrin/o secrete out of
expector/o cough up, drive out of the chest
expir/o, expirat/o breathe out
exstroph/o turned or twisted out
extern/o outside, outer
extra- external, outside
extrem/o, extremit/o outermost, extremity
extrins/o from outside, contained outside
exud/o, exudat/o to sweat out
F
faci- facies, face
faci/o face
-facient making, producing
fasci/o fascia, fibrous bond
fascicul/o little bundle
fatal/o death
febr/i fever
fauc/i narrow pass, throat
fec/i, fec/o sediment
femor/o femur, thigh bone
fenestr/o window
fer/o bear, carry
-ferent carrying
-ferous bearing, carrying, producing
fertil/o fruitful, productive
fet/i, fet/o, foet/o foetus, unborn child
fibr/o fibre, relating to fibrous tissue
fibrill/o muscular twitching
© TAFE frontiers 2001 15
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
fibrin/o fibrin, fibres, threads of a clot
fibros/o fibrous connective tissue
fibulo fibula
-fic, fic/o making, producing
filtr/o, filtrat/o to strain through
fimbri/o fringe
fiss/o, fissur/o crack
fistul/o tube or pipe
flamme/o flame coloured
flat/o breaking wind, rectal gas
flex/o bend
flu/o flow
fluor/o luminous
foc/o point, focus
foll/i sac
follicul/o follicle, small sac
foramin/o opening
fore- before, in front of
-form, form/o form, figure, shape
fornic/o vault
foss/o ditch
fove/o pit
fract/o break, broken
fren/o bridle, any device that limits movement
frigid/o cold
front/o forehead, brow
-fuge to drive away
funct/o, function/o function
fund/o bottom, base
fung/i fungus
furc/o forking, branching
furuncul/o furuncles, an infected boil
-fusion pour
16 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
G
galact/o milk
gamet/o wife or husband, egg or sperm
gangli/o, ganglion/o ganglion
gangren/o gangrene, progressive infected sore
gastr/o stomach, belly
gastrocnemi/o gastrocnemius, calf muscle
gemin/o twin, double
gen/o, genit/o producing, birth, origin, race
-gene production, origin, formation
-genesis, -genic producing, forming
genit/o related to reproductive organs
-genous producing
ger/i old age
germin/o bud, sprout, germ
geront/o old age
gest/o, gestat/o bear, carry young or offspring
gigant/o giant, very large
gingiv/o gum
glauc/o grey
glen/o pit
gli/o glue
globin/o, -globulin protein
globul/o little ball
glomerul/o glomerulus
gloss/o, glosso- tongue
glott/i, glott/o back of tongue
gluc/o glucose, sugar
glute/o buttocks
glyc/o glucose, sugar
glycer/o sweet
glycogen/o glycogen, animal starch
gnath/o jaw
-gog, -gogue make flow
goitr/o goitre, enlargement of thyroid gland
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
gon/e, gon/o seed
gonad/o sex glands
goni/o angle
gracil/o slender
grad/i move, walk
-grade go
-gram tracing, picture, record
granul/o granule(s)
-graph instrument for recording, picture
-graphy recording, process of recording a picture or record
grav/i heavy, severe
gravid/o pregnancy
-gravida pregnant woman
gynec/o, gynaec/o woman, female
gyr/o turning, folding
H
hal/o, halit/o breath
halluc/o great or large toe
hallucin/o wandering mind
haem- blood
haem/e deep red iron-containing pigment
haem/o, haemat/o blood
haemangi/o blood vessel
hemi- half
hepa-, hepar-, hepat/o liver
hered/o, heredit/o inherited
herni/o hernia
herpet/o creeping
heter/o, hetero- different
hiat/o opening
hidr/o sweat
hil/o hilum or hilus, notch
hirsut/o hairy, rough
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
hist/o, histi/o tissue
holo- all
hom/o same, like, alike
home/o unchanging
horde/o barley corn
hormon/o excite, rouse, urge on
humer/o humerus
hydr/o, hydra- water
hygien/o healthy
hymen/o, hymen- a membrane
hyper- over, above, increased, excessive, beyond
hypn/o sleep
hyp/o, hypo- under, decreased, deficient, below
hyster/o uterus, womb
I
-ia state or condition
-iac pertaining to
-iasis condition, abnormal condition
iatr/o relating to a physician or to medicine
-ible able to be, capable of being
-ic pertaining to
ichthy/o dry, scaly
icter/o, ictero- jaundice
idio-, idi/o peculiar to individual or organ, distinct
-iferous bearing, carrying, producing
-ific making, producing
-iform shaped or formed like, resembling
-igo attack, diseased condition
-ile capable of (being), able to, pertaining to
ile/o ileum, small intestine
ili/o ilium, hip bone
illusi/o deception
immun/o immune, protected, safe
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
impact/o wedged against
impress/o pressing into
impuls/o pressure or pushing force, drive, urging on
in- in, into, not, without
incis/o cutting into
incubat/o incubation, hatching
indurat/o hardened
infarct/o- filled in, stuffed
infect/o tainted, infected
infer/o below, beneath
infest/o attack
inflammat/o flame, set on fire
infra- beneath, below, inferior to
infundibul/o funnel
ingest/o carry or pour in
inguin/o groin
inhal/o, inhalat/o breathe in
inject/o force or throw in
innominat/o unnamed, nameless
inocul/o implant, ingraft, introduce
insipid/o tasteless
inspir/o, inspirat/o breathe in
insul/o island
intact/o untouched, whole
inter- between, among
intermitt/o not continuous
intern/o within, inner
interstiti/o space between things
intestin/o intestine
intim/o innermost
intoxic/o put poison in
intra- within, into, inside
intrins/o contained within
intro- within, into, inside
introit/o entrance or passage
intussuscept/o take up or receive within
20 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
involut/o rolled up
ion/o wander
ir/o, irid/o, irit/o rainbow, iris of eye
is/o same, equal
isch/o hold back
ishi/o ischium
-ism state of, condition
iso- equal
-itis inflammation
-ium structure, tissue
J
jejun/o jejunum
jugul/o throat
juxta- near, nearby
K
kal/i potassium
kary/o, karyo- nucleus, nut
kata-, kath- down
kel/o growth, tumour
kera- horn, hardness
kerat/o horny, hard, cornea
ket/, keton/o ketones
kinesi/o movement
-kinesis motion
klept/o to steal
kraur/o dry
kyph/o bent, hump
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
L
labi/o lip
labyrinth/o maze, labyrinth, inner ear
lacer/o, lacerat/o torn, mangled
lacrim/o tear, tear duct, lacrimal duct
lact/i, lact/o milk
lactat/o to secrete milk
lamin/o lamina
lapar/o abdomen
laps/o slip, fall, slide, especially downward
laryng/o larynx, voice box
lat/i, lat/o broad
later/o side
lav/o, lavat/o wash, bathe
lax/o, laxat/o loosen, relax
lei smooth
leiomy/o smooth muscle
lemm/o husk, peel, bark
lent/i lens of eye
lenticul/o shaped like a lens, pertaining to a lens
-lepsy seizure
lept/o thin, slender
lepto- small
letharg/o drowsiness
lecu-, leuc/o, leuk/o white
lev/o, levat/o raise, lift up
libid/o, libidin/o sexual drive, desire, passion
ligament/o ligament
ligat/o binding or tying off
lingu/o tongue
lip/o fat, lipid
-lite, lith/o, -lith stone, calculus
-lithiasis presence of stones
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
lob/i, lob/o lobe, well defined part of an organ
loc/o place
loch/i childbirth
logist specialist in the study of
logy science or study of
longev/o long life
lord/o bent backward
lumb/o lower back, loin
lumin/o light
lun/o the moon
lunat/o of the moon
lunul/o crescent
lup/i, lup/o wolf
lute/o yellow
lymph/o lymph, lymphatic tissue
lymphaden/o lymph gland
lymphangi/o lymph vessel
-lysis breaking down, dissolving
-lyst agent that causes lysis or loosening
-lytic reduce, destroy
M
macr/o, macro- large, abnormal size or length
macul/o spot
magn/o great, large
major/o larger
mal- bad, abnormal
malac/o, -malacia abnormal softening
malign/o bad, evil
malle/o hammer
malleol/o malleolus, little hammer
mamm/o breast
man/i madness
man/i, man/o the hand
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
mandibul/o mandible, lower jaw
-mania obsessive, preoccupation
manipul/o handling
manubri/o handle
masset/o chew
mast/o breast
mastic/o, masticat/o chew
mastoid/o mastoid process
matern/o maternal, of a mother
matur/o ripe, ripened
maxill/o maxilla, upper jaw
maxim/o largest, greatest
meat/o meatus, a passage
med-, medi/o middle
mediastin/o in the middle
medic/o medicine, physician, healing
medull/o medulla, inner section, middle, soft, marrow
mega-, megal/o big, large, great
-megaly large, great, extreme, enlargement
mei/o less, meiosis
melan/o black
mellit/o honey
membran/o membrane, thin skin
men/o, menstru/o menses, menstruation, month
mening/o, meningi/o membranes, meninges
menisc/o crescent
mens-, mens/o menses, menstruation
menstru/o, menstruat/o taking place monthly
ment/o mind
mes-, meso- middle
mesenter/o mesentery, middle intestine
mesi/o middle, median plane
meta- beyond, over, between, change, transportation
metabol/o change
metacarp/o metacarpals, hand bones
metatars/o metatarsals (bones in the foot)
24 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
-meter measure, an instrument that measures
metr/i, metr/o, metri/o uterus
-metry measurement
mi/o smaller, less
micr/o, micro- small
mictur/o, micturit/o urinate
midsagitt/o at the middle, from top to bottom
-mimetic mimic, copy
mineral/o mineral
minim/o smallest, least
minor/o smaller
mio- less, smaller
mit/o a thread
mitr/o mitre having two points on top
mobil/o capable of moving
mon/o, mono- one, single
monil/i string of beads, genus of parasitic mould or fungi
mon/o, mono- one, single
morbid/o disease, sickness
moribund/o dying
morph/o shape, form
mort/i, mort/o, mort/u death, dead
mortal/i pertaining to death
mot/o, motil/o motion, movement
mu/o close, shut
muc/o, mucos/o mucous
multi- many, much
muscul/o muscle
mut/a genetic change
mut/o unable to speak, dumb
my/o muscle
myc/e, myc/o fungus
mydri/o wide
mydrias/i dilation of the pupil
myel/o spinal cord, bone marrow
myocardi/o myocardium, heart muscle
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
myom/o muscle tumor
myos/o muscle
myring/o tympanic membrane, eardrum
myx/o, myxa- mucous, slime
N
nar/i nostril
narc/o numbness, stupor
nas/i, nas/o the nose
nat/i , nat/o birth
natr/o sodium
nause/o nausea, seasickness
ne/o, neo- new, strange
necr/o death
-necrosis death of tissue
nect/o bind, tie, connect
neo- new
nephr/o, nephra- kidney
nerv/o nerve, nervous tissue
neu-, neur/i, neur/o nerve, nervous tissue
neutr/o neither, neutral
nev/o birthmark, mole
niter-, nitro- nitrogen
noct/i night
nod/o knot, swelling
nodul/o little knot
nom/o low, control
non- no
nor- chemical compound
norm/o normal
nuch/o the nape, neck region
nucle/o nucleus
nucleol/o nucleolus, little nucleus
nulli- none
26 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
numer/o number, count
nunci/o messenger
nutri/o, nutrit/o nourishment, food, feed
nyct/o, nyctal/o night
O
o- egg, ovum
ob- against
obes/o obese, extremely fat
obliqu/o slanted, sideways
oblongat/o oblong, elongated
obster/i, obstetr/o midwife, one who stands to receive
occipit/o back of the skull, occiput
occlud/o, occlus/o shut, close up
occult/o hidden
ocul/o, oculo- eye
odont/o tooth
oedemat/o, oedem swelling, fluid
oesophag/o oesophagus, gullet
-oid like, resembling
olecran/o olecranon, elbow
olfact/o smell
olig/o scanty, few
-ologist specialist in the study of
-ology the science or study of
-oma tumour, neoplasm, growth
om/o, omo- shoulder
oment/o omentum, fat
omphal/o the navel
onc/o tumour
onych/o fingernail or toenail
oo/o egg
oophor/o ovary
opac/o, opacit/o shaded, dark, impenetrable to light
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Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
oper/o, operat/o perform, operate, work
opercul/o cover or lid
ophthalm/o eye vision
-opia vision
opisth/o backward
-opsia, -opsis, -opsy vision, view of
opt/i, opt/o, optic/o eye, vision
or/o the mouth
orbit/o circle, orbit, bony cavity or socket
orch/o, orchi/o testis, testes
orchid/o testis, testes
orect/i, orex/i appetite
organ/o organ
orgasm/o swell, be excited
orth/o, ortho- straight, normal, correct, upright
os- bone, mouth
-osis disease, abnormal condition
osm/o, -osmia smell, odour
osm/o pushing, thrusting
oss/e, oss/i, oste/o bone
ostomosis, -ostomy surgically creating a new opening or mouth
ot/o ear, hearing
-tomy surgical incision, cutting into
-ous pertaining to
ov/i, ov/o egg ovum
ovari/o ovary
ox/i, ox/o, ox/y oxygen
oxid/o containing oxygen
oxy- sharp, acid, quick, oxygen
P
pachy- thick
palat/o palate, roof of mouth
pall/o, pallid/o pale, lacking colour
28 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
palliat/o cloaked, hidden
palm/o the palm
palpat/o touch, feel, stroke
palpebr/o eyelid
palpit/o throbbing
pan- all, entire
pancreat/o pancreas
papill/i, papill/o nipple like
papul/o pimple
par/o, para- apart from, beside
par/o labour
-para to bear
paralys/o, paralyt/o disable
parasit/o near food, parasite
parathryoid/o parathyroid glands
pares/i to disable
-paresis slight paralysis
paret/o to disable
pareuni/o coitus
pariet/o wall
parotid/o parotid gland
-parous having borne one or more children
paroxysm/o sudden attack
part/o, -partum birth, labour
parturit/o childbirth, labour
patell/a, patell/o patella, kneecap
path/o, -pathia, -pathy disease, suffering, feeling, emotion
-pathic pertaining to, affected by disease
paus/o stopping, cease
pector/o chest
pedi/a child
ped/o child, foot
pedicul/o a louse
pelv/i, pelv/o pelvic bone, hip
pen/i penis
-penia lack, deficient
© TAFE frontiers 2001 29
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
peps/i, pept/o digest, digestion
percept/o perceive, become aware of
percuss/o strike, tap, beat
per- excessive, through
peri- around, surrounding
perine/o perineum
peristals/o, peristalt/o constrict around
peritone/o peritoneum
perme/o to pass or go through
pernici/o destructive, harmful
perone/o fibular bone
perspir/o perspiration
pertuss/i intensive cough
petechi/o skin spot
-pexy surgical fixation, to put back in original place
phac/o lens of eye
phag/o eating, swallowing
-phage cell that destroys
-phagia eating, swallowing
phak/o lens of eye
phalang/o phalanges (finger and toe)
phall/o penis
pharmac/o drug
pharyng/o throat, pharynx
phas/o speech
-phasia speak
phe/o dusky
pher/o to bear or carry
-pheresis removal
phil/o to like, to love, attraction to
-philia attraction for, love of, increase in numbers
phim/o constriction of an orifice
phleb/o vein
phlegm/o thick mucus
phob/o fear
phon/o, -phonia sound, voice
30 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
phor/o carry, bear, movement
-phoresis carrying
-phoria to bear, carry, mental state
phot/o light
phren/o diaphragm, mind
-phylactic protective, preventive
-phylaxis protection
physi/o, physic/o form or nature
-physis to grow
-phyte plant
pigment/o paint, colour, pigment
pil/i, pil/o hair
pineal/o pineal gland
pinn/o, pinn/i external ear, auricle
pituit/o pituitary
pituitar/o mucous secretion
plac/o flat plate or patch
placent/o round flat cake, placenta
-plakia, plak/o thin flat layer or scale
plan/o flat
plant/i, plant/o sole or bottom of foot
plas/i, plas/o growth, development, formation, mould
-plasia formation, development, growth
-plasm growth, formation
plast/o growth, development, mould
-plasty surgical repair
-plegia stroke, paralysis, palsy
-plegic paralysis, one affected with paralysis
pleur/o pleura, side of the body
plex/o plexus, network
plic/o fold, ridge
-pnoea pertaining to breathing
pneu- related to air or lungs
pneum/o, pneumon/o lung, air
pod/o foot
-poisesis formation
© TAFE frontiers 2001 31
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
poikil/o varied, irregular
poli/o, polio- grey matter of brain and spinal cord
pollic/o thumb
poly- many
polyp/o polyp, small growth
pont/o pons, a part of the brain
poplit/o back of the knee
por/o pore, small opening
-porosis passage
port/i gate, door
post- after, behind
poster/o back of body, behind
potent/o powerful
pract/i, practic/o practice, pursue an occupation
prandi/o, -prandial meal, late breakfast, dinner
-praxia action, concerning performance of movement
-praxis therapeutic treatment involving a specified method
pre- before, in front of
precoc/i early, premature
pregn/o pregnant
prematur/o too early
preputi/o foreskin, prepuce
presby/o old age
press/o press
priap/o penis
primi- first
pro- before
process/o going forth
procident/o fall down or forward
procreat/o reproduce
proct/o anus and rectum
prodrom/o precursor
product/o yield, produce
prolaps/o fall downward, slide forward
prolifer/o bear offspring, reproduce
pron/o, pronat/o bent forward
32 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
prostat/o prostate gland
prosth/o, prosthet/o addition, appendage
pro/o, prote/o first, original, protein
proxim/o near
prurit/o itch
psued/o false
psor/i, psor/o itch
psych/o mind
ptomat/o fall
-ptosis drooping, sagging, prolapse
-ptyal/o spit, saliva
-ptysis spitting
pub/o pubis, part of hip bone
pubert/o adolescence, ripe age, adult
pudend/o pudendum, shameful
pueper/i childbearing, labour
pulm/o, pulmon/o lung
pulpos/o fleshy, pulpy
puls/o beating, striking
punct/o sting, prick, puncture, little hole
pupill/o pupil
pur/o pus
purpur/o purple
pustul/o infected pimple
py/o pus
pyel/o renal pelvis, pelvis of the kidney
pylor/o pylorus, gate keeper
pyr/o, pyret/o fever, fire
pyramid/o pyramid shaped
Q
quadr/i, quadr/o four
© TAFE frontiers 2001 33
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
R
rabi/o rage, madness
rachi/o spinal column, vertebral column, vertebrae
radi/o radiation, radius
radiat/o giving or passing off rays
radicul/o root, nerve root
rrhaph/o suture, stitch
-rrhaphy suturing, stitching
re- back, again
recept/o receive, receiver
recipi/o receive to oneself
reticul/o network
rect/o rectum, straight
recuperat/o recover, regain health
reduct/o bring back together
refract/o bend back, turn aside
regurgit/o flood or flushed backwards
remiss/o let go, relax, give up
ren/o kidney
restor/o rebuild, restore
resuscit/o revive
retent/o hold back
retin/o retina, net
retract/o draw in
retr/o, retro- behind, backward, back of
rhabdomy/o striated muscle
-rrhage, -rrhagia bursting forth
-rrhaphy suture
-rrhoea, -rrhea flow, discharge
-rrhexis rupture
rheum/o, rheumat/o a watery flow
rhin/o nose
rhiz/o root
34 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
rhonc/o snore
rhythm/o rhythm
rhytid/o wrinkle
rigid/o stiff
ris/o laugh
roentgen/o x-ray
rotat/o rotate, revolve
-rrhage, -rrhagia bursting forth
-rrhaphy suture
-rrhoea, -rrhea flow, discharge
-rrhexis rupture
rug/o wrinkle, fold
S
sacc/i, sacc/o sac
sacchar/o sugar
sacr/o sacrum
saliv/o spit
salping/o uterine (fallopian) tube, auditory (eustachian) tube
-salpinx uterine (fallopian) tube
san/o sound, healthy, sane
sangu/i, sanguin/o blood
sanit/o health, sound
saphen/o clear, apparent, manifest
sapr/o dead or decaying
sarc/o, sarcomat/o flesh (connective tissue), cancer of connective tissue
sarco- flesh
-sarcoma tumour, cancer
scalp/o carve
scapul/o scapula, shoulder blade
-schisis, schiz/o split, cleft, divided
scirrh/o hard
scler/o, sclera, white of eye, hard
-sclerosis abnormal dryness, hardening
© TAFE frontiers 2001 35
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
scoli/o crooked, curved
-scope viewer, instrument for visual examination
-scopic pertaining to visual examination
-scopy see, visual examination
scot/o darkness
scrib/o, script/o write
scrot/o bag or pouch
seb/o sebum, wax
secti/o to cut
secret/o produce and separate out
sect/o cutting
segment/o in pieces
semi- half
semin/i seed, sperm, semen
sen/i old
senesc/o grow old
senil/o old age
sens/i feeling, sensation
sensitiv/o sensitive (to) affected (by)
seps/o infection
sept/o infection, partition
ser/o serum
seros/o serous
sial/o saliva, salivary glands
sialaden/o salivary glands
sider/o iron
sigm/o sigma, the Greek letters
sigmoid/o sigmoid colon
sin/o, sin/u hollow, sinus, tube like passage
sinstr/o left
sinus/o sinus
sit/u place
skelet/o skeleton
soci/o companion
solut/o, solv/o loosened, dissolved
soma-, somat/o body
36 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
somn/i, somn/o, -
somnia
asleep
son/o sound
sopor/o sleep
spad/o draw off, draw
spasm/o, -spasm sudden involuntary contraction, tightening or cramping
spasmod/o sudden involuntary contraction, tightening or cramping
spec/i look at, a kind or sort
specul/o mirror
sperm/o, spermat/o spermatozoa, sperm cells, seed
sphen/o wedge, sphenoid bone
spher/o round, sphere, ball
sphincter/o tight binder or band
sphygm/o, -sphyxia pulse
spin/o spine, backbone
spir/o breath, breathing
spirill/o little coil
spirochet/o coiled micro-organism
splen/o spleen
spondyl/o vertebra, vertebral column
spontane/o unexplained, of one’s own accord
spor/o seed, spore
sput/o spit, sputum
squam/o scale
-stalsis contraction
staped/o, stapedi/o stapes, stirrup, middle ear bone or ossicle
staphly/o cluster, bunch of grapes
stas/i, -stasis controlling, stopping the flow
stat/i, -static controlling, stopping the flow
steat/o fat, lipid, sebum
sten/o narrowing, contracted
-stenosis narrowing, tightening, stricture of a duct or canal
ster/o solid structure
stere/o three dimensional
steril/i barren, sterile
stern/o sternum, the breastbone
© TAFE frontiers 2001 37
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
stert/o snoring
steth/o chest
sthen/o, -sthenia strength
stigmat/o point, spot
stimul/o incite, excite
stomat/o mouth
-stomy new opening
strab/i squint, squint eyed
strat/i layer
strept/o twisted chain
striat/o stripe, furrow, groove
stric- narrowing
strict/o draw tightly together, bind or tie
strid/o harsh sound
stup/e stunned
styl/o pen, pointed instrument
sub- under, less, below
subluxat/o partial dislocation
sucr/o sugar
sudor/i sweat
suffoc/o, suffocat/o choke, strangle
sulc/o furrow, groove
super- above, excessive, higher than
superflu/o overflowing, excessive
supin/o lying on the back
suppress/o press down
suppur/o, suppurat/o to form pus
supra- above, excessive
supraren/o above or on the kidney, suprarenal gland
sutur/o stitch, seam
sym- with, together
symptomat/o falling together, symptom
syn- together
synaps/o, synapt/o point of contact
synap/o cut short, cut off
-syndesis surgical fusion or joining of vertebrae
38 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
syndesm/o ligament
syndrom/o running together
synovi/o synovial membrane, lubricating fluid
syphil/i syphilis
syring/o tube
system/o body system
systol/o contraction
T
tachy- fast, rapid
tact/i touch
tars/o ankle, edge of eyelid
tax/o order, coordination
techn/o skill
tectori/o roof like
tele/o distant, far
tempor/o temple
tenac/i sticky
ten/o, tend/o, tendin/o tendon
tens/o stretch out, extend, strain
terat/o monster, malformed foetus
termin/o end, limit
test/i test/o witness, testis, testicle
testicul/o testicle
tetan/o rigid, tense
tetra- four
thalam/o thalamus, inner room
thalass/o sea
thanas/o death
the/o put, place
thec/o sheath
thel/o nipple
therap/o, therapeut/o treatment
therm/o heat
© TAFE frontiers 2001 39
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
thorac/o chest
-thorax pleural cavity, chest
thromb/o blood clot
thym/o thymus gland
thyr/o, thyroid/o shield, thyroid gland
tibi/o tibia, shin bone
-tic pertaining to
tine/o ringworm
tinnit/o ringing, buzzing
toc/o childbirth
-tocia labour, delivery, birth
tom/o section, cut
-tome instrument to cut
-tomy cutting, incision
ton/o tone, tension, stretching
tone/o stretch
tonsil/o tonsil, throat
top/o place, position, location
tors/o twist, rotate
tort/i twisted
tox/o, toxic/o poison, poisonous
trabecul/o little beam, cross bars or beams, a framework
trache/i, trache/o trachea, windpipe
trachel- neck
tract/o draw, pull, path, bundle of nerve fibres
tranquil/o quiet, calm, tranquil
trans- across, through
transfus/o transfer
transit/o changing
transvers/o across, crosswise
traumat/o injury
trem/o shaking, trembling
tremul/o fine tremor
treponem/o coiled, microbe
-tresia opening
tri- three
40 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
trich/o hair
trigon/o trigone
-tripsy crushing the stone
-trite instrument for crushing
trochle/o pulley
trop/o turn, change
troph/o, -trophic relating to nutrition, nourishment, development, growth
-trophy relating to nutrition, nourishment, development, growth
-tropia turn
-tropic have an affinity for
tub/i, tub/o tube, pipe
tubercul/o little knot, swelling
tunic/o covering, cloak, sheath
turbinat/o coiled, spiral shaped
tuss/i cough
tympan/o tympanic membrane, eardrum
U
ulcer/o sore, ulcer
uln/o ulna
ultra- beyond, excess
umbilic/o navel
un- not
ungu/o nail
uni- one
ur/o urine, urinary tract
urea iris, choroid, ciliary body
-uresis urination
ureter/o ureter
urethr/o urethra
-uria urination, urine
urin/o urine or urinary organs
urtic/o rash
-us thing
© TAFE frontiers 2001 41
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
uter/i, uter/o uterus, womb
uve/o vascular layer of eye, iris, choroid, ciliary body
uvul/o uvula, little grape
V
vaccin/i, vaccin/o vaccine
vacu/o empty
vag/o wandering
vagin/o vagina, sheath
valg/o bent or twisted outward
valv/o, valvul/o valve
var/o bent or twisted inward
varic/o swollen or dilated vein
vas/o vessel, duct, vas deferens
vascul/o little vessel
vaso- vessel
vast/o vast, great, extensive
vect/o carry
ven/o vein
vener/o coitus, sexual intercourse
venter- abdomen
ventilat/o expose to air, fan
ventr/o in front, belly side of body
ventricul/o ventricle of brain or heart small chamber
venul/o venule, small vein
verg/o twist, incline
verm/i worm
verruc/o wart
-version to turn
ver/o vert/o turn
vertebr/o vertebra, backbone
vertig/o whirling round, turning around, revolution
vesic/o urinary bladder
vesicul/o seminal vesicle, blister, little bladder
42 © TAFE frontiers 2001
Glossary of Medical Terms
List of Combining Forms, Prefixes and Suffixes
vestibul/o entrance, vestibule
vi/o force
vill/i tuft of hair
vir/o poison, virus
viril/o masculine, manly
vis/o seeing, sight
visc/o sticky
viscer/o viscera, internal organ
viscos/o sticky
vit/a, vit/o life
viti/o blemish
vitre/o glassy, made of glass
voc/i the voice
vol/o the palm or sole
volv/o roll, turn
vulgar/i common
vulv/o vulva, covering
X
xanth/o yellow
xen/o strange, foreign
xer/o dry
xiph/i, xiph/o sword
Y
-y condition or process of
Z
zygomat/o yoke, cheekbone
zygot/o joined or yoked together
